RU2823666C1 - Algorithm for controlling heating module for device for electronic vaping of nicotine - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to electronic devices for vaping nicotine. Technical result is achieved by the fact that in order to control heater (336) of the electronic vaping device (500), the information on power is detected on the basis of the removable containing element (300), which indicates the first working point and the second working point. Power information includes a plurality of operating points corresponding to a plurality of approximate preference levels. By means of tactile sensors a version of selection of an approximate level of preference is obtained from a plurality of approximate levels of preference. Working point is selected from a plurality of working points, which corresponds to the selected approximate level of preference as the second working point. Power is supplied to heater (336) based on detected power information. Second power value exceeds the first power value.

EFFECT: reducing the difference between the value of the target temperature and the temperature value of the heater of the device for electronic vaping of nicotine.

18 cl, 35 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to electronic devices for vaping nicotine, including self-contained products comprising nicotine-containing ready-made vapor compositions.

Electronic nicotine vaping devices are used to vaporize a nicotine-containing material of a vapor composition into a nicotine vapor. These electronic nicotine vaping devices may be referred to as nicotine e-vaping devices. The nicotine e-vaping devices comprise a heater that vaporizes a nicotine-containing material of a vapor composition to produce a nicotine vapor. The nicotine e-vaping device may comprise several nicotine e-vaping elements, including a power source, a cartridge or nicotine e-vaping container comprising a heater, and a reservoir configured to hold a nicotine-containing material of a vapor composition.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a device for electronic vaping of nicotine includes detecting, based on a removable containing element included in the device for electronic vaping of nicotine, power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information, determining a first power value based on the first operating point, supplying the first power value to the heater during a first operating mode of the heater, determining a second power value based on the second operating point, and supplying the second power value to the heater during a second operating mode of the heater, wherein the second power value is higher than the first power value.

The first power value supplied during the first operating mode may be a value that causes the heater to heat the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition, and the second power value supplied during the second operating mode may be a value that causes the heater to heat the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device to a temperature equal to or exceeding the boiling point of the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition.

The nicotine-containing vapor mixture can be stored in a removable container.

The removable containing element may contain a heater.

The power information may comprise a plurality of operating points that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels, and the method may further comprise obtaining, by means of one or more tactile sensors located on the device for electronic nicotine vaping, an option for selecting an approximate preference level from a plurality of approximate preference levels; and selecting as a second operating point such an operating point from a plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level.

Determining the second power value may include receiving by the electronic nicotine vaping device from an external device an option to select a precise preference level from a plurality of precise preference levels; and determining the second power value based on the selected second operating point and the selected precise preference level.

The external device may be a wireless communication device, and receiving the precise preference level selection option may include receiving the precise preference level selection option by the nicotine electronic vaping device via a wireless communication line between the nicotine electronic vaping device and the external device.

The power information may comprise a first plurality of operating points that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels, and the method may further comprise obtaining, by means of one or more tactile sensors located on the device for electronic nicotine vaping, an option for selecting an approximate preference level from a plurality of approximate preference levels; and selecting as a first operating point such an operating point from the first plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level.

Determining the first power value may include receiving by the electronic nicotine vaping device from an external device an option to select a precise preference level from a plurality of precise preference levels; and determining the first power value based on the selected first operating point and the selected precise preference level.

The external device may be a wireless communication device, and receiving the precise preference level selection option may include receiving the precise preference level selection option by the nicotine electronic vaping device via a wireless communication line between the nicotine electronic vaping device and the external device.

The power information may comprise a second plurality of operating points that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels, and the method may include selecting, as the second operating point, an operating point from the second plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level.

Determining the second power value may include determining the second power value based on the selected second operating point and the selected precise preference level.

The external device may be a wireless communication device, and receiving the precise preference level selection option includes receiving the precise preference level selection option by the nicotine electronic vaping device via a wireless communication line between the nicotine electronic vaping device and the external device.

Detecting the power information may include reading, using the nicotine vaping device, the power information from an image located on the removable housing member.

The image may include a QR code, and reading the power information may include reading, using the nicotine e-vaping device, the power information from the QR code located on the removable housing element.

The removable accommodating element may comprise a memory, wherein the memory of the removable accommodating element may store data that includes power information, and detecting the power information may include reading the power information from the memory of the accommodating element using the electronic nicotine vaping device.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vaping device includes receiving, via one or more tactile sensors located on the nicotine electronic vaping device, an option to select an approximate preference level from a plurality of approximate preference levels; receiving, by the nicotine electronic vaping device, from an external device an option to select a precise preference level from a plurality of precise preference levels; determining a first power value based on the selected approximate preference level and the selected precise preference level; and supplying the determined first power value to the heater.

The external device may be a wireless communication device, and receiving the precise preference level selection option may include receiving the precise preference level selection option by the nicotine electronic vaping device via a wireless communication line between the nicotine electronic vaping device and the external device.

The method may further comprise receiving by the nicotine electronic vaping device a first removable containing element by inserting the first removable containing element into the nicotine electronic vaping device, wherein the first removable containing element comprises a nicotine-containing final vapor composition; detecting by the nicotine electronic vaping device a first type of composition as a type of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition of the first removable containing element; and storing, in relation to the detected first type of composition, the selected approximate preference level and the selected precise preference level in the memory of the nicotine electronic vaping device, and the detected first power value may be a value that causes the heater to heat the nicotine-containing final vapor composition stored in the first removable containing element to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition stored in the first removable containing element.

The detection may include reading, using the device for electronic nicotine vaping, information on the type of composition from an image located on the first removable containing element; and detecting the first type of composition as the type of the nicotine-containing finished composition for the vapor of the first removable containing element based on the read information on the type of composition.

The image may include a QR code, and reading the composition type information may include reading, using the nicotine electronic vaping device, the composition type information from the QR code located on the first removable accommodating element.

The first removable accommodating element may comprise a memory, wherein the memory of the first removable accommodating element may store data that includes information on the type of composition, and the detection may include reading, using the device for electronic vaping of nicotine, information on the type of composition from the memory of the first removable accommodating element; and detecting the first type of composition as the type of the nicotine-containing ready-made composition for vapor of the first removable accommodating element based on the read information on the type of composition.

The method may further comprise receiving by the nicotine electronic vaping device a second removable containing element by inserting the second removable containing element into the nicotine electronic vaping device, wherein the second removable containing element comprises a nicotine-containing final composition for vapor; detecting by the nicotine electronic vaping device a first type of composition as the type of the nicotine-containing final composition for vapor of the second removable containing element; based on detecting the first type of composition as the type of the nicotine-containing final composition for vapor of the second removable containing element, reading from the memory of the nicotine electronic vaping device an approximate preference level and an exact preference level, which were previously stored in the memory of the nicotine electronic vaping device, with respect to the first type of composition; determining a second power value based on the read approximate preference level and the read exact preference level; and providing heating by the heater of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition stored in the second removable containing element to a temperature equal to or exceeding the boiling point of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition stored in the second removable containing element by supplying a determined second amount of power to the heater.

The detection may include reading, using the device for electronic nicotine vaping, information on the type of composition from an image located on the second removable accommodating element; and detecting the first type of composition as the type of the nicotine-containing finished composition for the vapor of the second removable accommodating element based on the read information on the type of composition.

The image may include a QR code, and reading the composition type information may include reading, using the nicotine electronic vaping device, the composition type information from the QR code located on the second removable accommodating element.

The second removable accommodating element may comprise a memory, wherein the memory of the second removable accommodating element may store data that includes information on the type of composition, and the detection may include reading, using the device for electronic vaping of nicotine, information on the type of composition from the memory of the first removable accommodating element; and detecting the first type of composition as the type of the nicotine-containing finished composition for vapor of the second removable accommodating element based on the read information on the type of composition.

According to at least some example embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vaping device includes receiving, using the nicotine electronic vaping device, a plurality of vaping preference levels; determining, using the nicotine electronic vaping device, a current time; determining, using the nicotine electronic vaping device, a predicted vaping preference level based on the determined current time; determining a power amount to supply to a heater based on the predicted vaping preference level; and supplying the determined power amount to the heater.

The plurality of vaping preference levels may include first obtained vaping preference levels obtained by the nicotine electronic vaping device in the first half of the day and second obtained vaping preference levels obtained by the nicotine electronic vaping device during the second half of the day, and determining the predicted vaping preference level may include determining by the nicotine electronic vaping device the predicted vaping preference level based on the first obtained vaping preference levels when the determined current time is in the first half of the day; and determining by the nicotine electronic vaping device the predicted vaping preference level based on the second obtained vaping preference levels when the determined current time is in the second half of the day.

Obtaining a plurality of vaping preference levels may include obtaining one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels using one or more tactile sensors located on the electronic nicotine vaping device.

Receiving the plurality of vaping preference levels may include receiving one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels from an external device.

The external device may be a wireless communication device, and receiving one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels may include receiving by the nicotine electronic vaping device one or more of the plurality of vaping preference levels via a wireless communication line between the nicotine electronic vaping device and the external device.

According to at least some example embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a nicotine electronic vaping device includes receiving, via one or more tactile sensors located on the nicotine electronic vaping device, an option for selecting an approximate preference level from a plurality of approximate preference levels; detecting, using a removable housing element included in the nicotine electronic vaping device, power information indicating a plurality of operating points corresponding, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels; selecting, as a first operating point, such an operating point from a first plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level; determining a first power value based on the first operating point; and supplying the determined first power value to the heater.

The first power value may be a value that causes the heater to heat the nicotine-containing vapor preparation stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine-containing vapor preparation.

The first power value may be a value that causes the heater to heat the nicotine-containing vapor preparation stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of the nicotine-containing vapor preparation.

Detecting the power information may include reading, using the nicotine vaping device, the power information from an image located on the removable housing member.

The image may include a QR code, and reading the power information may include reading, using the nicotine e-vaping device, the power information from the QR code located on the removable housing element.

The removable accommodating element may comprise a memory, wherein the memory of the removable accommodating element may store data that includes power information, and detecting the power information may include reading the power information from the memory of the accommodating element using the electronic nicotine vaping device.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, a method for controlling a heater of a device for electronic vaping of nicotine includes determining a temperature value of the heater; obtaining a target temperature; and controlling, using a PID controller, a power level supplied to the heater based on the temperature value of the heater and the target temperature value.

Determining a temperature value of a heater may include obtaining one or more electrical characteristics of the heater; determining a resistance of the heater based on the obtained one or more electrical characteristics; and obtaining from a look-up table (LUT) a first temperature value based on the determined resistance.

A look-up table (LUT) may store a plurality of temperature values that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of heater resistances, wherein the obtained first temperature value may be a temperature value from the plurality of temperature values stored in the look-up table (LUT) that corresponds to a specific resistance, and the heater temperature value may be the obtained first temperature value.

Obtaining a target temperature value may include detecting, using a containing element included in a device for electronic nicotine vaping, power information indicating a plurality of predetermined temperature values; determining a current operating mode of the device for electronic nicotine vaping; and selecting as a target temperature value such a predetermined temperature value from a plurality of predetermined temperature values that corresponds to a certain current operating mode of the device for electronic nicotine vaping.

Controlling the power level supplied to the heater may include controlling, using a PID controller, the power level supplied to the heater so that the magnitude of the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value is reduced.

Various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent when the detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings are not to be construed as being drawn to scale unless expressly indicated. For clarity, various sizes of the images may have been exaggerated. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a nicotine e-vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the nicotine e-vaporization device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the nicotine e-vapor device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a view of the near end of the nicotine e-vaporization device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a view of the far end of the nicotine e-vaporization device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the nicotine e-vaporization device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of the inlet opening of the containing element shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the device for e-vaporizing nicotine from Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the main part of the device, which is the device for e-vaporizing nicotine of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 shows a front view of the main part of the device from Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged perspective view of the through hole of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged perspective view of the electrical connector of the device of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the assembled containing element of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of Fig. 6.

Fig. 14 shows another perspective view of the containing element assembly of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a partial exploded view of the containing element assembly of Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of the connecting module of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 shows another perspective view of the connecting module of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of the connecting module of Fig. 17 without the wick and heater.

Fig. 19 shows an exploded view of the connecting module of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 shows another exploded view of the connecting module of Fig. 18.

Fig. 21A is a diagram of a system of a device for a dispensing main part according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 21B shows an example of a controller in the system of the device of Fig. 21A according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 22A is a diagram of a system of a containing member for a dispensing main part according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 22B shows an example of the containing element system of Fig. 22A in which the cryptographic coprocessor is omitted, according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 23 shows a system of a containing element connected to a system of a device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating a heating module control algorithm and associated input data according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 25A is a flow chart illustrating a setup algorithm for controlling a heating module, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 25B shows an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform generated by the heating module control setup algorithm of Fig. 25A, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 25C is a block diagram illustrating an adaptive control algorithm for a heating module, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 25D illustrates an exemplary relationship between the detected air flow and the adapted power level generated by the adaptive control algorithm of the heating module of Fig. 25C, according to at least some exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 25E is a block diagram illustrating a temperature control algorithm for a heating module, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 25F depicts an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform generated by a temperature control algorithm for the heating module of Fig. 25E, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 25G is a block diagram illustrating a waveform control algorithm for a heating module, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 25H shows an example of at least a portion of a waveform graph of a temperature value generated by a waveform control algorithm for the heating module of Fig. 25G, according to at least some example embodiments.

Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating a buttonless hover function 2310, according to at least some example embodiments.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is designated as being "on," "connected to," "associated with," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, associated with, or covering the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is designated as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly associated with," another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed elements.

It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, members, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, members, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element, member, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, the first element, member, region, layer, or section described below may be referred to as a second element, member, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

Relative spatial location terms (e.g., "below," "under," "lower," "above," "upper," etc.) may be used herein to simplify the description to disclose the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that relative spatial location terms are intended to cover various orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, then elements described as located "under" or "below" other elements or features will appear to be located "above" the other elements or features. Accordingly, the preposition "under" may imply location both above and below. The device may be oriented differently (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the words used herein to define relative spatial location will be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is intended to describe various embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the use of the singular forms does not exclude the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising," when used herein, indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, elements, and/or groups thereof.

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional drawings, which are schematic drawings of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, it is to be expected that the shapes of the drawings will change as a result of changes in, for example, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments should not be considered as limited to the shapes of the regions shown herein, but should include deviations in shape that are due to, for example, the manufacturing process. The regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of the region of the device, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this document have the same meanings as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments pertain. It will also be understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that corresponds to their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

The term "nicotine vaping device" as used herein may sometimes be referred to and considered synonymous with any of the terms "nicotine e-vaping device," "nicotine e-vaping device," and "nicotine e-vaping device." The housing assemblies (e.g., housing assembly 300) may also be referred to herein as "housing elements" or "removable housing elements."

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a nicotine e-vaping device according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the nicotine e-vaping device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a back view of the nicotine e-vaping device of Fig. 1. Referring to Figs. 1-3, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 comprises a main part 100 of the device configured to receive a containing element assembly 300. The containing element assembly 300 is a modular product configured to hold a nicotine-containing final vapor composition. The "nicotine-containing final vapor composition" is a material or a combination of materials that can be converted into nicotine vapor. For example, the nicotine-containing vaporization formulation may be a liquid, solid, and/or gel formulation that includes, but is not limited to, water, granules, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavors, oils, and/or vapor-generating substances such as glycerin and propylene glycol. During vaping, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 is adapted to heat the nicotine-containing vaporization formulation to generate a nicotine vapor. As referred to herein, "vapor" is any substance generated or released from any nicotine e-vaping device according to any of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The main part 100 of the device comprises a front cover 104, a frame 106 and a back cover 108. The front cover 104, the frame 106 and the back cover 108 form a device casing that includes mechanical components, electronic components and/or circuits associated with the operation of the device 500 for e-vaping nicotine. For example, the device casing of the main part 100 of the device may include a power source configured to supply power to the device 500 for e-vaping nicotine, which may include supplying electric current to the containing element assembly 300. In addition, in assembled form, the front cover 104, the frame 106 and the back cover 108 may constitute a large part of the visible area of the main part 100 of the device.

In the front cover 104 (for example, the first cover), a primary opening is formed, configured to accommodate a seating structure 112. The seating structure 112 defines a through hole 150, configured to accommodate a containing element assembly 300. The through hole 150 is discussed in more detail in this document in combination with, for example, Fig. 9.

In the front cover 104, a secondary opening is also formed, configured to accommodate a light-guiding device. The secondary opening may resemble a groove (for example, a segmented groove), although other shapes are possible depending on the shape of the light-guiding device. In an exemplary embodiment, the light-guiding device comprises a light-guiding lens 116. In addition, in the front cover 104, a tertiary opening and a quarter opening are formed, configured to accommodate a first button 118 and a second button 120. Each of the tertiary opening and the quarter opening may resemble a rounded square, although other shapes are possible depending on the shapes of the buttons. The casing 122 of the first button is designed so that the lens 124 of the first button is visible, while the casing 123 of the second button is designed so that the lens 126 of the second button is visible.

The operation of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 can be controlled by the first button 118 and the second button 120. For example, the first button 118 can be a power button, and the second button 120 can be an intensity control button. Although the graphics show two buttons in combination with a light guide device, it should be understood that more (or fewer) buttons can be provided depending on the available elements and the desired user interface. The frame 106 (e.g., the main frame) is a central support structure for the main part 100 of the device (and the nicotine e-vaping device 500 as a whole). The frame 106 can be called the base. The frame 106 includes a near end, a far end, and a pair of side sections between the near end and the far end. The near end and the far end can also be called the downstream end and the upstream end, respectively. In the context of this document, the term "near" (and conversely, "far") is used in relation to an adult vaper during vaping, and "downstream" (and conversely, "upstream") refers to the flow of nicotine vapor. Between the opposite inner surfaces of the side sections (for example, approximately midway along the length of the frame 106), a connecting section can be provided for additional strength and stability. The frame 106 can be formed as a single unit to represent a monolithic structure.

With regard to the material of construction, the frame 106 can be formed from an alloy or a plastic. The alloy (for example, die-cast, machined) can be an aluminum (Al) alloy or a zinc (Zn) alloy. The plastic can be polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or a combination thereof (PC/ABS). For example, the polycarbonate can be LUPOY SC1004A. In addition, the frame 106 can be provided with a surface finish for functional and/or aesthetic reasons (for example, to ensure a high-quality appearance). In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 106 (for example, when formed from an aluminum alloy) can be anodized. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (for example, when formed from a zinc alloy) can be coated with hard enamel or painted. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (for example, when formed from polycarbonate) can be metallized. In another embodiment, the frame 106 (for example, when formed from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) can be provided with an electrolytic coating. It should be understood that the materials of construction indicated with respect to the frame 106 can also be applied to the front cover 104, the back cover 108 and/or other corresponding parts of the device 500 for e-vaping nicotine.

In the rear cover 108 (for example, the second cover), an opening is also formed, designed with the possibility of accommodating the landing structure 112. The front cover 104 and the rear cover 108 can be designed with the possibility of engaging with the frame 106 by means of a latching device.

The main part 100 of the device also comprises a mouthpiece 102. The mouthpiece 102 can be attached to the near end of the frame 106.

Fig. 4 shows a view of the near end of the nicotine e-vapor device according to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, a plurality of vapor outlet holes are formed on the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102. In a non-limiting embodiment, the outlet surface of the mouthpiece 102 may have an elliptical shape.

Fig. 5 shows a view of the distal end of the nicotine e-vaping device of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the distal end of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 comprises a port 110. The port 110 is configured to receive electric current (for example, via a USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and/or USB-C cable) from an external power source to charge an internal power source inside the nicotine e-vaping device 500. In addition, the port 110 may also be configured to send data and/or receive data (for example, via a USB, mini-USB, micro-USB, and/or USB-C cable) from another nicotine e-vaping device or another electronic device (such as a phone, tablet, computer). In addition, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with another electronic device, such as a phone, using an application program (application) installed on this electronic device. In such a case, the adult vaper may control or otherwise interact with the nicotine e-vaping device 500 (e.g., locate the nicotine e-vaping device 500, check usage information, change operating parameters) via the application.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the nicotine e-vaping device of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the inlet opening of the containing member shown in Fig. 6. With reference to Figs. 6-7 and as briefly indicated above, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 comprises a containing member assembly 300 configured to hold a nicotine-containing final vapor composition. The containing member assembly 300 has an upstream end (which faces the light guide device) and a downstream end (which faces the mouthpiece 102). In a non-limiting embodiment, the upstream end is an opposite surface of the containing member assembly 300 relative to the downstream end. An inlet opening 322 of the containing member is formed at the upstream end of the containing member assembly 300. In the main part 100 of the device, a through-hole is formed (for example, the through-hole 150 in Fig. 9), configured to receive the containing element assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the seating structure 112 of the main part 100 of the device defines the through-hole and comprises an upstream rim. As shown in particular in Fig. 7, the upstream rim of the seating structure 112 is positioned at an angle (for example, with an inward plunge) such that the inlet opening 322 of the containing element is visible when the containing element assembly 300 is seated inside the through-hole of the main part 100 of the device.

For example, instead of following the contour of the front cover 104 (to be relatively flush with the front surface of the containing element assembly 300 and, therefore, to hide the inlet opening 322 of the containing element), the upstream rim of the seating structure 112 has the shape of a scoop adapted to direct ambient air into the inlet opening 322 of the containing element. This angular/scoop-shaped configuration can help to reduce or prevent blocking of the air inlet opening (for example, the inlet opening 322 of the containing element) of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The depth of the scoop can be such that less than half (for example, less than a quarter) of the upstream end surface of the containing element assembly 300 is visible. Additionally, in a non-limiting embodiment, the inlet opening 322 of the containing element has the shape of a groove. Furthermore, if the main portion 100 of the device is considered to extend in a first direction, the groove may be considered to extend in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the nicotine e-vaping device of Fig. 6. In Fig. 8, the section is taken along the longitudinal axis of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. As shown, the main portion 100 of the device and the containing member assembly 300 comprise mechanical components, electronic components and/or circuits associated with the operation of the nicotine e-vaping device 500, which are discussed in more detail herein and/or incorporated herein by reference. For example, the containing member assembly 300 may comprise mechanical components configured to be actuated to release a nicotine-containing final vapor composition from a sealed reservoir located therein. The containing member assembly 300 may also have mechanical components configured to engage with the main portion 100 of the device to facilitate insertion and seating of the containing member assembly 300.

In addition, the containing element assembly 300 may be a "smart containing element" that comprises electronic components and/or circuitry configured to store, receive and/or transmit information to or from the main part 100 of the device. Such information may be used to authenticate the containing element assembly 300 for use with the main part 100 of the device (e.g., to prevent the use of an unapproved/counterfeit containing element assembly). In addition, the information may be used to identify the type of the containing element assembly 300, which is then associated with a vaping profile based on the identified type. The vaping profile may be designed to set general parameters for heating a nicotine-containing finished vapor composition and may be subject to adjustment, improvement or other adjustment by an adult vaper before and/or during vaping.

The containing element assembly 300 may also exchange with the main part 100 of the device other information that may relate to the operation of the device 500 for e-vaping nicotine. Examples of relevant information may include the level of the nicotine-containing finished vapor composition inside the containing element assembly 300 and/or the time elapsed since the containing element assembly 300 was inserted into the main part 100 of the device and activated.

The main part 100 of the device may comprise mechanical components (for example, additional structures) configured to engage, hold and/or activate the containing element assembly 300. In addition, the main part 100 of the device may comprise electronic components and/or a circuit configured to receive an electric current for charging an internal power source (for example, a battery), which, in turn, is configured to supply power to the containing element assembly 300 during vaping. In addition, the main part 100 of the device may comprise electronic components and/or a circuit configured to communicate with the containing element assembly 300 for nicotine, another device for e-vaping nicotine, other electronic devices (for example, a phone, a tablet, a computer) and/or an adult vaper.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the main part of the device, which is the device for e-vaping nicotine according to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 9, the seating structure 112 of the main part 100 of the device defines a through hole 150. The through hole 150 is configured to receive the containing element assembly 300. In order to facilitate the insertion and seating of the containing element assembly 300 inside the through hole 150, the upstream rim of the seating structure 112 comprises a first upstream projection 128a and a second upstream projection 128b.

A first downstream opening, a second downstream opening and a third downstream opening may be formed in the downstream side wall of the seating structure 112. The retaining structure comprising the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b engages with the seating structure 112 such that the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b protrude respectively through the first downstream opening and the second downstream opening of the seating structure 112 and into the through hole 150.

Fig. 10 shows a front view of the main part of the device according to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 10, the main part 100 of the device comprises an electrical connector 132 of the device, which is located on the upstream side of the through hole 150. The electrical connector 132 of the device of the main part 100 of the device is configured to be electrically connected to the containing element assembly 300, which is seated inside the through hole 150. As a result, power can be supplied from the main part 100 of the device to the containing element assembly 300 through the electrical connector 132 of the device during vaping. In addition, data can be sent to the main part 100 of the device and the containing element assembly 300 and/or received from them using the electrical connector 132 of the device.

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged perspective view of the through hole of Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the first upstream projection 128a, the second upstream projection 128b, the first downstream projection 130a, the second downstream projection 130b and the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 protrude into the through hole 150. In an exemplary embodiment, the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b are stationary structures (e.g., stationary hinges), while the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b are compliant structures (e.g., retractable elements). For example, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b may be configured (e.g., spring loaded) to be set to the extended state by default, and may also be configured to be temporarily retracted (and back to the extended state) to facilitate insertion of the containing member assembly 300.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged perspective view of the electrical contacts of the device of Fig. 10. The electrical contacts of the device of the main part 100 of the device are configured to engage with the electrical contacts of the containing member assembly 300, when the containing member assembly 300 is seated inside the through hole 150 of the main part 100 of the device. As shown in Fig. 12, the electrical contacts of the device of the main part 100 of the device comprise an electrical connector 132 of the device. The electrical connector 132 of the device comprises power contacts and data contacts. The power contacts of the electrical connector 132 of the device are configured to supply power from the main part 100 of the device to the containing member assembly 300. As shown, the power contacts of the electrical connector 132 of the device comprise a first pair of power contacts and a second pair of power contacts (which are located so as to be closer to the front cover 104 than to the back cover 108). The first pair of power contacts (for example, the pair adjacent to the first upstream projection 128a) can be a single integral structure that is different from the second pair of power contacts and that, when assembled, has two projecting portions that extend into the through hole 150. Similarly, the second pair of power contacts (for example, the pair adjacent to the second upstream projection 128b) can be a single integral structure that is different from the first pair of power contacts and that, when assembled, has two projecting portions that extend into the through hole 150. The first pair of power contacts and the second pair of power contacts of the electrical connector 132 of the device can be mounted with the possibility of easy movement and offset so as to enter the through hole 150 by default and to be removed (for example, independently) from the through hole 150 when subjected to a force that overcomes the offset.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the assembled containing member of the nicotine e-vaporizing device of Fig. 6. Fig. 14 is another perspective view of the assembled containing member of Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the assembled containing member of the nicotine e-vaping device of Fig. 6. Fig. 14 shows another perspective view of the assembled containing member of Fig. 13. Referring to Fig. 13 and 14, the assembled containing member 300 of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 comprises a main portion of the containing member configured to hold a nicotine-containing final vapor composition. Thus, the assembled containing member 300 is an example of a part for storing a nicotine-containing final vapor composition of the nicotine e-vaping device 500. The main portion of the containing member has an upstream end and a downstream end. An inlet opening 322 of the containing member is formed in the upstream end of the main portion of the containing member. At the downstream end of the main part of the containing element, an outlet opening 304 of the containing element is formed, which is in fluid communication with the inlet opening 322 of the containing element at the upstream end. During hovering, air enters the containing element assembly 300 through the inlet opening 322 of the containing element, and steam exits the containing element assembly 300 through the outlet opening 304 of the containing element. The inlet opening 322 of the containing element is shown in the graphic materials in the form of a groove. However, it should be understood that exemplary embodiments are not limited to this and that other shapes are possible.

The containing element assembly 300 comprises a connecting module 320 (for example, Fig. 16), which is placed inside the main part of the containing element and is visible through the openings at the end located upstream. The outer surface of the connecting module 320 comprises at least one electrical contact. The at least one electrical contact may comprise several power contacts. For example, several power contacts may include a first power contact 324a and a second power contact 324b. The first power contact 324a of the containing element assembly 300 is configured to be electrically connected to the first power contact (for example, the power contact adjacent to the first upstream projection 128a in Fig. 12) of the electrical connector 132 of the device of the main part 100 of the device. In a similar manner, the second power contact 324b of the containing member assembly 300 is configured to electrically connect to a second power contact (for example, a power contact adjacent to the second upstream projection 128b in Fig. 12) of the electrical connector 132 of the device main part 100. In addition, at least one electrical contact of the containing member assembly 300 comprises a plurality of data contacts 326. The plurality of data contacts 326 of the containing member assembly 300 are configured to electrically connect to the data contacts of the electrical connector 132 of the device (for example, a row of five projections in Fig. 12). Although two power contacts and five data contacts are shown in connection with the containing member assembly 300, it should be understood that other variations are possible depending on the design of the device main part 100.

In an exemplary embodiment, the containing element assembly 300 comprises a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a first side surface between the front surface and the rear surface, a second side surface opposite the first side surface, an upstream end surface, and a downstream end surface opposite the upstream end surface. The angles of the side and end surfaces (for example, the angle of the first side surface and the upstream end surface, the angle of the upstream end surface and the second side surface, the angle of the second side surface and the downstream end surface, the angle of the downstream end surface and the first side surface) can be rounded. However, in some cases, the angles can be pointed. In addition, the peripheral edge of the front surface can have the shape of a step. The outer surface of the connecting module 320 (which is visible through the main part of the containing element) can be considered as a part of the upstream end surface of the containing element assembly 300. The front surface of the containing element assembly 300 can be wider and longer than the rear surface. In such a case, the first side surface and the second side surface can be inclined at an angle inwardly with respect to each other. The upstream end surface and the downstream end surface can also be inclined at an angle inwardly with respect to each other. Due to the surfaces inclined at an angle, the insertion of the containing element assembly 300 will be unidirectional (for example, from the front side (the side connected with the front cover 104) of the main part 100 of the device). As a result, the probability of incorrect insertion of the containing element assembly 300 into the main part 100 of the device can be reduced or prevented.

As shown, the main part of the containing element for the containing element assembly 300 comprises a first section 302 of the casing and a second section 308 of the casing. The first section 302 of the casing has an end located downstream, on which an outlet opening 304 of the containing element is formed. The rim of the outlet opening 304 of the containing element may not necessarily be a recessed or depressed region. In such a case, this region may resemble a dome, wherein the side of the rim adjacent to the rear surface of the containing element assembly 300 may be open, while the side of the rim adjacent to the front surface may be surrounded by a raised part of the end located downstream of the first section 302 of the casing. The raised portion may function as a stop for the distal end of the mouthpiece 102. As a result, such a configuration of the outlet opening 304 of the containing element may facilitate the placement and alignment of the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 (for example, Fig. 11) through the open side of the rim and its subsequent seating on the raised portion of the downstream end of the first section 302 of the casing. In a non-limiting embodiment, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 may also comprise (or be formed from) an elastic material that helps to create a seal around the outlet opening 304 of the containing element when the containing element assembly 300 is correctly inserted inside the through opening 150 of the main part 100 of the device.

At least one downstream recess is further formed at the downstream end of the first section 302 of the casing. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one downstream recess has the form of a first downstream recess 306a and a second downstream recess 306b. The outlet opening 304 of the containing element may be located between the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b are configured to engage, respectively, the first downstream protrusion 130a and the second downstream protrusion 130b of the main part 100 of the device. As shown in Fig. 11, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the main part 100 of the device may be arranged on adjacent corners of the downstream side wall of the through hole 150. Each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may have the shape of a V-shaped notch. In such a case, each of the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the main part 100 of the device may have the shape of a wedge-shaped structure configured to engage with a corresponding V-shaped notch of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The first downstream recess 306a may adjoin the corner of the downstream end surface and the first side surface, while the second downstream recess 306b may adjoin the corner of the downstream end surface and the second side surface. As a result, the edges of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively, may be open. In such a case, as shown in Fig. 14, each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b may be a 3-sided recess.

The second section 308 of the housing has an upstream end, in which (in addition to the inlet opening 322 of the containing element) several openings are also formed (for example, the opening 325a of the first power contact, the opening 325b of the second power contact, the opening 327 of the data contact), configured in such a way that the connection module 320 (Fig. 15-16) is visible inside the containing element assembly 300. At least one upstream recess is also formed in the upstream end of the second section 308 of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one upstream recess has the form of a first upstream recess 312a and a second upstream recess 312b. The inlet opening 322 of the containing element may be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are configured to engage, respectively, the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the main part 100 of the device. As shown in Fig. 12, the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b of the main part 100 of the device can be arranged on adjacent corners of the upstream side wall of the through hole 150. The depth of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b can be greater than the depth of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. The edge of each of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b can also be more rounded than the edge of each of the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b. For example, the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b may also have the shape of a U-shaped cutout. In such a case, each of the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b of the main part 100 of the device may have the shape of a rounded bulge configured to engage with the corresponding U-shaped cutout of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b. The first upstream recess 312a may adjoin the corner of the upstream end surface and the first side surface, while the second upstream recess 312b may adjoin the corner of the upstream end surface and the second side surface. As a result, the edges of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, adjacent to the first side surface and the second side surface, respectively, can be opened.

The first section 302 of the housing may form a reservoir inside, configured to retain the nicotine-containing final vapor composition. The reservoir may be configured to hermetically seal the nicotine-containing final vapor composition before activating the containing element in the assembly 300 to release the nicotine-containing final vapor composition from the reservoir. As a result of the hermetically sealing, the nicotine-containing final vapor composition may be isolated from the environment, as well as the internal elements of the containing element in the assembly 300, which may potentially react with the nicotine-containing final vapor composition, which thereby reduces the likelihood or prevents the possibility of negative effects on the shelf life and/or organoleptic characteristics (for example, taste) of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition. The second section 308 of the housing may comprise structures configured to activate the containing element in the assembly 300 and to accommodate and heat the nicotine-containing final vapor composition released from the reservoir after activation.

The containing element assembly 300 may be manually activated by an adult vaper prior to inserting the containing element assembly 300 into the main part 100 of the device. Alternatively, the containing element assembly 300 may be activated as part of the insertion of the containing element assembly 300 into the main part 100 of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the second section 308 of the housing of the main part of the containing element comprises a punching device adapted to release a nicotine-containing finished vapor composition from a reservoir in the first section 302 of the housing during activation of the containing element assembly 300. The punching device may have the form of a first activation punch 314a and a second activation punch 314b, which will be discussed in more detail herein.

To manually activate the containing element assembly 300, an adult vaper may press inward the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) before inserting the containing element assembly 300 into the through opening 150 of the main part 100 of the device. For example, the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b may be manually pressed until their ends are substantially aligned with the upstream end surface of the containing element assembly 300. In an exemplary embodiment, the inward movement of the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b causes a puncture or other breach of the tightness of the reservoir to release the nicotine-containing ready-made vapor composition therefrom.

Alternatively, for activating the containing element assembly 300 as part of the insertion of the containing element assembly 300 into the main part 100 of the device, the containing element assembly 300 is initially positioned such that the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b are engaged with the first upstream protrusion 128a and the second upstream protrusion 128b, respectively (e.g. upstream engagement). Since each of the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b of the main part 100 of the device can be in the form of a rounded protrusion configured to engage with a corresponding U-shaped cutout of the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, the containing element assembly 300 can subsequently be relatively easily rotated around the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b and into the through hole 150 of the main part 100 of the device.

With respect to the rotation of the containing element assembly 300, the axis of rotation can be considered as passing through the first upstream projection 128a and the second upstream projection 128b and oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the main part 100 of the device. During the initial positioning and subsequent rotation of the receiving member assembly 300, the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b will come into contact with the upstream sidewall of the through-hole 150 and will transition from the extended state to the retracted state as the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b are pushed (e.g., simultaneously) into the second housing section 308 while the receiving member assembly 300 is advanced into the through-hole 150. When the downstream end of the receiving member assembly 300 reaches the vicinity of the downstream sidewall of the through-hole 150 and comes into contact with the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection downstream, the projection 130b will move away and then resiliently extend (e.g., spring back) when the position of the containing member assembly 300 allows the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b of the main part 100 of the device to engage, respectively, the first downstream recess 306a and the second downstream recess 306b of the containing member assembly 300 (e.g., downstream engagement).

As noted above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the mouthpiece 102 is attached to the holding structure 140 (of which the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b are part). In such a case, the retraction of the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b from the through hole 150 will cause the mouthpiece 102 to be simultaneously shifted by a corresponding distance in the same direction (for example, in the downstream direction). In contrast, the mouthpiece 102 will spring back simultaneously with the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, when the containing element assembly 300 is sufficiently inserted, to facilitate the downstream engagement. In addition to the elastic engagement by means of the first downstream projection 130a and the second downstream projection 130b, the distal end of the mouthpiece 102 is configured to be biased toward the containing member assembly 300 (and aligned with the outlet opening 304 of the containing member to form a relatively vapor-tight seal) when the containing member assembly 300 is properly seated within the through opening 150 of the main part 100 of the device.

In addition, the downstream engagement may create an audible click and/or tactile feedback to indicate that the containing member assembly 300 is properly seated within the through-hole 150 of the main portion 100 of the device. When properly seated, the containing member assembly 300 will be mechanically, electrically, and fluidly connected to the main portion 100 of the device. Although in non-limiting embodiments herein, the upstream engagement of the containing member assembly 300 is described as occurring before the downstream engagement, it should be understood that suitable mating, actuation, and/or electrical arrangements may be reversed, such that the downstream engagement occurs before the upstream engagement.

Fig. 15 shows a partial exploded view of the containing element in assembly according to Fig. 13. With reference to Fig. 15, the first section 302 of the housing comprises a passage for vapor 316. The passage for vapor 316 is configured to accommodate nicotine vapor generated during vaping and is in fluid communication with the outlet opening 304 of the containing element. In an exemplary embodiment, the passage for vapor 316 can gradually increase in size (e.g., in diameter) as it extends in the direction of the outlet opening 304 of the containing element. In addition, the passage for vapor 316 can be formed as a single unit with the first section 302 of the housing. The insert 342 and the seal 344 are arranged at the upstream end of the first section 302 of the casing to form a reservoir of the containing element assembly 300. For example, the insert 342 can be seated inside the first section 302 of the casing in such a way that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 is engaged with the inner surface of the first section 302 of the casing along a rim (for example, by means of an interference fit), so that the joint of the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first section 302 of the casing is impermeable to a fluid medium (for example, impermeable to liquid and/or impermeable to air). In addition, a seal 344 is attached to an upstream side of the insert 342 for closing the outlet openings of the reservoir in the insert 342 to provide a fluid-impermeable (e.g., liquid-impermeable and/or air-impermeable) protective shell for the nicotine-containing vapor formulation in the reservoir.

At the upstream end of the second section 308 of the casing, an inlet opening 322 of the containing element, an opening 325a for the first power contact, an opening 325b for the second power contact, an opening 327 for the data contact, a first upstream recess 312a, a second upstream recess 312b, an opening 315a for the first punch, and an opening 315b for the second punch are formed. As noted above, the inlet opening 322 of the containing member allows air to enter the containing member assembly 300 during hovering, while the opening 325a for the first power contact, the opening 325b for the second power contact and the opening 327 for the data contact are configured such that the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b and the data contacts 326 of the connection module 320 are respectively visible. In an exemplary embodiment, the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are mounted on the module housing 354 of the connection module 320. In addition, the data contacts 326 can be located on the printed circuit board (PCB) 362. Furthermore, the inlet opening 322 of the containing member can be located between the first upstream recess 312a and the second upstream recess 312b, while the contact openings (e.g., the opening 325a for the first power contact, the opening 325b for the second power contact, the opening 327 for the data contact) can be located between the opening 315a for the first punch and the opening 315b for the second punch. The opening 315a for the first punch and the opening 315b for the second punch are configured to accommodate the first activation punch 314a and the second activation punch 314b, respectively, extending through them.

Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 shows another perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 16. Referring to Figs. 16-17, the overall frame of the connection module 320 includes a module housing 354. In addition, the connection module 320 has several surfaces, including an outer surface and side surfaces adjacent to the outer surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the connection module 320 consists of upstream surfaces of the module housing 354, the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, the data contacts 326, and the printed circuit board (PCB) 362. The side surfaces of the connection module 320 can be integral parts of the module housing 354 and are generally orthogonal to the outer surface.

Inside the containing element assembly 300, a flow path is formed from the inlet opening 322 of the containing element to the outlet opening 304 of the containing element. The flow path through the containing element assembly 300 comprises a first diverging portion, a second diverging portion and a converging portion. The inlet opening 322 of the containing element is located upstream of the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion of the flow path. In particular, as shown in Fig. 16, the side surface (for example, the side surface of the inlet opening) of the module housing 354 (and the connection module 320) above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b is recessed to form a divider 329 along with the initial segments of the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion of the flow path. In an exemplary embodiment in which the divider 329 is depressed relative to the outer surface of the module housing 354 (e.g., Fig. 16), the side surface of the module housing 354 above the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may also be considered as forming an inlet section of the flow path that is located further downstream relative to the inlet opening 322 of the containing element and located earlier downstream relative to the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion of the flow path.

A pair of longer side surfaces (for example, vertical side surfaces) of the module housing 354 are also recessed so as to define subsequent segments of the first divergent portion and the second divergent portion of the flow path. In this document, the pair of longer side surfaces of the module housing 354 may be referred to, as an alternative, as lateral surfaces. The sector of the module housing 354 covered by the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 in Fig. 16 (but shown in Fig. 20) forms additional segments of the first divergent portion and the second divergent portion along with a converging portion of the flow path. The additional segments of the first divergent portion and the second divergent portion comprise a first curved segment (for example, the first curved path 330a) and a second curved segment (for example, the second curved path 330b), respectively. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the first divergent portion and the second divergent portion converge to form the converging portion of the flow path.

When the connecting module 320 is seated inside the receiving cavity in the downstream side of the second section 308 of the casing, the shallow side surfaces of the casing 354 of the module contact the side walls of the receiving cavity of the second section 308 of the casing, while the deepened side surfaces of the casing 354 of the module together with the side walls of the receiving cavity form a first diverging portion and a second diverging portion of the flow path. The seating of the connecting module 320 inside the receiving cavity of the second section 308 of the casing can be performed using a tight fit arrangement so that the connecting module 320 remains substantially stationary inside the containing element assembly 300.

As shown in Fig. 17, the connection module 320 comprises a wick 338, which is configured to transfer the nicotine-containing final vapor composition to the heater 336. The heater 336 is configured to heat the nicotine-containing final vapor composition during vaping to generate nicotine vapor. The heater 336 is electrically connected to at least one electrical contact of the connection module 320. For example, one end (e.g., the first end) of the heater 336 can be connected to the first power contact 324a, while the other end (e.g., the second end) of the heater 336 can be connected to the second power contact 324b. In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 comprises a folded heating element. In such a case, the wick 338 can have a flat shape adapted to be held by the folded heating element. When the containing element assembly 300 is assembled, the wick 338 is adapted to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material so that the nicotine-containing vapor composition contained in the absorbent material (when the containing element assembly 300 is activated) will be transferred to the wick 338 by capillary action. In the present description, the heater may also be referred to as a heating module.

In an exemplary embodiment, the incoming air flow entering the containing element assembly 300 through the inlet opening 322 of the containing element is directed by a divider 329 into a first diverging portion and a second diverging portion of the flow path. The divider 329 may have a wedge shape and be configured to divide the incoming air flow in opposite directions (e.g., at least initially). The divided air flow may comprise a first air flow (which passes through the first diverging portion of the flow path) and a second air flow (which passes through the second diverging portion of the flow path). After being divided by the divider 329, the first air flow passes along the lateral surface of the inlet opening and is further directed around the corner toward and along the first lateral surface toward the first curved path 330a. Similarly, the second air flow passes along the lateral surface of the inlet opening and is further directed around the corner toward and along the second lateral surface toward the second curved path 330b (e.g., Fig. 20). The converging portion of the flow path is located downstream of the flow relative to the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion. The heater 336 and the wick 338 are located downstream of the converging portion of the flow path. Thus, the first air flow combines with the second air flow in the converging portion (for example, the converging path 330c in Fig. 20) of the flow path to form a combined flow before passing through the outlet opening 368 of the module (for example, indicated in Fig. 18) in the housing 354 of the module to the heater 336 and the wick 338.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the wick 338 can be a fibrous pad or other structure with pores/voids provided for capillary action. In addition, the wick 338 can have a rectangular shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the wick 338 can have an alternative shape of an irregular hexagon, with two of the sides bent at an angle inward and towards the heater 336. The wick 338 can be given a desired shape, or it can be cut into such a shape from a larger sheet of material. If the lower section of the wick 338 narrows towards the winding section of the heater 336 (for example, in the shape of a hexagon), the likelihood that the nicotine-containing finished vapor composition located in the portion of the wick 338 that constantly avoids evaporation (due to its distance from the heater 336) can be reduced or eliminated. In addition, as noted above, the heater 336 may comprise a folded heating element configured to capture the wick 338. The folded heating element may also comprise at least one pin configured to pass inside the wick 338.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 336 is configured to undergo Joule heating (which is also known as ohmic/resistive heating) when an electric current is supplied to it. In more detail, the heater 336 can be formed from one or more conductors and is configured to create heat when an electric current is passed through it. The electric current can be supplied from a power source (for example, a battery) inside the main part 100 of the device and transferred to the heater 336 through the first power contact 324a or the second power contact 324b.

Suitable conductors for the heater 336 comprise an iron-based alloy (e.g., stainless steel) and/or a nickel-based alloy (e.g., nichrome). The heater 336 may be made from a conductive sheet (e.g., metal, alloy) that is stamped to cut a winding pattern therefrom. The winding pattern may have curved segments that are alternately arranged with horizontal segments to allow the horizontal segments to zigzag back and forth while extending parallel. In addition, the width of each of the horizontal segments of the winding pattern may be substantially equal to the distance between adjacent horizontal segments of the winding pattern, although exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. To achieve the shape of the heater 336 shown in the drawings, the winding pattern may be folded in such a way as to capture the wick 338. Additionally, when the pins are part of the heater 336, the protruding portions corresponding to the pins are bent (e.g., inwardly and/or orthogonally) prior to the winding pattern being folded. Due to the pins, the likelihood of the wick 338 slipping out of the heater 336 will be reduced or eliminated. The heater and related structures are discussed in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/729,909, entitled "Folded Heater For Electronic Vaping Device," filed October 11, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to Fig. 15, the first section 302 of the housing comprises a channel 316 for steam. The channel 316 for steam is configured to receive nicotine steam generated by the heater 336 and is in fluid communication with the outlet opening 304 of the containing element. In an exemplary embodiment, the channel 316 for steam can gradually increase in size (for example, in diameter) as it extends in the direction of the outlet opening 304 of the containing element. In addition, the channel 316 for steam can be formed as a single unit with the first section 302 of the housing. The insert 342 and the seal 344 are arranged at the upstream end of the first section 302 of the casing to form a reservoir of the containing element assembly 300. For example, the insert 342 can be seated inside the first section 302 of the casing in such a way that the peripheral surface of the insert 342 is engaged with the inner surface of the first section 302 of the casing along a rim (for example, by means of an interference fit), so that the joint of the peripheral surface of the insert 342 and the inner surface of the first section 302 of the casing is impermeable to a fluid medium (for example, impermeable to liquid and/or impermeable to air). In addition, the seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 for closing the outlet openings of the reservoir in the insert 342 to provide a fluid-impermeable (e.g., liquid-impermeable and/or air-impermeable) protective shell of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition in the reservoir. In this document, the first section 302 of the housing, the insert 342 and the seal 344 may be referred to together as the first section. As will be discussed in more detail herein, the first section is configured to hermetically seal the nicotine-containing final vapor composition before activating the containing element assembly 300.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the insert 342 comprises a portion in the form of a holder that projects from the upstream side and a portion in the form of a connector that projects from the downstream side. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the portion in the form of a holder of the insert 342 is configured to retain the absorbent material, while the portion in the form of a connector of the insert 342 is configured to engage with the channel for steam 316 of the first section 302 of the casing. The portion in the form of a connector of the insert 342 can be configured to fit inside the channel for steam 316 and, therefore, to engage with the interior of the channel for steam 316. Alternatively, the portion in the form of a connector of the insert 342 can be configured to accommodate the channel for steam 316 and, therefore, to engage with the exterior of the channel for steam 316. The insert 342 also defines outlet openings of the reservoir through which the nicotine-containing finished vapor composition flows when the seal 344 is pierced during activation of the containing element assembly 300. The holder portion and the connector portion of the insert 342 may be located between the outlet openings of the reservoir (for example, the first and second outlet openings of the reservoir), although exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. In addition, a vapor conduit is defined in the insert 342 extending through the holder portion and the connector portion. As a result, when the insert 342 is seated inside the first section 302 of the housing, the vapor conduit of the insert 342 will be aligned and in fluid communication with the channel 316 for vapor, forming a continuous path through the reservoir to the outlet opening 304 of the containing element for nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 during vaping.

The seal 344 is attached to the upstream side of the insert 342 to cover the outlet openings of the reservoir in the insert 342. In an exemplary embodiment, an opening (e.g., a central opening) is formed in the seal 344, which is configured to provide a suitable clearance for receiving a portion in the form of a holder (protruding from the upstream side of the insert 342) when the seal 344 is attached to the insert 342. When the seal 344 is pierced by the first actuation piercer 314a and the second actuation piercer 314b of the containing member assembly 300, two pierced sections of the seal 344 will be pushed into the reservoir as valves, thereby creating two pierced openings (e.g., one on each side of the central opening) in the seal 344. The size and shape of the pierced openings in the seal 344 can correspond to the size and shape of the outlet openings of the reservoir in the insert 342. In contrast, in the unpierced state, the seal 344 may be flat and have only one opening (e.g., a central opening). The seal 344 is made strong enough to remain intact during normal movement and/or handling of the containing member assembly 300 to avoid premature/inadvertent breakage. For example, the seal 344 may be a coated foil (e.g., tritan on an aluminum base).

The second section 308 of the housing can be designed to contain various components configured to release, accommodate and heat the nicotine-containing final composition for vapor. For example, the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b are configured to pierce the reservoir in the first section 302 of the housing to release the nicotine-containing final composition for vapor. Each of the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b has a distal end that extends through a corresponding one of the opening 315a for the first piercer or the opening 315b for the second piercer in the second section 308 of the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the distal ends of the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b are visible after assembly (e.g., Fig. 13), while the remainder of the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b are hidden from view within the containing member assembly 300. In addition, each of the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b has a near end that is positioned to be adjacent to the seal 344 and positioned upstream of it prior to activation of the containing member assembly 300. When the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b are pushed into the second section 308 of the housing to activate the containing member assembly 300, the near end of each of the first activation piercer 314a and the second activation piercer 314b will move forward through the insert 342 and as a result pierce the seal 344, which will lead to the release of the nicotine-containing finished vapor composition from the reservoir. The movement of the first activation piercer 314a may be independent of the movement of the second activation piercer 314b (and vice versa).

The absorbent material may be located downstream of the wick 338 and in fluid communication with it. Furthermore, as noted above, the absorbent material may be configured to engage with the holder portion of the insert 342 (which may protrude from the upstream side of the insert 342). The absorbent material may have an annular shape, although exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. For example, the absorbent material may resemble a hollow cylinder. In such a case, the outer diameter of the absorbent material may be substantially equal to the length of the wick 338 (or slightly larger). The inner diameter of the absorbent material may be smaller than the average outer diameter of the holder portion of the insert 342, which results in an interference fit. To facilitate engagement with the absorbent material, the tip of the holder portion of the insert 342 may be beveled. The absorbent material may be configured to receive and retain a certain amount of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition released from the reservoir when the containing element assembly 300 is activated. The wick 338 may be located within the containing element assembly 300 so as to be in fluid communication with the absorbent material so that the nicotine-containing final vapor composition may be drawn from the absorbent material onto the heater 336 by capillary action. The wick 338 may physically contact an upstream side of the absorbent material. In addition, the wick 338 may be aligned with the diameter of the absorbent material, although exemplary embodiments are not limited to this.

As shown in Fig. 17, the heater 336 may have a folded configuration for capturing and establishing thermal contact with the opposite surfaces of the wick 338. The heater 336 is configured to heat the wick 338 during vaping to generate nicotine vapor. To facilitate such heating, the first end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the first power contact 324a (Figs. 16 and 18), while the second end of the heater 336 may be electrically connected to the second power contact 324b (Figs. 16 and 18). As a result, an electric current may be supplied from a power source (for example, a battery) inside the main part 100 of the device and transferred to the heater 336 through the first power contact 324a or the second power contact 324b. The relevant details of other aspects of the connector module 320 that have already been discussed above (for example, in connection with Figs. 16-17) will not be repeated in this section for the sake of brevity. In an exemplary embodiment, the second section 308 of the housing comprises a receiving cavity for the connector module 320. Collectively, the second section 308 of the housing and the components within it discussed above may be referred to as the second section. During vaping, nicotine vapor generated by the heater 336 is drawn through the vapor line of the insert 342, through the vapor channel 316 of the first section 302 of the housing, from the outlet opening 304 of the containing member in the containing member assembly 300 and through the vapor passage 136 of the mouthpiece 102 into the vapor outlet opening.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the connection module of Fig. 17 without the wick and the heater. Fig. 19 is an exploded view of the connection module of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is another exploded view of the connection module of Fig. 18. Referring to Figs. 18-20, the module housing 354 forms a frame of the connection module 320. The module housing 354 forms a divider 329 and a flow path for air drawn into the containing member assembly 300. The heating chamber is in fluid communication with the flow path on the upstream side of the module housing 354 through the module outlet 368.

As noted above, the flow path for the air drawn into the containing element assembly 300 comprises a first diverging portion, a second diverging portion and a converging portion formed by the module housing 354. In an exemplary embodiment, the first diverging portion and the second diverging portion are symmetrical portions divided in half by an axis corresponding to the converging portion of the flow path. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the first diverging portion, the second diverging portion and the converging portion may comprise a first curved path 330a, a second curved path 330b and a converging path 330c, respectively. The first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b may be substantially U-shaped paths, while the converging path 330c may be a substantially linear path. Based on the axis corresponding to the converging path 330c and aligned with the ridge of the divider 329, the first diverging portion of the flow path may be a mirror image of the second diverging portion of the flow path. During hovering, the air drawn in through the inlet 322 of the containing element may be divided by the divider 329 and initially flow in opposite directions from the divider 329, followed by a parallel flow, before each air stream makes a U-shaped turn (along the first curved path 330a and the second curved path 330b) and converges (along the converging path 330c) for a combined flow, which moves back to the divider 329 before passing through the outlet 368 of the module into the heating chamber. The heater 336 and the wick 338 may be arranged such that both sides are substantially equally exposed to the combined air flow passing through the outlet 368 of the module. During vaping, the generated nicotine vapor is carried away by the combined air flow passing through the heating chamber into the vapor channel 316.

As shown in Fig. 19-20, each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may comprise a contact surface and a contact leg. The contact leg (which may have an elongated configuration) may be oriented orthogonally with respect to the contact surface (which may have a square shape), although exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. A pair of shallow recesses and a pair of holes may be formed in the module housing 354 to facilitate mounting of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b. During assembly, the contact surface of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b may be seated in a corresponding one of the pair of shallow recesses so as to be substantially flush with the outer surface of the module housing 354 (for example, Fig. 16). In addition, the contact leg of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b can extend through a corresponding one of the pair of openings so as to protrude from the downstream side of the module housing 354 (for example, Fig. 18). The heater 336 can subsequently be connected to the contact leg of each of the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b.

The printed circuit board (PCB) 362 comprises several data contacts 326 on its upstream side (e.g., Fig. 20) and various electronic components, including a sensor 364, on its downstream side (e.g., Fig. 19). The sensor 364 may be positioned on the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 such that the sensor 364 is located within a converging path 330c formed in the housing 354 of the module. In an exemplary embodiment, the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and associated components secured thereto) is an independent structure that is initially inserted into a receiving cavity on the downstream side of the second section 308 of the housing such that the data contacts 326 are visible through an opening 327 for a data contact of the second section 308 of the housing. After this, the module housing 354 (with the first power contact 324a, the second power contact 324b, the heater 336 and the wick 338 mounted thereon) can be inserted into the receiving cavity so that the first power contact 324a and the second power contact 324b are respectively visible through the opening 325a for the first power contact and the opening 325b for the second power contact of the second section 308 of the housing. Alternatively, in order to simplify the above-described two-step insertion process to a one-step insertion process, it should be understood that the printed circuit board (PCB) 362 (and the associated components secured thereto) can be secured to the module housing 354 (for example, to form a single integrated structure) so as to cover the first curved path 330a, the second curved path 330b, the converging path 330c and the outlet opening 368 of the module.

The outlet opening 368 of the module may be a resistance to draw (RTD) port. In such a configuration, the resistance to draw of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 may be adjusted by changing the size of the outlet opening 368 of the module (instead of changing the size of the inlet opening 322 of the containing element). In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the outlet opening 368 of the module may be selected such that the resistance to draw is 25-100 millimeters of water column (for example, 30-50 millimeters of water column). For example, a diameter of 1.0 millimeter for the outlet opening 368 of the module may result in a resistance to draw of 88.3 millimeters of water column. In another case, a diameter of 1.1 millimeter for the outlet opening 368 of the module may result in a resistance to draw of 73.6 millimeters of water column. In another case, a diameter of 1.2 millimeters for the outlet opening 368 of the module can result in a tightening resistance of 58.7 millimeters of water column. In another case, a diameter of 1.3 millimeters for the outlet opening 368 of the module can result in a tightening resistance of approximately 40-43 millimeters of water column. It is noteworthy that the size of the outlet opening 368 of the module, due to its internal layout, can be adjusted without affecting the aesthetic appearance of the containing element assembly 300, thereby providing a more standardized product design for containing elements assemblies with different tightening resistance (RTD), while reducing the likelihood of unintentional blockage of incoming air.

Exemplary systems of the containing element 300 and the main part 100 of the device for the electronic nicotine vaping device 500 will now be discussed with reference to Figs. 21A-23.

Fig. 21A shows a system of the device for the dispensing main part of the device according to an exemplary embodiment. The system 2100 of the device can be a system inside the main part 100 of the device and the dispensing main part 204.

The device system 2100 comprises a controller 2105, a power supply unit 2110, actuator control means 2115, an electrical/data interface 2120 of the containing element, device sensors 2125, input/output (I/O) interfaces 2130, indicators 2135 for a vaper, at least one antenna 2140, and a storage medium 2145. The device system 2100 is not limited to the components shown in Fig. 21A. For example, the device system 2100 may comprise additional elements. However, for brevity, the additional elements are not described. In other exemplary embodiments, the device system 2100 may not comprise an antenna.

The controller 2105 may be hardware, firmware, hardware running software, or any combination thereof. When the controller 2105 is hardware, such existing hardware may comprise one or more central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) computers, or similar devices configured as special-purpose machines to perform the functions of the controller 2105. CPUs, microprocessors, processor cores, multiprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, and FPGAs may generally be referred to as processing devices.

In the case where the controller 2105 is or includes a processor that executes software, the controller 2105 is configured as a special-purpose machine (e.g., a processing device) for executing software stored in a memory accessible to the controller 2105 (e.g., a storage medium 2145 or other storage device) for performing the functions of the controller 2105. The software may be implemented as program code including instructions for performing and/or controlling any or all of the operations described herein as being performed by the controller 2105 or the controller 2105A (FIG. 21B).

As disclosed herein, the term "storage medium," "machine-readable storage medium," or "non-volatile computer-readable storage medium" may represent one or more data storage devices, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, magnetic core memory, magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and/or other tangible computer-readable information storage media. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, removable or non-removable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other media capable of storing, containing, or carrying instructions and/or data.

Fig. 21B shows an example of a controller 2105A according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105A shown in Fig. 21B is an example of an implementation of the controller 2105 shown in Fig. 21A. Accordingly, any operations described in this description as being performed or controlled by the controller 2105 can be performed or controlled by the controller 2105A. The controller 2105A can include a microprocessor. In addition, the controller 2105A can include input/output interfaces such as general-purpose inputs/outputs (GPIOs), interconnected circuit (I ² C) interfaces, serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus interfaces, or the like; a multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC); and a clock input terminal, as shown in Fig. 21B. However, the exemplary embodiments should not be limited to this example. For example, the 2105A controller may further include a digital-to-analog converter and an arithmetic circuit or circuits.

Returning to Fig. 21A, the controller 2105 communicates with the power supply unit 2110, the actuator control means 2115, the electrical/data interface 2120 of the containing element, the device sensors 2125, the input/output (I/O) interfaces 2130, the vaper indicators 2135, the product-integrated control means 2150, and at least one antenna 2140.

The controller 2105 communicates with a cryptographic coprocessor with a non-volatile memory (CC-NVM) or a non-volatile memory (NVM) in the containing element via an electrical/data interface 2120 of the containing element. The term CC-NVM may refer to one or more hardware modules, including a processor for encryption and related processing, as well as an NVM. More specifically, the controller 2105 may use encryption to authenticate the containing element 300. As will be described, the controller 2105 may communicate with a CC-NVM or NVM package to authenticate the containing element 300. More specifically, the non-volatile memory may be encoded during manufacture with product information and other authentication information.

The memory device may be encoded with an electronic identifier to provide at least one of authentication of the containing element and pairing of operating parameters specific to the type of the containing element 300 (or physical structure, such as the type of the heating module) when the containing element 300 is inserted into the through opening of the dispensing main part. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identifier of the containing element 300, the controller 2105 may authorize the use of the containing element based on the expiration date of the stored nicotine-containing finished vapor composition and/or heater encoded in the NVM or non-volatile memory CC-NVM. If the controller determines that the expiration date encoded in the non-volatile memory has expired, the controller may not authorize the use of the containing element and disable the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping.

The controller 2105 (or the storage medium 2145) stores the key material and the proprietary software of the algorithm for encryption. For example, the encryption algorithms are based on the use of random numbers. The security of these algorithms depends on how random these numbers really are. These numbers are usually pre-generated and encoded in the processor or memory devices. Exemplary embodiments can increase the randomness of the numbers used for encryption by using steam draw parameters, such as the duration of steam draw events, the intervals between steam draw events, or combinations thereof, to generate numbers that are more random and vary more from person to person than pre-generated random numbers. All communications between the controller 2105 and the containing element can be encrypted.

Moreover, the containing element can be used as a common payload carrier for other information, such as software patches for the nicotine electronic vaping device 500. Since encryption is used in all communications between the containing element and the controller 2105, such information is more secure and the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is less susceptible to malware or viruses being installed on it. Using CC-NVM as a carrier of information, such as data and software updates, allows the software of the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to be updated without connecting it to the Internet and for an adult vaper to perform the download process as for most other consumer electronics devices that require periodic software updates.

The controller 2105 may also include a cryptographic accelerator that allows the resources of the controller 2105 to perform functions other than encoding and decoding associated with authentication. The controller 2105 may also include other security features, such as preventing unauthorized use of communication channels and preventing unauthorized access to data if the containing element or adult vaper is not authenticated.

In addition to the cryptographic accelerator, the controller 2105 may include other hardware accelerators. For example, the controller 2105 may include a floating point unit (FPU), a separate DSP core, digital filters, and fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules.

The controller 2105 is configured to control the real-time operating system (RTOS), control the device system 2100 and can be updated by communicating with the NVM or CC-NVM, or when the device system 2100 is connected to other devices (for example, a smartphone) via the input/output interfaces 2130 and/or antennas 2140. The input/output interfaces 2130 and the antenna 2140 allow the device system 2100 to connect to various external devices, such as smartphones, tablets and PCs. For example, the input/output interfaces 2130 can include a micro-USB connector. The micro-USB connector can be used by the device system 2100 to charge the power source 2110b.

The controller 2105 may include embedded RAM and flash memory for storing and executing code, including analytics, diagnostics, and software updates. Alternatively, the storage medium 2145 may store the code. Additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the storage medium 2145 may be embedded in the controller 2105.

The 2105 controller may additionally include an integrated clock, switching and power management modules to reduce the footprint of the printed circuit board in the main distribution section.

The sensors 2125 of the device may include a number of transducer sensors that provide measurement information to the controller 2105. The sensors 2125 of the device may include a power source temperature sensor, an external temperature sensor of the containing element, a current sensor for the heater, a power source current sensor, an air flow sensor and an accelerometer for tracking movement and orientation. The power source temperature sensor and the external temperature sensor of the containing element may be a thermistor or a thermocouple, and the current sensor for the heater and the power source current sensor may be a resistive sensor or another type of sensor adapted to measure current. The air flow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor adapted to measure air flow, such as a hot-wire anemometer. As noted above, the sensors 2125 of the device may include sensors similar to an accelerometer for tracking movement and orientation, as shown, for example, in Fig. 23.

Fig. 23 shows a system of a containing element 2200 connected to a system 2100 of a device according to an example embodiment. For example, sensors 2125 of the device may comprise one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B and/or one or more magnetometers 2127C for tracking motion and orientation. For example, sensors 2125 of the device may comprise at least one inertial measurement unit (IMU). The IMU may comprise, for example, 3-axis accelerometers, 3-axis gyroscopes and 3-axis magnetometers. For example, one or more accelerometers 2127A, one or more gyroscopes 2127B and/or one or more magnetometers 2127C of Fig. 23 may be part of the IMU. Examples of an IMU included in the device sensors 2125 include, but are not limited to, a 10-axis Invensense MPU-9250 and a 9-axis ST STEVAL-MKI1119V1. As will be discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 24-25, the controller 2105 may use the movement and/or orientation information detected by the device sensors 2125 to control the power level supplied by the power source 2110 to the heater 2215 via the containing element electrical/data interface 2120 and the main portion electrical/data interface 2210.

Data generated by a number of transducers can be sampled at a sampling rate corresponding to the measured parameter using a discrete multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

The controller 2105 may adapt the heater profiles for the nicotine-containing vapor formulation and other profiles based on the measurement information received from the controller 2105. For convenience, these are typically referred to as vaping or vapor profiles.

The heater profile defines the power profile that should be supplied to the heater for a few seconds when a steam draw event occurs. For example, the heater profile may supply maximum power to the heater when a steam draw event is initiated, but then immediately reduce the power to half or a quarter of the power after about a second.

In addition, the heater profile can also be changed based on the negative pressure applied to the nicotine e-vaping device 500. Using a MEMS flow sensor allows the vapor draw force to be measured and used as feedback to the controller 2105 to adjust the power supplied to the heater of the containing element 300, which can be referred to as heating or power supply.

When the controller 2105 recognizes the containing element that is currently installed (e.g., via SKU), the controller 2105 associates the associated heating profile developed for this specific containing element. The controller 2105 and the storage medium 2145 will store data and algorithms that allow heating profiles to be generated for all SKUs. In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 can read the heating profile from the containing element. Adult vapers can also customize the heating profiles according to their preferences.

As shown in Fig. 21A, the controller 2105 sends data to and receives data from the power supply unit 2110. The power supply unit 2110 includes a power source 2110b and a power controller 2110a for controlling the output power of the power source 2110b.

The power source 2110b may be a lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example, a lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. Alternatively, the power source 2110b may be rechargeable and contain a circuit that provides the ability to charge the battery using an external charger. In this case, the circuit, when charged, supplies power for the desired (or, alternatively, a predetermined) number of cases of drawing in steam, after which the circuit must be reconnected to the external charger.

The power controller 2110a issues commands to the power source 2110b based on the commands from the controller 2105. For example, the power unit 2110 can receive a command from the controller 2105 to supply power to the containing element (via the electrical interface/data interface 2120 of the containing element) when the containing element is authenticated and the adult vaper activates the device system 2100 (for example, by activating a switch, such as a toggle button, a capacitive sensor, an IR sensor). When the containing element is not authenticated, the controller 2105 can either not send a command to the power unit 2110, or send a command to the power unit 2110 not to supply power. In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 2105 can disable all operations of the device system 2100 if the containing element is not authenticated.

In addition to supplying power to the containing element 300, the power supply unit 2110 also supplies power to the controller 2105. Moreover, the power controller 2110a can provide feedback to the controller 2105 indicating the performance of the power source 2110b.

The controller 2105 sends data to and receives data from at least one antenna 2140. The at least one antenna 2140 may comprise a near field communication (NFC) modem, a Bluetooth low energy (LE) modem and/or other modems for other wireless technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi). In an exemplary embodiment, the communication stacks are in the modems, but the modems are under the control of the controller 2105. The Bluetooth LE modem is used to communicate data and control signals with an application on an external device (e.g., a smartphone). The NFC modem can be used to pair the nicotine vaping device 500 with the application and to retrieve diagnostic information. Moreover, the Bluetooth LE modem can be used to provide location information (so that an adult vaper can find the nicotine vaping device 500) or for authentication during a purchase. In addition, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the nicotine vaping device 500 (e.g., the controller 2105) can be configured to use Bluetooth communication (e.g., provided by the Bluetooth LE modem) to selectively block the nicotine vaping device 500. For example, an adult vaper can use an application (for example, an application program) installed on an external mobile device (for example, a mobile phone) with Bluetooth communication capability to lock the nicotine vaping device 500, thereby preventing the nicotine vaping device 500 from operating to generate nicotine vapor, and to unlock the nicotine vaping device 500, thereby allowing the nicotine vaping device 500 to operate to generate vapor. Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, the adult vaper can select a setting in the application for controlling the nicotine vaping device 500, so that the nicotine vaping device 500 remains locked (that is, to prevent operation to generate nicotine vapor) until the nicotine vaping device 500 is within a desired range of the electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, an adult vaper may use an application to configure the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 so that it remains locked until the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is within the Bluetooth communication range of the electronic device on which the application is installed. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, an adult vaper may use an application to set the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 so that the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is locked until the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is paired with the electronic device on which the application is installed.

As described above, the system 2100 of the device can generate and configure various profiles for vaping. The controller 2105 uses the power unit 2110 and the actuator controls 2115 to adjust the profile of an adult vaper.

The actuator controls 2115 include passive and active actuators for regulating the desired vapor profile. For example, the dispensing main part of the device may include an inlet channel inside the mouthpiece. The actuator controls 2115 may control the inlet channel based on commands from the controller 2105 related to the desired vapor profile.

Moreover, the actuator control means 2115 are used to supply power to the heater in combination with the power supply unit 2110. More specifically, the actuator control means 2115 are configured to generate an excitation waveform associated with a desired vaping profile. As described above, each possible profile is associated with an excitation waveform. After receiving a command from the controller 2105 indicating a desired vaping profile, the actuator control means 2115 can generate a corresponding modulating waveform for the power supply unit 2110.

The controller 2105 supplies information to the indicators 2135 for the vaper to indicate the states and ongoing operations to the adult vaper. The indicators 2135 for the vaper include a power indicator (e.g., an LED), which can be activated when the controller 2105 detects a button press by the adult vaper. The indicators 2135 for the vaper can also include a vibrator, a speaker, an indicator of the current state of the vaping parameter controlled by the adult vaper (e.g., vapor volume), and other feedback mechanisms.

In addition, the device system 2100 may include a number of controls built into the product 2150 that transmit commands from an adult vaper to the controller 2105. The controls built into the product 2150 include an on-off button, which may be, for example, a toggle button, a capacitive sensor, or an IR sensor. The controls built into the product 2150 may further include a vaping control button (if the adult vaper wishes to disable the buttonless vaping feature to turn on the heater), a full reset button, a touch slider control (to control the setting of a vaping parameter, such as the amount of vapor suction), a vaping control button to activate the slider control, and a mechanical adjustment for the air inlet. Detection of a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG) is another example of buttonless vaping. In addition, a combination of button presses (for example, button presses entered by an adult vaper through the controls built into the product 2150) can be used to lock the nicotine vaping device and prevent the device from operating to generate nicotine vapor. According to at least some example embodiments, the combination of button presses can be set by the manufacturer of the nicotine vaping device 500 and/or the device system 2100. According to at least some example embodiments, the combination of button presses can be set or changed by an adult vaper (for example, by button presses entered by an adult vaper through the controls built into the product 2150).

Once the containing element is authenticated (for example, in the manner discussed above with reference to Fig. 21A), the controller 2105 actuates the power unit 2110, the actuator controls 2115, the vaper indicators 2135 and the antenna 2140 in accordance with the adult vaper's use of the nicotine vaping device 500 and the information stored by the NVM or CC-NVM in the containing element 300. Moreover, the controller 2105 may have logging functions and be able to implement algorithms for calibrating the nicotine vaping device 500. The logging functions are performed by the controller 2105 to record usage data, as well as any unexpected events or failures. The recorded usage data may be used for diagnostics and analytics. The controller 2105 can calibrate the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping using a buttonless vaping (that is, vaping without pressing a button, such as generating nicotine vapor by applying negative pressure to the mouthpiece), a configuration on the part of an adult vaper and stored information in the CC-NVM or NVM, including detection of vapor draw, the level of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition and the composition of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition. For example, the controller 2105 can instruct the power unit 2110 to supply power to the heater in the containing element based on the vaping profile associated with the composition of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition in the containing element 300. Alternatively, the vaping profile can be encoded in the CC-NVM or NVM and used by the controller 2105.

Fig. 22A shows a diagram of a containing element system for a dispensing main part according to an exemplary embodiment. The containing element system 2200 can be located inside the containing element assembly 300.

As shown in Fig. 22A, the containing element system 2200 comprises the CC-NVM 2205, the electrical/data interface 2210 of the main part, the heater 2215 and the containing element sensors 2220. The containing element system 2200 communicates with the device system 2100 via the electrical/data interface 2210 of the main part and the electrical/data interface 2120 of the containing element. The electrical/data interface 2210 of the main part can correspond to the battery contacts 416 and the data connection 417 connected to the containing element assembly 300 shown in Fig. 19, for example. Therefore, the CC-NVM 2205 is connected to the data connection 417 and the battery contacts 416.

CC-NVM 2205 comprises cryptographic coprocessor 2205a and non-volatile memory 2205b. Controller 2105 can access information stored in non-volatile memory 2205b for authentication and control purposes of the containing element by communicating with cryptographic coprocessor 2205a.

In another exemplary embodiment, the containing element may not have a cryptographic coprocessor. For example, Fig. 22B shows an example of the containing element system of Fig. 22A, in which the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a is omitted according to the exemplary embodiment. As shown in Fig. 22B, the containing element system 2200 may include a non-volatile memory 2205b instead of the CC-NVM 2205, and the cryptographic coprocessor 2205a is omitted. When the containing element system 2200 does not have a cryptographic coprocessor, the controller 2105 can read data from the non-volatile memory 2205b without using the cryptographic coprocessor to control/determine the heating profile.

The non-volatile memory 2205b may be encoded with an electronic identifier to allow at least one of authentication of the containing element 300 and pairing of operating parameters specific to the type of the containing element 300 when the containing element 300 is inserted into the through opening of the main part 100 of the device. In addition to authentication based on the electronic identifier of the containing element 300, the controller 2105 may allow the use of the containing element based on the expiration date of the stored nicotine-containing finished vapor composition and/or heater encoded in the non-volatile memory 2205b. If the controller determines that the expiration date encoded in the non-volatile memory 2205b has expired, the controller may not authorize the use of the containing element and turn off the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping.

Moreover, the non-volatile memory 2205b can store information such as a stock keeping unit (SKU) of the nicotine-containing vapor formulation in the nicotine-containing vapor formulation compartment (including the composition of the nicotine-containing vapor formulation), software patches for the device system 2100, product usage information such as a count of vapor inhalation events, a duration of vapor inhalation events, and a level of the nicotine-containing vapor formulation. The non-volatile memory 2205b can store operating parameters specific to the type of containing element and the composition of the nicotine-containing vapor formulation. For example, the non-volatile memory 2205b can store a design of the electrical and mechanical design of the containing element for use by the controller 2105 to determine commands corresponding to a desired vaping profile.

The level of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition in the containing element can be determined in one of two ways, for example. In one exemplary embodiment, one of the sensors 2220 of the containing element directly measures the level of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition in the containing element 300.

In another exemplary embodiment, non-volatile memory 2205b stores a count of vapor draws from the containing element, and controller 2105 uses the count of vapor draws as an indirect indicator of the amount of nicotine-containing vapor formulation vaporized.

The controller 2105 and/or the storage medium 2145 may store calibration data of the nicotine-containing vapor composition that identifies an operating point for the composition of the nicotine-containing vapor composition. The calibration data of the nicotine-containing vapor composition includes data that describes how the flow rate changes depending on the remaining level of the nicotine-containing vapor composition or how the volatility changes with the age of the nicotine-containing vapor composition, and may be used for calibration by the controller 2105. The calibration data of the nicotine-containing vapor composition may be stored by the controller 2105 and/or the storage medium 2145 in a table format. The calibration data of the nicotine-containing vapor composition allows the controller 2105 to equate the count of vapor draws to the amount of nicotine-containing vapor composition vaporized.

The controller 2105 records the level of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition and the number of times the nicotine-containing final vapor composition has been drawn back into the non-volatile memory 2205b in the containing member so that if the containing member is removed from the dispensing main portion and then reinserted, the controller 2105 will still know the accurate level of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition of the containing member.

The operating parameters (for example, power supply, duration of power supply, air channel control) are called a hover profile. Moreover, the non-volatile memory 2205b can record information transmitted by the controller 2105. The non-volatile memory 2205b can retain the recorded information even when the dispensing main part is separated from the containing element 300.

In an exemplary embodiment, non-volatile memory 2205b may be a programmable read-only memory.

The heater 2215 is driven by the controller 2105 and transfers heat to at least a portion of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition in accordance with a specified profile (volume, temperature (based on the power profile) and aroma) from the controller 2105.

The heater 2215 may be a flat body, a ceramic body, a separate wire, a cage of resistive wire, a wire winding surrounding a wick, a grid, a surface, or any other suitable shape, for example. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum, and platinum group metals. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-based, iron-based, cobalt-based, stainless steel superalloys. For example, the heater can be made of nickel aluminides, a material with an aluminum oxide layer on the surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, wherein the electrically resistive material can optionally be embedded in the insulating material, encapsulated in it or coated with it, or vice versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the required external physicochemical properties. In one embodiment, the heater 2215 contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the heater 2215 is formed from nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In one embodiment, the heater 2215 can be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on its outer surface.

In another embodiment, heater 2215 may be formed from an iron aluminide (e.g., FeAl or _Fe3Al ), such as those described in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 5,595,706 issued to Sikka et al., filed December 29, 1994, or from nickel aluminides (e.g., _Ni3Al ), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The heater 2215 can determine the amount of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition that needs to be heated based on feedback from the sensors of the containing element or the controller 2105. The flow of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition can be adjusted by microcapillary or capillary action. Moreover, the controller 2105 can send commands to the heater 2215 to adjust the air inlet to the heater 2215.

The sensor 2220 of the containing element may include, for example, a heater temperature sensor, a flow rate monitor of the nicotine-containing final composition for vapor, and an air flow monitor. The heater temperature sensor may be a thermistor or a thermocouple, and the flow rate measurement may be performed by the containing element system 2200 (for example, under the control of the controller 2105 or a controller contained in the containing element system 2200) using electrostatic interference or an integrated rotator of the nicotine-containing final composition for vapor. The air flow sensor may be a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) flow sensor or another type of sensor adapted to measure air flow.

The data generated by the sensors 2220 of the containing element may be sampled at a sampling rate corresponding to the parameter being measured using a discrete multi-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

According to at least some example embodiments, the controller 2105 may also control the heater 2215 upon detection of a hand-to-mouth gesture (HMG). As noted above with reference to FIG. 21A, the nicotine e-vaping device, according to at least some example embodiments, may implement a buttonless vaping function. As an example of a buttonless vaping function, the controller 2105 may determine when an adult vaper makes an HMG gesture based on measurements of the sensors 2125 of the device. The HMG gesture is a gesture when the hand of an adult vaper moves toward the mouth of an adult vaper. An HMG gesture made with respect to the nicotine e-vaping device (for example, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 and/or the nicotine e-vaping device comprising the main part 100 of the device) may indicate that vapor inhalation will begin soon. According to at least some example embodiments, the controller 2105 can control the state and/or operating mode of the device for electronic nicotine vaping, or one or more of its elements based on the detection of the HMG gesture. For example, the controller 2105 can control the state and/or operating mode of the heater 2215 by detecting the HMG gesture.

As mentioned above, the heater 2215 can be driven by the controller 2105. According to at least some example embodiments, the controller 2105 can control the heater 2215 using a heating module control algorithm and a heating module drive implemented by the controller 2105. The heater 2215 can also be referred to herein as the heating module 2215 or the heater module 2215. Examples of a heating module control algorithm according to at least some example embodiments will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Figs. 24-25G.

First, an overview of the heating module control algorithm 2300 and the corresponding input data will be explained with reference to Fig. 24. Next, exemplary implementations of the heating module control algorithm 2300 according to at least several exemplary embodiments will be explained with reference to Figs. 25A-26. Exemplary implementations of the heating module control algorithm 2300 include, but are not limited to, a set heating module control algorithm 2300A (Figs. 25A-25B), an adaptive heating module control algorithm 2300B (Figs. 25C-25D), a temperature heating module control algorithm 2300C (Figs. 25E-25F), and a waveform heating module control algorithm 2300D (Figs. 25G-25H). In addition, an exemplary implementation of the buttonless vaping function 2310, which can pass the vaping mode as input to one or more of the heating module control algorithms 2300, 2300A, 2300B, 2300C and 2300D, will be discussed below with reference to Fig. 26.

Referring to Fig. 24, Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating a heating module control algorithm 2300 and associated input data, according to at least one example embodiment. Referring to Fig. 24, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control algorithm 2300 generates a power level value and the heating module driver 2305 controls the power supplied to the heating module 2215 (e.g., using pulse width modulation (PWM) or another known method) based on the generated power level. For example, the heating module driver 2305 can control the amount of power supplied to the heater module 2215 via the electrical/data interface 2210 of the main part. According to at least some example embodiments, both the heating module control algorithm 2300 and the heating module drive 2305 are implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine electronic vaping device (for example, the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described in this description as performed by any of the heating module control algorithm 2300 or the heating motor drive 2305 can be performed by the controller 2105.

As shown in Fig. 24, the heating module control algorithm 2300 may use one or more of a plurality of input data to generate a power level supplied to the heating module 2305 drive. According to at least some example embodiments, the input data to the heating module control algorithm 2300 may include, but is not limited to, a vaping mode generated by the buttonless vaping function 2310, one or more operating points generated by the first calibration comparison function 2320, a predicted temperature of the heating module 2215 generated by the heating module temperature prediction function 2330, values of the heating element temperature and electrical characteristics output by the heating module sensors 2222 (which may be included in the containing element sensors 2220), values of the air flow rate and wick moisture content output by the containing element sensors 2220, vaping profile information output by the adult vaper profile update function 2340, information about the temperature of the nicotine e-vaping device output by the device sensors 2125, information about the level of the nicotine-containing material of the finished vapor composition and/or the flow rate output by the function 2350 predicting the liquid level and flow rate, battery status information provided by the battery status function 2360, time information provided by the clock 2370. The containing element sensors 2220 may also be referred to herein as intelligent containing element sensors 2220. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control algorithm operates in accordance with at least the following 3 states: an OFF state, a PRE-HEAT state, and an ON state. The OFF state, the PRE-HEAT state, and the ON state may also be referred to herein as "vaping mode states" or "operating modes."

According to at least some example embodiments, the OFF state is a state in which the heating module control algorithm 2300 controls the heating module drive 2305, such as a relatively low power value or, alternatively, no power is supplied to the heater module 2215 by the nicotine electronic vaping device 500; the PRE-HEAT state is a state in which the heating module control algorithm 2300 controls the heating module drive 2305 such that the power value supplied to the heater module 2215 by the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is higher than the power value supplied in the OFF state; and the ON state is a state in which the heating module control algorithm 2300 controls the heating module driver 2305 such that the amount of power supplied to the heater module 2215 by the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 is higher than the amount of power supplied in the PRE-HEATING state. According to at least some example embodiments, the amount of power supplied to the heater module 2215 during the PRE-HEATING mode of operation is an amount that ensures that the heater module 2215 heats the nicotine-containing final vapor composition stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition, and the amount of power supplied to the heater module 2215 during the second mode of operation is an amount that ensures that the heater heats the nicotine-containing final vapor composition stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 to a temperature equal to or higher than the boiling point of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition.

The heating module control setup algorithm 2300A and the buttonless vaping function 2310 will also be discussed below with reference to Figs. 25A, 25B and 26.

Fig. 25A is a diagram illustrating a heating module control setup algorithm 2300A, according to at least some example embodiments. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A is an example embodiment of the heating module control algorithm 2300 shown in Fig. 24.

According to at least some example embodiments, the setup algorithm 2300A for controlling the heating module is implemented by the controller 2105 of the system 2100 of the device included in the device for electronic vaping of nicotine (for example, the device 500 for electronic vaping of nicotine). Therefore, any or all operations described in this document as performed by the setup algorithm 2300A for controlling the heating module (or its element) can be performed by the controller 2105.

According to at least some example embodiments, in the setting algorithm 2300A of the control of the heating module, the specified power level is provided directly based on the external configuration. According to at least some example embodiments, the power level applicable to the heating module 2215 (for example, via the driver 2305 of the heating module) is static during the entire period of activation of the heating module 2215 or, alternatively, during the entire period of the hover mode. According to at least some example embodiments, one power level is directed to the driver 2305 of the heating module, and the amount of power applicable to the heating module 2215 by the driver 2305 of the heating module is proportional to the power level directed to the driver 2305 of the heating module. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module driver 2305 may set the power level supplied to the heating module 2215 (e.g., by adjusting the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated control signal supplied to the heating module 2215) immediately after receiving one power level.

Referring to Fig. 25A, the setup algorithm 2300A for controlling the heating module can operate based on input data received from the clock 2370, the sensors 2222 of the heating module (which can be included in the smart sensors 2220 of the containing element), the buttonless hover function 2310, and the first calibration matching function 2320. In addition, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 can operate based on input data received from the AV hover profile update function 2340.

The 2370 clock, 2222 heating module sensors, 2310 buttonless vaping function, 2320 first calibration matching function and 2340 AV vaping profile update function will be discussed in more detail below.

The clock 2370 outputs a periodic synchronization signal in accordance with known methods. The sensors 2222 of the heating module detect the values of the temperature of the heating module and/or the values of the electrical characteristics associated with the heating module 2215 in accordance with known methods. According to at least some example embodiments, the sensors of the heating module transmit the detected values of the temperature of the heating module and/or the values of the electrical characteristics to the driver of the heating module 2305, for example, as feedback values. According to at least some example embodiments, the driver of the heating module 2305 adjusts the amount of power supplied to the heating module 2215 based on the feedback values. The buttonless hovering function 2310 will be discussed below with reference to Fig. 26.

According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless vaping function 2310 outputs to the setting algorithm 2300A of the heating module control, as the current state of the vaping mode, one of the following states: the OFF state, the PREHEAT state, the ON state. Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating the buttonless vaping function 2310, according to at least some example embodiments. The buttonless vaping function 2310 can be implemented by the controller 2105. Accordingly, any or all of the operations described herein as performed by the buttonless vaping function 2310 can be performed by the controller 2105 of the system 2100 of the device included in the electronic nicotine vaping device (e.g., the electronic nicotine vaping device 500).

Referring to Fig. 26, initially, the buttonless hover function 2310 outputs the OFF state. For example, when step S2410 is executed, the buttonless hover function 2310 outputs the OFF state as the current hover mode state.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the push-button hover function 2310 switches the current state of the hover mode from the OFF state to the ON state based on detecting the vaporization in the OFF state. For example, when performing operation S2420, the push-button hover function 2310 determines whether the vaporization is currently occurring or not. For example, the push-button hover function 2310 can determine whether the vaporization event is currently occurring or not based on the air flow information generated by the sensors 2220 of the housing element and/or the sensors 2124 of the device. For example, if the air flow information shows an air flow volume that exceeds a threshold value, the push-button hover function 2310 determines that the vaporization event is currently occurring. If the vaporization is occurring in the OFF state, the push-button hover function 2310 proceeds to operation S2470. When executing operation S2470, the buttonless hover function 2310 changes the current hover mode state from the OFF state to the ON state, and outputs the ON state as the current hover mode state.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless vaping function 2310 transitions the current state of the vaping mode from the OFF state to the PREHEAT state based on detecting a hand-to-mouth gesture in the OFF state. The HMG gesture is a gesture where an adult vaper's hand moves toward the adult vaper's mouth. An HMG gesture made with respect to a nicotine vaping device (e.g., a nicotine vaping device 500 and/or a nicotine vaping device comprising a device body 100 or a dispensing body 204) will indicate that vapor inhalation will begin soon. Exemplary methods for detecting an HMG gesture are discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0108840, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Returning to operation S2420, according to at least some example embodiments, if the vapor draw-in has occurred in the OFF state, the no-button hovering function 2310 proceeds to operation S2430. In operation S2430, the no-button hovering function 2310 determines whether the HMG gesture has occurred or not. If the HMG gesture has occurred in the OFF state, the no-button hovering function 2310 proceeds to operation S2440. In operation S2440, the no-button hovering function 2310 switches the current state of the hovering mode from the OFF state to the PRE-HEATING state, and outputs the PRE-HEATING state as the current state of the hovering mode. According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless hover function 2310 maintains the OFF state as the current state of the hover mode until the buttonless hover function 2310 detects any of the vaporization or the HMG gesture. For example, returning to operation S2430, if the HMG gesture occurred in the OFF state, the buttonless hover function 2310 maintains the OFF state as the current state of the hover mode and returns to operation S2420.

Returning to operation S2440, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless hovering function 2310 shifts the current state of the hovering mode from the PRE-HEATING state to the ON state based on detecting the drawing in of steam in the PRE-HEATING state. For example, the buttonless hovering function 2310 shifts from operation S2440 to operation S2450. In operation S2450, the buttonless hovering function 2310 determines whether or not the drawing in of steam is currently occurring. If the drawing in of steam is occurring during the PRE-HEATING state, the buttonless hovering function 2310 shifts to operation S2470, thereby shifting from the PRE-HEATING state to the ON state. For example, in operation S2470, the buttonless hovering function 2310 outputs the ON state as the current state of the hovering mode.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the no-button hover function 2310 switches from the PRE-HEATING state to the OFF state based on the occurrence of a pre-heating time limit exceeding event in the PRE-HEATING state. For example, in step S2450, if the vapor is drawn in the PRE-HEATING state, the no-button hover function 2310 proceeds to step S2460. In step S2460, the no-button hover function 2310 determines whether the pre-heating time limit exceeding event has occurred or not. The no-button hover function 2310 determines that the pre-heating time limit exceeding event has occurred when the no-button hover function 2310 determines that the amount of time spent in the PRE-HEATING state exceeds the pre-heating time limit exceeding value. If the buttonless hover function 2310 detects a preheat time limit exceeding event in the PREHEAT state, the buttonless hover function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby changing the current hover mode state from the PREHEAT state to the OFF state. As discussed above, when performing operation S2410, the buttonless hover function 2310 outputs the OFF state as the current hover mode state.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the buttonless hover function 2310 maintains the PRE-HEATING state as the current state of the hovering mode until the buttonless hover function 2310 detects any of the vapor draw and the pre-heating time limit exceeding. For example, returning to operation S2460, if in the PRE-HEATING state the pre-heating time limit exceeding event has not occurred and the vapor draw event has not been detected, the buttonless hover function 2310 maintains the PRE-HEATING state and returns to operation S2450.

Returning to operation S2470, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, the buttonless hovering function 2310 transitions from the ON state to the OFF state based on detecting a vapor draw event or a hover time limit exceeding event. For example, the buttonless hovering function 2310 transitions from operation S2470 to operation S2480. In operation S2480, the buttonless hovering function 2310 determines whether the vapor draw event has ended or whether the hover time limit exceeding event has occurred. For example, based on the air flow information generated by the sensors 2220 of the housing member and/or the sensors 2124 of the device, the buttonless hovering function 2310 can determine whether vapor draw is detected in step S2420 or not, or whether step S2450 has ended. For example, if after detecting the vapor inhalation, the air flow information shows that the air flow volume has fallen below the threshold, the buttonless hovering function 2310 determines that the vapor inhalation event is completed. According to at least some example embodiments, the threshold used to detect the start of the vapor inhalation event in operation S2420 or S2450 may have a value different from the threshold used to detect the end of the vapor inhalation event in operation S2480.

In addition, the buttonless hover function 2310 determines that a hover time limit exceeding event has occurred when the buttonless hover function 2310 determines that the amount of time spent in the ON state exceeds the hover time limit exceeding value. If the buttonless hover function 2310 detects either the end of the vapor draw moment or the occurrence of the hover time limit exceeding event in the ON state, the buttonless hover function 2310 proceeds to operation S2410, thereby switching the current state of the hover mode from the ON state to the OFF state. According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless hover function 2310 maintains the ON state as the current state of the hover mode until the buttonless hover function 2310 detects the end of either the vapor draw and the hover time limit exceeding event. For example, returning to operation S2480, if the vaping time limit exceeding event has not occurred during the ON state and the end of the current vapor draw event is not detected, the buttonless vaping function 2310 maintains the ON state and returns to operation S2480.

According to at least some example embodiments, the no-button hover function 2310 may determine whether a pre-heating time limit exceeding event has occurred in operation S2460 and/or determine whether a pre-heating time limit exceeding event has occurred in operation S2480, based on timer values including a pre-heating time limit exceeding value and a hovering time limit exceeding value. For example, the no-button hover function 2310 may determine that a pre-heating time limit exceeding event has occurred in operation S2460 of Fig. 26, when the no-button hover function 2310 detects that the duration of the PRE-HEATING state during hovering exceeds a time limit value. The pre-heating time limit exceeding value may be, for example, 1-2 seconds. In addition, the buttonless hover function 2310 may determine that a hover time limit exceeding event has occurred in operation S2480 of Fig. 26, when the buttonless hover function 2310 detects that the duration of the ON hover state exceeds a hover time limit value. The hover time limit exceeding value may be, for example, 7-10 seconds. According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless hover function 2310 may monitor the duration of the ON hover state and the PRE-HEAT state during hovering using a clock signal output by the clock 2370. In addition, the pre-heat time limit exceeding value and the hover time limit exceeding value are not limited to the example time intervals discussed above. For example, the time intervals of the preheat time limit exceed value and/or the vaping time limit exceed value may be set, for example, in accordance with the preferences of the developer or manufacturer of the nicotine electronic vaping device 500.

In addition, although the buttonless hover function 2310 is described above as determining the current state of the hover mode as one of three states (that is, OFF, PREHEAT, and ON), according to at least some example embodiments, the PREHEAT state may be omitted, and the buttonless hover function 2310 may determine the current state of the hover mode as only one of two states: ON and OFF. For example, with reference to Fig. 26, when the PREHEAT state is omitted, the buttonless hover function 2310 may skip operations S2430, S2440, S2450, and S2460. In addition, when the PREHEAT state is omitted, the buttonless hover function 2310 may perform operation S2420 without switching to the PREHEAT state. For example, the buttonless hovering function may perform operation S2420 by maintaining the OFF state when the vapor draw is not detected (N) and proceeding to operation S2470 in response to the detected vapor draw (Y), thereby changing the current state of the hovering mode from the OFF state to the ON state. Furthermore, when the PRE-HEATING state is omitted, the buttonless hovering function 2310 may perform the remaining operations S2410, S2470 and S2480 in the same way as discussed above with reference to Fig. 26. According to at least some example embodiments, the buttonless hovering function 2310 continuously determines the current state of the hovering mode and outputs the determined current hovering mode in accordance with the operations discussed above with reference to Fig. 26. The first calibration matching function 2320 will be discussed below.

The first calibration matching function 2320 provides operating points to the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A. According to at least some example embodiments, the operating points correspond to power values or power levels, examples of which include, but are not limited to, 1 W, 2.567 W, 20 W, 32.15 W, and 52.663 W.

According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 reads one or more operating points from a removable containing element installed in the nicotine electronic vaping device, and outputs the one or more operating points to the setting algorithm 2300A for controlling the heating module. For example, the nicotine electronic vaping device (for example, the nicotine electronic vaping device 500) implementing the first calibration matching function 2320 can be configured to detect power information from the removable containing element 300 installed in the nicotine electronic vaping device 500. The power information read from the containing element 300 can include one or more operating points. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the power information read from the containing element 300 may include an operating point for each state of the vaping mode (i.e., PREHEAT, ON, and OFF). According to at least some example embodiments, the power information read from the containing element 300 may include operating points for the PREHEAT state and the ON state, but not for the OFF state.

According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from the removable containing element; receives an approximate preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340; selects an operating point or operating points from among the read operating points that correspond to the approximate preference level; and outputs the selected operating point or points to the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the power information read from the containing element 300 by the first calibration matching function 2320 may include an operating point for each possible combination of the approximate preference level and the vaping mode state (PREHEAT, ON, and OFF). According to at least some example embodiments, the power information read from the containing element 300 may include an operating point for each approximate preference level for the ON state, include only one operating point for the PREHEAT state, and include only one operating point (or, alternatively, no operating points) for the OFF state.

According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration comparison function 2320 reads the operating point from the removable housing element; receives the fine preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340; adjusts the read operating point based on the fine preference level; and outputs the adjusted operating point to the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A. For example, the fine preference level obtained from the AV vaping profile update function 2340 may include an adjustment performed with respect to the operating point. For example, the fine preference level may indicate the direction of the adjustment and the amount of the adjustment (e.g., the sign and amount: +3 W, -4.823 W, +10.645 W, etc.).

According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 can generate an operating point based on both an approximate preference level and an exact preference level, each of which is obtained using the AV vaping profile update function 2340. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 reads a plurality of operating points from the removable housing element; receives an approximate preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340; selects an operating point from among the read operating points that corresponds to the approximate preference level; receives the exact preference level from the AV vaping profile update function 2340; adjusts the selected operating point based on the exact preference level; and outputs the adjusted operating point to the setting algorithm 2300A of controlling the heating module.

According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine electronic vaping device (for example, the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). Therefore, any or all of the operations described herein as performed by the calibration matching function 2320 can be performed by or controlled by the controller 2105. The function 2340 of updating the AV vaping profile, approximate preference levels and precise preference levels will be discussed in more detail below.

According to at least some example embodiments, the AV hover profile update function 2340 outputs one or both of the approximate preference level and the exact preference level, which are discussed above with reference to the first calibration comparison function 2320. An example of the AV hover profile update function 2340 that outputs the approximate preference level will be discussed below.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult vaper can control an input device of a nicotine e-vaping device 500 to select one of a plurality of approximate preference levels. For example, as indicated above with reference to Fig. 21A and 21B, the main part 100 of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 can include controls 2150 built into the product. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the controls 2150 built into the product can include any device or devices that an adult vaper can manually control to indicate a value selection. Example implementations include, but are not limited to, one or more buttons, a dial, a capacitive sensor, and a slider. For example, when the controls 2150 built into the product include a slider, the nicotine e-vaping device 500 can be configured to detect the position of the adult vaper's finger along the length of the slider in accordance with known methods. For example, the slider can include a capacitive sensor that extends along the entire length of the slider. In addition, the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping may be capable of detecting along the length of the slider the location of the finger of an adult vaper touching the capacitive sensor based on signals generated by the capacitive sensor in accordance with known methods. As another example, the slider may comprise a mechanical element connected to a track that extends along the entire length of the slider. The mechanical element may be configured to slide up and down along the track by the finger of an adult vaper. In addition, the device 500 for electronic vaping may be configured to detect the location of the mechanical element along the length of the slider.

According to at least some example embodiments, the length of the slider can be divided into a plurality of adjacent regions, and a plurality of approximate preference levels can be assigned to the plurality of adjacent regions, respectively. For example, in a scenario where 5 approximate preference levels are assigned to 5 adjacent regions of the length of the slider, respectively, an adult vaper can select a specific preference level from the 5 approximate preference levels by controlling the slider (for example, by moving the finger of the adult vaper and/or the mechanical element to a position along the length of the slider that is within the region to which a specific approximate preference level is assigned). According to at least some example embodiments, the slider can be implemented as one or more tactile sensors.

In addition to or as an alternative to containing a slider, the controls 2150 embedded in the product may comprise one or more buttons that facilitate selecting a particular preference level from the approximate preference levels described above. For example, in the example illustrated in Fig. 1, the dispensing body comprises first and second buttons 118 and 120. According to at least some example embodiments, the approximate preference levels (e.g., 5 approximate preference levels) may be cycled in response to manipulations with one or both of the first and second buttons 118 and 120. According to at least some example embodiments, the first and second buttons are implemented as tactile sensors, which may be mechanical (e.g., mechanical buttons) or capacitive (e.g., capacitive sensors).

According to at least some example embodiments, the main part 100 of the device may provide an indication (e.g., a visual, tactile, or audio indication) for identifying the currently selected approximate preference level from a plurality of available approximate preference levels. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the second button 120 is an intensity adjustment button, and manipulation of the second button 120 may result in the transition of the nicotine vaping device 500 from the current approximate preference level to the next approximate preference level. In addition, the light guide assembly shown in Fig. 1 may provide a different visual indication for each different approximate preference level (e.g., by changing the color, length, size, and/or brightness of the light emitted by the light guide assembly), thereby identifying the currently selected approximate preference level.

Then, the vaping profile update function 2340 AV outputs the selected approximate preference level to the first calibration matching function 2320. In addition, the 5 approximate preference levels can correspond, respectively, to 5 operating points read by the first calibration matching function 2320 from the removable containing element (for example, the containing element 300) installed in the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping. Accordingly, the first calibration matching function 2320 outputs an operating point from the 5 operating points read from the removable containing element, which corresponds to the obtained approximate preference level. An example of the vaping profile update function 2340 AV outputting an accurate preference level will be discussed below.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an adult vaper can control an input device to select one of a plurality of fine preference levels. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the input device can be a wireless electronic device (e.g., a wireless communication device), examples of which include, but are not limited to, a smartphone and a tablet. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device runs an application or application program that an adult vaper can use to select a fine preference value for adjusting the operating point. According to at least some example embodiments, the nicotine vaping device (e.g., nicotine vaping device 500) and the wireless electronic device can communicate with each other wirelessly (e.g., via a wireless communication line) using any known wireless technology, examples of which include, but are not limited to: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wireless USB, IEEE 802.11 standard, etc. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the electronic device is a smartphone running an application program that provides for the creation of a graphical user interface (GUI) on the smartphone, with which an adult vaper can interact to select a level of fine preference. According to at least some example embodiments, the GUI comprises an application program slider. The application program slider may be in the form of an image of a slider displayed on the smartphone, which an adult vaper can control using a touch screen, keys, buttons and/or other input devices on the smartphone. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the application program slider allows an adult vaper to precisely or accurately adjust the operating point (for example, 7 W). For example, if the initial operating point is 7 W, and the application program slider allows an adult vaper to adjust the initial operating point in 1 mW increments in the range of ±128 mW, the adult vaper can select an adjusted operating point in the range between 6872 mW and 7128 mW. According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the smartphone can send an accurate preference level, indicating the adjustment selected by the adult vaper using the application program slider, to the nicotine electronic vaping device wirelessly. In the nicotine electronic vaping device, the vaping profile update function AV 2340 receives the exact preference level and transmits the exact preference level to the first calibration matching function 2320. As noted above, the first calibration matching function 2320 may use the precise preference level obtained from the AV vaping profile update function 2340 to adjust the operating point before outputting the adjusted operating point to the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A.

According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 records the approximate preference levels and/or the exact preference levels selected by the adult user in the memory (for example, in the non-volatile memory 2205b) of the removable housing element (for example, the removable housing element 300) installed in the nicotine electronic vaping device (for example, in the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). Accordingly, when the removable housing element (for example, the housing element 300) is reinstalled in the nicotine electronic vaping device after it has been removed for some time, the calibration matching function 2320 can read the approximate preference levels and/or the exact preference levels that were previously selected by the adult vaper from the memory of the reinstalled removable housing element. In addition, the first calibration matching function 2320 can use the previously selected approximate preference levels and/or the exact preference levels to generate an adjustable operating point.

According to at least some example embodiments, the vaping profile update function 2340 AV writes the vaping profile records to the vaping profile database. According to at least some example embodiments, the vaping profile database may be written in the memory (e.g., in the storage medium 2145) of the dispensing main part (e.g., the main part 100 of the device) of the nicotine electronic vaping device (e.g., the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). Each vaping profile record may contain an approximate preference level and/or an exact preference level selected by the adult user, as well as composition type information (e.g., an identifier of the nicotine-containing vapor composition), which identifies the composition type of the nicotine-containing vapor composition stored in the removable housing element that was installed in the nicotine electronic vaping device at the time when the adult vaper selected the approximate preference level and/or the exact preference level. In addition, according to at least some example embodiments, when installing a new unused removable containing element into the nicotine electronic vaping device, the first calibration matching function 2320 can read an identifier of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition of the new removable containing element and compare the read identifier of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition with the vaping profile records stored in the vaping profile database. When the first calibration matching function 2320 identifies a vaping profile record that includes an identifier of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition that matches the identifier of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition of the newly installed removable containing element, the first calibration matching function 2320 can read an approximate preference level and/or an exact preference level contained in the identified vaping profile record. In addition, the first calibration matching function 2320 can use the read approximate preference level and/or the exact preference level to generate an adjustable operating point. According to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 can read the identification (e.g., the composition type) of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition of the removable containing element in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the first calibration matching function 2320 reading operating points from an image (e.g., from a QR code) located on the removable containing element (e.g., on the containing element 300) or in the memory of the removable containing element.

According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 tracks the approximate preference levels and/or the exact preference levels selected by the adult vaper over time and stores the stored approximate preference levels and/or the exact preference levels in the memory of the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (for example, in the storage medium 2145 of the main part 100 of the device for the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). In addition, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can determine a predicted approximate preference level based on the tracked approximate preference levels and/or determine a predicted exact preference level based on the tracked exact preference levels. The predicted approximate preference levels and the predicted exact preference levels may also be referred to herein as predicted vaping preference levels.

According to at least some example embodiments, the predicted approximate preference value is an average value, a median value, or a mode of the monitored approximate preference levels. According to at least some example embodiments, the predicted approximate preference value is an average value, a median value, or a mode of the monitored approximate preference levels that are within a window (e.g., the last 10 monitored approximate preference levels). According to at least some example embodiments, the predicted approximate preference value is a weighted average value of the monitored approximate preference levels.

According to at least some example embodiments, the predicted fine preference value is an average value, a median value, or a mode of the monitored fine preference levels. According to at least some example embodiments, the predicted fine preference value is an average value, a median value, or a mode of the monitored fine preference levels that are within a window (e.g., the last 10 monitored fine preference levels). According to at least some example embodiments, the predicted fine preference value is a weighted average value of the monitored fine preference levels.

According to at least some example embodiments, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate different predicted vaping preference values for different times of the day. An example of a time of the day is a period of time during the day (e.g., from 8:00 to 12:00; from 12:00 to 16:00, etc.). Accordingly, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 can calculate a morning predicted approximate preference level only based on the approximate preference levels tracked during the morning (e.g., 8A-12PM), and calculate a daytime predicted approximate preference level only based on the approximate preference levels tracked during the daytime hours (e.g., 12PM-4PM). In addition, the AV vaping profile update function 2340 may calculate the morning predicted precise preference level only based on the precise preference levels monitored during the morning (e.g., 8A-12PM), and calculate the daytime predicted precise preference level only based on the precise preference levels monitored during the daytime hours (e.g., 12PM-4PM). The AV vaping profile update function 2340 may store the aforementioned predicted vaping preference levels in the memory of the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 (e.g., in the storage medium 2145 of the main part 100 of the device for the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). According to at least some example embodiments, after activating the nicotine electronic vaping device 500, the first calibration matching function 2320 may determine the current time (e.g., 2PM); read stored vaping preference levels corresponding to the current time (e.g., a daily predicted approximate preference value and a daily predicted approximate preference level) from the memory of the nicotine electronic vaping device 500, and use the read vaping preference levels to generate an adjusted operating point.

Returning to Fig. 25A, the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A may also include a decrease time operation 2610, a first control characteristic selection operation 2620, a hover mode identification operation 2630, and a first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some example embodiments, any or all of the decrease time operation 2610, the first control characteristic selection operation 2620, the hover mode identification operation 2630, and the first power level setting operation 2640 of the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A may be performed continuously. The decrease time operation 2610 will be discussed in more detail below.

The decrease time operation 2610 decreases the timer values based on the current time input data received from the clock 2370. As will be discussed in more detail below, the timer values can be used by other operations, including, for example, the first power level setting operation 2640. The first control characteristic selection operation 2620 will be discussed in more detail below.

When performing the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic, the setting algorithm 2300A of controlling the heating module can select a control characteristic from among one or more control characteristics received from the first calibration matching function 2320, and transmit the selected control characteristic to the operation 2640 of setting the first power level. According to at least some example embodiments, the control characteristic output by the operation of selecting the first control characteristic can be one of a plurality of operating points output by the first calibration matching function 2320 to the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic.

For example, the first calibration matching function 2320 may provide an operating point for each of a plurality of states of the hovering mode. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the operating points transmitted to the setting algorithm 2300A of the heating module control by the first calibration matching function 2320 include two operating points: an operating point for the PRE-HEATING state of the hovering mode and an operating point for the ON state of the hovering mode. However, as an alternative, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 may provide for one or both of the PRE-HEATING and ON hovering mode states a number of operating points that differ in level with respect to time, as will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Figs. 25G and 25H.

Returning to Fig. 25A, as noted above, according to at least some example embodiments, the first calibration matching function 2320 can output several operating points corresponding to several states of the hovering mode, respectively. The operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic can select one of the operating points output by the first calibration matching function 2320 based on the current hovering mode of the setting algorithm 2300A of the heating module control (e.g., OFF, PREHEAT, or ON). The operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic can transmit the control characteristic corresponding to the selected operating point to the operation 2640 of setting the first power level. For example, if the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A is in the PRE-HEAT state of the vaping mode, the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 may provide the operation 2640 of setting the first power level with the control characteristic corresponding to the PRE-HEAT state of the vaping mode. Similarly, if the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A is in the ON state of the vaping mode, the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 may provide the operation 2640 of setting the first power level with the control characteristic corresponding to the ON state of the vaping mode. Furthermore, if the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A is in the OFF state of the vaping mode, the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 may provide the operation 2640 of setting the first power level with the control characteristic corresponding to the OFF state of the vaping mode. If the selected control characteristic does not include a portion corresponding to the OFF state of the hover mode, then, according to at least some example embodiments, the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic can provide the operation 2640 of setting the first power level with a default control characteristic that corresponds to a low power level supplied or no power supplied to the heating module 2215 for the OFF state of the hover mode. According to at least some example embodiments, the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic selects a control characteristic to transmit to the operation 2640 of setting the first power level based on the hover mode state information received from the operation 2630 of identifying the hover mode. The operation 2630 of identifying the hover mode will be discussed in more detail below. According to at least some example embodiments, the control characteristics transmitted by the first operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic can be or correspond to power values.

According to at least some example embodiments, the hover mode identification operation 2630 determines the current hover mode state of the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A (e.g., OFF, PREHEAT, or ON) based on the current hover mode state output by the pushbuttonless hover function 2310. According to at least some example embodiments, the pushbuttonless hover function 2310 outputs the current hover mode state in the manner discussed above with reference to Fig. 26. As noted above, the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 can use the hover mode state received from the hover mode identification operation 2630 to select which control characteristic to transmit to the first power level setting operation 2640. According to at least some example embodiments, the operation 2630 of identifying the hovering mode may be omitted, and the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic may receive the hovering mode state (for example, OFF, PREHEAT or ON) from the buttonless hovering function 2310. The operation 2640 of setting the first power level will be described in more detail below.

According to at least some example embodiments, the operation 2640 of setting the first power level receives the control characteristic from the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic and outputs the first waveform of the power level 2710 in accordance with the operating point or points, including the received control characteristic. The operation 2640 of setting the first power level can output the first waveform of the power level 2710 to the driver of the heating module 2305, and the driver of the heating module 2305 can activate the supply of power by the power source 2110 to the heater module 2215 in accordance with the first waveform of the power level 2710.

Fig. 25B shows an example of at least a portion of a waveform of a power level output by the heating module control setting algorithm 2300A. For example, Fig. 25B shows an example of at least a portion of a first waveform of a power level 2710 output by the operation 2640 of setting the first power level as a state of the hover mode output by the buttonless hover function 2310 and/or switching the operation 2630 of identifying the hover mode in accordance with the following sequence OFF->PREHEAT->ON->OFF. As used in this description, the term "power level waveform" refers to a waveform corresponding to the power levels output by the heating module control algorithm to the heating module driver 2305 over time. In addition, the term "power level waveform" may be considered as a synonym for "power waveform" and may sometimes be called a "power waveform." According to at least some example embodiments, the driver of the heating module 2305 causes an increase or decrease in the amount of power supplied to the heater 2215 by the power source 2110 in proportion to an increase or decrease in the amount of power levels of the power level waveform supplied to the driver of the heating module 2305.

As shown in Fig. 25B, the first power level waveform 2710 output by the first power level setting operation 2640 may start from a power level corresponding to the OFF state of the hover mode (e.g., in response to the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 selecting the control characteristic corresponding to the OFF state of the hover mode); increase from a power level corresponding to the OFF state of the hover mode to a power level corresponding to the PREHEAT state of the hover mode (e.g., in response to the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 selecting the control characteristic corresponding to the PREHEAT state of the hover mode); increase from a power level corresponding to the PREHEAT state of the hover mode to a power level corresponding to the ON state of the hover mode (e.g., in response to the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 selecting the control characteristic corresponding to the ON state of the hover mode); and fall from the power level corresponding to the ON state of the hover mode back to the power level corresponding to the OFF state of the hover mode (e.g., in response to the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 selecting the control characteristic corresponding to the OFF state of the hover mode).

As shown in Fig. 25A, according to at least some example embodiments, the decrease time operation 2610 may cause the first power level setting operation 2640 to perform a shutdown operation with respect to the heating module 2215 by sending a timer shutdown signal for the first power level setting operation 2640. The timer shutdown signal may also be referred to herein as a "timer shutdown signal." For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the decrease time operation 2610 may be used to perform a shutdown of the power supplied to the heating module 2215 by controlling the power level supplied by the first power level setting operation 2640. For example, in addition to or instead of the buttonless hover function 2310 that provides for turning off the power supplied to the heating module 2215 (for example, by monitoring the pre-heating time limit exceeding event and/or the hovering time limit exceeding event and outputting the OFF state as the current hovering mode state in the manner discussed above with reference to operations S2460 and S2480 of Fig. 26), the decrease time operation 2610 can monitor the pre-heating time limit exceeding value and/or the hovering time limit exceeding value relative to the time intervals during which the current hovering mode state of the heating module control setup algorithm 2300A is maintained as the PRE-HEATING state or the ON state. Additionally, in response to the decrease time operation 2610 determining that the preheating time limit exceeding value or the hovering time limit exceeding value has been exceeded, the decrease time operation 2610 sends a timer disable signal for the first power level setting operation 2640, and the first power level setting operation 2640 responds to the timer disable signal by outputting a power level or a power level waveform to the heating module drive 2305, which causes the heating module drive 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating module 2215. According to at least some example embodiments, in response to the first power level setting operation 2640 receiving the timer disable signal from the decrease time operation 2610, the first power level setting operation 2640 causes the heating module drive 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating module 2215 regardless of the control characteristic output by the first control characteristic selecting operation 2620.

The adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module will be discussed below with reference to Figs. 25C and 25D.

Fig. 25C is a block diagram illustrating an adaptive heating module control algorithm 2300B, according to at least some example embodiments. According to at least some example embodiments, the adaptive heating module control algorithm 2300B is an example embodiment of the heating module control algorithm 2300 shown in Fig. 24.

According to at least some example embodiments, the adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module is implemented by the controller 2105 of the system 2100 of the device included in the device for electronic vaping of nicotine (for example, the device 500 for electronic vaping of nicotine). Therefore, any or all operations described in this document as performed by the adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module (or its element) can be performed by the controller 2105.

Referring to Fig. 25C, according to at least some example, during a hovering draw-in event, the amount of power supplied to the heating module 2215 by the adaptive heating module control algorithm 2300B may correspond to the amount of measured air flow. The terms "air flow" and "air flow rate" used in this description mean the speed of air flow (that is, the volume of air that passes per unit of time), and can be measured, for example, in milliliters per second (ml/s).

According to at least some example embodiments, as shown in Fig. 25C, the adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module may have the same structure as the setting algorithm 2300A for controlling the heating module of Fig. 25A, except that the operation 2640 for setting the first power level is replaced by the operation 2642 for setting the adaptive power level. In comparison with the operation 2640 for setting the first power level, the operation 2642 for setting the adaptive power level may additionally receive air flow measurements from one or more sensors of the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping (for example, a thermal anemometric flow sensor included in the sensors 2222 of the heating module, the sensors 2220 of the containing element or the sensors 2125 of the device). For example, the heating module sensors 2222 may repeatedly measure the air flow rate of air passing through the nicotine e-vaping device 500 and/or the containing element 300 and output the measured air flow for the adaptive power level setting operation 2642.

Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, during the ON state of the hover mode, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 can output the second power waveform 2720 based on both (i) the control characteristic output by the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 and (ii) the measured air flow output by the heating module sensors 2222 and/or the containing element sensors 2220. For example, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 can generate the adapted power level by performing a mathematical operation on the power level corresponding to the derived control characteristic such that the value of the adapted power level increases as the measured air flow increases. For example, Fig. 25D shows an example relationship between the detected air flow and the adapted power level generated by the adaptive heating module control algorithm 2300B, according to at least some example embodiments. As shown in Fig. 25D, the adapted power level increases as the measured air flow increases. In the example shown in Fig. 25D, the operation 2642 of setting the adaptive power level is performed in such a way that the relationship between the adapted power level and the measured air flow is substantially linear. However, at least some example embodiments are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 25D. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the operation 2642 of setting the adaptive power level can be performed in such a way that the relationship between the adapted power level and the measured air flow is not linear. According to at least some example embodiments, the relationship between the adapted power level and the measured air flow (i.e., the manner in which the generated adapted power level changes when the measured air flow changes) can be set in accordance with the preferences of the developer or manufacturer of the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and/or the containing element 300.

Accordingly, the adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module controls the amount of power supplied to the heating module 2215 in such a way that the amount of power supplied to the heating module 2215, and therefore the temperature and/or the volume of nicotine vapor generated by the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and/or the containing element 300, changes as the air flow through the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and/or the containing element 300 changes. Therefore, the temperature and/or the volume of nicotine vapor generated by the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 can be adjusted by adjusting the air flow passing through the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 and/or the containing element 300.

Additionally, the decrease time operation 2610 of the adaptive heating module control algorithm 2300B may operate in the same manner as discussed above with reference to Fig. 25A, for example, by issuing a timer disable signal. Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 responds to the timer disable signal by issuing a power level waveform to the heating module driver 2305, which causes the heating module driver 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating module 2215. According to at least some example embodiments, in response to the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 receiving the timer disable signal from the decrease time operation 2610, the adaptive power level setting operation 2642 causes the heating module driver 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating module 2215 regardless of the control characteristic issued by the first control characteristic selection operation 2620 and regardless of the measured air flow.

For ease of description, the adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module is discussed above mainly with reference to the sensors 2222 of the heating module. However, according to at least some example embodiments, the measurements discussed with reference to Fig. 25C and 25D as being performed by the sensors 2222 of the heating module can also be performed by the sensors 2220 of the containing element or by the sensors 2125 of the device. Further, for ease of description, the process of generating an adapted power level that changes in accordance with the measured air flow is described above with reference to the algorithm of controlling the heating module (that is, the adaptive algorithm 2300B for controlling the heating module), which is a modification of the set algorithm 2300A of controlling the heating module in Fig. 25A. However, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control algorithms 2300, 2300C and 2300D may also be modified to generate a power level waveform having adapted power levels that change in accordance with the measured air flow in the same manner as discussed above with respect to Fig. 25C.

The 2300C temperature algorithm for controlling the heating module will be discussed below with reference to Figs. 25E-25F.

Fig. 25E is a block diagram illustrating a heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C, according to at least some example embodiments. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C is an example embodiment of the heating module control algorithm 2300 shown in Fig. 24.

According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine electronic vaping device (for example, the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as performed by the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C (or an element thereof) can be performed by the controller 2105.

As shown in Fig. 25E, the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C uses a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller 2670 to control the amount of power supplied to the heating module 2215 to thereby achieve a desired temperature. For example, as discussed in more detail below, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C includes determining a heater temperature value (e.g., heating module temperature estimate 2674); obtaining a target temperature value (e.g., target temperature 2676); and controlling, by means of a PID controller (e.g., PID controller 2670), the level of power supplied to the heater, based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value.

The second calibration matching function 2324 of the temperature algorithm 2300C of the heating module control may differ from the calibration matching function 2320 of the installation algorithm 2300A of the heating module of Fig. 25A in that the second calibration matching function 2324 may output operating points as temperature values instead of power levels. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the second calibration matching function 2324 may read temperature values from the containing element 300 or, alternatively, read operating points expressed as power values from the containing element 300 and translate the operating points into temperature values. Accordingly, the second calibration matching function 2324 may output a plurality of temperature values corresponding, respectively, to a plurality of states of the vaping mode: OFF, PREHEATING and ON. Additionally, in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the operating points output by the first calibration matching function 2320, the second calibration matching function 2324 can select which temperature values to output with respect to one or more of the OFF, PREHEAT, and ON vaping mode states based on the approximate preference level and/or the exact preference level received from the AV vaping profile update function 2340.

Accordingly, the operation 2624 of selecting the second control characteristic of the temperature algorithm 2300C of controlling the heating module selects from the temperature values output by the second calibration comparison function 2324 a temperature value corresponding to the state of the hovering mode output by the operation 2630 of identifying the hovering mode. In addition, the operation 2624 of selecting the second control characteristic outputs the selected temperature value as the target temperature 2676.

Therefore, according to at least some example embodiments, the temperature algorithm 2300C of the heating module control obtains a target temperature value (for example, the target temperature 2676) by detecting, from the removable housing element 300 included in the nicotine e-vaping device 500, power information indicating a plurality of set temperature values; determining a current operating mode of the nicotine e-vaping device 500 (for example, a state of the vaping mode output by the vaping mode identification operation 2630); and selecting, as the target temperature value, a set temperature value from the plurality of set temperature values that corresponds to a certain current operating mode of the nicotine e-vaping device 500.

Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, the target temperature 2676 serves as a setpoint (i.e., a temperature setpoint) in a PID control loop controlled by a PID controller 2670. Other elements of the PID control loop controlled by the PID controller 2670 are as follows: a power control signal 2672 output by the PID controller 2670 for the second power level setting operation 2644 for controlling the levels of the third power waveform 2730 output by the second power level setting operation 2644 serves as a control variable of the PID control loop, and an estimate 2674 of the heating module temperature output by the heating module temperature prediction function 2660 serves as and processes the PID control loop variable.

As discussed above, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature estimate 2674 is provided by the heating module temperature prediction function 2660. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature prediction function 2660 can receive electrical measurements from the heating module sensors 2222 indicating, for example, the heater 2215 current, the heater current heater_I; the heater 2215 voltage, the heater voltage heater_V; or other electrical indicators of the heater 2215, of which the heater current heater_I and/or the heater voltage heater_V can be obtained or estimated. Additionally, the heating module temperature prediction function 2660 can use electrical measurements of the heater 2215 to determine the resistance of the heater 2215, the resistance of the heater heater_R (for example, using Ohm's law or other known methods). For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature prediction function 2660 can determine a ratio obtained by dividing the heater voltage heater_V by the heater current heater_I, as the resistance of the heater heater_R (that is, heater_V/heater_I=heater_R).

Additionally, the nicotine electronic vaping device 500 can store (for example, in the storage medium 2145 of the device system 2100 or in the non-volatile memory 2205b of the housing element system 2200) a look-up table (LUT) that stores a plurality of heater resistance values as indices for a plurality of corresponding heater temperature values, also stored in the LUT. Therefore, the heating module temperature prediction function 2660 can estimate the current temperature of the heater 2215 by using the previously determined heater resistance heater_R as an index of the LUT to identify (for example, for reference) a corresponding heater temperature heater_T among the heater temperatures stored in the LUT. According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module temperature prediction function 2660 can output the heater temperature heater_T identified from the LUT as the heating module temperature estimate 2674.

Therefore, the PID controller 2670 continuously adjusts the level of the power control signal 2672, thereby controlling the third power waveform 2730 output by the second power level setting operation 2644 to the heating module driver 2305 such that the difference (e.g., the magnitude of the difference) between the target temperature 2676 and the heating module temperature estimate 2674 is reduced or, alternatively, minimized. The difference between the target temperature 2676 and the heating module temperature estimate 2674 may also be considered as an error value that the PID controller 2670 seeks to reduce or minimize. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the second power level setting operation 2644 outputs the third power waveform 2730, such that the levels of the third power waveform 2730 are controlled by the power control signal 2672. Additionally, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 25B, the heating module driver 2305 causes an increase or decrease in the amount of power supplied to the heater 2215 by the power source 2110, proportional to the increase or decrease in the amount of power levels of the power level waveform supplied to the heating module driver 2305. Accordingly, by controlling the power control signal 2672 in the manner discussed above, the PID controller 2670 controls the power level supplied to the heater 2215 (e.g., by the power source 2110 of the nicotine vaping device 500), such that the amount of difference between the target temperature value (e.g., the target temperature 2676) and the heater temperature value (e.g., the heating module temperature estimate 2674) is reduced or, alternatively, minimized.

For example, Fig. 25F shows an example of at least a portion of a power level waveform generated by the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C, according to at least some example embodiments. Fig. 25 shows an example manner in which the levels of the third power waveform 2730 can vary over time as the PID controller 2670 continuously adjusts the power control signal 2672 provided for the second power level setting operation 2644. Fig. 25 shows an example manner in which the levels of the third power waveform 2730 can vary as the state of the hover mode provided by the buttonless hover function 2310 and/or the hover mode identification operation 2630 is toggled in accordance with the following sequence OFF->PREHEAT->ON->OFF.

Returning to Fig. 25E, according to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 2670 can operate in accordance with known PID control methods. According to at least some example embodiments, the PID controller 2670 can generate 2 or more terms of a proportional term (P), an integral term (I), and a derivative term (D), and wherein the PID controller 2670 can use the two or more terms to adjust or correct the power control signal 2672 in accordance with known methods.

According to at least some example embodiments, the containing element 300 can store PID parameters for calibrating the PID controller 2670, and the device 500 for electronic nicotine vaping can calibrate the PID controller 2670 based on the stored parameters. For example, the PID parameters stored in the containing element 300 can include any or all of the proportional gain K _p , the integral gain K _i , and the derivative gain K _d . The PID parameters stored in the containing element 300 can further include any other known parameters of the PID controller. According to at least some example embodiments, the PID parameters stored in the containing element 300 can be selected (e.g., by the designer or manufacturer of the containing element 300) to match the characteristics of the type of formulation of the nicotine-containing final vapor formulation contained within the containing element 300. Accordingly, containing elements with nicotine-containing final vapor formulations of different types of formulation can have different PID parameters stored in or on the containing element, and therefore, the operation of the PID controller 2670 can be adapted to the characteristics of each different type of formulation.

Additionally, the operation 2610 of the decrease time of the temperature algorithm 2300C of the heating module control can operate in the same manner as was discussed above with reference to Fig. 25A, for example, by issuing a timer disable signal. Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, the operation 2644 of setting the second power level responds to the timer disable signal by issuing a power level waveform to the heating module drive 2305, which causes the heating module drive 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating module 2215. According to at least some example embodiments, in response to the operation 2644 of setting the second power level receiving the timer disable signal from the operation 2610 of the decrease time, the operation 2644 of setting the second power level causes the heating module drive 2305 to cut off or stop supplying power to the heating module 2215 regardless of the power control signal 2672 issued by the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic.

The 2300D waveform algorithm for controlling the heating module will be discussed below with reference to Figs. 25G-25H.

Fig. 25G is a flow chart illustrating a waveform algorithm 2300D for controlling a heating module according to at least some example embodiments. According to at least some example embodiments, the waveform algorithm 2300D for controlling a heating module is an example embodiment of the algorithm 2300 for controlling a heating module shown in Fig. 24.

According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control waveform algorithm 2300D is implemented by the controller 2105 of the device system 2100 included in the nicotine electronic vaping device (e.g., the nicotine electronic vaping device 500). Therefore, any or all operations described herein as performed by the heating module control waveform algorithm 2300D (or an element thereof) can be performed by the controller 2105.

According to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control waveform algorithm 2300D may control the power supplied to the heater 2215 (e.g., via the power source 2110) during the ON state of the vaping mode in order to thereby achieve the specified sequence (i.e., waveform schedule) of temperatures of the heater, thereby resulting in the specified sequence of temperatures and/or volumes of nicotine vapor generated by the electronic nicotine vaping device 500 and/or the containing element 300.

As shown in Fig. 25G, according to at least some example embodiments, the heating module control waveform algorithm 2300D may be the same or substantially the same as the heating module temperature control algorithm 2300C of Fig. 25E, except that the heating module control waveform algorithm 2300D may include a third calibration matching function 2326 and a third control characteristic selection operation 2626 instead of a second calibration matching function 2324 and a second control characteristic selection operation 2624.

The third calibration matching function 2326 may operate in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the second calibration matching function 2324 of Fig. 25E, except that instead of outputting a single temperature value corresponding to the ON state of the hover mode, the third calibration matching function 2326 outputs a waveform graph including multiple temperature values.

Additionally, the third control characteristic selection operation 2626 may operate in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the second control characteristic selection operation 2624 of Fig. 25E, except that instead of outputting one target temperature 2676 corresponding to the ON state of the hover mode, the third control characteristic selection operation 2626 outputs a waveform graph including multiple target temperatures 2676, as shown in Fig. 25H.

Fig. 25H shows an example of at least a portion of a target temperature waveform 2676A generated by a heating module control waveform algorithm 2300D, according to at least some example embodiments. The target temperature waveform 2676A shown in Fig. 25H shows target temperatures 2676 output by the third control characteristic selection operation 2626 over time. For example, according to at least some example embodiments, the target temperature waveform 2676A corresponds to the temperature waveform output by the third calibration comparison function 2326, as discussed above. Additionally, as shown in Fig. 25G, the operation 2626 of selecting the third control characteristic may receive the current time from the clock 2370. Accordingly, the operation 2626 of selecting the third control characteristic may use the current time to transition between successive individual values of the target temperature waveform 2676A according to a time interval, as shown by the white dots shown in Fig. 25H.

According to at least some example embodiments, the calibration matching function (for example, the first calibration matching function 2320) can read and output a waveform of operating points (that is, power values) in the same manner as discussed above with respect to the waveform of temperature values output by the third calibration matching function 2326. According to at least some example embodiments, the operation of selecting a control characteristic (for example, the operation 2620 of selecting the first control characteristic of the setting algorithm 2300A of controlling the heating module) can output a waveform of a power level that includes several different power levels for the ON state of the hovering mode, in the same manner as discussed above with respect to several target temperatures corresponding to the ON state of the hovering mode in the waveform 2676A of the target temperature output by the operation 2626 of selecting the third control characteristic.

According to at least some exemplary embodiments, the shape of the waveform of the temperature values or operating points read by the calibration comparison function from the containing element (for example, the containing element 300) can be set (for example, by the developer or manufacturer of the containing element) in accordance with the characteristics of the type of composition of the nicotine-containing final vapor composition contained within the containing element. Accordingly, containing elements with different nicotine-containing final vapor compositions of different types of composition can have different waveforms of the temperature values or waveforms of the operating points stored in or on the containing element.

Additionally, according to at least some example embodiments, the main part 100 of the device can store one or more waveforms. For example, one or more waveforms can be stored on the main part 100 of the device as a series of offsets to be applied to a temperature value or an operating point (for example, to a single temperature value or an operating point) issued by the calibration matching function (for example, the third calibration matching function 2326) in relation to the ON state of the vaping mode. For example, the control characteristic selection operation (e.g., the third control characteristic selection operation 2626) may read one of one or more waveforms stored on the main part 100 of the device and apply offsets corresponding to the read waveform to the temperature value or the ON operating point output by the calibration comparison function in order to generate a target temperature waveform or a power waveform having several different values with respect to the ON vaping mode, similar to the target temperature waveform 2676A shown in Fig. 25H.

Although a number of exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that other variations may be possible. Such variations should not be considered a departure from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications, as would be obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (50)

1. A method for controlling a heater of a device for electronic vaping of nicotine, comprising: detecting, based on a removable housing element included in the device for electronic nicotine vaping, power information indicating a first operating point and a second operating point, wherein the power information includes a plurality of operating points that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels; receiving, via one or more tactile sensors located on the device for electronic nicotine vaping, an option to select an approximate preference level from a plurality of approximate preference levels; selecting an operating point from among the plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level as a second operating point; and supplying power to the heater based on the detected power information by: - determining the first power value based on the first operating point, - supplying the first power value to the heater during the first operating mode of the heater, - determining the second power value based on the second operating point and - supplying a second power value to the heater during the second operating mode of the heater, where the second power value exceeds the first power value. 2. The method according to paragraph 1, wherein the first power value supplied during the first operating mode is a value that ensures that the heater heats the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device to a temperature below the boiling point of the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition, and the second power value supplied during the second operating mode is a value that ensures that the heater heats the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition stored in the nicotine electronic vaping device to a temperature equal to or exceeding the boiling point of the nicotine-containing ready-to-use vapor composition. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the nicotine-containing prepared vapor composition is stored in a removable containing element. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the removable containing element comprises a heater. 5. The method according to paragraph 1, wherein determining the second power value includes: receiving by the electronic nicotine vaping device from the external device an option to select a precise preference level from a plurality of precise preference levels; and determining a second power value based on the selected second operating point and the selected fine preference level. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power information includes a first plurality of operating points that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels, and the method further comprises: receiving, via one or more tactile sensors located on the electronic nicotine vaping device, an option to select an approximate preference level from a plurality of approximate preference levels; and selecting an operating point from the first plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level as the first operating point. 7. The method according to paragraph 6, wherein determining the first power value includes: receiving by the electronic nicotine vaping device from the external device an option to select a precise preference level from a plurality of precise preference levels; and determining the first power value based on the selected first operating point and the selected fine preference level. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the power information includes a second plurality of operating points that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of approximate preference levels, and the method further includes selecting an operating point from the second plurality of operating points that corresponds to the selected approximate preference level as the second operating point. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the second power value comprises determining the second power value based on the selected second operating point and the selected precise preference level. 10. The method according to any one of paragraphs 5, 7-9, wherein the external device is a wireless communication device, and obtaining the option for selecting a precise preference level includes receiving by the electronic nicotine vaping device the option of selecting a precise preference level via a wireless communication line between the electronic nicotine vaping device and the external device. 11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein detecting the power information comprises reading, using the nicotine vaping device, the power information from an image located on the removable containing element. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the image includes a QR code and reading the power information includes reading, using a device for electronic nicotine vaping, information about the power from a QR code located on a removable containing element. 13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein detecting the power information comprises reading information about the power from the memory of the removable accommodating element using a device for electronic nicotine vaping. 14. A method for controlling a heater of a device for electronic vaping of nicotine, comprising: detecting, based on a removable housing element included in the device for electronic vaping of nicotine, one or more PID parameters; calibration of the PID controller based on one or more PID parameters; determination of the heater temperature value; obtaining the target temperature value; and PID controller control of the power level supplied to the heater based on the heater temperature value and the target temperature value. 15. The method according to item 14, wherein determining the temperature value of the heater includes: obtaining one or more electrical readings of the heater; determining the resistance of the heater based on the obtained one or more electrical parameters; and obtaining the first temperature value from a look-up table (LUT) based on a given resistance. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a look-up table (LUT) stores a plurality of temperature values that correspond, respectively, to a plurality of heater resistances, the obtained first temperature value is a temperature value from the plurality of temperature values stored in the look-up table (LUT) that corresponds to a certain resistance, and The heater temperature value is the first temperature value obtained. 17. The method according to any one of paragraphs 14-16, wherein obtaining the target temperature value comprises: detecting, based on a removable housing element included in the electronic nicotine vaping device, power information indicating a plurality of predetermined temperature values; determining the current operating mode of the electronic vaping device; and selecting as a target temperature value such a predetermined temperature value from a plurality of predetermined temperature values that corresponds to a certain current operating mode of the electronic vaping device. 18. The method according to any one of paragraphs 14-17, wherein controlling the power level supplied to the heater includes controlling the power level supplied to the heater using a PID controller, thereby reducing the difference between the target temperature value and the heater temperature value.