US20240016232A1

US20240016232A1 - Audio Playing Vaporizer Device

Info

Publication number: US20240016232A1
Application number: US17/865,615
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew James McMullin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-07-15
Filing date: 2022-07-15
Publication date: 2024-01-18
Also published as: CA3169208A1

Abstract

An audio playing vaporizer device includes a main unit, a sensor, a controller, a memory and an audio assembly. The audio playing vaporizer device plays audio, such as music or other sounds, upon drawing in, or inhalation (by a user of the audio playing vaporizer device) of vaporized material in the audio playing vaporizer device. A cable port, such as a micro USB port, enables recharging of a battery of the audio playing vaporizer device and transfer of audio files to the audio playing vaporizer device from an external device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic cigarettes of existing art and more specifically relates to an electronic vaporizer device with audio playing function.

RELATED ART

Electronic cigarettes and vaporizer devices are electronic devices that utilize a heating element or an atomizer to vaporize a substance located within a cartridge, enabling a user to inhale vapor rather than smoke (as is conventional with cigarettes, cigars, and the like). The use of these devices primarily became popular in those trying to quit cigarette smoking; however, their popularity has risen rapidly in recent years, with the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) estimating there was a total of 82 million vaporizer device users, or ‘vapers’, worldwide as of 2021.
Further, with the legalization of marijuana in many jurisdictions worldwide, the prevalence of vaping marijuana concentrates has also grown rapidly. Due to this, it is common for many—from regular vapers to casual vapers—to utilize vaporizer devices at events such as raves, parties, concerts, or the like. Despite their popularity, the general construction of vaporizer devices has not much changed. As such, it would be beneficial to provide a new vaporizer device that provides a user with an enhanced experience whilst vaping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known electronic cigarette art, the present disclosure provides a novel audio playing vaporizer device. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a vaporizer device which can be used to store and play audio, such as music. Particularly, the vaporizer device may play audio when a user draws from the vaporizer device.
An audio playing vaporizer device is disclosed herein. The audio playing vaporizer device includes a main unit, a sensor, a controller, a memory and an audio assembly. The main unit may include a mouthpiece, a reservoir storing a vaporizable material, a heating element configured to vaporize the vaporizable material, and a battery. The sensor may be disposed about the mouthpiece. The sensor may be configured to detect a user contact and, upon detection of the user contact, output a sensor signal. The controller may also be disposed within the main unit and configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor. Upon receipt of the sensor signal, the controller may output an audio signal and/or a heating element signal. The memory may be disposed within the main unit and may store at least one audio file. The audio assembly may also be disposed within the main unit and configured to receive the audio signal from the controller. Upon receipt of the audio signal, the audio assembly may play the at least one audio file.
According to another embodiment, a method of using an audio playing vaporizer device is also disclosed herein. The method includes providing the audio playing vaporizer device as above; selecting, via the user, one of the plurality of audio files using a user input component; and suctioning, via the user, the mouthpiece to draw vaporized material therethrough, thereby causing the controller to activate the heating element to vaporize the vaporizable material into the vaporized material and activate the audio assembly to play one of a plurality of audio files through a loudspeaker (of the audio assembly).
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, audio playing vaporizer device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an audio playing vaporizer device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the audio playing vaporizer device, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the audio playing vaporizer device of FIG. 2 , according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the audio playing vaporizer device, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the audio playing vaporizer device of FIG. 4 , according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the audio playing vaporizer device of FIG. 4 , according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of essential components of the audio playing vaporizer device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart demonstrating a use of the audio playing vaporizer device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using an audio playing vaporizer device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic vaporizer device and more particularly to an audio playing vaporizer device. Generally, the audio playing vaporizer device may play audio such as music or other sounds upon drawing in, or inhalation, of vaporized material in the audio playing vaporizer device. In some embodiments, the audio may play for 10 seconds. The audio may be chosen by a user of the audio playing vaporizer device. A micro USB port may be provided to enable recharging of a battery and to enable transfer of audio files to the audio playing vaporizer device from an external device.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-8 , various views of an audio playing vaporizer device 100. As shown, the audio playing vaporizer device 100 may include a main unit 110, a sensor 120, a controller 130, a memory 140 and an audio assembly 150. The audio playing vaporizer device 100 may be used particularly for playing music or other tunes during a draw taken from the audio playing vaporizer device 100 by a user 5 (FIG. 8 ).
The main unit 110 may include a mouthpiece 112, a reservoir 114 storing a vaporizable material, a heating element 116 configured to vaporize the vaporizable material, and a battery 118. Further, the main unit 110 may include a universal serial bus (USB) port, or particularly, a micro USB port 113. This may enable charging of the battery 118. In some embodiments, the main unit 110 may be separable. For example, the battery 118 may separate from the reservoir 114 and the mouthpiece 112. It should be appreciated that in the present description, the term “reservoir” is contemplated to mean any compartment which stores the vaporizable material. For example, the reservoir 114 may include a chamber configured to receive a replaceable cartridge storing the vaporizable material, the reservoir 114 may define the replaceable cartridge storing the vaporizable material, the reservoir 114 may directly receive the vaporizable material therein, etc. The vaporizable material may be any material for inhalation into the lungs, such as nicotine, marijuana concentrates, etc.
As shown in these figures, the audio playing vaporizer device 100 may be provided in a variety of embodiments. Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the audio playing vaporizer device 100 may include a cylindrical profile, similar to standard ‘vape pens’. As shown in FIGS. 4-6 , the audio playing vaporizer device 100 may include a generally box-shape profile, similar to standard ‘box-style’ vaporizers.
As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , the mouthpiece 112 is in communication with the reservoir 114, enabling the user 5 to inhale vaporized material therefrom. Further, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-4 , the mouthpiece 112 may include an air vent 119. As demonstrated in FIG. 7 , the sensor 120 may be disposed about the mouthpiece 112. The sensor 120 may be configured to detect a user contact, and upon detection of the user contact, output a sensor signal. As demonstrated via the flow chart in FIG. 8 , preferably, the user contact may be suction at the mouthpiece 112—in other words, the sensor 120 may be configured to detect that the user 5 has initiated a draw of the vaporized material from the audio playing vaporizer device 100.
As such, the sensor 120 may include an airflow sensor configured to detect a change in air flow at the mouthpiece 112 that is indicative of the user 5 suctioning the mouthpiece 112 to draw therefrom. It should however be appreciated that the user contact is not limited to this and the sensor 120 is not limited to an airflow sensor, nor is the sensor 120 limited to being just one sensor. For example, the user 5 may press their mouth to the mouthpiece 112, may press a button 164 on the audio playing vaporizer device 100, etc. and as such, the sensor 120 may include a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, etc. which may be instead of or additional to the airflow sensor.
The controller 130 may be disposed within the main unit 110 and configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor 120. Upon receipt of the sensor signal, the controller 130 may be configured to output an audio signal and/or a heating element signal. The audio signal may be received by the audio assembly 150 also disposed within the main unit 110. Upon receipt of the audio signal from the controller 130, the audio assembly 150 may be configured to play at least one audio file 142. Particularly, the controller 130 may access the memory 120 to enable the audio assembly 150 to play the at least one audio file 142. The at least one audio file 142 may be a song, a tune, or other sound and may play for a predetermined amount of time. For example, the at least one audio file 142 may play for 10 seconds, may play for the duration of the draw from the user 5, etc.
Particularly, the audio assembly 150 may include a loudspeaker 152. The loudspeaker 152 may be disposed about a bottom end 111 of the main unit 110. For example, as demonstrated in FIGS. 1-3 , in some embodiments, the loudspeaker 152 may be located on an exterior side of the main unit 110 toward the bottom end 111 thereof. In other embodiments, as demonstrated in FIGS. 4-6 , the loudspeaker 152 may be located on the bottom end 111 of the main unit 110. In the embodiment demonstrated in FIGS. 4-6 , the main unit 110 may further include downwardly extending protrusions, or ‘feet’ 115 attached to the bottom end 111. The feet 115 may ensure that the loudspeaker 152 remains unobstructed.
Preferably, as discussed above, the at least one audio file 142 may be played when the user 5 draws vaporized material from the audio playing vaporizer device 100. As such, the controller 130 may also be configured to output the heating element signal upon receipt of the sensor signal, again as demonstrated in FIG. 8 . The heating element 116 may be configured to receive the heating element signal from the controller 130 and vaporize the vaporizable material. The controller 130 may output the audio signal and the heating element signal simultaneously so that the at least one audio file 142 is played whilst the user 5 is receiving the vaporized material from the mouthpiece 112.
However, again, it should be appreciated that the audio playing vaporizer device 100 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in some embodiments, the audio signal or the heating element signal may be output on their own; enabling the user 5 to play the at least one audio file 142 without drawing from the audio playing vaporizer device 100 or enabling the user 5 to draw from the audio playing vaporizer device 100 without playing the at least one audio file 142. For example, the user 5 may be able to turn the audio assembly 150 off to prevent it from playing the at least one audio file 142 should the user 5 wish to vape without sound. Further, in some embodiments, the heating element 116 may not be automatically activated when the user 5 draws from the mouthpiece 112; instead, the heating element 116 may be switched on manually via a button 117 on the main unit 110. Further, a heat temperature may be adjusted via the button 117. These may be the same button 117 (as shown in these figures) or separate buttons.
As shown in FIG. 7 , the at least one audio file 142 may be stored within the memory 140, which in turn may be disposed within the main unit 110. Particularly, the memory 140, the controller 130 (which may include one or more microprocessors), and the audio assembly 150 may be integrated into a printed circuit board 136 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 ). In some embodiments, the memory 140 may store a plurality of audio files 142. Further, in some embodiments, the micro USB port 113 may enable the user 5 to connect the audio playing vaporizer device 100 to an external device (not illustrated), such as a smartphone, laptop computer, desktop computer, etc. This may allow the user 5 to transfer audio file(s) 142 from the external device to the audio playing vaporizer device 100.
In the embodiment demonstrated in FIGS. 4-6 , the memory 140 may include a larger storage capacity than the embodiment demonstrated in FIGS. 1-3 . Further, in some embodiments, the audio playing vaporizer device 100 may accept external memory, such as an SD card or micro SD card, allowing the expansion of an amount of audio files 142 available on the audio playing vaporizer device 100. The larger size in FIGS. 4-6 may also provide a larger battery 118 than the embodiment demonstrated in FIGS. 1-3 .
As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , a user input component 160 may be provided. The user input component 160 may provide the user 5 with a means of selecting one of the plurality of audio files 142 for the audio assembly 150 to play. As such, the user input component 160 may be located at an exterior of the main unit 110. In some embodiments, as demonstrated in FIGS. 2-3 , the user input component 160 may include a dial 162. The dial 162 may be attached to the bottom end 111 of the main unit 110 and may be configured to rotate, or twist, to enable the selection of one of the plurality of audio files 142. In addition to this, or instead of this, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4-6 , the user input component 160 may include at least one button 164. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the at least one button 164 may include one button 164 located on an exterior side of the main unit 110.
Further, in addition to this, or instead of this, as demonstrated in FIGS. 4-6 , the user input component 160 may further include a display 166. As shown, two buttons 164 may be provided below the display 166, enabling the user 5 to search through and select one of the plurality of audio files 142. The display 166 may visually display to the user 5 which audio file 142 is selected. For example, the display 166 may display song title and artist, tune name, track number, or the like. Further, in some embodiments, the user input component 160 may include a ‘shuffle’ button or setting, allowing the audio playing vaporizer device 100 to automatically shuffle through the plurality of audio files 142 located in the memory 140.
It may be contemplated that the audio playing vaporizer device 100 is not limited to playing audio files 142 and that other media may be played. For example, the display 166 may be used for displaying video files.
Referring now to FIG. 9 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method 200 of using an audio playing vaporizer device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 500 may include one or more components or features of the audio playing vaporizer device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 200 may include the steps of: step one 201, providing the audio playing vaporizer device as above; step two 202, selecting, via the user, one of the plurality of audio files using the user input component; and step three 203, suctioning, via the user, the mouthpiece to draw vaporized material therethrough, thereby causing the controller to activate the heating element to vaporize the vaporizable material into the vaporized material and activate the audio assembly to play the one of the plurality of audio files through the loudspeaker.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of using an audio playing vaporizer device are taught herein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. An audio playing vaporizer device comprising:

a main unit including a mouthpiece, a reservoir storing a vaporizable material, a heating element configured to vaporize the vaporizable material, and a battery;

a sensor disposed about the mouthpiece, the sensor configured to detect a user contact and, upon detection of the user contact, output a sensor signal;

a controller disposed within the main unit, the controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor and, upon receipt of the sensor signal, output at least one of an audio signal and a heating element signal;

a memory disposed within the main unit, the memory storing at least one audio file; and

an audio assembly disposed within the main unit, the audio assembly configured to receive the audio signal from the controller and, upon receipt of the audio signal, play the at least one audio file.

2. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the heating element is configured to receive the heating element signal from the controller and, upon receipt of the heating element signal, vaporize the vaporizable material.

3. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to output the audio signal and the heating element signal simultaneously.

4. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 3, wherein the user contact includes suction at the mouthpiece.

5. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 4, wherein the audio assembly includes a loudspeaker.

6. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 5, wherein the loudspeaker is disposed about a bottom end of the main unit.

7. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 6, further comprising a user input component disposed at an exterior of the main unit.

8. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 1, further comprising a micro universal serial bus (USB) port.

9. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the main unit includes a cylindrical profile.

10. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 7, wherein the user input component includes a dial.

11. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 10, wherein the main unit includes a generally box-shape profile.

12. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 7, wherein the user input component includes at least one button.

13. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 7, wherein the user input component further includes a display.

14. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 11, wherein the main unit further includes downwardly extending protrusions attached to the bottom end thereof.

15. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the memory stores a plurality of audio files.

16. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 15, wherein the user input component provides a user with a means of selecting one of the plurality of audio files for the audio assembly to play.

17. An audio playing vaporizer device comprising:

a main unit including a mouthpiece, a reservoir storing a vaporizable material, a heating element configured to vaporize the vaporizable material, a battery and a micro universal serial bus (USB) port;

a sensor disposed about the mouthpiece, the sensor configured to detect suction at the mouthpiece and, upon detection of the suction, output a sensor signal;

a controller disposed within the main unit, the controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the sensor and, upon receipt of the sensor signal, output an audio signal and a heating element signal simultaneously;

a memory disposed within the main unit, the memory storing a plurality of audio files;

an audio assembly disposed within the main unit, the audio assembly including a loudspeaker disposed about a bottom end of the main unit, the audio assembly configured to receive the audio signal from the controller and, upon receipt of the audio signal, play one of the plurality of audio files through the loudspeaker; and

a user input component disposed at an exterior of the main unit, the user input component providing a user with a means of selecting the one of the plurality of audio files for the audio assembly to play; and

wherein the heating element is configured to receive the heating element signal from the controller and, upon receipt of the heating element signal, vaporize the vaporizable material.

18. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 17, wherein the user input component includes at least one of a dial, at least one button and a display.

19. The audio playing vaporizer device of claim 18, wherein the main unit includes one of a cylindrical profile and a box-shape profile.

20. A method of using an audio playing vaporizer device, the method comprising:

providing the audio playing vaporizer device including:

a main unit having a mouthpiece, a reservoir storing a vaporizable material, a heating element configured to vaporize the vaporizable material and a battery;

a memory disposed within the main unit, the memory storing a plurality of audio files; and

an audio assembly disposed within the main unit, the audio assembly including a loudspeaker disposed about a bottom end of the main unit, the audio assembly configured to receive the audio signal from the controller and, upon receipt of the audio signal, play one of the plurality of audio files through the loudspeaker;

wherein the heating element is configured to receive the heating element signal from the controller and, upon receipt of the heating element signal, vaporize the vaporizable material;

selecting, via the user, one of the plurality of audio files using the user input component; and

suctioning, via the user, the mouthpiece to draw vaporized material therethrough, thereby causing the controller to activate the heating element to vaporize the vaporizable material into vaporized material and activate the audio assembly to play the one of the plurality of audio files through the loudspeaker.