222 may reside on the exterior of the airflow passageway 214, such that the heating element 222 heats the airflow passageway 214 by heating the wall of the airflow passageway 214. In a second example, the heating element 222 may reside on the interior and the exterior of the airflow passageway 214. In yet another example, as will be shown in greater detail below, the heating element 222 can be helical in nature and may wrap around the airflow passageway 214, which may be constructed of a ceramic. In such a design, the wall of the airflow passageway 214 may have apertures, be permeable, or be conductive to heat such that the vaporized liquid solution may be provided to the user. Furthermore, the airflow passageway 214 itself may act as a heating element, wherein the airflow passageway 214 is constructed from an electrically conductive and a thermally conductive material, such as a conductive ceramic. Accordingly, it is readily recognized that airflow may pass directly over the heating element, through a chamber that is proximate to the heating element, or other suitable configuration.

It is to be understood that the cartridge design shown in FIG. 2 is merely but one example of a cartridge design, and numerous other designs that cause a heating element to reside in a non-metallic housing together with a liquid solution that is desirably vaporized are contemplated.

Also, an alternative embodiment of a cartridge (adapted to mount to the described power source) may be configured to receive one or more capsules or pellets. Such capsules or pellets may be comprised of one or more medicines, vitamins, a tobacco, and/or other chemical(s) that the end user may desire to taste/consume. In such an embodiment, when the cartridge with a capsules is mounted to a power source (e.g. such as the power source 104 discussed above), the mechanical connection of the cartridge and power source may cause the capsule to open and release the contents therein. The end user may then provide a suction on the tip of the cartridge with his/her mouth in order to draw the released contents of the capsule into his/her mouth. In examples of this described embodiment, the capsule may be included in the cartridge during the manufacturing of the cartridge. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the cartridge may be designed to accept one or more capsules therein via a pharmacist and/or an end user prior to mounting the cartridge to a power source. Also it should be appreciated that this described example of the cartridge may also include a beating element therein that is configured to heat a capsule (or a pellet) to cause release of the contents of the capsule/pellet when the cartridge is mounted to the power source or when other actions are detected (e.g. a button press, suction through the cartridge),

Referring now to FIG. 3, another cutaway diagram of an exemplary cartridge 300 for utilization in an electronic personal vaporizer is illustrated. In this exemplary cartridge 300, the center post 218 may be of a conductive material, such as a conductive ceramic or a metallic material, and may act as a heating element. Thus, walls of the airflow passageway 214 may become heated when a user draws on the cartridge, thereby altering the state of the liquid solution in the absorbent material 204 to a vapor for provision to the user. Similar to the previously described exemplary cartridge 200 (FIG. 2), the gap 228 may exist to facilitate mixing of vaporized solution with air. This gap is optional, as other designs may call for the walls of the airflow passageway 214 to be permeable or have apertures therein, to allow for vaporized solution to mix with air in the airflow passageway 214.

In another exemplary embodiment, a heating element 302 may be helical in nature and may wrap around the exterior of the airflow chamber 214. The heating element in this case may also be an integrated material as part of the airflow chamber. The air flow chamber in all cases may be solid or porous in nature or have ventilation to allow for aerosol and air stream blending. The walls of the airflow chamber may be constructed of a thermally conductive material, such as a ceramic, which causes the walls of the heating element to generate a sufficient amount of heat to vaporize the liquid solution in the absorbent material 204. In such a design, the conductive lines 224 and 226 may be coupled to the center post 218 and the conductive element 216, respectively, thereby electrically coupling the heating element 302 to negative and positive terminals of a power source. When the user draws on the cartridge, current is provided to the heating element 302 by way of the conductive lines 224 and 226 from the power source. The heating element 302 then heats the walls of the airflow passageway 214 to a temperature that is sufficient to alter the state of the liquid solution in the absorbent material 204 when the user draws on the cartridge 300. Again, these designs are merely exemplary in nature, and various other designs are contemplated by the inventors and are intended to fall under the scope of the hereto-appended claims.

With reference now to FIG. 4, another exemplary electronic vaporizer 400 is illustrated. The exemplary electronic vaporizer 400 comprises three separate portions: 1) the power source 102; 2) a first cartridge 402 that comprises the heating element 126; and 3) a second cartridge 404 (a mouthpiece cartridge) that comprises the solution 128. Operation of the power source 102 has been described above, and is not repeated here for sake of brevity.

The first cartridge 402 can comprise a housing 406 that is cylindrical in nature, wherein the housing 406 can be constructed from a non-metallic material such as a polymer or ceramic. The housing 406, of course, may be manufactured to be in a shape other than a cylinder. The first cartridge 402 includes a first end 408 and a second end 410 that is opposite the first end 408. The first end 408 of the first cartridge 402 is configured to be mechanically coupled to the second end 110 of the first cartridge 402. Mechanical coupling of the power source 102 and the first cartridge 402 causes the battery 118 to be electrically coupled to the heating element 126 as described above. The heating element 126 can be positioned proximate to the second end 310 of the first cartridge 402, and thus proximate to the solution 128 in the second cartridge 404.

The second cartridge 404 comprises a housing 412, wherein the housing 412 can be constructed of a pliable plastic material. The second cartridge 404 can comprise a first end 414 and a second end 416 that is opposite the first end 414, wherein the first end 414 is configured to be mated with the second end 410 of the first cartridge 402, and the second end 414 is configured to be received orally by a user. The first cartridge 402 and the second cartridge 404 may have airflow passageways (not shown) extending axially there through, such that the switch/sensor 112 can determine when the user is drawing air through the airflow passageways. The process controller 114 can cause an appropriate current/voltage to be provided to the heating element 126 by way of the battery 118, and the heating element 126 can vaporize the solution 128 in the third cartridge 404, thus providing the user with a vaporized substance.

While the designs of the electronic vaporizer described above include an internal direct heating clement, it is to be understood that alternative designs are contemplated, wherein the heating element is reusable or disposable and is located exterior to the housing. In such a design, the heating element transfers heat to the solution in order to vaporize the solution for oral provision to a user.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary package 500 is illustrated, wherein the package 500 is configured for sale to consumers. The package 500 comprises a plurality of first cartridges 402 and a corresponding plurality of second cartridges 404, which have been described in detail above with respect to FIG. 4. The package 500 may be a tamper-proof package, with each combination of first and second cartridges sharing a compartment in the package 500.

With reference now to FIG. 6, an exemplary methodology is illustrated and described. While the methodology is described as being a series of acts that are performed in a sequence, it is to be understood that the methodology is not limited by the order of the sequence. For instance, some acts may occur in a different order than what is described herein. In addition, an act may occur concurrently with another act. Furthermore, in some instances, not all acts may be required to implement a methodology described herein.

With more specificity pertaining to FIG. 6, a methodology 600 that facilitates constructing a cartridge for utilization in connection with an electronic vaporizer is illustrated. The methodology 600 begins at 602, and at 604 a polymer-injection manufacturing technique is utilized to generate a housing for the cartridge. The polymer-injection manufacturing technique may be a multi-step polymer injection. Other manufacturing techniques are also contemplated (but not limited to), including chemical bonding, thermal molding, thermal bonding, molding through utilization of metal molds, form casting, roll forming, machining, amongst others.

At 606, a heating clement and liquid solution (e.g., placed in an absorbent material) are caused to be included in the housing. For instance, the housing can be cylindrical in nature with a size approximately the size of a filter on a cigarette. The heating element and the liquid solution reside in the interior of the housing. The methodology 600 completes at 608.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an exemplary personal electronic vaporizer 700 is illustrated. In a first embodiment, the electronic vaporizer 700 may be an electronic cigarette. In another embodiment, the electronic vaporizer 700 may be a drug delivery device for utilization in a medical field. The electronic vaporizer 700 comprises a power source 702 that is of a particular type. For example, the power source 702 may be manufactured by a particular manufacturer. In another example, the power source 702 may be a particular model of power source. Accordingly, the power source 702 has a connector 704 corresponding thereto that is of a first type that is associated with the particular type of the power source 702. Pursuant to an example, the power source 702 may be a battery that is commonly utilized in electronic cigarettes. In another example, the power source 702 may be an automobile battery, a AA battery, a portable telephone, a 9 volt battery, a personal computer, an AC outlet, a generator, or some other suitable power source.

The electronic vaporizer 700 also comprises a heating element 706 that is of a type that is different than the type associated with the power source 702. For example, the heating element 706 may be manufactured by a manufacturer that is different from the manufacturer of the power source 702. Thus, the heating element 706 can have a connector 708 that is of a second type that is different than the type of the connector 704 on the power source 702. Pursuant to an example, the first connector type may be a threaded connector, a magnetic connector, a push-on connector, a snap-on connector, a turn-lock connector, or other suitable connector type. The second connector type may be some connector type that is different from the first connector type.

The electronic vaporizer 700 also comprises an adapter 710 that is configured to mechanically mate the power source 702 with the heating element 706 by way of the adapter 710. Additionally, the adapter 710 is configured to electrically couple the power source 702 with the heating element 706. Thus, the adapter 710 comprises a first connector 712 that is of the first type (the same type as the connector 704 of the power source 702) and a second connector 714 that is of the second type (the same type as the connector 708 of the heating element 706). In an example, if the connector 704 is a threaded connector, the first connector 712 on the adapter 710 may be a threaded connector that is configured to receive or screw into the connector 704 of the power source 702. Additionally, while not shown, the adapter 710 may comprise an airflow passageway that allows airflow to reach the power source 702 when a user draws on the electronic vaporizer 700. Accordingly, the adapter 700 may be at least partially constructed of a conductive material, such as a conductive metal or a conductive polymer.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an exemplary adapter 800 that facilitates mechanically mating and electronically coupling a power source and a heating element in an electronic vaporizer having dissimilar connection mechanisms is illustrated. The adapter 800 comprises a first connector 802 of a first type and a second connector 804 of a second type. The first connector 802 is configured to mechanically and electrically mate with a power source and the second connector 804 is configured to mechanically and electrically mate with a heating element. Accordingly, the power source is electrically and mechanically coupled to the heating element by way of the adapter 800.

The adapter 800 also comprises circuitry 806, which can be or include microchip, a voltage regulator, an AC/DC converter, an amplifier, circuitry that is configured to step up or step down voltage received from the power source, or some other suitable circuitry that can allow for power delivered from the power source to properly operate the heating element to cause vapor to be provided to a user as desired. Accordingly, while not shown, the adapter 800 can comprise an airflow passageway that allows air to flow between the heating element and the power source by way of the adapter.

As mentioned previously, the connectors 804 and 806 may be of dissimilar type. Therefore, for instance, the first connector 804 may be one of a threaded fastener, a magnetic connector, a twist cap connector, a push-on connector, a quick-lock connector, a t-bar connector, a half-turn lock, amongst other type of connectors, and the second connector 806 may be of a type that is dissimilar from the type of the first connector 804.

As discussed previously with respect to FIG. 7, an example embodiment of a personal electronic vaporizer may include a power source 702 that corresponds to a generator. Such a generator may correspond to a power harvesting device operative to generate electricity from energy in the environment associated with the personal electronic vaporizer. FIG. 9 shows an example 900 of a personal electronic vaporizer that includes a power harvesting device such as a generator 902 as the power source. In this example, the generator 902 is mounted in a housing 904 of the electronic vaporizer. The housing 904 also includes an airflow passageway 906 that extends adjacent at least portions of the generator.

The generator may include at least one actuator device 908 such as an blade, impeller, fan, turbine, propeller, airfoil, squirrel-cage impeller, electron mass inductor, plasma accelerator and/or other type of device that is responsive to airflow through the airflow passageway 906 to urge a shaft 910 of the generator to rotate and generate an electrical current. There may also be a venturi, air duct, air ram or other channelling and/or funnelling technologies used in order to increase or decrease the speed and/or volume of the airflow. The generated electrical current may be directed via a controller 912 (e.g., a microprocessor and/or analog circuitry) included in the electronic vaporizer to power a heating element 914 sufficiently to vaporize a portion of a liquid solution 916. As described in previous embodiments, the heating element 914 and the liquid solution 916 may be integrated into a second housing 918 that is adapted to removably connect to the first housing 904.

As can be appreciated, the amount of electrical energy generated by the generator 902 will vary depending on the amount of air drawn through the airflow passageway 906 by a user inhaling and/or exhaling through the electronic vaporizer. In an example embodiment, the controller may be capable of regulating electricity generated from one or more inhales/exhales through the airflow passageway in order to provide the heating element with sufficient power to vaporize a portion of the liquid solution 916. For example, the controller 912 may be in operative connection with a storage device 920 such as one or more capacitors and/or a battery. Electrical energy generated by the generator from several inhales/exhales through the airflow passageways may be stored in the storage device 920. When a sufficient amount of energy is accumulated, the controller 912 may be operative to direct power to the heating element from the storage device in order to vaporize the liquid solution.

In order to ensure that the heating element is activated at a time desirable by a user, power to the heating element may be triggered by the controller responsive to information available to the controller (such as an air flow indication provided by a dedicated airflow sensor). However, rather than using a dedicated air flow sensor, in some embodiments, electricity generated from the generator itself may instead serve as a sensor indicating when a user is actively inhaling through the electronic vaporizer. The detection of inhaling coupled with a detection of a sufficient amount of energy in the storage device may cause the controller to power the heating element.

However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, additional or other information may be used to trigger the power of the heating element. For example, wind or other external air source may also be operative to urge the actuator device to turn the shaft of the generator. In order to prevent wind from activating the heating element at undesirable times, the electronic vaporizer may include at least one further sensor 922 adapted to sense that a user is holding and/or is ready for the electronic vaporizer to operate. Such a further sensor may correspond to a button or a switch, which is activated in order for the heating element to be powered.

In this described embodiment, the generator corresponds to a power harvesting device operative to acquire energy from airflows. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the electronic vaporizer, other types of power harvesting devices may be used. For example, an embodiment may include an induction device operative to acquire electrical power for charging a battery wirelessly via induction from an induction source near the electronic vaporizer. In another example, the power harvesting device may correspond to an inductive jet that is operative to generate electricity responsive to airflow through the inductive jet, venturi or any other mechanism that directs a air or gas flow (including air) that could or may increase or decrease the gas speed and/or volume. Furthermore this may be used as an induction system pulling gases or vapors from a secondary stream for more flow mass/speed or to use as a mixing and/or blending mechanism.

In further embodiments, the electronic vaporize may include a power harvesting device in the form of a radio frequency (RF) power receiver device that is operative to acquire electrical power from RF signals transmitted by an RF power transmitter device. In further embodiments, the power receiver may be operative to harvest power from other RF sources in the environment such as wireless network signals and/or mobile phone communication signals. Examples of RF power harvesting devices include the power harvester modules sold by Powercast Corporation in Pittsburgh, PA.

Also, in further example embodiments, the electronic vaporizer may include a power harvesting device in the form of a vibration power receiver which is operative to convert mechanical vibrations (e.g., accelerations caused by movement of the electronic vaporizer) to electrical energy. Power harvesting devices may also include solar cells, static electricity harvesters, or any other type of device capable of harvesting power from energy sources in the vicinity of the detection device.

In these described embodiments, the power harvesting device may be operative to charge a rechargeable battery with the acquired electrical energy. The other components of the electronic vaporizer (e.g., the controller and heating element) may be powered via the battery. However, it is to be understood that example embodiments of some of the described harvesting devices may directly provide power to the controller and heating element without using a battery.

In example embodiments that include a generator, the controller may be operative to estimate an amount of airflow being drawn through the airflow passageway responsive to the electrical output from the generator. The controller may also be operative to determine when such an air flow includes a vaporized solution caused by the powering of the heating element by the controller. With such information, an example embodiment of the controller may be operative to estimate an amount of the vaporized solution that is likely being inhaled by the user. The controller may be operative to use this information to regulate and control the dosage of the vaporized solution received by the user. In this embodiment, the electronic vaporizer may correspond to a metered dosage inhaler (MDI) for nicotine, medications (e.g., for treatment of an asthma attack or other condition), and/or other chemicals.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the controller may include a data store 924 such as a flash memory device or other non-volatile memory in which the controller is operative to store information regarding the amounts of vaporized solution that a user may have inhaled. The controller may also be operative to store time and/or date information in association with the measured amounts of inhaled vaporized solution. An example embodiment of the controller may be operative to operate the heating element responsive to the information stored in the data store. The controller may be operative to limit the amount of the vaporized solution that a user is able to inhale over a given predetermined (and/or configurable) period of time. This may be accomplished by the controller monitoring the amount of vaporized solution that is likely inhaled via the device for a predetermined period of time. When the monitored amount reaches a predetermined threshold, the controller may be operative to prevent the heater element from vaporizing additional solution, until after a predetermined amount of time, and/or until after the controller receives a manual reset signal (via a button, or other sensor device) included in the electronic vaporizer. These described predetermined periods of time and predetermined thresholds may be stored in the data 924.

In one or more of the previously described embodiments (e.g., embodiments with either a battery or a power harvesting device), the described controller 912 (and/or a controller 928 in the housing 918 with the solution 916) may be operative to prevent the heater element from operating to vaporize a solution unless a specific user is detected by the electronic vaporizer. For example, in cases where the solution includes a prescription medication, a pain killer, a pharmaceutical, a narcotic, a controlled substance and/or other chemical, which is intended to be used by a specific person, the electronic vaporizer may include a sensor (e.g., such as sensor 922 in FIG. 9) that corresponds to a fingerprint reader or other type of biometric device. Such a biometric device may acquire data from a user which is used by the controller 912 and/or 926 to verify that a predetermined user is currently holding the electronic vaporizer prior to vaporizing the solution.

In this described embodiment (with reference to FIG. 9), a further data store 926 (e.g., a non volatile memory) may be included in the particular housing 918 that holds the solution (e.g., a prescription medication). This further data store 926 and/or data store 924 may be programmed (e.g., via a pharmacist) to include the biometric data associated with the user being treated with the prescription medication). The biometric data couples one or both of the housings 904, 918 to a particular user. Prior to causing the heater element to vaporize the solution with the prescription medication, the controller 912 and/or 928 may require the coupled user to provide (through a sensor 922) a biometric input that corresponds to the biometric data programmed into the data store 924 and/or 926.

In another example, the electronic vaporizer may be capable of having a data store be programmed (with the biometric data) by the owner of the device. In this embodiment, the electronic vaporizer may include one or more input devices through which the data store 924 or 926 can be updated with biometric data usable to couple the vaporizer to a specific user. Also, in an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer may include a communication device (e.g. a USB port, Bluetooth, Wireless Ethernet) capable of connecting to an external computing device (PC, mobile phone, or other computing device) through a wired or wireless connection. The external computing device may be operative to execute software capable of updating the data store 924 or 926 in the electronic vaporizer to included biometric data that couples the device to a specific user. Coupling an electronic vaporizer to a particular user may minimize the opportunity for children or other people from using the electronic vaporizer without permission.

It should also be appreciated that further embodiments may include other features for coupling an electronic vaporizer to a particular user. For example, the sensor 922 may correspond to an RFID, Bluetooth, and/or NFC reader that is operative to wirelessly read an RFID chip or other circuit (Bluetooth, NFC) integrated into an article associated with the user. Such an RFID chip or other circuit may be integrated into an article such as a ring, bracelet, necklace, card, mobile phone, clothing, or other article worn and/or carried by the user. The RFID chip or other circuit may include a unique code that corresponds to data stored in the data store 924 and/or 926. The controller 912 and/or, 928 may be operative to verify that the data stored in the data store 924 and/or 926 corresponds to code recently or currently being read by the RFID reader or other reader from the RFID chip or other circuit of the user's article, before causing the heater element to vaporize the solution. As described previously with respect to the embodiment with biometric data, a pharmacist and/or an end user may include computing devices capable of interfacing with one or both controllers 912, 928 and storing data associated with the user's article in the data store 926 and/or 924.

To enhance security and to minimize unauthorized access to the electronic vaporizer or housings included therein, read only memory may be used as a data store for storing serial numbers, public keys, or other data that is intended to remain constant. Furthermore, updateable data (e.g. biometric data, RFID/Bluetooth/NFC data) which are programmed into a data store 924 and/or 926 by a pharmacist or other authorized person (to carry out the previously described data couplings), may be digitally signed in a manner that can be authenticated by one or more of the controllers 912, 928 in the electronic vaporizer prior to allowing the heater element to vaporize the solution.

For example, data stored in a data store 924 and/or 926 that couples the electronic vaporizer to a particular RFID chip or other circuit enabled article (e.g. a ring) may correspond to a digitally signed certificate that specifies the code that is transmitted by the article. Prior to enabling the heater element to vaporize the liquid solution, at least one of the controllers 912, 928 may require the detection of a code from an article which matches the code stored in the certificate, as well as requiring that the signature of the certificate be cryptographically authenticated. Further, the controller 912 and/or 928 may verify that the certificate includes serial number(s) associated with one or more of the housings 904, 918.

Such validly signed certificates may only be generated and stored on the electronic vaporizer by a pharmacists or other person that has access to a server with the particular private key that can sign the certificate in a manner that can be authenticated using the public key securely stored in the electronic vaporizer. Thus, an unauthorized user would not be able to reprogram the electronic vaporizer (or the housing 918 that contains the solution 916) to work with other RFID articles by installing a fake certificate in the data store 924 and/or 926,

In addition, it should also be understood that in some embodiments a handshaking protocol may take place between controllers in different housings of the electronic vaporizer to establish encrypted communications. Such encrypted communications may minimize a man-in-the-middle attack or other backs which may be attempted to gain unauthorized usage of the electronic vaporizer and/or associated housings/cartridges. For example, the controllers in different housings maybe able to carry out an SSL protocol to form an encrypted communication channel between the controllers through which certificates, RFID readings, biometric inputs, housing serial numbers, and/or other data may be passed therebetween. Also, it should be understood that embodiments that include an RFID/Bluetooth/NFC reader may be operative to carry out a handshaking protocol with an article. Such a handshaking protocol may establish encrypted communications with the article. The handshaking protocol may also include authentication of the article using digital certificates or other cryptographic processes.

In addition, in the previously described embodiments, the data store 924 and/or 926 may be programmed when manufactured, by a pharmacist, and/or by another authorized user to include usage and dosage information that correspond to the previously described predetermined periods of time and predetermined thresholds used to limit the amount of vaporized solution inhaled by a user. For such embodiments, the controller