IP Library Granted Patent US 11,698,717
Granted Patent B2
US 11,698,717 · App. 16/442,170 · Granted Jul 11, 2023

Session control for a vaporizer device

Inventors: Eric Amorde (Oakland, CA); Nicolas Dor (San Francisco, CA); Randall Leberknight (San Jose, CA); Mario Trujillo (San Francisco, CA); Raffi Aghapekian (Alameda, CA); James Monsees (San Francisco, CA); Nicholas J. Hatton (Oakland, CA); Brian M. Warren (San Francisco, CA); Casey S. Yost (Daly City, CA); Nicholas Achtien (San Francisco, CA); Travis I. Wyatt (Oakland, CA); Roxolana Wacyk (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
G06F3/0484A24F40/53A24F40/65A61M11/041A61M16/18A61M15/06A61M2205/3653A61M2205/505A61M2205/60A61M2205/8212
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,698,717
App. No.
16/442,170
Granted
Jul 11, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Features relating to vaporizer devices configured to allow for user control of a vaporizer session are provided. Session size selection and temperature selection options allow for a user to select a desired session size and a desired temperature for the vaporizer session. A session control user interface is provided on a user device to allow for user selections and to provide for user viewing of a status of the vaporizer session.

Claims (129)

1. A method, comprising:

providing a user interface comprising a dropdown menu and a slideable selection bar, the dropdown menu comprising a plurality of selectable session size options for a vaporizer session of a vaporizer device, and the slideable selection bar comprising a slideable icon configured to select a temperature for the vaporizer session of the vaporizer device;

receiving, from the user interface, a session size selection and a temperature selection;

providing, on the user interface, a temperature icon representative of the temperature selection;

providing, on the user interface, a status bar indicative of progress through the vaporizer session, wherein the vaporizer session is based on the session size selection and the temperature selection;

updating, on the user interface, the status bar to reflect the progress through the vaporizer session; and

locking, in response to a determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, the session size selection and the temperature selection such that the session size selection and the temperature selection are not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of selectable session size options corresponds to a predetermined amount of energy to apply to a heating element of the vaporizer device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the slideable icon is configured to be moved along the slideable selection bar between a predefined low end temperature and a predefined high end temperature.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

changing, on the user interface and in response to the determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, a characteristic of the slideable icon.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the temperature icon representative of the temperature selection comprises one or more of providing a first temperature icon comprising a numerical representation of the temperature selection and providing a second temperature icon comprising a symbol shaded in correlation with the temperature selection.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the status bar comprises a horizontally elongated window, wherein the horizontally elongated window is filled during the vaporizer session indicative of the progress through the vaporizer session.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the progress through the vaporizer session comprises a cumulative amount of energy provided to a heating element of the vaporizer device over a total amount of energy to be provided to the heating element, wherein the total amount of energy to be provided is based on the session size selection.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein updating the status bar to reflect the progress through the vaporizer session comprises filling the horizontally elongated window to represent a fraction comprising the cumulative amount of energy over the total amount of energy.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing, on the user interface and in response to selection of a collapse selection feature, a collapsed window, the collapsed window providing a representation of the temperature selection, the session size selection, and the status bar.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

expanding, on the user interface and in response to selection of the collapsed window, the collapsed window.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing, on the user interface, a lock screen indicative of the vaporizer session being completed;

wherein the lock screen comprises a start new session button, wherein selection of the start new session initiates a new vaporizer session during a lockout period.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the lockout period is predefined and/or non-adjustable.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one data processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause operations comprising:

providing a user interface on the apparatus, the user interface comprising a dropdown menu and a slideable selection bar, the dropdown menu comprising a plurality of selectable session size options for a vaporizer session of a vaporizer device, and the slideable selection bar comprising a slideable icon configured to select a temperature for the vaporizer session of the vaporizer device, wherein the apparatus and the vaporizer device are in communication with one another;

receiving, from the user interface, a session size selection and a temperature selection;

providing, on the user interface, a temperature icon representative of the temperature selection;

providing, on the user interface, a status bar indicative of progress through the vaporizer session, wherein the vaporizer session is based on the session size selection and the temperature selection;

updating, on the user interface, the status bar to reflect the progress through the vaporizer session; and

locking, in response to a determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, the session size selection and the temperature selection such that the session size selection and the temperature selection are not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of selectable session size options corresponds to a predetermined amount of energy to apply to a heating element of the vaporizer device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the slideable icon is configured to be moved along the slideable selection bar between a predefined low end temperature and a predefined high end temperature.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

changing, on the user interface and in response to the determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, a characteristic of the slideable icon.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein providing the temperature icon representative of the temperature selection comprises one or more of providing a first temperature icon comprising a numerical representation of the temperature selection and providing a second temperature icon comprising a symbol shaded in correlation with the temperature selection.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the status bar comprises a horizontally elongated window, wherein the horizontally elongated window is filled during the vaporizer session indicative of the progress through the vaporizer session.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the progress through the vaporizer session comprises a cumulative amount of energy provided to a heating element of the vaporizer device over a total amount of energy to be provided to the heating element, wherein the total amount of energy to be provided is based on the session size selection.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein updating the status bar to reflect the progress through the vaporizer session comprises filling the horizontally elongated window to represent a fraction comprising the cumulative amount of energy over the total amount of energy.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

providing, on the user interface and in response to selection of a collapse selection feature, a collapsed window, the collapsed window providing a representation of the temperature selection, the session size selection, and the status bar.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

expanding, on the user interface and in response to selection of the collapsed window, the collapsed window.

23. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

providing, on the user interface, a lock screen indicative of the vaporizer session being completed;

wherein the lock screen comprises a start new session button, wherein selection of the start new session initiates a new vaporizer session during a lockout period.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the lockout period is predefined and/or non-adjustable.

25. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one data processor, are configured to cause the at least one data processor to execute a method comprising:

providing a user interface comprising a dropdown menu and a slideable selection bar, the dropdown menu comprising a plurality of selectable session size options for a vaporizer session of a vaporizer device, and the slideable selection bar comprising a slideable icon configured to select a temperature for the vaporizer session of the vaporizer device;

receiving, from the user interface, a session size selection and a temperature selection;

providing, on the user interface, a temperature icon representative of the temperature selection;

providing, on the user interface, a status bar indicative of progress through the vaporizer session, wherein the vaporizer session is based on the session size selection and the temperature selection;

updating, on the user interface, the status bar to reflect the progress through the vaporizer session; and

locking, in response to a determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, the session size selection and the temperature selection such that the session size selection and the temperature selection are not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

26. A method comprising:

receiving, by a vaporizer device in communication with a user device, operational data indicative of a selected session size and a selected temperature for a vaporizer session, wherein the vaporizer device comprises a controller, wireless communication circuitry, heater control circuitry, and a heating element;

causing the vaporizer device to operate consistent with the operational data indicative of the selected session size and the selected temperature; and

providing, by the vaporizer device and to the user device, status data indicative of a status of the vaporizer session;

wherein the selected session size selection and the selected temperature are locked when the vaporizer session is in progress such that the selected session size and the selected temperature are not adjustable while the vaporizer session is in progress.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the operational data indicative of the selected session size comprises a total amount of energy to be provided to the heating element during the vaporizer session.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein causing the vaporizer device to operate comprises providing the total amount of energy to the heating element during the vaporizer session.

29. The method of claim 27 , wherein the status data indicative of the status of the vaporizer session comprises a cumulative amount of energy provided to the heating element.

30. The method of claim 27 , further comprising:

determining, based on a comparison of a cumulative amount of energy provided to the heating element and the total amount of energy to be provided to the heating element, that the vaporizer session is completed; and

preventing, in response to the determination, activation of the heating element during a predefined lockout period.

31. The method of claim 30 , further comprising:

providing, to the user device and in response to the determination, data indicative of the vaporizer session being completed.

32. The method of claim 30 , further comprising:

receiving, from the user device, data indicative of the predefined lockout period being overridden; and

allowing, in response to the receipt of the data indicative of the predefined lockout period being overridden, activation of the heating element.

33. The method of claim 26 , wherein causing the vaporizer device to operate comprises controlling, by the heater control circuitry, the heating element to operate at the selected temperature.

34. The method of claim 26 , wherein causing the vaporizer device to operate is in response to a detection of a user drawing on a mouthpiece the vaporizer device.

35. The method of claim 26 , wherein providing the status data is in response to a detection of a user drawing on a mouthpiece the vaporizer device.

36. The method of claim 26 , further comprising:

providing, to the user device, information regarding the vaporizer device, wherein the information comprises a type of vaporizable material contained in the vaporizer device, predefined user settings, and/or predefined operational settings.

37. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one data processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause operations comprising:

receiving, from a user device in communication with the apparatus, operational data indicative of a selected session size and a selected temperature for a vaporizer session, wherein the apparatus comprises a controller, wireless communication circuitry, heater control circuitry, and a heating element;

causing the apparatus to operate consistent with the operational data indicative of the selected session size and the selected temperature; and

providing, to the user device, status data indicative of a status of the vaporizer session;

wherein the selected session size selection and the selected temperature are locked when the vaporizer session is in progress such that the selected session size and the selected temperature are not adjustable while the vaporizer session is in progress.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the operational data indicative of the selected session size comprises a total amount of energy to be provided to the heating element during the vaporizer session.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein causing the apparatus to operate comprises providing the total amount of energy to the heating element during the vaporizer session.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the status data indicative of the status of the vaporizer session comprises a cumulative amount of energy provided to the heating element.

41. The apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

determining, based on a comparison of a cumulative amount of energy provided to the heating element and the total amount of energy to be provided to the heating element, that the vaporizer session is completed; and

preventing, in response to the determination, activation of the heating element during a predefined lockout period.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

providing, to the user device and in response to the determination, data indicative of the vaporizer session being completed.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

receiving, from the user device, data indicative of the predefined lockout period being overridden; and

allowing, in response to the receipt of the data indicative of the predefined lockout period being overridden, activation of the heating element.

44. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein causing the apparatus to operate comprises controlling, by the heater control circuitry, the heating element to operate at the selected temperature.

45. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein causing the apparatus to operate is in response to a detection of a user drawing on a mouthpiece of the apparatus.

46. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein providing the status data is in response to a detection of a user drawing on a mouthpiece of the apparatus.

47. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause operations further comprising:

providing, to the user device, information regarding the apparatus, wherein the information comprises a type of vaporizable material contained in the apparatus, predefined user settings, and/or predefined operational settings.

48. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one data processor, are configured to cause the at least one data processor to execute a method comprising:

receiving, by a vaporizer device in communication with a user device, operational data indicative of a selected session size and a selected temperature for a vaporizer session, wherein the vaporizer device comprises a controller, wireless communication circuitry, heater control circuitry, and a heating element;

causing the vaporizer device to operate consistent with the operational data indicative of the selected session size and the selected temperature; and

providing, by the vaporizer device and to the user device, status data indicative of a status of the vaporizer session;

wherein the selected session size selection and the selected temperature are locked when the vaporizer session is in progress such that the selected session size and the selected temperature are not adjustable while the vaporizer session is in progress.

49. A method, comprising:

accessing, through operation of an application executing on one or more programmable processors, information regarding a vaporizer device;

displaying, on a user interface generated on a display by the one or more programmable processors, one or more adjustable parameters for a vaporizer session of the vaporizer device, wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises a session size;

receiving, by the one or more programmable processors, a selection of the one or more adjustable parameters;

providing, by the one or more programmable processors and to a controller of the vaporizer device, data indicative of the selection, wherein the data indicative of the selection comprises operational settings to cause the vaporizer device to operate consistent with the selection; and

locking, by the one or more programmable processors and in response to a determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, the session size such that the session size is not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

50. The method of claim 49 , wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises the session size, wherein the display of the session size comprises a dropdown menu comprising a plurality of selectable session size options for the vaporizer session, and wherein the selection of the session size comprises selecting, via user interaction, one of the plurality of selectable session size options.

51. The method of claim 49 , wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises a temperature, wherein the display of the temperature comprises a slideable selection bar comprising a slideable icon, and wherein the selection of the temperature comprises positioning, via user interaction, the slideable icon at a temperature point along the slideable selection bar.

52. The method of claim 49 , wherein the one or more adjustable parameters further comprises a temperature; and wherein the temperature is further locked in response to the determination that the vaporizer session is in progress such that the temperature is not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

53. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one data processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause operations comprising:

accessing, through operation of an application executing on the at least one data processor, information regarding a vaporizer device;

displaying, on a user interface generated on a display by the at least one data processor, one or more adjustable parameters for a vaporizer session of the vaporizer device, wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises a session size;

receiving, by the at least one data processor, a selection of the one or more adjustable parameters;

providing, by the at least one data processor and to a controller of the vaporizer device, data indicative of the selection, wherein the data indicative of the selection comprises operational settings to cause the vaporizer device to operate consistent with the selection; and

locking, by the at least one data processor and in response to a determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, the session size such that the session size is not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises the session size, wherein the display of the session size comprises a dropdown menu comprising a plurality of selectable session size options for the vaporizer session and wherein the selection of the session size comprises selecting, via user interaction, one of the plurality of selectable session size options.

55. The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises a temperature, wherein the display of the temperature comprises a slideable selection bar comprising a slideable icon, and wherein the selection of the temperature comprises positioning, via user interaction, the slideable icon at a temperature point along the slideable selection bar.

56. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one data processor, are configured to cause the at least one data processor to execute a method comprising:

accessing, through operation of an application executing on the at least one data processor, information regarding a vaporizer device;

displaying, on a user interface generated on a display by the at least one data processor, one or more adjustable parameters for a vaporizer session of the vaporizer device, wherein the one or more adjustable parameters comprises a session size;

receiving, by the at least one data processor, a selection of the one or more adjustable parameters;

providing, by the at least one data processor and to a controller of the vaporizer device, data indicative of the selection, wherein the data indicative of the selection comprises operational settings to cause the vaporizer device to operate consistent with the selection; and

locking, by the at least one data processor and in response to a determination that the vaporizer session is in progress, the session size such that the session size is not adjustable via the user interface while the vaporizer session is in progress.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: ENVENIO INC.; JUUL LABS, INC.; VMR PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 069185/0228 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 10, 2024
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: PAX LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067673/0761 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2023
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: JLI NATIONAL SETTLEMENT TRUST
Reel/Frame 065800/0421 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2023
From: JUUL LABS, INC.; VMR PRODUCTS LLC; ENVENIO INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 064252/0225 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 062114 FRAME: 0196. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 23, 2022
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: JLI NATIONAL SETTLEMENT TRUST
Reel/Frame 062214/0142 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2022
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: JLI NATIONAL SETTLEMENT TRUST
Reel/Frame 062114/0195 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2022
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
To: JUUL LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061588/0176 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2022
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 061578/0865 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2022
From: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
To: JUUL LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060446/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 18, 2020
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053535/0433 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2020
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 053418/0664 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2020
From: MONSEES, JAMES; HATTON, NICHOLAS J.; WARREN, BRIAN; YOST, CASEY S.; ACHTIEN, NICHOLAS; WYATT, TRAVIS I.; WACYK, ROXOLANA
To: JUUL LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051648/0215 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2020
From: PAX LABS, INC.
To: JUUL LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051648/0245 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2020
From: AMORDE, ERIC; DOR, NICOLAS; LEBERKNIGHT, RANDALL; TRUJILLO, MARIO; AGHAPEKIAN, RAFFI
To: PAX LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051648/0231 →