IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,771,139
Granted Patent B2
US 11,771,139 · App. 16/741,227 · Granted Oct 3, 2023

Non-nicotine electronic vaping device with memory module

Inventors: Raymond W. Lau (Richmond, VA); Eric Hawes (Richmond, VA); Loi Ying Liu (Hong Kong, CN)
Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
A24F40/57A24B15/167A24F40/42A24F40/46A24F40/51G11C17/16G11C17/18H05B1/0297
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,771,139
App. No.
16/741,227
Granted
Oct 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A non-nicotine e-vaping device includes a heater, a power control circuit, and a memory module. The heater element is configured to heat a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation being devoid of nicotine and including at least one non-nicotine compound. The power control circuit is coupled to the heater element through a wire. The power control circuit is configured to apply a pulse width modulated power signal to the heater element through the wire, and to receive information over the wire. The memory module is configured to detect a plurality of pulses in the pulse width modulated power signal, record information based on the detected plurality of pulses, and output the recorded information to the power control circuit via the wire.

Claims (37)

1. A non-nicotine e-vaping device comprising:

a heater element configured to heat a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation being devoid of nicotine and including at least one non-nicotine compound;

a power control circuit coupled to the heater element through a wire, the power control circuit configured to apply a pulse width modulated power signal to the heater element through the wire, and to receive information over the wire; and

a memory module configured to,

detect a plurality of pulses in the pulse width modulated power signal,

record information based on the detected plurality of pulses, and

output the recorded information to the power control circuit via the wire.

2. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is configured to output the recorded information via the wire during output of the pulse width modulated power signal to the heater element over the wire by the power control circuit.

3. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is configured to,

detect a number of pulses included in the plurality of pulses, and

record the information based on the number of pulses.

4. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is configured to,

detect a width of a pulse included in the plurality of pulses, and

record the information based on the width of the pulse included in the plurality of pulses.

5. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is configured to,

detect a frequency of pulses included in the plurality of pulses, and

record the information based on the frequency of pulses included in the plurality of pulses.

6. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein

the memory module includes a fuse memory having an array of fuses, and

the memory module is configured to record the information by opening at least one fuse among the array of fuses.

7. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 6 , wherein

the memory module is configured to record the information by opening a fuse for every set number of pulses in the pulse width modulated power signal.

8. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 7 , wherein

the memory module is configured to store additional information representing at least one of an identifier, a flavor of the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation, a date, or any combination thereof.

9. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein

the power control circuit is configured to apply the pulse width modulated power signal in response to application of negative pressure to the non-nicotine e-vaping device.

10. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein

the memory module is further configured to receive power only from the pulse width modulated power signal, and

the power control circuit is configured to receive the information only via the wire.

11. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein

the memory module is configured to output the recorded information to the power control circuit by selectively connecting a load to the wire, and

the power control circuit is configured to receive the recorded information by detecting a change in a current passing through the wire resulting from selective connection of the load.

12. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the memory module is configured to output the recorded information by increasing a current through the wire during at least one pulse of the pulse width modulated power signal.

13. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cartridge including the memory module and a reservoir, the reservoir configured to hold the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation; wherein

the non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation includes a non-nicotine vapor former and the at least one non-nicotine compound.

14. The non-nicotine e-vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-nicotine compound is cannabis , at least one cannabis -derived constituent, or both cannabis and the at least one cannabis -derived constituent.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2020
From: LAU, RAYMOND W.; HAWES, ERIC; LIU, LOI YING
To: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052961/0144 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210212381A1 · Jul 15, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,727,624