Electronic cigarette structure comprising an electronic cigarette tube, atomizer and a short range wireless communication module.

Abstract

 Electronic cigarette, comprising an electronic cigarette tube, an atomizer connected to a first end of the electronic cigarette tube and a short range wireless communication module connected to a second end of the electronic cigarette tube and arranged for communicating with a mobile communication device.

Description

Background

[0001] An electronic cigarette, an electronic vaping device, a personal vaporizer, or an electronic nicotine delivery system is a battery-powered device which simulates regular tobacco. Smoking. Electronic cigarettes are commonly used to help a smoker with quitting to smoke.

[0002] It generally uses a heating element that vaporizes a liquid solution. Some known solutions comprise a mixture of nicotine and flavourings, while others release a flavoured vapor without nicotine. Many are designed to simulate smoking implements, such as cigarettes or cigars, in their use and/or appearance, while others are considerably different in appearance.

[0003] The heating element may be comprised in an atomizer. Usually, it takes for approximately two to four weeks before the atomizer is worn out. Replacement atomizers are one of the recurring expenses associated with electronic cigarettes.

[0004] The main function of an electronic cigarette is to replace a real cigarette, such that a user will experience no, or not much, difference between smoking a real cigarette and smoking an electronic cigarette.

Description

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved electronic cigarette.

[0006] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic cigarette structure, comprising an electronic cigarette tube, an atomizer connected to a first end of the electronic cigarette tube and a short range wireless communication module connected to a second end of the electronic cigarette tube and arranged for communicating with a mobile communication device.

[0007] The electronic cigarette according to the present invention is based on the insight from the inventor that it is possible to modify an electronic cigarette such that it comprises functionality for communicating with a mobile communication device. The inventor realized that a short range wireless communication module can be fabricated, wherein the shape of the wireless communication module is construed such that it can be integrated with the electronic cigarette.

[0008] As such, the advantage of an electronic cigarette according to the present invention is that it adds functionality to an electronic cigarette in the form of communicating with a wireless communication device.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, a wireless communication device may be any of a mobile telephone, tablet, or the like.

[0010] The short range communication module may be any of a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a Wi-Fi module, an ultra wideband module and a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications, DECT, module.

[0011] The electronic cigarette tube is intended to extend the length of the electronic cigarette, such that the shape of the electronic cigarette resembles the shape of a regular cigarette. The tube may be comprised of any type of material, such as plastic. The shape of the intersection of the tube may be any of circular, oval, square, rectangular, etc.

[0012] The short range wireless communication module may also be arranged for communicating information concerning the use of the electronic cigarette to the mobile communication device.

[0013] In an example, the short range wireless communication module further comprises a loudspeaker, and wherein the short range wireless communication module is further arranged to produce sound via the loudspeaker, communicated from the wireless communication device.

[0014] In an example, the short range wireless communication module further comprises a microphone, and wherein the short range wireless communication module is further arranged to communicate sound recorded by the microphone, to the mobile communication device.

[0015] In another example, the electronic cigarette further comprises a battery connected between the tube and the atomizer and arranged for powering the short range wireless communication module.

[0016] In yet another example, the electronic cigarette further comprises a vibrating motor connected to the short range wireless communication module.

[0017] The advantage of hereof is that, whenever the electronic cigarette is connected to a mobile communication device, the electronic cigarette will vibrate and/or ring indicating that a call is incoming.

[0018] In another example, the short range wireless communication module further comprises at least one functional key arranged for receiving input from a user.

[0019] The input may relate to volume settings, whether a call is to be accepted or not, etc. For example, in case of an incoming call, the user may decide to accept the call by pressing a key. The call is then directed to the loudspeaker of the electronic cigarette, and to the microphone of the electric cigarette.

[0020] In yet another example, the electronic cigarette further comprises a plastic cover connected to the second end of the electronic cigarette, the plastic cover comprising the short range wireless communication module and is arranged for protecting the module against moisture.

[0021] The electronic cigarette tube, the plastic cover and the atomizer may be connected to each other via a slot-type plug connector, or the like.

[0022] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the invention will be best understood from the following description referring to the attached drawing.

[0023] The invention is not limited to the particular examples disclosed below in connection with a particular type of short range wireless communication technique, such as Bluetooth.

Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 is an illustrative example of an electronic cigarette 15 according to the present invention.

[0025] The electronic cigarette 15 comprises a cigarette tube 1, an atomizer 2 at a first end of the cigarette tube 1, a loudspeaker 3 and a battery 4 arranged in the cigarette tube 1.

[0026] Functionality of the electronic cigarette is extended by the introduction of a short range wireless communication module, such that the electronic cigarette is able to communicate with a mobile communication device (not shown).

[0027] In the present example, the short range wireless communication module is comprised by the Bluetooth printed circuit board 8, a microphone 7, a keypad, comprising a volume+ key 10, a volume- key 12 and an answer key 11.

[0028] The underlying idea of the invention is that a user is able to control a mobile communication device, such as a telephone, using the electronic cigarette. The functional keys 10, 11, and 12 may be used to adjust the volume of the loudspeaker 3 and to answer or decline incoming calls, for example.

[0029] The electronic cigarette 15 further comprises a front plastic 5 as well as a back cover 6, arranged to enclose at least parts of the short range wireless communication module, such that these parts are protected against moisture, for example.

[0030] A decorative ring 13 may be deployed in the electronic cigarette to make sure the connection between the front plastic 5 and the back cover 6 against the electronic cigarette tube 1 is rigid, as well as for personalizing the electronic cigarette.

[0031] In the present example, the loudspeaker 3, the microphone 7 and the functional keys 10, 11, 12 are construed separately from the Bluetooth printed circuit board 8. However in other embodiments of the present invention, these features may be integrated on a single printed circuit boards.

[0032] In an example, the short range wireless communication module may be arranged to synchronize with the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may be arranged to track everyday use of the electronic cigarette, for example how often an electronic cigarette is used, how many puffs are taken, etc. The mobile communication device may, for example, visualize information concerning your health based on the information received from the electronic cigarette.

[0033] In a practical application, the electronic cigarette according to the present invention may be used to produce music, outputted by the loudspeaker, and originating from the mobile communication device. A user may, for example, decide to play audio on the mobile communication device, via the loudspeaker of the electronic cigarette.

[0034] One of the advantages of the present invention is that the functionality of the electronic cigarette is extended such that it is possible to deploy the electronic cigarette also for, for example, mobile phone conversations.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment as disclosed above, and can be modified and enhanced by those skilled in the art beyond the scope of the present invention as disclosed in the appended claims without having to apply inventive skills.

Claims

1. Electronic cigarette, comprising:

- an electronic cigarette tube;

- an atomizer connected to a first end of said electronic cigarette tube;

- short range wireless communication module connected to a second end of said electronic cigarette tube and arranged for communicating with a mobile communication device.

2. Electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein said short range wireless communication module further comprises a loudspeaker, and wherein said short range wireless communication module is further arranged to produce sound via said loudspeaker, communicated from said wireless communication device.

3. Electronic cigarette according to any of the previous claims, wherein said short range wireless communication module further comprises a microphone, and wherein said short range wireless communication module is further arranged to communicate sound recorded by said microphone, to said mobile communication device.

4. Electronic cigarette according to any of the previous claims, wherein said electronic cigarette further comprises a battery connected between said tube and said atomizer and arranged for powering said short range wireless communication module.

5. Electronic cigarette according to any of the previous claims, wherein said electronic cigarette further comprises a vibrating motor connected to said short range wireless communication module.

6. Electronic cigarette according to any of the previous claims, wherein said short range wireless communication module is a Bluetooth module.

7. Electronic cigarette according to any of the previous claims, wherein said short range wireless communication module further comprises at least one functional key arranged for receiving input from a user.

8. Electronic cigarette according to any of the previous claims, further comprising a plastic cover connected to said second end of said electronic cigarette, said plastic cover comprising said short range wireless communication module and arranged for protecting said module against moisture.

Drawing