BACKGROUND

Field

At least some example embodiments relate generally to an electronic vaping (e-vaping) device.

Related Art

Electronic vaping devices are used to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation into a vapor. These electronic vaping devices may be referred to as e-vaping devices. E-vaping devices include a heater, which vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation to produce the vapor. The e-vaping device may include several e-vaping elements including a power source, a cartridge or e-vaping tank including the heater and a reservoir capable of holding the pre-vapor formulation.

SUMMARY

At least one example embodiment relates to methods and devices for controlling e-vaping devices.

According to at least one example embodiment, a controller for an e-vaping device includes a movement sensor configured to detect movement of the e-vaping device and output an output signal based on the movement. The controller includes control circuitry configured to control power supplied to power consuming elements of the e-vaping device based on the output signal.

According to at least one example embodiment, the movement sensor is an accelerometer.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to detect, from the movement, movement events based on a magnitude of the output signal.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to count a number of the detected movement events based on a number of times that the magnitude of the output signal exceeds at least one threshold value within an expiration time associated with the at least one threshold value.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to identify an operating event based on the counted number of detected movement events.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to identify the operating event based on the counted number of detected movement events and at least one of the expiration time, the at least one threshold value, the magnitude of the output signal, a direction of the movement, and time stamps associated with the counted number of detected movement events.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to consult a table stored in a storage medium to identify the operating event.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to supply power to desired ones of the power consuming elements based on the identified operating event.

According to at least one example embodiment, the power consuming elements include at least one of a battery level indicator for indicating a level of the battery, a lock-out circuit for locking and unlocking the e-vapor device, and an indicator for indicating an amount of the pre-vapor formulation.

According to at least one example embodiment, an e-vaping device includes a reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation. The e-vaping device includes a vaporizer configured to generate a vapor from the pre-vapor formulation and a pow supply configured to supply power to poi consuming elements of the e-vapor device. The power consuming elements may include the vaporizer. The e-vaping device may include a movement sensor configured to detect movement of the e-vaping device and output an output signal based on the movement. The e-vaping device may include control circuitry configured to control the power supplied to the power consuming elements based on the output signal.

According to at least one example embodiment, the movement sensor is an accelerometer.

According to at least one example embodiment, the vaporizer includes a porous element in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a heater configured to vaporize pre-vapor formulation in the porous element.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to detect, from the movement, movement events based on a magnitude of the output signal.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to count a number of the detected movement events based on a number of times that the magnitude of the output signal exceeds at least one threshold value within an expiration time associated with the at least one threshold value.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to identify an operating event based on the counted number of detected movement events.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to identify the operating event based on the counted number of detected movement events and at least one of the expiration time, the at least one threshold value, the magnitude of the output signal, a direction of the movement, and time stamps associated with the counted number of detected movement events.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to consult a table stored in a storage medium to identify the operating event.

According to at least one example embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to supply power to desired ones of the power consuming elements based on the identified operating event.

According to at least one example embodiment, the power consuming elements include at least one of a battery level indicator for indicating a level of the battery, a lock-out circuit for locking and unlocking the e-vapor device, and an indicator for indicating an amount of the pre-vapor formulation.

