JUUL Labs, Inc.

A method for activating a vaporizer device may include a point-of-sale device receiving, based on an identifier of the vaporizer device, activation data associated with the vaporizer device. The vaporizer device may be activated by communicating, to the vaporizer device, the activation data. The point-of-sale device may communicate the activation data to the vaporizer device via a dock coupled with the vaporizer device. Moreover, the point-of-sale device may communicate the activation data to the vaporizer device through a packaging of the vaporizer device. Alternatively, the point-of-sale device may communicates the activation data to the vaporizer device by communicating the activation data to a computing device associated with a user of the vaporizer device. The computing device may further communicate the activation data to the vaporizer device via audio signals and/or optical signals corresponding to the activation data. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.

Methods and apparatuses for discriminating between user blowing and drawing (sucking) in an electronic vaporization device. Described herein are electronic aerosol devices and methods of controlling or operating them which can accurately differentiate between blowing and drawing (sucking) through the mouthpiece and adjust the control of the vaporizer accordingly.

A system includes a current source circuit; a system power input; and load switching circuitry coupling the current source circuit and the system power input to an output configured to couple to a vaporizer heating element. The current source circuit, the system power input, and the load switching circuitry form part of an integrated circuit. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Vaporizers and vaporizer systems, which can include a user device in communication with a vaporizer, can include one or more features related to control of functions and/or features of the vaporizer. A method for locking a vaporizer is provided. The method includes determining whether a vaporizer is within a communication range of a second device. The method further includes locking the vaporizer in response to the vaporizer being within the communication range. The method further includes receiving information associated with a user of the vaporizer. The method further includes determining, based on the received information, an age of the user and unlocking, by the one or more processors and based on the age of the user satisfying a threshold, the vaporizer to activate the operation of the vaporizer.

Vaporizers and vaporizer systems, which can include a user device in communication with a vaporizer, can include one or more features related to control of functions and/or features of the vaporizer. A method for locking a vaporizer is provided. The method includes determining whether a vaporizer is within a communication range of a second device. The method further includes locking the vaporizer in response to the vaporizer being within the communication range. The method further includes receiving information associated with a user of the vaporizer. The method further includes determining, based on the received information, an age of the user and unlocking, by the one or more processors and based on the age of the user satisfying a threshold, the vaporizer to activate the operation of the vaporizer.

Methods and vaporizer apparatuses that estimate, measure and/or predict the amount of vapor and/or material (including active ingredients) released by the vaporizer apparatus. In particular, described herein are electronic vaporizers and methods of using them that determine a dose/amount of vapor and/or a material in the vapor based primarily or exclusively on the electrical and thermal properties, e.g., power or energy applied to the vaporizing element (e.g., heating coil) and the temperature of the material immediately before and as it is vaporized. Dose information may be used to control operation of the device and/or reported to the user.

Vaporizers and vaporizer systems, which can include a device in communication with a vaporizer, can include one or more features related to control of functions and/or features of the vaporizer, identification of a cartridge and/or a vaporizable material in the cartridge, data exchange (either one-way or two-way) between a cartridge and a vaporizer with which the cartridge is engaged, and the like.

Methods and apparatuses for discriminating between user blowing and drawing (sucking) in an electronic vaporization device. Described herein are electronic aerosol devices and methods of controlling or operating them which can accurately differentiate between blowing and drawing (sucking) through the mouthpiece and adjust the control of the vaporizer accordingly.

Vaporizer devices are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a vaporizer device can include a vaporizer body including a first airflow path extending at least partially therethrough, and a sensor assembly residing at least partially within the vaporizer body. The sensor assembly includes a flexible sensor that is in communication with the first airflow path. The flexible sensor is configured to reversibly deflect from an initial state to a first state in response to a first user-activated force representing air being drawn through the first airflow path, and configured to reversibly deflect from the initial state to a second state in response to a second user-activated force representing an acceleration of the vaporizer body. Sensor assemblies for a vaporizer device are also provided.

Vaporization devices and methods of operating them. In particular, described herein are methods for controlling the power applied to a resistive heater of a vaporization device by measuring the resistance of the resistive heater at discrete intervals. Changes in the resistance during heating may be used to control the power applied to heat the resistive heater during operation. Also described herein are vaporization devices that are configured to measure the resistance of the resistive heater during heating and to control the application of power to the resistive heater based on the resistance values.