CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This current application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/812,249, filed on February 28, 2019 and entitled“Wireless Device Pairing,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, to the extent permissible.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Subject matter described herein relates to wireless device pairing, including systems and methods of using an accelerometer, gyroscope, global positioning system (GPS) sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and/or other sensors of a vaporizer device to generate a random number for use in cryptographic wireless communications between the vaporizer device and a communication device, such as a smartphone.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Vaporizing devices, which can also be referred to as vaporizers, electronic vaporizer devices, or e-vaporizer devices, can be used for delivery of an aerosol (for example, a vapor phase and/or condensed-phase material suspended in a stationary or moving mass of air or some other gas carrier) containing one or more active ingredients by inhalation of the aerosol by a user of the vaporizing device. For example, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) include a class of vaporizer devices that are battery powered and that can be used to simulate the experience of smoking, but without burning of tobacco or other substances. Vaporizer devices are gaining increasing popularity both for prescriptive medical use, in delivering medicaments, and for consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and other plant-based materials. Vaporizer devices can be portable, self-contained, and/or convenient for use.

[0004] In use of a vaporizer device, the user inhales an aerosol, colloquially referred to as“vapor,” which can be generated by a heating element that vaporizes (e.g., causes a liquid or solid to at least partially transition to the gas phase) a vaporizable material, which can be liquid, a solution, a solid, a paste, a wax, and/or any other form compatible for use with a specific vaporizer device. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge for example, a separable part of the vaporizer device that contains vaporizable material) that includes an outlet (for example, a mouthpiece) for inhalation of the aerosol by a user. [0005] To receive the inhalable aerosol generated by a vaporizer device, a user can, in certain implementations, activate the vaporizer device by taking a puff, by pressing a buton, and/or by some other approach. A puff as used herein can refer to inhalation by the user in a manner that causes a volume of air to be drawn into the vaporizer device such that the inhalable aerosol is generated by a combination of the vaporized vaporizable material with the volume of air.

[0006] An approach by which a vaporizer device generates an inhalable aerosol from a vaporizable material involves heating the vaporizable material in a vaporization chamber (e.g., a heater chamber) to cause the vaporizable material to be converted to the gas (or vapor) phase. A vaporization chamber can refer to an area or volume in the vaporizer device within which a heat source (for example, a conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat source) causes heating of a vaporizable material to produce a mixture of air and vaporized material to form a vapor for inhalation of the vaporizable material by a user of the vaporization device.

[0007] In some implementations, the vaporizable material can be drawn out of a reservoir and into the vaporization chamber via a wicking element (e.g., a wick). Drawing of the vaporizable material into the vaporization chamber can be at least partially due to capillary action provided by the wick as the wick pulls the vaporizable material along the wick in the direction of the vaporization chamber.

[0008] Vaporizer devices can be controlled by one or more controllers, electronic circuits (e.g., sensors, heating elements), and/or the like, on or within the vaporizer devices. Vaporizer devices can also wirelessly communicate with an external controller (e.g., a communication device such as a smartphone).

[0009] A vaporizer system can include a communication device, such as a smartphone, in communication with one or more vaporizer devices. The communication device can execute software or other instructions that result in an application usable to obtain information from the vaporizer device(s), optionally over a wireless communication channel. The communication device can relay command(s) to controller(s) of the vaporizer device(s) to affect one or more operations of the vaporizer device(s). Similarly, the communication device can receive sensed data, commands, and/or other feedback from the vaporizer device(s). The communication protocol preferably uses cryptographic protocols for secure, encrypted communication between the communication device and the vaporizer device(s). SUMMARY

[0010] In certain aspects of the current subject matter, challenges associated with the security of wireless communications can be addressed by inclusion of one or more of the features described herein or comparable/equivalent approaches as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Aspects of the current subject matter relate to methods and systems for establishing and/or utilizing a cryptographic wireless pairing between/among two or more devices, such as a communication device and one or more vaporizer devices. Although various aspects are described with respect to communications between a vaporizer device and a smartphone, communications between other device is contemplated.

[0011] In some variations, one or more of the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. In some implementations, a vaporizer device comprises a body including a wireless communication interface, one or more sensors, and one or more controllers comprising firmware and/or software. The firmware and/or software can be configured to determine, based on the one or more sensors, that the body is being moved according to a pattern. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to read, in response to determining that the body is being moved according to the pattern, data from the one or more sensors, the data based on a movement of the body. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to generate a random number based on the data, and transmit, using the wireless communication interface, a data message to an external communication device, the data message encrypted based on the random number. The data can include motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation, location, temperature, and/or air pressure information. The orientation information can include X, Y, and/or Z coordinates, the location information can include global positioning system coordinates, the temperature information can include an ambient temperature measurement, and/or the air pressure information can include a measurement of ambient pressure measurement and/or a measurement of pressure along an airflow path within the body. The one or more sensors can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. The vaporizer device can further include a vaporizable material and/or a heater configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol. The vaporizable material can include a nicotine formulation including a carrier, nicotine, and/or an acid. The body can have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the vaporizer device includes a mouthpiece at or near the first end, and the one or more sensors disposed at or near the second end. [0012] The firmware and/or software can be further configured to generate key data based on the random number and/or encrypt the data message based on the key data. The key data can include a session key for symmetric or asymmetric encryption and/or decryption of the data message. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to transmit, using the wireless communication interface, an initialization message to the external communication device. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to establish, after transmitting the initialization message, a wireless communication link with the external communication device. The data message can be transmitted over the wireless communication link. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to generate a nonce value based on the random number, wherein the initialization message comprises the nonce value. Determining that the body is being moved according to the pattern can include determining that the body was shaken a specific number of times within a specific duration of time, and/or the like.

[0013] In some implementations, a method includes determining, based on one or more sensors, that a device (e.g., a vaporizer device) is being moved according to a pattern. The method further includes reading, in response to determining that the device is being moved according to the pattern, data from the one or more sensors, the data based on a movement of the device. The method further includes generating a random number based on the data and/or transmitting, using a wireless communication interface, a data message to communication device, the data message encrypted based on the random number. The data can include motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation, location, temperature, and/or air pressure information. The orientation information can include X, Y, and/or Z coordinates, the location information can include global positioning system coordinates, the temperature information can include an ambient temperature measurement, and/or the air pressure information can include a measurement of ambient pressure measurement and/or a measurement of pressure along an airflow path within the device. The one or more sensors can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. The vaporizer device can include a vaporizable material and/or a heater configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol. The vaporizable material can include a nicotine formulation including a carrier, nicotine, and/or an acid. The vaporizer device can have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the vaporizer device includes a mouthpiece at or near the first end, and the one or more sensors disposed at or near the second end.

[0014] The method can further include generating key data based on the random number and/or encrypting the data message based on the key data. The key data can include a session key for symmetric or asymmetric encryption of the data message. The method can further include transmitting, using the wireless communication interface, an initialization message to the communication device. The method can further include establishing, after transmitting the initialization message, a wireless communication link between the wireless communication interface and the communication device, where the data message is transmitted over the wireless communication link. The method can further include generating a nonce value based on the random number, where the initialization message comprises the nonce value. Determining that the device is being moved according to the pattern can include determining that the device was shaken a specific number of times within a specific duration of time.

[0015] In some implementations, a device (e.g., a vaporizer device) comprises a non- transitory computer program product stores instructions which, when executed by at least one data processor, causes one or more operations. The one or more operations can include determining, based on one or more sensors, that a device is being moved according to a pattern. The one or more operations can further include reading, in response to determining that the device is being moved according to the pattern, data from the one or more sensors, the data based on a movement of the device. The one or more operations can further include generating a random number based on the data and/or transmitting, using a wireless communication interface, a data message to communication device, the data message encrypted based on the random number. The data can include motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation, location, temperature, and/or air pressure information. The orientation information can include X, Y, and/or Z coordinates, the location information can include global positioning system coordinates, the temperature information can include an ambient temperature measurement, and/or the air pressure information can include a measurement of ambient pressure measurement and/or a measurement of pressure along an airflow path within the device. The one or more sensors can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. The vaporizer device can include a vaporizable material and/or a heater configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol. The vaporizable material can include a nicotine formulation including a carrier, nicotine, and/or an acid. The vaporizer device can have a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the vaporizer device includes a mouthpiece at or near the first end, and the one or more sensors disposed at or near the second end. [0016] The one or more operations can further include generating key data based on the random number and/or encrypting the data message based on the key data. The key data can include a session key for symmetric or asymmetric encryption of the data message. The one or more operations can further include transmitting, using the wireless communication interface, an initialization message to the communication device. The one or more operations can further include establishing, after transmitting the initialization message, a wireless communication link between the wireless communication interface and the communication device, where the data message is transmitted over the wireless communication link. The one or more operations can further include generating a nonce value based on the random number, where the initialization message comprises the nonce value. Determining that the device is being moved according to the pattern can include determining that the device was shaken a specific number of times within a specific duration of time.

[0017] In some implementations, a wireless communication device comprises a wireless communication interface and one or more controllers comprising firmware and/or software. The firmware and/or software can be configured to receive sensor data from a vaporizer device, the sensor data derived from one or more sensors of the vaporizer device, the sensor data based on a movement of the vaporizer device. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to generate a random number based on the sensor data and/or receive, using the wireless communication interface, a data message from the vaporizer device, the data message encrypted based on the random number. The sensor data can include motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation, location, temperature, and/or air pressure information. The orientation information can include X, Y, and/or Z coordinates, the location information can include global positioning system coordinates, the temperature information can include an ambient temperature measurement, and/or the air pressure information can include a measurement of ambient pressure measurement and/or a measurement of pressure along an airflow path within the vaporizer device. The one or more sensors can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. The vaporizer device can include a vaporizable material and/or a heater configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol.

[0018] The firmware and/or software can be further configured to generate key data based on the random number and/or decrypt the data message based on the key data. The key data can include a session key for symmetric or asymmetric encryption and/or decryption of the data message. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to receive, using the wireless communication interface, an initialization message from the vaporizer device. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to establish, after receiving the initialization message, a wireless communication link with the vaporizer device, wherein the data message is transmitted over the wireless communication link. The initialization message can include a nonce value generated based on the random number. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to generate, based on the random number, one or more encrypted data messages. The firmware and/or software can be further configured to transmit, using the wireless communication interface, the one or more encrypted data messages to the vaporizer device.

[0019] In some implementations, a method includes receiving sensor data from a vaporizer device, the sensor data derived from one or more sensors of the vaporizer device, the sensor data based on a movement of the vaporizer device. The method further includes generating a random number based on the sensor data and/or receiving, using a wireless communication interface, a data message from the vaporizer device, the data message encrypted based on the random number. The sensor data can include motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation, location, temperature, and/or air pressure information. The orientation information can include X, Y, and/or Z coordinates, the location information can include global positioning system coordinates, the temperature information can include an ambient temperature measurement, and/or the air pressure information can include a measurement of ambient pressure measurement and/or a measurement of pressure along an airflow path within the vaporizer device. The one or more sensors can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. The vaporizer device can include a vaporizable material and/or a heater configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol.

[0020] The method can further include generating key data based on the random number and/or decrypting the data message based on the key data. The key data can include a session key for symmetric or asymmetric decryption of the data message. The method can further include receiving, using the wireless communication interface, an initialization message from the vaporizer device. The method can further include establishing, after receiving the initialization message, a wireless communication link with the vaporizer device, where the data message is transmitted over the wireless communication link. The initialization message can include a nonce value generated based on the random number. The method can further include generating, based on the random number, one or more encrypted data messages. The method can further include transmitting, using the wireless communication interface, the one or more encrypted data messages to the vaporizer device.

[0021] In some implementations, a device (e.g., a communication device) comprises a non-transitory computer program product stores instructions which, when executed by at least one data processor, causes one or more operations. The one or more operations can include receiving sensor data from a vaporizer device, the sensor data derived from one or more sensors of the vaporizer device, the sensor data based on a movement of the vaporizer device. The one or more operations can further include generating a random number based on the sensor data and/or receiving, using a wireless communication interface, a data message from the vaporizer device, the data message encrypted based on the random number. The sensor data can include motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation, location, temperature, and/or air pressure information. The orientation information can include X, Y, and/or Z coordinates, the location information can include global positioning system coordinates, the temperature information can include an ambient temperature measurement, and/or the air pressure information can include a measurement of ambient pressure measurement and/or a measurement of pressure along an airflow path within the vaporizer device. The one or more sensors can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor. The vaporizer device can include a vaporizable material and/or a heater configured to heat the vaporizable material to generate an aerosol.

[0022] The one or more operations can further include generating key data based on the random number and/or decrypting the data message based on the key data. The key data can include a session key for symmetric or asymmetric decryption of the data message. The one or more operations can further include receiving, using the wireless communication interface, an initialization message from the vaporizer device. The one or more operations can further include establishing, after receiving the initialization message, a wireless communication link with the vaporizer device, where the data message is transmitted over the wireless communication link. The initialization message can include a nonce value generated based on the random number. The one or more operations can further include generating, based on the random number, one or more encrypted data messages. The one or more operations can further include transmitting, using the wireless communication interface, the one or more encrypted data messages to the vaporizer device.

[0023] Implementations of the current subject matter can include, but are not limited to, methods consistent with the descriptions provided herein as well as articles that comprise a tangibly embodied machine-readable medium operable to cause one or more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) to perform operations implementing one or more of the described features. The computers and/or computer systems described herein can include one or more controllers and one or more memories coupled to the one or more controllers. Memory, which can include a non-transitory computer-readable (or machine-readable) storage medium, can include, encode, store, and/or the like, one or more programs that cause one or more controllers to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Computer implemented methods consistent with one or more implementations of the current subject matter can be implemented by one or more data controllers residing in a single computing system or multiple computing systems. Such multiple computing systems can be connected and can exchange data and/or commands or other instructions or the like via one or more connections, including but not limited to a connection over a network (e.g., the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, or the like), via a direct connection between one or more of the multiple computing systems (e.g., Bluetooth), and/or the like.

[0024] The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The claims that follow this disclosure are intended to define the scope of the protected subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings,

[0026] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0027] FIG. IB is a front view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0028] FIG. 1C is another front view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter; [0029] FIG. ID is a perspective view of a vaporizer device cartridge, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates communication between a vaporizer device, a communication device, and a server, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a communication device for implementing features consistent with the described subject matter, in accordance with some example implementations;

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates an example user interface for an application that can be used with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0034] FIG. 6A illustrates another exemplary user interface for an application that can be used with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0035] FIG. 6B illustrates another exemplary user interface for an application that can be used with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter;

[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary user interface for an application that can be used with a vaporizer device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter; and

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of example communications between a vaporizer device and a communication device, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter.

[0038] When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Implementations of the current subject matter include methods, apparatuses, articles of manufacture, and systems relating to vaporization of one or more materials for inhalation by a user. Example implementations include vaporizer devices and systems including vaporizer devices. The term“vaporizer device,” as used in the following description and claims refers to any of a self-contained apparatus, an apparatus that includes two or more separable parts (e.g., a vaporizer device body that includes a battery and other hardware and a cartridge that includes a vaporizable material), and/or the like. A“vaporizer system,” as used herein, can include one or more components, such as a device in communication (e.g., wirelessly or over a wired connection) with a vaporizer device and optionally also the vaporizer deice itself. A vaporizer device or one or more components of a vaporizer system consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can be configured for user control and operation.

[0040] Examples of vaporizer devices consistent with implementations of the current subject matter include electronic vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and/or the like. In general, such vaporizer devices are hand-held devices that heat (such as by convection, conduction, radiation, and/or some combination thereol) a vaporizable material to provide an inhalable dose of the material. The vaporizable material used with a vaporizer device can be provided within a cartridge (e.g., a part of the vaporizer device that contains the vaporizable material in a reservoir or other container) which can be refillable when empty, or disposable in favor of a new cartridge containing additional vaporizable material of a same or different type. A vaporizer device can be a cartridge-using vaporizer device, a cartridge-less vaporizer device, or a multi-use vaporizer device capable of use with or without a cartridge. For example, a vaporizer device can include a heating chamber (e.g., an oven or other region in which material is heated by a heating element) configured to receive a vaporizable material directly into the heating chamber, and/or a reservoir or the like for holding the vaporizable material. In various implementations, a vaporizer device can be configured for use with a liquid vaporizable material (e.g., a carrier solution in which an active and/or inactive ingredient(s) are suspended or held in solution or a liquid form of the vaporizable material itself), a paste, a wax, and/or a solid vaporizable material. A solid vaporizable material can include a plant material that emits some part of the plant material as the vaporizable material (e.g., such that some part of the plant material remains as waste after the vaporizable material is emitted for inhalation by a user) or optionally can be a solid form of the vaporizable material itself such that all of the solid material can eventually be vaporized for inhalation. A liquid vaporizable material can likewise be capable of being completely vaporized, or can include some portion of the liquid material that remains after all of the material suitable for inhalation has been vaporized.

[0041] A vaporizer device consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly connect or over a wired connection) to a communication device (or optionally devices) in communication with the vaporizer device. Such a communication device can be a component of a vaporizer system as discussed herein, and can include first communication hardware, which can establish a wireless communication channel with second communication hardware of the vaporizer device. For example, a communication device used as part of a vaporizer system can include a computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, some other portable device such as a smartwatch, or the like) that executes software to generate and display a user interface for enabling a user of the communication device to interact with a vaporizer device. In other implementations of the current subject matter, such a communication device used as part of a vaporizer system can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as a remote control or other wireless or wired device having one or more physical interface controls or soft interface controls (e.g., configurable on a screen or other display device and/or selectable via user interaction with a touch-sensitive screen or some other input device like a mouse, pointer, trackball, cursor buttons, and/or the like).

[0042] A communication device that is part of a vaporizer system as defined herein can be used for any of one or more functions, such as controlling a vaporizer device, obtaining information of the vaporizer device such as motion information, vibration information, velocity information, acceleration information, orientation information (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates), location information (e.g., GPS location, latitude and longitude values, and/or the like), ambient temperature information, air pressure information, and/or the like, which can be determined by the vaporizer device, as described herein. The vaporizer device, whether under control of or otherwise in communication with a device that is part of a vaporizer system or as a standalone unit separate from a vaporizer system can be configured such that operation of the vaporizer device can be modified, controlled, and/or the like based on one or more parameters that are received from the vaporizer device, accessed from a database or other information source based on identification of the vaporizer device and/or identification of a user of the communication device, and/or the like. Any of the approaches described herein can be performed with or without the addition of wireless communication/connectivity described herein.

[0043] Referring to the block diagram of FIG. 1A, a vaporizer device 10 can include one or more power sources 22 (such as a battery which can be a rechargeable battery), and one or more controllers 24 (e.g., a data processor, circuitry, etc. capable of executing logic, and/or the like) for controlling delivery of heat to an atomizer 26 (or atomizers) to cause a vaporizable material 58 (e.g., within the reservoir 56, as shown in FIG. IB) to be converted from a condensed form (e.g., a solid, a liquid, a solution, a suspension, a part of an at least partially unprocessed plant material, etc.) to the gas phase. The one or more controllers 24 can be part of one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) consistent with certain implementations of the current subject matter. After conversion of the vaporizable material 58 to the gas phase, at least some of the vaporizable material 58 in the gas-phase can condense to form particulate matter in at least a partial local equilibrium with the gas phase as part of an aerosol, which can form some or all of an inhalable dose provided by the vaporizer device 10 during a user’s puff or draw on the vaporizer device 10. It should be appreciated that the interplay between gas and condensed phases in an aerosol generated by a vaporizer device 10 can be complex and dynamic, due to factors such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, chemistry, flow conditions in airflow paths (both inside the vaporizer device 10 and in the airways of a human or other animal), mixing of the vaporizable material 58 in the gas-phase or in the aerosol-phase with other air streams, and/or the like, which can affect one or more physical parameters of an aerosol. In some vaporizer devices 10, and particularly for vaporizer devices 10 configured for delivery of volatile vaporizable materials, the inhalable dose can exist predominantly in the gas phase (e.g., formation of condensed phase particles can be very limited).

[0044] The atomizer 26 in the vaporizer device 10 can be configured to vaporize a vaporizable material 58. The vaporizable material 58 can be a liquid. Examples of vaporizable material(s) 58 include neat liquids, suspensions, solutions, mixtures, and/or the like. The atomizer 26 can include a wi eking element (e.g., a wick) configured to convey an amount of the vaporizable material 58 to a part of the atomizer 26 that includes a heating element (not shown in FIG. 1 A). The wi eking element can be configured to draw the vaporizable material 58 from a reservoir 56 configured to contain (and that can in use contain) the liquid vaporizable material such that the liquid vaporizable material can be vaporized by heat delivered from a heating element. The wicking element can also optionally allow air to enter the reservoir 56 and replace the volume of the vaporizable material 58 removed. In some implementations of the current subject matter, capillary action pulls liquid vaporizable material 58 into the wick for vaporization by the heating element, and air returns to the reservoir 56 through the wick to at least partially equalize pressure in the reservoir 56. Other methods of allowing air back into the reservoir 56 to equalize pressure are also within the scope of the current subject matter. As used herein, the terms“wick” or“wicking element” include any material capable of causing fluid motion via capillary pressure. [0045] The heating element can be or include a conductive heater, a radiative heater, and/or a convective heater. One type of heating element is a resistive heating element, which can be constructed of or at least include a material (e.g., a metal or alloy, for example a nickel- chromium alloy, or a non-metallic resistor) configured to dissipate electrical power in the form of heat when electrical current is passed through one or more resistive segments of the heating element. In some implementations of the current subject matter, an atomizer 26 can include a heating element that includes a resistive coil or other heating element wrapped around, positioned within, integrated into a bulk shape of, pressed into thermal contact with, or otherwise arranged to deliver heat to a wicking element, to cause the vaporizable material 58 drawn by the wicking element from a reservoir 56 to be vaporized for subsequent inhalation by a user in a gas and/or a condensed (e.g., aerosol particles or droplets) phase. Other wicking elements, heating elements, and/or atomizer assembly configurations are also possible.

[0046] Certain vaporizer devices 10 can additionally or alternatively be configured to create an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 58 in the gas-phase and/or aerosol-phase via heating of the vaporizable material 58, such as for example a solid-phase vaporizable material (e.g., a wax or the like), plant material (e.g., tobacco leaves and/or parts of tobacco leaves), and/or the like. In such vaporizer devices 10, a resistive heating element can be part of, or otherwise incorporated into or in thermal contact with, the walls of an oven or other heating chamber into which the vaporizable material 58 is placed. Alternatively, a resistive heating element or elements can be used to heat air passing through or past the vaporizable material 58 to cause convective heating of the vaporizable material 58. In still other examples, a resistive heating element or elements can be disposed in intimate contact with plant material such that direct conductive heating of the plant material occurs from within a mass of the plant material (e.g., as opposed to only by conduction inward from walls of an oven).

[0047] The heating element can be activated in association with a user puffing (i.e., drawing, inhaling, etc.) on a mouthpiece 30 of the vaporizer device 10 to cause air to flow from an air inlet, along an airflow path that passes the atomizer 26 (e.g., wicking element and heating element). Optionally, air can flow from an air inlet through one or more condensation areas or chambers, to an air outlet in the mouthpiece 30. Incoming air moving along the airflow path moves over or through the atomizer 26, where vaporizable material 58 in the gas phase is entrained into the air. The heating element can be activated via one or more controllers 24, which is optionally part of a vaporizer body 50 as discussed herein, causing current to pass from the one or more power sources 22 through a circuit including the resistive heating element, which is optionally part of a vaporizer cartridge 52 as discussed herein. As noted herein, the entrained gas-phase vaporizable material 58 can condense as it passes through the remainder of the airflow path such that an inhalable dose of the vaporizable material 58 in an aerosol form can be delivered from the air outlet (e.g., in a mouthpiece 30 for inhalation by a user).

[0048] Activation of the heating element can be: caused by automatic detection of the puff based on one or more of signals generated by one or more sensors 32, such as for example, a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect pressure along the airflow path relative to ambient pressure (or optionally to measure changes in absolute pressure), a pressure sensor or sensors disposed to detect ambient pressure, one or more motion sensors (e.g., an accelerometer) of the vaporizer device 10, one or more flow sensors of the vaporizer device 10, a capacitive lip sensor of the vaporizer device 10; in response to detection of interaction of a user with one or more input devices 33 (e.g., buttons or other tactile control devices of the vaporizer device 10); receipt of signals from a device in communication with the vaporizer device 10; via other approaches for determining that a puff is occurring or imminent; and/or the like.

[0049] As discussed herein, a vaporizer device 10 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter can be configured to connect (e.g., wirelessly or via a wired connection) to a device (or optionally two or more devices) in communication with the vaporizer device 10. To this end, the one or more controllers 24 can include communication hardware 34. The one or more controllers 24 can also include one or more memories 36. The communication hardware 34 can include firmware and/or be controlled by software for executing one or more cryptographic protocols for the communication.

[0050] A communication device can be a component of a vaporizer system that also includes the vaporizer device 10, and can include its own communication hardware, which can establish a wireless communication channel with the communication hardware 34 of the vaporizer device 10. The vaporizer device 10 can also include one or more outputs 38 or devices for providing information to the user. For example, the one or more outputs 38 can include one or more light emitting diodes (LED) configured to provide feedback to a user based on a status and/or mode of operation of the vaporizer device 10.

[0051] In examples in which a communication device provides signals related to activation of the resistive heating element, or in other examples of coupling of a communication device with a vaporizer device 10 for implementation of various control or other functions, the communication device can execute one or more computer instructions sets to provide a user interface and underlying data handling. In one example, detection by the communication device of user interaction with one or more user interface elements can cause the communication device to signal the vaporizer device 10 to activate the heating element to an operating temperature for creation of an inhalable dose of vapor/aerosol. Other functions of the vaporizer device 10 can be controlled by interaction of a user with a user interface on a communication device in communication with the vaporizer device 10.

[0052] The temperature of a resistive heating element of a vaporizer device 10 can depend on a number of factors, including an amount of electrical power delivered to the resistive heating element and/or a duty cycle at which the electrical power is delivered, conductive heat transfer to other parts of the vaporizer device 10 and/or to the environment, latent heat losses due to vaporization of a vaporizable material 58 from the wicking element and/or the atomizer 26 as a whole, and convective heat losses due to airflow (e.g., air moving across the heating element or the atomizer 26 as a whole when a user inhales on the vaporizer device 10). As noted herein, to reliably activate the heating element or heat the heating element to a desired temperature, a vaporizer device 10 can, in some implementations of the current subject matter, make use of signals from the sensor(s) 32 (e.g., a pressure sensor) to determine when a user is inhaling. The sensor(s) 32 can be positioned in the airflow path and/or can be connected (e.g., by a passageway or other path) to an airflow path having an inlet for air to enter the vaporizer device 10 and an outlet via which the user inhales the resulting vapor and/or aerosol such that the sensor(s) 32 experience changes (e.g., pressure changes) concurrently with air passing through the vaporizer device 10 from the air inlet to the air outlet. In some implementations of the current subject matter, the heating element can be activated in association with a user’s puff, for example by automatic detection of the puff, or by the sensor(s) 32 detecting a change in the airflow path.

[0053] In some implementations, one or more sensors 32 can be configured to estimate the temperature of a heating element (e.g., of the atomizer 26) and/or one or more controller(s) 24 can be configured to estimate the temperature of a heating element, such as by making calculations based on resistance measurements (e.g., resistance measurements of the heating element compared to a reference resistor). In some implementations, the one or more sensors 32 can include a temperature sensor, configured to take ambient temperature readings (e.g., measurements of the temperature of the environment at or near the temperature sensor). [0054] In some implementations, one or more sensors 32 can be configured to determine a location of the vaporizer device 10, such as by determining a GPS location (e.g., longitude, latitude, and/or the like) of the vaporizer device 10. In accordance with these implementations, the one or more sensors 32 can include one or more GPS sensors, such as a receiver, antenna, and/or the like.

[0055] The one or more sensors 32 can be positioned on or coupled (e.g., electrically or electronically connected, either physically or via a wireless connection) to the one or more controllers 24, which can include a printed circuit board assembly, another type of circuit board, and/or the like. To take measurements accurately and maintain durability of the vaporizer device 10, it can be beneficial to provide a seal 42 resilient enough to separate an airflow path from other parts of the vaporizer device 10. The seal 42, which can be a gasket, can be configured to at least partially surround the sensor(s) 32 such that connections of the sensor(s) 32 to internal circuitry of the vaporizer device 10 are separated from a part of the sensor(s) 32 exposed to the airflow path. In an example of a cartridge-based vaporizer device 10, the seal 42 can also separate parts of one or more electrical connections between a vaporizer body 50 and a vaporizer cartridge 52. Such arrangements of a seal 42 in a vaporizer device 10 can be helpful in mitigating against potentially disruptive impacts on vaporizer device 10 components resulting from interactions with environmental factors such as water in the vapor or liquid phases, other fluids such as the vaporizable material 58, etc. and/or to reduce the escape of air from the designated airflow path in the vaporizer device 10. Unwanted air, liquid or other fluid passing and/or contacting circuitry of the vaporizer device 10 can cause various unwanted effects, such as altered measurements/readings, and/or can result in the buildup of unwanted material, such as moisture, excess vaporizable material 58, etc., in parts of the vaporizer device 10 where they can result in poor signals, degradation of the sensor(s) 32 or other components, and/or a shorter life of the vaporizer device 10. Leaks in the seal 42 can also result in a user inhaling air that has passed over parts of the vaporizer device 10 containing or constructed of materials that are not desirable to inhale.

[0056] In some implementations, the sensor(s) 32 can include one or more accelerometers and/or gyroscopes in the vaporizer body 50, which can be configured to detect motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates), and/or the like. The one or more accelerometers and/or gyroscopes can be positioned at or proximate to one end of the vaporizer device 10, such as an end of the vaporizer device 10 that is opposite the end of the vaporizer device 10 that includes a mouthpiece 30 or an end of vaporizer body 50 that is opposite a cartridge receptacle 54. Thus, the accelerometer(s) and/or gyroscope(s) at or near the end of the vaporizer device 10 can be enabled to take measurements of the environment, at or near the end of the vaporizer device 10, caused by movement of the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., based on a user waving and/or shaking the vaporizer device 10). Additionally or alternatively to the one or more accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, in some implementations, the sensor(s) 32 can be located elsewhere in or on the vaporizer device 10. In some implementations, the sensor(s) 32 can include one or more gyroscopes in the vaporizer body 50.

[0057] Providing one or more sensor(s) 32 at or proximate to one end of the vaporizer device 10 can provide higher quality data while only requiring one end of the vaporizer device 10 to move. For example, providing sensor(s) 32 at or proximate to one end of the vaporizer device 10 can increase the overall range of motion of the sensor(s) 32 (e.g., when the vaporizer device 10 is held by the opposite end and waved and/or shook), which can in turn provide a greater degree of variability in measurement data generated based on readings from the sensor(s) 32. The variability can be increased significantly based on the uniqueness of each user and how they move the vaporizer device 10. As described herein, variability can increase the“randomness” of values generated based on the measurements taken, which can thereby increase the security of cryptographic algorithms that utilize random number generation.

[0058] In some implementations, a vaporizer body 50 includes one or more controllers 24, one or more power sources 22 (e.g., battery), one more sensors 32, charging contacts (e.g., for charging the one or more power sources 22), a seal 42, and a cartridge receptacle 54 configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge 52 for coupling with the vaporizer body 50 through one or more of a variety of attachment structures. In some examples, vaporizer cartridge 52 includes a reservoir 56 for containing vaporizable material 58 and a mouthpiece 30 for delivering an inhalable dose to a user. The vaporizer cartridge 52 can include an atomizer 26 having a wicking element and a heating element, or alternatively, one or both of the wicking element and the heating element can be part of the vaporizer body 50. In implementations in which any part of the atomizer 26 (e.g., heating element and/or wicking element) is part of the vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer device 10 can be configured to supply liquid vaporizer material from a reservoir 56 in the vaporizer cartridge 52 to the atomizer 26 part(s) included in the vaporizer body 50.

[0059] Cartridge-based configurations for vaporizer devices 10 that generate an inhalable dose of a vaporizable material 58 that is not a liquid, via heating of a non-liquid material, are also within the scope of the current subject matter. For example, a vaporizer cartridge 52 can include a mass of a plant material that is processed and formed to have direct contact with parts of one or more resistive heating elements, and such a vaporizer cartridge 52 can be configured to be coupled mechanically and/or electrically to a vaporizer body 50 that includes one or more controllers 24, one or more power sources 22, and one or more electrical receptacle contacts 62a and 62b configured to connect to one or more corresponding cartridge contacts 60a and 60b and complete a circuit with the one or more resistive heating elements.

[0060] In vaporizer devices 10 in which the one or more power sources 22 is part of a vaporizer body 50 and a heating element is disposed in a vaporizer cartridge 52 configured to couple with the vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer device 10 can include electrical connection features (e.g., means for completing a circuit) for completing a circuit that includes the one or more controllers 24 (e.g., a printed circuit board, a microcontroller, or the like), the one or more power sources 22, and the heating element (e.g., within an atomizer 26). These features can include at least two contacts (referred to herein as cartridge contacts 60a and 60b) on a bottom surface of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and at least two contacts (referred to herein as receptacle contacts 62a and 62b) disposed near a base of the cartridge receptacle 54 of the vaporizer device 10, such that the cartridge contacts 60a and 60b and the receptacle contacts 62a and 62b make electrical connections when the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into and coupled with the cartridge receptacle 54. The circuit completed by these electrical connections can allow delivery of electrical current to a heating element and can further be used for additional functions, such as for example for measuring a resistance of the heating element for use in determining and/or controlling a temperature of the heating element based on a thermal coefficient of resistivity of the heating element.

[0061] In some implementations of the current subject matter, the at least two cartridge contacts 60a and 60b and the at least two receptacle contacts 62a and 62b can be configured to electrically connect in either of at least two orientations. In other words, one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device 10 can be completed by insertion of a vaporizer cartridge 52 in the cartridge receptacle 54 in a first rotational orientation (around an axis along which the end of the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 54 of the vaporizer body 50) such that cartridge contact 60a is electrically connected to receptacle contact 62a and cartridge contact 60b is electrically connected to receptacle contact 62b. Furthermore, the one or more circuits necessary for operation of the vaporizer device 10 can be completed by insertion of a vaporizer cartridge 52 in the cartridge receptacle 54 in a second rotational orientation such that cartridge contact 60a is electrically connected to receptacle contact 62b and cartridge contact 60b is electrically connected to receptacle contact 62a.

[0062] In one example of an attachment structure for coupling a vaporizer cartridge 52 to a vaporizer body 50, the vaporizer body 50 includes one or more detents (e.g., dimples, protrusions, etc.) protruding inwardly from an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 54, additional material (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.) formed to include a portion protruding into the cartridge receptacle 54, and/or the like. One or more exterior surfaces of the vaporizer cartridge 52 can include corresponding recesses (e.g., as shown in FIG. IB) that can fit and/or otherwise snap over such detents or protruding portions when the insertable end 68 (e.g., as shown in FIG. IB) of the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 54 on the vaporizer body 50. When the vaporizer cartridge 52 and the vaporizer body 50 are coupled (e.g., by insertion of the insertable end 68 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 into the cartridge receptacle 54 of the vaporizer body 50), the detents or protrusions of the vaporizer body 50 can fit within and/or otherwise be held within the recesses of the vaporizer cartridge 52 to hold the vaporizer cartridge 52 in place when assembled. Such an assembly can provide enough support to hold the vaporizer cartridge 52 in place to ensure good contact between the at least two cartridge contacts 60a and 60b and the at least two receptacle contacts 62a and 62b, while allowing release of the vaporizer cartridge 52 from the vaporizer body 50 when a user pulls with reasonable force on the vaporizer cartridge 52 to disengage the vaporizer cartridge 52 from the cartridge receptacle 54.

[0063] In some implementations, the vaporizer cartridge 52, or at least an insertable end 68 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 configured for insertion in the cartridge receptacle 54, can have a non-circular cross section transverse to the axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 54. For example, the non-circular cross section can be approximately rectangular, approximately elliptical (i.e., have an approximately oval shape), non-rectangular but with two sets of parallel or approximately parallel opposing sides (i.e., having a parallelogram-like shape), or other shapes having rotational symmetry of at least order two. In this context, approximate shape indicates that a basic likeness to the described shape is apparent, but that sides of the shape in question need not be completely linear and vertices need not be completely sharp. Rounding of both or either of the edges or the vertices of the cross-sectional shape is contemplated in the description of any non-circular cross section referred to herein. [0064] The cartridge contacts 60a and 60b and the receptacle contacts 62a and 62b can take various forms. For example, one or both sets of contacts can include conductive pins, tabs, posts, receiving holes for pins or posts, or the like. Some types of contacts can include springs or other features to facilitate better physical and electrical contact between the contacts on the vaporizer cartridge 52 and the vaporizer body 50. The electrical contacts can optionally be gold-plated, and/or include other materials.

[0065] FIG. IB illustrates an embodiment of the vaporizer body 50 and the cartridge receptacle 54 into which the vaporizer cartridge 52 can be releasably inserted. FIG. IB shows a top view of the vaporizer device 10 illustrating the vaporizer cartridge 52 positioned for insertion into the vaporizer body 50. When a user puffs on the vaporizer device 10, air can pass between an outer surface of the vaporizer cartridge 52 and an inner surface of the cartridge receptacle 54 on the vaporizer body 50. Air can then be drawn into the insertable end 68 of the cartridge, through the vaporization chamber that includes or contains the heating element and wick, and out through an outlet of the mouthpiece 30 for delivery of the inhalable aerosol to a user. The reservoir 56 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 can be formed in whole or in part from translucent material such that a level of the vaporizable material 58 is visible within the vaporizer cartridge 52. The mouthpiece 30 can be a separable component of the vaporizer cartridge 52 or can be integrally formed with other component(s) of the vaporizer cartridge 52 (for example, formed as a unitary structure with the reservoir 56 and/or the like). The vaporizer cartridge 52 can also include a cannula running through the reservoir 56 from the atomizer 26 to the mouthpiece 30 of the vaporizer cartridge 52. Air can flow into the vaporizer cartridge 52, through the cannula, and out the mouthpiece 30 to the user. In some embodiments, the vaporizer cartridge 52 can include a gasket configured to provide a seal between the atomizer 26 and the reservoir 56 and the cannula. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cannula can be in fluid communication with the atomizer 26 and a condensation chamber, to deliver the vaporizable material 58 from the atomizer 26 to the condensation chamber. The condensation chamber can be in fluid communication with the atomizer 26, and configured to generate an aerosol from the vaporizable material 58.

[0066] Further to the discussion above regarding the electrical connections between the vaporizer cartridge 52 and the vaporizer body 50 being reversible such that at least two rotational orientations of the vaporizer cartridge 52 in the cartridge receptacle 54 are possible, in some embodiments of the vaporizer device 10, the shape of the vaporizer cartridge 52, or at least a shape of the insertable end 68 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 that is configured for insertion into the cartridge receptacle 54, can have rotational symmetry of at least order two. In other words, the vaporizer cartridge 52 or at least the insertable end 68 of the vaporizer cartridge 52 can be symmetrical upon a rotation of 180 ^° around an axis along which the vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the cartridge receptacle 54. In such a configuration, the circuitry of the vaporizer device 10 can support identical operation regardless of which symmetrical orientation of the vaporizer cartridge 52 occurs.

[0067] FIGs. 1B-1D illustrate example features that can be included in vaporizer devices 10 consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. FIGS. IB and 1C show top views of an example vaporizer device 10, before and after connecting a vaporizer cartridge 52 to a vaporizer body 50. FIG. ID illustrates a perspective view of one variation of a vaporizer cartridge 52 configured to hold a vaporizable material 58. Any appropriate vaporizable material 58 can be contained within the vaporizer cartridge 52 (e.g., within a reservoir 56), including solutions of nicotine, other organic materials, a carrier, an acid, and/or the like.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another example of a vaporizer device 10 including a vaporizer body 50 coupled to a separable vaporizer cartridge 52. As illustrated, the vaporizer device 10 can include one or more outputs 72 (e.g., LEDs) configured to provide information to a user based on a status, mode of operation, and/or the like of the vaporizer device 10. The one or more outputs 72 are example output(s) 38. In some implementations, the one or more outputs 72 can include a plurality of LEDs (e.g., two, three, four, five, or six LEDs). The one or more outputs 72 (e.g., each individual LED) can be configured to display light in one or more colors (e.g., white, red, blue, green, yellow, etc.). The one or more outputs 72 can be configured to display different light patterns (e.g., by illuminating specific LEDs, varying a light intensity of one or more of the LEDs over time, illuminating one or more LEDs with a different color, and/or the like) to indicate different statuses, modes of operation, and/or the like of the vaporizer device 10.

[0069] In some implementations, the one or more outputs 72 can be proximate to and/or at least partially within a bottom end region 70 of the vaporizer device 10. The vaporizer device 10 can additionally or alternatively include externally accessible charging contacts 74 for charging the power source(s) 22, which can be proximate to and/or at least partially within the bottom end region 70. [0070] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of communication between a vaporizer device 10, a communication device 305 that wirelessly communicates with the vaporizer device 10, and a remote server 307 that can communicate directly with the vaporizer device 10 or through the communication device 305. The communication device 305 can be a hand-held mobile device or wearable smart device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, smart glasses, smartwear, tablet, etc., or a desktop or laptop. As noted herein, the communication device 305 can optionally be a dedicated remote control device.

[0071] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 3, any of the vaporizer devices 10 described herein can remotely communicate with a remote server 307 and/or a communication device 305. Thus, any of these vaporizer devices 10 can include a communications interface (e.g., communication hardware 34), that can be implemented through a communication chip in or on the vaporizer device 10. Exemplary wireless chips can include, but are not limited to, a Bluetooth chip, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a near field communication (NFC)-enabled chip that allows for NFC communication and/or enhanced Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication where NFC is used for link setup, and/or the like. In some implementations, the communications interface comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a Nano-SIM card, or the like (e.g., allowing cellular network communication). Alternative forms of communication can be used to establish two-way communication between a vaporizer device 10 and a communication device 305.

[0072] Wireless communication between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 can be initiated by initializing the vaporizer device 10 and/or the communication device 305 to communicate with each other. For example, in some implementations, the controller(s) 24 of the vaporizer device 10 can be configured to detect shaking of the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., based data output by sensor(s) 32), which can initialize the vaporizer device 10 to start a wireless pairing protocol (e.g., based on broadcasting information identifying the vaporizer device 10). Communication between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 can be controlled through various setting configurable through and stored one or more of the vaporizer device 10, the communication device 305, and/or the remote server 307. After an initial set-up, subsequent communications (e.g., pairing, digital handshakes, secured data transfer, and/or the like) between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 can be automatic, at least in part.

[0073] In order to initiate a wireless pairing between a vaporizer device 10 and a communication device 305, a user can be prompted to initiate a wireless pairing protocol. For example, FIGs. 5-7 illustrate examples of user interfaces (UI) for guiding a user through a wireless pairing protocol. The UIs can be generated by an application running on a communication device 305 and displayed on a display of the communication device 305. FIG. 5 illustrates UI 500, which instructs a user to insert a cartridge or“pod” (e.g., vaporizer cartridge 52) into a body (e.g., vaporizer body 50) of a vaporizer device 10. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate UIs 600a-b that instruct the user to hold the vaporizer device 10 in a particular orientation (e.g., upside down) and move the vaporizer device 10 in a particular way (e.g., shake from side to side) in order to activate a wireless pairing mode with the application and/or communication device 305. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, LEDs in the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., such as the outputs 72 in FIG. 2 located near a distal end of the vaporizer device 10) can illuminate in one of a number of particular ways to indicate that the vaporizer device 10 is in a pairing mode. In some implementations, other output(s) 38 can be used to indicate that the vaporizer device 10 is in a pairing mode. FIG. 7 illustrates a UI 700 of a vaporizer device 10 being connected, by one or more communication channels, to the application and/or a remote computer, such as a remote server 307. In some aspects, one or more of the steps in the wireless pairing protocol can be omitted. For example, wireless pairing protocols may or may not require a vaporizer cartridge 52 to be inserted into the vaporizer body 50 before a wireless pairing protocol can be initiated.

[0074] In some implementations, a user can be prompted to shake (e.g., for a duration of more than one second, more than two seconds, etc.) the vaporizer device 10 in order to enter a wireless pairing mode. Firmware and/or software running on the vaporizer device 10 can read the data from sensor(s) 32, such as motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates), location (e.g., GPS location, latitude and longitude values, and/or the like), temperature (e.g., ambient temperature, temperature of one or more components of the vaporizer device such as a resistive heating element, and/or the like), air pressure (e.g., ambient pressure, pressure along the airflow path, and/or the like), and/or the like. Although various data is described as being determined by the sensor(s) 32, the data can be determined by one or more controllers 24 with or without the use of the sensor(s) 32 and/or additional hardware, firmware, and/or software, as described herein. The data derived from the sensor(s) 32 can be used to determine that the vaporizer device 10 is shaking. In some implementations, based on data from the sensor(s) 32, a vaporizer device 10 can be configured to identify patterns of movement of the vaporizer device 10, such as a double-tap, a shake (e.g., displacement of X, Y, and/or Z coordinates by a threshold amount), a“hard” shake (e.g., a shake lasting for longer than one second in duration, longer than two second in duration, or some other duration, force, and/or intensity), acceleration above a specific threshold for a predetermined amount of time, a number of shakes within a set period of time (e.g., n shakes within x seconds), and/or the like. As such, any number of movement patterns can be detected by the vaporizer device 10 and one or more protocols can be executed in response to detecting the movement pattern. As described herein, the sensor(s) 32 can include one or more accelerometers, one or more a gyroscopes, one or more pressure sensors, one or more GPS sensors (e.g., receivers, antennas, and/or the like), one or more temperature sensors, and/or the like.

[0075] Based on detecting a specific movement pattern, the vaporizer device 10 can be configured to execute one or more protocols, such as a wireless pairing protocol. As part of a wireless pairing protocol, the one or more controllers 24 can seed an on board random number generator based on measurement data derived from the sensor(s) 32 during the movement of the vaporizer device 10. For example, measurement data from the sensor(s) 32 based on detected or sensed motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates), location (e.g., GPS location, latitude and longitude values, and/or the like), temperature (e.g., ambient temperature, temperature of one or more components of the vaporizer device such as a resistive heating element, and/or the like), air pressure (e.g., of ambient pressure, pressure along an airflow path, and/or the like), and/or the like can be used as input(s) to a random number generator. To increase the randomness, the measurement data can be combined in some manner before or after being used as input(s) to the random number generator, such as by addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, concatenation, and/or some other manner.

[0076] For example, in some implementations, an orientation of a vaporizer device 10 (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates), location of the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., GPS location), temperature measurement (e.g., of ambient temperature), and/or air pressure measurement(s) (e.g., of ambient pressure, pressure along the airflow path, and/or the like) may be determined, combined, and used as input(s) to a random number generator. In accordance with these implementations: an orientation of a vaporizer device 10, location of the vaporizer device 10, and an air pressure measurement may be determined, combined, and used as input to a random number generator; an orientation of a vaporizer device 10 and an air pressure measurement may be determined, combined, and used as input to a random number generator; an orientation of a vaporizer device 10, ambient temperature measurement, and an air pressure measurement may be determined, combined, and used as input to a random number generator; or any other possible combination of the data may be made and used as input to a random number generator.

[0077] In some protocols, the random number generated by the one or more controllers 24 is used by the vaporizer device 10 as an initial random nonce or key data when setting up a session key between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 or other device with which the vaporizer system wishes to have secure communication (e.g., a remote server 307). For example, in some implementations, the random number can be used as a nonce in an initialization vector to initiate a wireless communications link between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305. The vaporizer device 10 and/or the communication device 305 can then ignore any subsequent communications including the same nonce, which can help protect the components of a vaporizer system against replay attacks. In accordance with these implementations, an additional random number can be generated for the purpose of creating a session key for encrypting and/or decrypting subsequent communications over the wireless communications link, or the original random number that was generated can be used to create a session key that is different from the nonce, for encrypting and/or decrypting the subsequent communications. In some implementations, the random number and a sequential number (e.g., that increases in value with each message) can form two portions of the nonce used.

[0078] A session key, which can include or be generated based on the random number, can be used in encrypted communication protocols between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305, such as an encrypted wireless pairing protocol and/or wireless communication that occurs after wireless pairing is successful. In some implementations, a processor 410 of the communication device 305 can additionally or alternatively seed the random number generator based on the sensor(s) 32 measurements and/or use a random number when setting up a session key for encrypted communication protocols. For example, the vaporizer device 10 can transmit the measurement data from the sensor(s) 32 to the communication device 305, and the communication device can generate a session key. In some implementations, the generated session key can be used alone as part of secret key (symmetric) cryptographic communications. In order to enable the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 to generate the same session key, both the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 may be programmed (e.g., based on factory settings) with the same random number and/or session key generation algorithms. [0079] In some implementations, the random number and/or session key generation algorithms can be dependent on a unique identifier of the vaporizer device 10, which may be broadcast by the vaporizer device 10 prior to generation of the random number and/or session key. In accordance with these implementations, the vaporizer device 10 and/or the communication device 305 can utilize public keys as part of the encryption and/or decryption of data or messages between the vaporizer device 10, the communication device 305, and/or the remote server 307. In some implementations, a generated session key can be used for encryption or decryption as part of public key (asymmetric) cryptographic communications. As part of a“handshake” between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305, the vaporizer device 10 and/or the communication device 305 can exchange nonce values based on the random number generated, such as in a secure sockets layer (SSL) or transport layer security (TLS) handshake. In some implementations, the random number can be used in a hashing function (e.g., as a nonce value input) as part of one-way cryptographic communications.

[0080] In some implementations, the session key generated can be used for wireless pairing only, or can be used for additional communication protocols between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305. The generated session key can be used for a limited time, such as a single communication session between the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305, or may be used beyond a single communication session. In some aspects, a communication session can include the time from when the vaporizer device 10 and the communication device 305 are first connected over a communication link to the time the communication link is severed (e.g., based on time elapsed, weakened signal strength, and/or the like). In some implementations, the data derived from the sensor(s) 32 can be captured at specific moments in time (e.g., as one or more“snapshots”), can be captured over some period of time, and/or the like. For example, when the vaporizer device 10 identifies a specific movement pattern indicating that a user would like to initiate a wireless pairing protocol, controller(s) 24 can capture and/or store data from the sensor(s) 32 to seed or reseed a random number generator. If multiple random numbers are required, multiple data sets can be captured at this time and/or the user may be prompted (e.g., by a UI displayed on the communication device 305) to shake the vaporizer device 10 again, at which time the controller(s) 24 can capture and/or store additional data from the sensor(s) 32.

[0081] Additionally or alternatively, the session key generated can be used for communication between the communication device 305 and a remote server 307. For example, in some aspects, a user of the communication device 305 can be required to log into an account accessible through the remote server 307 using a unique username and password. However, if the password that the user created is not strong, encrypting communications with the remote server 307 based on the session key can strengthen the communication link with the remote server 307. In accordance with these implementations, the remote server 307 can be provided with measurement data from the sensor(s) 32 of the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., through the communication device 305) so that the remote server 307 can generate a session key. In some implementations, the remote server 307 may be configured to additionally or alternatively execute one or more of the functions of the communication device 305 described herein, and the communication device 305 can be configured to operate as a proxy for sending data or messages between the vaporizer device 10 and the remote server 307. In accordance with these implementations, the communication device 305 can be restricted from decrypting the data or messages from the vaporizer device 10 that are intended for the remote server 307 and/or data or messages from the remote server 307 that are intended for the vaporizer device 10.

[0082] Information stored on the memory (read and/or written) can be encoded, including the use of encryption, error-correction encoding (e.g., hamming code, etc.), or the like. In operation, the vaporizer device 10, one or more controllers 24 can be configured to first determine if a vaporizer cartridge 52 is inserted into the vaporizer body 50 before the vaporizer device 10 is enabled to enter a wireless pairing protocol. However, in some implementations, even when a vaporizer cartridge 52 is not detected, the vaporizer device 10 can be enabled to enter a wireless pairing protocol. Information can be read using measurement circuitry of the vaporizer device 10.

[0083] A vaporizer device 10 and/or vaporizer system can include software, firmware, and/or hardware that is separate or separable from the vaporizer device 10 and wirelessly and cryptographically communicates with the vaporizer device 10. For example, applications (“apps”) can be executed by one or more controllers of a portable and/or wearable device (e.g., processor 410 of FIG. 4), including smartphones, smartwatches, and the like, which can be part of the vaporizer system (e.g., an additional communication device 305 with one or more of the components illustrated in FIG. 3). These devices can provide an interface for the user to engage and interact with functions related to the vaporizer device 10, including communication of data between (unidirectional or bidirectional) the vaporizer device 10, a communication device 305, and/or additional third party controllers (e.g., servers such as the remote server 307 in FIG. 3). For example, a user can control some aspects of the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., enabling or disabling the use of an atomizer 26 of the vaporizer device 10), data transmission, and/or data receiving to and from the vaporizer device 10, optionally over a wireless communication channel between first communication hardware of the communication device 305 and second communication hardware of the vaporizer device 10. In some implementations, use of the atomizer 26 may only be enabled after a vaporizer device 10 is successfully paired with a communication device 305, and/or after the communication device 305 is able to determine that a user of the vaporizer device 10 is eligible to use the vaporizer device 10 (e.g., is of legal age), which can be based on the communication device 305 authenticating the identity of the user through communications with a remote server 307. Data can be communicated in response to one or more actions of the user (e.g., including interactions with a user interface displayed on the communication device 305), and/or as a background operation such that the user does not have to initiate or authorize the data communication process.

[0084] A vaporizer device 10 can perform onboard data gathering, data analysis, and/or data transmission methods. For example, a vaporizer device 10 having wired or wireless communication capability can interface with digital consumer technology products such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptop/netbook/desktop computers, wearable wireless technologies such as“smart watches,” other wearable technology such as Google“Glass,” or similar devices through the use of programming, software, firmware, GUI, wireless communication, wired communication, and/or software application(s). Connections can be used to interface the vaporizer device 10 to digital consumer technology products for the purpose of the transmission and exchange of data to/from the vaporizer device 10 from/to the digital consumer technology products (and thereby also interfacing with apps running on the digital consumer technology products). The vaporizer device 10 can use a wireless interface that includes one or more of an infrared (IR) transmitter, a Bluetooth interface (including a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface), an 802.11 specified interface or other Wi-Fi interface such as an interface capable of Wi-Fi Direct communications, and/or communications with a cellular telephone network in order to communicate with consumer technology. A vaporizer device 10 can interface (e.g., communicate cryptographically) with digital consumer technology products and/or with software applications as a way of relaying data to add additional functionality.

[0085] One or more controllers 24 of a vaporizer device 10 can control the function of the vaporizer system and/or facilitate the transfer and/or retention of specific data with an external host (e.g., cell phone, computer terminal, and/or the like) via a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth or BLE) and/or hardwired interface. For example, in some implementations, the one or more controllers 24 can store information regarding whether a user has been age verified, whether or not the vaporizer device 10 is locked or unlocked for use (e.g., whether the vaporizer device 10 is enabled to or disabled from using an atomizer 26, which is required for atomization of a vaporizable material 58), how long the vaporizer device 10 is unlocked for use (e.g., some duration of time after which the vaporizer device will be locked again and require re authentication), and/or the like. An antenna system can be used for transferring data to and from the one or more controllers 24.

[0086] In some implementations, the wireless pairing procedures described herein can be implemented using“just works” protocols. Just works protocols can eliminate the need for a user to manually input data from a first device (e.g., a string of data displayed on a vaporizer device 10) into a second device (e.g., a communication device 305 running a dedicated mobile application) that the user wishes to wireless pair with the first device. However, session keys used in just works protocols or any wireless communication protocols can be strengthened if they are based on strong random number generation protocols. Using data from sensor(s) 32 described herein as inputs for random number generation can increase the randomness of the numbers generated, and thereby increase the security of wireless pairing protocols.

[0087] Cryptographic protocols can require high quality random number as a component of such protocols. Vaporizer devices 10 can have built-in sensor(s) 32 such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and/or the like, which can provide stable, reliable, and environmentally-based random numbers. These vaporizer devices 10 can require the user to shake or perform some physical movement of the device to pair it with another electronic device at the start of its initial set up of cryptographic protocols used in the device.

[0088] A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application (app) running on a communication device 305 (e.g., a device that forms or is part of a vaporizer system as described herein) can share encrypted data with a manufacturer, manufacturer affiliate, or other entity (retailer, healthcare provider, supplier, marketing entity, etc.). The data can be encrypted using or based on a random (or pseudo-random) number generated by a random number generator, as discussed herein. A vaporizer and/or an associated application can gather, receive, log, store, transmit, extrapolate, and/or the like, anonymous or user specific usage data— such as frequency of use, preferences of use (e.g., information about specific flavors of vaporizer cartridges 52 used with the vaporizer device 10 and/or frequency of use of each flavor) configuration data, user healthcare data (e.g., how long the user of the vaporizer device 10 has been smoking and whether the user is still smoking combustible cigarettes), and/or the like. A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can gather, receive, log, store, transmit, extrapolate, and/or the like, user specific usage data such as activation cycle (e.g., “puff’) characteristics, such as duration of activations and user specified activation settings (if applicable.)

[0089] A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can have the ability to use methods of data transmission such as wireless and wired technologies. A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can have the ability to use methods of data transmission such as wireless and wired technologies to perform one or more of the functions, capabilities, methods, abilities, etc., described herein. A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can have the ability to use methods of data transmission such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, 3G, 4G, 5G near field communication (NFC), or similar for the transmission of data over a network and/or to the user’s personal computing device, such as communication device 305. Such communications, can occur through establishment of a wireless communication channel between first communication hardware of a device and second communication hardware of a vaporizer device 10. Accordingly, the first communication hardware and the second communication hardware can include circuitry and one or more transceivers configured for at least one of these (or other comparable) communication approaches. A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can have the ability to use methods of data transmission such as text messaging or SMS. A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can have the ability to use methods of data transmission such as electronic mail or email. A vaporizer device 10 and/or an associated application can have the ability to use methods of data transmission such as notifications or push notifications to the user’s communication device, which can include the first communication hardware.

[0090] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of an example communication device 305 which can be used to implement one or more of the described features and/or components, in accordance with some example implementations. Communication device 305 can perform one or more of the processes described herein. For example, communication device 305 can be used to execute an application providing for user control of a vaporizer device 10 in communication with the communication device 305 and/or to provide an interface for the user to engage and interact with functions related to the vaporizer device 10, in accordance with some example implementations. [0091] As illustrated, communication device 305 can include one or more processors such as processor 410 to execute instructions that can implement operations consistent with those described herein. Communication device 305 can include memory 420 to store executable instructions and/or information. Memory 420 can include solid-state memory, solid-state disk drives, magnetic disk drives, or any other information storage device. In some aspects, the memory 420 can provide storage for at least a portion of a database. Communication device 305 can include a network interface 440 to a wired network or a wireless network, such as the network described with reference to FIG. 3. In order to effectuate wireless communications, the network interface 440, for example, can utilize one or more antennas, such as antenna 490.

[0092] Communication device 305 can include one or more user interfaces, such as user interface 450. The user interface 450 can include hardware or software interfaces, such as a keyboard, mouse, or other interface, some of which can include a touchscreen integrated with a display 430. The display 430 can be used to display information, such as information related to the functions of a vaporizer device 10, transmit or receive data from the vaporizer, provide prompts to a user, receive user input, and/or the like.

[0093] In some aspects, the user interface 450 can include one or more of the sensors described herein and/or can include an interface to one or more of the sensors described herein. The operation of these sensors can be controlled at least in part by a sensor module 460. The communication device 305 can also comprise an input and output filter 470, which can filter information received from the sensors or other user interfaces, received and/or transmitted by the network interface 440, and/or the like. For example, signals detected through the sensors can be passed through the input and output filter 470 for proper signal conditioning, and the filtered data can then be passed to the sensor module 460 and/or processor 410 for validation and processing (e.g., before transmitting results or an indication via the network interface 440). The communication device 305 can be powered through the use of one or more power sources, such as power source 480. As illustrated, one or more of the components of the communication device 305 can communicate and/or receive power through a system bus 499.

[0094] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of example communications between a vaporizer device 10 and a communication device 305, consistent with implementations of the current subject matter. As illustrated, at step 802, the communication device 305 can execute a dedicated software application, such as an“app” configured to receive user input to initialize a wireless pairing link. At step 804, based on receiving input through the dedicated software application, the communication device 305 can initialize a wireless pairing link. As part of step 804, the communication device 305 can broadcast an identifier of the communication device 305, listen for broadcast messages from other devices, and/or the like, which can be part of communication 830 between the communication device 305 and the vaporizer device 10. At step 806, based on determining to proceed with establishment of a wireless communication link, the communication device 305 can obtain sensor measurement data. The sensor measurement data can be transmitted by a vaporizer device 10, as described herein, which can be part of communication 840 from the vaporizer device 10. At step 808, based on determining that a wireless communications link is in the process of being established, the communication device 305 can indicate that wireless pairing is initialized. As described herein, step 808 can include displaying information through a user interface, indicating to a user that wireless pairing is initialized.

[0095] At step 810, based on the sensor measurement data, the communication device 305 can generate a random number. For example, the sensor measurement data can be used to seed a random number generator, as described herein. At step 812, the communication device 305 can generate a session key based on the generated random number. In some aspects, the session key can be the random number itself, or additional processing may be performed using the random number to generate the session key. At step 814, the communication device 305 can establish a wireless communication link with the vaporizer device 10 using the generated session key. For example, the session key can be used to decrypt messages received from the vaporizer device 10 and/or encrypt messages transmitted to the vaporizer device 10. In some implementations, as part of step 814, the random number can additionally or alternatively be used as a nonce in a message to and/or from the vaporizer device 10 to initialize the establishment of the wireless communication link 850.

[0096] As illustrated, at step 852, the vaporizer device 10 can identify a predetermined movement pattern, as described herein. For example, the vaporizer device can identify a double-tap, a shake (e.g., displacement of X, Y, and/or Z coordinates by a threshold amount), a“hard” shake (e.g., a shake lasting for longer than one second in duration, longer than two second in duration, or some other duration, force, and/or intensity), acceleration above a specific threshold for a predetermined amount of time, a number of shakes within a set period of time (e.g., n shakes within x seconds), and/or the like.

[0097] At step 854, based on identifying the predetermined movement pattern, the vaporizer device 10 can initialize a wireless pairing link. As part of step 854, the vaporizer device 10 can broadcast an identifier of the vaporizer device 10, listen for broadcast messages from other devices, and/or the like, which can be part of communication 830 between the communication device 305 and the vaporizer device 10. At step 856, based on determining to proceed with establishment of a wireless communication link, the vaporizer device 10 can obtain sensor measurement data. This measurement data can include information based on data from one or more sensor(s) 32 of the vaporizer device 10, such as motion, vibration, velocity, acceleration, orientation (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates), location (e.g., GPS location, latitude and longitude values, and/or the like), temperature (e.g., ambient temperature, temperature of one or more components of the vaporizer device such as a resistive heating element, and/or the like), air pressure (e.g., ambient pressure, pressure along the airflow path, and/or the like), and/or the like. The one or more sensor(s) 32 of the vaporizer device 10 can include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a global positioning system sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pressure sensor.

[0098] The sensor measurement data can be transmitted by the vaporizer device 10, as described herein, which can be part of communication 840 to the communication device 305. At step 858, based on determining that a wireless communications link is in the process of being established, the vaporizer device 10 can indicate that wireless pairing is initialized. As described herein, step 858 can include illuminating one or more LEDs of the vaporizer device 10 in a specific manner, indicating to a user that wireless pairing is initialized.

[0099] At step 860, based on the sensor measurement data, the vaporizer device 10 can generate a random number. For example, the sensor measurement data can be used to seed a random number generator, as described herein. At step 862, the vaporizer device 10 can generate a session key based on the generated random number. In some aspects, the session key can be the random number itself, or additional processing may be performed using the random number to generate the session key. At step 864, the vaporizer device 10 can establish a wireless communication link with the communication device 305 using the generated session key. For example, the session key can be used to decrypt messages received from the communication device 305 and/or encrypt messages transmitted to the communication device 305. In some implementations, as part of step 864, the random number can additionally or alternatively be used as a nonce in a message to and/or from the communication device 305 to initialize the establishment of the wireless communication link 850.

[0100] Once the wireless communication link 850 is established between the communication device 305 and the vaporizer device 10, the communication device 305 and the vaporizer device 10 can communicate information to/from each other. In some implementations, such communications can be encrypted and/or decrypted using the session key. In some implementations, the vaporizer device 10 may be disabled from use, as described herein. As such, a user may be required to authenticate themselves to verify that they are of age to use the vaporizer device 10. As described herein, the communication device 305 can be configured to communicate with a remote server 307 to authenticate and/or verify the user. Communications between the communication device 305 and the remote server can additionally or alternatively be encrypted using session keys, as described herein. Once the user is authenticated and/or their age is verified, the communication device 305 can communicate with the vaporizer device 10 over the wireless communication link 850 to provide an indication to the vaporizer device 10 that enables the vaporizer device 10 for use. As described herein, in some implementations, the vaporizer device 10 can only be enable for use for a specific duration of time (e.g., one day, one week, two weeks, etc.).

[0101] One or both of the communication device 305 and the vaporizer device 10 can be configured to terminate the wireless communication link 850, as described herein. Accordingly, at step 816, the communication device 305 can terminate the wireless communication link 850 and/or at step 866, the vaporizer device 10 can terminate the wireless communication link 850. After termination of the wireless communication link 850, the communication device 305 can be configured to return to step 802. After termination of the wireless communication link 850, the vaporizer device 10 can be configured to return to step 852.

[0102] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being“on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements can also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being“connected”, “attached” or“coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements can be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly connected”,“directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present.

[0103] Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed“adjacent” another feature can have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0104] Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, as used herein, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0105] Spatially relative terms, such as“forward”,“rearward”,“under”,“below”, “lower”,“over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as“under” or“beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term“under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”,“downwardly”,“vertical”,“horizontal ” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0106] Although the terms“first” and“second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements (including steps), these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed below could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed below could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0107] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers can be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or“approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase“about” or“approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value can have a value that is +/- 0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/- 10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value“10” is disclosed, then“about 10” is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed that“less than or equal to” the value,“greater than or equal to the value” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value“X” is disclosed the“less than or equal to X” as well as“greater than or equal to X” (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is also disclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data, represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a particular data point“10” and a particular data point“15” are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0108] Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes can be made to various embodiments without departing from the teachings herein. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments, one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the claims.

[0109] One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and can interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

[0110] These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device, such as for example magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine- readable signal. The term“machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as for example as would a non transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as for example as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores. In some aspects, the machine- readable medium can be referred to as a non-transitory computer program product storing instructions which, when executed by at least one data processor, causes or results in one or more operations.

[0111] To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including, but not limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens or other touch- sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software, and the like.

[0112] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term“invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[0113] In the descriptions herein and in the claims, phrases such as“at least one of’ or “one or more of’ can occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” can also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases“at least one of A and B;”“one or more of A and B;” and“A and/or B” are each intended to mean“A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases“at least one of A, B, and C;”“one or more of A, B, and C;” and“A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean“A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term“based on,” herein and in the claims is intended to mean,“based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

[0114] The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subj ect mater. Although a few variations have been described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described herein can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other implementations can be within the scope of the following claims.