Inhalation device including substance usage controls

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of devices for smoke inhalation, and more specifically to the control mechanisms of devices for smoke inhalation. The present invention relates to an inhalation device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 11.

[0002] Smoke inhalation devices, commonly known as e-cigarettes, can be used to simulate a cigarette or cigar. A device intended for smoke inhalation may, for example, evaporate a liquid containing nicotine. The user of a device intended for inhalation of smoke can inhale the resulting vapor and enjoy the experience reminiscent of smoking a traditional cigarette or cigar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0003] One illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a device having a first cartridge, sensor and controller. The first cartridge may have a first release device configured to release the first substance into the housing. The controller can be configured to receive data from the sensor. The controller can determine from the data received the amount of the first substance released by the first cartridge. The first release device can be controlled depending on a specific amount of the first substance.

[0004] Another illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a measuring method used in an inhalation device. The method may include receiving data from the sensor. The amount of first substance released by the first cartridge can be determined from this data. The first cartridge may have a first release device configured to release the first substance into the housing. The first release device can be controlled depending on a specific amount of the first substance.

[0005] Another illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a non-portable data carrier readable by a computer on which instructions are stored which, if executed by a computing device, may cause the calculation device to perform measurement operations on the device intended for inhalation. The method may include receiving data from the sensor. The amount of first substance released by the first cartridge can be determined from this data. The first cartridge may have a first release device configured to release the first substance into the housing. The first release device can be controlled depending on a specific amount of the first substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The above-described and other characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and the appended claims forming one whole with the accompanying drawings. Considering the fact that these drawings only show a few embodiments of the invention and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the invention will be described in a more specific and detailed manner using the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the control system of an inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the control system of the inhalation device according to Fig. 2, equipped with additional sensors according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a first inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a second inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a third inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a fourth inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 schematically shows a fifth inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 schematically shows a sixth inhalation device according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION [0007] The following detailed description refers to the attached drawings, which are also part of the description. Similar symbols in the drawings generally refer to similar elements, unless the context of the description indicates otherwise. Illustrative embodiments of the invention described in the detailed description, drawings and claims should not be construed as limiting the invention. It is possible to use other embodiments of the invention, as well as to make other changes, without departing from the spirit or scope of the description of the invention presented. It can easily be understood that the aspects of the present invention as described in the text and the illustrations as shown in the figures can be configured, replaced, combined and designed in the form of a whole series of different configurations, which configurations are without exception considered and treated as part of the present description of the invention.

[0008] The present invention relates to an inhalation device equipped with a substance consumption control mechanism. The device intended for inhalation may have a housing holding and containing parts, at least one cartridge containing a substance such as nicotine, at least one release device such as a heater or atomizer cooperating with the cartridge, and a power source such as a battery as well as a controller. The controller can collect data and control the cartridge and the release device so as to give the user a certain amount of substance. The device intended for inhalation may have a long, cylindrical shape resembling a cigarette or cigar. An inhalation device may advantageously control and / or limit the amount of substance administered and consumed, helping the user reduce the consumption of a particular substance such as nicotine. The device intended for inhalation may advantageously control and / or limit the amount of substance administered, whereby the user may specify a limit on the amount of substance taken by the user during one use of the device or during a certain period of time. The device intended for inhalation can advantageously receive and send data related to device settings and substance consumption. The device intended for inhalation can advantageously monitor the amount of substance administered to the user.

[0009] Referring to Figure 1, it shows an inhalation device 100 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The inhalation device 100 may have a housing 112, a first cartridge 114, a second cartridge 116, power source 122, controller 124, communication device 146 and light source 126. In other embodiments, the invention may use one or any number of cartridges.

[0010] The housing 112 may have a long, cylindrical shape, for example, the shape and size of a cigar, cigarillo or cigarette. In other embodiments of the invention, the device of the invention 100 may have the structure of other tobacco smoking products or steam supply devices, such as a hookah, pipe, inhaler or humidifier. The housing 112 may have an outlet opening 128 at the first end (i.e. at the mouth end), on which the user can place the mouth to inhale the steam or gas generated by the inhalation device 100. The housing 112 may have an inlet opening 130 to allow air to flow into the housing 112 when the user sucks air at the first end of the device . The housing 112 may be made of paper (e.g., paper rolled into a tube), plastic, metal, wood, glass or any other material.

[0011] The first cartridge 114 can be configured to contain and release a first substance such as nicotine. The first insert 114 may, for example, contain a medium, such as cotton fabric or a comparable material, rolled or formed to fit inside the housing 112. The cotton fabric may be soaked with the first substance. The first substance can be any drug, fragrance, carrier, dye or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the first substance is selected so that it can be brought into the state of steam or gas. The first cartridge 114 may be provided with a first release device 118. The first release device 118 may be seated in or disposed near the medium of the first cartridge 114. The first release device 118 may have one or a combination of the following: heating element, vibration generator, such as an ultrasonic or piezoelectric transducer, atomizer or any other servomotor providing energy to the particles of the first substance to enable them to be released from the first cartridge 114 in the form of gas or microscopic droplets that can be transferred by an air stream, for example an air stream moving between inlet 130 and outlet 128. The first release device 118 can be configured to control or measure the amount or rate of release of the first substance from the first cartridge 114. In some embodiments, the inhalation device has one cartridge.

[0012] The second cartridge 116 can be configured to contain and release a second substance, such as a fragrance. The second insert 116 may, for example, contain a medium, such as cotton fabric or a comparable material, rolled or formed to fit inside the housing 112. The cotton fabric may be soaked with a second substance. The second substance can be any drug, fragrance, carrier, dye or a combination thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, the first substance and the second substance are different substances. In another embodiment of the invention, the first substance and the second substance are the same substance. In one embodiment, the second substance is selected such that it can be converted into a state of steam or gas. The second cartridge 116 may be equipped with a second release device 120. The second release device 120 may be embedded in or positioned near the medium of the second cartridge 116. The second release device 120 may have one or a combination of the following: heating element, vibration generator, such as an ultrasonic or piezoelectric transducer, atomizer or any other servomotor providing the particles of the second substance with energy enabling them to be released from the second cartridge 116 in the form of gas or microscopic droplets that can be transferred by an air stream, for example an air stream moving between inlet 130 and outlet 128. The second release device 120 can be configured to control or measure the amount or rate of release of the second substance from the second cartridge 116. The first cartridge 114 and the second cartridge 116 can be configured such that the air flow passes over and / or through the first cartridge 114 and through the second cartridge 116. In other embodiments, the inhalation device may have several cartridges.

[0013] Power source 122 may provide power to the first cartridge 114, first release device 118, second cartridge 116, second release device 120, controller 124, communication device 146 and light source 126. The power source 122 may be a battery, such as an alkaline battery, Nickel metal hydride battery, lithium ion battery, rechargeable battery or any other power source. In other embodiments, power source 122 may be outside the housing 112.

[0014] The light source 126 is configured to simulate the tipping of a cigar or cigarette. The light source 126 may be a light emitting diode (LED), a resistance lamp, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or any other light emitting device. The light source 126 can be configured to provide light of varying intensity depending on the air flow rate between inlet 130 and outlet 128.

[0015] The controller 124 may be configured to control the first release device 118, the second release device 120, the communication device 146, the power source 122 and the light source 126. The controller 124 may be functionally and communicationly connected to the first release device 118, the second device releasing 120, communication device 146 and light source 126. Controller 124 may be a processor such as a central processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), status device, or any other controller. The controller 124 may have a memory that may be any type of fixed or portable computer memory known to a person skilled in the art. Controller memory 124 may be a computer readable storage medium. The controller 124 may have software to control the first release device 118, the second release device 120, the communication device 146 and the light source 126, which may be implemented in the form of computer-readable commands configured to be stored in the memory of the controller 124.

[0016] The communication device 146 can be configured to allow the user to change and monitor the settings and status of the device intended for inhalation 100. For example, in one embodiment, the communication device 146 can be used to reprogram parts of the controller control logic circuits 124 to limit the use of the device intended for inhalation 100. The communication device 146 may have at least one element among the group consisting of a switch, a keyboard, a screen, an input / output port and a transceiver. In one embodiment of the invention, the I / O port and the wireless transceiver can be used to create a communication link between the controller 124 and an external computer, such as a cell phone or personal computer.

[0017] Referring to Figure 2, it schematically illustrates the control system of the inhalation device 200 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The control system of the inhalation device 200 may include a first release device 218 associated with the first cartridge 214, a second release device 220 associated with the second cartridge 216, power source 222, controller 224, clock 248, counter 242, sensors 240, communication device 246 and source lights 226. The controller 224 may be functionally and communicatively connected to the first release device 218, the second release device 220, the power source 222, sensors 240, the communication device 246 and the light source 226. The control system of the device intended for inhalation 200 may, for example, be discrete, integrated in the form a chip or printed circuit board assembly.

[0018] Each of the first cartridge 214 and the second cartridge 216 may contain a single substance or a mixture of two or more substances, and the composition of the mixture in one of the cartridges is different from the composition of the mixture in the other of the cartridges. For this reason, the first release device 218 and the second release device 220 may be operated differently to optimize the effect of the substance on the user. It is also possible to use different techniques for releasing substances from different cartridges.

[0019] Sensors 240 may be, for example, a flow sensor, a thermocouple or a pressure sensor detecting the air flow passing through the device, or a group of sensors detecting any parameter or combination thereof from the group consisting of air flow rate, temperature change, pressure change, lighting, change current, voltage change and other physical and electrical properties. Sensors 240 may be located inside or on a housing connected to the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200.

[0020] The controller 224 can be configured to control and monitor the first release device 218, the second release device 220, sensors 240, communication device 246, power source 222 and light source 226. Controller 224 may be a processor such as a central processor, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), status device, or any other controller. Controller 224 may have a memory 280, which may be any type of fixed or portable computer memory known to a person skilled in the art. Memory 280 of controller 224 may be a computer readable storage medium. Controller 224 may have software to control the first release device 218, the second release device 220, the communication device 246 and the light source 226, which may be implemented in the form of computer-readable commands configured to be stored in memory 280 of the controller 224.

[0021] The communication device 246 may have at least one element among the group consisting of switch 271, keyboard 273, screen 250, input / output port 277 and wireless transceiver 279. The input / output port 277 may be, for example, a serial port. The 279 wireless transceiver may, for example, be a Wi-Fi transceiver that is compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard or a Bluetooth transceiver.

[0022] In one embodiment, switch 271 may be a simple, manually operated switch located on the housing, enabling reprogramming commands to be sent to controller 224 by pressing switch 271 (e.g., pressing the button five times at a frequency of one push per second or more to reprogram 224 controller enabling the download of five breaths in a given period of time, after which the device is turned off). In the case of another embodiment of the invention, the switch 271 may be a shield located at or in the middle of the housing, enabling the sending of reprogramming commands to the controller 224 so that the user can determine the limit of the quantity of inhaled or inhaled substance by turning the shield. The switch in the form of a shield can also be part of the housing itself. In another embodiment, switch 271 may be a shock or sound sensor, such as a microphone, enabling the user to tap on the device to send reprogramming commands to controller 224. The user may tap the device at a specific speed to determine the desired amount of substance to be taken or inhaled in given time period. In another embodiment, switch 271 may be a light sensor that detects energy emitted by a laser, infrared light source, or other visible or invisible light source. Commands reprogramming the controller 224 may be signals of switching on or off the light source.

[0023] The user may use the communication device 246 to reprogram the limit value in the controller 224. A simple form of the communication device 246 may be, for example, a switch pressed by the user or rotated on or around the housing. By manually pressing or turning the button, the user can change the restriction settings saved in the 224 controller. For example, by pressing the button four times at a frequency of 1 Hz or more, the user can smoke the amount of the substance corresponding to one cigarette in each cycle, or 10 doses each time, and pressing the button twice will provide the amount of the substance corresponding to half the cigarette in each cycle. If the manually operated switch is a shield placed on the housing, the shield setting may specify a restriction on ingested substance. For example, the dial has indicator lines arranged on the casing of the device around its circumference, and the setting of the dial on the value indicator one can correspond to a dose of one cigarette per cycle, while the setting on the indicator corresponding to one another means a dose equivalent to half the cigarette.

[0024] The screen 250 may be housed in or on a housing connected to the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200. The screen 250 may display messages regarding the use of the device helping the user to control the use of the device. The screen 250 may be, for example, a light, a series of lights, a screen divided into segments or consisting of pixels. The screen 250 may be made, for example, in the form of LEDs, a LED panel, a liquid crystal display, a group of small light bulbs or electronic ink. Screen 250 may display indications to the user, for example in the form of letters, dots, symbols, a series of lines, figures, images, shapes or signals. The screen 250 can be monochrome or multicolored.

[0025] Screen 250 may indicate to the user the level of use of the device, allowing control over the use of the device, and send messages encouraging the user to limit the use of the device based on the user's progress. The screen message may include the number of inhaled 200 equivalents of cigarette used or remaining in the control system of the device, i.e. the number of doses (i.e. puffs of smoke) used or remaining in the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200 and may include displaying in real time the number of puffs that the user can take in a given cycle of using the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200. In this way, the device notifies the user when using the device about how many equivalents of the cigarette the user takes in a given period of time, because the use of the same device for a long time can lead the user to a false feeling of substance use. For example, the control system of the inhalation device 200 equipped with the full first cartridge 214 and the second cartridge 216 may correspond to a pack of cigarettes and the screen 250 may clearly indicate the number of cigarette equivalents or puffs remaining in the first cartridge 214 and the second cartridge 216 during use by the user from the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200.

[0026] The clock 248 may be configured to measure the amount of substance administered to the user and / or to measure a specific amount of substance for the user. The 248 clock can be a separate element or integrated with the 224 controller. The clock 248 can be configured to, for example, measure the time elapsed between user doses being taken, the time the first release device 218 and the second release device 220 are active, and the time between successive uses of the device.

[0027] The clock 248 may for example be activated by an air flow sensor or by a pressure switch. The clock 248 can be configured to measure the duration of dose collection when sensors 240 are activated.

[0028] The counter 242 can be configured to count the number of doses taken by a user over a given period of time. The counter 242 can be separate or integrated with the controller 224. The counter 242 can be configured to measure, for example, the number of puffs taken by a user during a smoking session, during the day, week, month or any other period of time. The counter 242 may, for example, be activated by sensors 240.

[0029] It is possible to use the 248 clock to control the airflow time through the device, which provides more accurate control over the amount of substance a user can withdraw in a given period of time. Whenever sensors 240 such as a flow sensor or pressure switch are activated by air flow, the clock 248 can measure the duration of the air flow and accumulate the duration of the flow over a given period of time in order to activate the limiting function in accordance with the limitation of substance administration specified in the control logic. Counter 242 can also be used to count the number of activations of sensors 240.

[0030] Counter 242 and clock 248 can provide data regarding the number of doses taken for a given period of time, and clock 248 can provide both the duration of airflow during each dose intake as well as the total time accumulated for airflow during a given period of time. Thus, when the restriction on the administration of a substance is determined by use or determined at the factory, it is possible to determine the actual amount of substance administered in the total allowed airflow time in a given period of use, in addition to the permitted number of doses taken. Since the amount of air flowing during dose collection is an individual feature, determining the number of doses taken as a restriction allows different users, or even the same user, to be given a different amount of a given substance, depending on the duration of each dose. This means that using the 248 clock to monitor substance consumption in combination with the 242 meter can provide a more accurate estimate of the total air flow measurement.

[0031] The control system of the device intended for inhalation 200 may have a factory set setting of the allowed amount of substance contained in the cartridges (214, 216) released for user withdrawal. Different users have different habits associated with the use of the substance: One person may prefer long and strong dose intake, while another may prefer short and shallow. A person preferring a long and strong dose intake generally ends smoking in fewer puffs than a person preferring a short and shallow dose withdrawal. For this reason, the amount of substance that a user can withdraw can be defined as the total withdrawal time, being the sum of the time total of the number of doses withdrawn in a given time period. Another sensor, such as a current flow sensor of the dose releasing element or power source, or a flow sensor with a device for measuring air velocity, may be used to assess the amount of substance used in a situation where a user causes air to flow through the device. This information can be used with the clock to calculate the more accurate amount of substance used. After determining the limit value as a sum of time, the clock 248 measures the duration of each dose collection and sends the data to the controller 224 logic, after which the controller 224 collects and compares the collected data with the specified limit value. After reaching or exceeding the sum of the measured time or the value calculated on the basis of the combination of the measured time and data on the amount of the substance withdrawn from the limit value sensor, the controller 224 turns off the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200 or causes the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200 to enter the mode low level wherein the control system of the device intended for inhalation 200 releases the substance more slowly than in an earlier period. The limit value can be specified in cycles. For example, after switching on the device, the user may use it for a limited period of time corresponding to the total time of taking doses in five minutes, corresponding to the smoking of one cigarette, and in a period such as, for example, twelve hours a day, the user may use the device control system designed for inhalations 200 the specified number of times. When the limit value is reached, controller 224 can turn off the release device (218, 200) to stop the substance flow to the user until the next cycle begins after a suitable smoking-free time between two consecutive cycles, or provides control of the release devices (218, 200) so that the supply of the substance to the user during withdrawal is significantly reduced until the next cycle begins.

[0032] Referring to Figure 3, it schematically illustrates the control system of the inhalation device 200 of Figure 2, equipped with additional sensors according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The control system of the inhalation device 200 may include a first release device 218 associated with the first cartridge 214, a second release device 220 associated with the second cartridge 216, power source 222, controller 224, clock 248, counter 242, sensors 240, communication device 246 and source lights 226. The controller 224 may be functionally and communicationly connected to the first release device 218, the second release device 220, the power source 222, sensors 240, the communication device 246 and the light source 226. The communication device 246 may have at least one element from the group consisting of switch 271, keyboard 273, screen 250, input / output port 277 and wireless transceiver 279. As described in more detail below, the control system of the inhalation device 200 can measure substance consumption differently than by using a flow sensor or a pressure switch.

[0033] The first release device 218 and the second release device 220 may release the first substance from the first cartridge 214 and the second substance from the second cartridge 216, for example using heat and / or vibration. A temperature sensor 291 disposed on the second cartridge 216 can be used to detect the temperature of the second cartridge 216. The controller 224 can evaluate the amount of substance released by the second cartridge 216 based on the temperature data received from the temperature sensor 291 along with the information received from the clock 248. The vibration sensor 292 located on the second cartridge 216 can be used to detect the movement of the second cartridge 216. Controller 224 can evaluate the amount of substance released by the second cartridge 216 based on motion data received from the vibration sensor 292 along with information obtained from the clock 248. The current sensor 293 located at the power supply to the first release device 218 can be used to determine the current absorbed by the first release device 218. The controller 224 can evaluate the amount of substance released by the first cartridge 214 based on current data obtained from the current sensor 293. An alternative option is to use a voltage sensor.

[0034] In another embodiment, the current sensor 294 located at the power supply from the power source 222 can be used to evaluate the current consumption of the first release device 218 and the second release device 220. The controller 224 can evaluate the amount of substance released by the first cartridge 214 and a second cartridge 216 based on current data obtained from the current sensor 294. An alternative option is to use a voltage sensor. In another embodiment, a light sensor 295 located near the source 226 may be used to evaluate the use of the first release device 218 and the second release device 220. The controller 224 can evaluate the amount of substance released by the first cartridge 214 and the second cartridge 216 based on the length of time the light sensor 295 remains active and based on the intensity detected by the light sensor 295. An alternative possibility is to use other sensors known in the art. Alternatively, sensors 291-295 can be placed in different places, which is a solution known in the art.

[0035] An illustrative package of an inhalable device commercially available may be, for example, a tobacco smoking device in the form of a cigarette, capable of smoking about twenty cigarettes. The device intended for smoking can be loaded with a factory setting enabling the use of fifteen dose withdrawals in five minutes, and after the user has finished smoking, it is necessary to wait at least 30 minutes before the device can be used again. The display of the device intended for inhalation may display the number of remaining equivalents of the cigarette, and it may also indicate to the user the number of remaining dose withdrawals before completing the current use of the device intended for inhalation. In this configuration, the device intended for inhalation can be programmed to monitor the use of the substance contained in the cartridge by measuring the number of doses taken, or by calculating the amount of substance consumption based on data collected from the clock regarding the duration of each air inlet and from another sensor, such as an electric current sensor or an air flow sensor that evaluates the rate of flow of a substance. The number of doses taken can then be converted into the amount of substance actually consumed based on an estimate calculated using data provided by the clock and by the sensor. The counter present in the system can also be used to count the number of doses taken to obtain data that simplifies the calculations made by the control solution. Using the button or the dial, the user can change the factory settings, such as the number of dose downloads allowed during a given use (e.g. change from fifteen downloads to twenty downloads) and the time the device remains switched off after use until it can be used again ( e.g. changing the factory setting 30 minutes to 45 minutes or 15 minutes). The device intended for inhalation may have one or more buttons or dials enabling reprogramming of the settings of the device intended for inhalation. The first button or dial allows you to specify the length of time the device stays off, and the second button or dial allows you to specify the number of doses taken during one use, or other settings, depending on your preferences and convenience.

[0036] Figs. 4 to 8 show different illustrative embodiments of an inhalation device. Referring to Figure 4, it schematically shows a first inhalation device 400 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The first inhalation device 400 may have a housing 412, a communication device 446 and a light source 426. The communication device 446 may have a screen 450 and buttons 471 and 472. The first device intended for inhalation 400 has two separate programming modes.

In the first mode, it is possible to use the 471 button to limit the number of times the dose is allowed during one use of the device. In the second mode, it is possible to use the 472 button to change the time the device remains off before it can be used again. Screen 450 can display the setting indication. (e.g. "10," "30," "60," "120," "10," "15," "20," "25") Referring to Fig. 5, schematically shows a second inhalation device 500 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The second inhalation device 500 may have a housing 512, a communication device 546 and a light source 526. The communication device 546 may have a first screen 550, a button 571 and a second screen 551. Button 571 can be used to change the time the device remains off before you will be able to use it again. The first screen 550 can display the setting indication. (e.g. "10," "30," "60," "90") The second screen 551 may be equipped with lighting 552. Lighting 552 may indicate the number of equivalents of the cigarette remaining in the second device intended for inhalation 500.

[0038] Referring to Figure 6, it schematically shows a third inhalation device 600 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The third inhalation device 600 may have a housing 612, a communication device 646 and a light source 626. The communication device 646 may have a first screen 650, a button 671 and a second screen 651. Button 671 can be used to change the amount of time the device stays off before it can be used again. The first screen 650 may display an indication of the setting. (e.g., "10," "30," "60," "90") A second screen 651 may display an indication (e.g., "385") indicating the number of doses taken or the amount of substance remaining or available in the second inhalation device 600.

[0039] Referring to Figure 7, it schematically shows a fourth inhalation device 700 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. A fourth device intended for inhalation 700 may have a housing 712, a communication device 746 and a light source 726. The communication device 746 may have a first screen 750 and a shield 771. The shield 771 may be made as part of the housing 712. For example, the front face of the 771 disk may be located in the area of ​​the housing filter 712. Housing 712 may have scale markers (e.g., "10," "30") near the 771 disk. The 771 disk may be used to change the amount of time the device will remain off before you can use it again. The first screen 750 may display an indication (e.g., "20") indicating the number of cigarette equivalents remaining or available in the fourth 700 inhalation device.

[0040] Referring to Figure 8, it schematically shows a fifth inhalation device 800 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The fifth device intended for inhalation 800 may have a housing 812, a communication device 846 and a light source 826. The communication device 846 may have a first screen 850, a button 871 and a second screen 851. Using the button 871 the user may change the settings of use restrictions. The first screen 850 may display a setting indication. (e.g., "10," "30," "60," "90") A second screen 851 may display an indication (e.g., "20") indicating the number of cigarette equivalents remaining or available in the fifth inhalation device 800.

[0041] Referring to Figure 9, it schematically shows a sixth inhalation device 900 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The sixth device for inhalation 900 may have a housing 912, a communication device 946 and a light source 926. The communication device 946 may have a first screen 950, buttons 971 and 972 and a second screen 951. The sixth device intended for inhalation 900 has two separate programming modes. In the first mode, it is possible to use the 971 button to limit the number of times the dose is allowed during one use of the device. In the second mode, it is possible to use the 972 button to change the time the device stays off before it can be used again. The first screen 950 can display the setting indication. (e.g. "10," "30," "60," "120," "10," "15," "20," "25") The second screen 951 may display an indication (e.g. "20") indicating the number of equivalents of the cigarette remaining or available in the sixth inhalation device 900.

[0042] The text uses one or more block diagrams. The use of block diagrams is not intended to limit the order of operations performed. The described subject matter is sometimes presented in a form comprising various elements or combined with various other elements. It should be understood that these architectures are an example only, and that many other architectures with the same functions can be implemented. From a conceptual point of view, any configuration of elements performing the same function is effectively "associated" with the given architecture in a way that performs the desired function. This means that any two presented elements combined to perform a specific function can be treated as "related" to each other in a way that enables the implementation of the desired function, regardless of architectures or intermediary elements. Similarly, any two elements related to each other can also be regarded as "functionally connected" or "functionally coupled" with each other to perform the desired function, and any two elements that can be combined in this way can also be seen as "usable in functional connection "with each other to perform the desired function. Specific examples of elements that can be used in a functional connection include, but are not limited to, physically matching and / or physically interacting elements and / or elements interacting wirelessly and / or capable of interacting wirelessly and / or interacting logically and / or capable of interacting logically.

[0043] With regard to the use of plural and / or singular terms in the text, persons having skill in the field may translate the plural form into the singular form and / or the singular form into the plural form, as appropriate to the context and / or use . For the sake of clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be used in the text.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms used in the text and in particular in the claims set forth (e.g., in the characterizing parts of the claims set out) are generally intended to be "open" (e.g., "including" should be interpreted as "including among others ", the term" possessing "should be interpreted as" possessing at least ", the term" contains "should be interpreted as" containing, inter alia, "etc.). Persons with skill in the field will also understand that if a specific number of the reservation is intended to be quoted, such intention will be clearly quoted in the content of the reservation, and in the absence of such a reservation number, such intention does not occur. For example, to facilitate understanding of their content, the following claims may use the introductory terms "at least one" and "one or more" to provide citations to the claims. However, the use of such terms should not be interpreted as a presumption that the introduction of citation of a claim by using indefinite articles restricts a given claim containing a citation of the claim to inventions containing only one such citation, even if the same claim includes the introductory terms "one or more" and " at least one "and indefinite articles" this "," ta "," to "(e.g. "this" and / or "ta" and / or "to" should generally be interpreted as meaning "at least one" or "one or more"); this statement also applies to the use of specific articles used to introduce citations to the claims. In addition, even if you explicitly cite a specific number in the claims, those skilled in the art will find that such citing should generally be interpreted as meaning at least the number cited (e.g. quoting "two citations" without additional terms generally means at least two citations, or two or more citations). In addition, in cases where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B and C, etc." is used, such a construction is generally used in the manner in which a person having skill in the field would understand the convention (e.g. "a system having at least one of elements A, B or C" would include, but is not limited to, systems having element A alone, element B alone, element C alone, elements A and B together, elements A and C together, elements B and C together, and / or elements A, B and C together, etc.). Those skilled in the art will also understand that virtually any disjoint word and / or term depicting two or more alternative terms, in the description, claims or drawings, should be understood as considering possibilities including one of the terms, any of these terms, or both conditions. For example, the term "A or B" should be understood to include the possibilities "A" or "B" or "A and B."