System and method for providing a laser-based lighting system for smokable material

Abstract

This invention generally relates to a smoking device that users a laser diode to light a smokable material that is stored within the smoking device. The smoking device is preferably a portable device that allows for insertion of a smokable material, and which ignites the smokable material using a battery-powered laser diode. The smoking device includes a coupling interface that requires all housing components to be secured prior to activation of the laser diode, thereby preventing the surrounding environment from exposure to laser beams and laser radiation.

1 . A portable smoking device, comprising:
 a base;   a laser diode located within the base;   a power source coupled to the laser diode; and   a chamber configured to hold a smokable material.   
     
     
         2 . The portable smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mouthpiece removably coupled to the base or to the chamber via a connection means. 
     
     
         3 . The portable smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch, the switch configured to activate the laser diode. 
     
     
         4  The portable smoking device of  claim 2 , further comprising an airflow tube within the mouthpiece, the airflow tube having a spiral or zig-zag shape. 
     
     
         5 . The portable smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising a safety switch mechanism configured to prevent activation of the laser diode. 
     
     
         6 . The portable smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one LED configured to illuminate upon activation of the laser diode. 
     
     
         7 . The portable smoking device of  claim 2 , wherein the connection means is a push-on connection, a screw-type connection, or a snap-on connection. 
     
     
         8 . An ignition device for smokable material, comprising:
 a base containing a laser diode and a power supply;   a connection means configured to connect to a mouthpiece;   a chamber coupled to the base, the chamber configured to hold a smokable material; and   an ignition switch,   wherein the laser diode is configured to emit a laser beam towards the chamber upon activation of the ignition switch.   
     
     
         9 . The ignition device of  claim 8 , wherein a circular LED array circumscribes the base. 
     
     
         10 . The ignition device of  claim 8 , wherein the ignition switch includes an illumination means. 
     
     
         11 . The ignition device of  claim 8 , wherein the power supply is removable from the base. 
     
     
         12 . The ignition device of  claim 8 , wherein chamber is pivotally attached to the base. 
     
     
         13 . The ignition device of  claim 8 , wherein the chamber is removably attached to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The ignition device of  claim 8 , wherein the mouthpiece is removably coupled to the base or to the chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A modular smoking device, comprising:
 a base;   a mouthpiece;   a chamber configured to be positioned between the base and the mouthpiece, the chamber further configured to hold a smokable material; and   an ignition source located adjacent to the chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The modular smoking device of  claim 15 , further comprising means for preventing activation of the ignition source when the chamber is not coupled to both the base and the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         17 . The modular smoking device of  claim 15 , further comprising a 1-Wire coupling means between the mouthpiece and the top connector. 
     
     
         18 . The modular smoking device of  claim 15 , further comprising a recessed switch coupling means between the mouthpiece and the top connector. 
     
     
         19 . The modular smoking device of  claim 15 , further comprising a magnetic switch coupling means between the mouthpiece and the top connector. 
     
     
         19 . The modular smoking device of  claim 15 , further comprising an airflow tube positioned within the mouthpiece, the airflow tube having a spiral or zig-zag shape. 
     
     
         20 . The modular smoking device of  claim 15 , further comprising a molded ring configured to secure the chamber between the base and the mouthpiece.