Electronic cigarette with indicator of remaining battery life and liquid to be vaporized

Abstract

An e-cigarette has a draw-activated light emitting diode that is activated by an electrical signal which indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source. When vaping, an air sensor detects inhalation and closes an electrical circuit. A printed circuit board assembly sends an electrical signal to the light emitting diode. In response, the light emitting diode will illuminate in a green color if the power source has an energy level between 51% and 100%; in a yellow color if the power source has an energy level between 11% and 50%; and in a red color if the power source has an energy level equal to or lower than 10%. Such light signals are detected by a user who is thereby informed about the operational state of his e-cigarette.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic cigarette having
 an elongate hollow body with an active end region that engages a user's lips, a central region and a passive end region;   a mouthpiece located proximate the active end region;   a cartridge situated proximate the mouthpiece, the cartridge containing an e-liquid to be vaporized;   a wicking agent in fluid contact with the e-liquid that is adapted to duct the e-liquid;   a heating element in thermal contact with the wicking agent;   a power source in electrical contact with the heating element in response to a draw exerted by a user;   an air sensor that detects an incoming draw induced by negative pressure applied by a user as he or she draws at the mouthpiece;   a printed circuit board assembly in electrical communication with the air-sensor, the printed circuit board assembly being adapted to energize the heating element in response to a signal emitted by the air sensor, the heating element being adapted to at least partially vaporize the e-liquid; and   a draw-activated light emitting diode that is activated by a signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate hollow body includes a stainless steel shell that is protected by a matted exterior. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1 , wherein the power source includes a lithium ion battery that is adapted to provide a targeted number (N) of draws. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 3 , wherein each draw sends a signal to the power source which then sends a signal to the light emitting diode, thereby updating a record of battery life and level of e-liquid remaining. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 4 , wherein the e-cigarette expires when N=>1500. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1 , wherein the e-liquid comprises ingredients selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, synthetic nicotine, vegetable glycerin and flavoring. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 6 , wherein the nicotine includes synthetic nicotine in an amount less than 7 percent. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is non-rechargeable. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic cigarette of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is non-refillable and the electronic cigarette is disposable. 
     
     
         10 . A method of using an e-cigarette comprising the steps of:
 drawing on a mouthpiece of the e-cigarette;   detecting a light signal emitted by a light emitting diode; and   associating a color emitted by the light emitting diode with a condition of the e-cigarette, the condition being an amount of power remaining in the power source or a level of e-liquid remaining.   
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing an electronic cigarette, comprising the steps of:
 providing an elongate hollow body with an active end region that engages a user's lips, a central region and a passive end region;   locating a mouthpiece proximate the active end region;   situating a cartridge proximate the mouthpiece, the cartridge containing an e-liquid to be vaporized;   disposing a wicking agent in fluid contact with the e-liquid that is adapted to duct the e-liquid;   placing a heating element in thermal contact with the wicking agent and in electrical contact with the heating element in response to a draw exerted by a user;   positioning an air sensor that detects an incoming draw induced by negative pressure applied by the user as he or she draws at the mouthpiece;   connecting a printed circuit board assembly in electrical communication with the air-sensor, the printed circuit board assembly being adapted to energize the heating element in response to an electrical signal emitted by the air sensor, the heating element being adapted to at least partially vaporize the e-liquid; and   energizing a draw-activated light emitting diode that illuminates in colored response to an electrical signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the energizing step is practiced in response to an electrical signal that indicates a level of e-liquid remaining. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the energizing step is practiced in response to either an electrical signal that indicates a level of e-liquid remaining or the electrical signal that indicates an amount of electrical energy remaining in the power source. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein either electrical signal is a function of the number of draws. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of
 configuring the printed circuit board assembly to read electrical signals S i  (emitted by the air sensor and accumulated to quantify inhalation count) & S b  (battery voltage level);   activating the light emitting diode such that
 if 50>S b >100% activate green LED 
 if 10>S b >50% activate yellow LED 
 if S b <10% activate red LED; and 
   disconnecting the electrical power source if S i >1500.