Vaporizer Control Interface For Single Handed Operation

Abstract

A smoking device includes a handle and a smoking device control interface. All inputs of the smoking device control interface are disposed above the handle or along a finger contact surface of the handle thereby providing single handed operating functionality. An operator is able to control various operating characteristics during operation with the same hand that grips the smoking device without having to readjust their grip or adjust the smoking device. All outputs of the control interface are visible during use. This provides ease of use and permits the operator to perform other functions with their free hand. No inputs or outputs of the smoking device control interface are disposed between contact surfaces of the handle. At least part of the smoking device control interface is disposed above the handle. The inputs or outputs of the smoking device control interface are within two-thirds of a height of the handle.

1 . A smoking device comprising:
 a handle that includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface; and   a smoking device control interface that includes an input or an output, wherein at least part of the smoking device control interface is disposed above the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein the inputs to the smoking device control interface control an operating characteristic, wherein the outputs indicate operating information about the smoking device, wherein the first contact surface is a palm contact surface, and wherein the second contact surface is a finger contact surface. 
     
     
         3 . The smoking device of  claim 2 , wherein the smoking device is a vaporizer or a vertical vaporizer, and wherein the operating characteristic is a temperature characteristic, a duration characteristic, a battery life characteristic, an authentication characteristic, or another operation parameter. 
     
     
         4 . The smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein the first contact surface is opposite the second contact surface, and wherein no inputs or outputs of the smoking device control interface are disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface on the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein all inputs of the smoking device control interface are disposed above the handle or along the second contact surface of the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a charging port disposed along the handle, wherein the charging port is not part of the smoking device control interface.   
     
     
         7 . The smoking device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more inlet ports; and   an outlet port.   
     
     
         8 . The smoking device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a length HL, is below an axis, and wherein the inputs or outputs of the smoking device control interface are within a distance CD of the axis. 
     
     
         9 . The smoking device of  claim 8 , wherein the distance CD is less than two-thirds HL. 
     
     
         10 . The smoking device of  claim 8 , wherein the distance CD is less than four inches. 
     
     
         11 . The smoking device of  claim 8 , wherein all outputs of the smoking device control interface are not obscured when the smoking device is held in front of the body as during use. 
     
     
         12 . The smoking device of  claim 8 , wherein the smoking device has at least one input and one output, wherein the at least one input is selected from the group consisting of: a button, a switch, a toggle switch, a fingerprint scanner, a touch display, and a pressure sensor, or other inputs, and wherein the at least one output is selected from the group consisting of: a display, a touch display, a haptic feedback device, and a speaker. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 forming a handle with a first contact surface and a second contact surface; and   forming a smoking device control interface that includes an input or an output, wherein at least part of the smoking device control interface is disposed above the handle.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the input of the smoking device control interface controls an operating characteristic, and wherein the output indicates operating information about the smoking device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein all inputs of the smoking device control interface are disposed above the handle or along the second contact surface of the handle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the handle has length HL, is below an axis, and wherein the inputs or outputs of the smoking device control interface are within a distance CD of the axis, where CD is less than two-thirds HL. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the handle has length HL, is below an axis, and wherein the inputs or outputs of the smoking device control interface are within a distance CD of the axis, where CD is less than four inches. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein all outputs of the smoking device control interface are visible to a user and not obscured when the smoking device is held in front of the user. 
     
     
         19 . A smoking device comprising:
 a handle, wherein the handle has a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and has length HL; and   means for operating the device, wherein part of the means is disposed above the handle or along the finger contact surface of the handle.   
     
     
         20 . The smoking device of  claim 19 , wherein the means is a smoking device control interface having an input or an output. 
     
     
         21 - 29 . (canceled)