Vape devices, including cartridges, tablets, sensors, and controls for vape devices, and methods for making and using the same

Abstract

Vape devices and methods of operating the same to prevent unauthorized use, allow for remote, centralized storage of operational settings associated with unique payload identifiers, and to optimize operation based on historical usage data, real-time operating conditions, and/or user information. Vape devices for vaporizing dry material and methods of operating the same. Tablets comprising dry material for vaporization and methods of making and using the same. Vape devices and cartridges to improve flow of a fluid payload to an atomizer and to prevent leaking and spurting of the fluid payload, including vape devices and cartridges that pressurize the fluid payload. Vapor measurement systems to determine dosage based on a measured capacitance of vaporized payload. A two-lead communication system that enables the communication of a plurality of electrical signals between a control assembly and cartridge. A cartridge temperature control system that provides localized temperature control for the cartridge.

1 - 375 . (canceled) 
     
     
         376 . A vape device, comprising:
 a control assembly comprising a microcontroller and a power source, wherein the microcontroller is configured to control the power source so as to generate a power signal;   a cartridge comprising an atomizer, a payload reservoir, and an authentication device, wherein the atomizer is configured to heat a portion of the payload contained in the payload reservoir, and wherein the authentication device is configured to (a) implement an authentication protocol to determine whether the cartridge is authentic and (b) control transmission of the power signal from the power source to the atomizer based on an outcome of the authentication protocol; and   an electromechanical connector comprising a first connector releasably coupled to a second connector, wherein the first connector is provided as part of the control assembly and the second connector is provided as part of the cartridge.   
     
     
         377 . The vape device of  claim 376 , wherein the authentication device is configured to securely store authentication data. 
     
     
         378 . The vape device of  claim 377 , wherein the authentication data comprises a cryptographic key, and wherein the authentication protocol comprises a cryptographic handshake between the authentication device and the microcontroller to enable authentication of the cartridge and the control assembly. 
     
     
         379 . The vape device of  claim 377 , wherein the authentication data comprises a cryptographic key, and wherein the authentication protocol comprises a cryptographic handshake between the authentication device and an external computing device to enable authentication of the cartridge. 
     
     
         380 . The vape device of  claim 377 , wherein the authentication data comprises data from which an expiry date for the cartridge is determined, and wherein the authentication protocol comprises a comparison of the expiry date to a current date to determine whether the cartridge is expired. 
     
     
         381 . The vape device of  claim 377 , wherein the authentication data comprises a maximum allowed operational time for the cartridge, and wherein the authentication protocol comprises a comparison of the maximum allowed operational time to a current operational time of the cartridge to determine whether the maximum allowed operational time has elapsed. 
     
     
         382 . The vape device of  claim 377 , wherein the authentication data comprises a unique identifier for the cartridge, and wherein the authentication protocol comprises transmitting the unique identifier to an external computing device to determine whether the cartridge is a counterfeit. 
     
     
         383 . The vape device of  claim 376 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a power gate moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein movement of the power gate to the open position disables transmission of the power signal from the power source to the atomizer, and wherein movement of the power gate to the closed position enables transmission of the power signal from the power source to the atomizer. 
     
     
         384 . The vape device of  claim 383 , wherein the authentication device causes movement of the power gate from the open position to the closed position when the cartridge is determined to be authentic. 
     
     
         385 . (canceled) 
     
     
         386 . The vape device of  claim 376 , wherein the electromechanical connector is configured to (a) transmit the power signal from the power source to the atomizer and (b) transfer one or more data signals between the authentication device and the microcontroller as part of the authentication protocol. 
     
     
         387 . The vape device of  claim 386 , wherein the electromechanical connector comprises a two-conductor electrical interface that includes two conductors. 
     
     
         388 . The vape device of  claim 387 , wherein the power signal and the data signals are sequentially transmitted over the two-conductor electrical interface in accordance with a time division multiplexing scheme. 
     
     
         389 . The vape device of  claim 387 , wherein the power signal and the data signals are simultaneously transmitted over the two-conductor electrical interface in accordance with a frequency division multiplexing scheme. 
     
     
         390 . The vape device of  claim 387 , wherein the power signal and the data signals are simultaneously transmitted over the two-conductor electrical interface in accordance with a voltage level multiplexing scheme. 
     
     
         391 . The vape device of  claim 386 , wherein the electromechanical connector comprises a multiple-conductor electrical interface that includes at least three conductors. 
     
     
         392 . The vape device of  claim 391 , wherein the power signal and the data signals are simultaneously transmitted over the multiple-conductor electrical interface. 
     
     
         393 . A cartridge for a vape device, comprising:
 a payload reservoir;   an atomizer configured to heat a portion of the payload contained in the payload reservoir; and   an authentication device configured to (a) implement an authentication protocol to determine whether the cartridge is authentic and (b) control transmission of a power signal to the atomizer based on an outcome of the authentication protocol.   
     
     
         394 . The cartridge of  claim 393 , wherein the authentication device is configured to securely store authentication data comprising one of the following:
 a cryptographic key, wherein the authentication protocol comprises a cryptographic handshake between the authentication device and a control assembly of the vape device to enable authentication of the cartridge and the control assembly;   a cryptographic key, wherein the authentication protocol comprises a cryptographic handshake between the authentication device and an external computing device to enable authentication of the cartridge;   data from which an expiry date for the cartridge is determined, wherein the authentication protocol comprises a comparison of the expiry date to a current date to determine whether the cartridge is expired;   a maximum allowed operational time for the cartridge, wherein the authentication protocol comprises a comparison of the maximum allowed operational time to a current operational time of the cartridge to determine whether the maximum allowed operational time has elapsed; and   a unique identifier for the cartridge, wherein the authentication protocol comprises transmitting the unique identifier to an external computing device to determine whether the cartridge is a counterfeit.   
     
     
         395 - 410 . (canceled) 
     
     
         411 . A method of authenticating a cartridge of a vape device, comprising:
 storing authentication data in an authentication device within the cartridge;   implementing an authentication protocol that uses the authentication data to determine whether the cartridge is authentic; and   controlling transmission of a power signal to an atomizer of the cartridge based on an outcome of the authentication protocol.   
     
     
         412 - 418 . (canceled) 
     
     
         419 . The method of  claim 411 , further comprising the step of transmitting the power signal and one or more data signals used to implement the authentication protocol over an electrical interface between the cartridge and a control assembly of the vape device. 
     
     
         420 - 504 . (canceled)