17947334. SESSION CONTROL SYSTEM simplified abstract (Altria Client Services LLC)

SESSION CONTROL SYSTEM

Organization Name

Altria Client Services LLC

Inventor(s)

Zack W. Blackmon of Richmond VA (US)

Thomas Tran of Richmond VA (US)

Terry Bache of Richmond VA (US)

Jarrett Keen of Richmond VA (US)

Niall Gallagher of Richmond VA (US)

Yannick Hourmand of Haslingfield (GB)

Guillaume Michel of Cambridge (GB)

Rangaraj S. Sundar of Midlothian VA (US)

Raymond W. Lau of Glen Allen VA (US)

Eric Hawes of Midlothian VA (US)

SESSION CONTROL SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17947334 titled 'SESSION CONTROL SYSTEM

Simplified Explanation

The abstract describes a session control system for a device that monitors and controls user sessions based on puff intake and time thresholds.

• The system includes a processor and memory to store and execute instructions.
• It detects session start, starts a session timer, and increments a puff variable based on airflow sensor data.
• It monitors the session timer and puff variable against set thresholds to determine when to end the session.
• The session timer measures session length, while the puff variable tracks the total number of puffs taken.

Potential Applications

The technology could be applied in:

• Smoking cessation devices
• Inhaler devices for medical treatments
• Vaping devices for nicotine or CBD consumption

Problems Solved

The system addresses issues such as:

• Overuse of a device leading to health risks
• Lack of control over session length
• Difficulty in tracking puff intake accurately

Benefits

Some benefits of this technology include:

• Improved user safety and health outcomes
• Customizable session control for different user needs
• Enhanced monitoring and tracking of device usage

Potential Commercial Applications

The system could be commercially used in:

• E-cigarettes and vaping devices
• Medical inhalers
• Smart smoking cessation aids

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be:

• Existing session control systems in electronic devices
• Puff counters in vaping devices

Unanswered Questions

How does the system differentiate between intentional and accidental puffs?

The system may need to incorporate additional sensors or algorithms to distinguish between intentional and accidental puff intake.

Can the system be integrated with mobile apps for remote monitoring and control?

Integrating the system with mobile apps could provide users with more flexibility and control over their sessions, but the feasibility and security of such integration need to be explored further.

Original Abstract Submitted

A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.