US 8205622

A concise summary of US patent 8,205,622 is as follows:

Title: Electronic cigarette

Assignee: The current assignee of record is VPR Brands LP.

Inventor: Guocheng Pan

Filing Date: May 7, 2009

Issue Date: June 26, 2012

Abstract:
An electronic cigarette has two tubes that resemble a cigarette: an electronic inhaler and an electronic atomizer. The two tubes are connected through one or more electric connectors to form an electronic cigarette. Inside the inhaler is a rechargeable or non-rechargeable power source such as a battery, which supplies electric power to the electronic inhaler and atomizer and ensures that both work together like a cigarette. In addition to the power source, the inhaler also includes other major components: an electric airflow sensor to detect air movement generated by a user's inhaling or puffing act and a Single Chip Micyoco which controls the atomization process. The sensor's role is to collect an airflow signal that triggers the Single Chip Micyoco, which in turn instructs the electronic cigarette to supply electric power to the inhaler and atomizer connected through an electric connector. Inside the electronic atomizer are an electric connector, electric heating wire, liquid container, and atomizer cap with an air-puffing hole. The user inhales through the air-puffing hole at an end of the electronic cigarette to create an air inflow, which triggers the atomization process. The Single Chip Micyoco driven by a software program controls the electronic cigarette in an on/off manner according to the signal detected by the electric sensor on the airflow and completes a cycle of atomization, which converts a solution of a liquid form inside the liquid container to a gas form. This entire process achieves the emulated smoking process of a user, who is satisfied with scent taste that mimics cigarette smoking.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

This patent has four independent claims: 1, 12, 13, 16, and 17.

• Claim 1: This claim describes an electronic cigarette composed of two detachable tubular parts: an "inhaler" and an "atomizer." The inhaler contains a power source. A key feature is an electric airflow sensor, specifically a "diaphragm microphone," that detects when a user puffs and turns the power on and off. The atomizer part holds a liquid solution in a media-filled container, with a side-space for airflow.

• Claim 12: This claim focuses on an electronic cigarette with a tubular inhaler and atomizer, powered by an electric source. The central inventive concept here is the inclusion of an integrated circuit board that has a "Single Chip Micyoco" (microcontroller) to control the atomization of the liquid.

• Claim 13: This claim describes an electronic cigarette with a tubular inhaler and atomizer. It covers the use of an electric airflow sensor to detect a user's puff. This sensor sends a signal to a "Single Chip Micyoco," which then controls the power source to deliver an electric current of a specific duration and magnitude to the atomizer.

• Claim 16: This claim outlines the specific arrangement of components within the tubular electronic inhaler. From one end to the other, it includes a cigarette cap, an LED indicator, the electric power source, an electric airflow sensor, a circuit board for the "Single Chip Micyoco," and an electric connector to attach to the atomizer.

• Claim 17: This claim is similar to Claim 1, describing an electronic cigarette with a detachable tubular inhaler and atomizer. It specifies that the atomizer has an exterior wall with an air-puffing hole and an inner container for the liquid, with a chamber for airflow between them. It also highlights that the inhaler's electric airflow sensor is a "diaphragm microphone" used to switch the power source on and off.

Litigation and CAFC Docket Search:

As of April 26, 2026, a search for dockets at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) for the year 2026 did not reveal any specific appeals directly associated with US patent 8,205,622. However, this patent has been the subject of significant litigation in various U.S. District Courts and has undergone inter partes review (IPR) proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Notably, the PTAB has upheld the validity of claims of this patent, which has enabled the assignee, VPR Brands LP, to continue its patent enforcement efforts.