A monitoring system can implement a method including receiving data characterizing first measurements recorded by a sensor in a heating area, second measurements recorded by the sensor in an ambient area, and third measurements recorded by the sensor in a central area, located between the heating area and the ambient area. The method further includes determining a first average temperature, a second average temperature, and a third average temperature. The method further includes computing a first temperature difference between the first average temperature in the heating area and the third average temperature in the central area, and a second temperature difference between second average temperature in the ambient area and the third average temperature of the central area. The method further includes providing the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference.

A monitoring system can implement a method including receiving data characterizing first measurements recorded by a sensor in a heating area, second measurements recorded by the sensor in an ambient area, and third measurements recorded by the sensor in a central area, located between the heating area and the ambient area. The method further includes determining a first average temperature, a second average temperature, and a third average temperature. The method further includes computing a first temperature difference between the first average temperature in the heating area and the third average temperature in the central area, and a second temperature difference between second average temperature in the ambient area and the third average temperature of the central area. The method further includes providing the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference.

A battery module is composed of a plurality of battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention and includes one positive output terminal formed by connecting the plurality of battery cells, one negative output terminal formed by connecting the plurality of battery cells, a field effect transistor (FET) provided on a current path between the positive output terminal and an external device, a temperature information measurer for measuring temperature information of the plurality of battery cells, and a protection integrated circuit (IC) chip for controlling the FET.

A battery module is composed of a plurality of battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention and includes one positive output terminal formed by connecting the plurality of battery cells, one negative output terminal formed by connecting the plurality of battery cells, a field effect transistor (FET) provided on a current path between the positive output terminal and an external device, a temperature information measurer for measuring temperature information of the plurality of battery cells, and a protection integrated circuit (IC) chip for controlling the FET.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a cylindrically-shaped capsule that contains a smoking material containing one or more active agents. A smoking device receives the cylindrically-shaped capsule that contains the smoking material and flattens at least part of a portion of the capsule that contains the smoking material. The smoking device vaporizes one or more of the active agents from within the smoking material by heating the smoking material while at least part of the portion of the capsule that contains the smoking material is in a flattened configuration. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a capsule that contains a smoking material containing one or more active agents. A smoking device is configured to vaporize one or more of the active agents from within the smoking material by heating the smoking material. The smoking device includes roller wheels and/or a funnel that are configured to change a shape of the capsule upon the capsule being inserted into the smoking device. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a capsule that contains a smoking material containing one or more active agents. The apparatus includes a smoking device configured to vaporize one or more of the active agents from within the smoking material by heating the smoking material. The smoking device includes at least one sensor configured to detect temperature of the smoking material within the capsule and configured to be moveable axially along a length of the capsule. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a capsule that contains a smoking material containing one or more active agents. The apparatus includes a smoking device configured to vaporize one or more of the active agents from within the smoking material by heating the smoking material. The smoking device includes at least one sensor configured to detect temperature of the smoking material within the capsule and configured to be moveable axially along a length of the capsule. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided apparatus for use with a capsule that contains a smoking material containing one or more active agents. A smoking device is configured to vaporize one or more of the active agents from within the smoking material by heating the smoking material. The smoking device incudes an electrode configured to drive a current into the capsule at one or more locations on the capsule, and a sensor configured to detect an amount of resistance that is generated by the capsule at the one or more locations. A control component is configured to derive identifying information regarding the capsule based on the amount of resistance that is generated by the capsule at the one or more locations. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a capsule that contains a smoking material containing one or more active agents. A smoking device is configured to vaporize one or more of the active agents from within the smoking material by heating the smoking material. The smoking device includes a control component configured to detect an amount of current that is required to maintain the smoking material at a given temperature, thereby derive an indication of an amount of the one or more active agents that has been vaporized, and terminate heating of the smoking material in response to detecting an indication that more than a given amount of the one or more of the active agents has been vaporized. Other applications are also described.