(19)
`
`(12)
`
`(cid:6)(cid:27)&(cid:11)(cid:11) (cid:12)(cid:12)(cid:11)(cid:11)(cid:14)(cid:15)(cid:23)(cid:12)(cid:6)
`EP 2 110 034 A1
`
`(11)
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`21.10.2009 Bulletin 2009/43
`
`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`(51) Int Cl.:(cid:3)
`A24F47/00(2006.01)
`
`(21) Application number: 08251450.6
`
`(22) Date of filing: 17.04.2008
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR
`HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT
`RO SE SI SK TR
`Designated Extension States:
`AL BA MK RS
`(71) Applicant: Philip Morris Products S.A.(cid:3)
`2000 Neuchâtel (CH)(cid:3)
`
`(72) Inventor: The designation of the inventor has not
`yet been filed
`
`(54)
`
`An electrically heated smoking system
`
`(57)
`There is provided an electrically heated smoking
`system for receiving an aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate. The
`system comprises at least one heating element for heat-
`ing the substrate to form an aerosol, a power supply for
`
`(74) Representative: Bradford, Victoria Sophie
`Reddie & Grose
`16 Theobalds Road
`London
`WC1X 8PL (GB)(cid:3)
`
`Remarks:
`Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(cid:3)(2)
`EPC.(cid:3)
`
`supplying power to the heating element, electrical hard-
`ware connected to the power supply and the heating el-
`ement, and an interface for establishing a communica-
`tions link with a host. The communications link may be
`a USB link and the host may be a personal computer.
`
`109
`
`---------------
`------------·
`
`Fig.1
`
`107
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
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`101
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`107a
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`EP2 110 034A1
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1018.001
`
`

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`1
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`EP 2 110 034 A1
`
`2
`
`Description
`(cid:3)[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically
`heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol-(cid:3)forming
`substrate.
`(cid:3)[0002] A number of prior art documents, for example
`US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 060 671, US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 388 594, US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 505 214, US-
`A-(cid:3)5 591 368, WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2004/043175, EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)0 358 002, EP-
`A-(cid:3)0 295 122, EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)1 618 803, EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)1 736 065 and WO-
`A-(cid:3)2007/131449, disclose electrically operated smoking
`systems, having a number of advantages. One advan-
`tage is that they significantly reduce sidestream smoke,
`while permitting the smoker to selectively suspend and
`reinitiate smoking.
`(cid:3)[0003] Prior art documents, such as EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)0 295 122,
`EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)1 618 803 and EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)1 736 065, disclose electrical
`smoking systems which use a liquid as the aerosol-(cid:3)form-
`ing substrate. The liquid may be contained in a cartridge
`which is receivable in a housing. A power supply, such
`as a battery, is provided, connected to a heater to heat
`the liquid substrate during a puff, to form the aerosol
`which is provided to the smoker.
`(cid:3)[0004] The electrically heated smoking systems of the
`prior art, including those described above, typically pro-
`vide a high power pulse to the heater to provide the tem-
`perature range desired for operation and to release the
`volatile compounds for each puff.
`(cid:3)[0005] The electrically heated smoking systems of the
`prior art, including those described above, do have a
`number of advantages, but there is still room for improve-
`ment. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide
`an improved electrically heated smoking system which
`offers additional functionality to the smoker.
`(cid:3)[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there
`is provided an electrically heated smoking system for re-
`ceiving an aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate, the system com-
`prising: at least one heating element for heating the sub-
`strate to form an aerosol; a power supply for supplying
`power to the at least one heating element; electrical hard-
`ware connected to the power supply and the at least one
`heating element; and an interface for establishing a com-
`munications link with a host.
`(cid:3)[0007] By providing an interface for establishing a com-
`munications link with a host, the electrical hardware in
`the system itself can be relatively simple in terms of mem-
`ory and processing power. This allows the electrically
`heated smoking system to remain relatively low cost to
`manufacture. The interface for establishing the commu-
`nications link with the host allows interaction between
`the system and the host. Thus, extended features can
`be implemented via the host at the same time as keeping
`the hardware in the system itself relatively simple.
`(cid:3)[0008] The aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate preferably com-
`prises a tobacco-(cid:3)containing material containing volatile
`tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the
`substrate upon heating. Alternatively, the aerosol-(cid:3)form-
`ing substrate may comprise a non-(cid:3)tobacco material.
`(cid:3)[0009] Preferably, the aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate fur-
`
`ther comprises an aerosol former. Examples of suitable
`aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol. Ad-
`ditional examples of potentially suitable aerosol formers
`are described in EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)0 277 519 and US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 396 911.
`(cid:3)[0010] The aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate may be a solid
`substrate. The solid substrate may comprise, for exam-
`ple, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds,
`spaghettis, strips or sheets containing one or more of:
`herb leaf, tobacco leaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, recon-
`stituted tobacco, homogenised tobacco, extruded tobac-
`co and expanded tobacco. The solid substrate may be
`in loose form, or may be provided in a suitable container
`or cartridge. Optionally, the solid substrate may contain
`additional tobacco or non-(cid:3)tobacco volatile flavour com-
`pounds, to be released upon heating of the substrate.
`(cid:3)[0011] Optionally, the solid substrate may be provided
`on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier
`may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds,
`spaghettis, strips or sheets. Alternatively, the carrier may
`be a tubular carrier having a thin layer of the solid sub-
`strate deposited on its inner surface, such as those dis-
`closed in US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 505 214, US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 591 368 and US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5
`388 594, or on its outer surface, or on both its inner and
`outer surfaces. Such a tubular carrier may be formed of,
`for example, a paper, or paper like material, a non-(cid:3)woven
`carbon fibre mat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen,
`or a perforated metallic foil or any other thermally stable
`polymer matrix.
`(cid:3)[0012] The solid substrate may be deposited on the
`surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet,
`foam, gel or slurry. The solid substrate may be deposited
`on the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, may
`be deposited in a pattern in order to provide a nonuniform
`flavour delivery during use.
`(cid:3)[0013] Alternatively, the carrier may be a non-(cid:3)woven
`fabric or fibre bundle into which tobacco components
`have been incorporated, such as that described in EP-
`A-(cid:3)0 857 431. The non-(cid:3)woven fabric or fibre bundle may
`comprise, for example, carbon fibres, natural cellulose
`fibres, or cellulose derivative fibres.
`(cid:3)[0014] Alternatively, the carrier may be at least a part
`of the heating element of the electrically heated smoking
`system. In such cases, the heating element is typically
`disposable. For example, the solid substrate may be de-
`posited as a thin layer on a metallic foil or on an electrically
`resistive support as described in US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 060 671.
`(cid:3)[0015] The aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate may be a liquid
`substrate. If a liquid substrate is provided, the electrically
`heated smoking system preferably comprises means for
`retaining the liquid. For example, the liquid substrate may
`be retained in a container, such as that described in EP-
`A-(cid:3)0 893 071. Alternatively or in addition, the liquid sub-
`strate may be absorbed into a porous carrier material,
`as described in WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/066374, EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)1 736 062,
`WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/131449 and WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/131450. The po-
`rous carrier material may be made from any suitable ab-
`sorbent plug or body, for example, a foamed metal or
`plastics material, polypropylene, terylene, nylon fibres or
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`NJOY Exhibit 1018.002
`
`

`

`3
`
`EP 2 110 034 A1
`
`4
`
`ceramic. The liquid substrate may be retained in the po-
`rous carrier material prior to use of the electrically heated
`smoking system or alternatively, the liquid substrate ma-
`terial may be released into the porous carrier material
`during, or immediately prior to use. For example, the liq-
`uid substrate may be provided in a capsule, as described
`in WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/077167. The shell of the capsule prefer-
`ably melts upon heating and releases the liquid substrate
`into the porous carrier material. The capsule may option-
`ally contain a solid in combination with the liquid.
`(cid:3)[0016]
`If the aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate is a liquid sub-
`strate, the electrically heated smoking system may fur-
`ther comprise means for heating a small amount of liquid
`at a time. The means for heating a small amount of liquid
`at a time may include, for example, a liquid passageway
`in communication with the liquid substrate, as described
`in EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)0 893 071. The liquid substrate is typically forced
`into the liquid passageway by capillary force. The heating
`element is preferably arranged such that, during use, only
`the small amount of liquid substrate within the liquid pas-
`sageway, and not the liquid within the container, is heated
`and volatilised.
`(cid:3)[0017] Alternatively, or in addition, if the aerosol-(cid:3)form-
`ing substrate is a liquid substrate, the electrically heated
`smoking system may further comprise an atomiser in
`contact with the liquid substrate source and including the
`at least one heating element. In addition to the heating
`element, the atomiser may include one or more electro-
`mechanical elements such as piezoelectric elements.
`Additionally or alternatively, the atomiser may also in-
`clude elements that use electrostatic, electromagnetic or
`pneumatic effects. The electrically heated smoking sys-
`tem may still further comprise a condensation chamber.
`(cid:3)[0018] The aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate may alternative-
`ly be any other sort of substrate, for example, a gas sub-
`strate, or any combination of the various types of sub-
`strate. During operation, the substrate may be completely
`contained within the electrically heated smoking system.
`In that case, a user may puff on a mouthpiece of the
`electrically heated smoking system. Alternatively, during
`operation, the substrate may be partially contained within
`the electrically heated smoking system. In that case, the
`substrate may form part of a separate article and the user
`may puff directly on the separate article.
`(cid:3)[0019] The at least one heating element may comprise
`a single heating element. Alternatively, the at least one
`heating element may comprise more than one heating
`element. The heating element or heating elements may
`be arranged appropriately so as to most effectively heat
`the aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate.
`(cid:3)[0020] The at least one heating element preferably
`comprises an electrically resistive material.(cid:3) Suitable
`electrically resistive materials include but are not limited
`to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically
`"conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybde-
`num disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and
`composite materials made of a ceramic material and a
`metallic material. Such composite materials may com-
`
`prise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable
`doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Exam-
`ples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tan-
`talum and metals from the platinum group. Examples of
`suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, co-
`balt-, chromium-, aluminium-(cid:3)titanium- zirconium-, hafni-
`um-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-,
`gallium-, manganese- and iron-(cid:3)containing alloys, and su-
`per-(cid:3)alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel,
`Timetal® and iron-(cid:3)manganese-(cid:3)aluminium based alloys.
`In composite materials, the electrically resistive material
`may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated
`with an insulating material or vice-(cid:3)versa, depending on
`the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physico-
`chemical properties required. Examples of suitable com-
`posite heating elements are disclosed in US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 498 855,
`WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)03/095688 and US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 514 630.
`(cid:3)[0021] Alternatively, the at least one heating element
`may comprise an infra-(cid:3)red heating element, a photonic
`source such as, for example, those described in US-(cid:3)A-
`5 934 289, or an inductive heating element, such as, for
`example, those described in US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 613 505.
`(cid:3)[0022] The at least one heating element may take any
`suitable form. For example, the at least one heating el-
`ement may take the form of a heating blade, such as
`those described in US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 388 594, US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 591 368 and
`US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)5 505 214. Alternatively, the at least one heating
`element may take the form of a casing or substrate having
`different electro-(cid:3)conductive portions, as described in EP-
`A-(cid:3)1 128 741, or an electrically resistive metallic tube, as
`described in WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/066374. Where the aerosol-
`forming substrate is a liquid provided within a container,
`the container may incorporate a disposable heating ele-
`ment. Alternatively, one or more heating needles or rods
`that run through the centre of the aerosol-(cid:3)forming sub-
`strate, as described in KR-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)100636287 and JP-(cid:3)A-
`2006320286, may also be suitable. Alternatively, the at
`least one heating element may be a disk (end) heater or
`a combination of a disk heater with heating needles or
`rods. Other alternatives include a heating wire or fila-
`ment, for example a Ni-(cid:3)Cr, platinum, tungsten or alloy
`wire, such as those described in EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)1 736 065, or a
`heating plate. Optionally, the heating element may be
`deposited in or on a rigid carrier material.
`(cid:3)[0023] The at least one heating element may comprise
`a heat sink, or heat reservoir comprising a material ca-
`pable of absorbing and storing heat and subsequently
`releasing the heat over time to the aerosol-(cid:3)forming sub-
`strate. Suitable heat sinks are described in EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)0 857
`431, US-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2006/118128 and WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2008/015441. The
`heat sink may be formed of any suitable material, such
`as a suitable metal or ceramic material. Preferably, the
`material has a high heat capacity (sensible heat storage
`material), or is a material capable of absorbing and sub-
`sequently releasing heat via a reversible process, such
`as a high temperature phase change. Suitable sensible
`heat storage materials include silica gel, alumina, carbon,
`glass mat, glass fibre, minerals, a metal or alloy such as
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`NJOY Exhibit 1018.003
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`

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`aluminium, silver or lead, and a cellulose material such
`as paper. Other suitable materials which release heat via
`a reversible phase change include paraffin, sodium ac-
`etate, naphthalene, wax, polyethylene oxide, a metal,
`metal salt, a mixture of eutectic salts or an alloy.
`(cid:3)[0024] The heat sink or heat reservoir may be arranged
`such that it is directly in contact with the aerosol-(cid:3)forming
`substrate and can transfer the stored heat directly to the
`substrate, as described in EP-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)0 857 431. Alternatively,
`the heat stored in the heat sink or heat reservoir may be
`transferred to the aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate by means of
`a heat conductor, such as a metallic tube, as described
`in WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2008/015441.
`(cid:3)[0025] The at least one heating element may heat the
`aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate by means of conduction. The
`heating element may be at least partially in contact with
`the substrate, or the carrier on which the substrate is
`deposited. Alternatively, the heat from the heating ele-
`ment may be conducted to the substrate by means of a
`heat conductive element.
`(cid:3)[0026] Alternatively, the at least one heating element
`may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air that is
`drawn through the electrically heated smoking system
`during use, which in turn heats the aerosol-(cid:3)forming sub-
`strate by convection. The ambient air may be heated be-
`fore passing through the aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate, as
`described in WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/066374. Alternatively, if the
`aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate is a liquid substrate, the am-
`bient air may be first drawn through the substrate and
`then heated, as described in WO-(cid:3)A-(cid:3)2007/078273.
`(cid:3)[0027]
`In a first embodiment, the power supply for sup-
`plying power to the at least one heating element com-
`prises a power cell contained in the electrically heated
`smoking system. In that case, the power supply may be
`a Lithium-(cid:3)ion battery or one of its variants, for example,
`a Lithium-(cid:3)ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the power
`supply may be a Nickel-(cid:3)metal hydride battery or a Nickel
`cadmium battery or a fuel cell. In that case, preferably,
`the electrically heated smoking system is usable by a
`smoker until the energy in the power cell is used up. Pref-
`erably, the power cell is entirely self-(cid:3)contained within the
`electrically heated smoking system.
`(cid:3)[0028]
`In a second embodiment, the power supply for
`supplying power to the at least one heating element com-
`prises circuitry chargeable by an external charging por-
`tion. The external charging portion may form part of the
`electrically heated smoking system. For example, the
`electrically heated smoking system may comprise a por-
`tion to be held by a user, and the external charging por-
`tion. The external charging portion may take the form of
`a docking station. Or, the external charging portion may
`form part of the host. In that case, the circuitry may be
`charged by connection of the electrically heated smoking
`system with the host via the communications link. In the
`second embodiment, preferably the circuitry, when
`charged, provides power for a pre-(cid:3)determined number
`of puffs, after which the circuitry must be reconnected to
`the external charging portion. An example of suitable cir-
`
`EP 2 110 034 A1
`6
`cuitry is one or more capacitors or re-(cid:3)chargeable batter-
`ies.
`(cid:3)[0029]
`In a third embodiment, the power supply for sup-
`plying power to the at least one heating element com-
`prises an interface for connection to an external power
`source. Preferably, the interface is connected to the ex-
`ternal power source at all times during use. In the third
`embodiment, the interface will preferably need to be con-
`nected to the external power source whenever a smoker
`wishes to use the system, since there is preferably no
`power source in the system itself. In the third embodi-
`ment, the interface may be connected to the external
`power source by connection of the electrically heated
`smoking system with the host via the communications
`link. That is, power may be supplied to the interface from
`the host, via the communications link.
`(cid:3)[0030] Thus, in the context of the invention, the term
`"power supply" should be inferred to mean either a self-
`contained power cell, or chargeable circuitry, or an inter-
`face for connection to an external source or a combina-
`tion of two or more of these.
`(cid:3)[0031] The communications link may be a wireless
`communications link. Alternatively, the communications
`link may be a wired communications link. The communi-
`cations link may be suitable for flow of data from the elec-
`trically heated smoking system to the host. The commu-
`nications link may be suitable for flow of data from the
`host to the electrically heated smoking system. Prefera-
`bly, the communications link is suitable for bi-(cid:3)directional
`flow of data, from the electrically heated smoking system
`to the host and from the host to the electrically heated
`smoking system. Preferably, the communications link is
`suitable for providing electrical power from the host to
`the electrically heated smoking system.
`(cid:3)[0032] Preferably, the communications link operates
`under an interface standard. An interface standard is a
`standard that describes one or more functional charac-
`teristics, such as code conversion, line assignments, or
`protocol compliance, or physical characteristics, such as
`electrical, mechanical, or optical characteristics, neces-
`sary to allow the exchange of information between two
`or more systems or pieces of equipment. Examples of
`suitable interface standards for the communications link
`include, but are not limited to, the Recommended Stand-
`ard 232 (RS-(cid:3)232) family of standards; Universal Serial
`Bus (USB); Bluetooth; FireWire (a brand name of Apple,
`Inc for their IEEE 1394 interface), IrDA (Infrared Data
`Association - a communications standard for the short-
`range exchange of data by Infrared light); Zigbee (a spec-
`ification based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wire-
`less personal area networks) and other Wi-(cid:3)Fi standards.
`(cid:3)[0033]
`In a preferred embodiment, the communica-
`tions link is a Universal Serial Bus - USB - link. This is
`advantageous because a USB communications link pro-
`vides bi-(cid:3)directional communication and also a power link
`(usually 5 V).
`(cid:3)[0034] Preferably, the host is Internet-(cid:3)enabled. That
`is, preferably the host is able to connect to one or more
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`NJOY Exhibit 1018.004
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`

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`Internet sites in order to upload data or download data
`or both upload and download data. This allows extended
`features to be implemented from the Internet via the host,
`at the same time as keeping the hardware in the system
`itself relatively simple. Throughout the specification, in
`the context of the present invention, the term "Internet"
`is used to refer to the worldwide, publicly accessible se-
`ries of interconnected computer networks that transmit
`data using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It includes
`the World Wide Web (www) but also includes other do-
`mestic, academic, business, government and other net-
`works outside the World Wide Web.
`(cid:3)[0035] The host may be a personal computer. The per-
`sonal computer may be a desktop computer. The per-
`sonal computer may be a laptop computer or a notebook
`computer. The personal computer may be a tablet com-
`puter such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Per-
`sonal Information Device (PID), a Portable Media Player
`(PMP, such as an Apple, Inc iPod®) or a Portable Video
`Player (PVP). The host may be a mobile cellular tele-
`phone.
`(cid:3)[0036] The interface is an interface suitable for the par-
`ticular communications link. For example, in the case of
`a wireless communications link, the interface may com-
`prise one of: a receiver for receipt of wireless signals from
`the host; a transmitter for sending wireless signals to the
`host; and a transceiver for receiving wireless signals
`from, and sending wireless signals to, the host. For ex-
`ample, in the case of a wired communications link, the
`interface may comprise one or both of: a male connector
`for connection with a female connector on or connected
`to the host; and a female connector for connection with
`a male connector on or connected to the host.
`(cid:3)[0037] The communications link is preferably suitable
`for one or more of the following functions: for downloading
`software from the host to the system; for downloading
`information from the host to the system; for charging the
`system; for uploading information from the system to the
`host; and for registering the system with the host. If the
`host is Internet-(cid:3)enabled, those functions may take place
`whilst the host is accessing an Internet site, or separately
`from the host accessing an Internet site.
`(cid:3)[0038] Preferably, the electrical hardware is program-
`mable by software. The software may be downloadable
`from the host via the communications link.
`(cid:3)[0039] Preferably the electrical hardware comprises a
`sensor to detect air flow indicative of a user taking a puff.
`The sensor may be an electro-(cid:3)mechanical device. Alter-
`natively, the sensor may be any of: a mechanical device,
`an optical device, an opto-(cid:3)mechanical device and a micro
`electro-(cid:3)mechanical-(cid:3)systems (MEMS) based sensor. In
`that case, preferably the electrical hardware is arranged
`to provide an electric current pulse to the at least one
`heating element when the sensor senses a user taking
`a puff. Preferably the time-(cid:3)period of the electric current
`pulse is pre-(cid:3)set, depending on the amount of aerosol
`desired. The electrical hardware is preferably program-
`mable for this purpose.
`
`EP 2 110 034 A1
`8
`(cid:3)[0040] Alternatively, the electrical hardware may com-
`prise a manually operable switch for a user to initiate a
`puff. In that case, preferably the electrical hardware is
`arranged to provide an electric current pulse to the at
`least one heating element when the user initiates a puff.
`Preferably, the time period of the electric current pulse
`is pre-(cid:3)set depending on the amount of aerosol desired.
`The electrical hardware is preferably programmable for
`this purpose.
`(cid:3)[0041] The electrically heated smoking system may
`further comprise a puff indicator for indicating when the
`heating element is activated. In the embodiment in which
`the electrical hardware comprises a sensor to detect air
`flow indicative of a user taking a puff, the indicator may
`be activated when the sensor senses air flow indicative
`of the user taking a puff. In the embodiment in which the
`electrical hardware comprises a manually operable
`switch, the indicator may be activated by the switch.
`(cid:3)[0042] The electrically heated smoking system may
`further comprise a housing for receiving the aerosol-
`forming substrate and designed to be grasped by a user.
`The housing may comprise a shell and a replaceable
`mouthpiece.
`(cid:3)[0043] The invention will be further described, by way
`of example only, with reference to accompanying Figure
`1 which shows an embodiment of the electrically heated
`smoking system connected to a host via a USB link.
`(cid:3)[0044] Referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, the
`electrically heated smoking system in the form of device
`101 comprises a housing 103 containing a power supply
`in the form of a Lithium-(cid:3)ion battery (not shown), electrical
`hardware in the form of a printed circuit board (not
`shown), an aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate in the form of a
`tobacco plug (not shown) and a heating element in the
`form of a heating blade (not shown) in contact with the
`tobacco plug. The housing 103 includes an interface in
`the form of a USB socket 105 for receiving a first end
`107a of a communications link in the form of a USB con-
`nector 107. The second end 107b of the USB connector
`107 is plugged into the host, in the form of Personal Com-
`puter (PC) 109. The PC 109 is Internet-(cid:3)enabled.
`(cid:3)[0045] The hardware in the device 101 comprises a
`limited set of software-(cid:3)supporting components. This al-
`lows the device itself to remain relatively simple in terms
`of memory and processing power. Extended capabilities
`for the device (to be discussed below) are hosted on the
`Internet-(cid:3)enabled PC 109 and transferred to and from the
`device 101 as required. Thus, the device may be con-
`nected, via the PC 109, to one or more approved Internet
`sites. In this embodiment, the link is a USB link which
`provides bi-(cid:3)directional communication and can also pro-
`vide power to the device.
`(cid:3)[0046] A number of extended capabilities are possible,
`as follows:
`(cid:3)[0047] Firstly, software may be downloaded from the
`PC to the device. The software may include updated ver-
`sions of software, as software develops, or to fix a specific
`bug. Alternatively, or in addition, the software may in-
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`NJOY Exhibit 1018.005
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`

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`9
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`EP 2 110 034 A1
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`1, but may apply to any electrically heated smoking sys-
`tem according to the invention.
`(cid:3)[0052] Other possible capabilities include, but are not
`limited to:(cid:3)
`Pay-(cid:3)as-(cid:3)you-(cid:3)smoke functionality. For example the
`user buys daily or weekly or monthly smoking time
`from the Internet application supported on the PC,
`or the user obtains smoking time credits based on
`cigarettes and other smoking articles bought via the
`Internet application.
`The device could be pre-(cid:3)loaded with credit which
`could be used to buy items, such as smoking articles,
`from the Internet application.
`The Internet application hosted on the PC could be
`an approved support group Internet site for assist-
`ance with smoking cessation. The Internet applica-
`tion could offer a controlled amount of smoking time
`whilst monitoring the smoking behaviour.
`If the device operates with separate smoking articles,
`the Internet application could recommend the most
`suitable smoking articles for the device, when the
`device is connected to the PC. Or similarly, for any
`type of aerosol-(cid:3)forming substrate, the Internet appli-
`cation could recommend the most suitable brands
`for the device.
`If the device operates with separate smoking articles,
`the Internet application could monitor usage and au-
`tomatically pre-(cid:3)order additional smoking articles
`when required. Or similarly, for any type of aerosol-
`forming substrate, the Internet application could
`monitor usage and pre-(cid:3)order aerosol-(cid:3)forming sub-
`strate when appropriate.
`The Internet application could monitor usage of the
`device and recommend maintenance at appropriate
`junctures.
`The device could include additional functionality,
`such as an MP3 player, satellite navigation and so
`forth, which could be downloaded to the device from
`the PC.
`(cid:3)[0053] Clearly, these capabilities are not limited to the
`device 101 and PC 109 of Figure 1, but may apply to any
`electrically heated smoking system according to the in-
`vention.
`(cid:3)[0054] Thus, a large number of extended capabilities
`may be provided, not limited to those listed above. The
`interface for connection via a communications link to the
`host, allows the electrically heated smoking system itself
`to be kept relatively simple and low-(cid:3)cost to manufacture,
`whilst providing capability for advanced functionality via
`the communications link.
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`clude additional features, which are, for example down-
`loadable after payment by the user. This removes the
`need for the device to be returned to the supplier or man-
`ufacturer for software downloads. This capability is not
`limited to the device 101 and PC 109 of Figure 1, but may
`apply to any electrically heated smoking system accord-
`ing to the invention.
`(cid:3)[0048] Secondly, information may be downloaded
`from the PC to the device. For example, a user may per-
`sonalise the device by specifying information such as a
`maximum number of puffs permitted per time period, and
`a minimum interval between puffs. This may assist with
`managing smoking behaviour. Alternatively, or in addi-
`tion, the user may specify the brand of tobacco plug being
`used and control parameters can then be downloaded
`from the PC to the device, to optimise the smoking ex-
`perience for that brand. Alternatively, or in addition, fur-
`ther features could be downloaded, for example auto-
`shutdown after a selected period of inactivity. This could
`be used as a security feature to prevent a lost or stolen
`device being used without authorisation. Again, this ca-
`pability is not limited to the device 101 and PC 109 of
`Figure 1, but may apply to any electrically heated smok-
`ing system according to the invention. If the user specifies
`a brand, this will be the brand of the particular aerosol-
`forming substrate being used.
`(cid:3)[0049] Thirdly, the PC may provide electrical power to
`the device. For example, if the device contains a re-
`chargeable battery or other chargeable circuitry, the con-
`nection could be used to re-(cid:3)charge the battery or circuitry.
`This may be the case in the Figure 1 embodiment. Or, if
`the device does not contain an internal power source,
`the PC may provide electrical power to the device while
`the device is being used by a smoker. This will mean that
`it is necessary to have the device and PC connected,
`while the device is being used. This capability is not lim-
`ited to the device 101 and PC 109 of Figure 1, but may
`apply to any electrically heated smoki