Patent Description:
Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful byproducts. There have been proposed various smoking substitute devices in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such smoking substitute devices can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute devices may comprise electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a "vapour") that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute devices are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and tobacco products. Some smoking substitute systems use smoking substitute articles (also referred to as a "consumables") that are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute devices has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. Some smoking substitute devices are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking substitute devices do not generally resemble a cigarette (for example, the smoking substitute device may have a generally box-like form).

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute devices, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach. A smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which the substitute system operates for a user.

One approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vapourisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as "e-liquid", is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin.

Vaping smoking substitute devices can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute devices which typically have a sealed tank and heating element which is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devices include a main body which includes the power source, wherein the main body is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including the tank and the heating element. In this way, when the tank of a consumable has been emptied, the main body can be reused by connecting it to a new consumable. Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devices are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.

There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute devices which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user, so the device can be used multiple times.

An example vaping smoking substitute device is the myblu (RTM) e-cigarette. The myblu (RTM) e-cigarette is a closed system device which includes a main body and a consumable. The main body and consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the main body. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a heating device, which for this device is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The device is activated when a microprocessor on board the main body detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another example vaping smoking substitute device is the blu PRO (RTM) e-cigarette. The blu PRO (RTM) e-cigarette is an open system device which includes a main body, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece. The main body and tank are physically and electrically coupled together by screwing one to the other. The mouthpiece and refillable tank are physically coupled together by screwing one of the other, and detaching the mouthpiece from the refillable tank allows the tank to be refilled with e-liquid. The device is activated by a button on the main body. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to a heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another approach for a smoking substitute system is the so-called Heated Tobacco ("HT") approach in which tobacco (rather than an "e-liquid") is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as "heat not burn" ("HNB"). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.

A typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

There may be a need for improved design of smoking substitute systems, in particular HT smoking substitute systems, to enhance the user experience and improve the function of the HT smoking substitute system.

An example of the HT approach is the IQOS(RTM) smoking substitute device from Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOS(RTM) smoking substitute device uses a consumable, including reconstituted tobacco located in a wrapper. The consumable includes a holder incorporating a mouthpiece. The consumable may be inserted into a main body that includes a heating device. The heating device has a thermally conductive heating knife which penetrates the reconstituted tobacco of the consumable, when the consumable is inserted into the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element (in this case a heating knife), which, in turn, heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which may be drawn through the mouthpiece by the user through inhalation.

A second example of the HT approach is the device known as "Glo"(RTM) from British American Tobacco p. Glo(RTM) comprises a relatively thin consumable. The consumable includes leaf tobacco which is heated by a heating device located in a main body. When the consumable is placed in the main body, the tobacco is surrounded by a heating element of the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element, which, in turn, heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which may be drawn through the consumable by the user through inhalation. The tobacco, when heated by the heating device, is configured to produce vapour when heated rather than when burned (as in a smoking apparatus, e.g. a cigarette). The tobacco may contain high levels of aerosol formers (carrier), such as vegetable glycerine ("VG") or propylene glycol ("PG").

The present inventor have observed that most smoking substitute devices currently on the market are configured to operate in isolation of other devices, which limits the functions the smoking substitute devices can perform.

The present inventor has also observed that smoking substitute devices currently on the market do not monitor for, nor mitigate against, the smoking substitute device operating incorrectly as a result of being held in an incorrect orientation.

Devices of the prior art are known from <CIT> or <CIT>.

Document <CIT> describes a case for an electronic smoking device. The case comprises a primary reception portion, adapted to receive an electronic smoking device, and a first and a second wing element, each comprising a substantially closed compartment and being hingedly connected to the primary reception portion respectively. The wing elements are each pivotable with respect to the primary reception portion and adapted to fix an electronic smoking device arranged within the primary reception portion to the case. At least one of the first and the second wing element comprises at least one sensor unit which may comprises at least one orientation sensor unit, adapted to detect an orientation of the case with respect to a reference line defined by the force of gravity.

<CIT> describes an aerosol-generating system comprising: a liquid storage portion for holding a liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a pair of electrodes arranged adjacent to or in the liquid storage portion; a sensor configured to sense the orientation of the liquid storage portion; and a control system. The control system is configured to: measure an electrical quantity between the pair of electrodes; receive orientation information from the sensor; and determine the amount of liquid aerosol-forming substrate held in the liquid storage portion based on electrical quantity information measured between the pair of electrodes and the orientation information received from the sensor.

In a first aspect, as defined in claim <NUM>, the invention provides a smoking substitute device, comprising: a control unit; and
an accelerometer, configured to detect an orientation of the smoking substitute device and provide data indicative of the detected orientation to the control unit; wherein the control unit is configured to trigger an alert when it determines from the data indicative of the detected orientation (received from the accelerometer) that the smoking substitute device will function improperly.

Advantageously, such a smoking substitute device can better improve a user's experience of the smoking substitute device by helping to ensure that the smoking substitute device will not be used when it has been held in an inappropriate orientation. By 'will function improperly' it may be meant that a wick of a heating device of the smoking substitute device, used by the heating device to generate a vapour, may have become desaturated or dry and so not contain a sufficient amount of vapourisable liquid. For example, the smoking substitute device may be considered to function improperly when the wick is: at most <NUM>% saturated with vapourisable liquid, at most <NUM>% saturated with vapourisable liquid, at most <NUM>% saturated with vapourisable liquid, or saturated with vapourisable liquid at level which is less than <NUM>%. Accordingly, the smoking substitute device may function improperly in that the wick may burn when electrical energy is supplied to the heating device, the user may experience an unpleasant taste when electrical energy is supplied to the heating device, and/or the smoking substitute device may not generate a desired quantity of vapour when electrical energy is supplied to the heating device.

The accelerometer may be a single axis accelerometer or a multi axis accelerometer, e.g. a three axis accelerometer. It is possible to detect orientation within a limited arc with a single axis accelerometer (see e.g. https://www. com/en/articles/techzone/<NUM>/may/using-an-accelerometer-for-inclination-sensing). However, a multi axis accelerometer allow for more robust and more accurate orientation detection with fewer limitations, with two or three axes often being preferred. Most smartphones typically make use of three-axis models, whereas cars simply use only a two-axis to determine the moment of impact. The sensitivity of accelerometers can be quite high as they're intended to measure even very minute shifts in acceleration. The more sensitive the accelerometer, the more easily it can measure acceleration.

According to the invention, the control unit is configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device has been located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid for a predetermined period of time (t<NUM>). The predetermined period of time may be one in which the gravity fed heating device would have dried or become sufficiently desaturated as to function improperly. For example the predetermined period of time is at least 30minutes according to the present invention, it may be at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, or more than <NUM> minutes.

In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to determine whether the smoking substitute device is held in an inappropriate orientation whilst the heating device (<NUM>) is being used, and to trigger the alert immediately when it is determined that the smoking substitute device is held in an inappropriate orientation whilst the heating device (<NUM>) is being used.

In some embodiments, the predetermined period of time is a first predetermined period of time, wherein the control unit is configured to re-enable the smoking substitute device when it is determined, via the data indicative of the detected orientation, that the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for a second predetermined period of time (t<NUM>). The second predetermined period of time may be one long enough for the gravity fed heating device to be sufficiently replenished with vapourisable liquid, for example at least <NUM> second, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds. Preferably, the second predetermined period is no more than <NUM> seconds. Preferably, the second predetermined period of time is at least <NUM> second.

In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to re-enable the smoking substitute device when it receives a re-enablement signal from a remote device (<NUM>) via a wireless interface (<NUM>) of the smoking substitute device.

Triggering the alert may include disabling the smoking substitute device. For example, disabling the smoking substitute device may include disabling a heating device used by the smoking substitute device to vaporise a vapourisable liquid. Disabling the heating device may include preventing electrical energy from being supplied to the heating device.

The control unit may be configured to re-enable the smoking substitute device when it is determined, via the data indicative of the detected orientation, that the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for a first predetermined period of time. The appropriate orientation may be one in which a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device is located below a tank containing a vapourisable liquid. The first predetermined period of time may be one long enough for the gravity fed heating device to be sufficiently replenished with vapourisable liquid, for example at least <NUM> second, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds. Preferably, the first predetermined period is no more than <NUM> seconds.

According to the present invention, as defined in claim <NUM>, the claimed system may comprise a smoking substitute device and a remote device. The smoking substitute device includes a wireless interface, wherein the control unit is configured to provide the data indicative of the detected orientation to a remote device via the wireless interface. The remote device may be a mobile device, e.g. a smart phone.

Triggering the alert may include sending a message via the wireless interface to a remote device indicating that the smoking substitute device will function improperly. For example, the control unit may send a message to a remote device (e.g. a mobile device such as a smart phone) which is then presented to the user in the form of an alert.

The smoking substitute device is be included in the system that also includes the remote device.

Triggering the alert may include activating an indicator light on the smoking substitute device. For example, a light emitting diode (LED) may be activated in response to the alert, or may change to a colour indicative that the smoking substitute device will function improperly.

The control unit may be configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device is located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid, indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device was located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid when the smoking substitute device was used by a user, or indicates that a gravity fed heating device has been located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid for a second predetermined period of time. The second predetermined period of time may be one in which the gravity fed heating device would have dried or become sufficiently desaturated as to function improperly. For example the second predetermined period of time may be: at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, or more than <NUM> minutes.

The control unit is configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a wick of the smoking substitute device is not saturated with a vapourisable liquid.

In a second aspect, the disclosure provides a smoking substitute device comprising: a control unit; an accelerometer, configured to detect an orientation of the smoking substitute device and provide data indicative of the detected orientation to the control unit; and a wireless interface; wherein the control unit is configured to provide the data indicative of the detected orientation to a remote device via the wireless interface.

The smoking substitute device may be included in a system that also includes the remote device.

The remote device or the control unit may be configured to trigger an alert when it determines from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly. Where the remote device makes this determination, part of triggering the alert may include sending a message indicating that the smoking substitute device will function improperly to the smoking substitute device.

Triggering the alert may include disabling the smoking substitute device, this may be done by the remote device e.g. by issuing a disable signal that is received at the smoking substitute device via the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device. For example, disabling the smoking substitute device may include disabling a heating device used by the smoking substitute device to vaporise a vapourisable liquid. Disabling the heating device may include preventing electrical energy from being provided to the heating device.

One or more features of the smoking substitute device according to the first aspect of the invention may be present in the smoking substitute device according to the second aspect, except where such features are incompatible.

For example, the control unit may be configured to re-enable the smoking substitute device when it is determined, via data received from the accelerometer, that the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for a first predetermined period of time. The appropriate orientation may be one in which a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device is located below a tank containing a vapourisable liquid. The first predetermined period of time may be one long enough for the gravity fed heating device to be sufficiently replenished with vapourisable liquid, for example at least <NUM> second, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds. Preferably, the first predetermined period is no more than <NUM> seconds.

Additionally or alternatively, the control unit may be configured to re-enable the smoking substitute device when it receives a re-enablement signal from the remote device (e.g. via the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device). The remote device may be configured to issue the re-enablement signal when it has determined, via the data indicative of the detected orientation, that the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for a first predetermined period of time.

The remote device, or control unit, may be configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data received from the accelerometer indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device is located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid, indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device was located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid when the smoking substitute device was used by a user, or indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device has been located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid for a second predetermined period of time. The second predetermined period of time may be one in which the gravity fed heating device would have dried or become sufficiently desaturated as to function improperly. For example the second predetermined period of time may be: at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, or more than <NUM> minutes.

The remote device or control unit may be configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that the smoking substitute device indicates that a wick of the smoking substitute device is not saturated with a vapourisable liquid.

In a third aspect, as defined in claim <NUM>, the invention provides a method of operating a smoking substitute device, having the steps of: monitoring data indicative of a detected orientation of the smoking substitute device as provided by an accelerometer of the smoking substitute device; determining, from the data indicative of the detected orientation, that the smoking substitute device will function improperly; and triggering an alert in response to the determination.

In some embodiments, the method may include determining from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device has been located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid for a predetermined period of time (t<NUM>). The predetermined period of time may be one in which the gravity fed heating device would have dried or become sufficiently desaturated as to function improperly. For example the predetermined period of time may be: at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, or more than <NUM> minutes.

Triggering the alert may include disabling the smoking substitute device. For example, disabling the smoking substitute device may include disabling a heater used by the smoking substitute device to vaporise a vapourisable liquid. Disabling the heater may include preventing power from being provided to the heater.

The method may include a step, after disabling the device, of re-enabling the smoking substitute device when it is determined, via the data indicative of the detected orientation, that the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for a first predetermined period of time. The appropriate orientation may be one in which a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device is located below a tank containing a vaporisable liquid. The first predetermined period of time may be one long enough for the gravity fed heating device to be sufficiently replenished with vapourisable liquid, for example at least <NUM> second, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds. Preferably, the first predetermined period is no more than <NUM> seconds. The determination that the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for the first predetermined period of time could be made by (e.g. a control unit of) the smoking substitute device and/or a remote device, for example.

Determining that the smoking substitute device will function improperly may occur when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device is located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid, indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device was located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid when the smoking substitute device was used by a user, or indicates that a gravity fed heating device of the smoking substitute device has been located above a tank containing a vapourisable liquid for a second predetermined period of time. The second predetermined period of time may be one in which the gravity fed heating device would have dried or become sufficiently desaturated as to function improperly. For example, the second predetermined period of time may be: at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, or more than <NUM> minutes.

The method may be performed by a smoking substitute device according to the first aspect of the invention and/or the second aspect.

The method may include one or more method steps corresponding to one or more features described in connection with the first and/or second aspect.

Further aspects of the present disclosure provide: a computer program comprising code which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the third aspect; a computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising code which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the third aspect; and a computer system programmed to perform the method of the third aspect.

The disclosure includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

<FIG> shows an example system <NUM> for managing a smoking substitute device <NUM>.

The system <NUM> as shown in <FIG> includes a mobile device <NUM>, an application server <NUM>, an optional charging station <NUM>, as well as the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

The smoking substitute device <NUM> is configured to communicate wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth (RTM), with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device <NUM>, e.g. via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> may be a mobile phone, for example. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the application server <NUM>, via a network <NUM>. The application server <NUM> may utilise cloud storage, for example.

The network <NUM> may include a cellular network and/or the internet.

A skilled person would readily appreciate that the mobile device <NUM> may be configured to communicate via the network <NUM> according to various communication channels, preferably a wireless communication channel such as via a cellular network (e.g. according to a standard protocol, such as <NUM> or <NUM>) or via a WiFi (RTM) network.

The app installed on the mobile device and the application server <NUM> may be configured to assist a user with their smoking substitute device <NUM>, based on information communicated between the smoking substitute device <NUM> and the app and/or information communicated between the app and the application server <NUM>.

The charging station <NUM> (if present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate with) the smoking substitute device <NUM>, via a charging port on the smoking substitute device <NUM>. The charging port on the smoking substitute device <NUM> may be a USB port, for example, which may allow the smoking substitute device to be charged by any USB-compatible device capable of delivering power to the smoking substitute device <NUM> via a suitable USB cable (in this case the USB-compatible device would be acting as the charging station <NUM>). Alternatively, the charging station could be a docking station specifically configured to dock with the smoking substitute device <NUM> and charge the smoking substitute device <NUM> via the charging port on the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example smoking substitute device <NUM> for use as the smoking substitute device <NUM> in the system <NUM> of <FIG>.

In this example, the smoking substitute device <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a consumable <NUM>. The consumable <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a "pod".

In this example, the smoking substitute device <NUM> is a closed system vaping device, wherein the consumable <NUM> includes a sealed tank <NUM> and is intended for one-use only.

<FIG> shows the smoking substitute device <NUM> with the main body <NUM> physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the main body <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM> without the consumable <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the consumable <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM> without the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> and the consumable <NUM> are configured to be physically coupled together, in this example by pushing the consumable <NUM> into an aperture in a top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>, e.g. with the consumable <NUM> being retained in the aperture via an interference fit. In other examples, the main body <NUM> and the consumable could be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, through a bayonet fitting, or through a snap engagement mechanism, for example. An optional light <NUM>, e.g. an LED located behind a small translucent cover, is located a bottom end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The light <NUM> may be configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute device <NUM> is activated.

The consumable <NUM> includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at a top end <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, as well as one or more air inlets (not shown in <FIG>) so that air can be drawn into the smoking substitute device <NUM> when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. At a bottom end <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, there is located a tank <NUM> that contains e-liquid. The tank <NUM> may be a translucent body, for example.

The tank <NUM> preferably includes a window <NUM>, so that the amount of e-liquid in the tank <NUM> can be visually assessed. The main body <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> so that the window <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> can be seen whilst the rest of the tank <NUM> is obscured from view when the consumable <NUM> is inserted into the aperture in the top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

In this present embodiment, the consumable <NUM> is a "single-use" consumable. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid in the tank <NUM>, the intention is that the user disposes of the whole consumable <NUM>. In other embodiments, the e-liquid (i.e. aerosol former) may be the only part of the system that is truly "single-use". In such embodiments, the tank <NUM> may be refillable with e-liquid or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system. For example, the e-liquid may be stored in a tank located in the device or stored in another component that is itself not single-use (e.g. a refillable tank).

The tank <NUM> may be referred to as a "clearomizer" if it includes a window <NUM>, or a "cartomizer" if it does not.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the main body <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the consumable <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> includes a power source <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a wireless interface <NUM>, an electrical interface <NUM>, and, optionally, one or more additional components <NUM>.

The power source <NUM> is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery.

The control unit <NUM> may include a microprocessor, for example.

The memory <NUM> is preferably includes non-volatile memory.

The wireless interface <NUM> is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device <NUM>, e.g. via Bluetooth (RTM). To this end, the wireless interface <NUM> could include a Bluetooth (RTM) antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi (RTM), are also possible.

The electrical interface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface <NUM> may be located in, and preferably at the bottom of, the aperture in the top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. When the main body <NUM> is physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>, the electrical interface <NUM> may be configured to pass electrical power from the power source <NUM> to (e.g. a heating device of) the consumable <NUM> when the smoking substitute device <NUM> is activated, e.g. via the electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> (discussed below). When the main body <NUM> is not physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include the optional light <NUM> discussed above.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may, if the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station <NUM>. This may be located at the bottom end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. Alternatively, the electrical interface <NUM> discussed above is configured to act as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station <NUM> such that a separate charging port is not required.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may, if the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, include a battery charging control circuit, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, a battery charging control circuit could equally be located in the charging station <NUM> (if present).

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include an airflow sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device <NUM>, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece <NUM> (discussed below) of the smoking substitute device <NUM>. The smoking substitute device <NUM> may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor. This optional sensor could alternatively be included in the consumable <NUM> (though this is less preferred where the consumable <NUM> is intended to be disposed of after use, as in this example).

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include an actuator, e.g. a button. The smoking substitute device <NUM> may be configured to be activated when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to the airflow sensor noted, as a mechanism for activating the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> includes an accelerometer <NUM>, which is configured to detect an orientation of the smoking substitute device and provide data indicative of the detected orientation to the control unit <NUM>. The accelerometer <NUM> may be, for example, a piezoelectric based accelerometer, or capacitance based accelerometer, integrated within a chip within the main body.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include a reader configured to read information associated with the consumable from a machine readable data source included in (e.g. contained in the body of, or attached to) the consumable <NUM>.

The reader may be configured to read information from the machine readable data source wirelessly, e.g. via electromagnetic waves or optically. Thus, for example, the machine readable data source included in the consumable <NUM> could be an RFID tag (in which case the reader included in the main body <NUM> may be an RFID reader) or a visual data source such as a barcode (in which case the reader included in the main body may be an optical reader, e.g. a barcode scanner). Various wireless technologies and protocols may be employed to allow the reader to wirelessly read information from a machine readable data source included in or attached to the consumable <NUM>, e.g. NFC, Bluetooth (RTM), Wi-Fi (RTM), as would be appreciated by a skilled person.

For avoidance of any doubt, the reader (if present) may be configured to read information from the machine readable data source non-wirelessly, e.g. using a direct electrical connection between the main body <NUM> and consumable <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the consumable <NUM> includes the tank <NUM>, an electrical interface <NUM>, a heating device <NUM>, one or more air inlets <NUM>, a mouthpiece <NUM>, and, optionally, one or more additional components <NUM>.

The electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and an electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> are preferably configured to contact each other and therefore electrically couple the main body <NUM> to the consumable <NUM> when the main body <NUM> is physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>. In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from the power source <NUM> in the main body <NUM> to the heating device <NUM> in the consumable <NUM>.

The heating device <NUM> is preferably configured to heat e-liquid contained in the tank <NUM>, e.g. using electrical energy supplied from the power source <NUM>. In one example, the heating device <NUM> may include a heating filament and a wick, wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the tank <NUM> in order to draw e-liquid out from the tank <NUM>, and wherein the heating filament coils around a second portion of the wick located outside the tank <NUM>. In this example, the heating filament is configured to heat up e-liquid drawn out of the tank <NUM> by the wick to produce an aerosol vapour. In this example, the wick is located generally below the tank <NUM> and is fed vapourisable liquid via gravity and capillary action.

The one or more air inlets <NUM> are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking substitute device <NUM>, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> may include a machine readable data source, which may e.g. be contained in the body of, or attached to the consumable <NUM>. The machine readable data source may store information associated with the consumable. The information associated with the consumable may include information concerning the content of the consumable (e.g. e-liquid type, batch number) and/or a unique identifier, for example.

The machine readable data source may be rewritable, e.g. a rewritable RFID chip, or read only, e.g. a visual data source such as a barcode. As indicated above, the additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include a reader configured to read information associated with the consumable from the machine readable data source.

In use, a user activates the smoking substitute device <NUM>, e.g. through actuating an actuator included in the main body <NUM> or by inhaling through the mouthpiece <NUM> as described above. Upon activation, the control unit <NUM> may supply electrical energy from the power source <NUM> to the heating device <NUM> (via electrical interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>), which may cause the heating device <NUM> to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank <NUM> to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece <NUM>.

Of course, a skilled reader would readily appreciate that the smoking substitute device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> shows just one example implementation of a smoking substitute device, and that other forms of smoking substitute device could be used as the smoking substitute device <NUM> of <FIG>.

By way of example, a HNB smoking substitute device including a main body and a consumable could be used as the smoking substitute device <NUM> of <FIG>, instead of the smoking substitute device <NUM>. One such HNB smoking substitute device is the IQOS(RTM) smoking substitute device discussed above.

As another example, an open system vaping device which includes a main body, a refillable tank, and a mouthpiece could be used as the smoking substitute device <NUM> of <FIG>, instead of the smoking substitute device <NUM>. One such open system vaping device is the blu PRO(RTM) e-cigarette discussed above.

As another example, an entirely disposable (one use) smoking substitute device could be used as the smoking substitute device <NUM> of <FIG>, instead of the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a method of operating the smoking substitute device <NUM> described previously. In a first step, <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> monitors the orientation of the smoking substitute device via data indicative of a detected orientation of the smoking substitute device as provided by the accelerometer <NUM>.

Subsequently, in step <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> determines whether the smoking substitute device has been held in an inappropriate orientation for a time period t<NUM>. In this example, an inappropriate orientation is one in which the wick of the heating device <NUM> does not receive a sufficient supply of vapourisable liquid e.g. because it is above the tank <NUM> containing the liquid. The time period t<NUM>, corresponding to the second predetermined time period discussed above, may be at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, at least <NUM> minutes, or more than <NUM> minutes. Additionally, or alternatively, the control unit <NUM> may determine whether the smoking substitute device was held in an inappropriate orientation whilst the heating device <NUM> was used. Such conditions can desaturate the wick faster than if the smoking substitute device was held in an appropriate orientation during such use.

If the determination is that this is not the case, 'No', the method enters a loop and returns to step <NUM>. If the determination is that this is the case, 'Yes', the method moves to step <NUM> wherein an alert is triggered.

Triggering the alert, in step <NUM>, can then involve either or both of steps <NUM> and <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the heating device <NUM> is disabled, thereby disabling the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the user is notified that the smoking substitute device will function improperly. Notifying the user can be performed in plural ways. For example, an indicator light in the main body <NUM> may illuminate or show that the smoking substitute device will function improperly. Additionally/alternatively, the control unit <NUM> may transmit a message to a remote device (e.g. mobile device <NUM>) indicating that the smoking substitute device will function improperly, and this remote device may then notify the user. Subsequently, in step <NUM>, a determination is made as to whether the smoking substitute device has been held in an appropriate orientation for a time period t<NUM>, corresponding to the first predetermined time period discussed above. As discussed previously, time period t<NUM> may be at least <NUM> second, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds, at least <NUM> seconds. If it is determined that this is not the case, 'No', the method enters a loop and runs the determination again. If it is determined that it is the case, 'Yes', the method moves to step <NUM> and the heater is re-enabled.

Steps <NUM> - <NUM> discussed above may be performed entirely by the control unit <NUM> of the main body <NUM> of the smoking substitute device. Alternatively some, or indeed all, of the steps may be performed by a remote device <NUM>, <NUM>, to which the smoking substitute device is connected.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting.

Claim 1:
A smoking substitute device (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a control unit (<NUM>); and
an accelerometer (<NUM>), configured to detect an orientation of the smoking substitute device (<NUM>, <NUM>) and provide data indicative of the detected orientation to the control unit (<NUM>);
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to trigger an alert when it determines from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device (<NUM>, <NUM>) will function improperly
wherein the control unit (<NUM>) is configured to determine from the data indicative of the detected orientation that the smoking substitute device (<NUM>, <NUM>) will function improperly when the data indicative of the detected orientation indicates that a gravity fed heating device (<NUM>) of the smoking substitute device (<NUM>, <NUM>) has been located above a tank (<NUM>) containing a vapourisable liquid for a predetermined period of time (t<NUM>), wherein the predetermined period of time is at least <NUM> minutes.