United States Patent [19J
`Nunnally et al.
`
`[54] LIGHTER ACTUATION SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: H. Neal Nunnally, Richmond; Dave E.
`Sharpe, Chesterfield; Michael L.
`Watkins, Chester, all of Va.; Douglas J.
`Ely, Andover; Neal R. Butler, Acton,
`both of Mass.; Patrick J. Cobler,
`Nashua, N.H.
`
`[73] Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated, New
`York, N.Y.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/953,945
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Oct. 20, 1997
`
`Int. Cl.6
`........................................................ F23Q 7/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ............................................. 219/263; 219/269
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 219/260, 262,
`219/263, 264, 265, 267, 269, 270, 386,
`600; 200/61.59
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 1111111111 11111 lllll 111111111111111111
`US005902501A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,902,501
`May 11, 1999
`
`2,525,040
`3,372,306
`3,379,856
`3,419,704
`5,613,505
`
`10/1950 Luthi ....................................... 219/263
`3/1968 Koizumi .................................. 219/263
`4/1968 Hirsch ..................................... 219/260
`12/1968 Hunt ........................................ 219/260
`3/1997 Campbell et al.
`...................... 219/600
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5-248635
`
`9 /1993
`
`Japan .
`
`Primary Examiner-Tu B. Hoang
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Charles E. B. Glenn; James E.
`Schardt; James T. Moore
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention provides a cigarette identifier system
`comprising a coil at a location along the cigarette-receiving
`receptacle of the lighter, an oscillation circuit in communi(cid:173)
`cation with the coil and a controller configured to activate or
`deactivate the lighter responsively to output of the oscillator
`circuit.
`
`2,199,885
`
`5/1940 Kravchuk ................................ 219/263
`
`18 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`39~
`54
`
`33
`
`182
`
`Ex. 2016-0001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f 9
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`5,902,501
`5,902,501
`
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`
`
`Ex. 2016-0002
`
`Ex. 2016-0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f 9
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`5,902,501
`5,902,501
`
`d
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`If)
`(Y)
`
`Fig.2
`
`
`
`Ex. 2016-0003
`
`Ex. 2016-0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f 9
`Sheet 3 of 9
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`Ex. 2016-0004
`
`Ex. 2016-0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 9
`Sheet 4 of 9
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`Ex. 2016-0005
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`Ex. 2016-0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f 9
`Sheet 5 of 9
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`Ex. 2016-0006
`
`Ex. 2016-0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 0f 9
`Sheet 6 of 9
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`5,902,501
`5,902,501
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`

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`41/
`
`51
`Indicator I
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`45
`Puff
`Sensor
`
`302
`
`304
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`306
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`307
`50
`Cigarette
`Identifier I
`
`PHASE 1
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`PHASE 2
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`I DUTY-CYCLE MAP
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`Ex. 2016-0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11, 1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 0f 9
`Sheet 8 of 9
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`Ex. 2016-0009
`
`Ex. 2016-0009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 11,1999
`May 11, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 0f 9
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`5,902,501
`5,902,501
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`Ex. 2016-0010
`
`Ex. 2016-0010
`
`

`

`5,902,501
`
`1
`LIGHTER ACTUATION SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`This invention relates to electrically powered smoking
`systems, and more particularly to lighters of electrically
`powered smoking systems and their actuators which prepare
`them for operation.
`
`10
`
`2
`match so that the desired proportions of heater overlap are
`achieved. Accordingly, a need has arisen for providing the
`lighter a capacity to discern whether a given cigarette that
`has been inserted in the lighter has the desired internal
`5 structure, particularly as to whether the cigarette includes a
`cavity within a tubular tobacco web. Further to this need, it
`is important that the cigarette and lighter of an electrical
`smoking system be matched so that the desired tastes and
`predetermined delivery levels are obtained.
`The above-commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,594,
`5,505,214, and 5,591,368 all disclosed systems which
`include a cigarette detector signal a logic circuit respon(cid:173)
`sively to an insertion of a cigarette, some of which detectors
`include optical components. It has been found that lens and
`15 other light transmissive components located at or about the
`heater elements of the lighter are prone to collect dirt and/or
`tobacco smoke condensates and become clouded.
`It has also been found that optical detectors may generate
`spurious signals if they are exposed to ambient ( external)
`sources of light. This problem becomes aggravated as one
`attempts to locate such detectors away from the heater
`elements and closer to the entrance of the cigarette receiving
`port of the lighter.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,594, 5,505,
`214, and 5,591,368 disclose various electrically powered
`smoking systems comprising electric lighters and cigarettes.
`The systems provide smoking pleasure while significantly
`reducing sidestream smoke and permitting the smoker to
`selectively suspend and reinitiate smoking.
`The preferred embodiment of the lighter in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,388,594 includes a plurality of metallic serpentine heaters
`disposed in a configuration that slidingly receives a tobacco
`rod portion of the system's cigarette. The cigarette and the
`lighter are configured such that when the cigarette is inserted
`into the lighter and as individual heaters are activated for
`each puff, localized charring occurs at spots about the
`cigarette in the locality where each heater bears against the
`cigarette (hereinafter referred to as a "heater footprint").
`In U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, the sequence and the amount 25
`of energy applied to each heater element during a puff cycle
`is regulated by a logic circuit of a controller which executes
`a power subroutine upon its receiving a signal from a puff
`sensor. The power subroutine includes the steps of reading
`the voltage of the power source (batteries) at the initiation of 30
`the puff and resolving a shut-off signal in cooperation with
`a constant Joules energy timer such that the duration of the
`pulse (its cycle-period) is adjusted relative to the voltage of
`the power source to provide the same total amount of energy
`(Joules) throughout the range of voltages of the battery
`discharge cycle.
`Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,594, 5,505,214,
`and 5,591,368 disclose cigarette designs including a tubular,
`tobacco-coated web that releases tobacco smoke constitu(cid:173)
`ents when heat is applied to the web. Preferably, the tobacco 40
`is coated along the interior of the web, and the web includes
`an unfilled portion or cavity so as to promote a more
`complete development of tobacco aerosol. The various
`forms of cavities (also called gaps and voids) improve
`delivery in electrically heated cigarettes.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 describes an electrical smoking
`system comprising an electric lighter having a plurality of
`electrically resistive heaters and a controller, together with a
`cigarette having a tubular tobacco web which is only
`partially-filled with cut tobacco shreds so as to define a filled 50
`tobacco rod portion and an unfilled tobacco rod portion.
`Preferably upon full insertion of the cigarette into the lighter,
`operative portions of heater elements within the lighter
`partially overlap both the aforementioned filled portion and
`the unfilled portion of the cigarette rod. With such overlap, 55
`an immediate release of tobacco smoke arises from the more
`readily combusted, unfilled tobacco rod portion so that the
`smoker receives an immediate response upon initiating a
`draw. Combustion of the filled tobacco rod portion is slightly
`delayed and contributes the aromas and taste of the tobacco 60
`or blend of tobaccos comprising the filled portion of the
`tobacco rod. Accordingly, the arrangement provides a
`smoker aspects of smoking pleasure to which he/she expects
`from smoking more traditional cigarettes; an immediacy of
`response and the tastes and aromas of filler tobaccos.
`With the system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368, it is important
`that the internal structures of the cigarette and lighter are
`
`20
`
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
`provide a cigarette identifier mechanism in an electrical
`smoking system which is capable of distinguishing a cavity(cid:173)
`bearing cigarette from a more traditional cigarette.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`cigarette identifier system that has the capacity to operate
`adjacent an electrical heater fixture.
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`35 a cigarette identifier system that is not vulnerable to smoke
`condensates and dirt.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`cigarette identifier system that is not vulnerable to interfer(cid:173)
`ence from ambient light.
`Still another object of the present invention is to provide
`a cigarette identifier system which is operable within the
`compact confines of a hand-held electrical lighter.
`These and other objects are achieved with the present
`invention which provides an electrical smoking system
`whose lighter includes a cigarette identifier system which is
`configured to recognize an inductive marker provided in the
`cigarette, preferably of a partially-filled cigarette.
`More particularly, the present invention provides a ciga(cid:173)
`rette identifier system comprising a coil at a location along
`the cigarette-receiving receptacle of the lighter, a driven
`oscillating circuit in communication with the coil and a
`controller configured to activate or deactivate the lighter
`responsively to output of the oscillator circuit.
`Another aspect of the present invention is provision
`within a partially filled cigarette of an inductive marker
`component comprising a metallic foil or alternatively, a
`capacitive ink or tape.
`
`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`These and other objects, advantages and novel features of
`the present invention will become apparent from the fol(cid:173)
`lowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
`the present invention when considered in conjunction with
`65 the accompanying drawing, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking system in
`accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`
`Ex. 2016-0011
`
`

`

`5,902,501
`
`5
`
`10
`
`3
`invention with a cigarette of the system inserted into the
`electrically operated lighter;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the smoking system of
`FIG. 1, but with the cigarette withdrawn from the lighter
`upon conclusion of a smoking;
`FIG. 3Ais a partial, perspective detail view of a preferred
`embodiment of the heater fixture of FIG. 1, including wavy
`hairpin heater elements and portions of a preferred cigarette
`identifier system;
`FIG. 3B is a schematic of the preferred cigarette identifier
`system shown in FIG. 3A;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective, partial exploded view of a
`preferred embodiment of the partially-filled cigarette shown
`in FIG. 1, including an inductive marker;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective, partially exploded view of another
`preferred embodiment of the partially-filled cigarette shown
`in FIG. 1, including an alternate inductive marker;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic, block-diagram of a preferred
`control circuit of the lighter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
`FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the typical induc(cid:173)
`tance circuit output versus time; and
`FIG. 8 is an electronic schematic of a circuit according to
`a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`
`15
`
`4
`lighter for puff-actuated operation. In the absence of any
`detection activity, the control circuit 41 maintains the lighter
`in an energy conserving, dormant mode. Aspects of the
`cigarette identifier system 50 will be detailed in the descrip-
`tion which follows.
`Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably the rear portion
`35 of the lighter housing 31 is adapted to be readily opened
`and closed, such as with screws or snap-fit components, so
`as to facilitate replacement of the batteries. If desired, an
`electrical socket or contacts may be provided for recharging
`the batteries in a charger supplied with house current or the
`like. Preferably, the front housing portion 33 is removably
`joined to the rear housing portion 35, such as with a dovetail
`joint or a socket fit.
`The batteries 35a are sized to provide sufficient power for
`the heaters 37 to function as intended and preferably com(cid:173)
`prise a replaceable and rechargeable type. Alternate sources
`of power are suitable, such as capacitors. In the preferred
`embodiment, the power source comprises four nickel-
`20 cadmium battery cells connected in series with a total,
`non-loaded voltage in the range of approximately 4.8 to 5.6
`volts. The characteristics of the power source are, however,
`selected in view of the characteristics of other components
`in the smoking system 21, particularly the characteristics of
`25 the heating elements 37. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
`5,144,962, hereby incorporated by reference, describes sev(cid:173)
`eral types of power sources useful in connection with the
`smoking system of the present invention, such as recharge(cid:173)
`able battery sources and power arrangements which com-
`30 prise a battery and a capacitor which is recharged by the
`battery.
`Referring specifically to FIG. 2, preferably, once the
`circuitry 41 receives the proper signal from the cigarette
`identifier 50, it is ready to execute power cycles upon receipt
`35 of further signals from the puff-actuated sensor 45 that is
`sensitive to either changes in pressure or changes in rate of
`air flow that occur upon initiation of a draw on the cigarette
`23 by a smoker. The puff-actuated sensor 45 is preferably
`located within the front housing portion 33 of the lighter 25
`40 and is communicated with the cigarette receptacle 127 of the
`heater fixture 39 via a port extending through a stop 182
`located at the base of the heater fixture 39. A puff-actuated
`sensor 45 suitable for use in the smoking system 21 is
`described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671
`45 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, the disclosures of which are
`incorporated herein by reference.
`The puff sensor 45 preferably comprises a Model
`163PCO1D35 silicon sensor, manufactured by the
`MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Ill. Flow
`50 sensing devices, such as those using hot-wire anemometry
`principles, have also been successfully demonstrated to be
`useful for actuating an appropriate one of the heater ele(cid:173)
`ments 37 upon detection of a change in air flow. Once
`actuated by the sensor 45, the control circuitry 41 directs
`55 electric current to an appropriate one of the heater elements
`37.
`Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the preferred cigarette
`identifier system 50 includes a coil 1102 disposed concen(cid:173)
`trically about a location along the cigarette receiver 27, and
`an oscillator circuit 1106 which can be integrated into the
`control circuit 41 or more preferably, is arranged as a
`separate electronic element located adjacent the coil 1102.
`Peferably, the induction coil 1102 comprises approximately
`15 to 25 windings or turns, more preferably approximately
`65 20 turns, of 20 to 40 gauge wire, more preferably approxi(cid:173)
`mately 30 gauge wire. Electrical leads 1104 connect the coil
`1102 with the oscillator circuit 1106.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention provides a smoking system 21 which
`preferably includes a partially-filled, filter cigarette 23 and a
`reusable lighter 25. The cigarette 23 is adapted to be inserted
`into and removed from an annular cigarette receiver 27
`which is located at a front end portion 29 of the lighter 25.
`Once the cigarette 23 has been inserted, the smoking system
`21 is used in much the same fashion as a more traditional
`cigarette, but without lighting or smoldering. The cigarette
`23 is discarded after one or more puff cycles. Preferably,
`each cigarette 23 provides a total of eight puffs (puff cycles)
`or more per smoke; however it is a matter of design
`expedient to adjust to a lesser or greater total number of
`available puffs.
`Further particulars of the smoking system is described
`also in the commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,594;
`5,505,214; 5,591,368 and 5,499,636, all which are hereby
`incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`The lighter 25 includes a housing 31 having front and rear
`housing portions 33 and 35. One or more batteries 35a are
`removably located within the rear housing portion 35 and
`supply energy to a heater fixture 39 which includes a
`plurality of electrically resistive, heating elements 37 ( also
`shown in FIG. 3A). The heating elements 37 are arranged
`within the front housing portion 33 to slidingly receive the
`cigarette 23. A stop 182 is provided at a base portion of the
`heater fixture 39 which assures that full inserted cigarettes
`23 are placed consistently relative to the heating elements
`37. The cigarette receiver 27, the heating elements 37 and
`the stop 182 cooperatively establish a cigarette receptacle
`space 127 for receiving a cigarette 23.
`A control circuit 41 in the front housing portion 33 60
`selectively establishes electrical communication between
`the batteries 35a and one or more the heater elements 37
`during execution of each puff-actuated power cycle. The
`preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a
`cigarette identifier system 50 capable of discerning when a
`partially-filled filter cigarette 23 is inserted into the lighter
`25. Once detection occurs, the control circuit 41 readies the
`
`Ex. 2016-0012
`
`

`

`5,902,501
`
`25
`
`5
`The oscillator circuit 1106 is connected to the batteries
`35a through the control circuit 41 at a suitable connection
`1108 and provides an output signal (v;a) to the control cicuit
`41 though leads 112.
`An indicator 51 is provided at a location along the exterior
`of the lighter 25, preferably on the front housing portion 33,
`to indicate the number of puffs remaining in a smoke of a
`cigarette 23. The indicator 51 preferably includes a seven(cid:173)
`segment liquid crystal display. In the preferred embodiment,
`the indicator 51 is caused to display the digit "8" upon
`cigarette identifier system 50 detecting the presence of a
`partially-filled cigarette 23 in the heater fixture 39.
`Preferably, the cigarette identifier system 50 is arranged to
`provide a signal to the circuitry 41 which, in turn, respon(cid:173)
`sively provides a signal to the indicator 51 and readies the
`puff sensor 45. The display of the digit "8" on the indicator
`51 reflects that the eight puffs provided on each cigarette 23
`are available, i.e., no puff cycle has been undertaken and
`none of the heater elements 37 have been activated to heat
`the cigarette 23. After the cigarette 23 is fully smoked, the 20
`indicator displays the digit "O". When the cigarette 23 is
`removed from the lighter 25, the cigarette identifier system
`50 no longer detects a presence of a cigarette 23 and the
`indicator 51 is turned off.
`In the alternative to displaying the remainder of the puff
`count, the detector display may instead be arranged to
`indicate whether the system is active or inactive ("on" or
`"off").
`Power sources, circuitry, puff-actuated sensors, and indi(cid:173)
`cators useful with the smoking system 21 of the present
`invention are described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 5,060,671; 5,388,594 and 5,591,368, all which are
`incorporated herein by reference.
`Referring now to FIG. 3A, the front housing portion 33 of
`the lighter 25 encloses a substantially cylindrical heater
`fixture 39 whose heater elements 37 slidingly receive the
`cigarette 23. The heater fixture 39 is adapted to support an
`inserted cigarette 23 in a fixed relation to the heater elements
`37 such that the heater elements 37 are positioned alongside
`the cigarette 23 at approximately the same location along
`each newly inserted cigarette 23. In the preferred
`embodiment, the heater fixture 39 includes eight mutually
`parallel heater elements 37 which are disposed concentri(cid:173)
`cally about the axis of symmetry of the cigarette receiver 27. 45
`The locations where each heater element 37 bears against ( or
`is in thermal communication with) a fully inserted cigarette
`23 is referred to herein as the heater footprint.
`Preferably the heater elements 37 are of a design referred
`to herein as a wavy hairpin heater element 37, wherein each 50
`heater element 37 includes at least first and second
`serpentine, elongate members 53a and 53b which are
`adjoined at an end portion (tip) 54. The tips 54 are adjacent
`the opening 183 of the cigarette receiver 27. The opposite
`ends 56a and 56b of each heater element 37 are electrically 55
`connected to the opposite poles of the power source 35a as
`selectively established by the controller 41. More
`specifically, an electrical pathway through each heater fix(cid:173)
`ture 37 is established, respectively, through a terminal pin
`104, a connection 122 between the pin 104 and a free end 60
`portion 56a of one of the serpentine members 53a, through
`at least a portion of the tip 54 to the other serpentine member
`53b and its end portion 56b. Preferably, an integrally
`formed, common connection ring 110 provides a common
`electrical connection amongst all the end portions 56b of the 65
`elongate member 53b. In the preferred embodiment, the ring
`110 is connected to the positive terminal of the power source
`
`6
`35a ( or common) through a connection 123 between the ring
`110 and a pin 105. Further details of the construction and
`establishment of electrical connections in the heater fixture
`39 are illustrated and described in the commonly assigned
`5 U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,060,671; 5,388,594 and 5,591,368, all
`which are incorporated herein by reference.
`Additional heater fixtures 37 that are operable as part of
`the lighter 25 include those disclosed in commonly assigned,
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,262; and commonly assigned, U.S. Pat.
`10 No. 5,498,855, all which patents are incorporated herein by
`reference in their entireties.
`Preferably, the heaters 37 are individually energized by
`the power source 35a under the puff-actuated control of the
`circuitry 41 to heat the cigarette 23 preferably eight times at
`15 spaced locations about the periphery of the cigarette 23. The
`heating renders eight puffs from the cigarette 23, as is
`commonly achieved with the smoking of a more traditional
`cigarette. It may be preferred to activate more than one
`heater simultaneously for one or more or all of the puffs.
`Referring now to FIG. 4, the cigarette 23 preferably
`comprises a tobacco rod 60 and a filter tipping 62, which are
`preferably joined together with tipping paper 64.
`The tobacco rod 60 of the cigarette 23 preferably includes
`a tobacco web 66 which has been folded into a tubular
`( cylindrical) form about a free-flow filter 74 at one of its
`ends and a tobacco plug 80 at the other. In the alternative, a
`plug of cellulose acetate might be used in place of the
`tobacco plug 80.
`30 An overwrap 71 is intimately enwrapped about the
`tobacco web 66 and is held together along a longitudinal
`seam as is common in construction of more traditional
`cigarettes. The overwrap 71 retains the tobacco web 66 in a
`wrapped condition about a free-flow filter 74 and a tobacco
`35 plug 80.
`The tobacco web 66 itself preferably comprises a base
`web 68 and a layer of tobacco flavor material 70 located
`along the inside surface of the base web 68. At the tipped end
`72 of the tobacco rod 60, the tobacco web 66 together with
`40 the overwrap 71 are wrapped about the tubular free-flow
`filter plug 74. Preferably, the tobacco plug 80 is constructed
`separately from the tobacco web 66 and comprises a rela(cid:173)
`tively short column of cut filler tobacco that preferably has
`been wrapped within and retained by a plug wrap 84.
`As a general matter, the length of the tobacco plug 80 is
`preferably set relative to the total length of the tobacco rod
`60 such that a void ( or "cavity") 90 is established along the
`tobacco rod 60 between the free-flow filter 74 and the
`tobacco plug 80. The void 90 corresponds to an unfilled
`portion of the tobacco rod 60 and is in immediate fluid
`communication with the tipping 62 through the free flow
`filter 74 of the tobacco rod 60.
`The tipping 62 preferably comprises a free-flow filter 92
`located adjacent the tobacco rod 60 and a mouthpiece filter
`plug 94 at the distal end of the tipping 62 from the tobacco
`rod 60. Preferably, the free-flow filter 92 is tubular and
`transmits air with very little pressure drop. Other low
`efficiency filters of standard configuration could be used
`instead, however. The inside diameter for the free flow filter
`92 is preferably at or between 2 to 6 millimeters and is
`preferably greater than that of the free flow filter 74 of the
`tobacco rod 60.
`The mouthpiece filter plug 104 closes off the free end of
`the tipping 62 for purposes of appearance and, if desired, to
`effect some filtration, although it is preferred that the mouth(cid:173)
`piece filter plug 104 comprise a low efficiency filter of
`preferably about 15 to 25 percent efficiency.
`
`Ex. 2016-0013
`
`

`

`5,902,501
`
`7
`Further detailed description of this type of cigarette may
`be found in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,636,
`which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`The cigarette 23 for use in an apparatus according to the
`present invention further includes includes an inductive
`marker 900 preferably comprising a foil plug wrap 904
`disposed about the free flow filter plug 94. Preferably, the
`foil plug wrap 904 is in the range of approximately 0.00005
`to 0.001 inches thick, more preferably from about 0.00025
`to about 0.0005 inches thick, most preferably approximately
`0.0005 inches thick. The foil plug wrap 904 may optionally
`comprise a laminate of foil as previously described and a
`layer of traditional plug wrap material.
`Referring now to FIG. 5, in the alternative, the inductive
`marker 900' of a cigarette 23' may comprise instead a stripe
`or layer of metallic, magnetic or inductive ink 906, prefer(cid:173)
`ably disposed along an inside surface of the plug wrap 64'.
`The ink 906 may be applied to selected portions of the plug
`wrap 64' or cover the entirety of its inside surface. In the
`alternative, the ink 906 may be applied to other components
`of the cigarette 23', such as its first free-flow filter 74', the
`second free-flow filter 92' or portions of the wrapper 71'
`adjacent the free-flow filter 74'.
`It is apparent that various applications of foils, inks or
`metallic elements such metallized tapes, magnetized tapes or
`rods may be selected to establish an inductive marker 900
`within a given cigarette design to interact with the coil 1102
`of the oscillator circuit 1106 for product identification as will
`be explained in the description which follows. Furthermore,
`although the inked stripe 906 in FIG. 5 is shown as extend(cid:173)
`ing longitudinally, the stripe, tape or metallic element
`instead might be extended circumferentially so as to form a
`loop at a location along the the cigarette 23'.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the electrical control
`circuit 41 of the lighter 25 includes a logic circuit 195, which
`preferably comprises a micro-controller or an application
`specific, integrated circuit (or "ASIC"). The logic circuit 195
`is communicated through the control circuit 41 with the
`cigarette identifier system 50; the puff sensor 45 for detect- 40
`ing a draw upon the inserted cigarette 23; the LCD indicator
`51 for indicating the number of puffs remaining on a
`cigarette; the power source 37; and a timing network 197.
`The logic circuit 195 may comprise any conventional
`circuit capable of implementing the functions discussed
`herein. Afield-programmable gate array ( e.g., a type ACTEL
`A1280A FPGA PQFP 160, available from Actel
`Corporation, Sunnyvale, Calif.) or a micro controller can be
`programmed to perform the digital logic functions with
`analog functions performed by other components. An ASIC
`or micro-controller can perform both the analog and digital
`functions in one component. Features of control circuitry
`and logic circuitry similar to the control circuit 41 and logic
`circuit 195 of the present invention are disclosed, for
`example, in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,594; 55
`5,505,214; 5,591,368; and 5,499,636, all which are hereby
`incorporated by reference in their entireties. Further details
`are also provided in the copending, commonly assigned U.S.
`application Ser. No. 08/755,044 filed Oct. 22, 1996.
`In the preferred embodiment, eight individual heater
`elements 37 are connected to a positive terminal of the
`power source 35a and to ground through corresponding field
`effect transistor (FET) heater switches 201-208. Individual
`(or selected) ones of the heater switches 201-208 will turn
`on under control of the logic circuit 195 through terminals 65
`211-218, respectively, during execution of a power cycle by
`the logic circuit 195. The logic circuit 195 provides signals
`
`8
`for activating and deactivating particular ones of the heater
`switches 201-208 to activate and deactivate the correspond(cid:173)
`ing heater element 37 of the heater fixture 39.
`The logic circuit 195 cooperates with the timing circuit
`5 197 to precisely execute the activation and deactivation of
`each heater element 37 in accordance with a predetermined
`total cycle period ("t,0 ,az") and to precisely divide each total
`cycle period into a predetermined number of phases, with
`each phase having its own predetermined period of time
`10 ("tphase"). In the preferred embodiment, the total cycle
`period total has been selected to be 1.6 seconds (so as to be
`less than the two-second duration normally associated with
`a smoker's draw upon a cigarette, plus provision for margin)
`and the total cycle period total is divided preferably into two
`15 phases, a first phase having a predetermined time period
`("tphase 1") of 1.0 seconds and a second phase having a
`predetermined time period ("tphase 2") of 0.6 seconds. The
`total cycle period total, the total number of phases and the
`respective phase periods are parameters, among others, that
`20 are resolved in accordance with the teachings which follow
`for establishing within the control circuit 41, a capacity to
`execute a power cycle that precisely duplicates a preferred
`thermal interaction ("thermal profile" or "thermo(cid:173)
`histogram") between the respective heater element 37 and
`25 adjacent portions of the cigarette 23. Additionally, once the
`preferred thermo-histogram is established, certain param(cid:173)
`eters (preferably, duty cycles within each phase) are adjusted
`dynamically by the control circuit 41 so as to precisely
`duplicate the predetermined thermo-histogram with every
`30 power cycle throughout the range of voltages V;n encom(cid:173)
`passed by the aforementioned battery discharge cycle.
`The