Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 1 of 12 PageID# 16784
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 1 of 12 Page|D# 16784
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 2
`
`EXHIBIT 2
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 2 of 12 PageID# 16785
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 2 of 12 Page|D# 16785
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 6,803,545 132
`(10) Patent N0.:
`Blake et a1.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`U5006803545B2
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SUPPLYING
`ELECTRICAL POWER FROM A LITHIUM
`ION POWER SOURCE
`
`Inventors: Clinton E. Blake, Mechanicsville, VA
`(US); John R. Halrfield, Jr., Chester,
`VA (US); Charles T. Higgins,
`Richmond, VA (US); H. Neal
`Nunnally, Richmond, VA (US); Robert
`L. Ripley, Midlothian, VA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated,
`Richmond, VA (US)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 220 days.
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Appl. N0.: 10/161,639
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 5, 2002
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0226837 A1 Dec. 11, 2003
` Int. Cl.7 .............................................. H0513 3/58
`US. Cl.
`....................... 219/268; 219/535; 219/492;
`131/194
`Field of Search ................................. 219/268, 262,
`219/263, 260, 269, 492, 535; 131/194,
`195
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,028,500 A
`5,060,671 A
`5,144,962 A *
`5,342,711 A
`5,388,594 A
`5,498,855 A
`5,499,636 A
`5,505,214 A
`5,591,368 A *
`
`.............. 131/194
`
`7/1991 Fong et a].
`10/1991 Counts et 31.
`9/1992 Counts et a1.
`8/1994 Tamura et a1.
`.............. 131,829
`2/1995 Counts et a1.
`................ 219/553
`3/1996 Deevi et a1.
`3/1996 Baggett et a1.
`4/1996 Collins ct a1.
`1/1997 Fleischhauer et al,
`
`219/535
`
`9/1997 Hajaligol et a].
`5,665,262 A *
`8/1999 Watkins et al.
`5,934,289 A
`11/1999 Hamano et a1.
`5,981,107 A
`3/2000 Fleischhauer et a1.
`6,040,560 A *
`6/2001 Yoshida et a1.
`6,246,217 B1
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`........... 219/553
`
`...... 219/494
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`2-100286
`10-51962 A
`10-285813 A
`2002-240341
`
`*
`
`*
`
`4/1990
`2/1998
`10/1998
`8/2002
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`PANASONIC, Overview of Lithium Ion Batteries, Jan.
`2000, pp. 1—11.
`PANASONIC, Battery Packs, Nickel Metal Hrdride Hand-
`book, Jul. 2001, pp. 42—46.
`Protection,
`TYCO/
`Electronics,
`Raychem Circuit
`PolySwitch Resettable devices, Short—Form Catalog, Nov.
`2001, pp. 1—12.
`Notification of Transmittal of International Preliminary
`Examination Report dated Apr. 19, 2004 for PCT/USO3/
`15997.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—John A. Jeffery
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Burns, Doane, Swecker &
`Mathis, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electrically heating smoking system wherein tobacco
`smoke is generated by heating a portion of a cigarette with
`an electrical resistance heating element powered by lithium
`ion battery cells. The lithium ion battery cells supply current
`to the electrical resistance heating element with current up to
`20 times greater than the recommended discharge rate, To
`prevent damage to the lithium ion battery cells under such
`high discharge conditions, the smoking system includes a
`controller which provides modulated pulses of electrical
`power from the battery cells to the resistance heating ele-
`ment during smoking of the cigarette.
`
`25 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`187
`
`182
`
`
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3’I47
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 3 of 12 PageID# 16786
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 3 of 12 Page|D# 16786
`
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 12,2004
`
`Sheet 1 0f4
`
`US 6,803,545 32
`
`FIG.1
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3’I48
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 4 of 12 PageID# 16787
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 4 of 12 Page|D# 16787
`
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 12,2004
`
`Sheet 2 0f4
`
`US 6,803,545 132
`
`g
`\—
`
`k 0
`
`0
`‘—
`
`
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3’I49
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 5 of 12 PageID# 16788
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 5 of 12 Page|D# 16788
`
`302
`304
`5305
`L' ht
`I9
`
`PHASE1
`PHASE2
`PHASE3 I
`DUTY-CYCLE MAP
`
`P ff
`u
`
`300
`
`197
`
`CIRCUIT
`195
`
`231
`
`fl”
`< :
`
`TIMER
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`
`LOOK-UP TABLES
`
`Vcc
`37—9
`
`227“
`
`=
`
`u
`I
`
`225 ..
`
`221 u
`1
`
`n 223"
`V
`
`Battery
`Charging
`Monitor
`
`'
`
`__
`T
`
`FIG. 3
`
`S:
`{/1
`E
`g
`F"
`0
`
`pN
`E
`a
`U)
`
`E
`a
`:3
`"=
`4:
`
`:2(I)
`9‘
`c»
`8
`,0]4;
`U]
`a:N
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3150
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 6 of 12 PageID# 16789
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 6 of 12 Page|D# 16789
`
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 12, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 6,803,545 32
`
`woe.
`
`ma
`
`
`
`w.OE
`
`DEF PUB EDVAOOOOO315’I
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 7 of 12 PageID# 16790
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 7 of 12 Page|D# 16790
`
`US 6,803,545 B2
`
`1
`ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING
`SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SUPPLYING
`ELECTRICAL POWER FROM A LITHIUM
`ION POWER SOURCE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to electrically heated smok-
`ing devices, and particularly to systems and methods for
`supplying electrical power to the electrically heated smoking
`devices from a lithium ion power source.
`2. Description of Related Art
`Lithium ion battery technology was introduced in the
`mid—nineteen nineties. Lithium ion batteries are recharge—
`able and do not exhibit memory effect which is common in
`other rechargeable batteries. Memory effect is a condition
`hat occurs in some rechargeable batteries when the battery
`is not fully discharged before recharging. The battery
`remembers the amount of energy remaining in the battery at
`he time it was charged and will not discharge below that
`joint. The result of the memory effect is that the energy
`storage capacity of the battery is reduced. Other significant
`advantages of lithium ion batteries are that
`they are
`ightweight, have a high energy storage capacity and higher
`voltage per cell than other batteries. This makes for a battery
`hat is useful in small portable electronic equipment, e.g.,
`wireless mobile telephones and notebook computers.
`Due to the unique chemical structure and chemical reac-
`ion of lithium ion batteries, the batteries can be dangerous
`'f over discharged or overcharged. Over discharging and
`overcharging of lithium ion batteries can cause an abun-
`dance of heat to be generated by the chemical reaction
`occurring in the battery. This abundance of heat can cause
`he lithium ion battery to become hot, catch fire or, explode.
`For this reason, circuitry is built into the lithium ion battery
`0 monitor the temperature, voltage, and current drain of the
`3attery. This circuitry will cut off power supplied by the
`ithium ion battery if the current drawn from the battery rises
`above a threshold level or the lithium ion battery voltage
`‘alls below a threshold level. The circuitry will also cut 011'
`OOWBI supplied to the lithium ion battery during charging if
`he voltage of the battery rises above a threshold level.
`Circuitry may also be included in the charger or a device
`connected to the battery to monitor charging and discharging
`of the lithium ion battery. This circuitry is required for each
`cell of a lithium ion battery adding to the cost of lithium ion
`batteries.
`Lithium ion batteries are ideally suited for portable elec-
`tronic equipment due to their small size and high energy
`densities. Portable electronic equipment generally draws
`relatively low current for sustained periods of time. Lithium
`ion batteries are not suitable for other portable equipment,
`e.g., cordless power tools, because these devices require a
`great amount of current when performing work, e.g., driving
`a screw with a cordless electric power drill. The required
`current would exceed the amount that lithium ion batteries
`can safely deliver creating a risk that
`the battery could
`become hot, catch fire, or explode.
`The present
`invention provides an electrically heated
`smoking system which utilizes lithium ion batteries in a
`manner which allows high current to be delivered safely to
`the electrical resistance heating element during smoking of
`a cigarette.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention provides an electrical heated smoking
`system having a heater including at
`least one electrical
`
`10
`
`15
`
`t0LA
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`resistance heating element wherein a lithium ion power
`source is electrically connected to the at least one electrical
`resistance heating element and a controller controls a flow of
`modulated pulses of electrical power from the lithium ion
`power source to the at least one electrical resistance heating
`element to prevent damage to the lithium ion power source.
`The invention also provides a method for supplying
`electrical power to at least one electrical resistance heating
`element from a lithium ion power source and controlling the
`electrical power provided to the at
`least one electrical
`heating element by sending modulated pulses of electrical
`power from the lithium ion power source to the at least one
`electrical heating element thereby preventing damage to the
`lithium ion power source.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Various features of the invention will be described in the
`following detailed description in conjunction with the
`drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is an isometric cut—away View of an electrically
`heated smoking device according to an embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a plurality of electrical
`resistance heaters according to an embodiment of the inven-
`tion.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic View of an electronic controller used
`in the electrically heated smoking device according to an
`embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a control circuit and lithium
`ion power source used in the electrically heated smoking
`device according to an embodiment of the invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In the following description, for purposes of explanation
`and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to
`provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
`However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the
`present invention may be practiced in other embodiments
`that depart from these specific details. In other instances,
`detailed descriptions of well known methods, devices, and
`circuits are omitted so as not to obscure the description of
`the present invention.
`The present invention relates to an electrically heated
`smoking system. An exemplary electrically heated smoking
`system is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 6,040,560 issued to
`Fleischhauer et al which is hereby incorporated by reference.
`The disclosed electrically heated smoking system heats a
`portion of a cigarette with one or more electrical resistance
`heating element(s). A heated portion of the cigarette gener-
`ates tobacco smoke that is delivered to the smoker when a
`
`smoker puffs on the cigarette, Electrical energy is supplied
`to the electrical resistance heating element from one or more
`nickel cadmium batteries. Nickel cadmium batteries have
`sufficient discharge capacity to deliver the large amount of
`current required by the electrical resistance heating element
`to rapidly heat a portion of a cigarette. Nickel cadmium
`batteries are also safe, rechargeable and relatively inexpen-
`sive.
`While nickel cadmium batteries have been effective for
`use in electrically heated smoking systems, they are not
`
`without cisadvantages. For example, nickel cadmium bat-
`
`
`teries su er from memory effect. As discussed above,
`memory effect prevents a battery from fully discharging
`when the nattery is not fully, or nearly fully, discharged prior
`
`
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3152
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 8 of 12 PageID# 16791
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 8 of 12 Page|D# 16791
`
`US 6,803,545 B2
`
`3
`to charging. This results in a decline in the storage capacity
`of the battery. When a nickel cadmium battery suffering
`from memory effect is used in an electrically heated smoking
`system, the battery requires more frequent recharging due to
`the reduced storage capacity. In addition, nickel cadmium
`batteries are relatively heavy, large and produce low voltage
`per cell.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention provides a smoking system which prefer—
`ably includes a cigarette 23 and a reusable lighter 25. The
`cigarette 23 is adapted to be inserted into and removed from
`a receptacle 27 at a front end portion 29 of the lighter 25.
`Once the cigarette 23 is inserted, the smoking system 21 is
`used in much the same fashion as a more traditional
`cigarette, but without lighting or smoldering of the cigarette
`23. The cigarette 23 is discarded after one or more puff
`cycles. Preferably, each cigarette 23 provides a total of 8
`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.
`The smoking system is described in greater detail in
`commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 which is hereby
`incorporated by reference in its entirety. The cigarette 23 is
`further described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
`5,499,636, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety.
`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 one or more electrical resistance heating
`element(s) 37 which are arranged within the front housing
`portion 33 adjacent the receptacle 27. A control Circuit 41 in
`the front housing portion 33 establishes electrical commu-
`nication between the batteries 35a and the electrical resis-
`tance heater elements 37. A preferred embodiment of the
`present invention includes details concerning the control
`circuit 41 and lithium ion power source 35a which are
`discussed in greater detail beginning with reference to FIG.
`3
`
`Still referring to FIG. 1, 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 lithium ion power source 3511.
`An electrical socket or contacts may be provided for
`recharging the lithium ion power source 35a in a manner
`known to one skilled in the art.
`
`The one or more batteries 35a are sized to provide
`suificient power for the heaters 37 to function as intended
`and comprises a rechargeable lithium ion power source. The
`characteristics of the lithium ion power source are, however,
`selected in view of the characteristics of other components
`in the smoking system 21, particularly the characteristics of
`the heating elements 37. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
`5,144,962, hereby incorporated by reference, describes a
`power arrangement which comprises a battery and a capaci-
`tor. The capacitor is recharged by the battery and power
`stored in the capacitor is used to supply electrical energy to
`the electrical resistance heating element.
`Still referring to FIG. 1, preferably, the circuitry 41 is
`activated by a puff-actuated sensor 45 that is sensitive to
`either changes in pressure or changes in rate of airflow that
`occur upon initiation of 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 and is
`communicated with a space inside the heater fixture 39
`adjacent the cigarette 23 through a passageway extending
`
`10
`
`15
`
`k)LA
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`through a stop 182 located at the base of the heater fixture
`39. Apuff—actuated sensor 45 suitable for use in the smoking
`system 21 is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
`5,060,671 and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594,
`the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by refer-
`ence.
`
`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 available in the cigarette 23.
`The indicator 51 preferably includes a seven segment liquid
`crystal display. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator
`51 displays the digit “8” when a cigarette detector 53 detects
`the presence of a cigarette in the heater fixture 39. The
`detector 53 can comprise a light sensor adjacent the open
`end of the cigarette receptacle 27 that detects when a beam
`of light is reflected off (or alternatively, transmitted through)
`an inserted cigarette 23. Thereupon, the cigarette detector 53
`provides a signal to the circuitry 41 which, in turn, respon—
`sively provides a signal to the indicator 51. The display of
`the digit “8” on the indicator 51 reflects that the eight puffs
`provided on each cigarette 23 are available, i.e., none of the
`heater elements 37 have been activated to heat the cigarette
`23. After the cigarette 23 has been fully smoked,
`the
`indicator displays the digit “0”. When the cigarette 23 is
`removed from the lighter 25, the cigarette detector 53 no
`longer detects the presence of a cigarette 23 and the indicator
`51 is turned off. The cigarette detector 53 is modulated so
`that it does not constantly emit a beam of light, which would
`otherwise create an unnecessary drain on the lithium ion
`power source 3511. In an alternative to displaying the remain-
`der of the puff count, the detector display may instead be
`
`arranged to indicate whether the system is active or in active
`
`
`“on” or “o ”).
`As one of several possible alternatives to using the
`above-notec cigarette detector 53, a mechanical switch (not
`shown) may be provided to detect the presence or absence
`of a cigarette 23 and a reset button (not shown) may be
`provided for resetting the circuitry 41 when a new cigarette
`is inserted into the lighter, e.g., to cause the indicator 51 to
`display the digit “8”, etc. Circuitry, puff-actuated sensors,
`and indicators useful with the smoking system 21 of the
`present invention are described in commonly assigned U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,060,671, U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 and the com-
`monly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,214, all of which are
`incorporated by reference. Other alternatives for detecting
`the presence of a cigarette in the heater fixture 39 can
`include a metal detector that senses a metal foil or other
`metallic component within the cigarette.
`In a preferred embodiment, the front housing portion 33
`of the lighter 25 supports a substantially cylindrical heater
`fixture 39 which slidingly receives the cigarette 23. The
`heater fixture 39 houses the heater elements 37 and 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 at a desired location alongside the cigarette 23.
`The locations where each heater element 37 bears against (or
`is in thermal contact with) a fully inserted cigarette 23 is
`referred to herein as the heater footprint.
`To assure consistent placement of the heating elements 37
`relative to the cigarette 23 from cigarette to cigarette, the
`heater fixture 39 is provided with a stop 182 against which
`the cigarette is urged during its insertion into the lighter 25.
`Other expedients to registering the cigarette 23 relative to
`the lighter 25 could be used instead.
`The front housing portion 33 of the lighter 25 also
`includes electrical control circuitry 41 which delivers a
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3153
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 9 of 12 PageID# 16792
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 9 of 12 Page|D# 16792
`
`US 6,803,545 B2
`
`
`
`5
`predetermined amount of energy from the lithium ion power
`source 350 to the electrical resistance heating elements 37.
`In the preferred embodiment, a heater fixture 39 includes
`eight circumferentially spaced-apart electrical
`resistance
`heating elements 37 which are concentrically aligned with
`the receptacle 27 so as to slidingly receive a cigarette 23.
`Details of the construction and establishment of electrical
`connections to the heater fixture 39 are illustrated and
`described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,388,594,
`5,505,214, and 5,591,368, all of which are incorporated
`aerein by reference in their entireties.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, a preferred heater fixture 39
`includes “singular serpentine” elements 37, each of which is
`electrically connected at its opposite ends to a control circu it
`hrough leads 186 and 187. Details concerning this heater
`fixture 37 are set forth in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
`5,388,594, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`Additional heater fixtures 37 that can be used as part of the
`ighter 25 include those disclosed in commonly assigned
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,665,262 and 5,498,855 which are incorpo-
`rated herein by reference.
`Preferably, the heaters 37 are individually energized by
`he lithium ion power source 35a under the control of the
`circuitry 41 to heat the cigarette 23 preferably eight times at
`spaced locations about a periphery of the cigarette 23. The
`ieatirig renders eight puffs from the cigarette 23, as is
`commonly achieved with the smoking of more traditional
`cigarettes. It may be preferred to activate more than one
`‘ieater simultaneously for one or more or all of the puffs.
`A common phenomenon associated with batteries is a
`voltage reduction as the battery is discharged. This occurs
`Decause the battery’s voltage potential decreases as the
`Jattery is discharged. As a result, a fully charged or “fresh”
`Jattery is capable of delivering more power than a battery
`hat has been substantially discharged.
`It has been found that the amount of power delivered to
`he electrical resistance heating element 37 and the lighter
`25 afiects the consistency of the smoke delivered to a
`smoker. It is desirable to deliver a consistent quality of
`smoke with each puff on the cigarette and from cigarette to
`cigarette. A fully charged or “fresh” battery will deliver
`more power to the electrical resistance heating element 37 in
`the lighter 25 producing a high amount of heat. Conversely,
`a substantially discharged battery will deliver less power to
`the electrical resistance heating element 37 in the lighter 25
`producing less heat. Thus, the amount of heat dehvered by
`the electrical resistance heater reduces as the battery
`becomes discharged. This difference in the amount of heat
`produced by the electrical resistance heater during the hfe of
`the battery affects the consistency of the smoke produced
`from the heating. Since it is desirable to produce a consistent
`quality of smoke from puff to puff and cigarette to cigarette,
`it is desirable to deliver the same amount of energy to the
`electrical resistance heater from puff to puff and cigarette to
`cigarette.
`Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 describes a
`system and method for delivering the same amount of
`energy to the electrical resistance heater between chargings
`of the battery, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety. The same amount of energy is delivered to the
`heater from the battery using a control circuit that modulates
`the flow of electrical energy to the electrical resistance
`heating element. The control circuit determines the amount
`of modulation by measuring the voltage and/or current of the
`battery. Consumers generally puff on a cigarette for about
`two seconds. Thus, the heaters need to supply heat to the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`t0LA
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`cigarette during at least a portion of the two seconds of the
`puff period. When a puff is detected, the controller sends
`modulated electrical power
`to the electrical resistance
`heater. In order to deliver the same amount of energy to the
`electrical resistance heater from puff to puff, the controller
`determines the off-time between the electrical pulses to send
`to the electrical resistance heater based on a measured
`voltage and/or current of the battery. A battery that is fully
`charged or “fresh” will have greater voltage potential than a
`weaker battery that has been partially or substantially cis—
`charged. As a result, a fully charged or “fresh” battery will
`require the controller to have longer oif-times and send
`fewer pulses of electrical energy to the heater in order to
`deliver the same amount of energy. Conversely, a wea<er
`battery that has been partially or substantially discharged
`will require the controller to deliver more pulses of electrical
`energy with shorter off-times to the heater in order to deliver
`the same amount of energy to the heater. By adjusting
`number of electrical pulses dehvered to the heater, and
`ofif—times between the electrical pulses, the same amount
`energy can be delivered to the heater from puff to puff for
`different charged states of the battery.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit t1at
`can be used as the controller 41 in the lighter 25. Eight
`individual heater elements 43 (not shown in FIG. 2) are
`connected to a positive terminal of the power source 37 and
`to the negative terminal through corresponding field effect
`transistor (FET) heater switches 201 through 208. Individual
`(or selected) ones of the heater switches 201 through 208
`will be turned on and off under the control of logic circuit
`195 through terminals 211 through 218, respectively, during
`execution of a power cycle by the logic circuit 195. The
`logic circuit 195 provides signals for activating and deacti-
`vating particular ones of the heater switches 201 through
`208 to activate and deactivate the corresponding ones of the
`heaters.
`
`
`
`
`
`The logic circuit 195 cooperates with the timing circuit
`197 to precisely execute the activation and deactivation of
`each heater element 37 in accordance wi h a predetermined
`total cycle period and to precisely divice each total cycle
`period into a predetermined number of phases, with each
`phase having its own predetermined per'od of time. In the
`preferred embodiment,
`the total cycle period has been
`selected to be 1.6 seconds (so as to be less than the two
`second duration normally associated Witi a smoker’s draw
`upon a cigarette, plus provision for margin). The total cycle
`is divided preferably into two phases: a first phase having a
`predetermined time period of one second and a second phase
`having a predetermined time period 0 0.6 seconds. As
`discussed above, modulated pulses of electrical energy are
`delivered to the heater to deliver a precise amount of energy
`to the heater from puff to puff for the ife of the battery.
`Established within the control circuit 41 is a capacity to
`execute a power cycle that precisely duplicates a preferred
`thermal interaction (thermal-histogram) between the respec-
`tive heater element 37 and adjacent portions of the cigarette
`23. Additionally, once the preferred thermo-histogram is
`established, certain parameters (preferably, power cycles
`and off—times within each phase) are adjusted dynamically
`by the control circuit 41 so as to precisely duplicate the
`predetermined thernio-histograni with every power cycle
`throughout the range of voltages encompassed by the battery
`discharge cycle.
`to the
`The pulI—actuated sensor 45 supplies a signal
`electric circuit 195 that is indicative of snioker activation
`(i.e., a continuous drop in pressure of airflow over a suffi—
`ciently sustained period of time). The logic circuit 195
`
`DEF_PUB_EDVAOOOOO3154
`
`

`

`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 10 of 12 PageID# 16793
`Case 1:20-cv-00393-LO-TCB Document 696-2 Filed 06/02/21 Page 10 of 12 Page|D# 16793
`
`US 6,803,545 B2
`
`7
`includes a routine for distinguishing between minor air
`pressure variations and more sustained draws on the ciga—
`rette to avoid inadvertent activation of heater elements in
`response to an errant signal from the puff-actuated sensor 45.
`The puff-actuated sensor 45 may include a piezo resistive
`pressure sensor or an optical flap sensor that is used to drive
`an operational amplifier, the output of which is in turn used
`to supply a logic signal to the logic circuit 195.
`The light sensor 53 located adjacent the stop 182 supplies
`a signal to the logic circuit 195 that is indicative of insertion
`of a cigarette 23 in the lighter 25 to a proper depth (i.e., a
`cigarette is Within several millimeters of the light sensor so
`as to be detected by a reflected light beam).
`the
`In order to conserve energy,
`it
`is preferred that
`puff—actuated sensor 45 and the light sensor 53 be cycled on
`and off at low duty cycles (e.g., from about 2 to 10 percent
`of a duty cycle). For example, it is preferred that the puff
`actuation sensor 45 be turned on for a one millisecond
`duration for every ten milliseconds of the duty cycle. If, for
`example, the puff-actuated sensor 45 detects pressure drop
`or airflow indicative of draw on a cigarette during four
`consecutive pulses (i .e., over a 40 millisecond period), the
`puff-actuated sensor sends a signal through a terminal 221 to
`the logic circuit 195. The logic circuit 195 then sends a
`signal to an appropriate one of the terminals 211 through 218
`to turn on an appropriate one of the FET heater switches 201
`through 208.
`Similarly, the light sensor 53 is preferably turned on for
`a one millisecond duration for every ten milliseconds. If, for
`example,
`the light sensor 53 detects four consecutive
`reflected pulses, indicating the presence of a cigarette 23 in
`the lighter 25,
`the light sensor sends a signal
`through
`terminal 223 to the logic circuit 195. The logic circuit 195
`then sends a signal through terminal 225 to the puff-actuated
`sensor 45 to turn on the puff-actuated sensor. The logic
`circuit 195 also sends a signal through terminal 227 to the
`indicator 51 to turn it on. The above-noted modulation
`
`techniques reduce the time average current required by the
`puff—actuation sensor 45 and the light sensor 53, and thus
`extend the life of the lithium ion power source 37.
`The electric circuit 195 can include a PROM
`(programmable read-only memory) 300, which may include
`preferably at least two databases or look-up tables 302 and
`304 and optionally, a third database (look—up table) 306.
`Each of the look—up tables 302, 304 (and optionally 306)
`converts a signal indicative of battery voltage to a signal
`indicative of the power cycle (for the first phase and for the
`second phase) to be used in execution of the respective
`phases of the power cycle.
`Upon initiation of a power cycle, the logic circuit receives
`a signal
`indicative of lithium ion power source voltage
`and/or current, and then references the voltage and/or cur—
`rent reading to the first look—up table 302 to establish a duty
`cycle for the initiation of the first phase of the power cycle.
`The first phase is continued until the timing network 197
`provides a signal indicating that the predetermined time
`period for the first phase has elapsed, whereupon the logic
`circuit 195 references the lithium ion power source voltage
`and/or current in the second look-up table 304 and estab-
`lishes a duty cycle for the initiation for the second phase.
`The second phase is continued until the timing network 197
`provides a signal indicating that the predetermined time
`period for the second phase has elapsed, whereupon the
`timing network 197 provides a shut-off signal to the logic
`circuit 195 at the terminal 229. Optionally, the logic circuit
`195 could initiate a third phase and establish a third duty
`
`10
`
`15
`
`k)LA
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`cycle, and a shut-off signal would not be generated until the
`predetermined period of time for the third phase has elapsed.
`The present invention could be practiced with additional
`phases or other variations of the power cycle.
`Although the present invention can be practiced by using
`the look-up tables during an initial portion of each phase to
`establish a duty cycle to be applied throughout the substan-
`tial entirety of each phase, the preferred practice is to have
`the logic circuit 195 configured to continuously reference
`the lithium ion power source voltage and/or current together
`with the respective look-up tables 302, 303 and 306 so as to
`dynamically adjust
`the value set for
`the duty cycle in
`response to fluctuations in lithium ion power source voltage
`as the control circuit progresses through each phase. Such
`practice can provide a more precise repetition of the desired
`thermo-histogram.
`The timing network 197 is also preferably adapted to
`prevent actuation of one heater element 43 to the next as the
`lithium ion power source discharges. Other timing network
`circuit configurations may also be used, such as those
`described in commonly assigned US. Pat. No. 5,505,214,
`the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`In an exemplary embodimen