GB2593185A

GB2593185A - Smoking substitute device

Info

Publication number: GB2593185A
Application number: GB2003884.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Millward Timothy
Original assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Current assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-18
Filing date: 2020-03-18
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-18
Also published as: GB202003884D0; GB2593185B

Abstract

A smoking substitute device 10 comprises a wireless interface configured to communicate data from the device 10 directly to a satellite 3 whilst the satellite 3 is in orbit around the earth. The wireless interface may be configured to communicate data via a low power protocol such as LPWAN (RTM), NB-IoT/LTE (RTM) cat 1, LoRaWAN (RTM), or a combination thereof. The wireless interface may further be configured to receive data directly from the or a plurality of satellites 3, and/or communicate data directly to a fixed-location receiver. The plurality of satellites 3 may further communicate data that they receive from the device 10 to a non-orbiting receiver. The wireless interface may communicate via a first wireless signal type and the satellite 3 may communicate via a second wireless signal type, wherein the second signal type comprises a higher power/bandwidth than the first signal type. The wireless interface may communicate the data to one or more of the plurality of satellites 3 that is within a predetermined distance range from the device 10. The communicated data may be usage data relating to the device 10, and it may be encrypted.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII2003884.0 RTM Date:27 Jule 2020 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: "myblu" "blu PRO "IQOS" "Philip Morris" "GI o" "British American Tobacco" "LPWAN" "LTE" "LoRaWAN" "LoRa" "Bluetooth" "WiFi" "DVD" "Semtech" Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to smoking substitute devices and particularly, although not exclusively, to network connection for smoking substitute devices.

BACKGROUND

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself Conventional combustible smoking articles, such as cigarettes, typically comprise a cylindrical rod of tobacco comprising shreds of tobacco which is surrounded by a wrapper, and usually also a cylindrical filter axially aligned in an abutting relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod. The filter typically comprises a filtration material which is circumscribed by a plug wrap. The wrapped tobacco rod and the filter are joined together by a wrapped band of tipping paper that circumscribes the entire length of the filter and an adjacent portion of the wrapped tobacco rod. A conventional cigarette of this type is used by lighting the end opposite to the filter, and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker receives mainstream smoke into their mouth by drawing on the mouth end or filter end of the cigarette.

Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. 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.

A typical vaping smoking substitute device includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank for containing e-liquid, as well as a heating device. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or "vapour") which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

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 TM e-cigarette. The myblu TM 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 PROTM e-cigarette. The blu PROTM 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.

As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol will normally contain the volatile compounds.

In HT smoking substitute systems, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking.

Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of 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 An example of the HT approach is the IQOSTM smoking substitute device from Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOSTM 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 On 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" TM from British American Tobacco p.l.c. Glo TM 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(s) 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(s) have observed that there is a consumer demand for reliable connection of smoking substitute devices to a network.

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a smoking substitute device comprising a wireless interface configured to communicate data directly with a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.

The first aspect of the invention may provide a smoking substitute device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol forming substrate, the smoking substitute device comprising: a wireless interface configured to communicate data from the smoking substitute device directly to a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.

The wireless interface may be configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) the satellite via a low power signal communication protocol. It may be configured to transmit low bandwidth signals. The wireless interface may be configured to have a relatively long battery life, as a result of its low power consumption. The data communicated directly to the satellite may include usage data describing how the smoking substitute device has been used by a user.

The wireless interface may be configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) the satellite via any of: an LPWAN; an NB-loT/LTE cat 1; a LoRaWANO signal communication protocol; or a combination thereof (e.g. LoRaWAN + NB-IoT).

The wireless interface may be configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) a plurality of satellites (though communication with the plurality of satellites need not be at the same time).

The wireless interface may be configured to transmit data to the satellite(s) multiple times during a predetermined time period, whilst the satellite(s) is/are in orbit around the earth. For example, the wireless interface may be configured to transmit data every time a satellite (re-)enters a space that is defined by a predetermined distance range, from the current location of the smoking substitute device.

For example, the smoking substitute device may be configured to transmit data to a satellite at regular predetermined time intervals and/or when accumulated data, for transmission, reaches a predefined size limit, and/or when an item of data that is recognised as being 'urgent' or of high importance', is to be transmitted.

The wireless interface may be configured to receive data directly from a satellite, and to transmit data directly to a satellite, whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth. Therefore, bi-directional communication may be achieved.

Bi-directional communication may be achieved with LoRa/ LoRaWAN, or with NB-1°T, for example. Some existing technologies for communicating directly with satellites use LoRa (a physical layer in the form of a radio), some use LoRaWAN (a layer above a physical layer).

The wireless interface may also be configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) a fixed-location receiver. In some cases, or at certain times, it may be deemed suitable to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) the (or a) fixed-location receiver as well as or in preference to communicating it directly to a satellite. For example, this may be the case if data has to be transmitted at a time at which no suitable satellite is within a predetermined distance range, from the current location of the smoking substitute device.

The wireless interface may be configured to communicate encrypted data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth. Other measures may be in place, to ensure secure data transmission, and to ensure integrity of data packets received.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a system including a smoking substitute device that comprises a wireless interface configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth. The system further comprises a plurality of satellites in orbit around the earth, wherein the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate data directly with at least one of the satellites.

The wireless interface of the smoking substitute device may be configured to communicated data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) each of the satellites (though communication with each of the plurality of satellites need not be at the same time) The wireless interface of the smoking substitute device may be configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) one or more satellite within the plurality of satellites, if the one or more satellites is/are within a predetermined distance range from the smoking substitute device.

The system may further comprise at least one fixed-location receiver, wherein the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device is configured to directly communicate data to (and/or receive data directly from) the fixed-location receiver.

A satellite within the plurality of satellites may be configured to communicate data that it receives from the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device to a network server. It may be configured to communicate data by transmitting it to a ground-based receiver. It may be configured to communicate data to a network server periodically, or at any time at which it (re) enters a predetermined distance range from a suitable receiver, such as a ground-based receiver.

The wireless interface of the smoking substitute device may be configured to communicate data directly to (and/or receive data directly from) at least one of the satellites via a first wireless signal type and the at least one satellite may be configured to communicate data that it receives from the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device to a non-orbiting receiver via a second, different wireless signal type.

The second signal type may comprises a higher power and/or a higher bandwidth signal type than the first signal type. For example, the first signal type may comprise any of a/an: RF, Bluetoothml, LPWAN or LoRaWANO signal. For example, the second signal type may comprise any of a/an: cellular, 3G, 4G, 5G, VViFi, Ethernet, internet or backhaul signal.

According to a further aspect the present disclosure provides a use of a smoking substitute device, which may implement the features of any preceding embodiment, or another embodiment disclosed herein, for generating an aerosol for delivery to a user.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method, which may implement the features of any aspect, or another embodiment disclosed herein. The method includes: obtaining data (e.g. usage data describing how the smoking substitute device has been used by a user) at a smoking substitute device (e.g. user advice which may generate an aerosol or other substitute deice); using a wireless interface to communicate data from the smoking substitute device directly to a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention may provide electrical circuitry configured to cause a smoking substitute device (or a system according to the second aspect of the invention) to perform a method according to the third aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention may provide a computer readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions configured to cause a smoking substitute device (or a system according to the second aspect of the invention) to perform a method according to the third aspect of the invention.

As used herein, the term "computer readable medium" may, by way of non-limiting example, include conventional non-transitory memory, for example one or more of: random access memory (RAM); a CD; a hard drive; a solid state drive; a flash drive; a memory card; a DVD; a floppy disk; an optical drive..

According to a further aspect, a controller is provided for a smoking substitute device, wherein the smoking substitute device comprises a wireless interface and wherein the controller is configured to control the communication of data directly between the wireless interface and a satellite, whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.

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

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

Summary of the Figures

Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows an example system for managing a smoking substitute device.

Figure 2(a) shows an example smoking substitute device for use as the smoking substitute device in the system of Fig. 1.

Figure 2(b) shows the main body of the smoking substitute device of Fig. 2(a) without the consumable.

Figure 2(c) shows the consumable of the smoking substitute device of Fig. 2(a) without the main body.

Figure 3(a) is a schematic view of the main body of the smoking substitute device of Fig. 2(a). Figure 3(b) is a schematic view of the consumable of the smoking substitute device of Fig. 2(a). Figure 4 is an example improved system for managing a smoking substitute device.

Figure 5 shows a typical radio link budget for a known BluetoothTm signal.

Figure 6 shows a typical radio link budget for a LoRaWAN® signal, using a fixed position gateway.

Figure 7 shows a typical radio link budget for a LoRaWANO signal, using a moving gateway.

Figure 8 shows an example satellite that may be employed as a moving gateway for LoRaWANO communications.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A smoking substitute device as described herein may be configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol forming substrate. The smoking substitute device may be configured to deliver the aerosol to a user for inhalation. For avoidance of any doubt, the smoking substitute device could be either a vaping smoking substitute device, or a heat not burn smoking substitute device (such devices are described in the background section, above). As used herein, the term "aerosol" may include a suspension of aerosol forming substrate, included as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. The aerosol may include one or more components of the aerosol forming substrate. As used herein, the term "aerosol forming substrate" (also "aerosol-forming precursor" or "precursor") may refer to one or more of a: liquid; solid; gel; other substance (for which an aerosol is generated). An aerosol generating unit of the smoking substitute device may be configured to process the aerosol forming substrate to form an aerosol as defined herein. The term "aerosol" herein may be used interchangeably with the term "vapour".

In general terms, we herein describe a smoking substitute device that can connect 'directly' to a network, without the need for the user to employ a second user device, such as a mobile phone, to act as an intermediary between the smoking substitute device and the network. In some examples, the smoking substitute device may be configured to connect to a so-call 'Internet of Things' via an intermediary satellite that may be transparent to the user -and not controlled or interacted with by an individual end user -is employed to receive messages directly from the user's smoking substitute device and to convey those messages, or the data within them, on to a network server.

By using the satellite as a gateway to the network, the smoking substitute device can operate (and achieve connectivity) using relatively simple, streamlined and cost-effective components. On the other hand; the satellite may employ more sophisticated components -for example, which provide higher bandwidth signalling -in order to manage and to convey signals from a large number of end devices, Any suitable combination of hardware and software may be implemented, within a smoking substitute device, in order to control and achieve its connection to a network, via a satellite.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 1 shows an example system 1 for managing a smoking substitute device 10.

The system 1 as shown in Fig. 1 includes a mobile device 2, a network server 4 (which may include or be connected to an application server), an optional charging station 6, as well as the smoking substitute device 10.

The smoking substitute device 10 is configured to communicate wirelessly, e.g. via BluetoothTM, with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2, e.g. via a suitable wireless interface (not shown) on the mobile device 2. The mobile device 2 may be a mobile phone, for example. The application on the mobile phone is configured to communicate with the network server 4 (which could be an application server relating to the application), via a network 8. The network server 4 may utilise cloud storage, for

example.

The network 8 may include a cellular network and/or the internet In this example, the smoking substitute device 10 is also configured to communicate with the network server 4 via a connection that does not involve the mobile device 2, specifically via direct communication with at least one satellite 3 whilst the satellite 3 is in orbit around the earth. Such a connection is described in more detail in relation to the system 201 shown in Fig. 4, below. The discussion of elements of the system 201 shown in Fig. 4 below can be applied equally to corresponding elements in the system 1 shown in Fig. 1 and vice versa.

The smoking substitute device may also be able to communicate with the network server 4 via other connections, e.g. via a narrowband internet of things ("NB-IoT") connection.

A skilled person would readily appreciate that the mobile device 2 (if present) may be configured to communicate via the network 8 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 3G or 4G) or via a WEi network.

The app installed on the mobile device and the network server 4 (e.g. if the network server is an application server) may be configured to assist a user with their smoking substitute device 10, based on information communicated between the smoking substitute device 10 and the app and/or information communicated between the app and the network server 4.

The charging station 6 Of present) may be configured to charge (and optionally communicate with) the smoking substitute device 10, via a charging port on the smoking substitute device 10. The charging port on the smoking substitute device 10 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 10 via a suitable USB cable (in this case the USB-compatible device would be acting as the charging station 6). Alternatively, the charging station could be a docking station specifically configured to dock with the smoking substitute device 10 and charge the smoking substitute device 10 via the charging port on the smoking substitute device 10.

In some examples, the mobile device 2 may be omitted from the system, e.g. thereby providing a system that may be similar or the same as the system 201 shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 2(a) shows an example smoking substitute device 110 for use as the smoking substitute device 10 in the system 1 of Fig. 1.

In this example, the smoking substitute device 110 includes a main body 120 and a consumable 150. The consumable 150 may alternatively be referred to as a "pod".

In this example, the smoking substitute device 110 is a closed system vaping device, wherein the consumable 150 includes a sealed tank 156 and is intended for one-use only.

Fig. 2(a) shows the smoking substitute device 110 with the main body 120 physically coupled to the consumable 150.

Fig. 2(b) shows the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the consumable 150. Fig. 2(c) shows the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110 without the main body 120.

The main body 120 and the consumable 150 are configured to be physically coupled together, in this example by pushing the consumable 150 into an aperture in a top end 122 of the main body 120, e.g. with the consumable 150 being retained in the aperture via an interference fit. In other examples, the main body 120 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 126, e.g. an LED located behind a small translucent cover, is located a bottom end 124 of the main body 120.

The light 126 may be configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute device 110 is activated.

The consumable 150 includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at a top end 152 of the consumable 150, as well as one or more air inlets (not shown in Fig. 2) so that air can be drawn into the smoking substitute device 110 when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. At a bottom end 154 of the consumable 150, there is located a tank 156 that contains e-liquid. The tank 156 may be a translucent body, for example.

The tank 156 preferably includes a window 158, so that the amount of e-liquid in the tank 156 can be visually assessed. The main body 120 includes a slot 128 so that the window 158 of the consumable 150 can be seen whilst the rest of the tank 156 is obscured from view when the consumable 150 is inserted into the aperture in the top end 122 of the main body 120.

In this present embodiment, the consumable 302 is a "single-use" consumable. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid in the tank 156, the intention is that the user disposes of the whole consumable 150. 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 156 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 156 may be referred to as a "clearomizer" if it includes a window 158, or a "cartomizer" if it does not.

Fig. 3(a) is a schematic view of the main body 120 of the smoking substitute device 110. Fig. 3(b) is a schematic view of the consumable 150 of the smoking substitute device 110.

As shown in Fig. 3(a), the main body 120 includes a power source 128, a control unit 130, a memory 132, a wireless interface 134, an electrical interface 136, and, optionally, one or more additional components 138 The power source 128 is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery.

The control unit 130 may include a microprocessor, for example.

The memory 132 is preferably includes non-volatile memory.

The wireless interface 134 is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 2, e.g. via Bluetooth. To this end, the wireless interface 134 could include a Bluetooth TM antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. Wfi, are also possible.

The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 may include one or more electrical supply contacts. The electrical interface 136 may be located in, and preferably at the bottom of, the aperture in the top end 122 of the main body 120. When the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface 136 may be configured to pass electrical power from the power source 128 to (e.g. a heating device of) the consumable 150 when the smoking substitute device 110 is activated, e.g. via the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 (discussed below). When the main body 120 is not physically coupled to the consumable 150, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station 6.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include the optional light 126 discussed above.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may, if the power source 128 is a rechargeable battery, include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6. This may be located at the bottom end 124 of the main body 120. Alternatively, the electrical interface 136 discussed above is configured to act as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station 6 such that a separate charging port is not required.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may, if the power source 128 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 6 Of present).

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include an airflow sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device 110, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece 166 (discussed below) of the smoking substitute device 110. The smoking substitute device 110 may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor. This optional sensor could alternatively be included in the consumable 150 (though this is less preferred where the consumable 150 is intended to be disposed of after use, as in this example).

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include an actuator, e.g. a button. The smoking substitute device 110 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 110.

The additional components 138 of the main body 120 may include a reading device 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 150.

In some examples, the reading device Of present) may be configured to read information from the machine readable data source non-wirelessly, e.g. using an electrical connection between the main body 120 and consumable 150.

For example, the reading device (if present) may include a set of one or more electrical communication contacts configured to read information from the machine readable data source via an electrical connection established between the set of one or more electrical communication contacts and the machine readable data source. Conveniently, the set of one or more electrical communication contacts of the reading device may be configured to provide the electrical connection by engaging with a set of one or more electrical communication contacts of the consumable 150, when the main body 120 and the consumable 150 are physically coupled together.

In some examples, the reading device Of present) 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 150 could be an RFID tag On which case the reading device included in the main body 120 may be an RFID reader) or a visual data source such as a barcode (in which case the reading device 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 reading device to wirelessly read information from a machine readable data source included in or attached to the consumable 150, e.g. NFC, Bluetooth, VVi-Fi, as would be appreciated by a skilled person.

The reading device (if present) may be configured to write information associated with the consumable to the machine readable data source (e.g. wirelessly or non-wirelessly, via one of the mechanisms discussed above) in addition to being configured to read information associated with the consumable from the machine readable data source. In this case, the reading device may be referred to as a reading/writing device.

As shown in Fig. 3(b), the consumable 150 includes the tank 156, an electrical interface 160, a heating device 162, one or more air inlets 164, a mouthpiece 166, and, optionally, one or more additional components 168.

The electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include one or more electrical supply contacts. The electrical interface 136 of the main body 120 and an electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 are preferably configured to contact each other and therefore electrically couple the main body 120 to the consumable 150 when the main body 120 is physically coupled to the consumable 150. In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from the power source 128 in the main body 120 to the heating device 162 in the consumable 150.

The heating device 162 is preferably configured to heat e-liquid contained in the tank 156, e.g. using electrical energy supplied from the power source 128. In one example, the heating device 162 may include a heating filament and a wick, wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the tank 156 in order to draw e-liquid out from the tank 156, and wherein the heating filament coils around a second portion of the wick located outside the tank 156. In this example, the heating filament is configured to heat up e-liquid drawn out of the tank 156 by the wick to produce an aerosol vapour.

The one or more air inlets 164 are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking substitute device 110, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece 166.

The additional components 168 of the consumable 150 may include a machine readable data source, which may e.g. be contained in the body of, or attached to the consumable 150. 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 138 of the main body 120 may include a reading device configured to read information associated with the consumable from the machine readable data source.

For example, the electrical interface 160 of the consumable 150 may include a set of one or more electrical communication contacts, which may allow a reading device of the main body to read information from a machine readable data source of the consumable, e.g. as discussed previously.

In use, a user activates the smoking substitute device 110, e.g. through actuating an actuator included in the main body 120 or by inhaling through the mouthpiece 166 as described above. Upon activation, the control unit 130 may supply electrical energy from the power source 128 to the heating device 162 (via electrical interfaces 136, 166), which may cause the heating device 162 to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank 156 to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece 166.

Of course, a skilled reader would readily appreciate that the smoking substitute device 110 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 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 10 of Fig. 1.

By way of example, a HNB smoking substitute device including a main body and a consumable could be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of Fig. 1, instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such HNB smoking substitute device is the IQOS TM 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 10 of Fig. 1, instead of the smoking substitute device 110. One such open system vaping device is the blu PROTM e-cigarette discussed above.

As another example, an entirely disposable (one use) smoking substitute device could be used as the smoking substitute device 10 of Fig. 1, instead of the smoking substitute device 110.

Fig. 4 shows an example of an alternative system 201 that includes a smoking substitute device 210.

The system 201 also includes one or more satellites, a network server 205, a network 208, and an optional charging station 206.

The smoking substitute device 210 may be substantially similar to the smoking substitute device 10 that is shown in and described in relation to Fig. 1, and the smoking substitute device 110 that is shown in and described in relation to Figs. 2(a) to 3(a), above. However, in this example the mobile device 2 has been omitted.

Features of the system 201 shown in Fig. 4 have been given corresponding reference numerals to the features described in relation to the system 1 of Fig. 1, and these features may be as described in relation to Figs. 1-3 except where described differently here.

In the system 201 of Fig. 4, the mobile device 2 has been omitted. This could be because the smoking substitute device 210 is not configured to communicate wirelessly, e.g. via Bluetooth TM, with an application (or "app") installed on the mobile device 2 (e.g. the wireless interface in the smoking substitute device may not be capable of communicating with a mobile device) or could be because the mobile device 2 is simply not present.

However, similar to the system 201 of Fig. 1, the smoking substitute device 210 of the system 201 of Fig. 4 is configured to communicate data to (and preferably also receive data from) the network server 205 via a direct connection with at least one satellite 203 in orbit around the earth. The network server may be an application server, for example.

The (optional) charging station 206 may be substantially similar to the charging station 6 shown in Fig. 1, 25 hereabove.

In this example, a wireless interface of the smoking substitute device 210 (which may be similar to the wireless interface denoted '134' in Fig. 3(a)) of the smoking substitute device 210 is configured for 'direct' connection of the smoking substitute device 210 to the network 208 via at least one satellite 203, without the need for an intermediary device local to the user, such as a mobile phone. Therefore, the smoking substitute device 210 is configured to establish a 'direct' connection to the network 208. The smoking substitute device 210 may therefore form part of a so-called 'Internet of Things' (loT).

The term 'direct' is used herein as it describes the user's experience of the connection between his or her smoking substitute device 210 and the network 208. The term 'direct' also acknowledges that a second user device such as a mobile phone is not needed, for connection of the smoking substitute device 210 to the network 208. In fact, the satellite(s) 203 as mentioned above, in the system of Fig. 4, may effectively act as a bridge or "transparent intermediary" between a user's smoking substitute device 210 and the network 208 and/or the network server 205. The term 'transparent' is used in this context to describe the satellite(s) 203 because an end user does not have to directly use or interact with the satellite(s) 203 and so the user can be blind to its existence. A user will therefore, in practice, perceive the connection between his or her smoking substitute device 210 and the network 208 as being 'direct', despite the presence and operation of the satellite(s) 203, which is detailed further herebelow.

The signals sent from the smoking substitute device 210 to the satellite(s) 203 (which are subsequently conveyed on to a network server 205 and possibly to an application server) may comprise any suitable data. The data is typically related in some way to the usage of the device and/or a characteristic of the device or user of the device. For example, the usage data may comprise data regarding any of: usage patterns, device faults, operational parameters such as battery life and/or the remaining amount of e-liquid in the device, e.g. as may be useful to an entity responsible for providing services to users of smoking substitute devices and/or useful to a user looking to manage their smoking substitute device e.g. via a web portal. The data related to a characteristic of the device or user of the deivce may comprise information regarding the type of consumable being used and/or it may comprise data regarding user preferences in relation to consumable types.

The signals sent from the smoking substitute device 210 directly to the satellite(s) 203 (which are subsequently conveyed on to a network server 205 and possibly to an application server) may be sent securely. For example, some of the data may be encrypted. Algorithms or 'keys' may be employed in order to provide authentication and to confirm the integrity of data packets that are transmitted to the network server 205. The smoking substitute device 210 may be configured to issue signals to the satellite(s) 203 via a first signal type and the satellite(s) 203 may be configured to convey the information within those signals on to a network server 205 via a second, different network type. The signalling between the smoking substitute device and the satellite(s) 203, and between the satellite(s) 203 and the network server 205, can be bi-directional. The first signal type may be a (relatively) low power signal. The second signal type may be of a higher bandwidth than the first signal type. The smoking substitute device 210 therefore may need, and in some examples may have, only to have sufficient technology embodied therein, in order to connect and communicate with the satellite(s) 203. The satellite(s) 203 (which will typically be configured to communicate with many end devices and would not be owned or operated by any individual end user) may then provide the technology for onward transmission of data to/from the user's smoking substitute device 210 from/to a network server 205.

For example, the smoking substitute device 210 may be configured to issue wireless signals to the satellite(s) 203 using a wireless signal of a type that requires relatively straight forward and/or low cost and/or low power consuming and/or compact components to be incorporated, within the smoking substitute device 210. For example, the smoking substitute device 210 may communicate with the satellite(s) 203 via radiofrequency (RF) signals. For example, the smoking substitute device 210 may communicate with the satellite(s) 203 via a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) signal, for example a Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAMD) signal.

The smoking substitute device 210 may be configured so that its signals are transmitted to just one satellite 203 or it may be configured so that its signals are transmitted to a plurality of satellites 203 (not necessarily at the same time). The smoking substitute device 210 may be configured so that the line of wireless communication between the satellite(s) 203 and the smoking substitute device 210 is permanently open (i.e. in an 'always on' mode) or so that the line of wireless communication between the satellite(s) 203 and the smoking substitute device 210 opens periodically (i.e. in a 'fixed intervals' mode).

The wireless signalling between the satellite(s) 203 and the smoking substitute device 210 may be bidirectional, so that the user can receive messages on his or her smoking substitute device 210, from the network server 205 (or application server (not shown)) via the satellite(s) 203.

For example, the satellite(s) 203 may comprise a router. It may also be referred to as a 'concentrator' or a gateway'.

The network 208 via which the satellite(s) 203 communicates with the network server 205 may comprise a cellular network, such as 3G, 4G, 5G and so on. The network 208 via which the satellite(s) 203 communicates with the network server 205 may comprise an intemet connection such as a WiFi, Ethernet or backhaul connection.

As mentioned above, the satellite(s) 203 may be configured to form a bridge or gateway, between the smoking substitute device 210 and an 'Internet of Things' (lop network. The smoking substitute device 210 can use a low power signalling protocol, like LPWAN or LoRaVVANO, to connect to the satellite(s) 203, while the satellite(s) 203 can use a higher bandwidth network like WiFi, Ethernet or cellular to connect to the 'Internet of Things' network. Hence, the user can reap the benefits of his or her smoking substitute device 210 being network-connected, and being able, for example, to connect to an application for managing usage of the device 210, without having to rely on an additional user device such as a mobile phone and without having to purchase a smoking substitute device that comprises costly, complicated or bulky wireless communication components.

As will be known to the skilled reader; a potentially limiting factor for any arrangement that employs wireless signalling is geographical coverage of the particular wireless communication protocol employed and the so-called 'radio link budget', which is a measure of the power of the wireless signal, and how readily it drops away (which may vary, according to environment). A (known) basic formula for radio link budget is as follows: Received power (dBm)=Transmitted power (dBm)+Gains (dB)-Losses (dB) (1) The Lora link budget is typically 141 dB as opposed to 92 dB for WiFi.

Certain wireless signalling protocols, which are often used for communication from/to end user devices such as smoking substitute devices, tend to have a relatively poor radio link budget. For example, Fig. 5 herein shows how quickly the radio link budget gets used up for a known BluetoothTm protocol. In an open environment, for example an open office, the BluetoothTM signal may propagate for 5-6 metres however the signal drops off significantly if it hits a barrier such as, for example, a brick wall.

It will be appreciated that, in order for a wireless signalling system to be effective for multiple users, and over a wide geographical area, it may be useful for the smoking substitute device 210 to communicate via a wireless signalling protocol that is relatively cheap, compact and easy to implement in a device 210, but that nonetheless has a relatively high radio link budget, and good geographical coverage.

According to an arrangement, therefore, the smoking substitute device 210 is configured to use a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), for example a Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWANO) for communicating with one or more satellite(s) 203. As will be known to the skilled reader; LoRaWANO has a significantly more capable radio link budget than BluetoothTM (which is not in general capable of communicating with a satellite) and most radio wireless technologies. However, LoRaWANO components/architecture are nonetheless relatively compact and inexpensive to incorporate into a user device such as a smoking substitute device 210.

In a LoRaWANO network, user devices may be referred to as 'end nodes' and the satellite(s) 203 may be known as 'gateways' or 'concentrators'. The gateways comprise antennae (for example, multi-directional antennae) that act as transparent bridges, converting RF packets (in this case, receive from one or more smoking substitute devices 210) to IP packets, for onward submission to a network server 205, and vice versa.

A physical toRa layer' of architecture can be implemented in the smoking substitute device 210, to act as a wireless transmitter/receiver, in order to enable it for long range communications with the satellite(s) 203 (i.e. with the gateway). Those communications can be relayed over a wide range of available frequencies. LoRaWANO operates using relatively low bandwidth communications. The data rates are therefore low, for LoRaWANO communications, as compared to other wireless protocols such as WiFi, which helps to ensure low power consumption. Although deemed potentially undesirable in certain other situations; such low data rates are highly suitable for connecting devices to a network (as opposed to connecting people), for example because the devices can typically emit and receive data packets intermittently, without causing significant problems to their operation.

Fig. 6 herein shows a depiction of the radio link budget for a typical LoRaVVANO connection, which employs a fixed-position gateway mounted to a ground-based structure (i.e. note a satellite oirbiting the earth). As can be seen therein, the radio link budget for LoRaWANO is significantly better than for a typical BluetoothTM signal. However, there may typically be a sizeable elevation difference between a user's smoking substitute device 210 and the nearest LoRaWANO gateway, which is configured for receiving signals from the user's device 210. As a result, despite their relatively capable radio link budgets, LoRaWANO signals can diminish when travelling through a crowded or dense environment, such as through a city building comprising many walls or other barriers. Therefore, dead spots (where the signal between an end node and a gateway drops out) can and do exist.

Fig. 7 shows another arrangement, in which the LoRaWANO gateway is an orbiting satellite 203.

Because the satellite 203 is a moving entity, at least periodically it will be positioned substantially vertically above the user, when signals are to be transmitted to/from the smoking substitute device 210.

Moreover, an orbiting satellite would usually be located much higher (vertically) than a typical fixed-position gateway would be. Therefore, even though the signal from a user's smoking substitute device 210 might still have go through building structures or other barriers if sent from a crowded/dense environment, it would predominantly be moving more vertically than upwardly, and therefore in general would in general need to go through fewer structures/barriers compared with communication to a fixed-position gateway as shown in Fig. 6.

Although Fig. 7 depicts the trajectory between a user's smoking substitute device 210 and an orbiting satellite as being in a straight line upwards, in reality it may follow a slightly arc-like profile and/or with a relatively small horizontal component. Wireless communication paths that involve moving entities such as orbiting satellites are therefore less likely to have so-called 'dead spots' than communication paths involving lower, fixed position gateways would do.

One example of a suitable orbiting satellite, for communicating via a LoRaWAN® protocol with a smoking substitute device 210, has been developed by Lacuna Space in cooperation with Semtech Corporation, the owners of the LoRa® intellectual property. They have developed a cost effective, easy to deploy, low orbit satellite technology, with satellites that are called 'cubesats', e.g. as disclosed at hitpsiglackina.spacei and hfipsiten.wikipedia.orgAvikileubeSat. An example of a cubesat 800 is shown in Fig. 8. A cubesat 800 may be configured to simultaneously detect and decode signals from a very large number of end nodes (for example, including smoking substitute devices) in the satellite's field of view.

A cubesat 800 is (according to currently-known standards) a relatively compact satellite. For example, it may be approximately the size of a typical shoe-box). A cube sat may be configured to fly in a 500km orbit, circling the Earth fourteen times each day. A cubesat may be configured to store the messages that it receives from end nodes, such as the smoking substitute device 210, for a relatively short period of time, until it passes over a receiver such as a ground station, to which it can then relay the messages. Any messages received at the ground station may be conveyed on to a cloud platform and subsequently viewed via a suitable cloud-based application or via an application, browser or other user platform on another suitable network.

Lacuna.space intend to put a full constellation of 240 cubesats, which means a cubesat will be available every 5 mins which is more than viable for a smoking substitute (e.g. vape) device, as existing smoking substitute devices are able to log usage data for about 2-3 days without data offloading.

Other types of orbiting satellites may instead be used to connect the user's smoking substitute device 210 to a network 208. They may be differently sized to cubesats. They may orbit the earth at a different speed to cubesats and/or at different daily frequency. The satellite(s) may be configured to store data up to a predetermined data limit, or to store any received data for a predetermined amount of time, or to store data only until the satellite (or other moving entity) transmits that data to a ground station or other fixed receiver, which may happen randomly, or when a predefined data limit has been reached, or at fixed intervals, or in accordance with any other suitable regime. A plurality of satellites may be employed, such that at any given time, the user's smoking substitute device 210 may transmit signals to more than one satellite, and/or may transmit signals to only the nearest satellite or satellites, and/or to satellites only within a predetermined distance range.

Although LoRaWAN® has been described hereabove, any other suitable wireless signalling protocol may be employed, that enables a smoking substitute device 210 to connect to a network without the need for another user device to act as an intermediary. For example, NB-loT/LTE cat 1 may be employed.

Although the arrangement described in relation to Fig. 4 has been described without using a mobile device or other user device to act as an intermediary between the smoking substitute device 210 and the network 208; this does not preclude the possibility of the smoking substitute device 210 also being able to communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection to another user device, such as a mobile phone, smart phone, tablet, laptop, and so on, e.g. as depicted in Fig. 1. For example, the smoking substitute device 210 may be configured to convey some information to a user device such as a mobile phone and other information directly to the network (via the satellite(s) 203, with which the user does not directly interact.) The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof 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. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +1-10%.

Claims

Claims: 1. A smoking substitute device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol forming substrate, the smoking substitute device comprising: a wireless interface configured to communicate data from the smoking substitute device directly to a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.
2. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 wherein the wireless interface is configured to communicate data directly to the satellite via a low power signal communication protocol.
3. The smoking substitute device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wireless interface is configured to communicate data directly to the satellite via any of: an LPWAN; an NB-loT/LTE cat 1; a LoRaWAN® signal communication protocol; or a combination thereof
4. The smoking substitute device of any preceding claim wherein the wireless interface is configured to communicate data directly to a plurality of satellites.
5. The smoking substitute device of any preceding claim wherein the wireless interface is configured to transmit data to the satellite(s) multiple times during a predetermined time period, whilst the satellite(s) is/are in orbit around the earth.
6. The smoking substitute device of any preceding claim wherein the wireless interface is configured to receive data directly from a satellite, and to transmit data directly to a satellite, whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.
7. The smoking substitute device of any preceding claim wherein the wireless interface is also configured to communicate data directly to a fixed-location receiver.
8. The smoking substitute device of any preceding claim wherein the wireless interface is configured to communicate encrypted data directly to the satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.
9. A system including: a smoking substitute device according to any of claims 1 to 8; and a plurality of satellites in orbit around the earth; wherein the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate data directly to at least one of the satellites.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate data directly to one or more satellite within the plurality of satellites, if the one or more satellites is/are within a predetermined distance range from the smoking substitute device.
11. The system of claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising at least one fixed-location receiver, wherein the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device is configured to directly communicate data to the fixed-location receiver.
12. The system of any of claims 9 to 11, wherein a satellite within the plurality of satellites is configured to communicate data that it receives from the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device to a non-orbiting receiver.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device is configured to communicate data directly to at least one of the satellites via a first wireless signal type and wherein the at least one satellite is configured to communicate data that it receives from the wireless interface of the smoking substitute device to a non-orbiting receiver via a second, different wireless signal type.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the second signal type comprises a higher power and/or a higher bandwidth signal type than the first signal type.
15. A method, comprising: obtaining data, at a smoking substitute device; using a wireless interface to communicate the data from the smoking substitute device directly to a satellite whilst the satellite is in orbit around the earth.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the data is usage data describing how the smoking substitute device has been used by a user.
17. Electrical circuitry configured to cause a smoking substitute device according to any of claims 18, or a system according to any of claims 9-14, to perform a method according to claim 15 or 16.
18. A computer readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions configured to cause a smoking substitute device according to any of claims 1-8, or a system according to any of claims 9-14, to perform a method according to claim 15 or 16.