Abstract: A method of controlling an electrically heated aerosol-generating system is provided, the system including a charging device including a first rechargeable power supply, and an electrically heated aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating substrate and including a second rechargeable power supply, and at least one electrical heating element; and the method including monitoring an ambient temperature adjacent the charging device, determining a charging current, for charging the rechargeable power supply of the charging device, in dependence on the ambient temperature, and charging the rechargeable power supply of the charging device at the determined charging current. There is also provided a system and device for performing the method.

Abstract: A primary device for connecting to a secondary device is provided, including at least three electrical contacts, a voltage source, and a controller, wherein each electrical contact has an associated high switch connected between the contact and the voltage source, and an associated low switch disposed between the contact and electrical ground, and wherein the controller is connected to each of the switches and is configured to sequentially close pairs of switches to connect the voltage source to the device during an orientation operation, each pair of switches comprising a high switch associated with one of the contacts and a low switch associated with another of the contacts, and is further configured to record a voltage difference between the contacts associated with a plurality of pairs of the switches, and to determine an orientation of the secondary device relative to the primary device based on the recorded voltage difference.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a primary device and a secondary device, the primary device having electrical contact pins configured to engage electrical contacts on the secondary device to allow for the exchange of power and data between the devices; the primary device having n electrical contact pins, where n is a positive integer greater than two; the devices are constructed such that the pins of the primary device are engageable with the contacts of the secondary device in a plurality of m distinct electrical orientations, wherein m is a positive integer less than n; and the primary device is configured to determine which of the m orientations the secondary device is in relative to the primary device by comparing voltages measured between at least m different pairs of contacts with a voltage record stored in a memory in the primary device.

Abstract: A primary device for connecting to a secondary device is provided, including at least three electrical contacts, a voltage source, and a controller, wherein each electrical contact has an associated high switch connected between the contact and the voltage source, and an associated low switch disposed between the contact and electrical ground, and wherein the controller is connected to each of the switches and is configured to sequentially close pairs of switches to connect the voltage source to the device during an orientation operation, each pair of switches comprising a high switch associated with one of the contacts and a low switch associated with another of the contacts, and is further configured to record a voltage difference between the contacts associated with a plurality of pairs of the switches, and to determine an orientation of the secondary device relative to the primary device based on the recorded voltage difference.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system is provided, including a primary device and a secondary, aerosol-generating, device having a cavity at a proximal end configured to removably receive an aerosol-generating substrate. The primary device includes a housing; a power supply; a cavity in the housing configured to receive the secondary device; a plurality of electrical contacts within the cavity, each contact being configured to contact a corresponding contact of the secondary device when the secondary device is in the cavity, at least one of the contacts being connected to the power supply; and a lid configured to cover an opening of the cavity, and being moveable between a first closed position, and a second open position. The lid includes a protrusion configured to prevent movement from the second position to the first position if the secondary device is inserted incorrectly.

Abstract: A system is provided, including a primary device and a secondary device, the primary device having electrical contact pins configured to engage electrical contacts on the secondary device to allow for the exchange of power and data between the devices; the primary device having n electrical contact pins, where n is a positive integer greater than two; the devices are constructed such that the pins of the primary device are engageable with the contacts of the secondary device in a plurality of m distinct electrical orientations, wherein m is a positive integer less than n; and the primary device is configured to determine which of the m orientations the secondary device is in relative to the primary device by comparing voltages measured between at least m different pairs of contacts with a voltage record stored in a memory in the primary device.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system is provided, including a primary device and a secondary, aerosol-generating, device having a cavity at a proximal end configured to removably receive an aerosol-generating substrate. The primary device includes a housing; a power supply; a cavity in the housing configured to receive the secondary device; a plurality of electrical contacts within the cavity, each contact being configured to contact a corresponding contact of the secondary device when the secondary device is in the cavity, at least one of the contacts being connected to the power supply; and a lid configured to cover an opening of the cavity, and being moveable between a first closed position, and a second open position. The lid includes a protrusion configured to prevent movement from the second position to the first position if the secondary device is inserted incorrectly.

Abstract: There is provided a portable electrical system including primary and secondary devices, the primary device having a first, lithium cobalt oxide battery, and the secondary device having a second, lithium iron phosphate or lithium titanate battery, wherein the primary and secondary devices are configured to allow recharging of the second battery from the first battery at a rate of between 2C and 16C.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electrically heated aerosol-generating system is provided, the system including a charging device including a first rechargeable power supply, and an electrically heated aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating substrate and including a second rechargeable power supply, and at least one electrical heating element; and the method including monitoring an ambient temperature adjacent the charging device, determining a charging current, for charging the rechargeable power supply of the charging device, in dependence on the ambient temperature, and charging the rechargeable power supply of the charging device at the determined charging current. There is also provided a system and device for performing the method.

Abstract: There is provided a portable electrical system including primary and secondary devices, the primary device having a first, lithium cobalt oxide battery, and the secondary device having a second, lithium iron phosphate or lithium titanate battery, wherein the primary and secondary devices are configured to allow recharging of the second battery from the first battery at a rate of between 2C and 16C.