WO2024200523A1

WO2024200523A1 - Aerosol generation device with residue detection

Info

Publication number: WO2024200523A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/058269
Authority: WO
Inventors: Grzegorz Aleksander PILATOWICZ
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-03-31
Filing date: 2024-03-27
Publication date: 2024-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-30
Also published as: KR20250134243A; CN120957626A

Abstract

An aerosol generation device configured to generate a vapour and/or aerosol to be inhaled by a user comprising an oven arranged to receive an amount of an aerosol precursor material, a power source to provide power to the oven to generate the vapour and/or aerosol by heating the aerosol precursor material, a controller, and an image sensor arranged to acquire an image data signal representing an optical appearance of an interior of said oven, wherein the controller is configured to acquire the image data signal from the optical appearance and to determine a figure indicating an amount of residue in said oven.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE WITH RESIDUE DETECTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to aerosol generation devices which are preferably compact hand-held devices . More particularly, the present invention relates to such aerosol generation devices in the form of electronic cigarettes , cigalikes , e-cigarettes , vapour inhalers and related devices , which provide a function of detecting undesired residues .

Background

In the arts there are several types and concepts for aerosol generation devices that serve a broad range of purposes including medical and therapeutic applications and also recreational consumer devices such as electronic cigarettes . Such devices may produce an inhalation medium ( aerosol , vapour, etc . ) by means of heating a substance so as to release particles and/or droplets into an ambient air for inhalation . For this purpose , the aerosol generation devices may be provided with an oven, i . e . a heatable chamber or enclosure , also often known as heating chamber, that is arranged to receive an amount of an aerosol precursor material . A power source may provide power to the oven so as to heat up the aerosol precursor material to generate the vapour and/or aerosol by heating .

Existing aerosol generation devices oftentimes provide a cartridge-type consumable solution, in which a consumable article in the form of a cartridge or stick which comprises the aerosol precursor material can be removably inserted into the device ' s oven through an opening . Once the cartridge or stick is used or has expired after all or a predetermined part of the contained aerosol precursor material has been depleted, it can be removed and replaced by another one . For this exchange , an access to the oven is usually provided by means of the already mentioned opening which allows inserting and removal of the consumable article .

The possibility of inserting, removing and replacing consumable articles renders such aerosol generation devices susceptible to accumulation of undesired residues inside the devices . Especially, ovens or other chambers , cavities , or enclosures that receive replaceable parts and elements may provide locations at which residues like dust , parts of consumable articles or aerosol precursor material contained therein, dirt or any other undesired obj ects may accumulate and adhere to . Such undesired obj ects may cause mal functions and/or other nonreliabilities and risks during use or operation of aerosol generation devices .

There is therefore a need for improved aerosol generation devices that improve the overall operation situation of aerosol generation devices in the context of undesired residue , speci fically in the context of replaceable consumable articles such as cartridges or sticks . It is thus an obj ect of the present invention to provide such improved aerosol generation devices that can remedy the drawbacks of the conventional solutions .

Summary

The mentioned drawbacks are remedies by the sub ect-matter of the independent claims . Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims . According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an aerosol generation device configured to generate a vapour and/or aerosol to be inhaled by a user comprising an oven arranged to receive an amount of an aerosol precursor material , a power source to provide power to the oven to generate the vapour and/or aerosol by heating the aerosol precursor material , a controller, and an image sensor arranged to acquire an image data signal representing an optical appearance of an interior of said oven, wherein the controller is configured to acquire the image data signal from the optical appearance and to determine a figure indicating an amount of residue in said oven .

Accordingly, advantages may be obtained such as ensuring a cleaner and more stable heating environment in the oven, such that heat is exerted to the aerosol precursor material in a more constant , well-defined, and predictable fashion .

Preferably, the image sensor includes any one of a charge coupled device , CCD, image sensor, a complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor , CMOS , image sensor, and an organic semiconductor image senor . Accordingly, a cost- , space- and energy ef ficient way of acquiring image data can be obtained .

Preferably, an aerosol generation device further comprises an optical imaging system, preferably in the form of an image focussing lens , arranged between the optical sensor and the interior of the oven . Accordingly, the acquisition of the image data can be facilitated .

Preferably, the aerosol generation device further comprises an at least in part transparent heat barrier, preferably in the form of an infrared- , IR- , filter, arranged between the optical sensor and the interior of the oven . Accordingly, potentially negative ef fects of heat inside the oven to the image data acquisition may be reduced .

Preferably, the aerosol generation device further comprises a light source arranged to illuminate at least a part of the interior of the oven . Accordingly, the acquisition of the image data can be facilitated .

Preferably, the controller is configured to perform image processing on the received image data signal for determining the figure indicating an amount of residue . Accordingly, the determining of the figure indicating an amount of residue in the oven can be facilitated .

Preferably, the controller is configured to determine a number of pixels of an acquired image and to compare said determined number of pixels to a predefined threshold . Accordingly, the figure indicating an amount of residue in the oven can be ef ficiently determined . Further, said number of pixels of the acquired image may indicate residue .

Preferably, the aerosol generation device further comprises an indicator element and wherein the controller is configured to drive said indicator element based on the determined figure indicating an amount of residue . Accordingly, a user can be noti fied of a need of action, including a cleaning of the oven environment .

Preferably, the controller is configured to suspend operation of the aerosol generation device based on the determined figure indicating an amount of residue . Accordingly, the aerosol generation device can be put into a safe state .

Preferably, the oven comprises chamber or cavity and any one of a heating element , a resistive heating element , and an induction heating assembly . Accordingly, heat can be provided in an ef ficient manner .

Preferably, the chamber or cavity comprises a closed end at a distal side , and wherein the image sensor is arranged to acquire a signal representing an optical appearance of the interior in an area of the closed end . Accordingly, the acquisition of the relevant image data can be facilitated . Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention, which are presented for better understanding the inventive concepts and which are not to be seen as limiting the invention, will now be described with reference to the Figures in which :

Figures 1 , 1A & IB show schematic views of an aerosol generation device according to at least some embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 2A to 2C show schematic views of details in conj unction with observing the optical appearance of a region of interest according to at least some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematic circuit diagram according to at least some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a schematic flow chart of image processing according to at least some embodiments of the present invention; and

Figures 5A & 5B show representative but exemplary array values of an input image data signal before filter processing and after processing according to at least some embodiments of the present invention .

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an aerosol generation device according to at least some embodiments of the present invention . Speci fically, there is shown an aerosol generation device 1 that is generally configured to generate a vapour and/or aerosol to be inhaled by a user . For example , such an aerosol generation device may be implemented as an electronic handheld device ( e-cigarette , cig-a-like , etc . ) that provides the possibility for a user to inhale vapour and/or an aerosol generated from an aerosol precursor material or source . For this purpose , the aerosol generation device 1 comprises an oven 11 that is arranged to receive a consumable article 100 comprising an amount of an aerosol precursor material , such as for example in the form of a cartridge , capsule or stick . Said oven 11 can thus be arranged to receive and accommodate the consumable article 100 through an opening 12 arranged and accessible from an outer surface or part of the aerosol generating device or accessible to a user to insert the consumable article by removing or opening or a part of the aerosol generating device 1 , wherein the replaceable article 100 holds the amount of the aerosol precursor material .

As used herein, the term aerosol precursor material is a label used to mean a medium that generates an aerosol or vapour when heated . It may be synonymous with vapour precursor material , aerosol generation or generating medium, substrate or material . Aerosol precursor material includes liquid or solid materials that provide volatili zed components upon heating, typically in the form of vapour or an aerosol . Aerosol precursor material may be a non-tobacco-containing material or a tobacco-containing material . Aerosol precursor material may, for example , include one or more of tobacco per se , tobacco derivatives , expanded tobacco , reconstituted tobacco , tobacco extract , homogeni zed tobacco or tobacco substitutes . Aerosol precursor material also may include other, non-tobacco , products , which, depending on the product , may or may not contain nicotine . Aerosol precursor material may comprise one or more humectants , such as glycerol or propylene glycol .

As used herein, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature , which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature , whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets , in air or another gas . It should, however, be noted that the terms ' aerosol ' and 'vapour' may be used interchangeably in this speci fication, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user .

As shown in Figure 1A, the oven 11 may further comprise a heating arrangement 111 adapted to heat the oven 11 and more speci fically the aerosol precursor material amount in a consumable article 100 inserted in the oven in use . The heating arrangement 111 may comprise a resistive and/or radiation heating, for example comprising a flexible film heater wrapped about an outer surface of the oven or integral with a wall of the oven 11 . Alternatively, or in addition thereto the oven 11 may comprise a resistive and/or radiation heating element 112 proj ecting in the oven along a longitudinal direction of the internal oven cavity, as shown in Figure IB . Further alternatively, the heating arrangement 111 may be an induction heating arrangement adapted to heat a susceptor by means of applying an alternating magnetic field, wherein the susceptor in turn is adapted to heat at least an amount of an aerosol precursor material .

Suitable induction heating arrangements 111 may comprise an induction coil and a respective driver circuit arranged to lead an alternating current through the coil which in turn generates an accordingly alternating magnetic field . This magnetic field may heat up a susceptor by means of inducing eddy currents therein and/or by exploiting the heat generated by changing the internal magneti zation of the susceptor material . The susceptor may be provided as an integral part of the induction heating arrangement 111 , for example as part or entirety of the oven walls , or a proj ecting blade or pin member 112 within the oven cavity ( as shown in Fig . IB ) . The susceptor may also be part of the consumable 100 , for example as at least one metallic sheet , metallic fibre or metal rod arranged in contact with the aerosol precursor material in the consumable article 100 . The aerosol generation device 1 further comprises a power source 14 to provide power to the oven 11 for generating the vapour and/or aerosol by heating the aerosol precursor material inside a consumable 100 inserted at least in part into the oven 11 . Further, the aerosol generation device 1 comprises a controller 13 that is preferably configured to provide all the desired and necessary functionalities , including, for example , any one of controlling operation of the aerosol generation device 1 , providing an interface to a user of the aerosol generation device 1 , controlling the power supply to the oven 11 to obtain a desired temperature , executing safety control , as typically known from prior art in the field of aerosol generating devices and other new and inventive functionalities that are described or referred to in the present disclosure .

The aerosol generation device 1 may also comprise a body 10 that accommodates all suitable components , and, speci fically, the oven 11 , the power source 14 , and the controller 13 . The body provides further the opening 12 to said oven 11 so as to allow for inserting an amount of an aerosol precursor material into the oven 11 , e . g . by means of inserting an above- mentioned consumable 100 . The opening may speci fically provide access to chamber or cavity 18 that can receive and hold, at least in part , a consumable 100 during operation . Generally, the aerosol generation device can comprise an oven with a chamber or cavity and with any one of a heating element , a resistive heating element , and an induction heating assembly .

The aerosol generation device 1 further comprises an image sensor 15 arranged to acquire an image data signal representing an optical appearance of an interior of the oven 11 . The region of interest (ROT ) may at the same time form part of said cavity or chamber 18 that is the space that generally receives and/or holds , at least in part , the consumable 100 during operation . The image sensor can be generally a sensor that is able to acquire and provide an image data signal that represents the relevant optical appearance in the sense that it can differentiate between different sub-areas of the ROI. This may be opposed to light sensors whose detection output will also depend on the optical appearance of the ROI, but which would be necessarily an average over the entire ROI or detection area as no differentiation is possible.

While a single averaged signal may be influenced also by environmental factors such as ambient light and other operating conditions, an image data signal can provide information on different areas and thus allows for comparative signal processing. For example, the consideration of image data signals may allow for determining on sub-area of the ROI that has changed its optical appearance relative to a prior moment and time, while another sub-area of the ROI that has substantially not changed its optical appearance. This may be taken as a reliable basis of determining whether or not residue may have accumulated.

In the aerosol generation device 1, the controller 13 is configured to acquire the image data signal from the optical appearance and to determine a figure indicating an amount of residue in said oven. This may include signal processing that specifically considers the optical appearance of different areas of an ROI, e.g. in the form of and to the extent to relevant sections of the interior of the oven 11. Generally, the controller 13 may be configured to determine that one or more parts of the ROI has changed its optical appearance at least to some degree, while other parts have not. In this way, the controller 13 can determine a figure that indicates an amount of residue by, for example, considering the number of parts that have changed its corresponding appearance. If, in turn, this number exceeds some pre-determined threshold, it may be determined a further action, ranging from anything like alerting a user that cleaning may be advisable to disabling the operation of the aerosol generation device. The location of the image sensor can be chosen to be generally toward a distal end of the oven 111 (e.g. as shown in Figure 1) , on a distal end of an induction heating arrangement 111 (e.g. as shown in Figure 1A) or, respectively, at a base portion of a resistive and/or radiation heating arrangement 112 ( e . g . as shown in Figure IB ) .

Figures 2A to 2C show schematic views of details in conj unction with observing the optical appearance of a region of interest according to at least some embodiments of the present invention . Generally, this description relates to embodiment in which the cavity 18 of the oven comprises a closed end at a distal side opposite the opening 12 , and wherein the image sensor is arranged to acquire a signal representing an optical appearance of the interior in an area of the closed end . Figure 2A is to describe embodiments in which the direction of view VI of the image sensor is substantially the same as or parallel to direction as in a main direction A of the aerosol generation device and/or the direction A of insertion of a capsule or stick . The image sensor 15 is arranged at a distal end of the oven 11 , or, in other words on a bottom 113 of a heater cup where it can be assumed that dirt and residue accumulation takes place . The oven 11 may be surrounded by an induction coil 114 of an induction heating assembly 111 .

In this and j ust as in any other embodiment , the image sensor can include any one of a charge coupled device , CCD, image sensor, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor , CMOS , image sensor, and an organic semiconductor image senor . Further, in this and in any other embodiment , the device or the image sensor may comprise an optical imaging system 131 , preferably in the form of an image focussing lens , arranged between the optical sensor and the interior of the oven . Yet further, in this and in any other embodiment , the device or the image sensor may comprise an at least in part transparent heat barrier 132 , preferably in the form of an infrared- , IR- , filter, arranged between the optical sensor and the interior of the oven . In all , the retrieved image data signal may represent an optical appearance in the form of an image , which, in turn, may be provided and/or processed in the form of a pixel array as schematically shown in Figure 2C . In this example scenario , a pixel array 200 may comprise individual pixels 201 , of which a first group 21 and a second group 22 may indicate presence of residues 91 and, respectively, 92 . Especially when compared to pixels ( or pixel values ) of a remaining portion 29 , residues can be identi fied and a figure indicating an amount of residue in said oven can be determined .

Figure 2B is to describe embodiments in which the direction of view V2 of the image sensor is substantially perpendicular to the main direction A of the aerosol generation device and/or the direction A of insertion of consumable article 100 . As shown, the image sensor 13 is arranged to cover as a region of interest at least a part of a bottom 113 toward a distal end of the oven 11 . Residue 93 can therefore be well captured by considering corresponding features of the retrieved image data signal . In this , but j ust as in any other embodiment , the aerosol generation device may comprise a light source 16 which is arranged to illuminate at least a part of the interior of the oven 11 . For example , the light source 16 can be arranged substantially opposing the image sensor 13 and thus illuminate and cover the ROI of the image sensor 13 .

Figure 3 shows a schematic circuit diagram according to at least some embodiments of the present invention . A controller may be in the form of a microcontroller ( or CPU, MCU) 1300 which is fed between a positive supply Vdd and ground GND . A micro camera module 1500 may embody the image sensor as mentioned elsewhere in the present disclosure and may be likewise fed by Vdd and GND . A serial connection 1001 may couple the module 1500 to the microcontroller 1300 which may include one or more signal lines and employing any suitable protocol , such as I2C, SPI , onewire , and the like . A light source may be provided in the form of a light emitting diode ( LED) 1601 driven through a resistor 1602 . Preferably, the light source is driven directly via the microcontroller 1300 ( as shown) . In this way, the light source can be activated or driven appropriately optionally via pulse width modulation ( PWM) via an output port of the microcontroller 1300 , and, thus , directly via a control program being executed .

Figure 4 shows a schematic flow chart of image processing according to at least some embodiments of the present invention . Generally, the control ler of the aerosol generation device can be configured to perform image processing on the received image data signal for determining the figure indicating an amount of residue . Speci fically, such processing may start from an input image 401 in the form of pixel array data . A pre-processing 402 may consider image conditioning before any filters are applied, said conditioning comprising any one of resi zing, orientating, colour corrections , and increasing contrast .

Such pre-processing may be of further advantage in the context of implementing machine / model learning, in which an arti ficial intelligence (Al ) and/or neuronal network can be trained and continue to learn how a clean heating chamber or oven environment should look like . For example , the training can be based on the obtained appearance before product shipment , use of the product or in the ( initial ) time directly after a user starts using the product . This may also consider learning with time what a clean but aged oven looks like to further adj ust and avoid the s ituation that users receive unnecessary indications to clean the device ( e . g . after a cleaning the user directly or very soon after that gets a further message to clean the oven again) . In this context , the model could learn what a new clean state looks like ( after a pronounced reduction of the pixels is noticed, e . g . by at least a threshold number ) and adapt respectively . In thi s context , it is noted that pre-processing can improve model training by, for example , reducing the training time without signi ficantly reducing model performance .

During a filtering 403 a vision-based dirt detection and adaptive tiling scheme for selective area coverage may be performed, which may employ a multi-layer filtering framework which includes a periodic pattern detection filter, edge detection, and noise filtering to detect and segment out the dirt area from any backgrounds . It may further employ an adaptive tiling-based area coverage scheme for generating a tetromino morphology to cover the segmented areas .

A pixel counting 404 may then be performed which is an estimate for dirt/residue on a given surface ( e . g . the oven bottom) . This pixel count can be compared in 405 to a predefined or configurable threshold so as to trigger a noti fication 406 to a user or any other suitable action . The threshold can basically implement a reaction already when at least one pixel indicates residue ( i . e . number of pixels detected > 0 ) and can potentially also be adj usted . For example , an initial adj ustment may be considered in that the number of pixels indicating a potential residue when the device is new is added to the pre-programmed initial threshold value . This may advantageously account for manufacturing variations and tolerances and exploit the fact that the appearance of a new oven environment can be assumed as being clean .

For example , the user can be urged to clean the oven when the comparison 405 shows that the pixel count exceeds the threshold a given set of times ( e . g . five times ) . For example , the aerosol generation device may comprise an indicator element , such as the optional indicator LED 17 in Figure 1 . The controller can then be configured to drive the indicator element based on the determined f igure indicating an amount of residue . Likewise , the controller can be configured to suspend operation of the aerosol generation device based on the determined figure indicating an amount of residue and/or after a first indicator stage - e . g . activating the indicator - has been triggered a pre-defined number of times or for a predetermined period of time without detecting any indication that the device was cleaned . The processing may then recommence at 401 for retrieving anew an image data signal and/or image pixel array data . The processing may likewise detect a cleaning event by means of considering a time profile of the pixel counts or generally the figure indicating an amount of residue in the oven .

Figures 5A & 5B show representative but exemplary array values of an input image data signal before filter processing and after processing according to at least some embodiments of the present invention . Generally, this relates to embodiments in which the controller is configured to determine a number of pixels of an acquired image and to compare said determined number of pixels to a predefined threshold . Figure 5A shows a black and white ( greyscale= representation of an image with the corresponding image pixel arranged in a two-dimensional array . Each pixel may have a corresponding pixel value representing a colour or a brightness . This array data is retrieved from the image data signal and is processed for example as described in conj unction with Figure 4 . The result may be as shown in Figure 5B in which individual pixels have been filtered out that can subsequently be subj ect to counting . In this way, a figure indicating an amount of residue in the oven can be obtained .

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention may include any one of the following . An aerosol generation device can be provided which reliably prevents undesired obj ects to remain in the oven or heating chamber . Further, an aerosol generation device can be provided which provides more reliable and reproducible operation . Further, the controller of the aerosol generation device can j udge that there is a need for cleaning and thus trigger appropriate action by the user . A further advantage can be provided in that the user is urged to perform cleaning only when necessary which may lead to avoiding any unnecessary waste in the form of cleaning tissues , cotton swabs , etc . , as such tools are employed and consumed only when necessary .

Although detailed embodiments have been described, these only serve to provide a better understanding of the invention defined by the independent claims and are not to be seen as limiting .

Claims

Claims :

1. An aerosol generation device (1) configured to generate a vapour and/or aerosol to be inhaled by a user comprising: an oven (11) arranged to receive an amount of an aerosol precursor material, a power source (14) to provide power to the oven (11) to generate the vapour and/or aerosol by heating the aerosol precursor material, a controller (13) , and an image sensor (15) arranged to acquire an image data signal representing an optical appearance of an interior of said oven (11) , wherein the controller (13) is configured to acquire the image data signal from the optical appearance and to determine a figure indicating an amount of residue in said oven (11) .

2. The aerosol generation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor (15) includes any one of a charge coupled device, CCD, image sensor, a complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor , CMOS, image sensor, and an organic semiconductor image senor.

3. The aerosol generation device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an optical imaging system (131) arranged between the optical sensor (15) and the interior of the oven (11) .

4. The aerosol generation device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the optical imaging system (131) is in the form of an image focussing lens.

5. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an at least in part transparent heat barrier (132) arranged between the optical sensor (15) and the interior of the oven (11) .

6. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least in part transparent heat barrier (132) is in the form of an infrared-, IR-, filter . . The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a light source (16) arranged to illuminate at least a part of the interior of the oven (11) .

8. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller (13) is configured to perform image processing on the received image data signal for determining the figure indicating an amount of residue .

9. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller (13) is configured to determine a number of pixels of an acquired image and to compare said determined number of pixels to a predefined threshold.

10. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an indicator element (17) and wherein the controller (13) is configured to drive said indicator element (17) based on the determined figure indicating an amount of residue.

11. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the controller (13) is configured to suspend operation of the aerosol generation device (1) based on the determined figure indicating an amount of residue .

12. The aerosol generation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the oven (11) comprises a chamber or cavity (18) and any one of a heating element, a resistive heating element, and an induction heating assembly .

13. The aerosol generation device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the chamber or cavity (18) comprises a closed end at a distal side, and wherein the image sensor (15) is arranged to acquire a signal representing an optical appearance of the interior in an area of the closed end.