WO2024235805A1

WO2024235805A1 - Consumable classification by optical detection

Info

Publication number: WO2024235805A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/062800
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Bologna; Marc Antonius Friedrich VAN DEN BOOGAART; Lucas Gattoni; Alexandra SEREDA
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-05-12
Filing date: 2024-05-08
Publication date: 2024-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-12
Also published as: CN121127146A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising, a heating chamber for partly receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming article, and an optical detector configured to capture visual information from an identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The optical detector is located outside of the heating chamber. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating article being provided with an identification. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The invention also relates to a method for identifying an aerosol-generating article in an aerosol-generating device of an aerosol-generating system according to the invention, wherein the method comprises detecting, by the optical detector, an identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the optical detector is located outside of the heating chamber.

Description

CONSUMABLE CLASSIFICATION BY OPTICAL DETECTION

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating system and a method for identifying an aerosol-generating article.

It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosolgenerating article into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The cavity of the aerosolgenerating device may comprise a heating chamber. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosolgenerating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. Aerosol-generating devices are typically designed to operate best when used with an original and specifically designed aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, manufacturers of aerosolgenerating articles may offer a product line of an aerosol-generating article in a variety of types with different characteristics, such as flavor or nicotine content.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of identifying an aerosol-generating article. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of detecting an authorized aerosol-generating article. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of detecting an aerosol-generating article with enhanced reliability. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with improved detection capabilities. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device providing an optimized user experience. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating article enabling improved identification by an aerosol-generating device.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device which may comprise a heating chamber. The heating chamber may be configured for at least partly (or completely) receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolforming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an optical detector configured to capture visual information from an identification, optionally provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The optical detector may be located inside or outside of the heating chamber.

According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising, a heating chamber for partly receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, an optical detector configured to capture visual information from an identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the optical detector is located outside of the heating chamber.

An aerosol-generating article may comprise a plurality of elements, including one or more of a mouthpiece, a spacer, a hollow acetate tube, a plug of aerosol-generating substrate and a front plug. All elements may be connected to each other by an outer wrapper.

An identification may be provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be provided on an outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be provided at an outer surface of an outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be provided on an inner surface of an outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be provided on an outer surface of an outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be provided within an outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article.

The identification may comprise a pattern of one or more of: letters, dashes, dots, alphanumerical characters, non-alphanumerical characters, a micro-dot optical ID, pen optical ID and a code. The pattern may be a unique pattern that allows to identify the specific type of the respective aerosol-generating article.

The pattern may comprise a visually perceivable text portion. Such visually perceivable text pattern may be recognizable by a user during handling of the aerosol-generating article.

The identification may incorporate other combinations of alphanumerical or non- alphanumerical characters or symbols, as well as characters used in encoded communication methods such as encoded text characters from a Morse code.

The identification may be provided to the periphery of the aerosol-generating article by printing techniques, by deposition techniques or by impregnation. The preferred technique for providing the identification may depend on the material that is used for the identification. The preferred technique for providing the identification may depend on the material onto which the identification is to be provided.

The identification may be obtained by ink printing. The ink may be selected from one or more of: visible ink, non-visible ink, ultraviolet ink, infra-red (IR) ink, phosphorescent ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink.

The nonvisible ink may be configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation in either of: the infrared spectrum, and the ultra-violet spectrum. The nonvisible ink may be configured to reemit electromagnetic radiation in either of: the infrared spectrum, and the ultra-violet spectrum. The nonvisible ink may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in either of: the infrared spectrum, and the ultra-violet spectrum. The nonvisible ink may be one or more of: an infra-red ink, a phosphorescent ink, a fluorescent ink and an ultraviolet ink.

Preferably the nonvisible ink is configured to remain nonvisible. In other words, the nonvisible ink is constantly not visible, i.e. does not turn visible. Configuring the nonvisible ink to remain nonvisible may ensure that an identification remains reliably detectable throughout the use of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably the visible ink is configured to remain visible. In other words, the visible ink is constantly visible, i.e. does not turn nonvisible. Configuring the visible ink to remain visible may ensure that an identification remains reliably detectable throughout the use of the aerosolgenerating article.

As used herein, ‘non-visible ink’ relates to an ink, which is not visible for the human eye. Moreover, non-visible ink relates to inks, which are configured to absorb and reemit light in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum. Non-visible inks may also involve inks configured to be excited by light and configured to emit at least one wavelength of light, shifted from the wavelength of the excitation light. In other words, non-visible inks may involve photoluminescent inks, such as phosphorescent ink or fluorescent ink. In this regard, photoluminescent inks may involve inks that absorb and reemit light in the visible or ultraviolet spectrum.

As used herein, ‘visible ink’ relates to an ink, which is visible for the human eye. Moreover, visible ink relates to inks, which are configured to absorb and reemit light in the visible spectrum.

As used herein 'ultraviolet spectrum’ relates to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 50 nanometres to 380 nanometres.

As used herein ‘visible spectrum’ relates to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 380 nanometres to 780 nanometres.

As used herein ‘infrared spectrum relates to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 780 nanometres to 1 millimetre.

The ink may incorporate black ink pigments. Identifications formed from an ink comprising black pigments may be suitable observed under ambient light conditions or when illuminated with visible light. The ink may incorporate ink pigments from other colors.

The ink may incorporate special ink pigments. Special ink pigments may only reveal a printed identification upon illumination with specific radiation. The ink may incorporate special luminescent pigments which are visible under infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, only.

The ink may be an optically variable ink (OVI). The optically variable ink may comprise optically variable pigments such as for example thin film interference pigments, interference coated pigments, cholesteric liquid crystal pigments or mixtures thereof.

The identification may be obtained from coatings. A suitable coating may include a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer coating.

The identification may comprise a multitude of dots which are deposited or impregnated on the periphery of an aerosol-generating article. The multitude of dots may be arranged in a pattern according to or derived from micro-dot optical ID technology. The multitude of dots may be arranged in a repetitive pattern across the marked portion of the aerosol-generating article. The micro-dots may be arranged in a regular grid with a predefined pitch width. The micro-dot pattern may comprise a plurality of reference dots and/or information dots. The reference dots may be arranged to define a regular grid of rows and columns. The information dots may be arranged with respect to this grid in a unique pattern. This pattern may be used to uniquely identify the type of the aerosol-generating article.

The dots may be formed in a pattern within a predefined area such as an area with a width and/or length of less than 5 millimetres, less than 2 millimetres, less than 1 .5 millimetres, less than 1 millimetre.

The length and/or the width of each one of the dots may be less than 1 millimetre, less than 0.5 millimetres, less than 0.1 millimetre, or less than 0.01 millimetre.

All dots of the micro dot pattern may have the same shape. The dots may have a circular, oval, square or rectangular shape.

Micro-dot patterns according to such technology may have a reduced complexity. Micro-dot patterns according to such technology may be reliably read out with conventional optical detectors. Micro-dot patterns may hardly visible to the human eye. Accordingly, the outer appearance of an aerosol-generating article provided with such micro-dot pattern may not be affected by the provision of the pattern.

The identification may comprise other form elements such as stripes, lines, colors, or a combination thereof.

The identification may be repeated in a plurality of instances at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be repeated in a plurality of instances along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be repeated in a plurality of instances along the lateral axis of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be repeated in a plurality of instances along the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the aerosol-generating article.

The identification may repeat longitudinally and laterally to extend entirely around a perimetric section of the outer surface of an aerosol-generating article. Repeating the identification on the aerosol-generating article may enable the detection of the identification independent from the orientation of the aerosol-generating article.

The identification may be provided such that at least one entire identification reveals across the field of view of the optical detector of the aerosol-generating device. A location for the identification is suitable, if the complete identification reveals across the field of view of the optical detector.

The identification may be located at a proximal section of an aerosol-generating article. A proximal section of an aerosol-generating article may be the mouthpiece portion. A proximal section may extend from the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, when the aerosol- generating article is fully inserted into cavity. An identification located at a proximal section of the aerosol-generating article may thus be conveniently read out after insertion of the aerosolgenerating article into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. In this situation the aerosolgenerating article is stationary. In order to read out the identification, it may be required that one entire identification is revealed to the field of view of the optical detector.

The identification may be located at a middle section or at a distal section of an aerosolgenerating article. These sections may be located within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, when the aerosol-generating article is fully inserted. In this case, the identification may be captured by the optical detector during insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. If the field of view of the optical detector is sufficiently large, the identification may be captured as previously described. If the field of view of the optical detector is smaller than the identification, the identification may also be scanned by the optical detector during insertion of the aerosol-generating article. In either case the entire encoded information may be derived from the identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article.

The identification may be configured to have color shifting properties. The information conveyed by the identification may be encoded in the specific color shifting properties of the identification. An identification with color shifting properties may be obtained by providing the information using an optically variable ink (OVI). An optically variable ink may appear with a different color depending on a viewing direction and/or an illumination direction, as will be explained in more detail herein below. The color shifting properties of a specific optically variable ink may be used to identify an aerosol-generating article. The type of aerosolgenerating article may be identified by the detected color shifting properties of the identification provided to the periphery of a respective aerosol-generating article.

The identification may comprise a plurality of portions having different optical properties. Each portion of the identification may be detectable by a corresponding optical detector.

The identification may comprise two portions having different optical properties. The aerosol-generating device may comprise two optical detectors. The optical detectors may be configured to be operable in a range in which the two portions of the identification are optically active, as will be discussed in more detail further below.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing. The housing may comprise a bottom surface, a top surface, and a wall surface. The housing may comprise a cavity. The housing may define a cavity. The cavity may comprise the heating chamber. An opening of the cavity may be provided at the top surface of the housing. The cavity and the heating chamber may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received therein. The cavity and the heating chamber may have a tubular shape that corresponds to the cylindrical shape of the aerosol-generating article. The cavity may be dimensioned such that the aerosol-generating article may be received therein. The cavity may be dimensioned such that the aerosol-generating article may be partly received therein.

The length of the cavity may be smaller than the length of the aerosol-generating article. In this case, when the aerosol-generating article is fully inserted into the cavity, a proximal portion of the aerosol-generating article may extend to the outside of the cavity.

The housing may extend at least in a vertical direction along an axis, which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cavity. The longitudinal axis of the cavity may correspond to the insertion direction of the aerosol-generating article. The housing may further extend at least in a horizontal direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cavity.

A longitudinal axis of a component may be an axis along or parallel to the lengthwise direction of the component. A longitudinal axis of the device may extend between the distal end and the proximal end of the device. A longitudinal axis of the article may extend between the distal end and the proximal end of the article.

The optical detector may be provided at the housing of the aerosol-generating device. The optical detector may be provided at an outer surface of the housing of the aerosolgenerating device. The optical detector may be provided at the top surface of the housing of the aerosol-generating device. The optical detector may be arranged within a recess on the top surface of the housing of the aerosol-generating device. The optical detector may be provided at the outside of the housing. By providing the optical detector at the outside of the housing, maintenance and cleaning of the optical detector is made easier.

The optical detector may be oriented to optically detect an identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The optical detector may be oriented such that an optical axis of the optical detector is co-planar to the vertical and horizontal axis of the housing. The optical detector may be oriented such that an optical axis of the optical detector is angled with respect to a plane defined by the top surface of the housing. The optical detector may be oriented such as to provide a direct field of view of the periphery of the aerosol-generating article.

The optical detector may be configured to visually capture a portion of an aerosolgenerating article that extends to the outside of the heating chamber and/or the cavity. A proximal portion of a fully inserted aerosol-generating article may extend from the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The optical detector may be configured to visually capture the periphery of such proximal portion of an aerosol-generating article. In particular, the field of view of the optical detector is configured such that an identification provided at a periphery of a fully inserted aerosol-generating article can be detected. The field of view of the optical detector may be required to have a size that is large enough to capture at least one entire identification. The optical detector may be configured to monitor a portion of a partially inserted aerosol-generating article. The optical detector may be configured to monitor a portion of a partially inserted aerosol-generating article during insertion into the cavity. During insertion the aerosol-generating article may be moved partially or completely through the field of view of the optical detector. Accordingly, the optical detector may capture any area at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article that is provided with an identification and which is moved through the field of view of the optical detector.

The optical detector may be configured to have a field of view that is smaller than the dimension of an identification of the aerosol-generating article. In such case, the identification may be scanned by the optical detector during insertion of the aerosol-generating article. Scanning of the identification of the aerosol-generating article may require that a sequence of optical data needs to be recorded during insertion of the aerosol-generating article. This sequence of optical data may subsequently be evaluated to derive the entire encoded information of the identification therefrom.

The optical detector may comprise an image sensor that is configured to visually capture an identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The optical detector may comprise a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor mounted on a printed circuit board. The optical detector may comprise a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. The optical detector may comprise a color sensor.

The optical detector may be a semiconductor-based photodetector, a phototransistor, or a photodiode, such as a PIN photodiode. PIN photodiodes operate at high speed and are highly sensitive. Thes offer a highly linear photo response. The optical detector may be an infrared detector. The light-detecting unit may be an infrared detector based on mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe). The light-detecting unit may be a radiation detector based on cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe).

The before mentioned optical detectors are particularly suitable for optically capturing an identification comprising a structured pattern by which the information on the type of the aerosol-generating article is encoded.

An optical detector may have a length of between 0.5 millimeters and 4 millimeters. An optical detector may have a length of between 0.65 millimeters and 2 millimeters. An optical detector may have a length of between 1.0 millimeter and 1.5 millimeters.

An optical detector may have a width of between 0.2 millimeters and 2 millimeters. An optical detector may have a width of between 0.35 millimeters and 1 millimeter. An optical detector may have a width of between 0.35 millimeter and 0.65 millimeters.

An optical detector may have a height of between 0.2 millimeters and 3 millimeters. An optical detector may have a height of between 0.5 millimeters and 2 millimeters. An optical detector may have a height of between 0.65 millimeter and 0.85 millimeters. The optical detector may be configured to visually capture the identification of the aerosol-generating article without any need for an additional illumination source. Ambient light might be sufficient in order to allow the optical detector to capture the optical identification. This allows for a particularly simplified construction of the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise an illumination source configured to emit light onto the identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The illumination source may be a light-emitting diode (LED), a high intensity LED spotlight or a Micro-LED. The light-emitting unit may be a semiconductor-based micron-sized light emitting diode, based on lll-V compounds (i.e. , alloys containing elements from group III and V in the periodic table), or ll-VI compounds (i.e., alloys containing elements from group II and VI in the periodic table). The light emitting diode may be based on gallium nitride (GaN), indium gallium nitride (InGaN), gallium arsenide (GaAs), or aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AIGalnP). The light-emitting unit may be a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Preferable light sources have a narrow beam angle. Preferable light sources have a low power consumption, e.g., light emitting diodes.

The light-emitting unit may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The light-emitting unit may be a laser diode or a micro laser diode.

The illumination source may be configured to emit collimated or non-collimated light. The illumination source may be configured to emit collimated or non-collimated, monochromatic light with a pre-defined wavelength.

The illumination source may be configured to emit visible, UV- or IR-light. The illumination source may be configured to emit monochromatic light with a pre-defined wavelength in the visible, UV- or IR-range.

The illumination source may be configured to emit light with a pre-defined wavelength in the range from about 200 nanometers to about 2 micrometers. The illumination source may be configured to emit light with a pre-defined wavelength in the range from about 400 nanometers to about 1 millimeter. The illumination source may be configured to emit light with a pre-defined wavelength of about 520 nanometers or of about 850 nanometers.

The illumination source may be configured to emit light in the visible spectrum (around 400 nanometres to around 700 nanometres). The light emitting unit may be configured to emit light in the invisible spectrum such as in the ultraviolet light spectrum (around 10 nanometres to around 400 nanometres) or the infrared light spectrum (around 700 nanometres to around 1 millimetre).

An illumination source may have a length of between 1.0 millimeters and 6 millimeters. An illumination source may have a length of between 1.5 millimeters and 4.5 millimeters. An illumination source may have a length of between 2.5 millimeter and 3.0 millimeters. An illumination source may have a width of between 0.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters. An illumination source may have a width of between 1.0 millimeter and 3.5 millimeters. An illumination source may have a width of between 2.0 millimeters and 3.0 millimeters.

An illumination source may have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters. An illumination source may have a thickness of between 1.0 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters. An illumination source may have a thickness of between 2.0 millimeter and 3.0 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a plurality of illumination sources. The illumination sources may each be configured as described above. The illumination sources may each be configured to emit light beams with the same wavelength. The illumination sources may be configured to emit a light beam with a different wavelength.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first and a second illumination source. One of the first illumination source and second illumination source may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum. One of the first illumination source and second illumination source may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably, one of the first illumination source and second illumination source may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum, and the other one of the first illumination source and second illumination source may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise one or more optical detectors. The aerosol-generating device may comprise two optical detectors. The aerosol-generating device may comprise more than two optical detectors.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a plurality of optical detectors that are arranged offset from each other. The optical detectors may be arranged laterally offset from each other. The optical detectors may be arranged offset from each other in a circumferential direction around the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein the expression ‘laterally offset to each other’ in the context of the arrangement of the optical detectors and illumination sources refers to an arrangement, wherein these components are offset with each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and the longitudinal axis of the inserted aerosol-generating article, respectively.

As used herein the expression ‘longitudinally offset to each other’ in the context of the arrangement of the optical detectors and illumination sources refers to an arrangement, wherein these components are offset with each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and the longitudinal axis of the inserted aerosol-generating article, respectively. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first optical detector and a second optical detector. One of the first optical detector and the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum. One of the first optical detector and the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably, one of the first optical detector and the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum, and the other one of the first optical detector and second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably, the first optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum corresponding to a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first illumination source. Preferably, the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum corresponding to a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second illumination source. Providing two optical detectors configured to each detect a electromagnetic radiation in a different spectral range may prevent interferences during detection of the identification of an aerosol-generating article. Thus, such a configuration may allow to detect an identification comprising portions with differing optical properties simultaneously without compromising the reliability of the detection.

The optical detectors may be arranged such that identification of the aerosol-generating article may be observed by the optical detectors under different viewing angles.

Aerosol-generating devices comprising an illumination source and two optical detectors may be advantageously used in detecting an identification having color-shifting properties.

The optical detectors may be arranged such that light emitted from the illumination source is reflected from the identification and is received at the optical detectors under different viewing angles. Due to the color-shifting properties of the identification, the reflected light detected by the optical detectors under the different viewing angles may have a different spectral composition. The spectral composition detected by the optical detectors may be indicative of the identification of the aerosol-generating article. Thus, be configuring the color shifting properties of the identification, the identification may be used to identify the type of aerosol-generating article inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

The illumination source may be arranged on the top surface of the housing and may be configured to emit light onto the identification of an inserted aerosol-generating article.

The illumination source may be a single illumination source. The illumination source may be positioned within a recess on the top surface along the horizontal axis of the housing of the aerosol-generating device.

The illumination source may comprise a plurality of illumination sources. The plurality of illuminations sources may be provided at different locations on the top surface of the housing of the aerosol-generating device. By using a plurality of illumination sources an increased uniformity of the illumination of the identification may be achieved.

The optical detectors may be photodiodes configured to output an electric signal that corresponds to a peak value of a wavelength on the spectral composition of the collected light. The optical detectors are arranged to simultaneously capture the reflected light. The signal output from the photodiodes may be transmitted to the controller for further evaluation. The controller may compare the signal output with reference data.

In a more complex configuration, the identification may comprise a printed pattern that is formed from optically variable ink. In such configurations the optical detectors may be configured to recognize the pattern of the identification as well as the spectral properties of detected light. The identification may be formed from an optically variable ink, which may be visible only when viewed from the viewing angle of one of the optical detectors, and which may be invisible when viewed from the viewing angle of the other optical detectors.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise further optical elements. The aerosolgenerating device may comprise a lens. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mirror. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an optically transparent window. The aerosolgenerating device may comprise a plurality of further optical elements. The one or more further optical elements may be provided between the aerosol-generating article and the optical detector. The one or more further optical elements may be used to guide the emitted and/or reflected light. The one or more further optical elements may be used to provide adequate focal characteristic of the optical detection. The one or more further optical elements may be used to achieve an appropriate field of view of the optical detector. The one or more further optical elements may be used to achieve a specific focal length and/or a specific focal point of the optical detector. The one or more further optical elements may be also be used to provide a protective shielding of the optical detector. For example, a transparent window may be provided at the housing of the aerosol-generating device to protect the optical components from coming into contact with contaminations and/or debris.

The optical components required for visually capturing the identification may be provided within the housing, but outside of the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. In particular, the optical detector may be provided within the housing but outside of the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. The optical components, in particular the optical detectors may be susceptible to adverse physical conditions such as high temperature, contaminations, debris, and corrosion, that might occur within a heating chamber. After prolonged use in such environment, the optical components may deteriorate and become unreliable. By providing the optical components outside of the heating chamber, these components may be protected from such adverse conditions, and may increase shelf life and reliability of the optical detection. The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be configured for receiving and for heating an aerosol-generating article. However, typically not the complete cavity is configured as a heating chamber. Instead, the cavity may comprise a plurality of adjacent portions. One of these portions may be configured as a heating chamber.

The heating chamber may be formed in a central portion of the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device. The cavity may comprise a proximal portion at the proximal end of the cavity. The proximal portion of the cavity may be adjacent to the heating chamber. The proximal portion of the cavity may extend between the open end of the cavity and the heating chamber. The optical components may be arranged to capture an identification provided at the periphery of an aerosol-generating article located in the proximal portion of the cavity.

The optical components may comprise one or more of an optical detector, a lens, a mirror and an illumination source. One or more of these optical components may be integrated into an inner wall of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. In portable devices, such as aerosol-generating devices, only limited space may be available. The optical components may therefore be arranged to form an optical path having a sufficiently large focal length to reliably detect the identification of the aerosol-generating article. In aerosol-generating devices offering only a limited space, one or more mirrors may be used to bend the optical path and to achieve a focal distance, which may allow to optically capture the identification with sufficient precision.

A sidewall of the proximal portion of the cavity may be configured to form a transparent window. The optical path for detection of the identification may be directed through the transparent window. The transparent window may allow to visually capture the identification by the optical detector. The transparent window may protect the optical components from contamination or debris. In particular, the transparent window may protect the optical components from any contaminations originating from the heating chamber, which may be located in an adjacent portion of the cavity.

In embodiments in which all optical components required for visually capturing the identification may be provided within the housing, but outside of the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device, a plurality of optical detectors may be used. The optical detectors may be arranged laterally offset from each other. The optical detectors may be arranged circumferentially offset from each other.

In such embodiments the optical components may comprise one or more of an optical detector, a lens, a mirror and an illumination source. One or more of these optical components may be integrated into an inner wall of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. In portable devices, such as aerosol-generating devices, only limited space may be available. The optical components may therefore be arranged to form an optical path having a sufficiently large focal length to reliably detect the identification of the aerosol-generating article. In aerosolgenerating devices offering only a limited space, one or more mirrors may be used to bend the optical path and to achieve a focal distance, which may allow to optically capture the identification with sufficient precision.

An identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article may be captured during or after insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The one or more optical detectors may be electrically coupled to the controller. The optical detectors may be configured to transmit the captured visual information to the controller.

The controller may be configured to analyze the captured visual information provided by an optical detector. The controller may evaluate the visual information to determine the type of the inserted aerosol-generating article.

The controller may comprise a memory. The memory may comprise pre-stored reference data. The reference data may comprise reference image data. The reference data may comprise reference spectroscopic data. Each of such reference image data may be indicative of a type of aerosol-generating articles suitable to be used with the aerosolgenerating device.

The controller may be configured to compare the image data provided form an optical detector with the pre-stored reference data. The controller may be configured to correlate the image data provided form an optical detector with the pre-stored reference data. The controller may be configured to identify the type of the inserted aerosol-generating article by correlating the image data provided from an optical detector with the pre-stored reference data. In this way the controller may be configured to identify the aerosol-generating article inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

It will be appreciated that identifying the aerosol-generating article for use with the aerosol-generating device may be useful for a variety of different purposes, and the invention is not limited to any one particular purpose for identifying the aerosol-generating article. For instance, identifying the aerosol-generating article may allow one of a plurality of predetermined heating profiles to be applied that is associated with the identified aerosolgenerating article; identifying the aerosol-generating article may allow a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to operate differently in response to identifying the aerosolgenerating article, e.g. by displaying a flavour of the aerosol-generating article; and/or identifying the aerosol-generating article may allow a record of consumption of each type of aerosol-generating article used with the aerosol-generating device to be stored at the aerosolgenerating device to assist the user in monitoring their usage habits.

The invention may provide means and a method to detect and identify authorized aerosol-generating articles and specific types of aerosol-generating articles received in the aerosol-generating device. The device may be provided with a controller monitoring and processing the image data provided by the optical detector. By comparing the image data of the optical detector with pre-stored reference data, the controller may one or more of: (i) determine the presence of an authorized article in the device, (ii) identify the type of the inserted article, (iii) regulate operation of the device in dependence on the characteristics of the inserted aerosol-generating article, and (iv) determine the presence and/or absence of an article in the device.

In response to the detection of the authorized article, the controller may enable one or both of operation of the device and provision of a user experience. For example, power may be provided to a heating assembly of the aerosol-generating device. If the device does not identify an authorized article, the device may one or both of prevent operation of the device and provision of a user experience. For example, power being provided to the heating assembly may be prevented.

The invention may allow the provision of an optimized user experience by adapting aerosol generation to the type of article inserted in the device. The device may adapt and thereby optimize aerosol generation for each identified aerosol-generating article. For example, a pre-stored type specific heating profile may be employed. The type specific heating profile may correspond to a type specific configuration of aerosol-forming substrate within the article.

The invention may provide article detection and identification with one or more of an improved reliability and improved consistency. By reducing the risk of erroneous rejection of authorized articles, consumer satisfaction may be enhanced.

Detection of the presence of an authorized aerosol-generating article in the device may prevent or at least reduce the risk of usage of counterfeit and non-authorized articles with the device. Damage to the device may be avoided. Economic losses of authorized article manufacturers may be minimized.

Identification of a specific type of aerosol-generating article in the device may enable the provision of an optimized user experience. For example, an article type specific heating profile may be provided. Aerosol generation may be optimized and adapted according to the article type inserted in the device. Identification of an aerosol-generating article using transparency detection may offer versatile use of different types of heating elements.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise an aerosol-generating assembly for generating an aerosol. The aerosol-generating assembly may comprise an ultrasonic aerosolgenerating element.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating assembly for generating an aerosol. The heating assembly may comprise one or more heating elements. The heating assembly may be an inductive, resistive, dielectric or microwave heating assembly.

The device may comprise a heating element, which may be a heating coil, an internal heater (such as a blade hater, or a pin heater), or an external heater. The device may comprise one or more heating elements.

The heating element may be arranged at least partly, preferably fully, surrounding a portion of the cavity. The heating element may be arranged at a distal end of the cavity.

The device may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured for identifying a type of the aerosol-generating article based on an output of the optical detector. The output of the optical detector may be an electrical signal.

The controller may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The controller may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The controller may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

The controller may be configured to monitor the output of the optical detector. The controller may be configured to record the output of the optical detector. The controller may be configured to process the output of the optical detector. The controller may be configured to analyse the output of the optical detector. The controller may be configured to identify the aerosol-generating article by processing the output of the optical detector. The controller may be connected to the optical detector. The controller may be configured to communicate with the optical detector.

The controller may be configured to determine the presence and/or absence of an aerosol-generating article by processing the output of the optical detector. The controller may be configured to permit aerosol to be generated only after determining that an aerosolgenerating article is present. The controller may be configured to prohibit aerosol generation, or cease aerosol generating, in response to determining that an aerosol-generating article is absent. The controller may be configured to regulate power supply to the heating element based on the identification of a type of aerosol-generating article. Upon identification of a type of aerosol-generating article, the controller may allow power to be supplied to the heating element. Upon identification of a type of aerosol-generating article, the controller may allow the provision of a user experience. Upon identification of a type of aerosol-generating article, the controller may adjust the power supply in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may be configured to provide power to the heating element according to a predefined heating profile for the respective identified article.

The controller may adjust the magnitude of power supply in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust the time period of power supply in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust the temperature of the heating element in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust one or more of the amplitude and the frequency of a current supplied to the heating element in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust the signal powering the heating element in dependence on the article type identified.

The memory of the controller may comprise a database of pre-stored heating profiles for each known type of aerosol-generating article. The controller may be configured to provide power according to the heating profile of the identified type of aerosol-generating article. Power supply may be tailored to the configuration of a specific article type. Aerosol-generation and the user experience may be optimized.

The heating element may comprise a heating coil. The heating coil may have a length of between 15 millimeters and 31 millimeters, preferably of between 11 millimeters and 21 millimeters.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to an aerosol-generating article having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an identification on the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be repeated in a plurality of instances at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article along the longitudinal axis and/or the lateral axis.

The aerosol-generating article may be configured as described above. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate portion. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an outer wrapper at least partly circumscribing the aerosol-forming substrate portion.

The identification may be provided on the outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be printed, deposited or impregnated on the outer wrapper of the aerosol-generating article. The identification may be configured as described above.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a distal portion and a proximal portion. A “distal portion” of the aerosol-generating article refers to the portion of the aerosol-generating article that in use may be inserted into the cavity of an aerosol-generating device. The portion of the aerosol-generating article that is not inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device is referred to herein as a “proximal portion” of the of an aerosol-generating article.

An aerosol-generating article may have an elongate shape. The aerosol-generating article may have an elongate shape defining a longitudinal axis. An aerosol-generating article may have a cylindrical shape.

The outer wrapper may be an outer paper wrapper. The outer wrapper may be a transparent outer paper wrapper. A transparent outer paper wrapper may comprise acetate ester of cellulose.

The outer wrapper may be made from an annual plant pulp, such as a linen, hemp or sisal pulp. The outer wrapper may be made from a chemical pulp. The outer wrapper may be made from a mixture of natural and chemical pulps.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article

The aerosol-generating article may be configured as described above.

The aerosol-generating device may be configured as described above. The aerosolgenerating device may be configured to be used with a plurality of different types of aerosolgenerating articles.

In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for identifying an aerosolgenerating article in an aerosol-generating device of an aerosol-generating system, such as an aerosol-generating device of an aerosol-generating system as described herein.

The method comprises the step of detecting, by an optical detector, an identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article. The optical detector is located outside of the heating chamber.

The method may be used with an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosolgenerating article with an identification provided at the periphery of an aerosol-generating article The method may further comprise the steps of identifying the aerosol-generating article by evaluating the image data captured by the optical detector and by comparing the detector output with reference data.

The method may further comprise the step of controlling operation of the aerosolgenerating device depending upon an optical detector output.

The step of controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device may include preventing operation of the aerosol-generating device if an unauthorized aerosol-generating article is detected.

The step of controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device may include choosing a heating profile of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an output of the optical detector. As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’, ‘distal’, ‘downstream’ and ‘upstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosolgenerating device and the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device or aerosol-generating article during use thereof.

The aerosol-generating system may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating system and is delivered to a user. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating system in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosolgenerating system. The aerosol-generating system comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating system may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating system may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating system may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the system.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating device and is delivered to a user. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, a user may directly draw on an aerosol-generating article inserted into an opening at the proximal end of the aerosolgenerating device. The opening at the proximal end may be an opening of the cavity. The aerosol-generating device comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating device.

As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosolgenerating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element. As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term ‘smoking’ with reference to a device, article, system, substrate, or otherwise does not refer to conventional smoking in which an aerosol-forming substrate is fully or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol.

The aerosol-generating device may have a length of between 86 millimeters to 130 millimeters.

The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

The cavity may be configured to comprise a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

An airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece. The cavity may have a length of between 28 millimeters and 67 millimeters. The cavity may have a diameter of between 8 millimeters and 12 millimeters.

In any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

As described, in any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may be part of an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an internal heating element or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. An internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a Ni-Cr (Nickel-Chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as a glass. Heaters formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the heating elements during operation.

An external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils can be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the substrate receiving cavity. Alternatively, an external heating element may take the form of a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID), ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique, such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitable shaped substrate. An external heating element may also be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. An external heating element formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation. As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. In general, a susceptor is a material that is capable of generating heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When located in an alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is magnetic, then typically another effect that contributes to the heating is commonly referred to hysteresis losses. Hysteresis losses occur mainly due to the movement of the magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor, because the magnetic orientation of these will align with the magnetic induction field, which alternates. Another effect contributing to the hysteresis loss is when the magnetic domains will grow or shrink within the susceptor. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor. Hence, if the susceptor is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be electrically conductive or magnetic or both electrically conductive and magnetic. An alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heat the susceptor, which then transfers the heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, such that an aerosol is formed. The heat transfer may be mainly by conduction of heat. Such a transfer of heat is best, if the susceptor is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium- Iron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises homogenised tobacco material, an aerosol-former and water. Providing homogenised tobacco material may improve aerosol generation, the nicotine content and the flavour profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenised tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaf, which more effectively enables the release of nicotine and flavours upon heating.

As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosolgenerating article may be disposable.

The aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosolgenerating article may be substantially elongate. The aerosol-generating article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially rod shaped. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially elongate. The aerosolforming substrate may also have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially rod shaped.

The aerosol-generating article may have a total length between 55 millimeters and 110 millimeters, preferably of between 60 millimeters and 90 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article may have an external diameter between 4.5 millimeters and 17 millimeters, preferably between 6 millimeters and 9 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter plug. The filter plug may be located at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The filter plug may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. The filter plug is approximately 7 millimeters in length in one embodiment, but may have a length of between approximately 5 millimeters to approximately 10 millimeters.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a separation between the aerosol-forming substrate and the filter plug. The separation may be approximately 18 millimeters, but may be in the range of 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters. Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example Ex1 : An aerosol-generating device comprising a heating chamber for partly or completely receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, an optical detector configured to capture visual information from an identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the optical detector is located inside or outside of the heating chamber.

Example Ex2: The aerosol-generating device according to example 1 comprising an aerosol-generating assembly, preferably comprising a heating assembly.

Example Ex3: The aerosol-generating device according to example 2 wherein the heating assembly comprises one or more heating elements.

Example Ex4: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating assembly is an inductive, resistive, dielectric or microwave heating assembly.

Example Ex5: The aerosol-generating device according to example 2 wherein the aerosol-generating assembly comprises an ultrasonic aerosol-generating element.

Example Ex6: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a housing having a bottom surface, a top surface and a wall surface, wherein the housing comprises or defines a cavity comprising the heating chamber.

Example Ex7: The aerosol-generating device according to example 6 wherein the opening of the cavity is provided at the top surface of the housing.

Example Ex8: The aerosol-generating device according to example 6 or example 7, wherein the optical detector is provided at the top surface of the housing of the aerosolgenerating device.

Example Ex9: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector is configured to monitor a portion of an aerosolgenerating article that extends to the outside of the heating chamber.

Example Ex10: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector comprises an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor mounted on a printed circuit board, or a CCD image sensor.

Example Ex11 : The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector comprises a further optical element.

Example Ex12: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an illumination source, configured to emit light onto the identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. Example Ex13: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the illumination source is a LED, a high intensity LED spotlight, a MicroLED, based on GaN, InGaN, or AIGalnP.

Example Ex14: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises at least two optical detectors that are arranged laterally offset from each other.

Example Ex15: The aerosol-generating device according to example 14, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises one illumination source and wherein light emitted from the illumination source and reflected from the identification of the aerosol-generating article, is received by the two optical detectors under different angles of observation.

Example Ex16: The aerosol-generating device according to example 14, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a first illumination source and a second illumination source, wherein the two illumination sources are configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of different spectral range, and wherein the first optical detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first illumination source, and wherein the second optical detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second illumination source.

Example Ex17: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector is configured to monitor a portion of an aerosolgenerating article that extends to the outside of the cavity.

Example Ex18: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector is comprised within the housing of the aerosolgenerating device.

Example Ex19: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector comprises a color sensor configured to capture visual information from the identification of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the identification comprises a plurality of stripes with a plurality of colors.

Example Ex20: The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the optical detector is configured to monitor a portion of a partially inserted aerosol-generating article during insertion into the cavity.

Example Ex21 : An aerosol-generating article having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the aerosol-generating article comprising an identification on the aerosol-generating article, wherein the identification is repeated in a plurality of instances at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article along the longitudinal axis and/or the lateral axis.

Example Ex22: An aerosol-generating article according to the preceding example, wherein the identification comprises a pattern of one or more of: letters, dashes, dots, alphanumerical characters, non-alphanumerical characters, a micro-dot optical ID, pen optical ID and a code.

Example Ex23: The aerosol-generating article according to example 21 or example 22 wherein the identification comprises a pattern of one or more of dots.

Example Ex24: The aerosol-generating article according to example 23 wherein the length and/or the width of each one of the dots is less than 1mm, less than 0.5mm, less than 0.1mm, or less than 0.01mm.

Example Ex25: The aerosol-generating article according to example 23 or example 24 wherein the dots are formed in a pattern within a predefined area such as an area with a width and/or length less than 5mm, 2mm, 1.5mm, or 1mm.

Example Ex26: The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 23 to 25 wherein each one of the dots are circular, oval, square or rectangular in shape.

Example Ex27: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 21 to

26, wherein the identification is obtained by printing, depositing or impregnation.

Example Ex28: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 21 to

27, wherein the identification is obtained by ink printing, wherein the ink is selected form one or more of: visible ink, ultraviolet ink, infra-red (IR) ink, phosphorescent ink, fluorescent ink, metallic ink/coatings such as cholesteric liquid crystal polymer coating, optically variable ink, said optically variable ink comprising optically variable pigments such as for example thin film interference pigments, interference coated pigments, cholesteric liquid crystal pigments or mixtures thereof.

Example Ex29: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 21 to

28, wherein the identification is provided such that at least one entire identification reveals across the field of view of the optical detector of the aerosol-generating device.

Example Ex30: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 21 to

29, wherein the identification has color shifting properties, such that the frequency of the light reflected from the identification varies in dependence of the angle of view of the reflected light.

Example Ex31 : An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 1 to 20 and an aerosol-generating article, preferably according to any one of examples 21 to 30.

Example Ex32: An aerosol-generating system comprising according to the preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power source and a controller, and wherein the controller is configured to identify the type of aerosol-generating article received in the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

Example Ex33: An aerosol-generating system comprising according to the preceding example, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device in dependence of the identified type of aerosol-generating article received in the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

Example Ex34: A method for identifying an aerosol-generating article, such as an aerosol-generating article according to any of examples 21 to 30 in an aerosol generating device, such as an aerosol-generating device according to any one of examples 1 to 20, wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting, by the optical detector, an identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the optical detector is located inside or outside of the heating chamber.

Example Ex35: The method according to the preceding method example, further comprising the step of controlling operation of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an optical detector output.

Example Ex36: The method according to any of the preceding method examples, wherein controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device includes deactivating operation of the aerosol-generating device if an unauthorized aerosol-generating article is detected.

Example Ex37: The method according to any of the preceding method examples, wherein controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device includes choosing a heating profile of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an optical detector output.

Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol-generating article;

Fig. 2 shows an aerosol-generating article with identification;

Fig. 3 shows an aerosol-generating article with a micro dot pattern;

Fig. 4 shows an aerosol-generating device with an optical detector;

Fig. 5 shows an aerosol-generating device with an article of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 shows a further aerosol-generating device; and

Fig. 7 shows an aerosol-generating device with the optical detector in the housing.

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 in a cross-sectional view. The aerosolgenerating article 10 comprises a mouth-end filter 12 located at a proximal end of the article 10. The article 10 further comprises a PLA (poly lactic acid) plug 14, a hollow acetate tube 16, and an aerosol-forming substrate portion 18 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, for example, a gathered sheet of homogenized tobacco. At the distal end of the article 10 there is provided a front plug 20. All elements of the aerosol-generating article are connected with each other by an outer wrapper 22. A central axis 24 extends centrally along a longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article 10.

Fig. 2 shows various configurations of an aerosol-generating articles 10 comprising an identification 26 at its periphery. In each case the identification 26 is a printed identification that is provided on an outer wrapper 22 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The identification 26 comprises a text pattern, which in this case is the word element “HEETS”, and a unique pattern of additional signs. The additional signs are various combinations of dots and dashes. The identification 26 represents a unique combination of characters and symbols, which allows to identify the specific type of the aerosol-generating article 10.

As indicated in the views of Fig. 2 the identification 26 may be provided on various portions of the aerosol-generating article 10. The identification 26 may be provided on a proximal end of the aerosol-generating article 10, as indicated in the left-hand view of Fig.2. The proximal end may coincide with the mouthpiece portion 12 of the aerosol-generating article 10. The identification 26 may also be provided in a middle portion or at the front plug 20 at a distal end of the aerosol-generating article 10, as indicated in the middle and right-hand views of Fig.2.

In the depicted configurations, the identification 26 repeats longitudinally and laterally to extend entirely around the perimeter of the respective portion of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article 10. Repeating the identification on the aerosol-generating article may allow detecting the identification 26 independent from the rotational orientation of the aerosol-generating article 10.

Fig 3 shows a further configuration of the identification 26. The identification 26 is configured as a micro-dot pattern. The micro-dot pattern comprises a plurality of micro-dots 28 which are printed on the outer surface of a portion of an aerosol-generating article 10. The multitude of micro-dots 28 are arranged on a grid having a predefined pitch length. In the depicted example, the micro dots are arranged in a 10 x 10 grid pattern with a pitch width of 0.1 millimeter. A single identification spans over a square that is 1.0mm wide and 1.0mm high, or a square that is 1.5mm wide by 1.5mm high. The unique arrangement of the micro-dots 28 on such grid may be used to uniquely identify the type of the specific aerosol-generating article 10. Again, the micro-dot pattern may be repeated longitudinally and laterally to extend entirely around the perimeter of the respective portion of the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article 10. By repeating the identification on the aerosol-generating article 10 detection of the identification 26 may be facilitated.

Fig 4 shows a top view and a side view of an aerosol-generating device 30. The aerosol-generating device 30 has a housing 40 that comprises a cavity 32. The cavity is configured for receiving an aerosol-generating article 10. A portion of the cavity 32 is surrounded by a heating element 34. The device may comprise one or more heating elements 34. This portion of the cavity 32 is also referred to as the heating chamber of the aerosolgenerating device 30. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the heating element 34 is an external, resistive heating element. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a controller 36 and a power supply 38.

For generating an aerosol, the aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into a cavity 32 of an aerosol-generating device 30. The controller 36 is configured to supply power from the power supply 38 to heat the heating element 34.

The housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 30 comprises a bottom surface 42, a top surface 44 and a wall surface 46. The opening of the cavity 32 is provided at the top surface 44 of the housing 40. The length of the cavity 32 is smaller than the length of the aerosolgenerating article 10. When the aerosol-generating article 10 is fully inserted into the cavity 32, as depicted in the right-hand side view of Fig. 4, the proximal portion of the aerosol-generating article 10 extends to the outside of the cavity 32.

The housing 40 extends in a vertical direction along an axis 48, which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cavity 40. This vertical axis 48 also corresponds to the insertion direction of the aerosol-generating article 10. The housing 40 further extends in a horizontal direction along a horizontal axis 50, which is orthogonal to the vertical axis 48.

An optical detector 52 is provided at the top surface 44 of the housing 40 of the aerosolgenerating device 30. In more detail, the optical detector 52 is arranged within a recess 54 on the top surface 44 of the housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 30.

The optical detector 52 is a CCD image sensor. The optical detector 52 is oriented such that an optical axis 56 of the optical detector 52 is co-planar to the vertical and horizontal axes 48, 50 of the housing 40. The optical detector 52 is further oriented such that its optical axis 56 is angled with respect to the plane defined by the top surface 44 of the housing 40. As indicated in the right-hand view of Fig.4 the field of view 58 of the optical detector 52 encompasses the proximal portion of the aerosol-generating article 10, which extends to the outside of the cavity 32.

Although in this embodiment the optical detector 52 is shown and described as being located outside of the cavity 32, in other embodiments (where the identification 26 is within the cavity 32, in use), the optical detector may be located within the cavity 32.

The optical detector 52 is configured to visually capture an image of the periphery of the aerosol-generating article 10. The optical detector 52 transmits the image data to the controller 36. The controller 36 evaluates the image data from the optical detector 40 by executing an image recognition program. Such program may allow to extract the identification 26 from the image data and to perform a comparison of the extracted data with stored reference data. In this way the controller 36 may determine, if the inserted aerosol-generating article 10 is an authentic article. If the image data from the optical detector 40 fails to correlate with stored reference data, the inserted article is considered to be not authentic, and the controller 36 may prevent the supply of power to the heating element 34.

If the aerosol-generating article 10 is an authentic article, the controller 36 may also identify the specific type of the inserted aerosol-generating article 10. The controller 36 controls the supply of power to the heating element 34 in dependence of the identified type of the aerosol-generating article 10. The controller 36 may further be configured to supply power to the heating element 34 according to a pre-defined heating protocol for the identified type of aerosol generating article 10.

When the user initiates aerosol generation, the controller 36 is configured to provide power to the heating element 34 according to the specific heating profile for the inserted type of aerosol-generating article 10. In this way power supply to the heating element 34 may be tailored to the configuration of the specific type of aerosol-generating article 10. Aerosolgeneration and the user experience may thus be optimized.

Fig. 5 depicts two different situations in which the identification 26 of an aerosolgenerating article 10 is read out by an aerosol-generating device 30 of Fig.4.

In the left -hand view of Fig. 5, the identification 26 is provided in a middle section of the aerosol-generating article 10. During insertion of the aerosol-generating article 10, the identification 26 is moved through the field of view 58 of the optical detector 52 of the aerosolgenerating device 30. During insertion the printed text pattern of the identification 26 exposes to the field of view 58 of the optical detector 52. The captured optical data is transmitted to the controller 36. The controller 36 is configured to recognize the identification 26 and to thereby identify the aerosol- generating article 10 that is inserted into the cavity 32 of the aerosolgenerating device 30 of Fig. 5.

In the right-hand view of Fig. 5, the aerosol-generating article 10 is already fully inserted into the cavity 32 of the aerosol-generating device 30. The identification 26 is provided at the mouthpiece 12 at a proximal section of the aerosol-generating article 10. The mouthpiece 12 extends from the cavity 32 when the aerosol-generating article 10 is fully inserted. Again, the identification 26 exposes to the field of view 58 of the optical detector 52. Since the article 10 is at rest in this configuration, the captured optical data is expected to suffer less from motion blur. The captured optical data is transmitted to the controller 36. The controller 36 is configured to recognize the identification 26 and to thereby identify the aerosol-generating article 10 being inserted into the cavity 32 of the aerosol-generating device 30 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view and a top view of an embodiment in which the identification 26 of the aerosol-generating article 10 has color-shifting properties. The aerosolgenerating device 30 comprises an illumination source 60 and two optical detectors 62, 64. As can be best seen in the top view of Fig. 6, the illumination source 60 and the optical detectors 62, 64 are symmetrically arranged on the top surface 44 of the housing 40 of the aerosol- generating device 30. The illumination source 60 is located in a central recess located on the horizontal axis 48 of the top surface of the housing. The illumination source 60 is a high intensity light emitting diode (LED) spotlight, emitting white light onto the identification 26.

The two optical detectors 62, 64 are symmetrically arranged on the top surface 44, such that light reflected from the aerosol-generating article 10 is received at the first detector 62 under a viewing angle a of +7 degree with respect to the horizontal axis 50. The reflected light is received at the second detector 64 under a viewing angle p of -7 degree with respect to the horizontal axis 50. The two optical detectors 62, 64 are photodiodes, each configured to output an electrical signal that corresponds to a peak value of a wavelength of the spectral composition of the collected light.

The identification 26 is a ring-shaped element extending around the full perimeter of a proximal portion of the aerosol-generating article 10. The identification 26 has a width of about 3 millimeters and is formed from an optically variable ink. Printed structures formed from an optically variable ink display different colors depending on the viewing angle.

In use, the illumination source 60 illuminates the identification 26. The reflected light from the identification 26 is received at the first detector 62 under the first viewing angle a and is received at the second detector 64 under the second angle p.

The optically variable ink is configured such that the identification 26 appears at the first optical detector 62 with a first color and at the second optical detector 26 with a second color. The optical data in this case basically consists of the pair of optical data signals simultaneously generated in the two optical detectors 62, 64. The output of the two optical detectors 62, 64 is again transmitted to the controller 36 for evaluation.

The controller 36 is configured to process these optical signals to determine a color range and/or intensity for each captured pair of optical signals. The controller 36 compares the spectral profiles or the spectral difference between the signals received from the two optical detectors 62, 64, with reference profiles that are stored in the memory of the controller 36. For this purpose, the controller 36 makes use of a color extraction and analysis program. If the captured optical data correlates with such reference profiles, the controller 36 may identify the aerosol-generating article 10 as an an authentic article 10 and may also identify the specific type of the inserted aerosol-generating article 10. As described above, the controller 36 may control the supply of power to the heating element 34 in dependence of the identified type of the aerosol-generating article 10.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which the optical arrangement is located within the housing 40, but still outside of the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device 30. Fig. 7 shows a section of the proximal portion of the cavity 32 formed in the aerosol generating device 30. An end cap 70 is provided at the proximal end of the cavity 32. The end cap 70 defines the opening of the cavity 32. The proximal portion of the cavity 32 extends between the opening at the end cap 70 of the cavity 32 and the heating chamber of the cavity 32. As discussed before, the heating chamber is the portion of the cavity 32 at which the heating element 34 is provided.

In this embodiment, all optical components required for visually capturing the identification 26 are provided within the housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 30. In more detail the optical components are provided in the wall structure of the cavity 32 of the aerosol-generating device 30. An illumination source 60 is provided at the end cap 70 of the cavity 32. The illumination source 60 is a white light emitting diode (LED). The illumination source 60 is configured to emit light towards the inner volume of the cavity 32. As illustrated in Fig. 7, when an aerosol-generating article 10 is inserted into the cavity 32, the light emitted from the illumination source 60 is reflected from the outer periphery of the aerosol-generating article 10. The light reflected from the aerosol-generating article 10 hits the mirror 66 and is redirected towards the optical detector 52. Between the mirror 66 and the optical detector 52 there is provided a lens 68 to adjust the focal length corresponding to the position of the optical detector 52.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 30 has a limited horizontal extension. By integrating the optical components in the side wall structure of the cavity 32, and by bending the optical path of the optical detection system, a sufficiently long focal distance of the optical detection system is achieved. An appropriate focal distance is required in order to ensure a sharp image at the optical detector 52.

With the configuration depicted in Fig. 7, an identification 26 of an aerosol-generating article 10 can be read out during insertion of the aerosol-generating article 10 or after full insertion of the aerosol-generating article 10. If the identification 26 is to be read out after full insertion of the aerosol-generating article 10, the identification 26 has to be provided at a portion at the outer periphery of the aerosol-generating article 10 such that the identification 26 of the inserted aerosol-generating article 10 is positioned in the proximal portion of the cavity 32 and such that the identification 26 is in the optical path of the optical detection system. If the identification 26 is to be detected during insertion of the article 10, the identification 26 may be provided on any distal portion of the article 10 that is moved through the optical path of the optical system during insertion. In either case it is advantageous to provide the identification over the full circumference of the article 10, such that the identification 26 can be read out independent of the rotational orientation of the article 10 during insertion.

As in the above-described embodiments, the optical detector 52 is configured to visually capture an image of the periphery of the aerosol-generating article 10. The optical detector 52 transmits the image data to the controller 36 for evaluation. The controller 36 may determine, whether or not the inserted aerosol-generating article 10 is an authentic article 10. The controller 36 may also identify the specific type of the inserted aerosol-generating article 10 and may controls the supply of power to the heating element 34 in dependence of the identified type of the aerosol-generating article 10. The controller 36 may further be configured to supply power to the heating element 34 according to a pre-defined heating protocol for the identified type of aerosol generating article 10.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising, a heating chamber for partly receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, an optical detector configured to capture visual information from an identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the optical detector is located outside of the heating chamber.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the optical detector comprises an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor mounted on a printed circuit board, or a CCD image sensor.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises an illumination source, configured to emit light onto the identification provided at a periphery of the aerosol-generating article.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises at least two optical detectors that are arranged laterally offset from each other.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the aerosolgenerating device comprises one illumination source and wherein light emitted from the illumination source and reflected from the identification of the aerosol-generating article, is received by the two optical detectors under different angles of observation.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 4, wherein the aerosolgenerating device comprises a first illumination source and a second illumination source, wherein the two illumination sources are configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of different spectral range, and wherein the first optical detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first illumination source, and wherein the second optical detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second illumination source.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the optical detector comprises a color sensor configured to capture visual information from the identification of the aerosol-generating article, and wherein the identification comprises a plurality of stripes with a plurality of colors.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the optical detector is configured to monitor a portion of a partially inserted aerosolgenerating article during insertion into the cavity.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more optical detectors are comprised within the housing of the aerosolgenerating device.

10. An aerosol-generating article having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the aerosol-generating article comprising an identification on the aerosol-generating article, wherein the identification is repeated in a plurality of instances at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article along the longitudinal axis and/or the lateral axis.

11. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an aerosol-generating article, preferably according to claim 10.

12. An aerosol-generating system comprising according to the preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device in dependence of the identified type of aerosol-generating article received in the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

13. A method for identifying an aerosol-generating article, such as an aerosolgenerating article according to claim 10 in an aerosol generating device, such as an aerosolgenerating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting, by the optical detector, an identification provided at the periphery of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the optical detector is located outside of the heating chamber.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of controlling operation of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an optical detector output.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device includes deactivating operation of the aerosol-generating device if an unauthorized aerosol-generating article is detected.