WO2025132014A1

WO2025132014A1 - Aerosol generation device with electromagnetic radiation source and sensor

Info

Publication number: WO2025132014A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/086023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeroen DAMMERS
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-12-20
Filing date: 2024-12-12
Publication date: 2025-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-20
Also published as: TW202531996A

Abstract

There is disclosed an aerosol generation device for receiving a consumable article comprising aerosol precursor material, the aerosol generation device comprising: a consumable article receiving region for receiving the consumable article; an electromagnetic radiation source configured to radiate probing electromagnetic radiation into the receiving region; and an electromagnetic radiation sensor configured to sense, in use, modified electromagnetic radiation, the modified electromagnetic radiation resulting at least in part from the probing electromagnetic radiation interacting with a material of a structural element of the consumable article, wherein: the consumable article is inserted into the receiving region such that an insertion end of the consumable article leads the consumable article into the receiving region; the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to direct the probing electromagnetic radiation at the insertion end; and the electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to receive the modified electromagnetic radiation from the insertion end of the consumable article.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SOURCE AND SENSOR

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation device and consumable article and an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device and a consumable article.

Background

Various devices and systems are available that heat aerosol precursor material to release aerosol/vapour for inhalation. For example, these devices and systems do not rely on burning the aerosol precursor material. In some examples, e-cigarettes vaporize an e-liquid from a consumable article to an inhalable vapour/aerosol. In some other examples, there is a device which heats a solid aerosol precursor material to generate an aerosol.

In some examples, the solid aerosol precursor material is provided as part of a consumable article. The consumable article may be inserted or otherwise engaged with a respective aerosol generation device designed specifically for that kind of consumable article. Various configurations of aerosol generation devices and corresponding consumable articles are available.

It may be desired that a given aerosol generation device is used with the correctly corresponding consumable article. Accordingly, it may be beneficial if there is a way of identifying a consumable article which has been inserted into an aerosol generation device. In some examples, a barcode may be printed onto the consumable article’s surface, which is read by the aerosol generation device. However, there exists a problem that there may be counterfeit consumable articles which copy the relevant barcode and the like.

Perhaps more generally, it would be desirable to provide an efficient or effective consumable article sensing configuration which can identify a consumable article, and/or monitor the consumable article during use. This might allow for identification of one or more of: the type of article, components and/or constituent parts of that article, levels of one or more consumable components/constituents of the consumable article. It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least the above-mentioned problems.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation device for receiving a consumable article comprising aerosol precursor material, the aerosol generation device comprising: a consumable article receiving region for receiving the consumable article; an electromagnetic radiation source configured to radiate probing electromagnetic radiation into the consumable article receiving region; and an electromagnetic radiation sensor configured to sense, in use, modified electromagnetic radiation, the modified electromagnetic radiation resulting at least in part from the probing electromagnetic radiation interacting with a material of a structural element of the consumable article, wherein: the consumable article is inserted into the consumable article receiving region such that an insertion end of the consumable article leads the consumable article into the consumable article receiving region; the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to direct the probing electromagnetic radiation at the insertion end of the consumable article; and the electromagnetic radiation sensor is configured to receive the modified electromagnetic radiation from the insertion end of the consumable article.

Advantageously, directing the probing electromagnetic radiation to, and receiving the modified electromagnetic radiation from, the insertion end means that the source and sensor can be arranged at/towards an end opposite to an insertion end of the consumable article receiving region, for example. Therefore, other components which are best placed e.g., on the sides of the consumable article receiving region are not interfered with, and space for said other components is not taken up with the source and sensor. In addition, advantageously, where components present on the sides of the consumable article receiving region are heaters, the source and sensor are not positioned in the direct path of the heat generated by the heaters, which heat is directed towards the consumable article.

Optionally, the aerosol generation device comprises a processor configured to determine a set of characteristics of the consumable article, wherein the set of characteristics optionally comprises one or more characteristics of the aerosol precursor material, based on the modified electromagnetic radiation sensed by the electromagnetic radiation sensor.

Advantageously, the processor can determine information regarding the consumable article using information from the sensor. In this way, the operation of the aerosol generation device can be controlled in accordance with the particular consumable article that has been inserted.

Optionally, the set of characteristics comprises a type of the aerosol precursor material and/or an amount of usage of the aerosol precursor material.

Advantageously, determining the type of the aerosol precursor material allows control of the device (e.g., control of heat provision) in a manner which is appropriate for that type of the aerosol precursor material. For example, certain types (e.g., by virtue of particular flavours being added, and the like) of precursor materials may require less heat than others. Certain types may also generate aerosol more optimally when supplied with a different heat profile over time as compared to other types. In this manner, the aerosol generation device is provided the relevant information (by determining the set of characteristics) to be able to adapt its operation to the particular consumable article inserted. Alternatively, or in addition, an amount of usage of the aerosol precursor material may also be determined. As an aerosol inhalation session progresses and the aerosol precursor material becomes progressively more used, different control (such as different levels of heating, and the like) may be required. Therefore, determining the amount of usage of the consumable article advantageously allows for better aerosol generation at the various stages of an inhalation session.

Optionally, the processor is configured to obtain a heating profile for operating a heater, based on the set of characteristics.

Advantageously, an appropriate heating profile can be applied in accordance with the set of characteristics that have been determined. Therefore, it is possible to adapt the heating profile according to the particular consumable article being used. Optionally, the processor is configured to update the heating profile, based on a change in one or more of the set of characteristics of the aerosol precursor material with time.

Advantageously, as the inhalation session progresses and characteristics of the aerosol precursor material change, the heating profile is adapted. Therefore, the operation of the heater is further adapted depending on how the user undertakes the inhalation session (for example, the rate at which the aerosol is consumed).

Optionally, the modified electromagnetic radiation is electromagnetic radiation reflected at least in part by the aerosol precursor material, and, optionally, reflected partly by a spacer material positioned at the insertion end of the consumable article.

Advantageously, it is reflected electromagnetic radiation which is sensed. This means that the electromagnetic radiation source and sensor may both be configured on the same printed circuit board, leading to space and potentially power efficiency. By sensing modified radiation reflected by the aerosol precursor material, characteristics specific to the aerosol precursor material can be determined. By optionally sensing modified light reflected by the spacer material, additional characteristics of the consumable article encoded in the spacer material (e.g., encoded by means of selecting different specific spacer materials for respective different consumable article types) can be determined.

Alternatively, or additionally, the use of a spacer material might allow for electromagnetic radiation to be directed or sensed in a more reliable or accurate manner (i.e. , more reliable or accurate probing).

Optionally, the consumable article receiving region defines an insertion direction for the consumable article; and a direction which the electromagnetic radiation sensor faces has an angle with respect to the insertion direction which is less than 45 degrees.

Advantageously, such a sensor and source configuration allows for reflectance measurements of the insertion end of the consumable article. The sensor and source in this configuration can be positioned deep within the consumable article receiving region, thus avoiding potential interference with other components which are best positioned at a lesser depth within the consumable article receiving region.

Optionally, the probing electromagnetic radiation has one or more wavelengths in the near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Advantageously, aerosol precursor materials such as tobacco interact with near infrared light in a manner such that reflectance measurements in that wavelength range reveal characteristics of the tobacco. Furthermore, near infrared radiation may partly penetrate a paper cover and the like so that the radiation can reach a desired structural element behind such a paper cover, in addition to interacting with the paper cover (which is also a structural element).

Optionally, the electromagnetic radiation sensor is a multi-channel spectral sensor, with each channel having a different wavelength sensitivity. Advantageously, a multichannel sensor provides spectral information for a range of different wavelengths.

Optionally, the electromagnetic radiation sensor is a single photo diode. Advantageously, such a sensor would achieve determination of various characteristics while being more cost and space efficient.

Optionally, the aerosol generation device comprises a heater arrangement configured in the consumable article receiving region such that the heater arrangement overlaps with an entire extent, along an insertion direction, of an aerosol precursor material portion of the consumable article.

Advantageously, with such a heater arrangement, substantially the entirety of the aerosol precursor material is heated to generate aerosol, leading to less wastage.

Optionally, the aerosol generation device comprises a spacer arrangement configured in the consumable article receiving region to limit an amount of insertion of the consumable article into the consumable article receiving region.

Advantageously, the spacer arrangement allows certain structural elements of the consumable article (such as the aerosol precursor material) to be positioned as desired within the consumable article receiving region. Alternatively, or additionally, the use of a spacer arrangement might allow for electromagnetic radiation to be directed or sensed in a more reliable or accurate manner (i.e., more reliable or accurate probing).

Optionally, both the electromagnetic radiation sensor and the electromagnetic radiation source are provided at a portion of the consumable article receiving region which, in use, faces the insertion end when the consumable article is received in the consumable article receiving region.

Advantageously, the sensor and source are optimally oriented so as to be able to measure the spectral information from the insertion end of the consumable article.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising: the aerosol generation device according to the first aspect; and a consumable article comprising: aerosol precursor material; and an insertion end configured to be received first in the consumable article receiving region upon insertion, the insertion end optionally comprising a spacer material.

Advantageously, there is provided a system in which characteristics of the consumable article are determined by the aerosol generation device in combination with the consumable article having the spacer material allowing desired positioning of the consumable article within the consumable article receiving region.

Optionally, in the system according to the second aspect, the spacer material is different to the aerosol precursor material, and is at least partly transparent with respect to the dominant wavelength of the probing electromagnetic radiation.

Advantageously, due to the presence of the spacer material, aerosol precursor material is only provided in the consumable article where it would be heated when received in the consumable article receiving region. Furthermore, by being at least partly transparent, the spacer material allows the radiation to reach the aerosol precursor material such that its characteristics may be determined.

Advantageously, the radiation as modified by the spacer material can itself be used to determine one or more of the characteristics. Therefore, more detailed information about the consumable article may be determined. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a consumable article for use with the aerosol generation device according to the first aspect, comprising: an aerosol precursor material portion comprising aerosol precursor material; and an insertion end comprising a spacer material that is, optionally, different to the aerosol precursor material, wherein: the insertion end of the consumable article is configured to lead the insertion of the consumable article into the consumable article receiving region.

Advantageously, there is provided a consumable article with a spacer material at the insertion end such that the precursor material is positioned as desired in the consumable article receiving region, and is efficiently used to generate aerosol.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for probing a consumable article for an aerosol generation device comprising a consumable article receiving region for receiving the consumable article, the consumable article comprising aerosol precursor material, and the method comprising: using an electromagnetic radiation source configured to radiate probing electromagnetic radiation into the receiving region to direct the probing electromagnetic radiation at an insertion end of the consumable article; and using an electromagnetic radiation sensor configured to sense, in use, modified electromagnetic radiation, the modified electromagnetic radiation resulting at least in part from the probing electromagnetic radiation interacting with a material of a structural element of the consumable article, to receive the modified electromagnetic radiation from the insertion end of the consumable article, wherein the consumable article is inserted into the consumable article receiving region such that the insertion end of the consumable article leads the consumable article into the consumable article receiving region.

Advantageously, the method provides a way to probe the consumable article to obtain information regarding the material of the structural element in question.

Optionally, the method according to the fourth aspect comprises determining a set of characteristics of the aerosol precursor material based on the sensed modified electromagnetic radiation. Advantageously, specifically the aerosol precursor material can be probed and one or more characteristics of the aerosol precursor material determined. Given that the aerosol precursor material is the component of the consumable article from which the aerosol is generated, determining characteristics of the aerosol precursor material allows control of the aerosol generation device in a manner that is suited to the particular aerosol precursor material.

Various combinations of the above referenced features are envisaged.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified schematic sketch of an aerosol generation device, according to examples;

Figure 2 is a first schematic partial sketch showing certain components of the aerosol generation device and a first example consumable article, according to examples;

Figure 3 is a second schematic partial sketch showing certain components of the aerosol generation device and the first example consumable article, according to examples;

Figure 4 is a third schematic partial sketch showing certain components of the aerosol generation device and a second example consumable article, according to examples;

Figure 5 a graph illustrating example reflectance measurements for a plurality of consumable articles taken using a multi-channel spectral sensor, according to examples; and

Figure 6 is a graph illustrating effective reflectance measurements for a number of channels for a given consumable article at different usage levels, according to examples.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “aerosol precursor material”, “vapour precursor material” or “vaporizable material” may refer to a smokable material which may for example comprise nicotine, tobacco, rye, or one or more herbs, in addition to a vaporising agent. The aerosol precursor material is configured to release an aerosol when heated. Tobacco may take the form of various materials such as shredded tobacco, granulated tobacco, tobacco leaf and/or reconstituted tobacco. Nicotine may be in the form of nicotine salts. Rye may be in the form of various materials such as shredded rye, granulated rye, rye leaf and/or reconstituted rye. The one or more herbs may be in the form of various materials such as shredded herbs, granulated herbs, herb leaf, ground herbs and/or reconstituted herbs. Suitable aerosol precursor materials include: a polyol such as sorbitol, glycerol, and glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol; a non-polyol such as monohydric alcohols, acids such as lactic acid, glycerol derivatives, esters such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethyl citrate, glycerin or vegetable glycerin. In some examples, the aerosol precursor material is substantially a liquid or a gel that holds or comprises one or more solid particles, such as tobacco particles extracted from tobacco materials. For example, the aerosol precursor material comprises tobacco particles suspended in a solution or gel.

As used herein, the term “aerosol generation device” is synonymous with “aerosol provision device” or “device” may include a device configured to heat an aerosol precursor material and deliver an aerosol to a user. In some examples, the aerosol precursor material is a solid. In other words, the aerosol precursor material is not configured to flow in an unheated state. The device may be portable. “Portable” may refer to the device being for use when held by a user. The device may be adapted to generate a variable amount of aerosol, which can be controlled by a user input.

As used herein, the term “aerosol” may include a suspension of vaporizable material as one or more of: solid particles; liquid droplets; gas. Said suspension may be in a gas including air. Aerosol herein may generally refer to/include a vapour. Aerosol may include one or more components of the vaporizable material.

Figure 1 is a simplified schematic sketch of an aerosol generation device 100, according to examples. The aerosol generation device 100 is for receiving a consumable article 102 comprising aerosol precursor material 104 (also shown in Figure 1). The aerosol generation device 100 comprises a consumable article receiving region 106 for receiving the consumable article 102. The consumable article receiving region 106 is a region inside the body of the aerosol generation device 100, and is indicated by a broken line in Figure 1. The aerosol generation device 100 comprises an electromagnetic radiation source 108 configured to radiate probing electromagnetic radiation into the receiving region 106. The aerosol generation device 100 comprises an electromagnetic radiation sensor 110. The electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 is configured to sense, in use, modified electromagnetic radiation, the modified electromagnetic radiation resulting at least in part from the probing electromagnetic radiation interacting with a material of a structural element of the consumable article 102.

With reference to Figure 1, the consumable article 102 is inserted into the consumable article receiving region 106 such that an insertion end 112 of the consumable article 102 leads the consumable article 102 into the consumable article receiving region 106. For example, the insertion end 112 is the part of the consumable article 102 which is the first part of the consumable article 102 to penetrate into the consumable article receiving region 106. In use, it is intended that the insertion end 112 is the part of the consumable article 102 which reaches deepest into the consumable article receiving region 106. For example, in use, the insertion end 112 is configured to be a distal end of the consumable article 102 with respect to a mouth of a user, the insertion end 112 being an opposite end to a proximal end (closest to the user’s mouth during use). For example, components of the consumable article 102 (such as the aerosol precursor material 104) are arranged within the consumable article 102 taking account of the fact that the insertion end 112 is intended to be inserted first into the consumable article receiving region 106.

The electromagnetic radiation source 108 is configured to direct the probing electromagnetic radiation at the insertion end 112 of the consumable article 102. The electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 is configured to receive the modified electromagnetic radiation from the insertion end 112 of the consumable article 102.

For example, the electromagnetic radiation source 108 and the electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 are positioned and/or oriented with respect to the consumable article receiving region 106 such that they are directed towards the insertion end 112 when the consumable article 102 is inserted into the consumable article receiving region 106. For example, the electromagnetic radiation source 108 may have an emission direction in which the source 108 primarily emits the probing electromagnetic radiation. In these examples, the electromagnetic radiation source 108 is arranged such that the emission direction is towards the insertion end 112.

Similarly, for example, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 may have a receiving direction, wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 is primarily sensitive to radiation received from the receiving direction. In these examples, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 is arranged such that the receiving direction is towards the sensor 110 from the insertion end 112.

Directing the electromagnetic radiation towards and receiving it from the insertion end 112 of the consumable article 102 means that the electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 and the electromagnetic radiation source 108 are positioned at/towards an end opposite to an insertion end of the consumable article receiving region 106, for example.

In some examples, the consumable article receiving region 106 (hereinafter simply the receiving region 106) defines an insertion direction for the consumable article 102. For example, by virtue of its opening and shape, the receiving region 106 receives the consumable article 102 in the insertion direction. In other words, the consumable article 102 inserts further into the receiving region 106 when the insertion end 112 moves in the insertion direction towards the centre of the aerosol generation device 100. In the examples of Figure 1, the insertion direction is indicated by arrow 114, and is hereafter referred to as the insertion direction 114.

In examples, the insertion end 112 is distinct from the lateral side(s) of the consumable article 102. For example, the consumable article 102 has an insertion axis 120. For example, the insertion axis 120 is aligned with and parallel to the insertion direction 114 for the consumable article 102 to be inserted into the receiving region 106. In some examples, the consumable article 102 is elongate, and the insertion axis 120 corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the consumable article 102. However, in other examples, the insertion axis 120 may be an axis of the consumable article 102 other than the longitudinal axis (e.g., depending on the configuration of the consumable article 102 and in what orientation it is intended to be received in the receiving region 106). For example, the lateral side(s) of the consumable article 102 are the sides which face in a direction perpendicular to the insertion axis 120. For example, where the insertion end 112 is flat, the insertion end faces in the direction of the insertion axis 120.

For example, a direction which the electromagnetic radiation sensor 110 (hereinafter sensor 110) faces, has an angle with respect to the insertion direction 114 which is less than 45 degrees. Reference to the sensor 110 “facing” a particular direction relates to the direction from which the sensor 110 is primarily sensitive to received electromagnetic radiation. For example, the sensor 110 may have a sensing surface (which reacts to received radiation so as to sense the received radiation), and the normal to the sensing surface has an angle less than 45 degrees with respect to the insertion direction 114. Such an angle means that the sensor 110 is appropriately angled to receive the modified electromagnetic radiation from the insertion end 112 of the consumable article 102.

In some examples, the direction in which the electromagnetic radiation source 108 (hereinafter source 108) primarily projects emitted radiation has an angle with respect to the insertion direction 114 which is less than 45 degrees. In this manner, the source 108 directs the probing electromagnetic radiation at the insertion end 112 of the consumable article 102.

So that the electromagnetic radiation may be directed and received as described above, the sensor 110 and source 108 are positioned at or close to the farthest extent in the insertion direction 114 within the receiving region 106. For example, both the sensor 110 and the source 108 are provided at a portion of the receiving region 106 which, in use, faces the insertion end when the consumable article 102 is received in the receiving region 106.

For example, the receiving region 106 may be a hollow which terminates at some depth within the aerosol generation device 100, for example, according to the dimensions of the consumable article 102. For example, the sensor 110 and source 108 are arranged towards an end of the receiving region 106 opposite to a receiving region opening 116 through which the insertion end 112 is inserted into the receiving region 106.

Reference is made herein to probing electromagnetic radiation and to modified electromagnetic radiation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that electromagnetic radiation may interact with matter in the solid state. For example, a way in which such interactions may occur is that the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation incident on said solid state matter is changed after the interaction. As a simple example, energy from the incident electromagnetic radiation may be absorbed by said solid state matter, meaning that the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through or reflected from said solid state matter after the interaction has a longer wavelength.

The probing electromagnetic radiation, as referred to herein, is electromagnetic radiation which has not been modified (e.g., its wavelength has not changed) because it has not yet interacted with the material of a structural element of the consumable article 102.

The probing electromagnetic radiation is hereafter referred to as the probing light. The probing light may be of any wavelength suitable for interacting in a detectable manner with the material of a structural element of the consumable article 102. In some examples, the probing light has one or more wavelengths in the infrared wavelength range. In some such examples, the probing light more specifically has one or more wavelengths in the near infrared wavelength range. In some other examples, the probing light is in the visible wavelength range. In some other examples, the probing light is in the ultraviolet wavelength range. The wavelength may be selected in accordance with the materials used in the consumable article 102, for example.

The modified electromagnetic radiation, as referred to herein, is electromagnetic radiation that was previously the probing electromagnetic radiation, but has been modified (e.g., its wavelength has changed) due to interaction with the material of a structural component of the consumable article 102. The modified electromagnetic radiation is hereafter referred to as the modified light.

It will be appreciated that the source 108 will not emit a single wavelength (e.g., wavelength having a single numerical value). Instead, the emitted light will have a band or wavelength range. However, for simplicity, the singular term “wavelength” is used herein. For example, it will be appreciated that the probing light would have a dominant or peak wavelength. When there is a reference to the wavelength of the probing light, it is this dominant wavelength being referred to. In some examples, the source 108 is in the form of a light emitting diode (LED). For example, the sensor 110 is a sensor which is capable of detecting the intensity of the modified light as a function of wavelength. For example, the sensor 110 may be capable of detecting intensities for a given wavelength range. The wavelength range across which the sensor 110 can sense light may be broad or relatively narrow. The wavelength range may be selected based on various factors such as the kind of modified light expected from interaction with the consumable article and what information is to be determined from the data collected by the sensor 110. For example, a relatively narrow wavelength range may be enough where it is intended to sense light as modified by a particular constituent or compound present in the material of the relevant structural element intended to be sensed.

In some examples, the sensor 110 may be a multi-channel spectral sensor, with each channel having a different wavelength sensitivity. In these examples, the spectral sensor comprises a plurality of channels, and each channel has a peak sensitivity to a different wavelength. In this way, spectral data over a wide wavelength range can be collected.

In some other examples, the sensor 110 is a single photodiode. The single photodiode may be considered as a single channel sensor. The single photodiode may have a peak sensitivity to one wavelength and may sense across a relatively narrow wavelength range. For simplicity, when referring to parameters such as reflectance and the like, reference will be made to a single wavelength.

As previously described, the probing light interacts with the material of a structural element of the consumable article 102. A structural element is a component which helps to form or supports the physical arrangement of the consumable article 102. For example, the part of the consumable article 102 comprising the aerosol precursor material 104 may be referred to as an aerosol precursor material portion of the consumable article 102. For example, the aerosol precursor material portion of the consumable article 102 may be considered a structural component.

In some examples, the consumable article 102 may comprise a paper cover wrapped around the outside of the consumable article 102. In such examples, the paper cover may also be considered a structural element. However, for example, surface decoration/patterns printed in ink on the paper cover are not considered to be “structural elements”. Also, for example, a colour of the paper cover and the like is also not considered a “structural element”.

As referred to herein, the material of the structural element in question is the material that said structural element is composed of. For example, the aerosol precursor material may be tobacco. For example, the paper cover may be composed of cellulose pulp. These are simple examples for the purpose of elaboration, however, in some examples, a structural element may comprise a mixture containing a plurality of materials. For example, the aerosol precursor material may be a mixture of tobacco along with other components.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the manner in which the probing light is modified by an interaction with a material depends on the optical properties of that material. In cases where the material is a mixture of different components, the manner in which the probing light is modified depends on the optical properties of those components. Therefore, by sensing the wavelength spectrum of the modified light, it is possible to obtain information about the respective material of one or more structural elements with which the probing light interacts. In this manner, it becomes possible to determine a set of characteristics of the consumable article 102. As referred to herein, a set of characteristics may comprise one or more characteristics.

In some examples, the aerosol generation device 100 comprises a processor 118 configured to determine a set of characteristics of the consumable article 102 or, more specifically, the aerosol precursor material 104 based on the modified light sensed by the sensor 110. For example, a set of characteristics of the consumable article 102 may be determined based on the light as modified by the respective material of one or more of the structural elements of the consumable article 102. In some examples, a set of characteristics of specifically the aerosol precursor material 104 is determined.

For example, the processor 118 receives data from the sensor 110 and determines the set of characteristics based on the received data. In some examples, the sensor 110 may be in direct data communication with the processor 118 such that the processor 118 receives the data directly from the sensor 110. In some examples, the sensor 110 may write the data to a computer readable memory (not shown) which is in data communication with the processor 118. For example, when the processor 118 executes a function (such as to determine the set of characteristics) requiring said data, the processor 118 may read the data from the computer readable memory.

The processor 118 may be provided in the aerosol generation device 100 to perform various functions and not just the determination of the set of characteristics. However, in some examples, the processor 118 may be dedicated to the purpose of determining the set of characteristics and one or more other processors may be provided for other functions. An example of another function is control of a heater arrangement to heat the aerosol precursor material 104, as discussed further below.

Whether it is the described processor 118 which controls the operation of the aerosol generation device, or there are provided one or more other processors for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation device 100, the aerosol generation device 100 can be controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the consumable article 102 which has been inserted. For example, the precursor 104 may differ between different examples of the consumable articles, and identifying the consumable article allows for control (such as heating control) appropriate for that particular precursor 104.

It may be particularly advantageous to determine a set of characteristics of the aerosol precursor material 104. That is because, the aerosol precursor material 104 (hereinafter precursor 104) is the part of the consumable article 102 which generates the aerosol and is consumed/used up in the generation of the aerosol. For example, the aerosol generated, and the experience of the user is in large part dependent upon the precursor material 104.

For example, the set of characteristics may include the type of precursor 104. For example, the type of precursor 104 may depend upon the particular mixture of components comprised in the precursor 104. For example, it may be determined whether the precursor 104 comprises tobacco, rye, one or more herbs, a mixture of these, or the like.

Different consumable articles 102 having the same type of precursor (e.g., both having a precursor 104 comprising rye, or both having a precursor 104 comprising tobacco, etc) may also be identified. For example, such different types may be identified based on different amounts and/or concentration of the primary constituent, as indicated by the modified light. For example, the amount/concentration of tobacco (or rye, or herbs, etc.) used in the precursor 104 may be varied and the concentration of other additives (e.g., menthol flavouring and the like) may be varied, and the like.

For example, the type of the precursor 104 of the consumable article 102 which has been inserted into the receiving region 106 may be determined based on the spectral data of the modified light captured by the sensor 110. In examples where the sensor 110 is a multi-channel spectral sensor, detailed information about the precursor 104 may be obtained. This may advantageously provide a precise means for identifying the precursor 104. In some other examples, the sensor may be the described single channel sensor configured to sense a particular compound within the precursor material, and the precursor 104 may be identified based on the sensed light as modified by that compound.

For example, data representing the modified light sensed by the sensor 110 is provided to the processor 118 in order for the processor to determine the one or more characteristics.

For example, prior to measurements being taken for the purpose of determining the set of characteristics, the sensor 110 may be calibrated. For example, light from the source 108 may be directed onto a white material (or a material which is considered to reflect the wavelengths of light being used as optimally as practical) and measure using the sensor 110 as a reference. This may be referred to as the reference reflectance. The values, such as those shown in Figure 5 (discussed below), are values relative to the reference reflectance. This calibration may be performed for whichever type of sensor is being used (whether multi-channel or single channel). In some examples, the raw data from different consumable articles without comparison to a reference may show enough distinctions for determining the set of characteristics that comparison to the reference is not required.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, advantageously, the modified light as modified by a precursor of one type will have a relatively larger difference to the modified light as modified by a precursor of a different type, as compared to a case where the precursor is of the same type but has different concentrations of constituents or the like. As referred to herein, a different type of precursor refers to a precursor in which the primary component, or the component having the highest concentration (e.g., tobacco, rye, herbs and the like), is different. Therefore, examples of the present disclosure may distinguish between consumable articles having different precursor types with greater accuracy.

In some examples, it may be desired to determine only the type of precursor in the consumable article 102. In such examples, the processor 118 may perform more simplified processing to interpret the data representing the modified light. That is because, as described above, the modified light is expected to show greater differences between different types of precursor, thus potentially only requiring simplified processing of the data to determine the distinction. For example, a more simplified processing of the data representing the modified light may indicate the type of the precursor 104. In some examples, it may be desired to determine further characteristics of the precursor 104 if the precursor 104 is of a particular type. As one of many examples, if using the simplified processing it is determined that the precursor 104 comprises tobacco, the processor 118 may perform further processing on the data representing the modified light to determine the relative concentration of the tobacco. In this way, the processing load on the processor 118 can advantageously be managed due to the greater information density available when relying on sensing modified light in order to determine the set of characteristics.

It will be appreciated that the composition (e.g., ratios of the various components present in the precursor 104) of the precursor 104 would change as a session of aerosol inhalation by the user progresses. For example, as aerosol continues to be released by activating the precursor 104, the composition of the partly used precursor 104 is changed.

Accordingly, in some examples, the set of characteristics comprises an amount of usage of the precursor 104. For example, by sensing changes in the wavelength response of the light as modified by the precursor 104 (in other words changes in the spectrum sensed by the sensor 110), it can be determined how progressed the usage of the precursor 104 is. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the quantity of fluids such as water, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin and the like, in the precursor 104 varies as the amount of usage of the precursor 104 progresses. For example, such fluids may be released into the aerosol generated by the precursor 104 and therefore lost from the precursor 104. Fluids such as water, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, for example, have a different wavelength response when interacting with light, as compared to solid matter. Therefore, using the data representing the modified light, the amount of usage can be determined.

For example, the usage may be quantified as a percentage figure (E.g., 30% used and the like). For example, based on data from the sensor 110, the processor 118 determines the usage level of the precursor 104.

Figure 5 is a graph illustrating example reflectance measurements for a plurality of consumable articles taken using a multi-channel spectral sensor. In the examples of Figure 5, a dashed line separates a top set of curves from a bottom set of curves with respect to the vertical axis. The vertical axis represents effective reflectance, and the horizontal axis represents channel number. It will be understood that each curve contains a data point for each channel of the multi-channel sensor.

The top set of curves represent data for consumable articles in which the precursor 104 has not been used to generate any aerosol. The bottom set of curves represent data for consumable articles in which the precursor 104 has been used by being heated to generate aerosol. It can be seen that there is a clear difference in measured effective reflectance based on whether or not the precursor 104 has been used. In this manner, the modified light (via its reflectance, as discussed) can be used to determine the usage level.

Further than a coarse determination of used versus not used, the teachings of the present disclosure can be used to determine a percentage usage level as described above. Figure 6 is a graph illustrating effective reflectance measurements for a number of channels for a given consumable article at different usage levels. In these examples, curve 602 represents 0% usage, curve 604 represents 20% usage, curve 606 represents 40% usage, curve 608 represents 60% usage, curve 610 represents 80% usage and curve 612 represents 100% usage. It can be seen from Figure 6 that for a given consumable article, there is an unambiguous change in the reflectance as the usage progresses. Also, for example, if only a single channel is examined, there is still an unambiguous change in the reflectance with usage level of the consumable article. Advantageously, the usage level of the precursor 104 may be indicated to the user using an indication system provided on the aerosol generation device 100. For example, the indication system may comprise a haptic indicator, an audio indicator and/or a visual indicator. In some examples, the aerosol generation device may wirelessly communicate with a mobile device and the like, and an application on said mobile device may indicate the usage level to the user.

Figure 2 is a first schematic partial sketch showing certain components of the aerosol generation device 100 and an example consumable article 102, according to examples. In these examples, there is shown the consumable article 102 inserted into the receiving region 106 for use. In these examples, the aerosol generation device comprises a heater arrangement 202 configured to supply heat to the precursor 104 of the consumable article 102 inserted in the receiving region 106 in order to generate aerosol from the precursor 104.

The heater arrangement 202 may comprise one or more heat providing portions. For example, the heat providing portions may be resistive heating elements which generate heat in response to a flow of current therein. For example, there may be arranged a plurality of heat providing portions to surround the consumable article 102 when the consumable article 102 is received in the receiving region 106. For example, the heat providing portions surround the consumable article 102 about the insertion axis 120. In some examples, the consumable article 102 may have a rodlike shape, the receiving region may be cylindrical, and there may be a single tubular heat providing portion surrounding the portion of the consumable article 102 within the receiving region 106. In some examples, whatever is the configuration of the heater arrangement 202, the heater arrangement surrounds the consumable article about the insertion axis 120.

It will be appreciated that the purpose of the heater arrangement is to heat the precursor material. Therefore, in examples comprising the heater arrangement 202, the heater arrangement 202 is positioned within the receiving region 106 so as to align with the precursor 104, when the consumable article 102 is received in the receiving region 106. As referred to herein, that the heater arrangement 202 surrounds the consumable article does not necessarily mean that the heater arrangement 202 surrounds in a continuous (uninterrupted) manner as would be the case for the example of the cylinder tube type heater arrangement. For examples, there may be two or more heat providing portions which are positioned around the consumable article such that the consumable article is surrounded by the heater arrangement overall about the insertion axis 120.

It should be noted that resistive heat providing portion(s) is merely an example, and the heater arrangement 202 may comprise heat providing portions of other types. For example, the heat providing portions may be configured to be inductively heated. In some examples, the heat providing portions may instigate a varying magnetic field in order to generate eddy currents in one or more inductive heating elements provided as part of the consumable article 102 itself. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various methods of heating the precursor 104 in the context of the aerosol generation device 100.

For example, the heater arrangement 202 is controlled in order to provide appropriate heat to the precursor 104 to provide an aerosol inhalation session to the user. In some examples, the heater arrangement 202 may not be supplied with constant power throughout an inhalation session. In some examples, the processor 118 is configured to obtain a heating profile for operating a heater, based on the set of characteristics. In such examples, at least one of the set of characteristics pertains to the precursor 104. For example, the processor 118 controls the heater arrangement 202 based on the obtained heating profile.

For example, it may be desired that the heat provided by the heater arrangement 202 is varied in accordance with the usage level of the precursor 104, the type of the precursor 104, and other factors relating to the aerosol quality which can vary depending upon the manner of heating. For example, it may be desired that a particular heating profile is applied in order to generate the aerosol depending on the type of the precursor 104 (e.g., the constituents of the precursor 104, the relative ratios of the constituents, and the like) and/or the usage level of the precursor 104.

For example, the heating profile may indicate an amount of heat to be generated by the heating arrangement 202 as a function of time. In some examples, the amount of heat may be indicated in the form of electrical power to be delivered to the heating arrangement 202 taking into account, for example, the efficiency with which the heater arrangement 202 can convert the supplied electrical energy to heat. For example, the processor 118 reads data indicating the heating profile from the computer readable memory. In some examples, the computer readable memory stores a plurality of different heating profiles corresponding to different respective types of the precursor 104 and/or the usage level of the precursor 104.

In this way, the aerosol generation device 100 is advantageously configured to function in an improved manner with a range of different precursor materials, and adapt to the amount of usage of the precursor 104 that has occurred. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other advantages of such unique features. For example, by sensing the usage level of the precursor 104, it may be possible for the user to use the same consumable article 102 for separate, partial inhalation session separated in time. For example, for a first partial inhalation session, the user may use the consumable article 102 to an extent that the precursor 104 is 40% used. At a later time, the user may use the same consumable article 102 for a second partial inhalation session. However, for the second partial inhalation session of these examples, in some examples, the processor 118 determines the usage level at the start of the second partial inhalation session and implements a part of an appropriate heating profile according to the usage level. In this manner, the same consumable article may be used in separate partial inhalation session still with an appropriate application of heat to the precursor 104.

In some examples, the processor 118 is configured to update the heating profile, based on a change in one or more of the set of characteristics of the precursor 104 with time. In some examples, the heating profile indicates a time variation of heat which should be supplied by the heater arrangement 202 to the precursor 104 based on an expected usage rate. For example, the usage rate may be expressed as a percentage of the precursor 104 used per unit time. However, during use, the user may inhale aerosol at a rate different to the expected rate. In such examples, the obtained heating profile which was most appropriate given the sensed characteristics of the precursor 104 at the beginning of the inhalation session may no longer be appropriate for the desired aerosol production based on usage level. For example, the processor 118 may update the heating profile to take account of the different than expected usage rate of the precursor 104. In some such examples, the processor 118 updating the heating profile may simply comprise implementing a different portion of the heating profile based on the usage level. For example, if the usage rate is faster than expected such that after a given amount of time, 60% of the precursor has been used instead of an expected 40%, the processor may skip forward to a part of the heating profile intended to be implemented at the 60% usage level. It will be appreciated that the processor 118 may also revert to a lower usage level part of the heating profile if the consumption is less than expected for example.

In some other examples, the processor 118 may update the heating profile by changing certain values in the data indicating the amount of heat to be supplied as a function of time.

As described above, the modified light results at least in part from the probing light interacting with a material of a structural element of the consumable article 102. Certain examples/advantages have been described above where the material of the structural element in question is the precursor 104. However, other examples may also be implemented. For example, the structural element in question may be a paper cover which covers the precursor 104.

In some examples, based on the modified light sensed by the sensor 110, the processor 118 determines one or more characteristics of the paper cover. For example, such determination may also serve to identify the consumable article 102 where different paper covers are used for respective different examples of the consumable article 102. In some examples, modified light is light reflected at least in part by the precursor 104, and, optionally (for example, where present), reflected partly by a spacer material (described further below) positioned at the insertion end 112 of examples of the consumable article. It should be appreciated that the consumable article 102 may have various different configuration of structural elements. Accordingly, the set of characteristics may include characteristics of the material of whichever structural element is positioned towards the insertion end 112. Advantageously, based on differences between such insertion end structural elements of the consumable article, the consumable article may be identified based on the modified light sensed by the sensor 110.

As previously described, the heater arrangement 202 surrounds the consumable article 102 about the insertion axis 120 when the consumable article 102 is received in the receiving region 106. More specifically, the heater arrangement 202 is configured to be aligned with the precursor 104. In some examples, the heater arrangement 202 is provided at a separation from the bottom (the farthest extent in the insertion direction 114 within the receiving region 106) of the receiving region 106. For example, it may be desired that the heater arrangement 202 is positioned away from/does not interfere with components which may be arranged at/towards the bottom of the receiving region 106. As previously discussed, in some examples, the sensor 110 and the source 108 are arranged at or close to the bottom of the receiving region 106. For example, it may be desired that there is a separation between the heater arrangement 202, and the sensor 110 and source 108.

In some examples, the aerosol generation device 100 comprises a spacer arrangement configured in the receiving region 106 to limit an amount of insertion of the consumable article 102 into the receiving region 106.

Figure 3 is a second schematic partial sketch showing certain components of the aerosol generation device 100 and an example consumable article 102, according to examples. In the examples of Figure 3, there is provided the described spacer arrangement 302. In these examples, the spacer arrangement 302 is fixed to a bottom surface 304 of the receiving region 106. As referred to herein, the bottom surface 304 of the receiving region 106 defines the depth of the receiving region 106 in the insertion direction 114. the bottom surface 304 is the inner surface of the receiving region 106 which is at an opposing end of the receiving region 106 to the opening 116 into the receiving region 106.

The spacer arrangement 302 comprises one or more physical structures which are fixed in position inside the receiving region 106 to stop the progress of the consumable article 102 in the insertion direction 114 at a desired point. The spacer arrangement 302 is configured such that further insertion (in the insertion direction 114) of the consumable article 102 past an operational depth is prevented (the operational depth being the “desired point” as previously referred to). The spacer arrangement 302 is a barrier to limit the insertion depth of the consumable article 102. For example, the operational depth is the depth at which the precursor 104 is aligned with the heater arrangement 202. In this manner, the insertion depth is configured such that heat can efficiently be supplied to the precursor 104.

Given the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will realise that there are various ways of providing one or more physical structures to define the operational depth. Although in the examples of Figure 3, the one or more physical structures of the spacer arrangement 302 are shown fixed to the bottom surface 304, in some examples, one or more of the physical structures of the spacer arrangement 302 may be fixed to the lateral sides of the receiving region 106 (which lateral sides are inner surface(s) of the receiving region 106 which face perpendicular to the insertion direction 114).

Advantageously, there is provided a way of aligning the precursor 104 with the heater arrangement 202 which does not require an additional structural element to be present below the precursor 104 (in the in-use insertion direction 114) as part of the consumable article 102. In examples where it is desired to sense the light as modified by the precursor 104, this is advantageous because there is less other, non-precursor material between the source 108 and the precursor 104, and the sensor 110 and the precursor 104. However, in other examples, additional material may be added to the bottom (the insertion end 112) of the consumable article 102 for certain respective advantages, as discussed later.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a consumable article for an aerosol generation device such as the described aerosol generation device 100 may comprise different structural elements comprising different materials. As an example, in addition to the precursor 104, the consumable article 102 may comprise a filter plug and the like. Those skilled in the art will be aware that not all of the precursor 104 of consumable articles may be aligned with, and therefore receive heat from, the heater arrangement 202. For example, there may be precursor material which is not used to generate aerosol and may be wasted.

In some examples of the aerosol generation device 100 described herein, the heater arrangement 202 is configured in the receiving region 106 such that the heater arrangement overlaps with an entire extent, along the insertion direction 114, of the aerosol precursor material portion of the consumable article 102. For example, the heater arrangement 202 is dimensioned and arranged within the receiving region 106 taking account of the arrangement of the precursor 104 in the consumable article 102 which is intended to be used with the example of the aerosol generation device 100 in question.

In some examples, such a configuration of the heater arrangement 202 may be used in combination with the described spacer arrangement 302 of the aerosol generation device 100. In this manner, when the consumable article 102 is received in the receiving region 106, the precursor 104 aligns in a desired manner with the heater arrangement 202.

In some examples, the aerosol generation device 100 is intended for use with a consumable article having specific features at the insertion end 112, as further described below.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that consumable articles may typically have a compressed precursor material plug (e.g., a tobacco plug, or a plug comprising another example of a precursor constituent) at the distal end (which would be the end corresponding to the insertion end 112 of the described examples). In some known consumable articles, the precursor material may simply extend all the way to the distal end.

However, where there is a precursor material plug, the plug corresponds to precursor material which is not heated and/or used to generate aerosol. In such examples, the plug is not considered part of the precursor 104 as referred to herein, which precursor 104 is for being heated to generate aerosol. In such examples, it may also not be possible to obtain modified light as modified by the precursor material 104 from the insertion end 112 because of the presence of the plug which would block/severely inhibit the propagation of light to/from the precursor 104.

In examples where the precursor 104 is present at the distal end of the consumable article, there is a problem in that some of the precursor 104 may come loose from the consumable article and cause there to be undesired debris inside the receiving region 106.

Figure 4 is a third schematic partial sketch showing certain components of the aerosol generation device 100 and an example consumable article 402, according to examples. In these examples, the insertion end 112 of the consumable article 402 comprises the spacer material 404. The spacer material 404 may be considered to perform the function of a filter plug. The consumable article 102 of the examples of Figures 1 to 3 may be referred to as the first consumable article 102, and the consumable article 402 comprising the spacer material 404 may be referred to as the second consumable article 402. In these examples, the spacer material 404 is positioned between the precursor 104, and the sensor 110 and source 108 when the consumable article 102 is received in the receiving region 106.

Advantageously, the spacer material 404 positions the precursor 104 slightly away from the bottom surface 304 of the receiving region 106. For example, the spacer material 404 can perform the same function as the above-described spacer arrangement 302. For example, due to the presence of the spacer material 404, the precursor 104 is positioned closer to the opening 116 into the receiving region (as compared to a case where no additional structural element is provided at the insertion end 112). This means that the heater arrangement 202 can be positioned away from the bottom surface 304 while still advantageously fully overlapping with the precursor 104 so as to efficiently heat the entire length of the precursor 104 in the insertion direction 114. As previously described, it may be desired to position the heater arrangement 202 slightly away from the bottom surface 304 of the receiving region 106 so that undesired amounts of heat are not supplied to components at or close to the bottom surface 304 (such as the sensor 110 and source 108, for example, among other possible components).

For example, where the aerosol generation device 100 is intended for use with the second consumable article 402, the spacer arrangement 302 may be omitted. In such examples, the construction of the receiving region 106 may advantageously be simplified. However, in some examples, both the spacer arrangement 302 and the spacer material 404 may be provided and used in combination to determine the position (with respect to the insertion direction 114) of the precursor 104.

In some examples of the second consumable article 402, the spacer material 404 is different to the precursor 104. For example, where the precursor 104 is tobacco, the spacer material 404 is not merely a compressed plug of tobacco. Instead, the spacer material 404 does not contain tobacco. In other words, the precursor 104 and the spacer material 404 comprise a different material, or different composition of constituents, as compared to one another. For example, it is not needed to include tobacco in the spacer material 404, thus providing for less wasted tobacco.

In some such examples, the spacer material 404 is at least partly transparent with respect to the dominant wavelength of the probing light. For example, the spacer material 404 allows at least some of the probing light to propagate therethrough and interact with the precursor 104. For example, the spacer material 404 is also at least partly transparent with respect to the modified light as modified by the precursor 104. In this manner, despite the spacer material 404 being positioned between the sensor 110 and source 108, and the precursor 104, modified light modified by the precursor 104 can still be sensed.

In such examples, not only does the spacer material 404 allow for the desired positioning of the precursor 104 within the receiving region 106, it also permits sensing of the modified light influenced by the precursor 104. For example, in conventional consumable articles where there is a compressed tobacco plug at the insertion end which is not heated, enough light may not reach the precursor 104 through the plug to allow for the sensing as described herein.

In some examples, the spacer material 404 is configured to indicate, via the modified electromagnetic radiation, one or more characteristics of the second consumable article 402. The spacer material may be so configured alternatively, or in addition, to being at least partly transparent as described above.

In the relevant examples, while the spacer material 404 allows light interaction with the precursor 104, the spacer material 404 itself may also modify the light. The modified light which reaches the sensor 110 may therefore be modified by both the spacer material 404 and the precursor 104. In this way, the modified light carries information regarding both the precursor 104 and the spacer material 404.

For example, spacer material with different compositions and/or different constituent ratios may be used in different examples of the second consumable article 402. Accordingly, the spacer material of the different examples of the second consumable article 402 may modify the probing light differently, allowing for identification of the second consumable article 402 in question.

In some examples, there may be provided an aerosol generation system. The aerosol generation system comprises the aerosol generation device 100 according to any of the described examples. Also, the aerosol generation system comprises the second consumable article 402 according to any of the described examples. It is important to note that the various features described above may be used in various combinations. Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device (100) for receiving a consumable article (102, 402) comprising aerosol precursor material (104), the aerosol generation device (100) comprising: a consumable article receiving region (106) for receiving the consumable article (102, 104); an electromagnetic radiation source (108) configured to radiate probing electromagnetic radiation into the consumable article receiving region (106); and an electromagnetic radiation sensor (110) configured to sense, in use, modified electromagnetic radiation, the modified electromagnetic radiation resulting at least in part from the probing electromagnetic radiation interacting with a material of a structural element of the consumable article (102, 402), wherein: the consumable article (102, 402) is inserted into the consumable article receiving region (106) such that an insertion end (112) of the consumable article (102, 402) leads the consumable article (102, 402) into the consumable article receiving region (106); the electromagnetic radiation source (108) is configured to direct the probing electromagnetic radiation at the insertion end (112) of the consumable article (102, 402); and the electromagnetic radiation sensor (110) is configured to receive the modified electromagnetic radiation from the insertion end (112) of the consumable article (102, 402).

2. The aerosol generation device (100) according to claim 1 , comprising: a processor (118) configured to determine a set of characteristics of the consumable article (102, 402), wherein the set of characteristics optionally comprises one or more characteristics of the aerosol precursor material (104), based on the modified electromagnetic radiation sensed by the electromagnetic radiation sensor (110).

3. The aerosol generation device (100) according to claim 2, wherein: the set of characteristics comprises a type of the aerosol precursor material (104) and/or an amount of usage of the aerosol precursor material (104).

4. The aerosol generation device (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: the processor (118) is configured to obtain a heating profile for operating a heater (202), based on the set of characteristics, wherein, optionally, the processor (118) is configured to update the heating profile, based on a change in one or more of the set of characteristics of the aerosol precursor material (104) with time.

5. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the modified electromagnetic radiation is electromagnetic radiation reflected at least in part by the aerosol precursor material (104), and, optionally, reflected partly by a spacer material (404) positioned at the insertion end (112) of the consumable article (402).

6. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the consumable article (102, 402) receiving region defines an insertion direction for the consumable article (102, 402); and a direction which the electromagnetic radiation sensor (110) faces has an angle with respect to the insertion direction which is less than 45 degrees.

7. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the probing electromagnetic radiation has one or more wavelengths in the near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

8. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the electromagnetic radiation sensor (110) is a multi-channel spectral sensor, with each channel having a different wavelength sensitivity; or the electromagnetic radiation sensor (110) is a single photo diode.

9. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a heater arrangement (202) configured in the consumable article receiving region (106) such that the heater arrangement (202) overlaps with an entire extent, along an insertion direction (114), of an aerosol precursor material portion of the consumable article (102, 402).

10. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a spacer arrangement (302) configured in the consumable article receiving region (106) to limit an amount of insertion of the consumable article (102, 402) into the consumable article receiving region (106).

11. The aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: both the electromagnetic radiation sensor (110) and the electromagnetic radiation source (108) are provided at a portion of the consumable article receiving region (106) which, in use, faces the insertion end (112) when the consumable article (102, 402) is received in the consumable article receiving region (106).

12. An aerosol generation system comprising: the aerosol generation device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11 ; and a consumable article (102, 402) comprising: aerosol precursor material (104); and an insertion end (112) configured to be received first in the consumable article receiving region (106) upon insertion, the insertion end (112) optionally comprising a spacer material (404).

13. The aerosol generation system according to claim 12, wherein: the spacer material (404) is different to the aerosol precursor material (104), and is at least partly transparent with respect to the dominant wavelength of the probing electromagnetic radiation.

14. The aerosol generation system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein: the spacer material (404) is configured to indicate, via the modified electromagnetic radiation, one or more characteristics of the consumable article (402).

15. A consumable article (402) for use with the aerosol generation device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , comprising: an aerosol precursor material (104) portion comprising aerosol precursor material (104); and an insertion end (112) comprising a spacer material (404) that is, optionally, different to the aerosol precursor material (104), wherein: the insertion end (112) of the consumable article is configured to lead the insertion of the consumable article (402) into the consumable article receiving region (106).