Method and system for identifying smoking articles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for authenticating an aerosol-generating article (1), the method comprising the following steps: - imaging and processing at least one consumable section of the aerosol-generating article (1), - correlating the current digitized image with a reference image recorded during the production of the article (1), - determining whether the article (1) is genuine based on the correlation result and predetermined correlation criteria. The present invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system, the system comprising an aerosol-generating device (100), the aerosol-generating device having a 2D and / or 3D imager (110), the imager comprising image processing means and image correlation means for imaging and analyzing a random arrangement of individual substrate portions (14') of the aerosol-generating article (1). The present invention also relates to a machine (3100) for producing aerosol-generating articles (1), the machine comprising an online imaging system (2100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, more specifically to reconstituted tobacco and aerosol-generating products. The present invention further relates to a smoking device, in particular to an electrically heated electronic cigarette liquid system or an electrically heated aerosol-generating system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electronic cigarettes based on aerosol-generating consumable products have become popular. There are two main types: liquid vaporizers and heated tobacco inhaler devices. Heated tobacco inhaler devices are called "heat-not-burn" systems (HNB). Compared with electronic cigarettes, they provide a more authentic tobacco flavor. Electronic cigarettes deliver an inhalable aerosol by heating a liquid charge that includes an aerosol former, flavorings and usually nicotine. The working principle of the HNB system is to heat a tobacco material including an aerosol-forming substance (such as glycerol and / or propylene glycol), which vaporizes during heating and produces a vapor that extracts nicotine and flavor components from the tobacco material. The tobacco material is heated to between 200°C and 400°C, which is lower than the normal burning temperature of conventional cigarettes. The inhaler device is typically a handheld heater configured to receive a rod-shaped consumable product.

[0003] The illicit trade in aerosol-generating articles (whether standard cigarettes, e-liquids or HNB products) is a problem because counterfeit products may be of particularly poor quality or, in the case of e-liquids or HNB consumable products, may not be suitable for a given smoking system. In order to identify whether an aerosol-generating consumable product is an authentic product, a code or equivalent marking containing information about the product can be placed on the outer surface of the product so that it can be detected by a device during or before use. This allows the authenticity of the consumable product to be checked and, in the event of a negative check, the heating system used with it to be turned off. In order to provide accurate authentication of the code on the consumable product (e.g., HNB product), the recognition probability should be extremely high so that the correct product will not be denied. However, existing markings are limited by the low density of information that can be contained therein, and most known markings rely on classical codes (e.g., 1D or 2D barcodes) that can be easily copied without the use of specific optical instruments, for example by simply seeing the code with the human eye.

[0004] Various attempts have been made in the prior art to provide authentic aerosol-generating products. For example, US20190008206 A1 discloses a smoking article comprising a mark on the outer surface of the smoking article, which represents a type of smoking article and can be in the form of a pattern or a one- or two-dimensional barcode. The mark includes different gray levels that can be produced by printing with dots of smaller size. Such a mark can be easily detected and copied and may contain only low-density information or have an unacceptably large size. The system described in US20190008206 A1 relies on a printed mark whose optical properties must match the LED used in the sensor module, such as having a specific infrared absorption band. The fact that the mark must be printed on the product as an additional step complicates the production process, and there is also the problem of the stability of the ink in harsh environments (such as an environment close to the heater required by the aerosol generating device).

[0005] US 20160302488 A1 describes a smoking article that includes a marking on the outer surface of the smoking article. The marking can be in the form of a one-dimensional / two-dimensional barcode. The code includes a recognizable spectral signature but requires a layer to be applied by spraying and requires a spectrometer. In addition, the signature generated by the spectrum depends on the concentration, which can be between 1 ppm and 1000 ppm, the accuracy of which is difficult to control. Tag agents based on spectral signatures are also associated with spectral measurement, interpretation, and calibration issues that can make the tag agents less reliable, and there may be problems involving the stability of such tag agents. Adding a spray layer during manufacturing makes the process more complicated because the chemical must be handled and applied in a controlled manner.

[0006] WO 2019129378 A1 describes an aerosol-generating consumable product for an inhaler that includes a label containing information about the consumable. The label is formed from a heat-sensitive composition. The stability of this type of label is problematic when the consumable product is used under harsh conditions. Furthermore, the label is in the form of a simple, readable code that is easily visible to the human eye, making it easily copyable and virtually useless as an anti-counterfeiting label.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for improved technologies that allow for the authentication of aerosol-generating articles (e.g., HNBs, inhalation vapor, and smoking articles). In particular, authentication based on codes containing a much higher information density would be preferred to improve the quality of authentication and make it difficult to counterfeit the article. Furthermore, there is a need for authentication methods that are much simpler than all markings of the prior art, which do not require the addition of printed or adhesive layers, nor the incorporation of elements such as additional supports onto the consumable article. Furthermore, the use of chemicals in liquid or gaseous form to produce the markings during the consumable article manufacturing process must be avoided. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The inventors of the present invention have found a solution to the problem discussed above by providing an authentication method that does not require the use of markings added to or incorporated into an aerosol-generating consumable product. The proposed solution is based on imaging and identifying a random arrangement of the components of the consumable portion of the aerosol-generating article, which allows reliance on the inherent and complex geometric properties of the aerosol-generating article, thereby allowing an inherently usable reference to be provided by which the consumable can be identified when it is consumed. This allows for a cheap and extremely secure individual identification of the aerosol-generating consumable. In fact, the random arrangement of the matrix of the aerosol-generating article is difficult to imitate and replicate, resulting in a security level that is as secure as in the case of fingerprint detection.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method of authenticating an aerosol-generating article comprising a consumable substrate formed from individual substrate portions arranged in a random arrangement in at least one consumable section of the aerosol-generating article, the method comprising the steps of:

[0010] a) providing an imager comprising an image processing device and an image correlation device,

[0011] b) imaging the consumable product substrate in the at least one consumable product section of the aerosol-generating article by the imager to form a 2D and / or 3D image of the consumable product substrate in the consumable product section,

[0012] c) processing the 2D and / or 3D image by the image processing device to form a digitized 2D and / or 3D image representing a random arrangement of individual matrix portions of the consumable matrix, the image comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of these individual matrix portions at the consumable section,

[0013] d) correlating, by means of the image correlation device, the current digitized image with a reference image of the consumable substrate in the consumable section recorded during the production of the consumable substrate, the reference image also comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of the individual substrate portions at the consumable section,

[0014] e) determining whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic based on the previous correlation result and predetermined correlation criteria.

[0015] The steps of the imaging and image processing method of the present invention allow providing a simple and very reliable method which can be easily implemented in aerosol generating machines and aerosol generating devices.

[0016] In an embodiment, an imager is disposed within a cavity of the authentication device, the cavity being defined by a cavity opening and a cavity end opposite the opening. The aerosol-generating article is introduced into the cavity such that the consumable product section is positioned proximate to the imager. By placing the imager near the end of the cavity, the imager does not require a large footprint. Because an illuminating light source can be positioned near the imager to illuminate the end of the article introduced into the cavity, the imager can be relatively small and does not require a large optical aperture.

[0017] In an embodiment, the authentication device is an aerosol-generating device and the cavity is a heating cavity of said aerosol-generating device.The fact that the imager is arranged to the end of the cavity allows avoiding any heating damage to the imager during consumption of the article.

[0018] In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an elongated shape with a proximal end and a distal end, the consumable section comprising the distal end, and wherein the 2D and / or 3D image of the consumable substrate is an image of the distal end of the consumable section of the article. The article has an elongated shape that provides for simple placement of an imager, as such an imager can be placed near an end of the cavity.

[0019] In an embodiment, the consumable section has a bonded seam presenting a seam end portion at said distal end, the method comprising the further steps of:

[0020] - detecting the angular position θ of the end portion of the seam,

[0021] - using the detected angular position θ of the seam end portion to provide an angularly corrected image of the distal end of the consumable product.

[0022] The advantage of using the angular position of seams or glued or bonded ends for imaging is that the speed of identification and correlation is significantly increased due to the provision of an angular reference. This avoids having to rely on image processing algorithms to find the correct angular alignment, which would require longer image processing and correlation times.

[0023] In an embodiment, the consumable matrix comprises tobacco, especially chopped tobacco filler and / or reconstituted tobacco.It is particularly easy to detect tobacco by system and method of the present invention, because component is normally the fiber with submillimeter size (usually between 0.1mm to 0.5mm) or the filler part of chopped.Apparatus and method of the present invention also allow to detect the details of tobacco fiber micron size, and these tobacco fibers can have noodle-like form or particle or the part of random shape.Independent tobacco fiber can have micron-sized surface structure, and these surface structures can be detected and utilized in image correlation method of the present invention.

[0024] In an embodiment, the consumable substrate includes an insert, and the method includes the step of identifying the presence and 2D orientation of the insert at the distal end. An advantage of providing the insert within the aerosol-generating tobacco is that a specific shape and / or position of its end is provided at the distal end of the consumable portion of the consumable. Utilizing the imaging and angular position of the seam or glued or bonded end allows for significantly increased speed of identification and association, as a well-defined shape and / or angular reference is provided for the purposes of the image association process.

[0025] In an embodiment, the insert is a conductive thread disposed in or on the at least one layer of the consumable product. The use of a conductive thread allows for a further level of security, as the use of a conductive thread further complicates counterfeiting of the product. Furthermore, the imaging correlation process described herein can be combined with additional detection involving electrical detection of the presence of a conductive thread.

[0026] In an embodiment, the characteristic optical information comprises UV and / or visible light and / or infrared transmission and / or reflection characteristics. In an embodiment, the characteristic optical information may further comprise intensity and / or optical contrast distribution or polarization characteristics.

[0027] Using different wavelengths and / or polarization orientations allows for enhanced reliability of the described correlation process. A specific wavelength and / or polarization state of the illuminating light beam at the end of the article can be used to impart specific optical properties to the consumable portion of the article. Such optical properties can be absorptive and / or reflective, but can also be color effects or a combination of these effects.

[0028] In an embodiment, said optical information of the reference image and of said current digitized image is detected in at least two different wavelength bands.Using at least two wavelengths allows to further increase the reliability of the correlation method as described.

[0029] A second aspect of the present invention is achieved by an aerosol generating system, which includes an aerosol generating device, which includes a 2D and / or 3D imager and an aerosol generating article, which includes a substrate formed by separate substrate portions, which are arranged in a random arrangement in at least one consumable product section of the aerosol generating article, and the aerosol generating article has a proximal end and a distal end.

[0030] The imager includes image processing means and image correlation means, and is configured to:

[0031] - forming a 2D and / or 3D image of a random arrangement of individual matrix portions in the consumable matrix at said distal end of the consumable base by said imager;

[0032] - processing the 2D and / or 3D image to form a digitized 2D and / or 3D image representing a random arrangement of individual matrix portions of the consumable matrix, the image comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of these individual matrix portions at the consumable section;

[0033] - associating said current digitized image with a reference image of said consumable substrate in said consumable section recorded during its production, said reference image also comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of the individual substrate portions at said consumable section,

[0034] - Determining whether the aerosol-generating article is authentic based on the previous correlation result and predetermined correlation criteria.

[0035] The imager of the aerosol-generating system allows for the provision of a simple and very reliable system that can be easily implemented in an aerosol-generating device. Similar or even identical imagers can be integrated into or onto production machines used to produce, transport, and package consumable products, making it possible to easily and quickly correlate images acquired during the manufacturing process with images acquired when the product is consumed and determine in a straightforward manner whether the product is genuine.

[0036] In an embodiment, the imager includes UV and / or visible light and / or infrared and / or polarization detection and / or microwave and / or capacitance and / or thermal detection devices. Imaging can be achieved using optical detection devices, but can also be achieved using non-optical detection devices, which further complicates the detection replication method and improves the reliability of the detection. A combination of at least one non-optical and at least one optical detection device can be provided, which further significantly improves the reliability of the aerosol-generating consumable identification method.

[0037] The present invention also relates to a consumable product packaging, which is configured to include a plurality of aerosol-generating articles as described, the consumable product packaging including a transparent packaging bottom layer for aligning the distal ends of the aerosol-generating articles, the aerosol-generating articles being in contact with the bottom layer, the transparent bottom layer allowing the distal ends to be imaged by an imaging system. Providing a packaging with at least one transparent bottom allows a simple imaging system to be implemented in a consumable product manufacturing machine, since such an imaging system can be arranged in the machine so that it faces the transparent layer and therefore the distal ends of the consumable products. This allows the provision of an identification method that can associate the individual identification of the individual products with information provided by the packaging. In a variant, an imaging packaging system arranged to a packaging unit of the consumable product manufacturing machine can image the individual products as well as information presented on a portion of the exterior or interior of the packaging. The information can be a mark or any logo or symbol that can be arranged near the transparent layer. The packaging can be any type of packaging and can have any external shape.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a machine for producing aerosol-generating articles, comprising a dispensing system for directing the manufactured articles and a packaging unit for packaging the articles. The machine comprises at least one online imaging system configured to implement the method. The at least one online imaging system is arranged to the dispensing system and / or to the packaging unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an aerosol generating device of the present invention, the aerosol generating device comprising an optical system for detecting and processing an image of the end of a consumable article;

[0040] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Typical end faces of aerosol-generating articles are shown, exhibiting a random arrangement of components of the article's matrix;

[0041] Figure 3 An embodiment of a method for detecting and associating images according to the present invention is schematically illustrated;

[0042] Figures 4 to 10Schematic representation of typical types of randomly distributed categories of consumable fiber arrangements;

[0043] Figures 11 to 16 shows a schematic representation of a typical pre-processed image of an end face of an aerosol-generating article;

[0044] Figure 17 to Figure 22 shows sample images and processed sample images of the end face of a commercial aerosol generating product;

[0045] Figure 23a Schematically illustrates a new visually attractive package comprising a transparent bottom layer to allow visualization of the end portion of the consumable product;

[0046] Figure 23b A camera system is shown, which is arranged to capture Figure 23a an image of at least a portion of the transparent bottom of the packaging;

[0047] Figure 24 A block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the method of the present invention relying on a dual spectral band detection configuration is shown.

[0048] Figure 25 and Figure 26 A part of a production machine for manufacturing an aerosol-generating article is shown. The machine comprises a unit for conveying and packaging the article and comprises at least one imager for imaging an end of the article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto. The drawings described are merely illustrative and non-limiting. In the drawings, for illustrative purposes, the sizes of some elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale. The dimensions and relative sizes do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0050] The present invention will be described in the following examples with respect to tobacco-based consumable products, but the scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited to tobacco-based consumable products, but should encompass any aerosol-generating consumable product, such as smoking products, heat-not-burn products, e-liquid cartridges, and vaporizer cartridges, which include an aerosol-generating substrate capable of generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating article 1 or article of the present invention is also defined herein as a consumable.

[0051] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" refers to a material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol when heated. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating articles described herein can be visible or invisible and can contain vapor (e.g., particles of a substance in a gaseous state that is typically liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as droplets of gas and condensed vapor.

[0052] The term "wrap" is broadly defined as any structure or layer that protects and contains a charge of aerosol-generating material and allows for handling of the material. The wrap has an inner surface that can come into contact with the aerosol-generating material and an outer surface that faces away from the aerosol-generating material. The wrap 16 can preferably comprise a cellulose-based material, such as paper, but can also be made of a biodegradable polymer, or can be made of glass or ceramic. The wrap 16 can be a porous material and can have a smooth or rough outer surface 5, and can be a flexible or rigid material.

[0053] The aerosol-generating consumable article 1 may be manufactured to have a cross-section of any regular or irregular shape, and may, for example, have an elliptical or circular cross-section defined in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

[0054] As used herein, the term "advanced image" or "processed image" refers to an image that has been modified by simple or complex image processing techniques, and the image processing techniques can be any known image processing techniques for extracting or enhancing or correlating features of 2D and / or 3D images. There is no limitation to any particular image processing or correlation technique. The image processing techniques in the present invention can be simple contrast enhancement techniques or very advanced image processing methods such as those used in any high-security detection system (for example, for banking or fingerprint recognition). As used herein, a "template" refers to a processed reference image or reference frame used for comparison or correlation with another processed image.

[0055] As used herein, the term "ingredient" refers to the specific composition of the aerosol-generating substance, such as fibers of tobacco, but in the case of powder-based consumables, it can also be particles. The aerosol-forming substrate is made of separate substrate parts and can be arranged in a stable support. This support can be in the form of a powder, particles, small strips or sheets, or any material that presents a random 2D and / or 3D arrangement (also defined as a random arrangement) at least at the end of the consumable.

[0056] As used herein, the term "end" or "end portion" refers to the end or portion of an article of manufacture of which an image is acquired during the manufacturing process of the article or during or prior to consumption of the article.

[0057] Figure 1An exemplary embodiment of an aerosol-generating consumable article of manufacture is shown. The article 1 is preferably, but not necessarily, oriented along an imaginary longitudinal axis Z (Figures 17 to 18). Figure 22 ) extends and has a first end 12 on the mouthpiece side of the article 1 and a second end 14 opposite the first end, also defined as an end or end portion. The end 14 is preferably an end surface or a space near the end, such as is demonstrated by the small space occupied by the end component 14', as shown in FIG. Figure 1 . The end portion to be imaged by the imaging system and method of the present invention has a depth defined orthogonally to said end 14, which may be less than 1 mm or may be greater than 1 mm, for example 2 to 3 mm. The imaging system has an angular aperture Ω, which may be selected depending on the area to be imaged. In a variant, the aperture may cover the entire end 14 or only a part of the end. In an embodiment, the optical system may be configured to adapt the angular aperture Ω, possibly providing variable focus. The end portion of the consumable 1 is preferably an unclosed end, which means that the detection system 110 facing said end 14 can observe or detect the aerosol substance 10. In an embodiment, as described in further detail, the distribution of the aerosol substance 10 can be detected by optical, electrical, ultrasonic or thermal detection devices. Therefore, the end does not necessarily have to be an open end, but can be an end that is at least partially closed by any optically transparent or non-optically transparent layer, through which the detection device can detect the 2D and / or 3D distribution of the aerosol substance (e.g. fibers of a tobacco-based aerosol substance) as shown in Figures 17 to 17. Figure 22 The consumable article 1 may have a closed window that is added to or incorporated into the wrapper 16 of the article 1. This variation is not shown in the drawings.

[0058] In a first aspect, the present invention relies on a method of authenticating an aerosol-generating article 1 comprising a consumable substrate 10 formed from individual substrate portions arranged in a random arrangement.

[0059] In general terms, the method of the present invention is based on identifying individual aerosol-generating articles 1 during the manufacturing process. Identification is performed using image processing and image recognition techniques (not necessarily optical techniques). During the manufacturing process, the article 1 can also be inspected during or after its introduction into packaging, as explained herein. Before consumption of the article 1 or during a testing process of the article 1, an imaging system 110, preferably disposed within or associated with the aerosol-generating device 100, captures at least one image of an end portion of the article 1. The processed image of the article is compared with an image or processed image of the end portion of the article acquired during the manufacturing process.

[0060] More precisely, Figure 3The method of the present invention is schematically shown in FIG, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0061] - providing an imager 110 comprising image processing means and image correlation means,

[0062] - imaging the consumable product substrate in the at least one consumable product section 10 ′ of the aerosol-generating article 1 by means of the imager 110 to form a 2D and / or 3D image of the consumable product substrate in the consumable product section,

[0063] - processing the 2D and / or 3D image by the image processing device to form a digitized 2D and / or 3D image representing the random arrangement of individual matrix portions of the consumable matrix 10, the image comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of individual matrix portions at the consumable section,

[0064] - associating, by means of said image association means, said current digitized image with a reference image of said consumable matrix in said consumable segment recorded during its production, said reference image also comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of the individual matrix portions at said consumable segment,

[0065] - Determining whether the aerosol-generating article 1 is authentic based on previous correlation results and predetermined correlation criteria.

[0066] The association step typically involves creating a template to be used as a reference. This template can be a simple template or a template that includes a dense network of reference features. For example, a processed image of the end 14 of the consumable product 1 can be converted into a frame that includes a plurality of straight or curved lines 14e or areas 14a-14d. The number, thickness, and / or orientation of these lines are used as a reference during the association process. Figure 11 and Figure 12 An example of such a reference template is shown in .

[0067] The method of the present invention also preferably involves optical, capacitive, ultrasonic, thermal image detection techniques or a combination thereof.

[0068] In a variant, the image association process may be repeated at least twice, based on predetermined criteria, for example, when the comparison step yields a criterion that is judged to be insufficiently reliable. Comparison criteria are established for each type of consumable and may be very different depending on the statistical properties of the composition of the consumable matrix 10. The comparison criteria may also rely on machine learning techniques.

[0069] Random image sensor 110 is typically associated with a powerful DSP that performs picture manipulation, counting, including image operations such as seek and retrieve.

[0070] In image pre-processing, pre-operational image processing steps are preferably performed to attempt to compensate for variations in the glint and thereby distinguish between different irregularities present through the sensor image acquisition process. Typical examples of pre-processing steps are:

[0071] -Resample to ensure the image coordinate system is correct;

[0072] - Noise reduction to ensure sensor noise does not introduce false information;

[0073] - contrast enhancement to ensure that relevant information can be detected (e.g. in Figures 17-18);

[0074] -Scale space representation enhances image structure at a locally appropriate scale.

[0075] The pre-processing step preferably comprises binarizing the pre-processed image.In a variant, the tones can be compared during the correlation of the sample with the production image.

[0076] The pre-processing step may also preferably include a thinning step, which includes reducing lines or ridges. Using a "thinning algorithm" allows preserving the connectivity of, for example, the ridge structure of the matrix 10 while forming a skeletonized version of the binary image. This skeleton image can be used to extract details.

[0077] Typical features to be extracted from images are: lines, edges, ridges, and local points of interest such as corners, spots, or dots. Feature extraction techniques are well known in the art of 2D and 3D image processing and will not be described further here. Reference is made to the following publications, which are incorporated herein in their entirety:

[0078] -R. Szeliski, Computer vision: Algorithms and Applications, Springer-Verlag, 2010, ISBN 978-1848829343;

[0079] -JRParker, Algorithms for image processing and Computer Vision (2nd ed.), Wiley, 2011, ISBN 978-0470643853;

[0080] -N. Mark, A. Aguado, Feature Extraction and Image Processing for Computer Vision (4th ed.), Academic Press, 2019, ISBN 978-0128149768.

[0081] Here's one example of a wide range of possible feature extraction techniques: During the feature extraction step, subtle details can be emphasized or removed by filtering the neighborhood around each edge pixel in the image. The most common and preferred technique for this type of feature extraction is to use crossing numbers (Cn). Crossing numbers are a numbering system known in image processing that associates numbers with specific features. For example, the end of a ridge can be assigned Cn=1, a normal ridge can be assigned Cn=2, and a ridge bifurcation can be assigned Cn=3.

[0082] After pre-processing and feature extraction, a decision must be made at some point in the process as to which image points or image regions require further processing. This decision is based on well-known properties of the typical statistical distribution of the matrix components 14' of the article 1.

[0083] After the template has been generated, features of an image acquired during the production process (defined as a reference image or production image) must be matched with sample images acquired before or during consumption of the consumable 1. Matching can be performed by comparing shapes, depths, areas, or intensity effects. Matching is typically based on associating at least one of the following: details, lines or ridges or black and white areas, 3D features (e.g., pixel depth), number of bifurcations, or a combination thereof. Matching of 2D and 3D images is a well-known technique and will not be described in further detail here.

[0084] In a variant, the matching of the images can be performed by comparing only the average color or only the average intensity. For example, in certain random distributions, the fiber density near the wrapping 16 may be greater than the fiber density in the center. Image processing methods can convert this information into, for example, Figure 14 The two bands shown in FIG. 1 have different contrast, color or intensity, and the transformed image then serves as a simple template for correlating test steps.

[0085] The main overall differences between the possible detection techniques and imaging techniques of the present invention are now briefly discussed.

[0086] The optical technology is based on the use of a light source and a detector to provide a high-level image of the end 14 of the consumable product 1. The image can be a 2D and / or 3D image. The type of camera 110 used is a specific type of computerized camera that includes imaging optics 112 (such as a lens or objective, or a curved mirror) and an imaging detector connected to an imaging processing device, part of which can be integrated into the imaging detector.

[0087] The light source can be a CW or pulsed LED, a semiconductor laser, or a UV or infrared light source. By providing a light source, light can be provided to the end portion of the consumable 1, and the emitted light beam can be transmitted to the end portion using an optical waveguide. Such variations are not shown in the figures herein. It should be understood that the imaging optics 112 can include lenses, mirrors, prisms, or any other optical components configured to transmit light to and / or from the end of the consumable 1.

[0088] In an optical embodiment, light is reflected from at least a portion of the end of the aerosol generating substance. Reflected and / or diffuse light is provided by the interaction of an incident illuminating light beam with the edges, valleys and surface shapes of the components 10 of the aerosol generating substance (e.g. tobacco fibers). The component 10 may also be in the form of a powder or any substance having a random distribution of its composition. It will be appreciated that, depending on the wavelength used and the specific characteristics of the matrix 10 of the consumable 1, the incident light may penetrate the matrix 10 to a certain depth. In a variant, the consumable 1 may be separated from the imaging system 110 by a filter and / or a window. As in Figure 1 Such a possible, but not necessary, optical separation element, which is schematically illustrated by a bold line in FIG, may be arranged such that it forms a window against which the consumable 1 is pushed before it is consumed.

[0089] A capacitive detection method based on capacitive coupling may be employed, which can measure and identify any substance that is at least conductive or has dielectric properties.

[0090] Ultrasonic imaging techniques may also be used, as they allow the composition of aerosol-forming substances to be identified by sending sound waves at a specific frequency and tuning that frequency to reflect the sound waves.

[0091] Thermal imaging can also be used. This is similar to optical techniques, but detects heat effects. A heater in an aerosol-generating device can be used to generate a heat source to provide infrared images.

[0092] It should generally be understood here that any image processing technique, such as Fast Fourier Transform, may be used. Image processing techniques for detecting characteristic features in images have been extensively developed in the past (primarily in the field of advanced imaging) and are therefore not described further here.

[0093] Some typical, non-exclusive feature extraction techniques are recommended below.

[0094] The components of aerosol-generating substances are typically millimeter, sub-millimeter, or micrometer-sized elements. The random distribution of the components 14' of the substrate 10 of the aerosol-generating article 1 can be roughly classified into a few typical categories, which are mainly based on the shape and distribution of dark ridges and / or edges of areas and light lines and / or valleys of areas:

[0095] -Arc distribution( Figure 4 ), that is, the distribution in the form of an arc;

[0096] -Bow distribution ( Figure 5 ), i.e. a distribution with a peak located in the arc;

[0097] -ring or bicyclic distribution ( Figure 6 and Figure 8 ), i.e., distribution including rings or partial rings;

[0098] - cystic ring distribution ( Figure 9 ), i.e., a ring distribution with a central area or shape;

[0099] - vortex distribution ( Figure 7 ): a distribution that presents an angular shape arranged around a center;

[0100] - or a combination of the above distributions or chaotic distributions ( Figure 10 ).

[0101] Typical feature extraction techniques include, but are not limited to, minutiae extraction, ridge and valley detection, and orientation extraction. These techniques are briefly described below.

[0102] Detail extraction: This technique relies on a specific image extraction strategy and is based on the detection of small distributed features. Such techniques may require an imaging system that can detect micron-sized structures, typically between 10 μm and 100 μm. Details can be, for example, the ends of edges or ridges of tobacco fibers, or small dots or surface details. For example, ridge curvature, or width, as well as edge breaks and edge bifurcations can be detected. Because these features may contain false details, they can be removed from the image during the preprocessing step. Techniques for detecting details are used in different image recognition fields, primarily in the security field and robotic imaging, and are described in, for example, the following publications, which are incorporated herein in their entirety:

[0103] B. Nagpal et al., Analysis of fingerprint recognition methods in biometricsecurity system, IJEAT [International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology], ISSN 2249-8959, Vol. I; No. 1, October 2015, pp. 83-86.

[0104] In a variation, a simple contrast enhancement technique can be used to remove the gray areas and provide the image shown in FIG. Figure 20 、 Figure 22 The black and white images with very sharp contrast are shown in Figure 17, Figure 19 、 Figure 21 The image after contrast enhancement.

[0105] Edge detection: The main property of edges in the distribution of aerosol generating substance elements is that the dark level present at the edges provides a simple and very reliable first information of the random distribution and can be used as such, ie without the complexity of further image processing.

[0106] Orientation detection: The relative orientation of a feature can be detected, for example, detecting an edge or point relative to a ring of a specific shape.

[0107] In an embodiment, the imager 110 is disposed in a cavity 200 of the authentication device 100. The cavity 200 is defined by a cavity opening 202 and a cavity end 204 opposite the opening 202. The aerosol-generating article 1 is introduced into the cavity 200 such that the consumable section is positioned adjacent the imager 110.

[0108] In an embodiment, the authentication device is an aerosol-generating device 100 , and the cavity 200 is a heating cavity of the aerosol-generating device 100 .

[0109] In an embodiment, the aerosol-generating article 1 has an elongated shape with a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14, the consumable section 10' includes the distal end 14, and wherein the 2D and / or 3D image of the consumable substrate is an image of the distal end 14 of the consumable section of the article. It should be understood that the focal plane of the imaging system can coincide with the distal end 14 but can also be located near the distal end, for example, depending on the wavelength used. In an embodiment, the imaging system can provide two 2D or 3D images of the aerosol-generating article 1 and at least two different cross-sections near the distal end 14, for example by using two different wavelengths.

[0110] In an embodiment, the consumable section 10 ′ has at least one bonded seam presenting a seam end portion at said distal end 14 , and the method comprises the further steps of:

[0111] - detecting the angular position θ of the seam end portion in the XY plane,

[0112] - using the detected angular position θ of the seam end portion to provide an angularly corrected image of the distal end 14 of the consumable article 1 .

[0113] In an embodiment, the consumable substrate 10 comprises tobacco, particularly shredded tobacco filler and / or reconstituted tobacco.

[0114] In an embodiment, the consumable matrix 10 includes an insert 1 ( Figure 13 ), and the method comprises inserting the insert 1 ( Figure 13 ) and 2D (XY) orientation.

[0115] In an embodiment, the insert 1 is a conductive thread arranged in or on the at least one layer of the consumable 1 .

[0116] In an embodiment, the characteristic optical information comprises UV and / or visible light and / or infrared transmission and / or reflection characteristics.

[0117] In an embodiment, the characteristic optical information comprises an intensity distribution.

[0118] In an embodiment, the characteristic optical information comprises polarization characteristics.

[0119] In an embodiment, said optical information of the reference image and said optical information of the digitized image of the sample are detected in at least two different wavelength bands.

[0120] Figure 24 A block diagram illustrating possible image processing and correlation steps in the context of a dual-wavelength band detection system and method. By using different wavelengths, correlation detection can be significantly improved. In a variant, optical imaging techniques can be combined with other techniques for imaging or detecting the end portion of a consumable product 1.

[0121] In an embodiment, the image processing imager 110 may include a processing algorithm that can correct for deformation of the consumable product 1. As shown in FIG. Figure 19 and Figure 21 As shown in the typical example in FIG, it can be seen that, at least in the case of a tobacco matrix, the statistical arrangement of the fibers 14' remains the same. Figure 19The sample of Figure 17 is shown deformed by applying a lateral force F. By applying another force orthogonal to the deforming force, the sample 1 returns to its original form, as shown in FIG. Figure 21 As shown in FIG. Since the fibers 14' are flexible, the statistical arrangement of these fibers remains substantially the same. This also means that by using image processing techniques, the shape of the deformed sample can be corrected by using an algorithm ( Figure 19 ) to provide a reconstructed image equivalent to the undeformed sample.

[0122] In addition, image processing techniques allow correction of the angular orientation of the consumable. Depending on the desired probability of association and the speed of the association test, the imager 110 can provide 10, 100, 1000 or 10,000 angular association tests, which allows the provision of a system that does not require any angular orientation of the consumable 1 in the device 100. In order to significantly increase the speed of the association process, an angular reference, such as the boundary of a seam or the orientation of an insert within the consumable, can be used. As an example, Figure 13 A T-shaped insert is shown in FIG.

[0123] In an advantageous embodiment, the steps of acquiring an image, processing the image and implementing a reference template described can be performed during an online processing of the consumable 1 or in a manner such as Figure 25 and Figure 26 The packaging process is performed by the packaging imaging system during the packaging process further described and illustrated in FIG.

[0124] A second aspect of the present invention provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device 100 comprising a 2D and / or 3D imager 110 and an aerosol generating article 1 comprising a consumable product 1 having a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14 .

[0125] The imager 110 comprises image processing means and image correlation means for imaging and analyzing the distal end 14 of the consumable 1. The components 14' of the consumable matrix 10 have a random arrangement such that the random arrangement is readable by the imager 110 when the distal end 14 is illuminated.

[0126] In an embodiment, the imager 110 includes UV and / or visible light and / or infrared and / or polarization detection devices.

[0127] In an embodiment, the imager 110 is a capacitive or ultrasonic or thermal imager.In a variant, the imager 110 may be configured to perform at least two of the detection techniques mentioned.

[0128] In an embodiment, the imager 110 is a multi-spectral optical imager. In a variant, the imager 110 may include a variable focus system, thereby allowing images at different planes near the distal end 14 to be acquired.

[0129] It should generally be understood that detection methods and detection systems can be configured to detect features that are not visible to the human eye. It should also be understood that a variety of particles or substances can be incorporated into the aerosol-generating substance to make the identification process more reliable. For example, light-diffusing particles can be incorporated into at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substance 10. Such added particles or substances do not necessarily need to be uniformly distributed within the consumable 1 and can be concentrated at the distal end 14 of the consumable 1.

[0130] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a new package 1000 which not only has an interesting and attractive design aspect but also allows for the detection of random arrangements of individual substrate portions 14' of the consumable portion of the aerosol-generating article (1).

[0131] exist Figure 23a The package 1000 for packaging a consumable product 1 schematically shown in FIG. 1 comprises at least one transparent packaging bottom layer 1400 for aligning the distal end 14 of the aerosol-generating article 1. Preferably, the article 1 is placed in contact with the bottom layer 1400. Figure 23b As shown, the transparent bottom layer 1400 allows imaging of at least one of the distal ends 1 by the imaging system 2000 .

[0132] The package 1000 typically comprises two parts 1002, 1004 for opening the package 1000 and introducing the article 1. Different variations of the transparent bottom layer 1400 can be envisaged. The bottom layer 1400 can be part of a folding layer 1200 which can be folded to the inside or outside of the package.

[0133] The packaging 1000 can be particularly useful for tracing the origin of the articles 1. In fact, the articles 1 can be identified during their production process, but they can also be identified before or after closing the packaging. Figure 23b The imaging system 2000 shown in the example implementation of FIG can image all ends 14 of an article in a single image. In a variation, the camera can simultaneously image different bottom layers of different packages (e.g., five packages 1000) to increase the speed of detection and identification. The imaging system 2000 can also be configured to provide a magnified image of each distal end 14 of the article.

[0134] The present invention also relates to a production machine 3100 for producing an aerosol-generating article 1. Such a production machine 3100 typically comprises a dispensing system 3000 comprising a plurality of channels (AE) guiding the manufactured articles 1 towards an end 3002, defined as an outlet side, which faces a packaging unit 3020, which is typically a transversely moving system. Figure 25 , the movement is shown by the symbol V. The present invention also relates to such machines, which further comprise at least one online imaging system 2100 for imaging and identifying the ends 14 of the product 1. More precisely, such an imaging system 2100 is configured to acquire 2D and / or 3D images to form a digitized 2D and / or 3D image of a random arrangement of individual matrix portions representing the consumable matrix 10 as described herein. As described herein, in use of the aerosol-generating article, the digitized image of the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 1 is compared with a reference image of the consumable matrix 10 in the consumable section recorded by the production machine 3100 during the production of the aerosol-generating article. In an embodiment, each channel (AE) can be associated with an online imaging system 2100. In a variant, the imaging system 2100 can be configured to acquire images of all ends 14 located at the outlet side 3002 simultaneously and / or in a single frame.

[0135] The present invention also relates to an embodiment of a machine 3100 for producing aerosol-generating articles 1, comprising a packaging imaging system 2000 arranged at the level of a packaging unit 3020, such as Figure 25 and Figure 26 The flow FL and introduction of the articles 1 from the channels AE to the package 1000 are not shown in detail in the figures. The package imaging system 2000 is also arranged to detect 2D and / or 3D images to form digitized 2D and / or 3D images representing random arrangements of individual substrate portions of the consumable substrate 10 as described herein.

[0136] In an embodiment, the online imaging system 2100 and / or the package imaging system 2000 may be configured to image more than one end 14 of the article 1. In a variation, the package imaging system 2000 may be configured to acquire images of a complete set of ends 14 of the article 1, such as Figure 26 Preferably, the image of the end 14 obtained by the packaging machine 3100 is obtained before the packaging of the product is completed, such as Figure 26 In a variant, the finished package may have a transparent bottom ( Figure 23a ), and as Figure 23b As shown in FIG, the image can be obtained through the transparent bottom.

[0137] In a variation, an imaging packaging system attached to a packaging unit of a consumable product manufacturing machine can be configured to image individual articles and information present on a portion of the exterior or interior of the packaging. The information can be a marking or any logo or symbol that can be disposed adjacent to a transparent layer. The packaging can be of any type and can have any external shape or be made of any material.

[0138] It should be understood that different numbers and / or types of imaging systems 2000, 2100 may be arranged according to different configurations of the production machine 3000. For example, at least a portion of the imaging systems 2000, 2100 may be integrated into the lanes AE and / or onto the packaging unit 3020.

Claims

1. A method for authenticating an aerosol-generating article (1), said aerosol-generating article (1) comprising a consumable substrate (10) formed of individual substrate portions (14') arranged in a random arrangement in at least one consumable section of said aerosol-generating article (1), in, The method comprises the following steps: - providing an imager (110) comprising an image processing device and an image correlation device, - imaging the consumable product substrate (10) in the at least one consumable product section (10') of the aerosol-generating article by means of the imager (110) to form a 2D and / or 3D image of the consumable product substrate in the consumable product section, - processing the 2D and / or 3D image by the image processing device to form a digitized 2D and / or 3D image representing a random arrangement of individual matrix portions of the consumable matrix (10), the image comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of these individual matrix portions at the consumable section (10'), - correlating the current digitized image with a reference image of the consumable matrix in the consumable section (10') recorded during the production of the consumable matrix (10), by means of the image correlation device, the reference image also comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of the individual matrix parts at the consumable section (10'), - determining whether the aerosol-generating article (1) is authentic based on previous correlation results and predetermined correlation criteria.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The imager (110) is disposed in a cavity (200) of the authentication device (100), the cavity (200) being defined by a cavity opening (202) and a cavity end (204) opposite the opening (202), and wherein the aerosol-generating article (1) is introduced into the cavity such that the consumable product section (10') is positioned adjacent the imager (110).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The authentication device is an aerosol generating device, and the cavity (200) is a heating cavity of the aerosol generating device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The aerosol-generating article (1) has an elongated shape with a proximal end (12) and a distal end (14), the consumable section (10') comprising the distal end, and wherein the 2D and / or 3D image of the consumable substrate (10) is an image of the distal end (14) of the consumable section of the aerosol-generating article (1).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The consumable section of the aerosol-generating article (1) has a bonded seam presenting a seam end portion at the distal end (14), the method comprising the further steps of: - detecting the angular position (Ɵ) of the seam end portion, - using the detected angular position (Ɵ) of the seam end portion to provide an angularly corrected image of the distal end (14) of the aerosol-generating article (1).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, wherein: The consumable substrate (10) includes tobacco.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The tobacco is cut tobacco filler and / or reconstituted tobacco.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein The consumable substrate (10) comprises an insert (I), the method comprising the step of identifying the presence and 2D XY orientation of the insert (I) at the distal end (14).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The insert is a conductive thread arranged in or on at least one layer of the aerosol-generating article (1).

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The characteristic optical information includes UV and / or visible light and / or infrared transmission and / or reflection characteristics.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The characteristic optical information includes intensity and / or optical contrast and / or polarization distribution.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The optical information of the reference image and the characteristic optical information of the current digitized image are detected in at least two different wavelength bands.

13. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device comprising a 2D and / or 3D imager (110) and an aerosol generating article (1), the aerosol generating article comprising a consumable substrate (10) formed of individual substrate portions (14') arranged in a random arrangement in at least one consumable section of the aerosol generating article (1), the aerosol generating article (1) having a proximal end (12) and a distal end (14), in, The imager (110) includes an image processing device and an image correlation device, and is configured to: - forming a 2D and / or 3D image of a random arrangement of individual matrix portions (14') in the consumable matrix at the distal end (14) of the consumable matrix (10) by means of the imager (110), - processing the 2D and / or 3D image to form a digitized 2D and / or 3D image representing a random arrangement of individual matrix portions (14') of the consumable matrix (10), the image comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of these individual matrix portions (14') at the consumable section (10'), - associating the current digitized image with a reference image of the consumable matrix in the consumable section (10') recorded during the production of the consumable matrix (10), the reference image also comprising characteristic optical information of the random arrangement of the individual matrix portions (14') at the consumable section (10'), - - Determining whether the aerosol-generating article (1) is authentic based on previous correlation results and predetermined correlation criteria.

14. An aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein The imager (110) includes UV and / or visible light and / or infrared and / or polarization detection and / or microwave and / or capacitance and / or thermal detection devices.

15. The aerosol generating system according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a consumable package (1000), which is configured to include a plurality of said aerosol generating articles (1), the consumable package comprising a transparent package bottom layer (1400), which is used to align the distal ends (14) of said aerosol generating articles (1), said aerosol generating articles being in contact with said transparent package bottom layer (1400), said transparent package bottom layer (1400) allowing said distal ends (14) to be imaged by an imaging system (2000).

16. A machine (3100) for producing an aerosol-generating product (1), the machine comprising a dispensing system (3000) for guiding the manufactured aerosol-generating product (1) and a packaging unit (3020) for packaging the aerosol-generating product (1), the machine (3100) comprising at least one online imaging system (2100), the at least one online imaging system being configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the at least one online imaging system (2100) being arranged to the dispensing system (3000) and / or the packaging unit (3020).

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