Aerosol-generating device with identification pattern article detection

Abstract

The invention relates to an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device further comprises an article detector. The article detector is configured to detect a reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article. The article detector is configured to detect an identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a reference pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article and further comprising an identification pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The invention further relates to a method for identifying an aerosol-generating article in an aerosol-generating device.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH IDENTIFICATION PATTERN ARTICLE DETECTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article, an aerosol-generating system and a method for identifying an aerosol-generating article.

[0003] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be arranged in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device. Aerosol-generating devices are typically designed to operate best when used with an original and specifically designed aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, manufacturers of aerosol-generating articles may offer a product line of an aerosol-generating article in a variety of types with different characteristics, such as flavor or nicotine content.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of identifying an aerosol-generating article. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of detecting an authorized aerosol-generating article. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device capable of detecting an aerosol-generating article with enhanced reliability. It would be desirable to provide an aerosol-generating device with improved detection capabilities. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device providing an optimized user experience. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating article enabling improved identification by an aerosol-generating device.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided an aerosolgenerating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an article detector. The article detector may be configured to detect a reference pattern of the aerosolgenerating article. The article detector may be configured to detect an identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosolforming substrate. The aerosol-generating device further comprises an article detector. The article detector is configured to detect a reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article. The article detector is configured to detect an identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

[0007] Detecting the reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article may enable to generate reference data. The reference data may be indicative, inter alia, of an insertion speed of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0008] Detecting the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article may enable to generate identification data. The identification data may be indicative, inter alia, of a type of the aerosol-generating article.

[0009] The insertion speed may be used to improve the quality of the identification data. In more detail, detecting the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article while the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device with an unknown speed may lead to ambiguous identification data. However, knowing the insertion speed of the aerosol-generating article during insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may enable detection of unambiguous identification data.

[0010] It will be appreciated that identifying the aerosol-generating article for use with the aerosol-generating device may be useful for a variety of different purposes, and the invention is not limited to any one particular purpose for identifying the aerosol-generating article. For instance, identifying the aerosol-generating article may allow one of a plurality of predetermined heating profiles to be applied that is associated with the identified aerosolgenerating article; identifying the aerosol-generating article may allow a user interface of the aerosol-generating device to operate differently in response to identifying the aerosolgenerating article, e.g. by displaying a flavour of the aerosol-generating article; and / or identifying the aerosol-generating article may allow a record of consumption of each type of aerosol-generating article used with the aerosol-generating device to be stored at the aerosol-generating device to assist the user in monitoring their usage habits.

[0011] The article detector may be arranged at a sidewall of the cavity. The article detector may be arranged directly abutting an interior of the cavity.

[0012] The article detector may be arranged in a recess in the sidewall of the cavity.

[0013] The article detector may comprise an optical emitter. The optical emitter may comprise a laser. The optical emitter may be configured as a laser. The optical emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in one or more of: the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum and the ultraviolet spectrum.

[0014] The article detector may comprise an optical detector. The optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter. The optical detector may be arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter. The optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in one or more of: the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum and the ultraviolet spectrum.

[0015] The optical emitter may be arranged adjacent the optical detector. Both the optical emitter and the optical detector may be arranged at the sidewall of the cavity. Both the optical emitter and the optical detector may be arranged in the recess in the sidewall of the cavity. The optical emitter may be arranged is a first recess in the sidewall of the cavity. The optical detector may be arranged is a second recess in the sidewall of the cavity. The first recess may be arranged adjacent the second recess. The first recess may be laterally distanced from the second recess. Alternatively or additionally, The first recess may be axially distanced from the second recess.

[0016] A blocking wall may be arranged between the optical emitter and the optical detector preventing electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter to directly be received by the optical detector. The blocking wall may be arranged between first recess and the second recess. One or both of first recess and the second recess may be recessed with respect to the blocking wall.

[0017] The blocking wall may comprise an opaque shielding material. The blocking wall may consist of an opaque shielding material.

[0018] The blocking wall may comprise a radial inner wall. The radial inner wall may be recessed with respect to a sidewall of the cavity. The radial inner wall may be recessed by below 1 millimeter with respect to the sidewall of the cavity. The radial inner wall may be arranged between the first recess and the second recess.

[0019] The article detector may comprise a first article detector and a second article detector. The first article detector may be configured to detect the reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article. The second article detector may be configured to detect the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article. The first article detector may comprise a first optical emitter. The first article detector may comprise a first optical detector. The second article detector may comprise a second optical emitter. The second article detector may comprise a second optical detector. All of the disclosure herein concerning the optical emitter may apply to one or both of the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter. All of the disclosure herein concerning the optical detector may apply to one or both of the first optical detector and the second optical detector.

[0020] One of the first optical emitter and second optical emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum. One of the first optical emitter and second optical emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably, one of the first optical emitter and second optical emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum, and the other one of the first optical emitter and second optical emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum.

[0021] One of the first optical detector and the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum. One of the first optical detector and the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably, one of the first optical detector and the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum, and the other one of the first optical detector and second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably, the first optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum corresponding to a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first optical emitter. Preferably, the second optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum corresponding to a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second optical emitter.

[0022] Providing a first (or second) article detector configured to emit and detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and a second (or first) article detector to emit and detect electromagnetic radiation in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum may prevent interferences during detection of an aerosol-generating article. Thus, such a configuration may allow to detect a reference pattern and an identification pattern simultaneously without compromising the reliability of the detection.

[0023] The recess may comprise a first recess and a second recess. The first article detector may be arranged in the first recess. The second article detector may be arranged in the second recess. The first recess may be arranged at a first position of the sidewall of the cavity. The second recess may be arranged at a second position of the sidewall of the cavity. The first position of the sidewall of the cavity may be different than the second position of the sidewall of the cavity. The first position of the sidewall of the cavity may be on an opposite side of the sidewall with respect to the second position of the sidewall of the cavity. In other words, the first position may be opposite the second position. The first article detector and the second article detector may be arranged to be adjacent the reference pattern and the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article, respectively, when the aerosolgenerating article is received in the cavity.

[0024] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. The susceptor may be configured to heat the aerosolgenerating article. The induction coil may be arranged at least partly around, preferably fully around, the cavity. The susceptor may be arranged at least partly around, preferably fully around, the cavity. The susceptor may be provided as part of the aerosol-generating article. The induction coil may be arranged at least partly around, preferably fully around, the cavity at a position close, preferably opposite, to the susceptor of the inserted aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may be arranged on one or both of a central part or a distal part of the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may be arranged within the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may be arranged within one or both of a central part and a distal part of the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may be configured as a metal strip along the longitudinal central axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0025] The first article detector and the second article detector may be arranged at a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device may be an opening of the cavity configured for insertion of the aerosol-generating article. The opening end of the cavity may be arranged proximal the heating element. The opening end of the cavity may be arranged proximal the susceptor.

[0026] The first article detector and the second article detector may be arranged near the opening of the cavity. Preferably, the first article detector and the second article detector may be arranged at the opening of the cavity. The first article detector and the second article detector may be arranged adjacent the opening of the cavity. Providing the first detector and the second detector at the opening of the cavity may increase an axial distance between the susceptor and the first and second detectors. In cases, where the first and second detector may be temperature-sensitive heat generated by the susceptor may interfere with the first and second detector during detection of the aerosol-generating article. Thus, increasing the axial distance between the susceptor and the first and second detectors may reduce or even prevent interferences by heat generated by the susceptor. In other words, providing the first detector and the second detector at the opening of the cavity may improve the reliability during detection of the aerosol-generating article.

[0027] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to detect a type of the aerosol-generating article based on an article detector output. The article detector output may comprise one or both of the reference data and the identification data.

[0028] The controller may be configured to analyze one or both of the reference data and the identification data provided by the article detector. One or both of the reference data and the identification data may be indicative of the type of the inserted aerosol-generating article.

[0029] The controller may comprise a memory. The memory may comprise pre-stored article data. The article data may comprise reference article detector output data. Each of such article detector output data may correspond to a specified type of the inserted aerosolgenerating article.

[0030] The controller may be configured to compare the article detector output with the prestored reference article detector output data. The controller may be configured to correlate the article detector output with the pre-stored reference article detector output data. The controller may be configured to detect and identify the type of the inserted aerosol-generating article by correlating the article detector output with the pre-stored reference article detector output data. In this way the controller may be configured to identify the aerosol-generating article inserted into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0031] The controller may be configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an article detector output.

[0032] The invention may allow the provision of an optimized user experience by adapting aerosol generation to the type of article inserted in the device. By comparing the article detector output with pre-stored reference article detector output data, the aerosol-generating device may identify the article type inserted in the device. In response, the device may adapt and thereby optimize aerosol generation. For example, a pre-stored type specific heating profile may be employed. The type specific heating profile may correspond to one or both of a type specific configuration of aerosol-forming substrate within the article and an article type.

[0033] The controller may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The controller may be configured to regulate a supply of power to a heating element of the aerosol-generating device. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The controller may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0034] The controller may be configured to regulate power supply to the heating element based on the identification of a type of aerosol-generating article. Upon identification of a type of aerosol-generating article, the controller may allow power to be supplied to the heating element. Upon identification of a type of aerosol-generating article, the controller may allow the provision of a user experience. Upon identification of a type of aerosol-generating article, the controller may adjust the power supply in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may be configured to provide power to the heating element according to a predefined heating profile for the respective identified article.

[0035] The controller may adjust the magnitude of power supply in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust the time period of power supply in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust the temperature of the heating element in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust one or more of the amplitude and the frequency of a current supplied to the heating element in dependence on the article type identified. The controller may adjust the signal powering the heating element in dependence on the article type identified.

[0036] The memory of the controller may comprise a database of pre-stored heating profiles for each known type of aerosol-generating article. The controller may be configured to provide power according to the heating profile of the identified type of aerosol-generating article. Power supply may be tailored to the configuration of a specific article type. Aerosolgeneration and the user experience may be optimized.

[0037] The aerosol-generating device may be configured to be used with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0038] The first article detector may be configured to read the reference pattern at the same time as when the second article detector is configured to read the identification pattern. The controller may be configured to process signals output from the first article detector and the second article detector at substantially the same time. The controller may be configured to perform a first processing step in which the signals output from the first article detector and the second article detector are combined, e.g., multiplied, summed, or subtracted with respect to one another, to form a combined signal. The controller may be configured to perform a second processing step in which the combined signal is analysed to determine the article type.

[0039] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating device and is delivered to a user. In use, a user draws on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, a user may directly draw on an aerosol-generating article inserted into an opening at the proximal end of the aerosolgenerating device. The opening at the proximal end may be an opening of the cavity. The aerosol-generating device comprises a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0040] As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosolgenerating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element.

[0041] As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term ‘smoking’ with reference to a device, article, system, substrate, or otherwise does not refer to conventional smoking in which an aerosol-forming substrate is fully or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosolforming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0042] The aerosol-generating device may have a length of between 86 millimeters to 130 millimeters.

[0043] The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

[0044] The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0045] An airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece. The cavity may have a length of between 28 millimeters and 67 millimeters. The cavity may have a diameter of between 8 millimeters and 12 millimeters.

[0046] In any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron- containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

[0047] As described, in any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may be part of an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise an internal heating element or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. An internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosolforming substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a Ni-Cr (Nickel-Chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as a glass. Heaters formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the heating elements during operation.

[0048] An external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils can be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the substrate receiving cavity. Alternatively, an external heating element may take the form of a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID), ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique, such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitable shaped substrate. An external heating element may also be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. An external heating element formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation.

[0049] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as the induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise the induction coil and the susceptor. In general, a susceptor is a material that is capable of generating heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When located in an alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor is magnetic, then typically another effect that contributes to the heating is commonly referred to hysteresis losses. Hysteresis losses occur mainly due to the movement of the magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor, because the magnetic orientation of these will align with the magnetic induction field, which alternates. Another effect contributing to the hysteresis loss is when the magnetic domains will grow or shrink within the susceptor. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor. Hence, if the susceptor is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be electrically conductive or magnetic or both electrically conductive and magnetic. An alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heat the susceptor, which then transfers the heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, such that an aerosol is formed. The heat transfer may be mainly by conduction of heat. Such a transfer of heat is best, if the susceptor is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0050] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium-lron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more usage experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element. The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising a reference pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article and further comprising an identification pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article.

[0051] The reference pattern may be configured as a uniform optical pattern. The reference pattern may comprise equidistant stripes. The reference pattern may consist of equidistant stripes. The stipes may have a lateral extension. The stripes may conform to a cylindrical shape of the aerosol-generating article. The stripes may be black. The stripes may be coloured. The stripes may separated from each other by white areas or stripes. The uniform optical pattern may comprise at least 3 stripes, preferably at least 4 stripes, more preferably at least 5 stripes, more preferably at least 6 stripes, more preferably at least 7 stripes, most preferably at least 8 stripes. The uniform optical pattern may comprise a plurality of stripes. The stripes may be shaped as stripes in a barcode. The stripes of the uniform optical pattern may all have one ore more of the same length, width, thickness, and colour. All stripes of the uniform optical pattern may be identical.

[0052] The identification pattern may be configured as a nonuniform optical pattern. The identification pattern may comprise stripes. The identification pattern may consist of stripes. The stripes of the identification pattern may be nonuniformly arranged in the identification pattern. The stripes of the identification pattern may be arranged similar or identical to a barcode. The stripes of the identification pattern may form a barcode. One or more of the stripes of the identification pattern may be different from each other in one or more of length, width, thickness, distance to the neighbouring stripes and colour.

[0053] One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may be arranged on a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may be arranged on the periphery of the aerosol-generating article so as to directly abutting an ambient environment surrounding the aerosol-generating article. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may be visibly arranged on the periphery of the aerosol-generating article.

[0054] The reference pattern may be arranged on a first peripheral portion of the aerosolgenerating article and the identification pattern may be arranged on a second peripheral portion of the aerosol-generating article. The first peripheral portion may be opposite the second peripheral portion.

[0055] The reference pattern may be at least partly arranged distal or upstream of the identification pattern. The insertion speed may then detected by the article detector detecting the reference pattern. This information may subsequently be used to detect the identification pattern with improved accuracy. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may comprise a nonvisible ink. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may consist of a nonvisible ink.

[0056] The nonvisible ink may be configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation in either of: the infrared spectrum, and the ultra-violet spectrum. The nonvisible ink may be configured to reemit electromagnetic radiation in either of: the infrared spectrum, and the ultra-violet spectrum. The nonvisible ink may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in either of: the infrared spectrum, and the ultra-violet spectrum. The nonvisible ink may be one or more of: an infra-red ink, a phosphorescent ink, a fluorescent ink and an ultraviolet ink.

[0057] Preferably the nonvisible ink may be permanently nonvisible. In other words, the nonvisible ink may constantly be nonvisible, i.e. does not turn visible. Configuring the nonvisible ink to remain nonvisible may ensure that an identification pattern and / or a reference pattern remain reliably detectable throughout the use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0058] One of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may comprise a visible ink. One of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may consist of visible ink. The visible ink may be configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. The visible ink may be configured to reemit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. The visible ink may be configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Preferably the visible ink may be permanently visible. In other words, the visible ink may constantly be visible, i.e. does not turn nonvisible. Configuring the visible ink to remain visible may ensure that an identification pattern and / or a reference pattern remain reliably detectable throughout the use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0059] One of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may comprise nonvisible ink. One of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may consist of nonvisible ink. Preferably, one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may comprise a visible ink and the other one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may comprise a nonvisible ink. Preferably, one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may consist of visible ink and the other one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may consist of nonvisible ink. Since the nonvisible ink and visible ink may comprise different electromagnetic absorption and reemission properties, such a configuration may allow detection in different wavelengths or even different electromagnetic spectra. Detecting an identification pattern and a reference pattern in different wavelengths or spectra may further allow to prevent interferences during detection of an aerosol-generating article. In other words, providing an aerosol-generating article with a reference pattern (or an identification pattern) comprising a visible ink and an identification pattern (or a reference pattern) comprising a nonvisible ink may provide reliable detection of the aerosol-generating article. The reference pattern may overlap with the identification pattern. The reference pattern may overlap either partially or completely with the identification pattern. The reference pattern may overlap with the identification in one or both of: a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. Providing a reference pattern and an identification pattern in an overlapping arrangement may allow simultaneous detection of both patterns. In other words, such a configuration may allow a faster detection of an aerosol-generating article.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the reference pattern and the identification pattern may overlap wherein one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises a visible ink and the other one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises a nonvisible ink. Such a configuration may provide a synergistic effect such that the reference pattern and the identification pattern may be detected simultaneously without compromising the reliability of the detection. Moreover, providing the reference pattern and the identification pattern in an overlapping arrangement wherein one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises a visible ink and the other one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises a nonvisible ink may allow to reduce or prevent counterfeits. Since the nonvisible ink is not visible to the human eye, it may be more difficult for counterfeit manufacturers to replicate the overlapping arrangement of the visible and nonvisible patterns on an aerosol-generating article. Counterfeits may often comprise cheap substances, which impair a user experience. Some counterfeits may even comprise harmful substances. Thus, reducing or preventing counterfeits may ensure the user’s safety and improve user experiences.

[0061] As used herein, ‘nonvisible ink’ relates to an ink, which is not visible for the human eye. Moreover, nonvisible ink relates to inks, which are configured to absorb and reemit light in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum. Nonvisible inks may also involve inks configured to be excited by light and configured to emit at least one wavelength of light, shifted from the wavelength of the excitation light. In other words, nonvisible inks may involve photoluminescent inks, such as phosphorescent ink or fluorescent ink. In this regard, photoluminescent inks may involve inks that absorb and reemit light in the visible or ultraviolet spectrum.

[0062] As used herein, ‘visible ink’ relates to an ink, which is visible for the human eye. Moreover, visible ink relates to inks, which are configured to absorb and reemit light in the visible spectrum.

[0063] As used herein 'ultraviolet spectrum’ relates to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 50 nanometres to less than 380 nanometres. The ultraviolet spectrum may relate to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 50 nanometres to 380 nanometres. As used herein ‘visible spectrum’ relates to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of more than 380 nanometres to less than 780 nanometres. The visible spectrum may relate to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 380 nanometres to less than 780 nanometres. The visible spectrum may relate to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of more than 380 nanometres to 780 nanometres.

[0064] As used herein ‘infrared spectrum’ relates to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of more than 780 nanometres to 1 millimetre. The infrared spectrum may relate to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range of 780 nanometres to 1 millimetre.

[0065] One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may extend around the full periphery of the aerosol-generating article. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may only partly extend around the full periphery of the aerosolgenerating article.

[0066] One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may extend laterally parallel to each other. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may be arranged laterally distanced from each other. One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may extend along or parallel a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

[0067] As used herein ‘laterally parallel to each other’ in the context of reference patterns and identification patterns refers to an arrangement, wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern extend in a longitudinal direction while being parallel to each other in a lateral or tangential direction.

[0068] One or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern may comprise one or more of: a barcode, a one-dimensional pattern, a two-dimensional pattern, a QR code and a checkerboard pattern.

[0069] The reference pattern and the identification pattern may be offset from one another with respect to the tangential and / or lateral direction of the aerosol-generating article. The reference pattern and the identification pattern may together form an identification marker. The reference pattern and the identification pattern may each respectively form a portion of the identification marker. The reference pattern and the identification pattern may not be offset from one another with respect to the tangential and / or lateral direction of the aerosolgenerating article. The reference pattern and the identification pattern may be aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis. The reference pattern and the identification pattern may be continuous with one another. There may be a gap in the longitudinal and / or the lateral direction between the reference pattern and the identification pattern. As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosolgenerating article may be disposable.

[0070] The aerosol-generating article may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosolgenerating article may be substantially elongate. The aerosol-generating article may have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-generating article may be substantially rod shaped. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially cylindrical in shape. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially elongate. The aerosol-forming substrate may also have a length and a circumference substantially perpendicular to the length. The aerosol-forming substrate may be substantially rod shaped.

[0071] The aerosol-generating article may have a total length between 55 millimeters and 110 millimeters, preferably of between 60 millimeters and 90 millimeters. The aerosolgenerating article may have an external diameter between 4.5 millimeters and 17 millimeters, preferably between 6 millimeters and 9 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a filter plug. The filter plug may be located at a downstream end of the aerosolgenerating article. The filter plug may be a cellulose acetate filter plug. The filter plug is approximately 7 millimeters in length in one embodiment, but may have a length of between approximately 5 millimeters to approximately 10 millimeters.

[0072] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a separation between the aerosolforming substrate and the filter plug. The separation may be approximately 18 millimeters, but may be in the range of 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters.

[0073] As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0074] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0075] The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises homogenised tobacco material, an aerosol-former and water. Providing homogenised tobacco material may improve aerosol generation, the nicotine content and the flavour profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenised tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaf, which more effectively enables the release of nicotine and flavours upon heating.

[0076] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosolgenerating device as described herein and an aerosol-generating article as described herein.

[0077] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating device for use with a plurality of different aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating device comprises an article classifier configured to determine that an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device is a first article type from the plurality of different aerosol-generating articles.

[0078] The invention further relates to a method for identifying an aerosol-generating article in an aerosol-generating device as described herein. The method may comprise the following steps: detecting, by the article detector, the reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article, and detecting, via the article detector, the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

[0079] The invention further relates to a method for identifying an aerosol-generating article, for instance in an aerosol-generating device as described herein, wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting, by the article detector, the reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article, and detecting, via the article detector, the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

[0080] The method may comprise the step of identifying, by the controller, the aerosolgenerating article based on an article detector output.

[0081] The method may comprise the step of controlling the operation of the aerosolgenerating device based on an article detector output.

[0082] The step of controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device may include preventing operation of the aerosol-generating device if an unauthorized aerosol-generating article is detected.

[0083] The step of controlling the operation of the aerosol-generating device may include choosing a heating profile of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an output of the hardness detector.

[0084] Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0085] Example ex1. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; and an article detector, wherein the article detector is configured to detect an identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article, preferably wherein the identification pattern is a barcode, more preferably wherein the article detector is configured to detect a reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

[0086] Example ex2. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex1 , wherein the article detector is arranged at a sidewall of the cavity.

[0087] Example ex3. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex2, wherein the article detector is arranged in a recess in the sidewall of the cavity.

[0088] Example ex4. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the article detector comprises an optical emitter and an optical detector, preferably wherein a blocking wall is arranged between the optical emitter and the optical detector preventing electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter to directly be received by the optical detector.

[0089] Example ex5. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex4, wherein the blocking wall comprises an opaque shielding material.

[0090] Example ex6. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex4 or ex5, wherein the blocking wall comprises a radial inner wall, and wherein the radial inner wall is recessed with respect to a sidewall of the cavity, preferably wherein the radial inner wall is recessed by below 1 millimeter with respect to the sidewall of the cavity.

[0091] Example ex7. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples ex4 to ex6, wherein the optical emitter comprises a laser, preferably wherein the optical emitter is configured as a laser.

[0092] Example ex8. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples ex4 to ex7, wherein the optical emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in one or more of: the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum and the ultraviolet spectrum.

[0093] Example ex9. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to detect a type of the aerosol-generating article based on an article detector output.

[0094] Example ex10. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex9, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device depending upon an article detector output. Example ex11. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex9 or ex10, wherein the controller is configured to choose a heating profile of the aerosolgenerating device depending upon an article detector output.

[0095] Example ex12. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples ex9 to ex11 , wherein the controller is configured to deactivate operation of the aerosolgenerating device if an unauthorized aerosol-generating article is detected.

[0096] Example ex12a. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples wherein the first article detector is configured to read the reference pattern at the same time as when the second article detector is configured to read the identification pattern.

[0097] Example ex12b. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples wherein the controller is configured to process signals output from the first article detector and the second article detector at substantially the same time.

[0098] Example ex12c. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples wherein the controller is configured to perform a first processing step in which the signals output from the first article detector and the second article detector are combined, e.g., multiplied, summed, or subtracted with respect to one another, to form a combined signal

[0099] Example ex12d. The aerosol-generating device according to example ex12c wherein controller is configured to perform a second processing step in which the combined signal is analysed to determine the article type.

[0100] Example ex12e. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples wherein the device comprises an aerosol-generating arrangement, such as an ultrasonic aerosol-generating arrangement, preferably a heating arrangement, such as an inductive, resistive, dielectric or microwave heating arrangement.

[0101] Example ex13. An aerosol-generating article comprising an identification pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article, preferably wherein the identification pattern is a barcode, more preferably wherein the aerosol-generating article further comprises a reference pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article.

[0102] Example ex14. The aerosol-generating article according to example ex13, wherein the reference pattern is configured as a uniform optical pattern.

[0103] Example ex15. The aerosol-generating article according to example ex13 or ex14, wherein the identification pattern is configured as a nonuniform optical pattern.

[0104] Example ex16. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex15, wherein one or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern is arranged on a periphery of the aerosol-generating article. Example ex17. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex16, wherein one or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises a nonvisible ink.

[0105] Example ex18. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex17, wherein one or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern extend around the full periphery of the aerosol-generating article.

[0106] Example ex19. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex18, wherein one or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern extend laterally parallel to each other.

[0107] Example ex20. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex19, wherein one or both of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises one or more of: a barcode, a one-dimensional pattern, a two-dimensional pattern, a QR code and a checkerboard pattern.

[0108] Example ex20a. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex20 wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern are offset from one another with respect to the tangential and / or lateral direction of the aerosol-generating article, or wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern are not offset from one another with respect to the tangential and / or lateral direction of the aerosol-generating article.

[0109] Example ex20b. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex20a wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern together form an identification marker.

[0110] Example ex20c. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex20b wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern each respectively form a portion of the identification marker.

[0111] Example ex20d. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex20c wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern are aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis.

[0112] Example ex20e. The aerosol-generating article according to any of examples ex13 to ex20d wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern are continuous with one another, or wherein there is a gap in the longitudinal and / or the lateral direction between the reference pattern and the identification pattern.

[0113] Example ex21. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosolgenerating device according to any of examples 1 to ex12 and an aerosol-generating article, preferably according to any of examples ex13 to ex20.

[0114] Example ex22. A method for identifying an aerosol-generating article in an aerosol-generating device, preferably according to the aerosol-generating system of example ex21 , wherein the method comprises the following steps: detecting, by the article detector, the reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article, and detecting, via the article detector, the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

[0115] Example ex23. The method of example ex22, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a controller, and wherein the method comprises the step of identifying, by the controller, the aerosol-generating article based on an article detector output.

[0116] Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0117] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0118] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosolgenerating article;

[0119] Fig. 2A shows a side view of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosolgenerating article;

[0120] Fig. 2B shows another side sectional view of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article;

[0121] Fig. 3 shows top sectional view of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosolgenerating article; and

[0122] Fig. 4 shows a side sectional view of a further embodiment of the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article.

[0123] Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of an aerosol-generating device 10 and an aerosol-generating article 12 received in a cavity 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10. Figure 1 shows a proximal or downstream portion of the aerosol-generating device 10 in which the cavity 14 is arranged. At a sidewall 16 of the cavity 14, an article detector 18 is arranged. The article detector 18 comprises a first article detector 20 and a second article detector 22.

[0124] The first article detector 20 is configured to detect a reference pattern 24 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The second article detector 22 is configured to detect an identification pattern 26 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The reference pattern 24 comprises uniform lines. The reference pattern 24 is arranged on the outer periphery of the aerosol-generating article 12. The reference pattern 24 is arranged parallel to the identification pattern 26. The identification pattern 26 is a barcode. The reference pattern 24 enables identification of an insertion speed of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the cavity 14. The insertion speed can be measured by detecting the number of lines the first article detector 20 detects over time during the reference pattern 24 passing the first article detector 20 during insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the cavity 14. The insertion speed can be used as a baseline for the second article detector 22 to accurately detect the identification pattern 26. A distal end of the reference pattern 24 is arranged distal of a distal end of the identification pattern 26.

[0125] Figure 1 further shows a heating arrangement, which in this example is an induction coil 28. The induction coil 28 is arranged surrounding a portion of the cavity 14. The induction coil 28 is arranged distal or upstream of the article sensor. The induction coil 28 is configured to generate an alternating magnetic field. The alternating magnetic field is utilized to inductively heat a susceptor (not shown). The susceptor may be part of the aerosolgenerating device 10. In this case, the susceptor may be arranged within the induction coil 28 with a cylindrical hollow shape. The susceptor may be arranged at least partly surrounding the cavity 14 or forming a sidewall 16 of the cavity 14. Alternatively, the susceptor may be arranged in the cavity 14 and the susceptor may have a pin or blade shape. As a further alternative, a resistive heating element may be employed. The resistive heating element may be arranged at least partly surrounding the cavity 14 or as a pin or blade shaped heating element inside of the cavity 14. In other examples, the device 10 may comprise a dielectric heating arrangement or a microwave heating arrangement. Any aerosol-generating arrangement may be used, for instance a non-thermal aerosol-generating arrangement such as an ultrasonic aerosol generating arrangement.

[0126] The first optical detector 20 and the second optical detector 22 are also connected with a controller 46.

[0127] The controller 46 determines the insertion speed of the aerosol-generating article 12 based upon the output of the first article detector 20. The output of the first article detector 20 comprises data indicative of the reference pattern 24. The controller 46 identifies the type of the aerosol-generating article 12 based upon the output of the second article detector 22. The output of the second article detector 22 comprises data indicative of the identification pattern 26. The identification of the aerosol-generating article 12 by means of the controller 46 is made more accurate by utilizing the insertion speed information for the evaluation of the data indicative of the identification pattern 26.

[0128] Figure 2A shows the aerosol-generating article 12 before being inserted into the cavity 14 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The device comprises a heating arrangement, which in this case is an induction coil 28 surrounding the cavity. Further, Figure 2A shows more details of the first article detector 20 and of the second article detector 22. In more detail, the first article detector 20 preferably comprises a first optical emitter 30 and a first optical detector 32. The first optical emitter 30 is preferably configured as a laser. The second article detector 22 preferably comprises a second optical emitter 34 and a second optical detector 36. The second optical emitter 34 is preferably configured as a laser. The first optical emitter 30 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the reference pattern 24 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The first optical detector 32 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reference pattern 24 of the aerosolgenerating article 12. The first optical detector 32 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength emitted by the first optical emitter 30. The second optical emitter 34 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the identification pattern 26 of the aerosol-generating article 12. The second optical detector 36 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from the identification pattern 26 of the aerosolgenerating article 12. The second optical detector 36 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength emitted by the second optical emitter 34. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first optical emitter 30 may be different or may be the same as the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second optical emitter 34.

[0129] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the first optical detector 32 comprises a first lightguide 38 and a first photodiode 40. The first lightguide 38 is configured to guide the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the reference pattern 24 of the aerosol-generating article 12 toward the first photodiode 40. The second optical detector 36 comprises a second lightguide 42 and a second photodiode 44. The second lightguide 42 is configured to guide the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the identification pattern 26 of the aerosolgenerating article 12 toward the second photodiode 44. The first lightguide 38 and the second lightguide 42 are connected with a controller 46. The first photodiode 40 and the second photodiode 44 are connected with the controller 46. The first optical detector 32 and the second optical detector 36 are also connected with the controller 46.

[0130] The controller 46 determines the insertion speed of the aerosol-generating article 12 based upon the output of the first article detector 20. The output of the first article detector 20 comprises data indicative of the reference pattern 24. The controller 46 identifies the type of the aerosol-generating article 12 based upon the output of the second article detector 22. The output of the second article detector 22 comprises data indicative of the identification pattern 26. The identification of the aerosol-generating article 12 by means of the controller 46 is made more accurate by utilizing the insertion speed information for the evaluation of the data indicative of the identification pattern 26.

[0131] The controller 46 described herein is operatively connected to the heating arrangement. The controller 46 is configured to control the device (in particular, the heating arrangement) based on or in response to identifying the type of aerosol-generating article 12. In the examples described above, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 are illustrated as being offset from one another with respect to the tangential and / or lateral direction of the aerosol-generating article 12. In another example, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 together form an identification marker. In this example, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 each respectively form a portion of the identification marker. Here, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 are not offset from one another with respect to the tangential and / or lateral direction of the aerosol-generating article 12. In other words, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 are aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis. This is illustrated in Figure 2B, which shows a device 10 and article 12 which operate in the same fashion as those of Figures 1 and 2A, but with a modification to the position of the patterns 24, 26 and the detectors 20, 22.

[0132] In Figure 2B, the reference pattern 24 is positioned towards the distal end of the article 12, while the identification pattern 26 is positioned towards the proximal end of the article 12. The identification pattern 26 may be described as being “above” the reference pattern, when the proximal end of the article 12 is considered the “top” of the article 12 and the distal end of the article 12 is considered the “bottom” of the article 12.

[0133] Each of the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 extend completely or partially around the circumference or width of the article 12. There may be a gap in the longitudinal direction between the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26. Alternatively, the reference pattern 24 may continue on from the identification pattern 26 or vice versa. In other words, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 may be continuous with one another.

[0134] In this example, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the article 12. In other words, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 are not offset from one another in the radial or width direction of the article 12. However, the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction. In this example, the detectors are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction also, such that the first detector 20 can read the reference pattern 24 and the second detector 22 can read the identification pattern. The detectors 20, 22 and the patterns 24, 26 can be spaced and aligned such that the first detector 20 reads the reference pattern 24 at the same time as when the second detector 22 reads the identification pattern 26. The detectors 20, 22 in this example are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the cavity. However, the detectors 20, 22 may be offset from one another with respect to the radial or width direction of the cavity 14.

[0135] As in the previous examples, the controller 46 determines the insertion speed of the aerosol-generating article 12 based upon the output of the first article detector 20. The output of the first article detector 20 comprises data indicative of the reference pattern 24. The controller 46 identifies the type of the aerosol-generating article 12 based upon the output of the second article detector 22. The output of the second article detector 22 comprises data indicative of the identification pattern 26. The identification of the aerosol-generating article 12 by means of the controller 46 is made more accurate by utilizing the insertion speed information for the evaluation of the data indicative of the identification pattern 26. In examples where the first detector 20 and the second detector 22 read the reference pattern 24 and the identification pattern 26 at the same time, the controller 46 may process the signals output from the first detector 20 and the second detector 22 at substantially the same time. The controller 46 may be configured to perform a first processing step where the signals output from the first detector 20 and the second detector 22 are combined, e.g., multiplied, summed, or subtracted with respect to one another, to form a combined signal. The controller 46 may be configured to perform a second processing step in which the combined signal is analysed to determine the article type.

[0136] Figure 3 shows top sectional view of the aerosol-generating device 10 and the aerosol-generating article 12. Particularly, Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the first article detector 20 being arranged recessed into a sidewall 16 of the cavity 14 for protecting the first article detector 20. This Figure 3 arrangement is described with reference to the first article detector 20. A corresponding arrangement may also be used for the second article detector 22.

[0137] The first optical emitter 30 is arranged in a first recess 48 of the sidewall 16. The first optical detector 32 (such as the first lightguide 38 described herein) is arranged in a second recess 50 of the sidewall 16. To prevent the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first optical emitter 30 from directly entering the first optical detector 32, a blocking wall 52 is provided. The blocking wall 52 is arranged between the first recess 48 and the second recess 50. The blocking wall 52 does not protrude fully towards a received aerosolgenerating article 12 such that a gap 54 is provided between the received aerosol-generating article 12 and an inner wall 56 of the blocking wall 52. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first emitter is thus reflected by the reference pattern 24 and reaches the first optical detector 32. One or more of the first recess 48, the second recess 50, the blocking wall 52 and the gap 54 are preferably dimensioned such that a single strip of the reference pattern 24 is illuminated at a time. In other words, one or more of the first recess 48, the second recess 50, the blocking wall 52 and the gap 54 are preferably dimensioned such that a resolution of the reference pattern 24 is improved. As mentioned, the second article detector 22 may be arranged similarly as described herein with respect to the first article detector 20.

[0138] Figure 4 shows a side sectional view of a further embodiment of the aerosolgenerating device 10 and the aerosol-generating article 12. In this embodiment, the aerosol- generating article 12 is equipped with only the identification pattern 26. The identification pattern 26 is configured as a barcode. This embodiment may be chosen if the insertion speed information acquired by the detection of the reference pattern 24 (described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3) is not necessary. In this embodiment, the aerosol-generating device 10 correspondingly only comprises a single article detector 18 for identifying the identification pattern 26.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An aerosol-generating device comprising: a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate; and an article detector, wherein the article detector is configured to detect a reference pattern of the aerosolgenerating article, and wherein the article detector is configured to detect an identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the article detector comprises a first article detector and a different second article detector, wherein the first article detector is configured to detect the reference pattern, wherein the second article detector is configured to detect the identification pattern, wherein the first article detector comprises a first optical emitter and a first optical detector, and wherein the second article detector comprises a different second optical emitter and a different second optical detector.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the first article detector is configured to detect the reference pattern at the same time as when the second article detector is configured to detect the identification pattern.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to any of claim 2 and 3, wherein one of the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in either the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum, wherein the other one of the first optical emitter and second optical emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, wherein the first optical detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum corresponding to a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first optical emitter, and wherein the second optical detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum corresponding to a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second optical emitter.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to any of claim 2 to 4, wherein the first article detector and the second article detector are arranged at an opening of the cavity, wherein the first article detector is arranged adjacent, and preferably lateral from, the second article detector.

6. An aerosol-generating article comprising a reference pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article and further comprising an identification pattern on or within the aerosol-generating article.

7. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 6, wherein one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises visible ink, and the other one of the reference pattern and the identification pattern comprises nonvisible ink.

8. The aerosol-generating article according to claim 7, wherein the nonvisible ink and the visible ink are configured to absorb and reemit electromagnetic radiation in different electromagnetic spectra.

9. The aerosol-generating article according to any of claim 7 and 8, wherein the nonvisible ink is permanently nonvisible.

10. The aerosol-generating article according to any of claim 7 to 9, wherein the nonvisible ink is configured to absorb and reemit electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum or the ultraviolet spectrum.

11. The aerosol-generating article according to any of claim 7 to 10, wherein the visible ink is configured to absorb and reemit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum.

12. The aerosol-generating article according to any of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the nonvisible ink comprises, preferably consists of, one or more of: an infra-red ink, a phosphorescent ink, a fluorescent ink and an ultraviolet ink.

13. The aerosol-generating article according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein the reference pattern and the identification pattern at least partly, preferably fully, overlap.

14. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 1 to 5 and an aerosol-generating article, preferably according to any of claims 6 to 13.

15. A method for identifying an aerosol-generating article in an aerosol-generating device, preferably according to the aerosol-generating system of claim 14, wherein the method comprises the following steps:detecting, by the article detector, the reference pattern of the aerosol-generating article, and detecting, via the article detector, the identification pattern of the aerosol-generating article.

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