Aerosol supply device equipped with an optical article sensor

Abstract

An aerosol supply device is configured to receive at least a part of an article containing an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol supply device comprises an article sensor and a processor. The article sensor comprises a receiver for receiving a receiver signal from the article, the receiver signal indicating article information. The processor is configured to determine whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength below a detection threshold, and to change an operating parameter of the article sensor to increase the receiver signal strength in response to the receiver signal strength being below the detection threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol supply device, an aerosol supply system, and an article.

Background Art

[0002] Smoking articles such as cigarettes and cigars generate tobacco smoke by burning tobacco during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices that release compounds by heating a material without burning it. The material can be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, for example.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing an aerosol-generating material is provided, the aerosol supply device comprising an article sensor and a processor, the article sensor comprising a receiver for receiving a receiver signal from the article, the receiver signal indicating article information, and the processor being configured to determine whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength below a detection threshold and, in response to the receiver signal strength being below the detection threshold, change an operating parameter of the article sensor to increase the receiver signal strength.

[0004] The article sensor may comprise a transmitter for transmitting a transmitter signal to the article, the transmitter signal causing the receiver signal to reach the receiver.

[0005] The transmitter signal may be reflected from the article to cause the receiver signal to reach the receiver.

[0006] The operating parameter may be the transmitter signal strength of the transmitter signal, and the processor is configured to increase the transmitter signal strength to increase the receiver signal strength.

[0007] The processor may be configured to increase the current supplied to the transmitter to increase the transmitter signal strength.

[0008] The receiver may be an optical receiver configured to receive light from the article.

[0009] The transmitter may be a light source configured to transmit light to the article, and the receiver signal is light reflected from the article.

[0010] The processor may be configured to determine a color of a part of the article according to the receiver signal.

[0011] The operating parameter may be the sensitivity of the receiver, and the processor is configured to increase the sensitivity of the receiver to increase the receiver signal strength.

[0012] The processor may be configured to change the operating parameter in increments, and the increment is constant with respect to the measured receiver signal strength below the detection threshold.

[0013] The processor may be configured to change the operating parameter in increments, and the increment increases as the difference between the detection threshold and the measured receiver signal strength increases.

[0014] The processor may be configured to store empirical data related to the operating parameter of the article sensor and the receiver signal strength. The empirical data may include the previously used increments. The processor may be configured to determine the increment using the empirical data. The aerosol supply device may include a memory for storing the empirical data. The processor may be configured to transmit the empirical data to an external server or device. The processor may be configured to determine the increment using a machine learning algorithm trained using the empirical data. The processor may be configured to receive the value of the increment from an external server or device.

[0015] Subsequent to the change of the operating parameters, the processor may be configured to determine whether the receiver signal strength remains below the detection threshold, and in response to the receiver signal strength remaining below the detection threshold, further change the operating parameters to further increase the receiver signal strength.

[0016] The processor may be configured to return the operating parameters to the default values for the next article.

[0017] The processor may be configured to maintain the value of the operating parameters from one article to the next article.

[0018] The processor may be configured to determine whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength that exceeds an upper threshold, and in response to the receiver signal strength exceeding the upper threshold, change the operating parameters of the article sensor to reduce the receiver signal strength, where the upper threshold is greater than the detection threshold.

[0019] The article information may include the presence of the article.

[0020] The article information may include the type of the article.

[0021] The article information may include a unique article identifier.

[0022] The processor may be configured to determine the article information from the receiver signal.

[0023] The aerosol supply device may comprise a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of the article, the receptacle being configured such that the receiver signal is received at or through the wall of the receptacle, and the receiver being disposed on the wall of the receptacle.

[0024] The wall may comprise a translucent portion, and the receiver is disposed outside the receptacle at the translucent portion.

[0025] The wall may include an opening, and the receiver is disposed beyond the opening to receive the receiver signal through the opening.

[0026] The aerosol supply device is a tobacco heating product.

[0027] The article sensor may be a Hall effect sensor.

[0028] The processor may be configured to determine a color of a part of the article from the receiver signal and determine the characteristics of the article from the color.

[0029] The processor may be configured to change the operating parameters of the aerosol generator according to the characteristics of the article.

[0030] The processor may be configured to change the heating profile according to the characteristics of the article.

[0031] The processor may be configured to change the session length according to the characteristics of the article.

[0032] The processor may be configured to change the operating temperature according to the characteristics of the article.

[0033] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply system is provided that includes the aerosol supply device described above and an article receivable by the aerosol supply device.

[0034] The article may include a mark indicating article information.

[0035] The mark may be a colored portion of the article.

[0036] The colored portion may be a colored band surrounding the article.

[0037] The mark may indicate the type of the article.

[0038] According to some embodiments described herein, in a receiver of an article sensor or an aerosol supply device, receiving a receiver signal from an article engaging the aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol supply device is configured to form an aerosol from the article and the receiver signal indicates article information; determining whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength below a detection threshold; and changing an operating parameter of the article sensor in response to the receiver signal strength being below the detection threshold to increase the receiver signal strength. A method is provided. The method may include any of the steps described above with respect to devices and systems.

[0039] The method may include changing the operating parameter in increments.

[0040] The method may include storing empirical data related to the operating parameters of the article sensor and the receiver signal strength. The empirical data may include previously used increments. The method may include determining an increment using the empirical data. The method may include determining an increment using a machine learning algorithm trained using the empirical data. The machine learning algorithm may be trained on an external device.

[0041] The method may include transmitting the empirical data to an external server or device. The method may include determining an increment using a machine learning algorithm trained using the empirical data. The method may include training a machine learning algorithm based on the empirical data. The machine learning algorithm may be used by a processor of the aerosol supply device or an external device / server to determine an increment. The machine learning algorithm may be trained on a processor of the aerosol supply device or an external device / server.

[0042] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol supply device configured to receive at least a portion of an article containing an aerosol generating material is provided, the aerosol supply device comprising an article sensor and a processor, the article sensor comprising a receiver for receiving a receiver signal from the article and a processor configured to determine a color of a portion of the article from the receiver signal and determine a characteristic of the article from the color. The aerosol supply device may comprise the above features and may be configured as described above.

[0043] The processor may be configured to change an operating parameter according to the characteristic of the article.

[0044] The processor may be configured to change a heating profile according to the characteristic of the article.

[0045] The processor may be configured to change a session length according to the characteristic of the article.

[0046] The processor may be configured to change an operating temperature according to the characteristic of the article.

[0047] According to some embodiments described herein, an article containing an aerosol generating material is provided, the article comprising a mark, the mark being a colored portion of the article, the mark indicating a characteristic of the article. The article may comprise the above features and may be configured as described above.

[0048] According to some embodiments described herein, a method is provided that includes, at a receiver of an article sensor, receiving a receiver signal from an article engaged with the aerosol supply device, determining a color of a portion of the article from the receiver signal, and determining a characteristic of the article from the color.

[0049] Here, embodiments will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0050]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0051] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" is a material that can generate an aerosol when energy is supplied, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. The aerosol-forming material may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain, for example, an active substance and / or a flavorant. The aerosol-forming material may include any plant-based material such as a tobacco-containing material, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-forming material may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine depending on the product. The aerosol-forming material may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, wax, etc. The aerosol-forming material may also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol-forming material may also be known as a "smokable material".

[0052] The aerosol-forming material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-forming material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material substantially does not contain plant-based materials. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material substantially does not contain tobacco.

[0053] The aerosol generating material may include, or may be, an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can hold some fluid, such as a liquid, within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may include, for example, from about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of an amorphous solid.

[0054] The aerosol generating material may include an aerosol generating film. The aerosol generating film may include, or be, a sheet that can optionally be shredded to form shredded sheets. The aerosol generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0055] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol supply system is a system in which the constituent aerosol generating material of the aerosol supply system (or its components) is not burned or ignited in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0056] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol supply system.

[0057] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaporization device or an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not a requirement.

[0058] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0059] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is a hybrid system for generating an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-forming materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-forming materials can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-forming material and a solid aerosol-forming material. The solid aerosol-forming material may include, for example, tobacco or non-tobacco products.

[0060] Typically, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustion aerosol supply device and a consumable for use with the non-combustion aerosol supply device.

[0061] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables that contain an aerosol-forming material and are configured to be used with a non-combustion aerosol supply device. These consumables may sometimes be referred to as articles throughout the present disclosure.

[0062] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system, such as its non-combustion aerosol supply device, etc., may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, a power supply or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon-based substrate that can be energized to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-forming material or a heat transfer material in proximity to the heat-generating power source.

[0063] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may comprise an area for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0064] In some embodiments, the consumables for use with a non-combustion aerosol supply device may comprise an aerosol-forming material, an aerosol-forming material storage area, an aerosol-forming material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0065] The aerosol generating device can receive an article containing an aerosol-forming material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that contains or comprises an aerosol-forming material that, when in use, is heated to volatilize the aerosol-forming material and optionally other components when in use. The user can insert the article into the aerosol generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, and then the user inhales the aerosol. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size configured to be placed within a heating chamber of a device sized to receive the article.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol supply system 10 comprises an aerosol supply device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming material. The aerosol supply system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 containing an aerosol-forming material. Generally, the aerosol-forming device 100 can be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that can be inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0067] The aerosol-forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing assembly surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article opening 104 into which the article 110 can be inserted for heating by the aerosol generator 200 is formed at one end of the body 102, which will be described below with respect to FIG. 3.

[0068] Device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or a switch, that operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, the user can turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0069] The aerosol generator 200 defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the axis of the article 110.

[0070] In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 200 and may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 200.

[0071] Device 100 includes an apparatus for heating an aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol-generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol-generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of the article 110 inserted through the article opening 104 such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating material. The power source supplies power to the aerosol-generating assembly, and the aerosol-generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries (such as lithium-ion batteries), nickel batteries (such as nickel-cadmium batteries), and alkaline batteries.

[0072] The power source is electrically coupled to the aerosol generation assembly and can supply power under the control of the controller to heat the aerosol generation material when needed. The control circuit may be configured to start and stop the aerosol generation assembly based on user input. The user input can be via button presses or opening of a door of the device (e.g., a door covering the consumable receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to automatically start and stop, for example, when an article is inserted.

[0073] The aerosol generation assembly may comprise various components for heating the aerosol generation material via an induction heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating a conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating assembly may comprise an induction element, for example one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the induction element. The varying current within the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) appropriately positioned relative to the induction element and generates eddy currents within the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and thus the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance heats the susceptor by Joule heating. If the susceptor contains a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses within the susceptor, i.e., by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles within the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In induction heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, enabling rapid heating, for example as compared to heating by conduction. Furthermore, no physical contact is required between the induction element and the susceptor, allowing for increased freedom in construction and application.

[0074] Referring to Figure 2, the article 110 comprises an indicator 112. The indicator 112 indicates article information. The article information includes the type of the article 110, for example, the flavor, strength, and / or size of the article 110.

[0075] Indicator 112 is mark 112. Mark 112 is on outer surface 114 of article 110. Outer surface 114 may be formed from paper, with mark 112 printed thereon. Mark 112 provides an optical indication of article information. Mark 112 is a colored portion of article 110. Mark 112 is a band surrounding article 110. Article 110 is generally cylindrical, and the band extends entirely around the curved outer surface 114 of the article. Mark 112 is disposed on a portion of outer surface 114 surrounding the aerosol-generating material.

[0076] In some embodiments, identifier 112 includes an image on outer surface 114. In some embodiments, identifier 112 includes a barcode, QR code, or other machine-readable optical label. In some embodiments, the identifier may not be on outer surface 114 and may be inside the article. The identifier may be another type of tag, such as a radio frequency identification tag or a near field communication tag.

[0077] In some embodiments, the article information includes a unique article identifier such that a particular article can be identified from indicator 112. In other embodiments, the article information includes an indication that an article (e.g., an article suitable for use with aerosol supply device 100) is present.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of article 110 is received within receptacle 106 of aerosol supply device 100. Receptacle 106 is a cylindrical chamber extending from article opening 104 into body 102. Article 110 is inserted through opening 104 into receptacle 106 such that identifier 112 is positioned with receptacle 106. Receptacle 106 is defined by wall 108.

[0079] Aerosol supply device 100 includes aerosol generator 200. Aerosol generator 200 is a heating assembly. Aerosol generator 200 includes induction element 202. Induction element 202 is an induction coil surrounding receptacle 106. Aerosol generator 200 includes susceptor element 108, which is wall 108 in this embodiment.

[0080] The aerosol supply device 100 includes an article sensor 116. The receptacle 108 includes an opening 109. The article sensor 116 is positioned at the opening 109. The article sensor 116 is positioned outside the receptacle 108 beyond the opening 109 such that the article sensor 116 is in optical communication with the receptacle through the opening 109. In some embodiments, the wall 108 includes a translucent portion, and the article sensor 116 is disposed outside the wall 108 beyond the translucent portion.

[0081] The article sensor 116 is positioned such that the indicator 112 is aligned with the article sensor 116 when the article 110 is received within the receptacle 106.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol supply device 100 includes a processor 118 that communicates data with the article sensor 116. The article sensor 116 includes a transmitter 120 and a receiver 122. The transmitter 120 is in optical communication with the article 110. The receiver 122 is in optical communication with the article 110. The transmitter is in optical communication with the indicator 112. The receiver 122 is in optical communication with the indicator 112.

[0083] The transmitter 120 is configured to transmit a transmitter signal to the article 110. The transmitter 120 is a light source (e.g., an LED) configured to transmit light to the article 110.

[0084] The receiver 122 is configured to receive a receiver signal from the article 110. The transmitter signal causes the receiver signal to reach the receiver 122. The transmitter signal is reflected from the article 110. The receiver 122 can be a photoreceiver configured to receive light reflected from the article 110.

[0085] In use, the user inserts article 110 into aerosol supply device 100. The user activates user-operable control element 150, which causes aerosol supply device to execute article identification process 300 as described below with respect to FIG. 5. Aerosol generator 200 generates an aerosol from article 110. Aerosol supply device 100 supplies an alternating current to inductor element 202, thereby heating the aerosol-generating material of article 110 in susceptor element 108.

[0086] Susceptor element 108 heats the aerosol-generating material by applying a heating profile at an operating temperature over an aerosol generation session. The heating profile depends on the article information, and different heating profiles are applied to different types of articles. The operating temperature depends on the article information, and the aerosol-generating material is heated to different operating temperatures for different types of articles. The session length of the aerosol generation session (i.e., the period during which the aerosol generator generates an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material) depends on the article information, and different session lengths are used for different types of articles.

[0087] At the end of the aerosol generation session, aerosol generator 200 stops generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. The user removes article 110 from aerosol supply device 100 and discards article 110.

[0088] FIG. 5 shows article identification process 300 executed by aerosol supply device 100. Article identification process 300 includes a transmission step 302, a reception step 304, an intensity determination step 306, a modification step 308, and an article information step 310.

[0089] In transmission step 302, processor 118 controls transmitter 120 to transmit a transmitter signal to the indicator of article 110. As described above, transmitter 120 is a light source and the transmitter signal is light.

[0090] In reception step 304, receiver 122 receives a receiver signal from article 110. As described above, receiver 122 is an optical receiver that receives light transmitted by transmitter 120 and reflected from article indicator 112.

[0091] In intensity determination step 306, the processor determines whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength below a detection threshold. To determine that the receiver signal strength is below the detection threshold, the processor may determine the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical signal, and a signal-to-noise ratio below the SNR threshold indicates that the receiver signal strength is below the detection threshold. To determine that the receiver signal strength is below the detection threshold, the processor may consider the light transmittance (e.g., received light divided by transmitted light), and a light transmittance below the light transmittance threshold indicates that the receiver signal strength is below the detection threshold. To determine that the receiver signal strength is below the detection threshold, the processor performs article information step 310 (described below), and may attempt to determine that the receiver signal strength is below the detection threshold if the processor is unable to determine article information.

[0092] In response to determining that the receiver signal is below the detection threshold, in change step 308, the processor changes the operating parameters of the article sensor to increase the receiver signal strength.

[0093] In this example, the operating parameter is the current supplied to transmitter 120, and the processor increases the current supplied to transmitter 120 so as to increase the light from transmitter 120 and thereby increase the receiver signal strength. In other examples, the operating parameter is the sensitivity of receiver 122 that can be increased to increase the receiver signal strength.

[0094] In this example, the operating parameters are changed incrementally, and the increments are substantially constant and do not depend on the determined receiver signal strength. This can provide a simple aerosol supply device 100. In other examples, the increment by which the operating parameters are changed depends on the difference between the measured receiver signal strength and the detection threshold. For example, the increment increases as the difference between the detection threshold and the measured receiver signal strength increases. This can enable the receiver signal strength to reach the detection threshold more rapidly.

[0095] Following the change step 308, the processor controls the transmitter and the receiver to re - execute the transmission step 302 and the reception step 304 with the changed operating parameters before re - executing the intensity determination step 306 described above.

[0096] In response to determining that the receiver signal exceeds the detection threshold, in the article information step 310, the processor 118 determines article information from the receiver signal.

[0097] By changing the operating parameters in the manner described, article information can be determined even when the aerosol supply device is dirty or when condensation occurs near the receiver. Increasing the receiver signal strength gradually reduces power consumption.

[0098] In this example, the transmission step 302 begins when the user activates the user - operable control element 150 to activate the aerosol supply device 100. In other examples, the transmission step 302 can start automatically, for example, upon detection of an article 110 inserted into the aerosol supply device 100.

[0099] In this example, aerosol generation starts after the article information step 310. This enables the aerosol generation to be specific to the type of article. In other examples, the aerosol generator 200 may start a preheating step before the user-operable control element 150 is activated and before the article identification process 300 is completed, and the aerosol generation session starts following the successful completion of the article identification process 300. This can reduce the time from device startup to aerosol generation.

[0100] In other examples, the aerosol generator 200 starts an aerosol generation session when the user-operable control element 150 is activated, for example, simultaneously with the article identification process 300. This can reduce the time from device startup to aerosol generation and may be particularly suitable for devices where heating does not depend on article information. Article information can be used, for example, to track the use of the article in order to inform when the article needs to be reordered.

[0101] In this example, after the aerosol generation session ends for article 110 and article 110 is removed by the user, the processor then maintains the operating parameters for additional articles to be used with the aerosol supply device 100. The article identification process may include additional steps (e.g., after a decision step or an article information step), in which the processor determines whether the receiver signal strength exceeds an upper threshold that exceeds a detection threshold. In response to the receiver signal strength exceeding the upper threshold, the processor may change the operating parameters of the article sensor to reduce the receiver signal strength. This can reduce power consumption.

[0102] In other examples, the operating parameters may return to default values for each additional article.

[0103] In other examples, the transmission step and transmitter 120 are omitted. The receiver may be an optical sensor, and the light received from article 110 may be ambient light reflected from the article. In such examples, the receiver sensitivity can be increased to increase the receiver signal strength.

[0104] Although the article identification process has been described with respect to an optical transmitter / receiver and signals, it may be applied to other signals including those used for the RFID / NFC tags described above. Further, other types of receivers, such as Hall effect sensors, may be used and the article identification process is applied to such sensors. A Hall effect sensor may use an inductive variable, a capacitive variable, or a magnetic variable to provide article information. In the case of an inductive Hall effect sensor where it is determined that the receiver signal is below a detection threshold, the voltage or frequency of the input signal to the transmitter may be increased to increase the inductive effect.

[0105] In the embodiments described above, the aerosol supply device includes a heating construct that is an inductive heating construct. In embodiments, other types of heating constructs, such as resistive heating, are used. Since the configuration of the device is generally as described above, a detailed description is omitted. In such a configuration, the aerosol generation assembly includes a resistive heating generator that includes components for heating a heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, a current is directly applied to the resistive heating component, and the resulting flow of current within the heating component heats the heating component by Joule heating. The resistive heating component includes a resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable current passes through the resistive heating component, and the heating assembly includes electrical contacts for supplying current to the resistive material.

[0106] In embodiments, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself. In embodiments, the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example, by conduction.

[0107] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention defined by the claims or on equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The various embodiments of the invention may preferably include, consist of, or consist essentially of suitable combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Further, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

**Claim 1** An aerosol supply device configured to receive at least a part of an article containing an aerosol generating material, comprising an article sensor and a processor, wherein the article sensor comprises a receiver for receiving a receiver signal from the article, the receiver signal indicating article information, and the processor is configured to determine whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength below a detection threshold, and change an operating parameter of the article sensor to increase the receiver signal strength in response to the receiver signal strength being below the detection threshold An aerosol supply device configured to perform the above. **Claim 2** The aerosol supply device according to claim 1, wherein the article sensor comprises a transmitter for transmitting a transmitter signal to the article, and the transmitter signal causes the receiver signal to reach the receiver. **Claim 3** The aerosol supply device according to claim 2, wherein the operating parameter is the transmitter signal strength of the transmitter signal, and the processor is configured to increase the transmitter signal strength to increase the receiver signal strength. **Claim 4** The aerosol supply device according to claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to increase the current supplied to the transmitter to increase the transmitter signal strength. **Claim 5** The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the receiver is a photoreceiver configured to receive light from the article. **Claim 6** The aerosol supply device according to claim 5, wherein the transmitter is a light source configured to transmit light to the article, and the receiver signal is light reflected from the article. **Claim 7** The aerosol supply device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the processor is configured to determine a color of a part of the article according to the receiver signal. **Claim 8** The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operating parameter is the sensitivity of the receiver, and the processor is configured to increase the sensitivity of the receiver to increase the receiver signal strength. **Claim 9** The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to change the operating parameter in increments, and the increment is constant with respect to the measured receiver signal strength below the detection threshold. **Claim 10** The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the processor is configured to change the operating parameter incrementally, and the increment increases as the difference between the detection threshold and the measured received signal strength increases.

11. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein following the change of the operating parameter, the processor determines whether the received signal strength remains below the detection threshold, and in response to the received signal strength remaining below the detection threshold, the processor is configured to further change the operating parameter to further increase the received signal strength.

12. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the processor is configured to return the operating parameter to a default value for the next article.

13. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the processor is configured to maintain the value of the operating parameter from one article to the next article.

14. The processor is configured to determine whether the received signal has a received signal strength that exceeds an upper threshold value, and change the operating parameter of the article sensor to reduce the received signal strength in response to the received signal strength exceeding the upper threshold value, and is configured to perform, wherein the upper threshold value is greater than the detection threshold value, The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the article information includes the presence of the article, the type of the article, and / or a unique article identifier.

16. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of an article, the receptacle being configured such that the received signal is received at or through the wall of the receptacle, and the receiver being disposed on the wall of the receptacle.

17. The aerosol supply device according to claim 16, wherein the wall includes an opening, and the receiver is disposed across the opening for receiving the received signal through the opening.

18. The aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the aerosol supply device is a tobacco heating product.

19. An aerosol supply system comprising the aerosol supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and an article received by the aerosol supply device.

20. In a receiver of an article sensor or an aerosol supply device, receiving a receiver signal from an article engaged with the aerosol supply device, wherein the aerosol supply device is configured to form an aerosol from the article and the receiver signal indicates article information; determining whether the receiver signal has a receiver signal strength below a detection threshold; and changing an operating parameter of the article sensor to increase the receiver signal strength in response to the receiver signal strength being below the detection threshold. A method comprising the steps of:

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