Aerosol Delivery Device

Abstract

The aerosol delivery device is configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery 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, the processor 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, modify operating parameters of the article sensor to increase the receiver signal strength.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, aerosol delivery systems, and articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a heating element that releases compounds by heating a material without burning it. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, and may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material of an article is provided. The aerosol delivery device includes an aerosol generator including a heating element configured to heat the aerosol-generating material during an aerosol generation session, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a proximity signal indicating that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device, and to control the heating element to initiate pre-heating in response to receiving the proximity signal.

[0004] The controller may be configured to receive an article acceptance signal, where the article acceptance signal indicates that an article has been accepted by the aerosol delivery device, and in response to receiving the article acceptance signal, control the heating configuration to initiate an aerosol generation session.

[0005] The aerosol delivery device may include an article proximity detector configured to determine that an article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device and, in response to determining that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device, send a proximity signal to the controller.

[0006] An article may be in proximity when the article is within detection distance of the aerosol delivery device.

[0007] The detection distance may be less than 30 cm. The detection distance may be less than 25 cm. The detection distance may be less than 20 cm.

[0008] The detection distance may be greater than 10 cm. The detection distance may be greater than 15 cm. The detection distance may be substantially 20 cm.

[0009] The proximity detector may be a near field communication (NFC) transceiver. The proximity detector may be an active near field communication component configured to communicate with a passive near field communication component in the item.

[0010] The aerosol delivery device may include an article reception detector configured to determine that an article has been received by the aerosol delivery device and, in response to determining that the article has been received by the aerosol delivery device, send an article reception signal to the controller.

[0011] The article reception detector may be a pressure sensor.

[0012] The article reception detector may be a proximity detector.

[0013] The aerosol delivery device may include a first heater and a second heater, the controller configured to control the first heater to heat during preheating, and the controller configured to control the first and second heaters to heat during the aerosol generation session.

[0014] The aerosol delivery device may further comprise a device housing, the heating arrangement extending from the device housing.

[0015] The heating arrangement may include an internal heater configured to be received inside the article and to heat the aerosol-forming material.

[0016] The heating arrangement may include an external heater configured to surround the article and heat the aerosol-generating material. The external heater may extend from the device housing. The external heater may be a first heater. The controller may be configured to control the external heater to heat during preheating. The external heater may be a second heater.

[0017] The internal heater may be a second heater. The internal heater may be a first heater. The controller may be configured to control the external heater to heat during pre-heating. The controller is configured to control the heating arrangement to heat at a first temperature during pre-heating and at a second temperature during the aerosol generation session, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature. The first temperature may be greater than 50°C. The first temperature may be greater than 60°C. The first temperature may be less than 120°C. The first temperature may be less than 80°C. The first temperature may be less than 70°C.

[0018] An aerosol generation session may define a period of time during which a user may perform multiple inhalations on the aerosol delivery device.

[0019] The controller may be configured to receive a distance signal after receiving the proximity signal, the distance signal indicating that the item is no longer in proximity to the item, and in response to receiving the distance signal, control the heating arrangement to stop preheating.

[0020] The aerosol delivery device may include a timer element configured to transmit a distance signal if the acceptance signal is not received by the controller within a pre-heat period in which the proximity signal is received. The timer element may transmit the distance signal if the aerosol generation session is not initiated within the pre-heat period in which the proximity signal is received.

[0021] The article proximity detector may be configured to determine that the article is no longer in proximity to the aerosol delivery device and, in response to determining that the article is no longer in proximity to the aerosol delivery device, send a distance signal to the controller.

[0022] According to some embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising the aerosol delivery device described above and an article.

[0023] According to some embodiments described herein, a method is provided that includes determining that an article is in proximity to an aerosol delivery device, where the article comprises an aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol delivery device comprises an aerosol generator comprising a heating arrangement configured to heat the aerosol-generating material during an aerosol generation session; and, in response to the article being in proximity to the aerosol delivery device, controlling the heating arrangement to initiate pre-heating.

[0024] According to some embodiments described herein, an article is provided, the article comprising: an aerosol-generating material; and an article indicator configured to provide an article signal to the aerosol delivery device, the article signal indicating that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device.

[0025] According to some embodiments described herein, an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material of an article is provided, the aerosol delivery system comprising: an aerosol delivery device; an aerosol generator comprising a heating arrangement configured to heat the aerosol-generating material during an aerosol generation session; and a controller configured to receive a proximity signal indicating that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device; and, in response to receiving the proximity signal, control the heating arrangement to initiate pre-heating.

[0026] The article may include an article indicator configured to provide an article signal to the aerosol delivery device, the article signal indicating that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device.

[0027] The article may comprise an aerosol-forming material.

[0028] The aerosol-forming material may be a liquid.

[0029] The article may comprise an aerosol generator.

[0030] The aerosol delivery device may include an energy store configured to provide energy to the item.

[0031] The article may be a cartridge.

[0032] The method may include any of the functional steps described with respect to the aerosol delivery device, aerosol delivery system, and / or article. The aerosol delivery device may include any feature described with respect to the method, aerosol delivery system, and / or article. The article may include any feature described with respect to the method, aerosol delivery system, and / or aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery system may include any feature described with respect to the aerosol delivery device, method, and / or article.

[0033] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol delivery device and an article. [Figure 2] 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol delivery system. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a method of operating an aerosol delivery device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material that can generate an aerosol when energized, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. Aerosol-forming materials can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-forming materials can include any plant-based material, such as tobacco-containing materials, including one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-forming materials can also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials can be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. Aerosol-forming materials can also be, for example, a combination or blend of materials. Aerosol-forming materials can also be known as "smokable materials."

[0036] The aerosol-generating 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, may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0037] An aerosol-generating material may include or be an "amorphous solid." An amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid." In some embodiments, an amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, an aerosol-generating material may contain, for example, about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% amorphous solid.

[0038] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include or be a sheet that may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The sheet may be a laminated sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0039] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosol-generating materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0040] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, such as a powered non-combustion aerosol delivery system.

[0041] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0042] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0043] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, where one or more aerosol-generating materials can be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials can be, for example, in solid, liquid, or gel form and can contain nicotine or not. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material can include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0044] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system may include a non-combustion aerosol delivery device and an item, typically a consumable item, for use with the non-combustion aerosol delivery device.

[0045] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables, sometimes referred to as articles throughout this disclosure, that comprise aerosol-generating materials and are configured for use with non-combustion aerosol delivery devices.

[0046] In some embodiments, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system, such as a non-combustion aerosol delivery device, can include a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate that can be energized to deliver power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or a heat-transfer material proximate the heat-generating power source.

[0047] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0048] In some embodiments, consumables for use with non-combustion aerosol delivery devices may include aerosol-generating materials, aerosol-generating material storage areas, aerosol-generating material transfer components, aerosol generators, aerosol-generating areas, housings, packaging, filters, mouthpieces, and / or aerosol modifiers.

[0049] The aerosol-generating device can accept an article comprising an aerosol-generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains the aerosol-generating material when used, and optionally other components when used, that is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material. A user can insert the article into the aerosol-generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol, which the user then inhales. The article can be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed in a heating chamber of the device sized to receive the article.

[0050] 1 and 2, an aerosol delivery system 10 includes an aerosol delivery device 100 for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. The aerosol delivery system 10 further includes a replaceable article 200 that includes the aerosol-generating material. Generally, the aerosol delivery device 100 can be used to heat the article 200 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100. Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show the same aerosol delivery device 100 and article 200, some reference numbers have been omitted from FIGS. 1 or 2 for clarity.

[0051] Aerosol delivery device 100 includes a housing 102. Housing 102 houses various components of aerosol delivery device 102.

[0052] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes an aerosol generator 104. The aerosol generator 104 is a heating configuration 104. The heating configuration 104 includes an internal heating configuration 108. The heating configuration 104 includes an external heating configuration 106. The internal heating configuration 108 is configured to be received inside the item 200. The internal heating configuration 108 is configured to heat the item 200 from the inside. The external heating configuration 106 is configured to receive the item 200 inside the external heating configuration 106. The external heating configuration 106 is configured to heat the item 200 from the outside.

[0053] The internal heating element 108 is elongated. The internal heating element 108 is generally cylindrical. The internal heating element 108 includes a short, frusto-conical end portion 109 such that the internal heating element tapers at the distal end. The internal heating element 108 has a diameter of approximately 7 mm. The internal heating element includes a resistive heating element (not shown).

[0054] The internal heating component 108 extends in a direction away from the housing 102. The internal heating component 108 is not surrounded by the housing 102.

[0055] The external heating arrangement 106 is a tubular body 106. The external heating arrangement 106 has a circular cross section. The external heating arrangement 106 comprises an induction heater. The induction heater comprises an induction element (a coil, not shown) and a susceptor (a tube, not shown). The induction element surrounds the susceptor. The susceptor surrounds the article during use.

[0056] Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conductive heating element (such as a susceptor) through electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may include an induction element, e.g., one or more inductor coils, and a device for applying a variable current, such as alternating current, to the induction element. The variable current in the induction element generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned relative to the induction element, generating eddy currents within the susceptor. The susceptor has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and the flow of eddy currents across this resistance causes the susceptor to heat 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 change in orientation of magnetic dipoles within the magnetic material as a result of alignment with the varying magnetic field. Induction heating generates heat within the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating, compared to heating by conduction, for example. Furthermore, no physical contact is required between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for greater freedom of construction and application.

[0057] In another example, the external heating arrangement 106 comprises a resistive heating element, and the internal heating arrangement 108 may comprise an induction heater.

[0058] The external heating component 106 extends in a direction away from the housing 102. In this example, the external heating component 106 is not surrounded by the housing 102. The external heating component may have a different housing than the housing 102. In other examples, the external heating component 106 is covered by the housing 102.

[0059] An article receptacle 111 is formed between the internal heating arrangement 108 and the external heating arrangement 106. The article receptacle 111 has an annular shape.

[0060] Aerosol delivery device 100 includes an article proximity detector 110. Article proximity detector 110 is a near field communication (NFC) communicator. Article proximity detector 110 is an active NFC communicator. Article proximity detector 110 is configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals.

[0061] Aerosol delivery device 100 includes an article reception detector 112. Article receiver detector 112 is a pressure sensor 112. Pressure sensor 112 is positioned at the bottom of article receptacle 111 such that pressure sensor 112 is activated by the distal end of article 200 when article 200 is received in receptacle 111.

[0062] In another example, the item receipt detector is an optical sensor, which may be positioned at the bottom of the item receptacle so as to be activated by an item when it is received in the receptacle.

[0063] In another example, the item receipt detector is an RF signal sensor that may be positioned at the bottom of the item receptacle such that the RF signal sensor is activated by an item when received in the receptacle.

[0064] The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a power source 114 for providing power to the aerosol generator 104. The aerosol delivery device 100 includes a controller 116. The power source 114 is located within the housing 102. The controller 116 is located within the housing 102. The power source provides power to the aerosol generator, which converts the provided electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable or 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.

[0065] The power source is electrically coupled to the aerosol generation assembly to provide power as needed under the control of the controller 116 to heat the aerosol-generating material. The controller may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generation assembly based on user input. The controller is contained within the housing.

[0066] Article 200 includes an aerosol-generating material 202. Article 200 includes a cavity 204. Cavity 204 is cylindrical. Aerosol-generating material 202 is tubular. Aerosol-generating material 202 surrounds cavity 204. Article 200 includes a mouth end 208. Mouth end 208 is received in a user's mouth during use. Article 200 includes a filter element 210. Filter element 210 is located at mouth end 208. Article 200 includes an exterior surface 212. Exterior surface 212 is formed from paper. Article 200 includes a distal end 214 opposite mouth end 208.

[0067] The article 200 includes an item communicator 216. The item communicator 216 is an NFC communicator. The item communicator 216 is a passive communicator. The item communicator 216 is located at a distal end 214 of the article 200. The item communicator 216 is configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals.

[0068] During use, item proximity detector 110 transmits a first signal. The first signal is a radio frequency signal. When aerosol delivery device 100 is in an idle state, item proximity detector 110 transmits the first signal periodically at a first period, for example, 30 seconds. When aerosol delivery device 100 is in an active state, item proximity detector 110 transmits the first signal periodically at a second period, for example, 0.5 seconds, which is shorter than the first period. Aerosol delivery device 100 may transition from the idle state to the active state in response to a user input (e.g., a button press, a slide switch, or a touch sensor) or in response to a signal from an active state detector. The active state detector may be a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the aerosol delivery device, a temperature sensor configured to detect changes in ambient temperature, a microphone configured to detect sound, or another sensor configured to detect user activity. The item proximity detector 110 may transmit a first signal in response to a signal from the activity detector.

[0069] When item 200 is brought within detection distance of aerosol delivery device 100, a first signal is received by item communicator 216. The first signal provides power to item communicator 216, which uses this power to transmit a second signal to item proximity detector 110. Receipt of the second signal by item proximity detector 110 indicates that item 212 is within detection distance, allowing item proximity detector 110 to determine that item 200 is in proximity to aerosol delivery device 100. The detection distance is 20 cm. If an obstacle (e.g., a metal obstacle) is present between item proximity detector 110 and item communicator 216, the detection distance may be shortened.

[0070] In response to receiving the second signal, article proximity detector 110 transmits a proximity signal to controller 110, in this example via a wired connection (not shown). The proximity signal indicates that article 200 is in proximity to aerosol delivery device 100.

[0071] The controller 116 receives the proximity signal. In response to receiving the proximity signal, the controller 116 controls the heating element 104 to initiate pre-heating. During pre-heating, the controller 116 controls one of the external heating element 106 and the internal heating element 108 to generate heat and the other of the external heating element 106 and the internal heating element 108 not to generate heat. During pre-heating, the controller 116 controls the external heating element 106 to begin generating heat. During pre-heating, the controller 116 controls the heating element 104 to heat the aerosol-generating material 202 to a first temperature. In this example, the first temperature is 65°C. This first temperature may enable the heating element 104 to heat the aerosol-generating material 202 to a second temperature (described below) within two seconds of the start of an aerosol-generating session.

[0072] In other examples, the article proximity detector 110 may be configured to monitor other electromagnetic properties of the article 200, such as material properties, temperature, motion, and magnetic fields. The article proximity detector 110 may also be a capacitance detector configured to detect a change in capacitance due to the proximity of the article 200 to the aerosol delivery device.

[0073] When article 200 is inserted into receptacle 111, article 200 activates article reception detector 112. Distal end 218 contacts pressure sensor 112, activating article reception detector 112. This causes article reception detector 112 to determine that article 200 has been received by aerosol delivery device 100.

[0074] In response to determining that article 200 has been received by aerosol delivery device 100, article reception detector 112 transmits an article reception signal to controller 116, in this example via a wired connection (not shown). The article reception signal indicates that article 200 has been received by aerosol delivery device 100.

[0075] The controller 116 receives an article acceptance signal. In response to receiving the article acceptance signal, the controller 116 controls the heating element 104 to initiate an aerosol-generation session. During the aerosol-generation session, the controller 116 controls both the external heating element 106 and the internal heating element 108 to generate heat. During the aerosol-generation session, the controller 116 controls the heating element 104 to heat the aerosol-generating material 202 to a second temperature. The second temperature is higher than the first temperature. In this example, the temperature is 225°C. The aerosol-generation session defines a period during which the user takes multiple inhalations on the aerosol delivery device 100 while the temperature of the aerosol-generating material 202 is controlled to be substantially constant. The controller 116 may control only a portion of the aerosol-generating material 202 to the second temperature at any one time during the aerosol-generation session. In response to a user inhaling on the aerosol delivery device, the controller may control different portions of the aerosol-generating material 202 to a second temperature, i.e., cause different portions of the aerosol-generating material 202 to heat progressively.

[0076] In other examples, the heating element 104 may be controlled to heat to the second temperature only during inhalation, with the heating element 104 returning to a lower temperature (e.g., the first temperature) between inhalations during an aerosol generation session. In such examples, the start of an aerosol generation session may be marked by an inhalation detector beginning to detect inhalation or by the temperature of the heating element 104 being controlled to the second temperature in response to inhalation being detected.

[0077] In other examples, the heating arrangement may comprise only one heater (internal or external) that can be controlled to heat to a first temperature during preheating and to a second temperature during the aerosol generation session.

[0078] 2, the item 200 is received in the item receptacle 111. The internal heating arrangement 106 extends into the item 200. The external heating arrangement 108 extends around the item 200.

[0079] An inlet passage 118 to the article 200 allows air to flow from outside the aerosol delivery system 10 to the article 200. The inlet passage 118 is between the external heating arrangement 106 and the article 200. The inlet passage 118 is defined by an annular volume. In another example, air flows from an air inlet (e.g., an aperture) in the base of the article receptacle 111.

[0080] When a user inhales on article 200, air flows between external heating element 106 and article 200 through inlet channel 118. Air enters article 200 through the device end of article 200 (opposite mouth end 208). The air is drawn through aerosol-generating material 202, passes through internal heating element 108, and exits mouth end 208 to be inhaled by the user.

[0081] In response to the controller 116 receiving a proximity signal but not receiving an article acceptance signal within the period for receiving a proximity signal, the controller 116 controls the heating element 106 to stop preheating. The period is 10 to 30 seconds. Specifically, the period is 20 seconds.

[0082] In another example, after receiving the proximity signal, article proximity detector 110 again determines whether an article is in proximity to aerosol delivery device 100. Controller 116 controls heating arrangement 106 to stop preheating in response to article 200 no longer being in proximity to aerosol delivery device 100.

[0083] In another example, rather than having article acceptance detector 112, article proximity detector 110 is also configured to determine that an article has been accepted by aerosol delivery device 100, for example, by detecting an increase in the strength of a signal transmitted from article communicator 216. In response to determining that article 200 has been accepted by aerosol delivery device 100, article acceptance detector 112 may transmit an article acceptance signal to controller 106.

[0084] 3, a method 400 implemented by aerosol delivery device 100 is shown. Method 400 includes an item proximity determination step 402. Method 400 includes a preheating step 404. Method 400 includes an item acceptance determination step 406. Method 400 includes an aerosol generation session step 408.

[0085] In an article proximity determination step 402, a proximity signal is received indicating that an article 200 is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device 100.

[0086] In a preheating step 404, the heating arrangement 106 is controlled to begin preheating.

[0087] In an article accepted determination step 406 , an article accepted signal is received indicating that an article 200 has been accepted by the aerosol delivery device 100 .

[0088] In an aerosol generation session step 408, the heating arrangement 106 is controlled to begin an aerosol generation session.

[0089] In other examples, the article may be a cartridge containing a liquid aerosol-generating material. The article may include an aerosol generator. The aerosol-delivery device may include an energy store configured to provide energy to the article for aerosol generation.

[0090] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as a representative sample of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the 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. Various embodiments of the present invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of any suitable combination of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Additionally, the present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed but which may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material of an article, the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol generator comprising a heating arrangement configured to heat the aerosol-generating material during an aerosol-generation session; and receiving a proximity signal, the proximity signal indicating that an article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device; controlling the heating arrangement to initiate preheating in response to receiving the proximity signal; a controller configured to: An aerosol delivery device comprising:

2. The controller: receiving an article received signal, the article received signal indicating that the article has been received by the aerosol delivery device; In response to receiving the article acceptance signal, controlling the heating arrangement to initiate the aerosol generation session; The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , configured to:

3. an article proximity detector, determining that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device; transmitting the proximity signal to the controller in response to determining that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device; 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or 2, configured to:

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3 , wherein the item is in proximity when the item is within a detection distance of the aerosol delivery device.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, wherein the detection distance is less than 10 cm.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 or 5, wherein the detection distance is greater than 3 cm.

7. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the proximity detector is an NFC communicator.

8. an article reception detector, the article reception detector comprising: determining that the article has been received by the aerosol delivery device; sending the article acceptance signal to the controller in response to determining that the article has been accepted by the aerosol delivery device; The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 7, configured to:

9. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 8, wherein the article reception detector is a pressure sensor that is activated upon reception of the article by the aerosol delivery device.

10. 12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the heating arrangement comprises a first heater and a second heater, and the controller is configured to control the first heater to heat during preheating, and the controller is configured to control the first and second heaters to heat during the aerosol generation session.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10, wherein the first heater is an external heater positioned to heat the article from the outside.

12. 12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating arrangement to heat at a first temperature during preheating and at a second temperature during the aerosol generation session, the second temperature being higher than the first temperature.

13. An aerosol delivery system comprising the aerosol delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and the article.

14. determining that an article is in proximity to an aerosol delivery device, the article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol delivery device comprising an aerosol generator comprising a heating arrangement configured to heat the aerosol-generating material during an aerosol generation session; controlling the heating arrangement to initiate preheating in response to the article being in proximity to the aerosol delivery device; A method comprising:

15. An article, an aerosol-generating material; and an article indicator configured to provide an article signal to the aerosol delivery device, the article signal indicating that the article is in proximity to the aerosol delivery device; and An article comprising:

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