Aerosol generator having means for identifying the type of aerosol generating article used with the device.

Abstract

This invention provides an aerosol generator for use in conjunction with aerosol-generating articles. [Solution] The aerosol generator includes a susceptor arrangement comprising a receptacle configured to removably receive at least a portion of an aerosol generating article, and an induction heating arrangement configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for induction heating of the susceptor arrangement of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle. Furthermore, the aerosol generator includes a controller operably connected to the induction heating arrangement and configured to determine first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement to be reached during heating of the susceptor arrangement when the device is in use, when the aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle. The controller is further configured to determine the difference between the first and second values ​​and to identify the type of article to be received by the receptacle based on the determined difference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device having means for identifying the type of aerosol generating article used with the device. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising such a device and at least one type of aerosol generating article for use with the device. Further, the present disclosure relates to a method for identifying the type of aerosol generating article received by such a device.

Background Art

[0002] Aerosol generating devices for generating inhalable aerosols by electrically heating an aerosol forming substrate are generally known from the prior art. Such devices may comprise a receptacle for removably receiving at least a portion of an aerosol generating article comprising the aerosol forming substrate to be heated. The device further comprises an electrical heating arrangement for heating the substrate when the article is received within the cavity. In particular, the heating arrangement may be an induction heating arrangement configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for inductively heating a susceptor within the aerosol generating article when the article is received by the receptacle of the device.

[0003] Generally, such aerosol generating devices may be configured for use with a single type of aerosol generating article or for alternative use with two or more different types of aerosol generating articles. To detect the type of aerosol generating article currently received by the receptacle, the article may comprise means for identifying the type of aerosol generating article used with the device. Such types of detection may be realized by separate sensor means within the device responsive to specific markers on the article side indicating the article type. However, having separate sensor means on the device side and specific markers on the article side involves a higher technical effort and an increase in the manufacturing costs of both the device and the article.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to have an aerosol generator and a method for identifying the type of aerosol-generating article used with the aerosol generator that has the advantages of the prior art solutions but reduces their limitations. In particular, it is desirable to have an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating system, and a method for identifying the type of article in a technically simple manner. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005] The present invention provides an aerosol generator for use with an aerosol generating article including a susceptor arrangement. The aerosol generator includes a receptacle configured to removably receive at least a portion of the aerosol generating article. The device further includes an induction heating arrangement configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for induction heating of the susceptor arrangement of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle. Furthermore, the aerosol generator includes a controller operably connected to the induction heating arrangement and configured to determine first and second values, in particular an initial value and an extreme value, of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement that are reached during heating of the susceptor arrangement when the device is in use, when the aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle. The controller is further configured to determine the difference between the first value and the second value, in particular the difference between the initial value and the extreme value, and to identify the article type of the aerosol generating article received by the receptacle based on the determined difference.

[0006] According to the present invention, it has been found that an induction heating aerosol generation system can be omitted by using existing components of the system, namely a controller, in combination with an induction heating arrangement and a susceptor arrangement to identify the type of article on the apparatus side and specific markers on the article side. In particular, it has been found that if the susceptor arrangement of an aerosol-generating article includes at least one electrical characteristic that passes through a characteristic value during heating, i.e., from a first value to a second value, in particular from an initial value to an extreme value, the difference between the first and second values ​​is unique and can therefore indicate a specific type of article. On the apparatus side, the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristic can be easily detected by a controller combined with an induction heating arrangement. For example, if the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristic are values ​​indicating the electrical conductance of the susceptor arrangement, these values ​​can progress along with the corresponding first and second values, in particular the corresponding initial and extreme values ​​of the supply current drawn by the induction heating arrangement during heating of the susceptor arrangement. Therefore, the controller can be easily configured to determine first and second values ​​of corresponding signals, which indicate first and second values ​​of the supply current drawn by the induction heating arrangement. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine the difference between the determined values ​​and to identify the article type of the aerosol-generating article to be received by the receptacle based on the determined difference.

[0007] Generally, the device may be configured for use with at least one type of aerosol-generating article. In particular, the device may be configured for use with a single type of aerosol-generating article.

[0008] Aerosol-generating articles, particularly at least one type or single type of aerosol-generating article, may include an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate. The material composition of the susceptor arrangement of the aerosol-generating article, particularly at least one type or single type, may be such that the value of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement changes with increasing temperature, particularly decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value. The susceptor arrangement of the aerosol-generating article, particularly at least one type or single type, may have a characteristic difference between the first value and the second value, particularly between an initial value and an extreme value, the difference indicating the type of article.

[0009] Similarly, the apparatus may be configured for use with at least two different types of aerosol generating articles. For example, an aerosol generating apparatus may be configured for alternative use with aerosol generating articles comprising a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate and aerosol generating articles comprising a solid aerosol-forming substrate. Each type of article may include an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate. The material composition of the susceptor arrangement of each article type may be such that, with increasing temperature, the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change, particularly decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, especially from an initial value to an extreme value. The susceptor arrangement of each article type may have a characteristic difference between its respective first value and its respective second value, especially between its respective initial value and its respective extreme value, the difference indicating the respective article type.

[0010] In other words, according to the present invention, an aerosol generating device may be provided for alternative use of at least a first type and a second type of induction-heatable aerosol generating article, each type of article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and a susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate, the device, A receptacle configured to removably receive at least a portion of a first or second type aerosol generating article, An induction heating arrangement configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for inductively heating the susceptor arrangement of a first or second type of aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received by a receptacle, It is operably connected to the induction heating system. Determine the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement of the first or second type article, the electrical characteristics being reached during heating of the susceptor arrangement when the first or second type aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle, and the device is in use. Determine the difference between the first value and the second value. A controller configured to identify the type of aerosol-generating article to be received by the receptacle based on the determined difference.

[0011] For each article type, the first and second values ​​of the electrical properties may be an initial value and an extreme value, respectively, as will be described in more detail below. In particular, the material composition of the susceptor arrangement may be selected so that the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change with increasing temperature during heating, increasing or decreasing from the initial value to the extreme value, and the change in electrical properties from the initial value to the extreme value indicates the type of aerosol-generating article. That is, the susceptor arrangement for each article type may have a specific difference between its respective first value and its respective second value, particularly between its respective initial value and its respective extreme value, and the difference indicates the respective article type. Accordingly, the controller may be configured to determine the initial and extreme values ​​of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement that are reached during heating when any type of article is received by the receptacle, to determine the difference between the determined initial value and the determined extreme value, and to identify the article type of each article received by the receptacle based on the determined difference.

[0012] In particular, the susceptor configurations of at least two different types of aerosol-generating articles may differ from each other in at least one of their first and second values, especially in their respective initial and extreme values ​​of electrical properties. Thus, the susceptor configuration of each article type has a unique difference between its first and second values, which is different from the difference between the first and second values ​​of all other article types. In particular, the susceptor configurations of at least two different article types may differ from each other in at least one of their respective first and second values ​​of electrical properties, due to at least one of their different material compositions or different dimensions of their respective susceptor configurations.

[0013] The first and second values ​​of the electrical properties are the respective values ​​of the electrical properties that occur or are reached at different times during heating, i.e., during the heating operation of the heating arrangement, particularly at different temperatures of the susceptor arrangement. As time progresses, the second value is preferably reached later than the first value during heating. In particular, the second value may preferably reach a higher temperature than the first value, or may occur at a higher temperature.

[0014] In general, the first value may differ from the second value. In particular, electrical properties can increase from the first value to the second value. Similarly, electrical properties can decrease from the first value to the second value.

[0015] As described above, the first value may be the initial value of the electrical characteristic, and the second value may preferably be an extremum of the electrical characteristic, particularly a local extremum. The extremum may be a minimum or a maximum. In particular, the extremum may be a local minimum or a local maximum. As used herein, the term “local extremum” of the electrical characteristic should be understood in the sense of mathematical analysis. That is, the term “local extremum” refers to either the maximum or minimum value of the electrical characteristic as a function of temperature over a given temperature range, particularly within a sub-range of temperatures over which the susceptor installation may be provided. In particular, the minimum value of the electrical characteristic as a function of temperature over a given temperature range, particularly within a sub-range of temperatures over which the susceptor installation may be provided is a “local minimum,” while the maximum value of the electrical characteristic as a function of temperature over a given temperature range, particularly within a sub-range of temperatures over which the susceptor installation may be provided is a “local maximum.” The extremum may also be a global extremum or an absolute extremum, particularly a global or absolute minimum, or a global or absolute maximum. As used herein, the terms “global extreme” or “absolute extreme” of an electrical property should be understood in a mathematically analytical sense. That is, the terms “global extreme” or “absolute extreme” refer to either the maximum or minimum absolute value of an electrical property (as a function of temperature) across a temperature domain. In particular, the minimum absolute value of an electrical property (as a function of temperature) across a temperature domain may be the “global minimum” or “absolute minimum” of the electrical property, while the maximum absolute value of an electrical property (as a function of temperature) across a temperature domain is the “local maximum” or “absolute maximum” of the electrical property. In the case of a minimum, the electrical property can decrease from its initial value to the minimum. In the case of a maximum, the electrical property can increase from its initial value to the maximum.

[0016] The first value, in particular the initial value, may occur or be reached during heating of the susceptor arrangement and aerosol-forming substrate, that is, during heating of the susceptor arrangement and aerosol-forming substrate from an initial temperature such as the ambient temperature to the operating temperature. The operating temperature may be the temperature required to vaporize volatile substances from the aerosol-forming substrate. Similarly, the second value, in particular the extreme value, may occur or be reached during heating of the susceptor arrangement and aerosol-forming substrate. In other words, the change in electrical properties from the first value to the second value, in particular the change in electrical properties from the initial value to the extreme value, may occur during heating of the susceptor arrangement and aerosol-forming substrate. In particular, the value of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement may change from the first value to the second value, in particular from the initial value to the extreme value, with increasing temperature, and may decrease or increase in particular.

[0017] More specifically, the first value, in particular the initial value, may occur or be reached at the start of heating of the susceptor arrangement, in particular at the initial temperature of the susceptor arrangement, such as the ambient temperature. The second value, in particular the extreme value, may occur or be reached at the temperature of the susceptor arrangement corresponding to the Curie temperature of the material of the susceptor arrangement. The susceptor arrangement may include one or more materials, in particular at least two different materials.

[0018] Therefore, the controller of the aerosol generator is preferably configured to determine a first and second value, in particular the initial and extreme values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration of the aerosol generating article received by the receptacle, during heating of the susceptor configuration and aerosol-forming substrate when the device is in use, and especially during the heating operation of the induction heating configuration. Similarly, the controller is preferably configured to determine a difference during heating of the susceptor configuration and aerosol-forming substrate when the device is in use, and especially during the heating operation of the induction heating configuration, and to identify the article type based on the determined difference.

[0019] Accordingly, according to the present invention, an aerosol generator may be provided for use with an aerosol-generating article, the article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and a susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement is selected such that, as the temperature rises during heating, the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change, particularly decreasing or increasing from an initial value to a local extreme value, the susceptor arrangement having a characteristic difference between the initial value and the extreme value, the difference indicating the respective article type (i.e., the change in electrical properties from the initial value to the local extreme value indicates the type of aerosol-generating article), and the aerosol generator is, A receptacle configured to removably receive at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article, An induction heating device configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for inductively heating the susceptor arrangement of an aerosol-generating item when the item is received by a receptacle, It is operably connected to the induction heating system. When an aerosol-generating article is received by the receptacle, the initial and local extreme values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration reached during heating of the susceptor configuration during use of the device are determined. Determine the difference between the initial value and the local extremum. A controller configured to identify the type of aerosol-generating article to be received by the receptacle based on the determined difference, is included.

[0020] As described, the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics, in particular the initial and extreme values ​​of the electrical characteristics, may be values ​​indicating the electrical conductance of the susceptor configuration. Similarly, the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics, in particular the initial and extreme values, may also be values ​​indicating the supply current drawn by the induction heating configuration during the heating of the susceptor configuration. In one example, the supply voltage supplied to the induction heating configuration is constant when heating the susceptor configuration. Here, the electrical conductance of the susceptor configuration is directly proportional to the supply current drawn by the induction heating configuration during the heating of the susceptor configuration. Therefore, by determining the value indicating the supply current drawn by the induction heating configuration during the heating of the susceptor configuration, the controller can also determine the value indicating the electrical conductance of the susceptor configuration. The same is true for the apparent electrical resistance of the susceptor configuration, which is inversely proportional to the supply current drawn by the induction heating configuration during the heating of the susceptor configuration. In other words, it may be sufficient to determine the first and second values, respectively, which represent the supply current drawn out by the induction heating arrangement.

[0021] Power for the induction heating arrangement may be provided by the power supply of the aerosol generator. Therefore, the aerosol generator may comprise a power supply operably connected to the induction heating arrangement and a controller configured to provide a supply current. In particular, the power supply may be a DC power supply configured to provide a DC supply voltage and a DC supply current. The power supply is preferably a battery, such as a lithium iron phosphate battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging; i.e., the power supply may be rechargeable. The power supply may have a capacity that allows for the storage of sufficient energy for one or more user experiences. For example, the power supply may have a capacity sufficient to allow for continuous aerosol generation for about six minutes, or a time interval that is a multiple of six minutes. In another embodiment, the power supply may have a capacity sufficient to allow for a predetermined number of fume extractions or discontinuous startup of the induction source.

[0022] Therefore, in order to determine the supply current drawn by the induction heating arrangement, the controller may be configured to determine the supply current drawn from the power supply and to determine the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement from the change in the supply current drawn from the power supply over time.

[0023] In particular, if the voltage supplied by the power supply decreases over time, it may be necessary to determine both the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply. Therefore, the controller may be configured to determine the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply and to determine the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration from the change over time of the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply. In particular, the controller may be configured to determine the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration from the change over time of the ratio of the supply current to the supply voltage drawn from the power supply. This is especially applicable when the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics may be values ​​that indicate the electrical conductance or apparent electrical resistance of the susceptor configuration. This is because the electrical conductance of the susceptor configuration is directly proportional to the ratio of the supply current to the supply voltage drawn from the power supply, and the apparent electrical resistance of the susceptor configuration is inversely proportional to the ratio of the supply current to the supply voltage drawn from the power supply.

[0024] The difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement may depend on the actual power rating of the aerosol generating device. Although of the same type, the actual power rating may vary for each aerosol generating device due to manufacturing tolerances. Thus, the induction heating arrangement of each device may use slightly different power ratings to generate the alternating magnetic field. This variation at the maximum available power may also change the values of the electrical characteristics determined for different articles of the same type. Next, certain variations in the determined values may prevent proper article identification, as will be further explained below. This applies particularly when article identification is carried out during heating of the aerosol forming substrate and the induction heating arrangement is normally operated at maximum power. This is because no power buffer is available at the maximum power that can be used to level the power of the induction heating arrangement. To reduce the effect of the variation in the maximum power, the controller may be configured to normalize the determined difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics using the power rating of the induction heating arrangement used to generate the alternating magnetic field. In particular, the controller may be configured to normalize the determined difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics according to the following equation: Delta_Norm=k*(Power_Norm-Power)+Delta where Delta_Norm is the normalized difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics, Delta is the determined difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics, Power_Norm is the power rating coefficient, k is the normalization coefficient determined empirically for a plurality of aerosol generating devices, and Power is the power rating of the hand-held induction heating arrangement. Similar to the normalization coefficient, k, the power rating coefficient, Power_Norm, can be determined from the average power rating of a plurality of aerosol generating devices. The power rating of the induction heating arrangement can be determined and encoded by the controller during manufacture of the device by using a calibration article including a calibration susceptor arrangement. Similarly, the power rating coefficient Power_Norm and the normalization coefficient k can be encoded by the controller during manufacture of the device.

[0025] This type of normalization advantageously enhances the discrimination accuracy, particularly when the device is configured to be used with at least two different types of aerosol-generating articles. This is because, due to the power normalization, the distribution of the difference between the first value and the second value determined for a plurality of articles of the same type causes the standard deviation to be reduced without performing power normalization. As a result, the distribution of each difference determined for different types of articles can be better distinguished from each other, and thus the possibility that one type of article is misidentified as another type of article is low. Otherwise, misidentification may occur, particularly when the value of the difference between the first value and the second value of one article type is close to the value of the difference between the first value and the second value of another article type.

[0026] To identify the article type, the controller may be configured to compare the determined difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement with one or more reference values or reference ranges of the differences stored in the device, each reference value or reference range indicating a particular article type. The reference range may be a range having a minimum endpoint and a maximum endpoint, or an open range having either a minimum endpoint or a maximum endpoint. In the latter two cases, the minimum and maximum endpoints of the open range may be the upper or lower threshold values of the difference indicating a particular article type if violated by the determined difference.

[0027] The controller may be configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement in response to the identified article type. In particular, the controller may be configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement according to one or more of a predetermined heating profile, each of which is associated with a particular article type. For example, the heating profile associated with an aerosol-generating article containing a solid aerosol-forming substrate may have an operating temperature lower than the operating temperature of the heating profile associated with an aerosol-generating article containing a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate.

[0028] <000Therefore, it may be advantageous for the controller of the aerosol generator to be configured to determine first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration during heating of the aerosol-forming substrate, particularly during the heating operation of the induction heating configuration, when the device is in use. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine the difference between the first and second values ​​and preferably identify the article type even during heating of the aerosol-forming substrate, such as during the heating operation of the induction heating configuration. This allows the controller to identify the article type in a timely manner and control the subsequent heating operation of the induction heating configuration according to the identified article type, and in particular to select a predetermined heating profile in a timely manner before the actual aerosol generation begins.

[0029] If the device is configured for use with a single type of article, the controller may be configured to heat only the substrate within the article if it identifies the type of article currently accepted by the receptacle to correspond to that single type of article. Otherwise, the controller may be configured to identify the type of article currently accepted by the receptacle as unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device. In the latter case, the controller may be configured to stop or disable the operation of the heating arrangement, in particular to stop or disable the heating of the substrate within the article. This may apply not only to devices configured for use with a single type of aerosol-generating article, but also to devices configured for use with at least one type of aerosol-generating article or at least two different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0030] Therefore, regardless of the specified use of the device, the controller may be configured to identify, in particular, that the type of article currently being received by the receptacle is unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device if the determined difference does not correspond to a reference value or reference range of the difference. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to stop or disable the operation of the heating arrangement if it is identified that the type of article currently being received by the receptacle is unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device.

[0031] Furthermore, the controller may be configured to identify an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. In particular, an abnormal deviation may occur if one of the devices or articles is affected during the critical time window between the determination of the first value and the determination of the second value, such as during the heating operation of an induction heating arrangement. For example, if a user displaces an aerosol generating article relative to an aerosol generating device during the critical time window by pushing the article further into the receptacle (e.g., because the article was not fully accepted by the receptacle), the determined difference between the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics may increase or decrease, as each push can cause a sharp decrease or increase in the electrical characteristics. Conversely, if an article is partially removed from the receptacle by pulling, the determined difference between the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics may decrease or increase, as each pull can cause a sharp increase or decrease in the electrical characteristics.

[0032] If the controller is configured to identify an anomaly, the controller may be further configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement according to a safety heating profile in response to the identification of an anomaly of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. The safety heating profile may correspond to the heating profile having the lowest operating temperature among a plurality of stored heating profiles. Otherwise, if an aerosol generating article is incorrectly identified as having an article whose associated heating profile has an operating temperature higher than the rated operating temperature of the article actually received by the receptacle, overheating of the aerosol-forming substrate may occur. For example, an aerosol generator may be configured for use with an aerosol generating article containing a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate, or it may be configured for use with an aerosol generating article containing a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The operating temperature of the heating profile associated with an aerosol generating article containing a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate may be higher than, for example, the operating temperature of the heating profile associated with an aerosol generating article containing a solid aerosol-forming substrate. In this example, in response to the identification of an abnormal deviation in at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics, the controller may control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement according to the heating profile associated with the aerosol generating article containing a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

[0033] Alternatively, or additionally, the controller may be configured to pause and then resume the process of determining the first and second values, determine the difference between the first and second values, and identify the type of article.

[0034] The controller may be configured to identify an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical properties determined in the first measurement by verifying the identification of the item type, in particular by verifying the first and second values ​​determined in the first measurement, or otherwise by repeating the process of determining the first and second values ​​in the second measurement, and by comparing at least one of the first value determined in the first measurement and the first value determined in the second measurement with the second value determined in the first measurement and the second value determined in the second measurement. For both the first and second measurements, the heating arrangement may be configured to heat the susceptor arrangement until the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement reach or pass the extreme value, in particular the local extreme value, which determines the second value. Between the first and second measurements, the susceptor arrangement may be cooled until the electrical properties fall below or exceed the second value, in particular the extreme value, again, depending on whether the second value, in particular the extreme value, is the maximum or minimum value. Therefore, the heating arrangement may be configured to stop heating between the first and second measurements, reduce the heating power between the first and second measurements, or reduce the load cycle of the heating process between the first and second measurements.

[0035] Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine the second value of each measurement based on the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration, i.e., to determine the time required to reach the time interval between the determination of the first value and the determination of the second value.

[0036] In particular, the controller may be configured to identify abnormal deviations by comparing the second value determined in the first measurement with the second value determined in the second measurement and determining that the second value determined in the first measurement deviates by a certain amount from the second value determined in the second measurement, for example, by more than 5 percent, more than 10 percent, or more than 20 percent. In this case, the article may be partially removed from the receptacle by pulling during the first measurement, thereby resulting in a sharp rise or fall in electrical properties, i.e., an artificial extreme value, which is likely to be incorrectly identified by the controller as an extreme value, causing the second value to be incorrectly, especially during the first measurement, to have too low a temperature. Conversely, the controller may be configured to verify the identification of the article type by comparing the second value determined in the first measurement with the second value determined in the second measurement and determining that the second value determined in the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the second value determined in the second measurement.

[0037] In addition, or by other means, the controller may be configured to identify abnormal deviations by comparing the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extremum in the first measurement with the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extremum during the second measurement, and by determining that the time required during the first measurement is less than 90 percent or less than 75 percent of the time required during the second measurement. In that case, it is also likely that the article is partially detached from the receptacle by pulling during the first measurement, thereby causing an artificial extremum at a lower temperature as described above. As a result, the time of the first measurement will be shorter than expected to reach the actual extremum at the correct (higher) temperature. In other words, the controller may be configured to verify the identification of the article type by comparing the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extremum in the first measurement with the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extremum during the second measurement, and by determining that the time required during the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the time required during the second measurement.

[0038] Both criteria, namely, "the second value determined in the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the second value determined in the second measurement," and "the time required during the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the time required during the second measurement," can be applied alternatively or in combination. That is, the controller may be configured to verify the identification of the item type if one or at least one of the two criteria is met, or if only both criteria are met. Misidentification can also occur when the item type is identified by the controller, particularly at the start of a user experience, if the susceptor arrangement is at an elevated temperature level. This can occur, for example, when a user interrupts the user experience by stopping the operation of the heating arrangement and then immediately resumes the user experience with the same item. Similarly, such a situation can occur if the item has already been heated by another device or oven before being received into the device. As a result, for example, after a "high temperature" restart, the first value of the electrical properties determined at a higher temperature level may differ from the value determined at a lower temperature level, for example, at the ambient temperature level of the device. To avoid misidentification under these circumstances, the controller may be configured to disable the start of the induction heating system operation for a predetermined pause time after the operation prior to induction heating system installation. The predetermined pause time may be in the range of 0.5 seconds to 120 seconds, specifically 1 second to 60 seconds, preferably 5 seconds to 30 seconds. Pause times within this range may allow sufficient cooling of the susceptor system.

[0039] The device may include a user interface configured to indicate the identified item type. For this purpose, the user interface may include a display or one or more light sources, such as one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

[0040] Furthermore, the apparatus may include cavities for removably receiving at least one article type, or at least two article types, or at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article of a single article type. In particular, the cavities may constitute at least a portion of the apparatus's receptacle, or vice versa, the cavities may be at least partially constituted by the apparatus's receptacle. The cavities may include insertion openings into which each aerosol-generating article can be inserted. As used herein, the direction in which the aerosol-generating article is inserted is indicated as the insertion direction. The insertion direction preferably corresponds to the length axis, specifically the extension of the central axis of the cavity.

[0041] After insertion into the cavity, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article may still extend outward through the insertion opening. Preferably, the outward-extending portion of the aerosol-generating article is provided for interaction with the user, specifically for placement in the user's mouth. Therefore, during use of the device, the insertion opening may be close to the mouth. Consequently, as used herein, sections close to the insertion opening or close to the user's mouth during use of the device are each indicated with the prefix "proximal." Sections located further away are indicated with the prefix "distal."

[0042] The cavity may have any suitable cross-section, such as one seen in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cavity or in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the article is inserted. Specifically, the cross-section of the cavity may correspond to the shape of the aerosol-generating article received therein. Preferably, the cavity has a substantially circular cross-section. Alternatively, the cavity may have a substantially elliptical, substantially oblong, substantially square, substantially rectangular, substantially triangular, or substantially polygonal cross-section.

[0043] The induction heating arrangement may include an induction source containing an induction coil for generating a changing magnetic field, specifically an alternating magnetic field. The changing magnetic field is preferably generated at the aerosol-forming substrate, specifically within the aforementioned cavity, during use of the apparatus. The changing magnetic field may be a high-frequency changing magnetic field. The changing magnetic field may be in the range of 500 kHz (kilohertz) to 30 MHz (megahertz), specifically 5 MHz to 15 MHz, preferably 5 MHz to 10 MHz. The changing magnetic field is used to induction heat the susceptor arrangement of the aerosol-generating article, at least one of eddy currents or hysteresis losses, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of the susceptor material.

[0044] At least one induction coil may be a helical coil or a flat planar coil, specifically a pancake coil or a curved planar coil. At least one induction coil may be held within one of the main body or housing of the aerosol generator. The induction coil may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the receptacle. Specifically, the induction coil may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the cavity of the device, or at least a portion of the inner surface of such cavity. For example, the induction coil may be an induction coil or a helical coil arranged within the side wall of the cavity.

[0045] The induction source may include an alternating current (AC) generator. The AC generator may be powered by the power supply of the aerosol generator. The AC generator is operably connected to at least one induction coil. Specifically, at least one induction coil may be an integral part of the AC generator. The AC generator is configured to generate a high-frequency oscillating current that passes through at least one induction coil to generate an alternating magnetic field. The AC current may be supplied continuously to at least one induction coil after the system is started, or intermittently (e.g., with each smoke extraction).

[0046] The induction source preferably comprises a DC / AC converter connected to a DC power supply including an LC network, the LC network comprising a series connection of capacitors and inductors. In addition, the induction source may include a matching network for impedance matching. Specifically, the induction source may include a power amplifier, such as a Class C power amplifier, or a Class D power amplifier, or a Class E power amplifier.

[0047] The aerosol generator may also further include a flux concentrator disposed around at least a portion of the induction coil and configured to distort the alternating magnetic field of at least one induction source toward the receptacle, for example toward a cavity. Thus, when an article is received by the receptacle, the alternating magnetic field is distorted toward the susceptor arrangement of the article. The flux concentrator preferably comprises a flux concentrator foil, specifically a multilayer flux concentrator foil.

[0048] The aerosol generator may comprise a main body, which preferably includes a heating element, a controller, a power supply, and at least one of at least a portion of a cavity, where present. In addition to the main body, the aerosol generator may further comprise a mouthpiece if the aerosol generating article used with the device does not have a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may be mounted on the main body of the device. As used herein, the term “mouthpiece” refers to the portion of an article through which an aerosol passes when exiting the device. The mouthpiece may be configured to close a receiving cavity when attached to the main body. If the device does not have a mouthpiece, the aerosol generating article used with the aerosol generator may comprise a mouthpiece, such as a filter plug.

[0049] The aerosol generator may be equipped with at least one air outlet, for example, an air outlet in the mouthpiece (if present).

[0050] The aerosol generator preferably comprises an air path extending from at least one air intake through a cavity and optionally further to an air outlet in a mouthpiece (if present). The aerosol generator preferably comprises at least one air intake that is in fluid communication with the cavity. Preferably, the aerosol generator, when combined with an aerosol generating article received by the device, may further comprises an air path extending from at least one air intake into the cavity and optionally further into the user's mouth through an aerosol-forming substrate in the article and a mouthpiece.

[0051] The aerosol generator is preferably a smoke extraction device that generates an aerosol that can be directly inhaled by the user through their mouth. Specifically, the aerosol generator may be a handheld aerosol generator.

[0052] The present invention also provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating apparatus according to the present invention and described herein. The system further comprises at least two different types of aerosol generating articles, or apparatus, configured to be used particularly exclusively by at least one type of aerosol generating article or apparatus. Each type of article, i.e., at least one type or at least two different types of articles, comprises an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate.

[0053] As described above with respect to aerosol generators, the material composition of the susceptor arrangement for each article type may be such that, as the temperature rises, the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change, decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and each article type of susceptor arrangement has a unique difference between its first value and its second value, the difference indicating the article type.

[0054] As further stated above with respect to aerosol generators, different article types of susceptor arrangements may differ in at least one of the dimensions of each susceptor arrangement or the material composition of each susceptor arrangement.

[0055] The present invention also provides an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device according to the present invention and described herein, and at least one aerosol generating article of a particular type, wherein the device is configured to be used particularly exclusively.

[0056] Certain types of articles may include an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate. The material composition of the susceptor arrangement may be selected such that the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change with increasing temperature, particularly decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, especially from an initial value to an extreme value, and the susceptor arrangement has a characteristic difference between the first and second values, the difference indicating a particular type of article.

[0057] In both systems, the susceptor configuration may be positioned in thermal proximity to or in thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate such that the substrate is heated by the susceptor configuration during use when the article is received by the receptacle of the device.

[0058] As used herein, the term “susceptor arrangement” refers to an element comprising one or more materials having the ability to be inductively heated in an alternating magnetic field. This may be the result of at least one of hysteresis losses or eddy currents induced within the susceptor arrangement, depending on the electrical and magnetic properties of each susceptor material.

[0059] As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” means a substrate formed from, or containing, an aerosol-forming material having the ability to release volatile compounds upon heating in order to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate is intended to be heated, rather than burned, in order to release aerosol-forming volatile compounds. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate, a liquid aerosol-forming substrate, a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate, or any combination thereof. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain a tobacco-containing material that contains volatile tobacco-flavoring compounds released from the substrate upon heating. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further contain aerosol-forming materials. Examples of suitable aerosol-forming materials are glycerin and propylene glycol. The aerosol-forming substrate may also contain other additives and components (such as nicotine or flavoring agents). The aerosol-forming substrate may also be a paste-like material, a sachet of a porous material containing the aerosol-forming substrate, or, for example, loose tobacco mixed with a gelling agent or adhesive, which may contain a common aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin, and which is compressed or molded into a plug.

[0060] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising at least one aerosol-forming substrate that releases volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol when heated. The aerosol-generating article is preferably a heated aerosol-generating article; that is, an aerosol-generating article comprising at least one aerosol-forming substrate intended to be heated rather than burned in order to release volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol-generating article may be a consumable, particularly a consumable that is discarded after a single use. The article may be a cartridge containing a heated liquid aerosol-forming substrate. Similarly, the article may be a rod-shaped article similar to a conventional cigarette, particularly a tobacco article.

[0061] As an example, each type of aerosol-generating article, i.e., a single type of article, or at least one type of article, or at least two different types of articles, may include one or more of the following elements: a first support element, a base element, a second support element, a cooling element, and a filter element. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article comprises at least a first support element, a second support element, and a base element located between the first and second support elements.

[0062] The substrate element preferably includes at least one aerosol-forming substrate that is heated, and a susceptor arrangement that is thermally in contact with or thermally close to the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0063] At least one of the first and second support elements may be provided with a central air passage. Preferably, at least one of the first and second support elements may be provided with a hollow cellulose acetate tube. Alternatively, the first support element may be used to cover and protect the distal front end of the substrate element.

[0064] The aerosol cooling element is an element with a large surface area and low draw resistance (e.g., 15 mmWG to 20 mmWG). During use, the aerosol formed by volatile compounds released from the substrate element is drawn through the aerosol cooling element before being transported to the proximal end of the aerosol generating article.

[0065] The filter element preferably functions as a mouthpiece or as part of a mouthpiece together with an aerosol cooling element. As used herein, the term “mouthpiece” refers to the portion of an article through which an aerosol passes and exits the aerosol-generating article.

[0066] All of the aforementioned elements may be arranged sequentially along the length axis of the article in the order described above, with the first support element preferably located at the distal end of the article and the filter element preferably located at the proximal end of the article. Each of the aforementioned elements may be substantially cylindrical. Specifically, all elements may have the same outer cross-sectional shape. In addition, the elements may be surrounded by an outer wrapper to hold the elements together and to maintain the desired cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped article. The wrapper is preferably made of paper. The wrapper may further contain an adhesive to bond the overlapping free ends of the wrappers together.

[0067] Further features and advantages of the aerosol generating system according to the present invention are described with respect to the aerosol generating apparatus and apply equally.

[0068] The present invention provides a method for identifying the type of aerosol-generating article to be received by an induction-heated aerosol generator, particularly an aerosol generator according to the present invention and described herein. The article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate that, when heated, can form an inhalable aerosol, and a susceptor arrangement that can be induction-heated by an induction heating arrangement of an apparatus for heating the substrate. The material composition of the susceptor arrangement is such that, with increasing temperature, the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change, particularly decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and susceptor arrangements of article types have a characteristic difference between the first and second values, the difference indicating the article type. The method is as follows: - Using the apparatus, the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article received by the induction heating aerosol generator is heated, - Determining the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration during heating, - To determine the difference between the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics, - Includes identifying the article type of aerosol-generating article based on the determined difference.

[0069] As already described above with respect to the aerosol generator according to the present invention, the first value may be the initial value of the electrical characteristics, and the second value may be the extreme value of the electrical characteristics. The extreme value may be the minimum or maximum value. In the minimum case, the electrical characteristics may decrease from the initial value to the minimum value. In the maximum case, the electrical characteristics may increase from the initial value to the maximum value. The first value, in particular the initial value, may occur or be reached during the heating of the susceptor arrangement and the aerosol forming substrate, that is, during the heating of the susceptor arrangement and the aerosol forming substrate from an initial temperature such as the ambient temperature to the operating temperature. The operating temperature may be the temperature required to vaporize volatile substances from the aerosol forming substrate. Similarly, the second value, in particular the extreme value, may occur or be reached during the heating of the susceptor arrangement and the aerosol forming substrate. In other words, the change from the first value to the second value of the electrical characteristics, in particular the change from the initial value to the extreme value of the electrical characteristics, may occur during the heating of the susceptor arrangement and the aerosol forming substrate.

[0070] More specifically, the first value, in particular the initial value, may occur or be reached at the start of heating of the susceptor arrangement, in particular at the initial temperature of the susceptor arrangement, such as the ambient temperature. The second value, in particular the extreme value, may occur or be reached at the temperature of the susceptor arrangement corresponding to the Curie temperature of the material of the susceptor arrangement. The susceptor arrangement may include one or more materials, in particular at least two different materials.

[0071] As already described above with respect to the aerosol generator according to the present invention, the method may include normalizing the determined difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics using the power rating of the induction heating arrangement used to generate the alternating magnetic field. Advantageously, normalization can facilitate compensation for the effects of variations in the power rating.

[0072] In particular, the determined difference between the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics may be normalized according to the following equation: Delta_Norm=k*(Power_Norm-Power)+Delta, In the formula, Delta_Norm is the normalized difference, Delta is the determined difference, Power_Norm is the power rating coefficient, k is the normalization coefficient empirically determined for multiple aerosol generators, and Power is the power rating of the induction heating arrangement. The power rating coefficient, Power_Norm, can be determined from the average power rating of the aerosol generators.

[0073] As further described above with respect to the aerosol generator according to the present invention, identifying the article type may involve comparing the determined difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical properties with one or more stored reference values, each reference value, or a reference range that indicates a particular article type.

[0074] Furthermore, the method may include controlling the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement in response to the identified article type. In particular, the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement (especially after heating) may be controlled according to one of one or more predetermined heating profiles, each associated with a specific article type.

[0075] The method may further include identifying an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. The heating operation of the induction heating arrangement (particularly after heating) can then be controlled according to a safety heating profile in response to identifying an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics.

[0076] The method may further include showing the identified item type to the user. Advantageously, this improves usability.

[0077] As further described above with respect to the aerosol generator according to the present invention, the method may include disabling the start of the induction heating operation for a predetermined pause time after the operation prior to the induction heating operation. This avoids misidentification when a user interrupts their user experience and then immediately wants to resume the user experience with the same item. The predetermined pause time may be in the range of 0.5 seconds to 120 seconds, specifically 1 second to 60 seconds, preferably 5 seconds to 30 seconds.

[0078] The first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics may represent the conductance of the susceptor configuration. In particular, the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics may represent the supply current drawn out by the induction heating configuration in heating the susceptor configuration.

[0079] If the apparatus includes a power supply configured to provide a supply current and operably connected to an induction heating arrangement and a controller, the method may include determining the supply current drawn from the power supply of the aerosol generator. In doing so, the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement can be determined from the change over time of the supply current drawn from the power supply. Similarly, the method may include determining the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply of the aerosol generator, and further determining the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement from the change over time of the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply, in particular from the change over time of the ratio of the supply current to the supply voltage drawn from the power supply.

[0080] The method may further include identifying that the type of article currently being received by the aerosol generator is unsuitable or unsuitable for use with the device if the determined difference does not correspond to a standard value or range of differences. Furthermore, the method may include stopping or disabling the operation of the heating arrangement if it is identified that the type of article currently being received by the device is unsuitable or unsuitable for use with the device.

[0081] Further features and advantages of the method according to the present invention are described with respect to aerosol generators and aerosol generating systems, and apply equally to them.

[0082] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exclusive list of non-limiting embodiments is provided below. One or more features of these embodiments may be combined with one or more features of other embodiments, forms, or aspects described herein.

[0083] Example 1: An aerosol generator for use with an aerosol generating article equipped with a susceptor, wherein the aerosol generator is A receptacle configured to removably receive at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article, An induction heating device configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for inductively heating the susceptor arrangement of an aerosol-generating item when the item is received by a receptacle, It is operably connected to the induction heating system. - In the case of an aerosol-generating article received by a receptacle, when using the device, the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration reached during heating of the susceptor configuration are determined. - Determine the difference between the first value and the second value, - An aerosol generator comprising a controller configured to identify the article type of an aerosol-generating article to be received by a receptacle based on a determined difference. Example Ex1a: A material composition for a susceptor arrangement, wherein the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change with increasing temperature, decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and the susceptor arrangement has a specific difference between the first value and the second value, the difference indicating the type of article, as described in Example 1 of the aerosol generator. Example 2: The aerosol generator according to Example 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for use with at least one type of aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate. Example 2a: The aerosol generator according to Example 2a, wherein the material composition of at least one article type of susceptor arrangement causes the value of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement to change with increasing temperature, from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, particularly decreasing or increasing, and at least one article type of susceptor arrangement has a characteristic difference between the first value and the second value, the difference indicating the article type. Example 3: The aerosol generator according to Example 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for use with a single type of aerosol generating article, the aerosol generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate. Example 3a: The aerosol generator according to Example 3, wherein the material composition of a single-article type susceptor arrangement changes the value of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement as the temperature rises, decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and the single-article type susceptor arrangement has a characteristic difference between the first value and the second value, the difference indicating a single-article type. Example 4: The aerosol generator according to Example 3 or Example 3a, wherein the controller is configured to allow heating of the substrate in an article only when the controller identifies that the type of article currently received by the receptacle corresponds to a single article type. Example 5: The aerosol generator according to Example 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for use in alternative applications to at least two different types of aerosol generating articles, particularly at least a first type and a second type of inductively heatable aerosol generating articles, each type of article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate. Example 5a: The aerosol generator according to Example 5, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement of each article type changes the value of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement as the temperature rises, decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and each susceptor arrangement of each article type has a specific difference between its respective first value and its respective second value, the difference indicating the article type, aerosol generator. Example 6: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 5a, wherein the first value is the initial value of the electrical characteristics, and the second value is the extreme value, particularly the minimum or maximum value, of the electrical characteristics. Example 6a: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the first value, in particular the initial value, occurs or is reached while heating the susceptor arrangement from an initial temperature, such as the ambient temperature, to the operating temperature. Example 6b: The aerosol generator according to Example 6a, wherein the second value, in particular an extreme value, occurs or is reached while heating the susceptor arrangement from an initial temperature, such as ambient temperature, to an operating temperature. Example 6c: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 6b, wherein the first value, in particular the initial value, occurs or is reached at the starting point of heating of the susceptor arrangement, in particular at the initial temperature of the susceptor arrangement, such as the ambient temperature. Example 6d: The aerosol generator according to Example 6c, wherein the second value, in particular the extreme value, occurs or is reached at the temperature of the susceptor arrangement, which corresponds to the Curie temperature of the material of the susceptor arrangement. Example 7: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 6d, wherein the controller is configured to identify the type of article currently being received by the receptacle as unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device. Example 7a: The aerosol generator according to Example 7, wherein the controller is configured to stop or disable the heating arrangement when it identifies that the type of article currently being received by the receptacle is unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device. Example 8: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 7a, wherein the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics are values ​​indicating the electrical conductance of the susceptor arrangement. Example 9: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics are values ​​indicating the supply current drawn out by the induction heating arrangement in the heating of the susceptor arrangement. Example 10: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus comprises a power supply configured to provide a supply current and operably connected to an induction heating arrangement and a controller. Example 11: The aerosol generator according to Example 10, wherein the controller is configured to determine the supply current drawn from the power supply and to determine the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration from the change in the supply current drawn from the power supply over time. Example 12: The aerosol generator according to Example 10 or 11, wherein the controller is configured to determine the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply, and to determine the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration from the change in the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply over time. Example 13: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 10 to 12, wherein the controller is configured to determine the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply, and to determine the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration from the change over time of the ratio of the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply. Example 14: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 10 to 13, wherein the power supply is a DC power supply. Example 15: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the controller is configured to normalize the determined difference between a first and a second value of the electrical characteristics using the power rating of the induction heating arrangement used to generate an alternating magnetic field. Example 16: The controller uses the following equation: It is configured to normalize the determined difference between the first and second values ​​according to Delta_Norm = k*(Power_Norm - Power) + Delta, In the formula, Delta_Norm is the normalized difference, Delta is the determined difference, Power_Norm is the power rating coefficient, k is the normalization coefficient empirically determined for multiple aerosol generators, and Power is the power rating of the induction heating arrangement, the aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 15. Example 17: The aerosol generator according to Example 16, wherein the power rating coefficient, Power_Norm, is determined from the average power rating of the aerosol generator. Example 18: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein, in order to identify the type of article, the controller is configured to compare the determined difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration with one or more stored reference values ​​or reference ranges of the difference. Example 19: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating operation of an induction heating arrangement in response to an identified article type. Example 20: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating operation of an induction heating arrangement according to one of one or more predetermined heating profiles, each of which relates to a specific type of article. Example 21: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 20, wherein the controller is configured to identify an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. Example 21a: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 21, wherein the controller is configured to identify an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of an electrical characteristic by verifying the identification of the type of article, in particular by verifying the first and second values ​​determined in a first measurement, or otherwise by repeating the process of determining the first and second values ​​in a second measurement, and by comparing at least one of the first value determined in a first measurement and the first value determined in a second measurement with the second value determined in a first measurement and the second value determined in a second measurement. Example 21b: For both the first and second measurements, the heating arrangement is configured to heat the susceptor arrangement until the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement reach or pass through an extreme value, particularly a local extreme value, which determines the second value in particular, the aerosol generator according to Example 21a. Example 21c: The aerosol generator according to Example 21a or Example 21b, wherein the heating arrangement is configured to reduce the load cycle of the heating process between the first and second measurements in order to stop heating between the first and second measurements, reduce the heating power between the first and second measurements, or reduce the load cycle of the heating process between the first and second measurements in order to allow the susceptor arrangement to cool between the first and second measurements until the second value, particularly the extreme value, falls below or exceeds the second value, depending on whether the electrical characteristics are at the maximum or minimum value of the second value, particularly the extreme value. Example 21d: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 21a to 21c, wherein the controller is configured to identify an abnormal deviation by comparing a second value determined in a first measurement with a second value determined in a second measurement, and determining that the second value determined in the first measurement deviates from the second value determined in the second measurement by a certain amount, such as more than 5 percent, more than 10 percent, or more than 20 percent. Example 21e: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 21a to 21d, wherein the controller is configured to verify the identification of the article type by comparing a second value determined in a first measurement with a second value determined in a second measurement and determining that the second value determined in the first measurement deviates from the second value determined in the second measurement by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent. Example 21f: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 21a to 21e, wherein the controller is configured to determine, in the first and second measurements, the time required to reach the respective extreme values, in particular, the time interval between the determination of the first value and the determination of the second value, which are determined by the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement. Example 21g: The aerosol generator according to Example 1f, wherein the controller is configured to identify abnormal deviations by comparing the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extreme value in a first measurement with the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extreme value between second measurements, and by determining that the time required between first measurements is less than 90 percent or less than 75 percent of the time required during second measurements. Example 21h: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 21f to 21g, wherein the controller is configured to verify the identification of the article type by comparing the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extreme value in a first measurement with the time required for the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration to reach each extreme value between second measurements, and by determining that the time required during the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the time required during the second measurement. Example 21i: The aerosol generator according to Example 21a or Example 21h, wherein the controller is configured to verify the identification of an article type if one or at least one of two criteria is met: "the second value determined in the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the second value determined in the second measurement," and "the time required during the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the time required during the second measurement." Example 21j: The aerosol generator according to Example 21a or Example 21h, wherein the controller is configured to verify the identification of the article type only if both of the following criteria are met: "the second value determined in the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the second value determined in the second measurement," and "the time required during the first measurement deviates by at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent from the time required during the second measurement." Example 22: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 21 to 21j, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement according to a safety heating profile in response to the identification of an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. Example 23: The aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the controller is configured to stop the start of the induction heating system operation for a predetermined pause time after the operation prior to the induction heating system operation. Example 24: The aerosol generator according to Example 23, wherein the predetermined pause time is in the range of 0.5 seconds to 120 seconds, particularly 1 second to 60 seconds, preferably 5 seconds to 30 seconds. Example 25: An aerosol generator according to any one of Examples 1 to 24, wherein the device has a user interface configured to indicate identified article types. Example 26: An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 25, and at least two different types of aerosol generating articles configured such that at least one type of aerosol generating article or apparatus is used particularly exclusively, wherein each type of article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement of each article type changes the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement with increasing temperature, particularly decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and each type of susceptor arrangement has a characteristic difference between its respective first value and its respective second value, the difference indicating the article type. Example 27: The aerosol generating system according to Example 26, wherein the susceptor arrangements of different article types differ in at least one of the dimensions of each susceptor arrangement or the material composition of each susceptor arrangement. Example 28: An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 25, and a specific type of aerosol generating article configured to be used particularly exclusively by the apparatus, wherein the specific type of article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement is selected such that, with increasing temperature, the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change, particularly decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and the susceptor arrangement has a specific difference between each first value and each second value, the difference indicating a specific type of article. Example 29: The article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and a susceptor arrangement that can be inductively heated by an inductive heating arrangement of a device for heating the substrate, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement changes the value of the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement as the temperature rises, decreasing or increasing from a first value to a second extreme value, particularly from an initial value to an extreme value, and the susceptor arrangement of the article type has a characteristic difference between the first value and the second value, the difference indicating the article type, and the method, - Using the apparatus, the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article received by the induction heating aerosol generator is heated, - Determining the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration during heating, - To determine the difference between the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics, A method for identifying the type of aerosol-generating article received by an induction-heated aerosol generator, particularly the aerosol generator described in any one of Examples Ex1 to Ex25, comprising: identifying the article type of the aerosol-generating article based on the determined difference. Example 30: The method according to Example 29, further comprising normalizing the determined difference between a first and second value of the electrical characteristics using the power rating of the induction heating arrangement used to generate an alternating magnetic field. Example 31: The determined difference between the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics is normalized according to the following equation: Delta_Norm=k*(Power_Norm-Power)+Delta, The method according to Example 30, wherein in the formula, Delta_Norm is the normalized difference, Delta is the determined difference, Power_Norm is the power rating coefficient, k is the normalization coefficient empirically determined for multiple aerosol generators, and Power is the power rating of the induction heating arrangement. Example 32: The method according to Example 31, wherein the power rating coefficient, Power_Norm, is determined from the average power rating of the aerosol generator. Example 33: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 32, wherein identifying the type of article involves comparing the determined difference between a first value and a second value of an electrical characteristic with one or more stored reference values ​​or reference ranges of the difference, each reference value or reference range indicating a specific type of article. Example 34: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 33, further comprising controlling the heating operation of an induction heating arrangement in response to a specified type of article. Example 35: The method according to Example 34, wherein the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement (particularly after heating the aerosol-forming substrate) is controlled according to one of one or more predetermined heating profiles, each of which is associated with a specific type of article. Example 36: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 35, further comprising identifying an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. Example 37: The method according to Example 36, wherein the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement (particularly after heating the aerosol-forming substrate) is controlled according to a safety heating profile in response to identifying an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics. Example 38: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 37, further comprising indicating the identified article type to the user. Example 39: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 38, further comprising disabling the start of the operation of the induction heating arrangement during a predetermined pause time after the operation prior to the induction heating arrangement. Example 40: The method according to Example 39, wherein the predetermined pause time is in the range of 0.5 seconds to 120 seconds, particularly 1 second to 60 seconds, preferably 5 seconds to 30 seconds. Example 41: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 40, wherein the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics are values ​​indicating the electrical conductance of the susceptor arrangement. Example 42: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 40, wherein the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics are values ​​indicating the supply current drawn out by the induction heating arrangement in heating the susceptor arrangement. Example 43: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 42, wherein the apparatus comprises a power supply configured to provide a supply current and operably connected to an induction heating arrangement and a controller. Example 44: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 43, comprising determining the supply current drawn from the power supply of the aerosol generator, wherein the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement is determined from the change in the supply current drawn from the power supply over time. Example 45: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 44, comprising determining the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply of the aerosol generator, wherein the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement is determined from the change over time of the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply. Example 46: The method according to Example 45, wherein the difference between a first value and a second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor configuration is determined by the change over time of the ratio of the supply current drawn from the power source to the supply voltage. Example 47: The method of any one of Examples 29 to 46, further comprising identifying that the type of article currently being received by the aerosol generator is unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device if the determined difference does not correspond to a standard value or range of the difference. Example 48: The method according to Example 47, which includes stopping or disabling the operation of the heating arrangement when the type of article currently being received by the device is identified as unsuitable or incompatible for use with the device. Example 49: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 48, wherein the first value is the initial value of the electrical characteristics, and the second value is the extreme value, in particular the minimum or maximum value, of the electrical characteristics. Example 50: The method according to any one of Examples 29 to 49, wherein the first value, in particular the initial value, occurs or is reached while heating the susceptor configuration from an initial temperature, such as ambient temperature, to an operating temperature. Example 51: The method of Example 50, wherein the second value, in particular an extreme value, occurs or is reached while heating the susceptor configuration from an initial temperature, such as ambient temperature, to an operating temperature. Example 52: The first value, in particular the initial value, occurs or is reached at the starting point of heating of the susceptor arrangement, in particular at the initial temperature of the susceptor arrangement, such as the ambient temperature, as described in any one of Examples 29 to 51. Example 53: The method of Example 52, wherein the second value, in particular the extreme value, occurs or is reached at the susceptor arrangement temperature corresponding to the Curie temperature of the susceptor arrangement material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0084] Here, we will further describe the examples with reference to the following figures.

[0085] [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically shows an aerosol generating system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article for use with the device. [Figure 2]Figure 2 schematically shows an aerosol generating system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, including an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article for use with the device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the conductance versus temperature profiles of each item in the aerosol generation system shown in Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows details of the induction heating arrangement of the articles in the aerosol generating system shown in Figures 1 and 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the distribution of differential deltas determined for multiple items of the same type, with and without normalization. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically shows the distribution of the difference delta for each item in the aerosol generation system shown in Figures 1 and 2, with and without normalization. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the conductance versus temperature profiles for one of the items in the aerosol generation system shown in Figures 1 and 2, under various conditions that may cause misidentification of the item type. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the conductance versus temperature profiles for one of the items in the aerosol generation system shown in Figures 1 and 2, under various conditions that may cause misidentification of the item type. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0086] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate exemplary embodiments of an aerosol generating system 300 according to the present invention, which can generate inhalable aerosols by heating an aerosol-forming substrate. The system 300 includes at least two different types of aerosol generating articles 100, 200, and an aerosol generating device 1 for alternative use with at least two different types of articles 100, 200. Figure 1 shows the aerosol generating device 1 used with the first type of aerosol generating article 100, while Figure 2 shows the aerosol generating device 1 used with the second type of aerosol generating article 200.

[0087] Each of the two aerosol-generating articles 100, 200 has a substantially rod shape similar to that of a conventional cigarette. In this embodiment, each of the two articles 100, 200 comprises four elements arranged sequentially in a coaxial arrangement: base elements 110, 210 disposed at the distal end of each article 100, 200; support elements 140, 240 having a central air passage; aerosol cooling elements 150, 250; and filter elements 160, 260 disposed at the proximal end of each article 100, 200, which function as a mouthpiece. Each base element 110, 210 includes an aerosol-forming base 120, 220 that can form an inhalable aerosol when heated, and inductively heatable susceptor arrangements 130, 230 which are in direct physical contact with the bases 120, 220 to heat them. In this embodiment, the first type of aerosol generating article 100 includes a solid aerosol forming substrate 120, and the second type of aerosol generating article 200 includes a gel-like aerosol forming substrate 220.

[0088] Referring to Figures 1-3, the material composition of each susceptor arrangement 130, 230 for each article type is such that, as the temperature rises, the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement 130, 230 change from a first value of 135, 235 to a second value of 136, 236, and in particular from the initial value of 135, 235 to the extreme value of 136, 236. In this embodiment, the material composition of each susceptor arrangement 130, 230 is such that, as the temperature rises, the electrical conductance G of each susceptor arrangement 130, 230 decreases from the initial value of 135, 235 to the minimum value, the extreme value of 136, 236, and then increases again as the temperature rises further. This action is shown in Figure 3. As can be seen further in Figure 3, the susceptor arrangements 130 and 230 of the first type article 100 and the second type article 200 have different conductance-to-temperature profiles 133 and 233. In particular, each of the susceptor arrangements 130 and 230 has a specific differential delta 137 and 237 between their respective initial values ​​135 and 235 and their respective extreme values ​​136 and 236 of the electrical conductance G. In general, the different conductance-to-temperature profiles 133 and 233, and in particular the different values ​​of the specific differential delta 137 and 237, may be attributable to at least one of the dimensions of the susceptor arrangements 130 and 230 or the material composition of the susceptor arrangements 130 and 230. In this embodiment, both susceptor arrangements 130 and 230 are strip-shaped susceptor arrangements, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, which are made of the same material but have different dimensions, particularly different width dimensions 139 and 239.

[0089] Apart from the different aerosol-forming substrates 120, 220 and the different susceptor arrangements 130, 230, both types of articles 100, 200 are substantially identical, particularly with respect to the support elements 140, 240, the aerosol cooling elements 150, 250, and the filter elements 160, 260. In both types of articles 100, 200, each of the four elements has a substantially cylindrical shape with substantially the same diameter. In addition, the four elements are surrounded by outer wrappers 170, 270 to hold the elements together and maintain the desired circular cross-sectional shape of the articles 100, 200. The wrappers 170, 270 are preferably made of paper. Further details of the articles 100, 200, particularly the four elements, are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2015 / 176898 A1.

[0090] The elongated aerosol generator 1 comprises two parts: a proximal section 2 and a distal section 3. In the proximal section 2, the device 1 includes a cavity 4 that forms a receptacle 6 for detachably receiving at least a portion of an aerosol generating article 100, 200, respectively. In the distal section 3, the device 1 includes a DC power supply 50, such as a rechargeable battery, for supplying power to the operating part of the device 1, as well as a controller 60 for controlling the operation of the device 1. To heat the substrates 120, 220 within the respective articles 100, 200, the device 1 includes an induction heating arrangement 10 operably connected to the controller 60. The heating arrangement 10 includes an electronic circuit 15 and an induction coil 18 for generating an alternating magnetic field, particularly a high-frequency magnetic field, within the cavity 4.

[0091] Figure 4 shows details of the induction heating arrangement 10. According to this embodiment, the induction heating arrangement 10 includes a DC / AC inverter connected to the DC power supply 50 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The DC / AC inverter includes a Class E power amplifier, which includes the following components: a transistor switch 11 including a field-effect transistor T (FET), for example, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET); a transistor switch supply circuit indicated by arrow 12 for supplying a switching signal (gate-source voltage) to the transistor switch 11; and an LC load network 13 including a shunt capacitor C1 and a series connection of capacitor C2 and inductor L2. The inductor L2 corresponds to the induction coil 18 shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is used to generate an alternating magnetic field in the cavity 4. In addition, a choke L1 is provided for supplying a DC supply voltage +V_DC to the DC power supply 50. Furthermore, Figure 3 shows the ohm resistance R representing the total equivalent resistance or total resistive load 14, which is the sum of the ohm resistance of the induction coil 18 marked L2 and the ohm resistances of the respective susceptor arrangements 130 and 230, in use of the system, and which is substantially inversely proportional to the electrical conductance G of the respective susceptor arrangements 130 and 230. Further details of the induction heating arrangement 10 according to this embodiment, particularly with respect to its operating principle, are disclosed, for example, in International Publication No. 2015 / 177046A1. The electronic circuit 15 of the electric heating arrangement 10 (excluding the induction coil 18) is arranged on a printed circuit board 61 together with the main control unit 60.

[0092] As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the induction coil 18 is a helical coil disposed within the proximal portion 2 of the apparatus 1 so as to circumferentially surround the cylindrical receiving cavity 4. Therefore, when the respective articles 100, 200 are inserted into the cavity 4 of the apparatus 100 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2) and the heating arrangement 10 is activated, the respective susceptor arrangements 130, 230 experience a changing magnetic field that induces at least one of eddy currents and hysteresis losses in the susceptor arrangements 130, 230, depending on the magnetic and electrical properties of the respective material compositions of the susceptor arrangements 130, 230. As a result, the susceptor arrangements 130, 230 are heated to an operating temperature sufficient to vaporize the respective aerosol-forming substrates 120, 220 surrounding the susceptor arrangements 130, 230 within the articles 100, 200. During this heating, the conductances of the susceptor arrangements 130, 230 are as described above and as shown in Figure 3, showing courses 133, 233. Once the operating temperature is reached, the system 300 is ready for use, and the user may extract smoke from each of the articles 100, 200 received in the apparatus 1 using the filter elements 160, 260. At this time, air is drawn into the cavity 4 at the edge of the insertion opening 5. From there, the airflow extends further toward the distal end of the cavity 4 through the passage formed between the inner surface of the cylindrical cavity 4 and the outer surfaces of each of the articles 100, 200. At the distal end of the cavity 4, the airflow enters the aerosol-generating articles 100, 200 through the respective base elements 110, 210, and further passes through the support elements 140, 240, the aerosol cooling elements 150, 250 and the filter elements 160, 260, and finally exits the articles 100, 200. During heating, the vaporized material from the aerosol-forming substrates 120 and 220 is carried into the airflow passing through the substrate elements 110 and 210. As it further passes through the support elements 140 and 240, the cooling elements 150 and 250, and the filter elements 160 and 260, the airflow containing the vaporized material is cooled to form aerosols that exit the articles 100 and 200 through the filter elements 160 and 260.

[0093] Different types of aerosol-generating articles containing different aerosol-forming substrates may require different heating operations. For example, the first type of aerosol-generating article 100 according to this embodiment, which comprises a solid tobacco-containing aerosol-forming substrate, may require a lower operating temperature than the second type of aerosol-generating article 200 according to this embodiment, which comprises a gel-like aerosol-forming substrate. In addition, proper article identification is essential to prevent the operation of the apparatus 1 with inappropriate or unsuitable articles. According to the present invention, it has been found that the difference between the initial and extreme values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement in the article can be used as a characteristic indicator of the article type. With respect to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, this is the difference delta 137, 237 between the respective initial values ​​135, 235 and the respective minimum values ​​136, 236 of the electrical conductance G of the susceptor arrangements 130, 230, which is specific to each of the articles 100, 200 and can therefore be used to identify the type of article received in the cavity 4. Therefore, the controller 60 of the apparatus 1 is configured to determine the supply current drawn from the power supply 50 by the heating arrangement 10, and further to determine the difference between the initial values ​​135 and 235 and the respective minimum values ​​136 and 236 of the electrical conductance G of the susceptor arrangements 130 and 230 from the corresponding initial and extreme values ​​of the current drawn from the power supply 50, or similarly from the change over time of the supply current drawn from the power supply 50. To determine the current drawn from the power supply 50, the aerosol generator 1 according to this embodiment includes a current measuring device 62 operably connected to the controller 60, as shown in Figure 4. Measuring the current may be sufficient if the voltage provided by the power supply 50 is constant, since in this case the conductance G over time is merely a substantially linear function of the current over time. In this case, each value reflecting the conductance G may arise from the ratio of the determined current value to the nominal supply voltage of the power supply 50, where the value of the nominal supply voltage may be stored in the controller 60. Otherwise, if the supply voltage is not constant, the voltage must also be measured in order to determine the conductance as a function of both the supply current and supply voltage over time.Therefore, the aerosol generator 1 may further include a voltage measuring device 63, as also shown in Figure 4. Similar to the current measuring device 62, the voltage measuring device 63 is operably connected to the controller 60, so that the controller 60 can determine both the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply 50, and determine the difference between the initial values ​​135, 235 and the minimum values ​​136, 236, respectively of the electrical conductance G of the susceptor arrangements 130, 230 from the change over time of the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply 50. In particular, the controller 60 may be configured to determine the difference between the initial values ​​135, 235 and the minimum values ​​136, 236, respectively of the electrical conductance G of the susceptor arrangements 130, 230 from the change over time of the ratio of the supply current to the supply voltage drawn from the power supply 50.

[0094] When an aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity 4 of the device 1 during use, the heating arrangement 10 begins to heat the susceptor arrangement in the article. At the start of the heating operation, the controller 60, in combination with measuring devices 62 and 63, determines the initial supply current and, if necessary, the corresponding supply voltage drawn from the power supply 50. As the temperature rises during the heating operation, the supply current decreases and reaches a minimum value before increasing again. This minimum value of the supply current, and, if necessary, the corresponding supply voltage drawn from the power supply 50, are also determined by the controller 60. The controller 60 then determines the initial and minimum values ​​of the electrical conductance G from the ratio of the determined initial supply current to the corresponding supply voltage and the determined minimum supply current to the corresponding supply voltage, respectively. As described above, when the supply voltage is constant over time, it may be sufficient to determine only the supply current and the initial and respective minimum values ​​of the electrical conductance G from the ratio of the determined currents of the power supply 50 to the nominal supply voltage. Similarly, it is also possible to use only the supply current (instead of conductance) as the electrical characteristic of a susceptor configuration that indicates the temperature-specific changes in the type of material.

[0095] After determining the initial and minimum values ​​of the electrical conductance, the controller 60 determines the difference between these values. The determined difference is then compared to a reference value or reference range stored in the controller 60 for each type of article configured for use with the device. Therefore, if the determined difference corresponds to a reference value or reference range for the difference of a first type of article 100, the controller 60 identifies the article currently received in the cavity 4 as a first type of aerosol-generating article 100. Similarly, if the determined difference corresponds to a reference value or reference range for the difference of a second type of article 200, the controller 60 identifies the article currently received in the cavity 4 as a second type of aerosol-generating article 200. Otherwise, the controller 60 identifies the article currently received in the cavity 4 as an article unsuitable or unsuitable for use with the device 1. In the latter case, the controller 60 may stop the heating operation of the heating arrangement 10. In other cases, the controller 60 controls the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement 10 according to a predetermined heating profile associated with either the first type of article 100 or the second type of article 200, respectively.

[0096] Furthermore, as described above, the actual power rating, i.e., the maximum power that can be provided by the heating arrangement 10, may vary for different aerosol generators due to manufacturing tolerances. This variation in the available maximum power can have an impact, in particular, when item identification is performed during heating, and the induction heating arrangement 10 is typically operated at maximum power. To mitigate the effects of the variation in maximum power, the controller 60 according to this embodiment is configured to normalize the determined difference delta between the initial values ​​135, 235 and the extreme values ​​136, 236 of conductance G using the power rating of the induction heating arrangement 10. For example, the controller 60 may be configured to normalize the determined difference delta between these values ​​135, 235, 136, 236 according to the formula: Delta_Norm = k *(Power_Norm - Power) + Delta, where Delta_Norm is the normalized difference between the initial and extreme values ​​of the electrical conductance, Delta is the determined difference, and Power is the power rating of the induction heating arrangement 10. The power rating of the induction heating arrangement 10 can be determined and encoded by the controller 60 during the manufacture of the apparatus 1 using calibration articles, including a calibration susceptor arrangement. Power_Norm is the average power rating, where k is the normalization coefficient, each of which is empirically determined in advance for multiple aerosol generators and encoded by the controller 60 during the manufacture of the apparatus 1. Advantageously, this type of normalization results in a reduction of the standard deviation in the distribution of the difference between the initial and extreme values ​​determined for multiple articles of the same type, similar to the case without power normalization. This is shown in Figure 5, which illustrates the distribution of the difference delta, Delta_Norm, determined for multiple articles of the same type with and without normalization. As a result, the respective difference distributions determined for different types of articles can be better distinguished from one another. This is shown in Figure 6, which schematically illustrates the distribution of the difference delta, Delta_Norm, for a first type article 100 and a second type article 200, with and without normalization. After normalization, the distributions of the difference Delta_Norm between item 100 of type 1 and item 200 of type 2 no longer overlap.Therefore, it is unlikely that one type of article will be mistakenly identified as another type of article.

[0097] If a user displaces an aerosol-generating article relative to the aerosol generator during the critical time window between the measurement of the initial value and the extreme value by further pushing the article into the receptacle (for example, because the article was not fully accepted by the receptacle), the determined difference 237a between the initial value 235 and the extreme value 236a of conductance can be tampered with, as each pushing can cause a sudden drop in conductance G. This is shown in Figure 7, which illustrates the conductance vs. temperature profiles 233, 233a of a second-first type article 200 when the user repeatedly pushes the article 200 further into the cavity 4 (dashed line 233a) and when it does not push (solid line 233). As a result, in the embodiment of Figure 7, the actually determined difference 237a between the initial value 235 and the extreme value 236a is greater than the difference 237 determined when the article is not displaced at all. The controller 60 is configured to identify at least one such abnormal deviation of the initial value 235 or extreme values ​​236, 236a of conductance and, in response, to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement 10 according to a safety heating profile, for example, according to a heating profile associated with a first type of article 100 that includes a lower operating temperature. Thus, overheating can be effectively prevented. Misidentification can also occur when the susceptor arrangement 230 is at a temperature level T1 that has risen at the start of the user experience, as shown in Figure 8 for a second type of aerosol-generating article 200. This situation may occur, for example, when a user interrupts the user experience by stopping the operation of the heating arrangement and then immediately resumes the user experience with the same article. Similarly, such a situation may occur when an article has already been heated by another device or oven before being inserted into the device. Therefore, when the susceptor configuration 230 is at the elevated temperature level T1, the initial value 235b of conductance determined after the "high temperature" (re)start may be lower than the initial value 235 determined at the lower temperature level T0. This is also shown in Figure 8. As a result, the determined difference 237b of conductance will be too low.To avoid misidentification under these circumstances, the controller 60 is configured to disable the start of a new operation of the induction heating arrangement 10 for a predetermined pause period after the previous operation of the induction heating arrangement, such as 60 seconds. This pause is long enough to allow sufficient cooling of the susceptor arrangements 130 and 230.

[0098] As further shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 1 includes a user interface 65 configured to indicate the identified article type. In this embodiment, the user interface 65 includes two LEDs (light-emitting diodes), one indicating that a first type of aerosol-generating article 100 is received in the cavity 4, and the other indicating that a second type of aerosol-generating article 200 is received in the cavity 4.

[0099] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc., are understood in all cases to be modified by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therewith, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Thus, in this context, number A is understood as 5 percent of A ± A. In this context, number A may be considered to include a numerical value within the general standard error of the measurement of the characteristic that number A modifies. Number A may deviate by the percentages listed above, provided that in some cases, such as those used in the appended claims, the amount by which A deviates does not substantially affect the basic and novel characteristics(s) of the claimed invention. Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therewith, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator for use with an aerosol generating article equipped with a susceptor, wherein the aerosol generator is A receptacle configured to removably receive at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, An induction heating device configured to generate an alternating magnetic field for induction heating the susceptor arrangement of the aerosol generating article when the aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle, The induction heating arrangement is operably connected to the aforementioned induction heating arrangement. - When the aerosol generating article is received by the receptacle, the first and second values ​​of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement reached during heating of the susceptor arrangement when the device is in use are determined. - Determine the difference between the first value and the second value, - An aerosol generator comprising a controller configured to identify the type of article of the aerosol-generating article to be received by the receptacle based on the difference determined above.

2. The aerosol generator according to claim 1, wherein the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics are values ​​indicating the electrical conductance of the susceptor arrangement, or values ​​indicating the supply current drawn out by the induction heating arrangement when heating the susceptor arrangement.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus comprises a power supply configured to provide a supply current and operably connected to the induction heating arrangement and the controller.

4. The aerosol generator according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to determine the supply current drawn from the power supply, and to determine the difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement from the change in the supply current drawn from the power supply over time.

5. The aerosol generator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the controller is configured to determine the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply, and to determine the difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics of the susceptor arrangement from the change in the supply current and supply voltage drawn from the power supply over time.

6. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to normalize the determined difference between the first value and the second value of the electrical characteristics using the power rating of the induction heating arrangement used to generate the alternating magnetic field.

7. The controller is configured to normalize the determined difference between the first value and the second value according to the following formula: Delta_Norm=k*(Power_Norm−Power)+Delta, The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein Delta_Norm is the normalized difference, Delta is the determined difference, Power_Norm is the power rating coefficient, k is a normalization coefficient empirically determined for a plurality of aerosol generators, and Power is the power rating of the induction heating arrangement.

8. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement in response to the identified article type.

9. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement by one of one or more predetermined heating profiles, each of which is associated with a specific type of article.

10. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to identify an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first value or the second value of the electrical characteristics.

11. The aerosol generator according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating operation of the induction heating arrangement in accordance with a safety heating profile in response to the identification of an abnormal deviation of at least one of the first or second values ​​of the electrical characteristics.

12. The aerosol generator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the controller is configured to disable the start of the induction heating arrangement operation during a predetermined pause time after the operation prior to the induction heating arrangement operation.

13. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and at least one type of aerosol generating article or at least two different types of aerosol generating articles configured to be used together with the apparatus, wherein each type of article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement of each article type is such that the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change from a first value to a second value as the temperature rises, and each type of article type of susceptor arrangement has a specific difference between the respective first value and the respective second value, the difference indicating the article type.

14. The aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the susceptor arrangements of different article types differ in at least one of the dimensions of each susceptor arrangement or the material composition of each susceptor arrangement.

15. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and a specific type of aerosol generating article configured to be used together with the apparatus, wherein the specific type of article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate capable of forming an inhalable aerosol when heated, and an inductively heatable susceptor arrangement for heating the substrate, wherein the material composition of the susceptor arrangement is selected such that the electrical properties of the susceptor arrangement change from a first value to a second value as the temperature rises, and the susceptor arrangement has a specific difference between the first value and the second value, the difference indicating the specific type of article.

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