Method and system for identifying aerosol-generating articles

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for identifying coded information disposed on an aerosol-generating consumable article (1) that includes at least one indicia (10) containing coded information relating to the article (1), the article (1) being consumed by using an aerosol-generating device (2), the method comprising: - reading the coded information of said indicia (10) by an indicia detection system (100) as the article moves in or through the cavity (200) of the aerosol generating device (2); - detecting the coded information during insertion of the aerosol-generating article (1) into the aerosol-generating device (2); The present invention relates to a method, including: The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating device (2) comprising an indicia detection system (100, 100') for detecting said readable code during the insertion movement of the article (1). The present invention further relates to an article (1) comprising indicia (10) that can be read upon insertion into said device (2), and to a system comprising said device (2) and said article (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, in particular to reconstituted tobacco and aerosol-generating articles. The present invention further relates to smoking devices, in particular electrically heated e-liquid systems or electrically heated aerosol-generating systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic cigarettes, which are based on aerosol-generating consumables, have become increasingly popular in recent years. There are two main types: liquid vaporizers and heated tobacco inhalers. Heat-not-burn (HNB) systems offer a more authentic tobacco flavor than electronic cigarettes and deliver an inhalable aerosol by heating a liquid fill containing aerosol-forming agents, flavorings, and often nicotine. The operating principle of HNB systems is to heat a tobacco material containing aerosol-forming substances (e.g., glycerin and / or propylene glycol), which evaporate during heating, creating a vapor that extracts nicotine and flavor components from the tobacco material. The tobacco material is heated to 200–350°C, which is lower than the normal combustion temperature of conventional cigarettes. Inhalers are typically handheld heaters configured to accept a rod-shaped consumable product.

[0003] Illicit trade in aerosol-generating articles, whether standard cigarettes, e-liquids, or HNB articles, is problematic because counterfeit articles, particularly those that may be of inferior quality, may not guarantee a controlled delivery of aerosol, or may not be compatible with dedicated aerosol-generating systems. To identify whether an aerosol-generating consumable article is authentic, a code or equivalent marking containing information about the article can be placed on the outer surface of the article to be detected during or before use with a specific device. This allows for confirmation of the authenticity of the consumable article and, if an inauthenticity is detected, appropriate controls, such as turning off the power to a heating system used with the consumable article, can be implemented.

[0004] Additionally, it may be necessary to differentiate between consumable products in order to adapt aerosol-generating conditions, for example, certain consumable products within a range of products may contain different ingredients (e.g., different tobacco blends, formulations, nicotine levels, etc.), thereby requiring different parameter settings on the device to optimize the consumer experience.

[0005] To accurately authenticate codes on consumable items such as HNB items, the probability of recognition must be very high so that suitable items are not rejected. However, existing indicia are limited in the low density of information that can be contained in the indicia, and most known indicia rely on traditional codes such as one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcodes, which can be easily counterfeited.

[0006] Various attempts to provide certifiable aerosol-generating articles have already been proposed in the prior art.

[0007] WO2019185749 discloses an aerosol-generating device having a cavity for receiving an article (such as an aerosol-generating consumable article). The article has marker elements arranged in the form of lines on its outer surface. The marker elements consist of encoded parameters associated with the article. The device includes a sensor configuration that monitors the marker elements (such as indicia) after the article is inserted into the cavity, i.e., when the article is no longer moving. The device includes an optical sensor configuration and a non-optical sensor configuration, such as a capacitive sensor, to monitor the presence of these markers. Due to lack of space, simple markers can only be placed over short lengths, limiting the information density to low levels. Optical configurations require directing light from several light sources that must be arranged with an array of detectors, resulting in cumbersome and easily replicable codes. WO2019185749 also explains that if an optical sensor is used, the optical sensor must have a specific field of view to detect the markers.

[0008] Another document, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019008206A1, implements a miniature camera with a wide field of view to read a code on an article fully inserted into the cavity of an aerosol generating device. The system described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019008206A1 requires a lens with a wide field of view to ensure that an image of a significant portion of the surface of the smoking article is required so that the image covers at least the area of ​​the code. Implementation of a vision camera requires a uniform illumination system and a very large lens to cover the angular width of the code on the article, making it cumbersome and expensive. Furthermore, because the system may only capture one side of the smoking article, precise angular orientation of the inserted article relative to the optical axis of the vision system is required. To avoid the user having to rotate the smoking article so that the code is within the viewing angle of the imaging system, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019008206A1 discloses an embodiment based on a mirror system, resulting in a low-cost smoking device and a complex system that is not adapted to the inserted smoking article.

[0009] WO2017207442A1 discloses a tubular aerosol-generating article labeled with an identifier. The identifier may be located on the inner surface of the article or may be present anywhere. The tubular aerosol-generating article includes a mouthpiece configured to receive a heating portion of a main unit, a proximal end, and a distal end. The identity of the tubular aerosol-generating article includes a sensor system, and detection is performed by an optical scanner and an electrical circuit. The system disclosed in WO2017207442A1 is limited to either a fluctuation in intensity or a change in current or resistance information when a stick is introduced. For example, the system may detect a single resistance value that can be compared to a value stored in a lookup table. Therefore, the system is limited to low-density codes and is easy to replicate.

[0010] WO 2019129378 A1 discloses an inhaler for heated tobacco rods (e.g., consumable products) that has indicia that can be read by an optical reader only after the consumable product has been exposed to a temperature above a temperature threshold. This system is limited to detecting whether the consumable product has been overheated or used twice. Due to lack of space, only simple codes can be detected by the system, or detection must be performed by the human eye to determine whether the code on the product has been tampered with. Therefore, improved technologies are needed to enable authentication of aerosol-generating articles, such as HNBs, inhalation articles, and smoking articles. To improve authentication quality and make counterfeiting of the products more difficult, authentication based on codes containing higher information density that can be detected by a non-intrusive detection system is preferred.

[0011] Also, the use of complex detection and / or imaging optics to detect complex codes should be avoided. Imaging optics for detecting complex codes often require complex or extensive light paths and optical components, leading to devices that are too heavy or have unacceptable dimensions. Also, the use of chemicals in liquid or gas form to achieve indicia during the manufacturing process of consumable goods should be avoided. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The inventors of the present invention have found a solution to the above problem by providing an authentication method that simplifies the detection system required to detect indicia by using the motion of inserting an aerosol-generating article into an aerosol-generating device. The present invention takes advantage of the motion of inserting a consumable article into an aerosol-generating device, a motion that must occur anyway when the article is consumed.

[0013] In a first aspect, the present invention is achieved by a method for identifying coded information disposed on an aerosol-generating consumable article, the article including at least one indicia defining an insertion direction Z and including coded information related to the article disposed on or within the article, and an aerosol-generating device including a heated cavity configured for insertion of the article along the insertion direction and including an indicia detection system.

[0014] The method comprises: - upon insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity, detecting the coded information in the indicia by an indicia detection system as the article moves within or through the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, in particular during the elapsed time of the insertion movement of the aerosol-generating article within the cavity.

[0015] This detection may require that the insertion motion be an accelerated motion or a motion with a constant velocity. Detecting the coded indicia during the insertion motion allows for the use of indicia that may have a substantial length on the consumable. This allows for the provision of a distributed code that can be read by a simple, non-bulky detector system located in a reduced space next to or along the cavity of the aerosol generating device. The indicia may also have a length that is much greater than the width of the detection area defined on the surface of the consumable. Furthermore, because detection is performed during the motion of the indicia, it is possible to use optical sensors with a relatively narrow field of view to detect the marker, or optical sensors that do not require focusing or redirecting optics, such as microlenses or mirrors.

[0016] In one embodiment, the indicia are made of an array of optical layers arranged along the insertion length of the article. The layers may be aligned along a line parallel to the insertion direction. The layers are separated by a distance that may be constant or variable between adjacent layers.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the layer comprises: - may have different lengths, - may be cross-layered with overlapping areas, - may have any shape defined in the plane of the layer, preferably a shape defined by a polynomial shape such as a triangle, a pentagon, an ellipse or an oval; - may include at least two branches, such as a layer with a Y-shape, - includes at least one opening, which may be a through opening extending from one side of the layer to the opposite side, - may be a layer that overlaps another layer over a certain length, - have a variable width over the length of the layer, for example the variable width may be a series of continuous or discontinuous steps arranged over at least a portion of its length.

[0018] The indicia detection system may include several optical detectors. Using more than one indicia layer makes it possible to increase the probability of authentic detection of the consumable. In a variant, the indicia may be arranged in a different orientation, which does not necessarily have to be the insertion direction of the article. Preferably, the insertion length of the article corresponds to the longitudinal extension of the article. If the article is a rod-shaped article, the longitudinal direction is the central axis of the article.

[0019] In one embodiment, at least two of the optical layers have different optical transmission or reflection characteristics. Such layers may not be parallel layers but may be at an angle relative to one another. The layers may also be cross-layered, arranged in a matrix configuration, or arranged in a helical configuration over a length around the circumference of the article. Using optical layers as indicia with different optical properties can complicate the identification code of a consumable product, making the embedded code information more difficult to detect. It can also provide denser code information, such as information about the desired operating parameters of the device.

[0020] In one embodiment, the indicia or indicia layer can be made of an array of conductive layers arranged along the length of the insertion direction Z, and the indicia detection system includes at least one electrical detector. Detection methods similar to those used in optical detection schemes can be used, such as using conductive cone-shaped indicia.

[0021] In one embodiment, the conductive layer is a metal layer. Thin metal layers, such as thin wires, can be easily incorporated into the article. These layers can be arranged, for example, as an array of metal wire components. The metal wires or layers can have a stiffening function. Due to their stiffness, the metal wires or layers can be easily introduced into the article, for example, in a glue or bond, or as a separate layer on the article.

[0022] In one embodiment, the conductive layer is a conductive ink layer. The application of the conductive ink layer can be by deposition, which is easily adaptable to the manufacture of the article. For example, the ink layer is deposited as a thin metal film on the surface of the article by evaporation under vacuum. The use of an ink layer makes it possible to provide barcode-type indicia that can be read sequentially in the direction of insertion of the article into the aerosol generating device. In a variant, the glue or seam or bond layer can contain conductive dopants or particles to provide the layer with at least partial conductive properties.

[0023] In an embodiment, the conductive layer may be a layer made of an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP), which makes it possible to provide a conductive layer that does not contain metal compounds or particles. In a variant, different types of conductive layers may be implemented on or within the same consumable item 1.

[0024] In embodiments, detection may be based on detecting electrical and / or magnetic properties of the indicia. Electrical detection methods may be based on detecting or measuring capacitance, inductance, or resistance. The use of electrical and / or magnetic detection of moving indicia is simpler than optical detection because it requires less space.

[0025] In one embodiment, the detector is configured to detect capacitance and / or inductance effects between the conductive layer and the electrical detector. Using a method for detecting and measuring the electrical effects provided by the indicia makes detection easier than optical detection, as it is less affected by surface contamination. In a variant, optical detection can be combined with electrical detection. In one embodiment, the indicia detection system comprises more than one electrical detector and more than one optical detector. Using a combination of different detection methods, such as combining electrical and optical detection of the code during introduction of the article into the device, allows for significantly more complex codes embedded in the indicia and more data encoding requirements.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electrical detector is configured to detect an electrical resistance between the conductive layer and the electrical detector. To this end, the electrical detector contacts the indicia and detects the resistance. The electrical contacts may be flexible to ensure increased adaptability between the article and the detection system.

[0027] In one embodiment, the indicia are made of an array of magnetic layers arranged along the length of said insertion direction Z, and said indicia detection system comprises at least one magnetic detection unit configured to detect the magnetic field generated by said magnetic layers. The use of a magnetic detection method makes it possible to provide a detection method that is completely immune to contamination of the detection system by particles or moisture.

[0028] In one embodiment, the article comprises indicia made of at least a first array and a second array of detectable layers that are parallel and extend in the insertion direction Z. The signals provided by each of the first and second arrays of the detectable layers provide at least two signals S1, S2 that can be detected by one or more detectors. In a variant, the first detector is configured to provide a first signal S1 and the second detector is configured to provide a second signal. In a variant, the at least first and second arrays of the detectable layers may be layers that are angled relative to each other and may be cross-layers.

[0029] Preferably, the signals S1, S2 provided by the first and second arrays of detectable layers, respectively, are detected by at least one optical detector and superimposed to provide a superimposed signal S3 providing a unique identification code identifying the aerosol-generating consumable article. The use of a configuration in which at least two different codes are superimposed allows the detection system to be independent of the acceleration of the insertion movement of the article into the device. Thus, in an advantageous variant, the indicia may comprise at least one electrically detectable layer and at least one optically detectable layer, both layers being arranged parallel and separately along the insertion direction Z, and the indicia detection system comprising at least one electrical detector and at least one optical detector.

[0030] In a variant, additional information about the article may be obtained during the removal movement of the article 1 from the aerosol generating device.

[0031] In a second aspect, the present invention is achieved by an aerosol generating device comprising a power supply section disposed within an outer body and a heated cavity, the body having an opening accessible in the outer body and configured to receive a consumable item defining an insertion direction Z. Preferably, the heated cavity defines a cavity axis parallel to the insertion direction.

[0032] The aerosol generating device further includes an indicia detection system configured within the device for optically and / or electrically detecting the readable code as the article moves through the cavity upon insertion of the article into the cavity. Preferably, this movement occurs from the proximal end to the distal end of the cavity. The detection system may include a single detector and may include a slit disposed in front of the detector, allowing for a simple detection system that relies on detecting changing optics and / or optical effects, such as changing light intensity provided by the indicia passing in front of the detector system. In another variation, the detector system includes an imaging system for providing an image of the indicia, or a portion thereof, as the indicia passes in front of the detection system upon introduction of the consumable article into the aerosol generating device.

[0033] In a variant, the detector is an electric and / or magnetic detector and is configured to detect and / or measure values ​​or changes in capacitance, inductance, magnetic field, resistance, electric field, potential, current, microdischarge, hi a variant, the device comprises a microwave source and the detector is a microwave detector.

[0034] The present invention also provides an aerosol-generating article for use in an aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity, the article comprising at least one indicia defining an insertion direction Z and comprising coded information relating to the article, the indicia being arranged in the insertion direction Z to be read by an indicia detection system of the aerosol-generating device upon insertion of the aerosol-generating article into the cavity and as the article moves within or through the aerosol-generating device. In an embodiment, the article comprises different types of layers as described above. In one variant, a first layer is optically detectable and a second layer is electrically detectable by the detection system. Also, in a variant, an optical detection signal can be provided as a function of time before or after the electrical detection signal during insertion of the article into the device.

[0035] In another configuration, the layer is made up of a fist layer comprising a plurality of first layer elements and a second layer comprising a second array of second layer elements. The layer may be arranged as a series of consecutive first and second layer elements. In a variant, the first and second layers are arranged side by side on a common longitudinal axis or in contact or close proximity. In an advantageous embodiment, the first and / or second layer are partly optically detectable and partly electrically detectable.

[0036] The present invention is also achieved by an aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device and an aerosol-generating article at least partially inserted therein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1]1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device of the present invention, the device including an optical system for detecting elongated indicia during insertion movement V of the article within the device. [Figure 2] 1 shows a typical signal provided by a detection system of the device, the signal varying as a function of time of insertion and provided by at least one detection element that detects information provided by optical or non-optical effects provided by an indicia or array of indicia disposed on the article. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an article including at least two indicia that are at least partially detected during insertion of the article into the device. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates exemplary signals provided by the indicia during an insertion movement of an article, the indicia including at least two different indicia that are detected and identified during insertion of the article into the device. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates exemplary signals provided by the indicia during an insertion movement of an article, the indicia including at least two different indicia that are detected and identified during insertion of the article into the device. [Figure 6] An article having distributed indicia comprising multiple and possibly different indicia elements that are particularly detectable by different detection means, such as electrical and optical detection, is shown. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of the superposition of two signals provided by one embodiment of the article shown in FIG. 3. The figure shows that the shape of the superposed signal is independent of the acceleration of the insertion movement of the article into the device. [Figure 8] 1 shows a wedge-shaped indicia according to the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 shows a two-dimensional indicia including two orthogonal codes and a corresponding signal provided by the two orthogonal codes, where the first code is a bar code arranged along the insertion direction of the article, and the second code is realized by detecting changes in the width or thickness of the indicia. [Figure 10] 1 shows indicia realized on a substrate layer. The figure shows that the indicia elements can have different heights or widths or lengths, said heights being defined in a radial direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the article. [Figure 11] 1 shows an indicia including incoupling and outcoupling structures, the indicia being realized on a layer having waveguiding properties. The figure also shows incoupling and outcoupling of light beams into and out of the indicia layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reduction to practice of the invention.

[0039] Although the present invention is described in the following examples in relation to tobacco-based consumable articles, the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to tobacco-based consumable articles, but rather to encompass any aerosol-generating consumable article, such as a smoking article, a heat-and-burn article, an e-liquid cartridge, and a cartomizer, that includes an aerosol-generating substrate capable of generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating. The aerosol-generating article 1 of the present invention is also defined herein as a consumable or consumable product.

[0040] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" refers to a material that, upon heating, can release volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol-generating articles described herein can be visible or invisible and can include vapor (e.g., fine particles of a gaseous substance that is normally liquid or solid at room temperature) and droplets of gas and condensed vapor. The specific composition of the aerosol-generating material can be tobacco, an aerosol-forming agent, a binder, a flavoring agent, nicotine, and combinations thereof. The aerosol-forming substrate can be provided within a stable support. Such a support can be in the form of a powder, granules, strands, flakes, a sheet, or a foam.

[0041] The term "wrapper" is broadly defined as any structure or layer that protects and contains a charge of aerosol-generating material and allows it to be handled. The wrapper has an inner surface that can contact the aerosol-generating material and an outer surface that is spaced apart from the aerosol-generating material. The wrapper 3 may preferably comprise paper and / or a cellulose-based material such as cellulose acetate. The wrapper 3 may also be made of a biodegradable polymer, or may be made of glass or ceramic and / or cellulose acetate. The wrapper 3 may be a porous material, may have a smooth or rough outer surface 5, and may be a flexible or rigid material.

[0042] The manufactured aerosol-generating consumable article 1 may have a cross-section of any regular or irregular shape, for example, an elliptical or circular cross-section defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0043] As used herein, the term "indicia" is a broad term that includes any layer or structure or element or configuration or layer or any geometric and / or physical and / or chemical characteristic that can be used to identify an aerosol-generating article. Indicia are made to be applied to or part of an aerosol-generating article that has the ability to be detected or read by a detection device to provide a signal in analog or digital form.

[0044] The indicia of the present invention are particularly configured to be readable during the indicia's movement through the device, typically by passing in front of or adjacent to the detector system 100. It is understood that the indicia may also include additional information that is read when the indicia is not in movement, for example, when an item is introduced into the device and before, during, or after consumption.

[0045] The information in the indicia may be coded digitally (eg, binary) or in analog form.

[0046] As used herein, the term "electrical effect" includes effects produced by an electric field, or the resistance of a voltage or current, or a magnetic or inductive effect. As used herein, "optical effect" includes any of color, intensity, polarization, spectrum, interference, transmission, deviation, or reflection effects.

[0047] In a first aspect, the present invention is achieved by a method for identifying coded information disposed on an aerosol-generating consumable article 1. The article 1 comprises at least one indicia 10 defining an insertion direction Z and comprising coded information relating to the article 1 disposed on or within said article 1.

[0048] The method comprises: - inserting the aerosol-generating article along an insertion direction Z into a heated cavity 200 of an aerosol-generating device 2 for receiving an aerosol-generating consumable article 1, said aerosol-generating device 2 including an indicia detection system 100; - detecting the coded information in the indicia 10 by an indicia detection system during an insertion movement of the aerosol-generating article 1 into the heated cavity 200 of the aerosol-generating device 2 from the proximal end 2 a of the cavity 200 to the distal end 2 b of the heated cavity 200; Includes.

[0049] It will be appreciated that movement of the aerosol-generating article may be achieved after the article is fully inserted into the cavity, such as any back and forth movement of the aerosol-generating article after it has been inserted into cavity 200.

[0050] The detection of the indicia 10 is achieved by any of the optical and / or electrical effects defined above. The detection of the indicia 10 ends completely when the aerosol-generating article 1 is no longer moving. In a variant, additional information about the article 1 may be acquired during the removal movement of the article 1.

[0051] The indicia 10 may have a continuous shape along the length of the article (FIGS. 8, 10) or may be arranged according to a plurality of indicia elements 11-17 (FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 10).

[0052] In one embodiment, the indicia 10 is made of an array of optical layers arranged lengthwise in the insertion direction Z, and the indicia detection system 100 includes at least one optical detector 130, 140. As further described and shown in FIG. 6 , the detector system 100 may include two different detectors. In one embodiment, at least one of the two detectors 130, 140 may be a non-optical detector. For example, a first detector is an optical detector and a second detector is an electrical detector, such as a capacitive, inductive, or resistive detector.

[0053] The layer that can be used as a support for the code or indicia 10 is advantageously selected from among the layers of the article, such as one of the glue layer, bond, seam, separating layer, joining layer, overlapping layer, etc. A layer may also have the sole function as a support layer for the indicia or array of indicia.

[0054] In an advantageous embodiment, the indicia 10 is realized on or in a layer that may typically have one of the following functions: - bonding or gluing, - spacing between layers or elements, - mechanical or moisture protection, packaging, stiffening and / or separation, - airflow or cooling, - Reduces or increases friction on the user's skin, - Optical and / or aesthetic function.

[0055] The indicia may also be placed on a component or insert or layer incorporated into or on the article simply for the purpose of proving the indicia.

[0056] In a variant, a layer of the article may be used as indicia 10. Indeed, it will be understood that a typical manufacturing layer of article 1, such as a paper wrapper or glue layer, may be manufactured to conform to a predetermined shape, such as a triangle, that can be identified during introduction of the article into the apparatus. Thus, a shaped portion of such a layer may be used as indicia 10, and no indicia layer added onto or within article 1 is required.

[0057] In a variant (not shown), the indicia 10 may be formed by at least two straight lines or strips arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the article 10. For example, the indicia 10 may include two thin lines or strips that are separated by a small distance or are in contact on the side of the consumable portion of the article and have a larger separation on the side of the mouthpiece of the article. Such lines or strips may have a curved shape and / or a variable width. The at least two straight lines or strips may be at an angle to each other or may even be intersecting lines or strips. In a variant, the indicia may include two thin lines that exhibit a relative angle of less than 10°, preferably less than 5°, that is difficult to detect with the naked human eye. Such a variant can also be combined with the embodiment of FIG. 8, which will be further described, including an additional longitudinal code, possibly a barcode, extending the length of the two lines or strips.

[0058] In variations of all the embodiments herein, layer 10 may have at least one of the following characteristics: - the layer may include different portions with different lengths, - the layer may at least partially overlap another layer which is also used as indicia 10, The layer may have any 2D and / or 3D shape, the 2D shape being defined in the plane of the layer. Preferably, the shape is defined by a polynomial shape, such as a triangle, a pentagon, an ellipse, or an oval. the layer may comprise at least two branches, such as a layer having a Y-shape; the layer includes at least one opening, which may be a through opening extending from one side of the layer to the opposite side; - have a variable width over the length of the layer, for example the variable width may be a series of continuous or discontinuous steps arranged over at least a portion of its length.

[0059] Indicia 10 may also be formed by chemical treatment of a portion of a layer of consumable 1. For example, a predetermined surface area of ​​the wrapper can be subjected to chemical etching or vapor deposition, and this partially etched or vapor deposited area can function as indicia 10. For example, etching can be used to achieve a seam layer with a variable width along the length of the article, such that the seam layer can be detected as the article is introduced along the central axis 204 of the cavity of the device.

[0060] In a variant, the indicia 10 may be formed by a predetermined thickened area on the surface of the article 1 .

[0061] In one embodiment, the indicia 10 may be formed by at least two optical or electrical layers 10, 10' having different optical transmission or reflection properties, or different electrical properties.

[0062] In one embodiment, the indicia 10 is made of an array of continuous conductive layers arranged along the length of the insertion direction Z, and the indicia detection system 100 includes at least one electrical detector 110 .

[0063] In one embodiment, the conductive layer is a metal layer. Alternatively, the layer is a graphite layer or a conductive ink layer. In a variation, the layer of the article may have directional conductivity. For example, the conductivity may be different in two orthogonal directions. This may be achieved, for example, by directional doping of the layer.

[0064] In one embodiment, the conductive layer is a conductive ink layer 10 .

[0065] In embodiments, the conductive layer may be a layer made of an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP), which makes it possible to provide a conductive layer that is free of metal compounds or particles.

[0066] In a variant, different types of conductive layers may be implemented on or within the same consumable item 1 .

[0067] In one embodiment, the electrical detector is configured to detect at least a capacitance between the conductive layer and the electrical detector.

[0068] In one embodiment, the electrical detector is configured to detect at least an electrical inductance generated between the conductive layer 10 and the electrical detector.

[0069] In one embodiment, the electrical detector 100 of the present invention is configured to detect at least the electrical resistance between the conductive layer 10 and the electrical detector.

[0070] In one embodiment, the indicia 10 is made of an array 10 of magnetic layers arranged along the length of the insertion direction Z, and the indicia detection system 100 includes at least one magnetic detection unit configured to detect the magnetic field generated by the magnetic layers.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the indicia 10 are made of at least a first array 10′ and a second array 10″ of detectable layers, both extending along or parallel to the insertion direction Z. As shown schematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, signals S1, S2 provided by the optical or electrical effects of the at least first array 10′ and second array 10″ of detectable layers, respectively, are detected by at least one detector 110, 110′ and superimposed to provide a superimposed signal S3 that provides a unique identification code that identifies the aerosol-generating consumable article 1. The detector 110, 110′ can be an optical, electric, or magnetic sensor, but may also be a sensor configured to measure optical and electrical effects simultaneously. For example, the sensor can be configured as a Faraday effect sensor that can detect the polarization state while the polarization state is changed by an induced current induced in a metal layer or wire.

[0072] 7 shows a detailed view of the two superimposed signals S1 and S2. As can be seen by comparing the shapes of the signal S1+S2 at different speeds V1 and V2 as shown in FIG. 7, the signal shape of the superimposed signal S1+S2 exhibits a unique shape that is independent of the acceleration of the insertion movement of the article. The shape of the signal S1+S2 at a speed V2 that is greater than speed V1 is identical. For example, even if the introduction movement of the article in the device is an accelerating movement, it is still possible to determine the overall shape of the superimposed signal S1+S2, for example, by counting the number of peaks and valleys.

[0073] In a variant, a detector scheme can be implemented to detect and correct for sudden backward, i.e. z-direction, movement, i.e. away from end 2b of cavity 200. Such correction techniques are well known in the field of rotary or linear encoders and will not be described further here.

[0074] In one embodiment, the indicia detection system 100 includes at least one electrical detector 130 and at least one optical detector 140 .

[0075] In an advantageous variant shown in FIG. 6 , the indicia 10 includes at least one electrically detectable layer 10 a and at least one optically detectable layer 10 b, both of which are arranged along or parallel to the insertion direction Z, and the indicia detection system 100 includes at least one electrical detector 130 and at least one optical detector 140. In a variant of the configuration of FIG. 6 , the indicia 10 includes at least two different optically detectable layers 10 a, 10 b, and the two detectors 130, 140 are different optical detectors. The detectors 130, 140 may include color filters or interference filters. In all embodiments of the invention, the optical detection system 100 may include optical means for measuring spectral characteristics, such as a spectrometer or a refractive or diffractive dispersive element. The optical detection system may include a mirror for directing collected light to the detectors 130, 140, which are arranged away from the portion of the layer that provides optical information, such as its spectral characteristics. In one variant, the detector may be located at the distal end 2 b of the cavity 200 .

[0076] In embodiments, the indicia can be made to include at least two codes, which can be codes with a predetermined angle. For example, Figure 8 shows a cone-shaped indicia with varying width. As shown schematically in Figure 8, codes such as barcodes can be incorporated within or on the indicia layer so that the longitudinal distribution of the code elements not only includes a readable code, but the code can also be complicated by adding information about the variations in the width of the indicia.

[0077] In an advantageous variant, the indicia may have a wedge shape, at least one of whose sides may include a step structure as shown by way of example in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 shows how a first signal Sz may be provided in connection with the longitudinal distribution of the code elements 1001, 1004, 1007, 1010 of the indicia 10. Fig. 9 shows exemplary signals Sz1, Sz4, Sz7, Sz10 corresponding to the longitudinally oriented code elements 1001, 1004, 1007, 1010. Variations in the width of the steps of the indicia may result in a sum signal Sy whose maximum value region aligns with the center of the step as shown in Fig. 9. The sum of the signal Sx related to the longitudinal code elements and the signal Sy related to information about variations in the width or presence of the steps constitutes a code signal S1+S2 which contains much more information compared to simpler codes such as the code shown in Fig. 1.

[0078] In a variant, to further complicate the code, information about the variable thickness of successive indicia elements having different thicknesses can be provided, as shown in FIG. 10. The indicia elements are arranged in an array in the direction Z, for example, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article, as shown in FIG. 10. The thickness of each element is determined in the insertion direction Z or orthogonal to a tangent to the surface of the article, for example, radially relative to the surface of a rod-shaped article. In a variant, the indicia elements 11-19 can be realized directly in the material of the layer 20. The indicia can be realized in or on at least one side of the material of the layer 20 during the manufacture of the article, for example, by a press tool. The thickness can also differ between two parallel arrays of layers. For example, a first array can have layers with first thicknesses t1, t2, and t3, and a second array can have layers with second thicknesses t4, t5, and t6.

[0079] 11 illustrates indicia made of a layer configured to provide internally reflected light similar to the reflection in a prism or pentaprism. This allows for providing a signal depending on how an article is introduced into the device, and can provide information regarding the depth of the article's introduction within cavity 200, for example. Light source 300 and detector system 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 11 can be configured to detect layer 10 disposed at the distal end of the article. For example, device 2 may not trigger use of device 2 unless the distal end, including the layer, provides a signal to detector 110.

[0080] In a variant, the indicia 10 of the present invention may have optical properties such as light focusing properties, light divergence properties, etc. In a variant, the indicia may provide signals related to changes in color, polarization, and optical scattering effects, or a combination of such optical effects. It is generally understood herein that various detection schemes or imaging methods may be applied to detect and / or image the indicia 10 or indicia layer 10 of the present invention. The image processing techniques of the present invention may be simple contrast enhancement techniques or more advanced image processing methods such as those used in any high-security detection system, such as those used in banking or fingerprint recognition. In a variant, 2D and / or 3D imaging may be used to detect and interpret information embedded in the indicia 10. For example, 3D imaging techniques may be used to detect changes in the height of indicia elements, such as elements 11-19 shown in FIG. 10. In a variant, an optical depth probe may be used to detect the indicia. Such a probe is an optical device that provides information about the depth or depth profile of a structure, in this case the structure of the indicia. Interferometric optical techniques may also be used in the detection systems 100, 100' of the present invention.

[0081] Any advanced imaging and / or image processing technique may be used to detect the indicia. Image processing, including feature extraction techniques, is well known in the field of 2D and 3D image processing and will not be described further herein.

[0082] For that purpose, reference is made to the following publications, which are incorporated herein in their entireties: - R.Szeliski,Computer vision:Algorithms and Applications,Springer Verlag,2010,ISBN 978-1848829343, - JRParker,Algorithms for image processing and Computer Vision(2 nd ed.), Wiley, 2011, ISBN 978-0470643853, - N. Mark, A. Aguado, Feature Extraction and Image Processing for Computer Vision (4the ed.), Academic Press, 2019, ISBN 978-0128149768.

[0083] In another aspect, the present invention is realized by an aerosol generating device 2 comprising a power supply section (not shown) disposed within an outer body and a cavity 200 defining a cavity axis 204, the body having an opening accessible in the outer body and configured to receive a consumable item 1 defining an insertion direction Z.

[0084] The aerosol generating device 2 further includes an indicia detection system 100 configured within the device 2 to optically and / or electrically detect the readable code during the insertion movement of the article 1 into the cavity 200 from its proximal end 2a to its distal end 2b.

[0085] The present invention also includes at least one indicia 10 defining an insertion direction Z and containing coded information relating to the article 1, said indicia 10 and said coded information being realized by the aerosol-generating article 1 being arranged along or parallel to said insertion direction Z so as to be readable by the indicia detection system 100 of the aerosol-generating device 2 during the insertion movement of the aerosol-generating article 1 into the aerosol-generating device 2.

[0086] In another aspect, the present invention is also realized by an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol-generating article 1 at least partially inserted therein and an aerosol-generating device 2 as described above.

Claims

1. 1. A method for identifying coded information disposed on an aerosol-generating consumable article (1) consumed by using an aerosol-generating device, the article (1) comprising at least one indicia (10) defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising coded information relating to the article (1) disposed on or within the article (1), the aerosol-generating device (2) comprising a cavity (200) configured for insertion of the article (1) along the insertion direction (Z), and comprising an indicia detection system (100), the method comprising: reading the coded information of the indicia (10) by the indicia detection system (100) during the time course of an insertion movement of the aerosol-generating consumable article (1) within the cavity (200) as the article (1) moves within or through the cavity (200) of the aerosol-generating device (2); A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia (10) includes an array of optical layers arranged along the length of the insertion direction (Z), and the indicia detection system (100) includes at least one optical detection unit (110).

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least two of the optical layers have different light transmission and / or reflection and / or absorption and / or scattering and / or diffraction and / or polarization properties.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the indicia (10) comprises an array of conductive layers arranged along its length in the insertion direction (Z), and the indicia detection system (100) comprises at least one electrical detection unit (110).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the conductive layer (10) is a metal layer.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the conductive layer (10) is a conductive ink layer.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the conductive layer (10) is an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) layer.

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the electrical detector is configured to detect a capacitance between the conductive layer and the electrical detector.

9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the electrical detection element (100) is configured to detect an electrical inductance generated between the conductive layer and the electrical detection element.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the electrical detection element (100) is configured to detect an electrical resistance between the conductive layer (10) and the electrical detection element (100).

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia (10) includes an array of magnetic layers arranged along a length in the insertion direction (Z), and the indicia detection system includes at least one magnetic detection unit configured to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnetic layers.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the indicia (10) comprises at least a first array (10') and a second array (10'') of detectable layers, both extending along or parallel to the insertion direction (Z), and signals (S1, S2) generated by each of the at least first array (10') and the second array (10'') of detectable layers are detected by at least one optical detection unit (110, 110') to provide a superimposed signal (S3) that provides a unique identification code that identifies the aerosol-generating consumable article (1).

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the indicia detection system (100) comprises at least one electrical detector (130) and at least one optical detector (140).

14. 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the indicia (10) comprises at least one electrically detectable layer (10a) and at least one optically detectable layer (10b), both layers being arranged along or parallel to the insertion direction (Z), and the indicia detection system (100) comprises at least one electrical detection unit (130) and at least one optical detection unit (140).

15. 1. An aerosol generating device (2) comprising: a power supply section (120) disposed within an outer body (110); and a cavity (200) defining a cavity axis (204), the body (110) having an opening (202) accessible in the outer body and configured to receive a consumable item (1), the opening defining an insertion direction (Z), The aerosol generating device (2) further comprises an indicia detection system configured within the device for optically and / or electrically detecting a readable code upon insertion of the article (1) into the cavity as the article moves within or through the cavity (200). Aerosol generator (2).

16. 16. An aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device (2) of claim 15 and an aerosol-generating article (1) at least partially inserted within the aerosol generating device (2), wherein the aerosol-generating article (1) defines an insertion direction (Z), and the aerosol-generating article (1) comprises at least one indicia (10) comprising coded information relating to the aerosol-generating article (1), the indicia (10) being positioned in the insertion direction (Z) to be read by the indicia detection system during the passage of time of the insertion movement of the aerosol-generating article (1) within the cavity (200) as the article moves within or through the cavity (200).

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