Aerosol generating devices and related methods

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (200) is provided. The device comprises a recognition device (212) for determining whether an aerosol-generating article (300) is engaged with the device and / or whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles, the recognition device (212) including a light source (214), a power source (206) for providing current to the light source, a switch (222) movable between a closed position in which the power source can provide current to the light source and an open position in which the power source cannot provide current to the light source, and a chronometer (226) coupled to the switch. The chronometer is configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position when the current provided to the light source, or an indication of the current provided to the light source, exceeds a threshold value for more than a predetermined period of time. Also provided is a method of operating an aerosol generating device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device. The present disclosure also relates to a method of operating an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] An aerosol-generating system typically includes an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. In use, the aerosol-generating article is engaged with the aerosol-generating device, and the aerosol-generating system, e.g., a heater in the device, heats the aerosol-forming substrate having the aerosol former of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol. The generated aerosol can then be transported via an airflow path to the mouthpiece or air outlet of the device or article. The aerosol can be intended for inhalation by a user.

[0003] Some aerosol-generating devices include electrical components that are sensitive to high voltages or currents. In particular, some aerosol-generating devices include a light source and a heater, which may be sensitive to high voltages or currents. The light source may be used to provide light to the aerosol-generating article, which may function to identify the characteristics of the aerosol-generating article depending on the presence or absence of a marker, such as a taggant, in the aerosol-generating article.

[0004] Typically, an aerosol generating device includes a controller configured to control the supply of power to various electrical components of the device. In this way, the controller prevents excessive current or voltage from being supplied to the various electrical components of the device. It would be beneficial to provide an aerosol generating device in which the electrical components are protected from overcurrent or overvoltage in the event of a malfunction of the controller. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device. The device may include a recognition device. The recognition device may be for determining one or both of whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the device and whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles. The recognition device may include a light source. The device may include a power source. The power source may be for supplying current to the light source. The device may include a switch. The switch may be movable between an open position and a closed position. Optionally, when the switch is in the closed position, the power source can supply current to the light source. Optionally, when the switch is in the open position, the power source cannot supply current to the light source. The device may include a chronometer. The chronometer may be coupled to the switch. The device may be configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time.

[0006] Thus, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a recognition device for determining one or both of whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the device and whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles, the recognition device including a light source; a power source for supplying current to the light source; a switch movable between a closed position in which the power source can supply current to the light source and an open position in which the power source cannot supply current to the light source; and a chronometer coupled to the switch, wherein the device is configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time.

[0007] Advantageously, movement of the switch from a closed position to an open position may protect the light source from overcurrent or overvoltage.

[0008] The indication of the current supplied to the light source may be, for example, a current measurement or estimate, or a voltage measurement or estimate, or a power usage measurement or estimate.

[0009] The chronometer may be a hardware chronometer. In this context, the term hardware chronometer may refer to a chronometer that performs an action without an instruction from a controller, for example, that can open and close a switch.

[0010] The chronometer may be configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position without an action command from any separate controller if the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time. Advantageously, this may allow the light source to be protected even if the device's controller malfunctions.

[0011] The device may include a controller for controlling the supply of current from the power source to the light source. The recognition device may be connected to and optionally operated by the controller. The chronometer may be configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position without an instruction from the controller if the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time. Advantageously, this may allow protection of the light source even if the controller malfunctions.

[0012] The chronometer may be activated by the controller. Once activated, the chronometer may function without further input from the controller. Once activated, the chronometer may be configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position without an instruction from the controller, for example, if the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time.

[0013] The switch may be a high-side switch. The switch may electrically connect the power source to the light source. The switch may be a low-side switch. The switch may electrically connect the light source to ground.

[0014] The device may include a second switch. The second switch may be a high-side switch. The second switch may electrically connect the power source to the light source. The second switch may be a low-side switch. The second switch may electrically connect the light source to ground. Preferably, the switch is a high-side switch and the second switch is a low-side switch.

[0015] The chronometer may, for example, directly receive an indication of the current supplied to the light source, and may be configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position when the indication of the current supplied to the light source exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time.

[0016] The recognition device may function as an article presence detector, i.e., the recognition device may be for or configured to determine whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the device. Alternatively, or additionally, the recognition device may be for determining whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles.

[0017] The recognition device may be for, or may be configured to, distinguish between a first group of aerosol-generating articles for use with the device and a second group of aerosol-generating articles for use with the device.

[0018] The recognizer may be connected to a controller and may optionally be operated by the controller.

[0019] The light source may be a light emitting diode. The light source may be or include an infrared light source, such as an infrared light emitting diode.

[0020] The recognition device may include a light receiver. The light receiver may be or may include a photodiode. The light receiver may be configured to receive light emitted by a light source. The light receiver may be configured to receive light reflected or emitted by an article engaged with the device. The light receiver may be connected to, and optionally operated by, a controller.

[0021] Determining whether an article is engaged with the device may include a light source illuminating an article engaged with the device. Determining whether an article is engaged with the device may include a light receiver receiving light reflected or emitted by the article engaged with the device. Determining whether an article is engaged with the device may include analyzing the light received by the light receiver.

[0022] Determining whether an article engaging with the device belongs to the first group can include a light source illuminating the article engaging with the device. Determining whether an article engaging with the device belongs to the first group can include a light receiver receiving light reflected or emitted by the article engaging with the device. Determining whether an article engaging with the device belongs to the first group can include analyzing the light received by the light receiver.

[0023] An aerosol-generating article belonging to the first group of aerosol-generating articles may be referred to as a genuine aerosol-generating article. An aerosol-generating article that does not belong to the first group of aerosol-generating articles may be referred to as a non-genuine aerosol-generating article. Ensuring the authenticity of an aerosol-generating article may serve to ensure the quality of the aerosol-generating article and the safety of users.

[0024] The aerosol-generating device may be part of an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to engage and disengage with the aerosol-generating device.

[0025] As used herein, the term "device" may refer to an aerosol-generating device. The term "article" may refer to an aerosol-generating article. The term "substrate" may refer to an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0026] The aerosol generating system may include a heater, an aerosol generating device, and an aerosol-generating article.

[0027] The heater may comprise a heating element. References to heating the heater may be references to heating the heating element of the heater. The heating element may be configured to be heated to an operating temperature during use. The operating temperature may be at least 100 degrees Celsius. The operating temperature may be at least 200 degrees Celsius. The operating temperature may be at least 300 degrees Celsius.

[0028] The heater may include a means for heating the heating element. For example, the heater may include wiring configured to supply current to the heating element. Alternatively, or additionally, the heater may include an inductor, such as an inductor coil, configured to generate a varying electromagnetic field to thereby heat the susceptor material of the heating element.

[0029] The heater may be an electrical resistance heater. The heating element may be configured to be electrically resistively heated.

[0030] The heater may be an induction heater. The heating element may be configured for induction heating.

[0031] The heater may be an internal heater. That is, the heater or heating element may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article from within the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-generating device may include a heater, which may include a heating blade, pin, or rod that penetrates the aerosol-forming substrate and is heated by electrical resistance or induction during use. The heating blade, pin, or rod may be or include a heating element. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article may include an inductively heated heating element embedded in the aerosol-forming substrate of the article, and the aerosol-generating device may be configured to inductively heat the inductively heated heating element during use, for example, by using an inductor to generate a fluctuating electromagnetic field.

[0032] The heater may be an external heater. That is, the heater may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article from outside the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the aerosol-generating device may include a heater, which may be arranged to surround the aerosol-generating article and heat the aerosol-generating article. For example, the heater may include a substantially tubular heating element that, in use, surrounds the tubular-shaped aerosol-forming substrate.

[0033] The heater may be for heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article removably engaged with the aerosol-generating device, or an aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

[0034] The aerosol-generating device may include a heater. For example, the device may include a heating element in the form of a pin, blade, or rod. The heating element may be electrically connected to a power source of the device. The heating element may be configured to penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article during use.

[0035] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a means for heating a portion of the heater, e.g., the heating element of the heater. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a portion of the heater, e.g., the heating element of the heater. For example, the aerosol-generating article may comprise an inductively heated heating element embedded in the aerosol-forming substrate of the article, or the aerosol-generating device may comprise an inductor, such as an inductor coil, configured to generate a varying electromagnetic field and inductively heat the inductively heated heating element in use.

[0036] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity. The device may comprise a housing. The housing may define the cavity. The housing may be configured to be held in use. The cavity may be for receiving at least a portion of an aerosol-generating article. Engaging the article with the device may be or may include receiving at least a portion of the article within the cavity of the device. A heating element of the device may extend longitudinally within the cavity, for example from a base of a chamber defining the cavity. The heating element may be configured to penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate of the article when the article is received within the cavity.

[0037] A system, e.g., a device, may include an air inlet. For example, a housing of the device may define the air inlet. An airflow path may be formed from the air inlet to a cavity of the device. A system, e.g., an article, may include an air outlet. For example, a mouthpiece of the article may include an air outlet. In use, an airflow path may be defined between the air inlet and the air outlet. For example, in use, a user may inhale an article received in the cavity of the device, and this inhalation may cause air to flow through the air inlet of the device into the cavity of the device, then through the article engaged with the device, out the air outlet in the mouthpiece of the article, and into the user's mouth.

[0038] The article of the system may belong to a first group of articles. The article may include an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a gel. The aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid.

[0039] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" may refer to a substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The volatile compound may be emitted by heating or burning the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0040] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant-derived material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized plant-derived material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material. The tobacco-containing material may contain volatile tobacco flavor compounds. These compounds may be released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients such as flavorants. The liquid aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or more of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, and natural or artificial flavor. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin, glycerol, and propylene glycol.

[0041] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a hollow tubular element. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol cooling element. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a mouthpiece. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an outer wrapper, for example a paper wrapper.

[0042] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate, a hollow tubular element, an aerosol-cooling element and a mouthpiece, arranged coaxially in sequence and surrounded by an outer wrapper.

[0043] In use, the article may be engaged with a device, for example, by being received within the cavity of the device. Once the article is received within the cavity, a heating element, e.g., in the form of a heating blade extending longitudinally from the base of the cavity, may penetrate the aerosol-forming substrate of the article. The user may then inhale through the mouthpiece of the article. This may cause air to flow through the air inlet of the device. This airflow may be detected by the device's puff detection mechanism, which may activate the heating element. Alternatively, the heater may be manually activated by the user, for example, using a button. The heating element may then be heated. This may heat the aerosol-forming substrate of the article, resulting in the release of volatile compounds by the aerosol-forming substrate. Upon the user's inhalation, air may flow through the air inlet and then through the aerosol-forming substrate. The volatile compounds released by the aerosol-forming substrate may be entrained in the airflow. The air and entrained compounds may then flow through the hollow tubular element and the aerosol cooling element. During this time, the volatile compounds may cool and condense to form an aerosol. The aerosol can then pass through the mouthpiece of the article and into the user's mouth.

[0044] As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure, although the above paragraphs describe the use of a particular system, other systems may also implement the present invention.

[0045] The power supply may be for supplying power to the heating element, e.g., to one or both of the means for heating the heating element and the heating element. The power supply may be for supplying power to any or all of the components of the device that require power. The power supply may include one or more power units. Different power units may be for supplying power to different components.

[0046] The device may include a controller. The controller may be connected to any or all electrical components of the device. As will be understood by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure, the controller may control the operation of various components of the device. The controller may, for example, control the supply of power from a power source to any or all components of the device that require power.

[0047] The first group of aerosol-generating articles may include or consist of aerosol-generating articles configured or in some way designed or optimized for use with an aerosol-generating device. The first group of aerosol-generating articles may include or consist of aerosol-generating articles having one or more particular brands, one or more particular types or compositions of aerosol-forming substrate, a particular manufacturing date, a particular range of manufacturing dates, a particular batch number, a particular range of batch numbers, a particular expiration date, or a particular range of expiration dates.

[0048] Before engaging the aerosol-generating article with the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device may be in an idle state.

[0049] The method may include engaging the aerosol-generating article with an aerosol-generating device, or may be carried out after the aerosol-generating article and the aerosol-generating device have been engaged.

[0050] Engaging the article with the device may include or consist of receiving at least a portion of the article within the cavity.

[0051] The method may include activating the device using a user interface, such as a button on the device. This step may move the device from an idle state to an active state. This step may occur after engaging an aerosol-generating article with the aerosol-generating device. The transition from the idle state to the active state may cause an electrical perturbation, such as a voltage fluctuation across electrical components of the device.

[0052] The recognition device may be configured to detect the presence of an aerosol-generating article received within the cavity of the device that engages with the aerosol-generating device, for example. The method may include a presence determination step of determining whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the aerosol-generating device. Optionally, the method may include determining whether the article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles only if the presence determination step determines that an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the aerosol-generating device. The presence determination step may be triggered by moving the device from an idle state to an active state, or may be performed automatically after moving from the idle state to the active state.

[0053] The recognition device may be particularly sensitive to electrical perturbations, such as voltage fluctuations. For example, the light source of the recognition device may be particularly sensitive to electrical perturbations. In particular, the light source described in relation to the first aspect may be particularly sensitive to electrical perturbations.

[0054] In particular, the light source may have a continuous forward current of 2 to 100 milliamperes. For example, the light source may have a continuous forward current of 10 to 50 milliamperes. For example, the light source may have a continuous forward current of approximately 20 milliamperes. In this context, continuous forward current may refer to the maximum current that can be continuously supplied to the light source without damaging the light source or without significant risk of damaging the light source. In other words, if the continuous forward current is approximately 20 milliamperes, supplying the light source with more than or significantly more than 20 milliamperes continuously, i.e., for an extended period of time, such as several seconds or minutes, may or is likely to damage the light source.

[0055] Furthermore, the light source may have a peak forward current of 0.1 to 10 amperes. Alternatively, the light source may have a peak forward current of 0.5 to 5 amperes. Alternatively, the light source may have a peak forward current of approximately 1 ampere. The corresponding time limit may be 1 microsecond to 10 milliseconds. The corresponding time limit may be 10 microseconds to 1 millisecond. In this context, the peak forward current and the corresponding time limit may refer to the maximum current that can be supplied to the light source during the time limit without damaging the light source or without significant risk of damaging the light source. In other words, if the peak forward current is approximately 1 ampere and the corresponding time limit is 1 millisecond, supplying the light source with more than 1 ampere for more than 1 millisecond may damage the light source or is likely to damage it.

[0056] The controller, or software such as firmware of the controller, may control the current supplied to the light source during use, which may prevent a damaging current from being supplied to the light source.

[0057] As described above, the aerosol generating device may include a high-side switch. The high-side switch may be connected to a controller and may optionally be operated by the controller. Advantageously, the high-side switch may help protect the light source if the controller has a problem, e.g., a software bug. Thus, the high-side switch may help reduce the sensitivity of the light source to electrical perturbations.

[0058] The power supply of the device may be for providing power to the light source. The high-side switch may be located between the power supply and the light source. The high-side switch may be configured to electrically connect or disconnect the power supply from the light source.

[0059] The high-side switch may be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the high-side switch is in the open position, the light source may not be electrically connected to the power source. When the high-side switch is in the open position, an electrical circuit including the high-side switch and the light source may be interrupted. The power source may not be able to supply power to the light source when the high-side switch is in the open position. When the high-side switch is in the closed position, the light source may be electrically connected to the power source. When the high-side switch is in the open position, an electrical circuit including the high-side switch and the light source may be completed or not interrupted. The power source may be able to supply power to the light source when the high-side switch is in the closed position.

[0060] As used herein, enabling or closing a switch, such as a high-side switch, may refer to moving the switch from an open position to a closed position, and disabling or opening a switch may refer to moving the switch from a closed position to an open position.

[0061] The high-side switch may be coupled to a chronometer, such as the chronometer described above with respect to the first aspect. The chronometer may include a timer.

[0062] The chronometer may be connected to and optionally operated by the controller. The high-side switch may be connected to and optionally operated by the chronometer.

[0063] The chronometer may be a hardware chronometer, and therefore may be able to open, close, or both open and close the high-side switch without an instruction to do so from the controller, as will be described in more detail below.

[0064] The chronometer may be configured to determine the period of time during which the light source is continuously supplied with current or is supplied with a current greater than a threshold value. The chronometer may begin timing or start the period when the current supplied to the light source exceeds the threshold value. The chronometer may end timing or reset the period when the current supplied to the light source drops to or below a second threshold value. The threshold value and the second threshold value may be equal or different. One or both of the threshold value and the second threshold value may be 0 amperes. One or both of the threshold value and the second threshold value may be equal to or within 50 percent of the peak forward current of the light source. One or both of the threshold value and the second threshold value may be at least 0.1 or 0.5 amperes. One or both of the threshold value and the second threshold value may be equal to or less than 10 or 5 amperes. One or both of the threshold value and the second threshold value may be between 0.1 and 10 amperes, between 0.5 and 5 amperes, or approximately 1 ampere.

[0065] When the time period reaches a predetermined time period, the high-side switch may move from a closed position to an open position. For example, a controller or chronometer may open the high-side switch when the time period reaches a predetermined time period. Opening the high-side switch may interrupt the electrical connection between the power source and the light source, stopping the flow of current to the light source. Advantageously, this may protect the light source.

[0066] The chronometer is preferably a hardware chronometer and opens the high-side switch without an instruction to do so from the controller, which may advantageously mean that if the controller malfunctions, the high-side switch may still be open and the light source protected.

[0067] The predetermined period of time may be based on the light source time limit. The predetermined period of time may be longer than the light source time limit, or may be at least 1.1, 2, 5, or 10 times longer. The predetermined period of time may be at least 1, 10, 100, or 1,000 microseconds. The predetermined period of time may be equal to or shorter than 10, 5, or 1 millisecond. The predetermined period of time may be between 1 microsecond and 10 milliseconds. The predetermined period of time may be between 10 microseconds and 1 millisecond.

[0068] The aerosol generating device may include a low-side switch. For example, as described above, the switch or the second switch may be a low-side switch. The low-side switch may be connected to the controller and may optionally be operated by the controller. Advantageously, the low-side switch may help protect the light source if the controller has a problem, e.g., a software bug. Therefore, the low-side switch may help reduce the sensitivity of the light source to electrical perturbations.

[0069] The low-side switch may be configured to electrically connect the light source to ground. As used herein, the term ground may be used to refer to electrical ground.

[0070] The low-side switch may be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the low-side switch is in the open position, the light source may not be electrically connected to ground. When the low-side switch is in the open position, an electrical circuit comprising the low-side switch and the light source may be interrupted. The power source may not be able to provide power to the light source when the low-side switch is in the open position. When the low-side switch is in the closed position, the light source may be electrically connected to ground. When the low-side switch is in the open position, an electrical circuit comprising the low-side switch and the light source may be completed or not interrupted. The power source may be able to provide power to the light source when the low-side switch is in the closed position.

[0071] The low-side switch may include or be coupled to a chronometer. The low-side switch may be coupled to a high-side switch. The low-side switch may be coupled to a controller and optionally operated by the controller. The low-side switch may be coupled to a chronometer and optionally operated by the chronometer.

[0072] When the time period reaches a predetermined time period, the low-side switch may move from a closed position to an open position. For example, a controller or chronometer may open the low-side switch when the time period reaches a predetermined time period.

[0073] If the device includes both a high-side switch and a low-side switch, both the high-side switch and the low-side switch may move from a closed position to an open position when the time period reaches a predetermined time period. Advantageously, this may provide the light source with additional protection from overcurrent, because if one of the high-side switch or the low-side switch fails, the other may stop the overcurrent from flowing through the light source.

[0074] The method may include enabling the high-side switch. This may include moving the high-side switch from an open position to a closed position. This may occur when or after the device moves from an idle state to an active state. This may be triggered or may occur automatically after the device moves from the idle state to the active state. When the device is in the idle state, the high-side switch may be disabled.

[0075] The method may include enabling the low-side switch. This may include moving the low-side switch from an open position to a closed position. This may occur when or after the device moves from an idle state to an active state. This may be triggered or may occur automatically after the device moves from the idle state to the active state. When the device is in the idle state, the low-side switch may be disabled.

[0076] The method may include enabling the power supply. This may occur when or after the device moves from an idle state to an active state. This may be triggered or may occur automatically after the device moves from an idle state to an active state. This may occur before or after enabling one or both of the high-side switch and the low-side switch.

[0077] After enabling the power supply, electrical perturbations such as voltage fluctuations may be present in the electrical components of the device.

[0078] The method may include allowing a period for the electronics to stabilize. This may be triggered by enabling the power source or may occur automatically after enabling the power source. The device may prevent further use of the device, such as heating the heater or operating the light source, during this period. A compromise is required in setting this period; there is a minimum time required for the electronics to stabilize, but if this period is too long, it may be frustrating for the user. The stabilization period may be at least 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, or 5,000 microseconds. The stabilization period may be 500, 100, or 75 milliseconds or less. The stabilization period may be between 5 microseconds and 500 milliseconds. The stabilization period may be between 100 microseconds and 100 milliseconds. The stabilization period may be between 5 and 100 milliseconds.

[0079] The method may include detecting the presence of an aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device, e.g., received within a cavity of the device. That is, the method may include determining whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the aerosol-generating device, e.g., received within a cavity of the device. This step may be performed, for example, by allowing time for stabilization of the electronics or automatically after allowing time for stabilization of the electronics. This step may include supplying a current to the light source, e.g., from a power source. This current may be at least 1, 2, or 10 milliamps. Alternatively, or additionally, this current may be no more than 200, 100, or 50 milliamps. Preferably, the current may be about 20 milliamps. This current may be supplied for at least 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, or 10,000 nanoseconds. This current may be supplied for no more than 2, 1, 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, or 0.02 seconds. Preferably, the current may be supplied for a period of 100 nanoseconds to 2 seconds, or 10 microseconds to 2 milliseconds.

[0080] Light emitted by the light source may reflect off the item and be received by the light receiver, which may enable the recognition device to detect the presence of the item.

[0081] When the recognition device detects the presence of an article (i.e., determines that an article is engaged with the device), a first determination step may be performed to determine whether the aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device belongs to a first group of aerosol-generating articles. The first determination step may be triggered by detecting the presence of the article or may be performed automatically after detecting the presence of the article. Optionally, the first determination step is performed only when the recognition device detects the presence of the article (i.e., determines that the article is engaged with the device). The first determination step may be performed by the recognition device. Specifically, a light source, for example, an infrared light-emitting diode, may illuminate the article engaged with the device. Then, a light receiver, for example, a photodiode, may receive the light reflected or emitted by the article. Based on the light received by the light receiver, the recognition device may be able to determine whether the article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles.

[0082] The first group of articles may include multiple subgroups. One or both of the first and second determining steps may include determining to which of the multiple subgroups, if any, an aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device belongs. This may be done in the same way as determining whether an article belongs to the first group. For example, this may be done based on light received by a light receiver after being reflected or emitted by the article.

[0083] If the recognition device does not detect the presence of an article (i.e., determines that an article is not engaged with the device), the first determination step of determining whether the aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device belongs to the first group of aerosol-generating articles may not be performed. The recognition device detecting the absence of an article (i.e., determining that an article is not engaged with the device) may cause the device to return to an idle state.

[0084] The articles of the system may be articles belonging to a first group of articles. The articles of the system, or each article of the first group of articles, may comprise a marker. Articles in different subgroups of the first group may comprise different markers.

[0085] Any suitable form of marker may be used. The marker may be detectable by a recognition device. The recognition device may use the marker on the item to determine whether the item belongs to a first group. The recognition device may use the marker on the item to determine which subgroup of the first group, if any, the item belongs to.

[0086] Any suitable marker may be used. The marker may include a visual indicator such as a bar code.

[0087] The marker may include a taggant. The article may include at least one component incorporating a taggant into the material of the at least one component. The taggant may have a distinguishable spectroscopic signature. The use of a taggant incorporated into the material of the article's component may advantageously prevent the taggant from being removed from the component after manufacture. In this way, the aerosol-generating article may be improved in terms of tamper resistance and difficulty of counterfeiting.

[0088] Taggants can be incorporated into any component of an aerosol-generating article, including, but not limited to, paper (such as wrappers), filters, tipping paper, tobacco, tobacco wrap, coatings, binders, fixatives, adhesives, inks, foam, hollow acetate tubes, plastic wrap, and lacquers. Taggants can be incorporated into a component by adding them during the manufacturing of the material, for example, by adding them to a paper slurry, or by applying them before drying, or by painting or spraying them onto the component. Typically, taggants are incorporated into a component in fractions of a nanogram amount. For example, when taggants are applied to a surface, the sprayed solution can incorporate the taggants at a concentration of 1 ppm to 1000 ppm.

[0089] To allow taggants to be more accurately identified, the taggants may have a distinguishable spectroscopic signature in absorption. When the taggant is illuminated by a light source or light source of the recognition device, the taggant absorbs a specific wavelength or set of wavelengths, and therefore the wavelengths of light subsequently received by the light receiver or light sensor of the recognition device may enable the recognition device to determine the taggant based on the absent wavelengths. This information may then be used to determine whether the article belongs to the first group of articles.

[0090] The physical and chemical structure of the taggant can be controlled so that the wavelength of light absorbed can be set as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength of light absorbed is not within the visible spectrum. Preferably, the wavelength of light absorbed is within one or both of the infrared and ultraviolet ranges.

[0091] In addition to, or instead of, taggants that include a distinguishable spectroscopic signature in absorption, the taggants may also have a distinguishable spectroscopic signature in emission. When the taggant is illuminated by a light source or sources, the light excites the taggant, and the taggant preferably emits at least one wavelength of light that is shifted from the wavelength of the illuminating light. As will be appreciated, this may be a form of photoluminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence. By controlling the physical and chemical structure of the taggant, the spectroscopic signature can be controlled. In some embodiments, the distinguishable signature may depend on the time response of the emission relative to excitation, or the rate at which the emission decays after excitation.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength of light emitted by the taggant is not in the visible spectrum, and preferably is in one or both of the infrared range or the ultraviolet range.

[0093] In one preferred embodiment, the taggants are distributed throughout the material. By distributing the taggants throughout the material, the orientation of the aerosol-generating article within the aerosol-generating device may not be important. This may make the system easier for the user to use. Furthermore, by distributing the taggants throughout the material, the tamper-resistance of the article may be improved, as it may be more difficult to completely remove the taggants. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the taggants are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the material.

[0094] Different articles in the first group may include different taggants or different combinations of taggants, which may have different distinguishable spectroscopic signatures, which may enable the recognition device to distinguish between different types or subgroups of articles in the first group and act accordingly.

[0095] Preferably, the taggants are stable at high temperatures up to 1,500° C. As used herein, the term stable may refer to the taggants having consistent spectroscopic characteristics and not decomposing. By providing taggants that remain stable at high temperatures, standard manufacturing processes may be used when producing aerosol-generating articles.

[0096] Aerosol-generating component materials incorporating taggants can be produced by adding the taggants as a component of a slurry used to make the material, which can then be formed (e.g., by molding) and dried to produce a material such as paper or wrapper material.

[0097] The taggants may be configured so that they are deactivated at the normal operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article. As used herein, deactivation may refer to the taggants no longer having an identifiable spectroscopic signature. During use, the temperature required to generate an aerosol may be higher than the temperature required to deactivate the taggants. In this manner, the aerosol-generating device can determine whether the aerosol-generating article has been used previously and operated accordingly. For example, if the taggants are deactivated, the first determination step may determine that the article does not belong to the first group of articles. Thus, an article within the first group of articles may no longer be within the first group of articles after use. The temperature range of the components of the aerosol-generating article during normal operation is preferably from about 50°C to about 300°C, depending on the location and type of components of the aerosol-generating device. As such, the taggants are preferably deactivated at temperatures from about 50°C to about 500°C. More preferably, the taggants are deactivated at temperatures between about 70°C and about 100°C.

[0098] The taggants may be deactivated by decomposing at the high temperatures mentioned above so that they no longer have a discernible spectroscopic signature. Alternatively, the taggants may be deactivated by being covered with an additional temperature-dependent additive. The additional additive may become opaque at high temperatures or may change color, masking the taggant's signature.

[0099] Similar to the above discussion of taggants being stable at high temperatures, taggants are preferably chemically stable. Preferably, the taggants are sufficiently chemically stable so as not to decompose during the manufacture of the material or component. Thus, the taggants are preferably stable when exposed to liquid water, water vapor, other commonly used solvents, when dried, when the material is physically transformed into the component form, when exposed to elevated temperatures, and when exposed to reduced temperatures. Thus, during the material manufacturing process described above, the taggants do not decompose, and the taggants maintain their distinguishable spectroscopic signature.

[0100] The taggant is preferably in powder form. A powder taggant advantageously allows the taggant to be more easily incorporated into the material. The taggant is preferably a powder of at least one of a rare earth, an actinide metal oxide, and a ceramic. The rare earth is preferably a lanthanide.

[0101] The marker or distinguishable spectroscopic signature of the taggant may be associated with one or more of the type of aerosol-generating article, the type of aerosol-forming substrate, the date of manufacture, the place of manufacture, the batch number and other manufacturing details, and the expiration date.

[0102] The first determining step may include, for example, supplying a current from a power source to the light source. The current may be at least 100, 200, 500, or 800 milliamperes. Alternatively or additionally, the current may be no more than 2,000 or 1,000 milliamperes. The current may preferably be 500 to 2,000, or 800 to 1,000 milliamperes. The current may be supplied for at least 20, 50, 100, or 200 microseconds. The current may be supplied for no more than 20, 10, 5, or 2 milliseconds. The current may preferably be supplied for 20 microseconds to 10 milliseconds. The current may preferably be supplied for 20 microseconds to 2 milliseconds.

[0103] The aerosol generating device may include a heater high-side switch. The heater high-side switch may be connected to and optionally operated by the controller. Advantageously, the heater high-side switch may help prevent excessively large currents from passing through the heater for excessively long periods of time. The heater high-side switch functions in a similar manner to the previously described high-side switches used to protect the light source.

[0104] The power supply may be for providing power to the heater. The heater high-side switch may be located between the power supply and the heater. The heater high-side switch may be configured to electrically connect the power supply to the heater. When the device is in an idle state, the heater high-side switch may be disabled.

[0105] The operation of the heater high-side switch may be similar to the operation of a high-side switch. The heater high-side switch may be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the heater high-side switch is in the open position, the heater may not be electrically connected to the power source. That is, the power source may not be able to supply power to the heater when the heater high-side switch is in the open position. When the heater high-side switch is in the closed position, the heater may be electrically connected to the power source. That is, the power source may be able to supply power to the heater when the heater high-side switch is in the closed position.

[0106] The heater high-side switch may include or be coupled to a heater chronometer. The heater chronometer may be connected to and optionally operated by a controller. The heater high-side switch may be connected to and optionally operated by a chronometer.

[0107] The heater chronometer may be a hardware chronometer, and therefore may be able to operate the heater high-side switch without an instruction from the controller.

[0108] The heater chronometer may be configured to determine a heater period during which the heater is continuously supplied with current or is supplied with current exceeding a heater threshold. The heater chronometer may begin timing or begin a heater period when the current supplied to the heater exceeds the heater threshold. The heater chronometer may end timing or end or reset a heater period when the current supplied to the heater falls below a second heater threshold. The heater threshold and second heater threshold may be equal or different.

[0109] When the heater period reaches a predetermined heater period, the heater high-side switch can move from a closed position to an open position. For example, a controller or heater chronometer can open the heater high-side switch when the heater period reaches a predetermined heater period.

[0110] The heater chronometer is preferably a hardware chronometer and opens the heater high-side switch without an instruction to do so from the controller, which can advantageously mean that if the controller malfunctions the heater high-side switch can still be opened to protect the heater.

[0111] The aerosol generating device may include a heater low-side switch that may be connected to and optionally operated by the controller, and that may be disabled when the device is idle.

[0112] The heater low-side switch may be configured to electrically connect the heater to ground.

[0113] The operation of the heater low-side switch may be similar to the operation of the low-side switch. The heater low-side switch may be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the heater low-side switch is in the open position, the heater may not be electrically connected to ground. When the heater low-side switch is in the open position, an electrical circuit comprising the heater low-side switch and the heater may be interrupted. The power source may not be able to provide power to the heater when the heater low-side switch is in the open position. When the heater low-side switch is in the closed position, the heater may be electrically connected to ground. When the heater low-side switch is in the open position, an electrical circuit comprising the heater low-side switch and the heater may be completed or not interrupted. The power source may be able to provide power to the heater when the heater low-side switch is in the closed position.

[0114] The heater low-side switch may include or be coupled to a heater chronometer. The heater low-side switch may be coupled to a controller and optionally operated by the controller. The heater low-side switch may be coupled to a heater chronometer and optionally operated by the heater chronometer.

[0115] When the heater period reaches the heater's predetermined period, the heater low-side switch can move from a closed position to an open position. For example, a controller or heater chronometer can open the heater low-side switch when the heater period reaches the heater's predetermined period.

[0116] Preferably, the chronometer is a hardware chronometer and opens the low-side switch without an instruction from the controller, which can advantageously mean that if the controller malfunctions, the heater low-side switch can still be opened to protect the heater.

[0117] Therefore, when the heater period reaches a predetermined period of the heater, both the heater high-side switch and the heater low-side switch may move from a closed position to an open position, which may provide the heater with additional protection from overcurrent.

[0118] The method can include enabling a heater high-side switch, which can include moving the heater high-side switch from an open position to a closed position. This can occur when the device moves from an idle state to an active state, or thereafter, for example, after detecting the presence of an article or after the first determination step. This can be triggered by, or can occur automatically after, the device moving from the idle state to the active state, or detecting the presence of an article or the first determination step.

[0119] The method can include enabling the low-side switch. This can include moving the heater low-side switch from an open position to a closed position. This can occur when the device moves from an idle state to an active state, or thereafter, for example, after detecting the presence of an article or after the first determination step. This can be triggered by, or can occur automatically after, the device moving from the idle state to the active state, or detecting the presence of an article or the first determination step.

[0120] The method may include, for example, preheating the heater after the first determining step or after enabling one or both of the heater high-side switch and the heater low-side switch. This may be referred to as a preheating step. Optionally, the preheating step starts only if the first determining step determines that the article engaging with the device belongs to a first group of articles. The preheating step may be triggered by the first determining step determining that the article engaging with the device belongs to the first group, or may start automatically after the first determining step.

[0121] If the first determination step determines that the aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device does not belong to the first group of aerosol-generating articles, the method may include preventing the step of preheating the heater from commencing until the first determination step is repeated to determine that the aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device does belong to the first group of aerosol-generating articles. If the first determination step determines that the aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device does not belong to the first group of aerosol-generating articles, this may cause the device to return to an idle state.

[0122] The preheating step may include, for example, supplying current to a heater from a power source. For example, the preheating step may include supplying current to an electrical resistance heating element to heat the heating element, or alternating current through an inductor to generate a varying magnetic field that heats the susceptor material within the heating element. This step may include raising the temperature of the heater or the heating element of the heater to an operating temperature. This step may include, for example, raising the temperature of the heater or the heating element of the heater from room temperature to a temperature of at least 100, 200, or 300°C.

[0123] The entire process of preheating the heater may take at least 5, 10, or 20 seconds from start to finish. The entire process of preheating the heater may take no more than 100, 60, 50, 40, or 30 seconds from start to finish. The entire process of preheating the heater may take 10 to 60 seconds from start to finish. The entire process of preheating the heater may take 20 to 40 seconds from start to finish.

[0124] The process of preheating the heater may be considered to have begun when current is supplied to the heater. The process of preheating the heater may be considered to have begun when current above a certain threshold is supplied to the heater. The process of preheating the heater may be considered to have begun when the heater or heating element reaches a certain temperature.

[0125] The preheating step may depend on the subgroup to which the article engaging with the device belongs, or on the subgroup determined by the first determining step. The preheating step may be different for articles belonging to different subgroups. For example, the temperature profile of the heater or heating element during the preheating step may be different for different subgroups. This may be controlled by the current sent to the heater. For example, the device may be configured to heat the heater or heating element to different peak temperatures for different subgroups during the preheating step. A specific preheating step may be selected and implemented from a plurality of preset preheating steps, for example, based on the subgroup of the article, e.g., the subgroup determined by the first determining step. Advantageously, this may allow the preheating step to be tailored to the article engaging with the device.

[0126] The method may include a preheat check step. The preheat check step may include determining whether the preheat step is complete. The step of preheating the heater may be considered complete when the heater or heating element reaches a certain temperature. The preheat check step may be triggered by the initiation of a heater preheater or may occur automatically after the initiation of the heater preheater. The preheat check step may be repeated, for example, at regular intervals.

[0127] The device may be configured to indicate to the user, for example, using one or more of a visual, audible, or tactile indication that the preheating process is complete.

[0128] The method may include a second determination step of determining whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the aerosol-generating device belongs to the first group of aerosol-generating articles. The second determination step may be separate from the first determination step. The second determination step may occur after the first determination step. The second determination step may be performed by a recognition device. Specifically, a light source, such as an infrared light-emitting diode, may illuminate the article engaged with the device. A light receiver, such as a photodiode, may then receive light returned from the article. Based on the light received by the light receiver, the recognition device may be able to determine whether the article engaged with the device belongs to the first group of articles or a specific subgroup of the first group of articles.

[0129] If the second determining step determines that the aerosol-generating article belongs to the first group of aerosol-generating articles, a main heating step may be performed. The main heating step may be triggered by the second determining step determining that the aerosol-generating article belongs to the first group of aerosol-generating articles, or may be performed automatically thereafter. During the main heating step, at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article may be heated to form an aerosol. The average temperature of the heater or heating element may be higher during the main heating step than during the pre-heating step.

[0130] The second determination step may be performed at a predetermined time after the preheating step has started or ended. The second determination step may be started or performed during the preheating step. The second determination step may be started or performed after the preheating step. The second determination step may be triggered by the completion of the preheating step.

[0131] Advantageously, the second determination step may prevent a user from using a genuine item to initiate preheating of the heater and then replacing the genuine item with a non-genuine item.

[0132] The second determination step may include determining which of a plurality of subgroups of the first group the article engaging with the device belongs to. The second determination step may include determining whether the article engaging with the device belongs to the same subgroup as the subgroup determined during the first determination step. This step may be performed by a recognition device. Specifically, a light source, for example, an infrared light-emitting diode, may illuminate the article engaging with the device. Then, a light receiver, for example, a photodiode, may receive light from the article. Based on the light received by the light receiver, the recognition device may be able to determine which subgroup of the first group the article engaging with the device belongs to.

[0133] If, and optionally only if, the subgroup determined in the second determination step is the same as that determined in the first determination step, use of the device may continue. For example, a main heating step may be triggered or permitted. If the subgroup determined in the second determination step is not the same as that determined in the first determination step, the device may not allow further use. For example, a main heating step may not be permitted. If the subgroup determined in the second determination step is not the same as that determined in the first determination step, this may cause the device to return to an idle state.

[0134] Advantageously, this may prevent a user from exchanging a genuine article of a first type for a genuine article of a second type, which may, for example, prevent a heating regime optimized for a genuine article of a first type from being used to heat a genuine article of a second type.

[0135] The main heating step may include heating the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol, for example for inhalation by a user. The main heating step may occur after the step of preheating the heater is completed. The main heating step may occur after the second determining step. The main heating step may be triggered by the second determining step determining that the article engaged with the device belongs to the first group, or may occur automatically after the second determining step.

[0136] The main heating step may depend on the subgroup to which the article engaging with the device belongs, or on the subgroup determined by the first or second determining step. The main heating step may be different for articles belonging to different subgroups. For example, the temperature profile of the heater or heating element during the main heating step may be different for different subgroups. This may be controlled by the current sent to the heater. For example, the device may be configured to heat the heater or heating element to different peak temperatures for different subgroups during the main heating step. A specific main heating step may be selected, for example, from a plurality of preset main heating steps, which are performed based on the subgroup of articles, for example, the subgroup determined by the first or second determining step. Advantageously, this may allow the main heating step to be tailored to the article engaging with the device.

[0137] The method may include disabling the high-side switch. The high-side switch may be disabled after the second determining step, for example, after the main heating step. Disabling the high-side switch may be triggered by the main heating step being completed or may occur automatically after the main heating step is completed.

[0138] The method may include disabling the low-side switch. The low-side switch may be disabled after the second determining step, for example, after the main heating step. Disabling the low-side switch may be triggered by the main heating step being completed, or may occur automatically after the main heating step is completed.

[0139] The method may include disabling the heater high-side switch. The heater high-side switch may be disabled after the main heating step. Disabling the heater high-side switch may be triggered by the main heating step being completed or may occur automatically after the main heating step is completed.

[0140] The method may include disabling the heater low-side switch. The heater low-side switch may be disabled after the main heating step. Disabling the heater low-side switch may be triggered by the main heating step being completed or may occur automatically after the main heating step is completed.

[0141] The method may include disabling the power supply. The power supply may be disabled after the second determining step, e.g., after the main heating step, e.g., after disabling one or more of the high-side switch, the low-side switch, the heater high-side switch, and the heater low-side switch. Disabling the power supply may be triggered by the main heating step being completed or may occur automatically after the main heating step is completed.

[0142] The method may include returning the device to an idle state. This may occur when the power source is disabled, or before or after the power source is disabled. Returning the device to the idle state may be triggered by the main heating step being completed, or may occur automatically after the main heating step is completed.

[0143] The device may include a user interface. The user interface may be operable to return the device from an active state to an idle state. The user interface may be operable to return the device from an active state to an idle state at any time. The user interface may be operable to return the device from an active state to an idle state during a pre-heating step or a main heating step.

[0144] The user interface may include a button that can be used to allow the device to return from an active state to an idle state, for example, during a preheating or main heating step, by pressing the button for more than a predetermined period of time, which may be at least 0.5, 1, or 1.5 seconds.

[0145] Features described in relation to the first aspect may be applied to the second aspect. For example, any feature described in relation to the device of the first aspect may be applied to the second aspect, such as the recognition device, heater, power supply, controller, or any of the device switches of the first aspect.

[0146] Features described in relation to the second aspect may also be applied to the first aspect. For example, features described as method steps of the second aspect may be applied to the apparatus of the first aspect. The apparatus or apparatus controller of the first aspect may be configured to perform the method steps of the second aspect.

[0147] As used herein, the term "aerosol" may refer to a dispersion of solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets in a gas. An aerosol may be visible or invisible. An aerosol may include vapor of a substance that is normally a liquid or solid at room temperature, as well as solid particulates, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particulates and liquid droplets. [Example]

[0148] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, the following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0149] Example 1 An aerosol generating device, comprising: a recognition device for determining one or both of whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the device and whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles, the recognition device including a light source; and a power supply for supplying current to the light source; a switch movable between a closed position in which the power supply can supply current to the light source and an open position in which the power supply cannot supply current to the light source; a chronometer coupled to the switch; An aerosol generating device, wherein the device, for example a chronometer of the device, is configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for longer than a predetermined period of time. Example 2. An aerosol generating device according to Example 1, wherein the chronometer is a hardware chronometer and is configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position without an execution command from any separate controller when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for a period longer than the predetermined period. Example 3. 2. An aerosol generating device according to Example 1, wherein the device comprises a controller for controlling the supply of current from the power source to the light source. Example 4. An aerosol generating device according to Example 3, wherein the chronometer is a hardware chronometer and is configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position without an execution command from the controller when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for a period longer than a predetermined period. Example 5. The aerosol generation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the switch is a high-side switch and electrically connects the power source to the light source. Example 6 The aerosol generation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the switch is a low-side switch and electrically connects the light source to ground. Example 7 6. An aerosol generating device according to example 5, wherein the device comprises a second switch that is a low-side switch that electrically connects the light source to ground. Example 8 An aerosol generating device according to Example 7, wherein a chronometer receives an indication that current is being supplied to the light source, and the chronometer is configured to move the switch from a closed position to an open position when the indication of current supplied to the light source exceeds a threshold for longer than a predetermined period of time. Example 9. An aerosol generating device according to any of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the recognition device includes a light receiver engaged with the device for receiving light reflected or emitted by an article illuminated by light from the light source. Example 10. An aerosol generating device according to Example 9, wherein the optical receiver is a photodiode. Example 11 An aerosol generating device according to example 9 or 10, wherein the device is configured to analyze the light received by the light receiver and determine whether an article engaging the device belongs to the first group of articles. Example 12 12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode. Example 13 An aerosol generating device according to Example 12, wherein the light source is an infrared light-emitting diode. Example 14. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the predetermined period of time is at least 1 microsecond. Example 15. 15. The aerosol generating apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the predetermined period is 10 milliseconds or less. Example 16. An aerosol generating device according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the threshold is 0 amperes. Example 17. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device being an apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, the method comprising: The method includes moving a switch from a closed position to an open position when a current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0150] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the following figures:

[0151] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the aerosol generation system of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating a method of operating the aerosol generation system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0152] 1 shows an aerosol generating system 100. The system 100 comprises an aerosol generating device 200 and an aerosol-generating article 300.

[0153] The aerosol-generating device 200 includes a housing 202 that defines a cavity 204 for receiving a portion of an aerosol-generating article 300. In Figure 1, the aerosol-generating article 300 engages with the aerosol-generating device 200 or is received within the cavity 204 of the aerosol-generating device 200.

[0154] The apparatus 200 includes a power supply 206, a controller 208, and a substantially blade-shaped heating element 210. The heating element 210 includes an electrical resistance track supported on a substrate. The controller 208 is connected to the power supply 206 and the heating element 210. The controller 208 controls the supply of current from the power supply 206 through the electrical resistance track of the heating element 210 to control the heating of the heating element 210.

[0155] The device 200 comprises a recognition device 212 that includes a light source, for example an infrared light emitting diode (IR LED) 214 , and a light receiver, for example a photodiode 216 .

[0156] The device 200 further comprises an air inlet 218 for allowing air to enter the cavity 204 and a button 220 for allowing a user to operate the device 200 .

[0157] Aerosol-generating article 300 includes an aerosol-forming substrate 302, a hollow tubular transfer element 304, and a mouthpiece 306, disposed consecutively within an outer wrapper 308. Outer wrapper 308 includes a taggant 310 having a distinguishable spectroscopic signature. Taggant 310 is incorporated into the wrapper during the manufacture of the wrapper material.

[0158] In this example, the wrapper material is manufactured by incorporating the taggant 310 in powder form into the wrapper paper material slurry before the slurry is formed into paper and dried. The taggant 310 is thermally and chemically stable at the temperatures and conditions used during manufacturing so that the taggant 310 functions as desired in the assembled article 300. Alternatively, the taggant 310 may be applied to the wrapper material in solution by spraying, printing, painting, or the like.

[0159] The use of taggants 310 incorporated within the material of the wrapper prevents the taggants 310 from being removed from the wrapper after manufacture, thus improving the tamper-resistance and difficulty of counterfeiting of the aerosol-generating article.

[0160] The taggant 310 material can be selected to control optical attributes to absorb specific wavelengths of light to enable identification, or to emit light at a shifted wavelength compared to the wavelength of light used to excite the taggant 310 to enable identification, or both. As used herein, the term "identification" can refer to determining whether an article belongs to a first group of articles, or, if so, to which subgroup of the first group the article belongs.

[0161] Figure 2 shows the circuitry of the aerosol generation system 100 of Figure 1. Specifically, Figure 2 shows the power supply 206 and IR LED 214 of the recognition device 212 shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 also shows a high-side switch 222, a low-side switch 224, and a chronometer 226 for protecting the IR LED 214, as well as a heater high-side switch 228, a heater low-side switch 230, and a heater chronometer 232 for protecting the heating element 210.

[0162] The high-side switch 222 is located between the power supply 206 and the IR LED 214 and is coupled to a chronometer 226. The high-side switch 222 is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the high-side switch 222 interrupts the circuit or current path between the power supply 206 and the IR LED 214. In the closed position, the high-side switch 222 completes the circuit or current path between the power supply 206 and the IR LED 214.

[0163] The low-side switch 224 is positioned between the IR LED 214 and ground and is coupled to a chronometer 226. The low-side switch 224 is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the low-side switch 224 interrupts the circuit or current path between the IR LED 214 and ground. In the closed position, the low-side switch 224 completes the circuit or current path between the IR LED 214 and ground.

[0164] The heater high-side switch 228 is located between the power supply 206 and the heating element 210 and is coupled to a heater chronometer 232. The heater high-side switch 228 is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the heater high-side switch 228 interrupts the circuit or current path between the power supply 206 and the heating element 210. In the closed position, the heater high-side switch 228 completes the circuit or current path between the power supply 206 and the heating element 210.

[0165] Heater low-side switch 230 is positioned between heating element 210 and ground and is coupled to heater chronometer 232. Heater low-side switch 230 is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, heater low-side switch 230 interrupts the circuit or current path between heating element 210 and ground. In the closed position, heater low-side switch 230 completes the circuit or current path between heating element 210 and ground.

[0166] Enabling or closing a switch refers to moving the switch from an open position to a closed position. Disabling or opening a switch refers to moving the switch from a closed position to an open position.

[0167] For clarity, the controller 208 of the device 200 is not shown in Figure 2. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure, the controller 208 controls the supply of power from the power supply 206 to the IR LED 214 and the heating element 210, and interacts with the chronometers 226, 232 to control the enabling and disabling of the switches 222, 224, 228, 230, as will be described in more detail below.

[0168] FIG. 2 also shows an input 402 to the chronometer 226. This input 402 may be used to determine or estimate the current supplied to the IR LED 214. FIG. 2 also shows an input 404 from the chronometer 226 to the high-side switch 222. This input 404 may be, for example, a command to open or close the high-side switch 222. FIG. 2 also shows an input 406 from the controller 208 to the chronometer 226, which causes the chronometer 226 to enable the high-side switch 222, as described in more detail below. FIG. 2 also shows an input 408 from the controller 208 to the low-side switch 224, which is used to enable the low-side switch 224, as described in more detail below.

[0169] Similarly, for heating element 210, FIG. 2 shows an input 502 to heater chronometer 232. This input 502 may be used to determine or estimate the current supplied to heating element 210. FIG. 2 also shows an input 504 from heater chronometer 232 to heater high-side switch 228. This input 504 may be, for example, a command to open or close heater high-side switch 228. FIG. 2 also shows an input 506 from controller 208 to heater chronometer 232, which causes heater chronometer 232 to enable heater high-side switch 228, as described in more detail below. FIG. 2 also shows an input 508 from controller 208 to heater low-side switch 230, which is used to enable heater low-side switch 230, as described in more detail below.

[0170] A method of operating the aerosol generation system 100 will now be described with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG.

[0171] At the start, device 200 is in an idle state. A user may insert item 300 into cavity 204 of device 200 while device 200 is in the idle state. In the idle state, the device is operating but is not being used to generate an aerosol.

[0172] The user then presses button 220 for more than one second to transition device 200 from the idle state to the active state.

[0173] The transition from the idle state to the active state can cause electrical perturbations such as voltage fluctuations (overvoltage, undervoltage, and other voltage surges) that are dangerous to the electronics, and more specifically to the IR LED 214 and heating element 210 of the device 200.

[0174] When device 200 is activated, a stick recognition (SR) sequence, also known as an aerosol-generating article recognition sequence, is initiated. The aerosol-generating article may be referred to as a stick.

[0175] The high-side switch 222 is then enabled. That is, the high-side switch 222 is closed to form a current path from the power supply 206 to the IR LED 214. Specifically, in this embodiment, the high-side switch 222 is enabled by the chronometer 226. The controller 208 activates the chronometer 226 via the input 406, which then automatically enables the high-side switch 222. The controller 208 is then isolated from the chronometer 226, and the chronometer 226 functions independently.

[0176] The IR LED 214 in this embodiment has a continuous forward current of 20 milliamps and a peak forward current of 1 amp with a corresponding time limit of 10 microseconds to 1 millisecond.

[0177] After enabling the high-side switch 222, the power supply 206 is enabled.

[0178] A period of time is then allowed for the electronics to stabilize, this period being at least 5 milliseconds long.

[0179] The controller 208 then sends an input 408 to the low-side switch 224 to close it. When this occurs, the input 402 provides an indication to the chronometer 226 that current is being supplied to the IR LED 214, causing the chronometer 226 to start a timer. Therefore, in this embodiment, the timer starts as soon as the current supplied to the IR LED 214 exceeds a threshold of 0 amperes. However, in other embodiments, the timer may start only if a current greater than a non-zero threshold current is supplied to the IR LED 214. The chronometer threshold can be set as needed. If the current supplied to the IR LED 214 drops back to the threshold (i.e., returns to 0 amperes) before the timer reaches the predetermined period of 5 milliseconds, the chronometer 226 is reset. This may occur, for example, when the controller 208 opens the low-side switch. If the current supplied to the IR LED 214 remains above the 0 ampere threshold and the timer reaches a predetermined period of 5 milliseconds, the chronometer 226 sends an input 404 to the high-side switch 222 to open it. This stops current from being supplied to the IR LED 214 and may help protect the IR LED 214 from damage. The device 200 may then return to an idle state. The chronometer 226 is a hardware chronometer and sends an input 404 to the high-side switch 222 without a command to the controller 208. Therefore, the IR LED 214 may be protected even if the controller malfunctions.

[0180] After closing the low-side switch 224, the controller 208 controls the power supply 206 to supply a relatively low current of approximately 20 milliamps to the IR LED 214 for 10 microseconds to 2 milliseconds. The current causes the IR LED 214 to emit infrared light onto the item 300. A portion of this light is reflected off the item 300 and received by the photodiode 216. This allows the recognition device 212 of the device 200 to act as an item presence detector and determine that the item 300 is present (i.e., engaged with the device 200). The low-side switch 224 can be opened, for example, by the controller 208, once current has been sent to the IR LED for a sufficient period of time.

[0181] If no article is present, the device 200 will return to an idle state. However, because the article 300 is detected, a first determination step is performed to determine whether the article 300 engaging the device 200 belongs to a first group of articles. This involves the controller 208 again closing the low-side switch 224 and controlling the power supply 206 to supply a relatively high current of approximately 1 ampere to the IR LED 214 for 200 microseconds to 2 milliseconds. This causes the IR LED 214 to emit infrared light onto the article 300. The taggant 310 in the outer wrapper 308 absorbs a specific set of wavelengths of light emitted by the IR LED 214 and reflects another specific set of wavelengths of light emitted by the IR LED 214. The photodiode 216 receives the specific set of wavelengths reflected by the outer wrapper 308 and, based on the set of wavelengths that are missing or absorbed, determines that the article 300 belongs to a first group of articles designed and optimized for use with the device 200. The low-side switch 224 may be opened, for example, by the controller 208, once current has been sent to the IR LED for a sufficient period of time.

[0182] As described above with reference to the process of determining whether an article is engaged with the device, if the controller 208 malfunctions and the low-side switch 224 does not open, the chronometer 226 may open the high-side switch 222 if the current supplied to the IR LED 214 remains above a threshold of 0 amperes and the timer reaches a predetermined period of 5 milliseconds.

[0183] If the first determination step determines that the item 300 does not belong to the first group of items, the device 200 will return to the idle state. However, because the first determination step determines that the item 300 does belong to the first group of items, the heater high-side switch 228 is then enabled. That is, the heater high-side switch 228 is closed to form a current path from the power supply 206 to the heating element 210. Specifically, in this embodiment, the heater high-side switch 228 is enabled by the heater chronometer 232. The controller 208 activates the heater chronometer 232 via input 506, which then automatically enables the heater high-side switch 228. The controller 208 is then disconnected from the heater chronometer 232, allowing the heater chronometer 232 to function independently.

[0184] After enabling the heater high-side switch 228, the heating experience begins.

[0185] The controller 208 sends an input 508 to the heater low-side switch 230 to close the heater low-side switch 230, creating a current path from the IR LED 214 to ground. The input 502 provides an indication to the heater chronometer 232 that current is being supplied to the heating element 210, and if a current greater than a threshold is supplied to the heating element 210, the heater chronometer 232 starts a timer. If the current supplied to the heating element 210 drops below the threshold before the timer reaches the predetermined period, the heater chronometer 232 resets. If the current supplied to the heating element 210 remains above the threshold and the timer reaches the predetermined period, the heater chronometer 232 sends an input 504 to the heater high-side switch 228 to open the heater high-side switch 228. This stops current from being supplied to the heating element 210, which can help protect the heating element 210 from damage and the item 300 from overheating. The apparatus 200 can then return to an idle state. The heater chronometer 232 is a hardware chronometer that sends an input 504 to the heater high-side switch 228 without a command to the controller 208. Therefore, the heating element 210 can be protected even if the controller 208 malfunctions.

[0186] When the heater low-side switch 230 is closed, the controller 208 controls the power supply 206 to supply power to the heating element 210, initiating preheating. Preheating of the heating element 210 begins, and preheat checks are performed at regular intervals. Each check involves measuring the temperature of the heating element 210 to determine whether the heating element 210 has reached a threshold temperature. If the temperature has not reached the threshold temperature, the preheat check is performed again after a regular interval. If the temperature has reached the threshold temperature, preheating of the heating element 210 is terminated.

[0187] In this embodiment, completion of preheating triggers the implementation of a second determination step to determine whether the article 300 engaged with the device 200 belongs to the first group of articles. The second determination step is implemented in the same manner as the first determination step. Therefore, the second determination step involves transmitting a relatively high current of approximately 1 ampere to the IR LED 214 for 200 microseconds to 2 milliseconds. Also, as in the first determination step, this causes the IR LED 214 to emit infrared light onto the article 300. The taggant 310 in the outer wrapper 308 absorbs a specific set of wavelengths of light emitted by the IR LED 214 and reflects another specific set of wavelengths of light emitted by the IR LED 214. The photodiode 216 receives the specific set of wavelengths reflected by the outer wrapper 308 and, based on the missing or absorbed wavelengths, determines that the article 300 belongs to the first group of articles designed and optimized for use with the device 200.

[0188] If the second determination step determines that the item 300 did not belong to the first group of items, the device 200 may return to an idle state. However, because the second determination step determined that the item 300 did belong to the first group of items, the experience continues. Specifically, the main heating step is performed.

[0189] During the main heating step, the user inhales on the article 300, causing air to flow through the air inlet 218 and into the cavity 204. This inhalation is detected using the device 200's puff detection mechanism (not shown). The puff detection mechanism notifies the controller 208 that a puff has occurred, and the controller 208 controls the power supply 206 to power the heating element 210 accordingly. Specifically, more power is sent to the heating element 210 to heat the article 300 and release volatile compounds from the aerosol-forming substrate. Air flows through the substrate, entraining these compounds. The air and entrained compounds then flow through the tubular transfer element 304. The entrained compounds cool and condense to generate an aerosol. The aerosol is drawn through the mouthpiece 306 and enters the user's mouth. The user can then inhale the aerosol. The main heating step involves further increasing the temperature of the heating element 210 in response to each inhalation or puff on the article 300. The main heating step typically lasts for about four minutes.

[0190] In this embodiment, the second determination step not only determines that the article 300 belongs to the first group of articles, but also determines the subgroup of the first group to which the article 300 belongs. Specifically, based on the light received by the photodiode 216, the recognition device 212 determines the type of aerosol-forming substrate 302 present in the article 300. The main heating step depends on the subgroup of the first group to which the article 300 belongs, as determined by the second determination step. Specifically, the temperature to which the heating element 210 is heated in response to inhalation 300 is set based on the subgroup determined by the second determination step. Therefore, in this embodiment, the main heating step is adjusted to the type of aerosol-forming substrate 302 present in the article 300. The pre-heating step may equally depend on the subgroup to which the article 300 belongs.

[0191] The heating experience is then ended and the power supply 206 stops supplying power to the heating element 210 .

[0192] Heater high-side switch 228 is then disabled, and heater low-side switch 230 is disabled if it is not already disabled.

[0193] The high-side switch 222 is then disabled, and if not already disabled, the low-side switch 224. However, these switches 222, 224 may be disabled at any time after the second determination step.

[0194] The power supply 206 is then disabled.

[0195] The device 200 then returns to the idle state.

[0196] At any point during the heating experience, the user may press button 220 for more than one second to stop the heating experience, disable switches 222, 224, 228, 230 and power supply 206, and return device 200 to an idle state.

[0197] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like are to be understood in all instances as modified by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Accordingly, in this context, the number A is to be understood as A±10%. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the typical standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. In some cases, as used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel property(ies) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol generating device configured to engage and disengage from an aerosol-generating article, said aerosol generating device comprising: a recognition device for determining one or both of whether an aerosol-generating article is engaged with the device and whether an aerosol-generating article engaged with the device belongs to a first group of articles, the recognition device including a light source; and a power source for supplying current to the light source; a switch movable between a closed position in which the power source can supply current to the light source and an open position in which the power source cannot supply current to the light source; a chronometer coupled to the switch; An aerosol generating device, wherein the chronometer is configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for a period longer than a predetermined period.

2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the chronometer is a hardware chronometer and is configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position without an execution command from any separate controller when the current supplied to the light source, or the indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds the threshold for a period longer than the predetermined period.

3. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a controller for controlling the supply of current from the power source to the light source.

4. The aerosol generating device of claim 3, wherein the chronometer is a hardware chronometer and is configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position without an execution command from the controller when the current supplied to the light source, or the indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds the threshold for a period longer than a predetermined period.

5. 5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a high-side switch and electrically connects the power source to the light source.

6. 5. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a low-side switch and electrically connects the light source to ground.

7. 6. The aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the device comprises a second switch that is a low-side switch that electrically connects the light source to ground.

8. 8. The aerosol generating device of claim 7, wherein the chronometer receives an indication that the current is being supplied to the light source, and the chronometer is configured to move the switch from the closed position to the open position when the indication of the current supplied to the light source exceeds the threshold for a period longer than the predetermined period.

9. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recognition device includes a light receiver engaged with the device for receiving light reflected or emitted by an item illuminated by light from the light source.

10. 10. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a light-emitting diode.

11. 11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein the light source is an infrared light emitting diode.

12. 12. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is at least 1 microsecond.

13. 13. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period is 10 milliseconds or less.

14. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the threshold value is 0 amperes.

15. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device being a device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising: moving the switch from the closed position to the open position when the current supplied to the light source, or an indication of the current supplied to the light source, exceeds a threshold for more than a predetermined period of time.

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