Electrically operated smoking device with a system for identifying smoking articles including indicia - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation system (100) comprising an aerosol generating device (2) and an aerosol-generating article (1). The aerosol generating device (2) of the present invention comprises a cavity defining an imaginary cavity axis, the cavity having an opening (3) for inserting an aerosol-generating article (1) into an insertion position, and a heating assembly arranged to provide heating, the cavity including identification information disposed within or on the article (1). The aerosol generating device (2) comprises detection means configured to read the identification information of the aerosol-generating article (1) in the insertion position in the cavity when the detection means is manually displaced relative to the aerosol-generating article, the device further comprising an activation switch configured to place the detection means in a reading mode upon activation.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Electronic cigarettes, which are based on aerosol-generating consumables, have become increasingly popular in recent years. There are two main types: liquid vaporizers and heated tobacco inhalation devices. Heated tobacco inhalation devices are referred to as "heat-not-burn" systems (HNBs). Compared to electronic cigarettes, which deliver inhalable aerosols by heating a liquid charge containing aerosol formers, flavorings, and often nicotine, HNBs offer a more authentic tobacco flavor. The operating principle of HNB systems is to heat tobacco material containing aerosol-forming substances (e.g., glycerin and / or propylene glycol) that evaporate during heating and produce a vapor that extracts nicotine and flavor components from the tobacco material. The tobacco material is heated to 200-400°C, which is lower than the normal combustion temperature of conventional cigarettes. The inhalation device is typically a handheld heater configured to accept a rod-shaped consumable product.

[0003] The fraudulent trafficking of aerosol-generating articles is problematic, even if they are standard cigarettes, e-liquids, or HNB articles, because counterfeit articles may be of particularly poor quality, or, in the case of e-liquids or HNB consumables, may not be suitable for a given smoking system. To identify the authenticity of an aerosol-generating consumable article, a code or equivalent marking containing information about the article can be placed on the outer surface of the article to be detected during or before use with a specific device. This can confirm the authenticity of the consumable article and, if determined to be inauthentic, shut off power to the heating system used. Accurate authentication of codes on consumable articles, such as HNB articles, requires an extremely high probability of recognition to prevent legitimate articles from being rejected. Existing indicia are limited by the low density of information they can contain; most known indicia rely on classical codes, such as one- or two-dimensional barcodes, which can be easily replicated without the use of specialized optical equipment, for example, by simply visually inspecting the code with the naked eye. Furthermore, to read high-density information, the article must be properly oriented so that the indicia faces the detection system. It is rather undesirable for the customer to reorient or position the item. Placing a motorized detection system to detect the location of the indicia would significantly complicate the aerosol generation system, as available space is very limited and motorized systems require batteries. Therefore, existing indicia recognition and detection systems rely on redundant or repetitive information placed around the periphery of the item.

[0004] Various attempts to provide an authenticable aerosol-generating article have already been proposed in the prior art, but all have the limitations mentioned above. For example, US Patent Application Publication No. 20190008206A1 discloses a smoking article having indicia on the outer surface of the smoking article that indicate the type of smoking article and can take the form of a pattern or a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. The indicia include various gradation levels created by printing as dots of smaller size. These indicia are easily detectable and reproducible, but may contain only a small density of information or be unacceptably large in size.

[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20160302488A1 describes a smoking article with indicia on its outer surface. The indicia can take the form of a one-dimensional / two-dimensional barcode. The code includes a distinguishable spectroscopic signature, but requires a layer to be applied by spraying, which requires a spectrometer integrated into the aerosol-generating device. Furthermore, the spectrally generated signature is concentration-dependent, which can range from 1 ppm to 1000 ppm, and its accuracy is difficult to control. Taggants based on spectroscopic signatures are also associated with issues of spectroscopic measurement and interpretation, as well as calibration, which can make the taggants less reliable, and there can be problems related to the stability of such taggants.

[0006] WO 2019129378 A1 describes an aerosol-generating consumable product for an inhaler, which includes indicia containing information about the consumable product. The indicia provides information about a temperature threshold by changing an indicator after exposure to a temperature above the temperature threshold. The indicia is formed of a heat-sensitive component. Because consumable products may be transported under harsh conditions, the stability of these types of indicia is questionable. Again, because the indicia is in the form of a simple readable code visible to the naked eye, the code can be easily replicated and would have little use as an anti-counterfeiting taggant. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for improved techniques to enable authentication of aerosol-generating articles such as HNB, vaping, and smoking articles. In particular, authentication based on codes or indicia with much higher information density is preferred, in order to improve authentication quality and make the articles more difficult to counterfeit. Furthermore, the detection system should have very limited power consumption, offer the possibility to detect low-density codes as well as high-density codes, and not require precise angular or linear positioning of the article on the device by the customer.

[0008] The inventors have found a solution to the problems discussed above by providing a device that can detect and identify coded information contained in an indicia on an article, for example by manually activating the detection means, while the article inserted into the device is stationary, i.e. without the need to move or rotate the article so that the indicia is aligned or registered opposite the detection means.

[0009] Thus, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generating device having an aerosol-generating article at least partially inserted therein, the aerosol-generating article comprising identification information located on or within the aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating device comprising a cavity defining an imaginary cavity axis, the cavity having an opening for inserting the aerosol-generating article into an insertion position, and a heating assembly arranged to heat the cavity.

[0010] The device further comprises a detection means configured to read the identification information of the aerosol-generating article in the insertion position in the cavity when the detection means is displaced relative to the aerosol-generating article, and the device further comprises an activation switch configured to place the detection means in a reading mode when activated. An advantage of a mechanism that does not require power is that battery life can be reduced. Furthermore, the mechanism to which the detection means is fixed may be used to power up the system or to initiate operation of some other component of the device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the activation switch of the aerosol generating device is configured to be activated by the displacement of the detection means.

[0012] In one embodiment, the activation switch comprises mechanical means for being manually moved by a user between the OFF and ON positions of the switch. The detection means may be incorporated into the power switch to enable the device to be activated only if predetermined criteria relating to recognition of the item or a particular feature or characteristic of the item are met.

[0013] In one embodiment, the detection means is configured to be slidable along and / or rotatable about the virtual cavity axis. By sliding or moving the detection means relative to the article, the need to move or reorient the article within the device is avoided.

[0014] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device comprises a hollow rim and the activation switch is located in or adjacent to the hollow rim. By locating the detection means and / or the switch in the hollow rim, the volume of the cavity of the device does not need to be reduced.

[0015] In one embodiment, the detection means is configured to read the identification information of the article, and the device further comprises a control unit configured to accept information-related input from the detection means and control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device to perform an action based on the received information-related input.

[0016] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises a rotatable member positioned at or above the opening of the cavity, the rotatable member comprising a reading element arranged to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the cavity axis. By providing the detection means on or within the rotatable member, it is possible to detect indicia anywhere around the circumference of the rotatable member, where the indicia contain redundant or repeating information around the circumference of the article.

[0017] In one embodiment, the rotatable member is ring-shaped and includes an annular surface that includes a reading element. The use of a ring-shaped member allows for a simple system similar to a rotary turn-on key, which may be well-accepted by consumers or aerosol articles.

[0018] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises a linearly displaceable member provided with a reading element, the displaceable member being above or adjacent to the cavity and arranged to move along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity. By providing a linear displacement system it is possible to have a simpler mechanical design than a rotatable system.

[0019] In one embodiment, said detection means comprises a displaceable member comprising a reading element, said displaceable member being configured to perform at least a partially spiral or helical movement about said cavity axis.

[0020] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises at least one light emitter and at least one light detector for emitting and detecting electromagnetic waves, respectively, in response to a code or marking on the article containing the identification information. The use of a single detection system provides a simple system that is easily incorporated into a movable member, whether a rotatable or linear motion mechanism.

[0021] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic wave is a beam of UV light, visible light, or infrared light. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 0.1 to 10 THz. By using different types of wavelengths, it is possible to provide indicia with different properties, light transmission characteristics, and light reflection characteristics. By using infrared, terahertz, or ultraviolet light, it is possible to identify invisible indicia.

[0022] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises more than two optical emitters and / or more than two optical detectors. In a variant, the detection means may comprise at least one non-optical detector, such as a magnetic or electrical detector for measuring magnetic or electric fields, or electrical conductivity, current or capacitance. Devices using multiple detection systems can detect information from a high density of indicia, and can also detect information from small indicia that are not necessarily uniformly distributed along the length or circumference of the aerosol-generating article.

[0023] In one embodiment, the identification information is embodied in indicia comprising at least one array of structures arranged according to an optically readable pattern or code. - reflective and / or diffractive marks, a marking comprising at least one waveguide or at least one resonant waveguide, - partially transparent marks, - A marking containing a conforming layer to ensure adhesion to the outer surface of the article. It may include one of the following typical classifications:

[0024] In a variant, the markings may include a combination of different types of marks from the typical classification.

[0025] In another aspect, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a cavity defining an imaginary cavity axis, the cavity having an opening for inserting an aerosol-generating article, the device also comprising a heating assembly arranged to heat the cavity, the aerosol generating device further comprising detection means arranged outside the cavity, the detection means being displaceable relative to the cavity axis, and the aerosol generating device further comprising an activation switch configured to place the detection means in an optical reading mode when activated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1]1 illustrates a manufactured aerosol-generating consumable system according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a rotatable switch of an aerosol-generating device includes a detection means for detecting information from indicia on or within a portion of the consumable item. [Figure 2] 1 shows a manufactured aerosol generating system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a longitudinally movable switch of an aerosol generating device is provided with a detection means for detecting information from an indicia on or within a portion of a consumable item. [Figure 3] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of the embodiment of the system of FIG. 1 with at least one detection system inside a rotatable wheel of a switch of an aerosol generating device. [Figure 4] 4 shows a side cross-sectional view in a plane of the rotatable switch of FIG. 3 with at least one detector system; [Figure 5] Figures 5 and 6 show schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a rotatable switch of an aerosol generating device, the switch including at least two detector systems and the article possibly comprising more than one indicia. Figure 5 shows the movable member in a first position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the movable member in a second position, defined as the contact position. [Figure 7] Figures 7 and 8 show side cross-sectional views in the plane of the rotatable switch of Figures 5 and 6, comprising at least two detector systems, Figure 7 shows a first position in which the contact elements are not in contact with each other. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 shows a second position in which the contact elements are in contact with each other. [Figure 9] 1 shows an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device according to the invention, the device comprising two moving sections. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The present invention will now be described in terms of particular embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the invention is not limited thereto. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

[0028] Although the present invention is described in the following examples in relation to tobacco-based consumable articles, the scope of the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to tobacco-based consumable articles, but rather is intended to encompass any aerosol-generating consumable article, such as smoking articles, heat-and-burn tobacco, e-liquid cartridges and cartomizers, that includes an aerosol-generating substrate capable of generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating.

[0029] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" refers to a material that, upon heating, can release volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The aerosol generated from the aerosol-generating materials of the aerosol-generating articles described herein can be visible or invisible and can include vapor (e.g., fine particles of a gaseous substance that is normally a liquid or solid at room temperature) and droplets of gas and condensed vapor.

[0030] The term "wrapper" is broadly defined as any structure or layer that protects and contains a charge of aerosol-generating material and allows it to be handled. The wrapper has an inner surface that can contact the aerosol-generating material and an outer surface that is remote from the aerosol-generating material. The wrapper preferably comprises a cellulose-based material such as paper, but may also be made of a biodegradable polymer, glass, or ceramic. The wrapper may be a porous material, may have a smooth or rough outer surface 5, and may be a flexible or rigid material.

[0031] As used herein, the term "structure" refers to a portion of a surface or element, which may have dimensions smaller than 5 μm, covering the field of micro- and nanostructures, and may have any two- or three-dimensional shape, and may be an element at least partially embedded within a surface feature or layer or deposited on a surface. The term "array" broadly refers to a plurality of microstructures and / or nanostructures, which may be arranged in a specific order, such as a series of lines or dots, but may also be a random distribution of structures. As used herein, the term "indicium" should be understood broadly and is not limited to indicia incorporated or embedded in a specific layer. An indicium is anything that can contain information about an article 1, including the physical, structural, and chemical properties of any component of the article, including layers or materials embedded in the article, or the presence or nature of elements present in or on the article, including aerosol-generating substrates or substances. For example, an indicium can convert an incident broadband light beam into multiple light beams. The multiple light beams can be projected onto a detector to provide intensity information or an image of a code having a predetermined arrangement of code elements, which may have different spectral characteristics. The indicia described herein may be any structure or array of structures used to encode information about an article. The indicia 10 on the article 1 inserted into the aerosol generating device 2 according to the present invention may comprise at least one array of structures that can be read by an optical reader system when illuminated. The structures of the indicia 10 may be difficult or impossible to individually detect or identify with the naked eye, such that the indicia cannot be easily read or reproduced without the use of optical systems. The structures are preferably microstructures having relatively large dimensions smaller than 5 μm, preferably smaller than 1 μm, or nanostructures having relatively large dimensions typically smaller than 200 nm. The indicia 10 may be arranged according to a 2D or 3D arrangement of structures and may have any shape, such as a square, rectangular band, or the like, that may be arranged around the entire periphery of the outer surface 5 of the wrapper. In one embodiment, the array of structures is arranged according to an optically readable pattern or code. The code may be a linear code or a two-dimensional or three-dimensional code.In one embodiment, the array of structures is disposed on a support fixed to the outer surface. The support may be made of any material that can be produced in large quantities at low cost, such as a lacquer layer deposited by spraying or the like, or a polymer layer that can be deposited on the surface by adhesive or thermal techniques. The array of structures may be embedded in the layer before or after it is applied to the outer surface. The structures may be formed on at least one surface of the layer or embedded in the layer. The indicia 10 on the article 1 may be of various types, some of which are described in more detail below. Typical classes of indicia 10, 10' that may be applied to an aerosol-generating article 1 that is at least partially inserted into an aerosol-generating device 2 are: - Reflective markings, - diffractive markings, - Reflective and diffractive markings, - a marking comprising at least one waveguide; - a marking comprising at least one resonant waveguide; - partially transparent marks, - the marking includes a conforming layer to ensure adhesion to the outer surface; - A combination of multiple types of marks with different typical classifications Includes:

[0032] The indicium 10 may be arranged on the article 1 to provide a predetermined direct reflection effect when illuminated by a light beam, such as providing multiple light beams that may have different spectra and / or different reflection angles. The reflected light beams may be diffracted light beams projected in any diffraction order. In other variants, the indicium 10 may include structures on at least one of its surface or side surfaces, or may include structures embedded within a layer of the indicium. For example, the diffractive structures may be provided on an outer surface of the indicium 10, away from the wrapper, or may be realized in a polymer layer by embossing techniques.

[0033] The indicium 10 may be incorporated into or within the wrapper. For example, in the case of a paper wrapper, the indicium may be realized as a coating applied to the outer surface of the paper wrapper. The indicium 10 may also be located on the inner side of the wrapper, which may be used to conceal the indicium. In such a variant, infrared light may be used to provide an optical effect with the indicium 10. In another variant, the wrapper may be made of a transparent material, and the indicium 10 may be embedded inside the wall of such a transparent wrapper, which may be at least partially a glass wrapper.

[0034] The present invention relates to the aerosol generating device (2) as a product, as well as to an aerosol generating system (100) comprising an aerosol generating device (2) at least partially inserted with an article.

[0035] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a manufactured aerosol-generating device 2. Figure 1 also shows an inserted aerosol-generating article 1 inserted into the device 2. The manufactured aerosol-generating device 2 with the aerosol-generating article 1 at least partially inserted forms an aerosol generation system 100. The aerosol-generating article 1 preferably has an imaginary longitudinal axis 252 that, when inserted into the device 2, coincides with the imaginary longitudinal axis 252 of the cavity 250 of the device 2. The device may further comprise a heating assembly 240.

[0036] The article 1 includes at least one indicia 10 containing information about the article 1. The article has a mouthpiece end 12 and a distal end 14 opposite the mouthpiece end. The indicia 10 is preferably, but not necessarily, located on the outer surface of the article 1. The manufactured aerosol-generating consumable article 1 may have any type of regular or irregular shaped cross-section defined in the XY plane, for example, an oval or circular cross-section defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3.

[0037] The aerosol-generating device 2 of the present invention comprises a detection means configured to read identification information of the aerosol-generating article in the insertion position in the cavity 250 when the detection means is manually displaced relative to the aerosol-generating article 1, and the device 2 further comprises an activation switch configured to put the detection means into a reading mode when activated. The aerosol-generating device 2 comprises a control unit configured to determine the authenticity of the consumable article 1 based on the content of the information read by the optical reading system at the indicia 10, 10' located on the consumable article 1. The device further comprises a control unit 230 configured to accept information-related input from the detection means and to control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device to perform an action based on the received information-related input. The control unit 230 is electrically connected to the detection means, optionally by electrical wiring or a wireless connection.

[0038] The various embodiments and combinations of the detection means and activation switches of the device (2) of the present invention can provide at least the following exemplary functions to the aerosol generating device 2: - detecting the presence or absence of markings on an item and providing information when a marking is detected, either by rotation or by a user pressing a mechanical part; - Use the information found to display it to the customer; - the switch may be a power switch, said power switch comprising said detection means and allowing to turn on / off the aerosol generating device and to provide information to said device or to the customer during the movement from the off position to the on position; - if the switch is a power switch, detection by the detection means during movement from an electrical off position to an electrical on position can activate or deactivate the system according to preset information on the article incorporated in the indicia; - the switch may be operable after the system has been electrically switched on by a separate power switch; - The switch may be configured to trigger a check of the battery level.

[0039] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a power supply section (not shown) and a cavity defining an imaginary cavity axis 252. The cavity 250 has an opening 3 for inserting an aerosol-generating article 1 into an insertion position, and a heating assembly (not shown) arranged to heat the cavity containing identification information to be placed in or on the article. The opening 3 may have any cross-section defined by the cross-sectional plane XY, for example it may have a circular, square or rectangular cross-section.

[0040] The device further comprises a detection means configured to read identification information of the aerosol-generating article in the insertion position in the cavity when the detection means is manually displaced relative to the aerosol-generating article, and the device further comprises an activation switch configured to place the detection means in a reading mode when activated.

[0041] In one embodiment, the activation switch is configured to be activated by displacement of the detection means, preferably by mechanical displacement of the detection means, for example by rotating or sliding the switch as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0042] In an advantageous embodiment, the aerosol generating device 2 comprises a hollow rim having a protruding border 2 a, and the activation switch 20 is located in or adjacent to the hollow rim 4 .

[0043] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the mechanically rotatable member 20 includes at least one detection system 220 comprising at least one light emitter 221 and at least one light detector 222. Such a configuration is used when the indicia 10 has redundant or repetitive information along the periphery of the article. The system preferably includes at least two contacts 402, 404. In a first position of the device, the two contacts are not in contact and may be at an angle such as 90° or 180°, or any other angle defined by their lateral XY plane. In a second position, the two contacts are in contact and may provide an electrical contact that triggers any electrical circuitry of the device, such as an on / off circuit, or a warning signal, such as the signal provided by a green or red LED.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a typical cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 3 , depicting the article 1 with indicia 10 disposed along its entire circumference. In the system configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , only one detection system 220 is required, comprising at least one light emitter 221 emitting at least one light beam 300 and at least one detector 222. While the two contact elements 402, 404 in FIG. 4 are disposed at an angle of 180°, in a variant, the switch 20 may be designed so that the contacts 402, 404 are closely spaced, e.g., spaced apart by an angle of less than 45° defined by their cross-sectional plane XY. The required angular span θ of the wheel movement depends on the resolution of the indicia 10 and the desired angular separation of the switch wheel. In an advantageous implementation, customers preferably find rotations of less than 90° less convenient.

[0045] In an advantageous variant, the detection system 220 may comprise an electromagnetic emitter and a detector that are not adjacently arranged at opposite positions on the rotatable member, for example arranged at 180° on the rotatable member 20 of FIG. 3. In such a variant, the light must be transmitted at least partially across the diameter of the article. This can be achieved, for example, either by providing openings in the wrapper and / or filter unit, or by using terahertz waves, which are known to partially penetrate components such as paper and typical heat-non-combustion articles based on aerosol-generating substances.

[0046] It will generally be understood that the detection system 220 may be located anywhere within the device 2, but preferably at one of its ends or, as further described, at the movable part 2b.

[0047] It will also be appreciated that multiple identical or non-identical movable members may be located within or on the device, and more than one contact 402, 404 may be located on said movable member.

[0048] If the markings are not repeated or redundant along the periphery of the article, advantageous embodiments are proposed that are based on the use of at least two detection systems (FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8).

[0049] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, the rotatable member 20, which may be an actuation switch, comprises at least two detection systems 220, 220', each comprising at least one light emitter and at least one light detector (as described in relation to Figure 4).

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a consumer's finger 1000 rotating the movable member 20. Such a configuration does not necessarily require markings distributed along the periphery, but may, for example, include only two markings that are detected by at least 180 degrees of rotation. The system preferably includes at least two contacts 406, 408. In the OFF position of the device, the two contacts are not in contact and may be positioned at an angle of 90° or 180°, or at any other angle defined by their transverse XY plane. By rotating the wheel of the switch 20 and using at least two detection systems 200, 200′, any markings present within the cross-sectional plane defined by the detector systems 200, 200′ along the periphery of the article 1 are detected. FIG. 6 shows an example in which at least two markings 10, 10′ are positioned on the outer surface of the article. The markings 10, 10′ may be invisible and may be positioned inside the article 1, for example, on the inner surface of a wrapper, filter, or inner cavity.

[0051] In a variant, N detector systems may be used, and the number of distinct indicia may be greater than two. The number N of detector systems 200 may be selected depending on the angular width of the indicia and the angular separation between the indicia, and such that at least one indicia is encoded by the angular movement θ of the rotatable member 20. In a variant, the angular movement of the rotatable member 20 between the first and second positions may have any predetermined value. If the angular movement θ of the rotatable member 20 is very small, e.g., less than 10 degrees, the device 2 is adapted to detect multiple indicia 10 distributed around the entire circumference of the article. If the required angular movement θ is large, e.g., greater than 45-90 degrees, the device 2 is preferably configured to include at least three detector systems 220, at least two of which may be different types of detector systems. For example, one of the detector systems may be configured to illuminate and detect in a first spectral region, and another detector system may be configured to illuminate and detect in a second spectral region. The first spectral region may be the visible region and the second spectral region may be the infrared or terahertz spectral region. In a variant, one detector system may be configured to detect intensity or spectral information, and another detector system may be configured to detect another electromagnetic signal, for example related to the polarization state of the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic wave.

[0052] It should also be understood that at least one of the detector systems 220, 220' may be a non-optical detection system, for example a detection system configured to detect and measure electric or magnetic fields, or electrical conductance or current.

[0053] It will be appreciated that in the second position, the pairs of contacts 402, 404 and 406, 408 are in contact and may provide electrical contacts that trigger any electrical circuitry in the device, such as an on / off electrical circuit, or a warning signal, such as the signal provided by a green or red LED.

[0054] In one embodiment, the detection means is configured to be slidable along an imaginary cavity axis 252. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the detection means may be located at the push-bottom 20'.

[0055] In possible embodiments, a combination of rotational and linear motion may also be used, resulting in, for example, a spiral or helical motion along the imaginary cavity axis 252 described above.

[0056] In one embodiment, the detection means is configured to read identification information of the item 1, and the device 2 further comprises a control unit configured to accept information-related input from the detection means and control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device to perform an action based on the received information-related input.

[0057] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises a linearly displaceable member comprising a reading element, the displaceable member being above or adjacent to the cavity 250 and arranged to move along a direction Z parallel to the longitudinal axis 252 of the cavity 250.

[0058] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises a displaceable member comprising a reading element, the displaceable member being configured to undergo at least a partially spiral movement about the cavity axis.

[0059] In one embodiment, the activation switch comprises mechanical means for being manually moved by a user between the off and on positions of the switch.

[0060] In one embodiment, the activation switch is a power switch, in a first position the system is off and in a second position the system is on, for example allowing a heater to heat.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the device may be made of two separate parts 2a, 2b that are arranged to be manually rotated between said first position and said second position.

[0062] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises at least one light emitter and at least one light detector for emitting and detecting, respectively, electromagnetic waves in response to a code or indicia on the article containing the identification information.

[0063] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic wave is a UV light beam, a visible light beam, or an infrared light beam.

[0064] In one embodiment, the electromagnetic waves have a frequency of 0.1 to 10 THz.

[0065] In one embodiment, the detection means comprises more than two light emitters and / or more than two light detectors.

[0066] As depicted in Figures 5-7, the light source directs light 300 in a substantially radial direction in the transverse XY plane. However, this need not be the case. It should be understood that the light source may be arranged to send a light beam that does not intersect either the imaginary axis 252 of the cavity or the central axis of the article. The light source may also be configured to emit light that is obliquely incident on a local plane of the surface of the article and / or indicia. The same is true for the detector's field of view, which is defined as the opening of a cone through which light is detected by the detector. The light detector may be configured to detect only re-emitted light or transmitted light transmitted through the article and may have a virtual central aperture axis that need not intersect the virtual axis of the emitted light beam. The detector may also have a field of view defined in a parallel plane XY rather than the principal plane along which the light beam 300 is emitted. Furthermore, the light emitter's virtual central emission angle and virtual central detection axis may be intersecting or non-intersecting axes in three dimensions.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation system (100) comprising an aerosol-generating article (1) and an aerosol-generating device (2), wherein the aerosol-generating article (1) includes identification information disposed within or on the aerosol-generating article, and the aerosol-generating device (2) includes a cavity (250) defining an imaginary cavity axis (252), the cavity (250) having an opening (3) for inserting the aerosol-generating article (1) into an insertion position, and a heating assembly (240) arranged to heat the cavity (250); the aerosol-generating device (2) further comprises a detection means (220, 220′) configured to read identification information of the aerosol-generating article (1) in its inserted position in the cavity (250) when the detection means (220, 220′) is displaced relative to the aerosol-generating article (1); The aerosol generating device (2) further comprises an activation switch (20, 20') configured to place the detection means in a reading mode when activated, the actuation switch (20, 20') is configured to be actuated by the displacement of the detection means (220, 220'); An aerosol generating system (100).

2. The aerosol generation system (100) of claim 1, wherein the activation switch (20, 20') includes mechanical means for being manually moved by a user between the OFF and ON positions of the activation switch, and heating by the heating assembly is enabled when the activation switch is in the ON position.

3. 3. The aerosol generation system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection means is configured to be slidable along the virtual cavity axis and / or rotatable about the virtual cavity axis.

4. 4. The aerosol generating system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a hollow rim (4), wherein the activation switch (20) is located in or adjacent to the hollow rim.

5. An aerosol generating system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection means is configured to read the identification information of the aerosol generating article (1), and the aerosol generating device further includes a control unit (230) configured to receive information-related input from the detection means and control at least one functional element of the aerosol generating device to perform an operation based on the received information-related input.

6. An aerosol generation system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detection means includes a rotatable member (20) arranged at or above the opening of the cavity, the rotatable member including a reading element (220, 220') arranged to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the cavity axis.

7. 7. The aerosol generation system (100) of claim 6, wherein the rotatable member (20) is ring-shaped and includes an annular surface that includes the reading element (220, 220').

8. An aerosol generation system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detection means includes a linearly displaceable member (20') including a reading element, the displaceable member being above or adjacent to the cavity (250) and arranged to move along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (252) of the cavity.

9. An aerosol generation system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detection means (220, 220') includes a displaceable member (20, 20') including a reading element, the displaceable member being configured to perform at least a partial spiral or helical movement around the hollow axis (252).

10. An aerosol generating system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the detection means includes at least one light emitter (221) and at least one light detector (222) for emitting and detecting electromagnetic waves, respectively, for a code or marking (10) on the aerosol generating article containing the identification information.

11. 11. The aerosol generating system (100) of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic wave is a beam of UV light, visible light, or infrared light.

12. 11. The aerosol generating system (100) of claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic waves have a frequency of 0.1 to 10 THz.

13. The aerosol generation system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection means comprises more than two light emitters and / or more than two light detectors.

14. An aerosol generating system (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the identification information is contained in an indicia (10) comprising at least one arrangement of structures arranged according to an optically readable pattern or code.

15. The mark (10) is Reflective and / or diffractive indicia, a mark comprising at least one waveguide or at least one resonant waveguide; Partially transparent markings, an indicia including a conformable layer for ensuring adhesion to the outer surface of the aerosol-generating article; 15. The aerosol generating system (100) of claim 14, comprising one of the following typical classes of indicia:

16. An aerosol generating device (2) comprising: a cavity (250) defining an imaginary cavity axis (252) and having an opening (3) for inserting an aerosol-generating article (1); and a heating assembly (240) arranged to heat the cavity (250); The aerosol generating device (2) further comprises a detection means (220, 220') including a reading element that is movable or slidable along the imaginary cavity axis (252) or that is rotatable or capable of at least partially spiral or helical movement around the imaginary cavity axis (252), and the aerosol generating device (2) further comprises an activation switch (20, 20') configured to place the reading element of the detection means in optical reading mode when activated.

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