Aerosol-generating device with stick recognition and credits system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device. The method comprises the following steps: a) receiving an aerosol-generating article in a cavity of an aerosol-generating device; b) checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed; c) preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

Description

[0001] New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0002] -1-

[0003] AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH STICK RECOGNITION AND CREDITS SYSTEM

[0004] The present invention relates to a method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device. The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system, each configured to carry out the method of the invention.

[0005] It is known to provide an aerosol-generating device for generating an inhalable vapor. Such devices may heat aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate are volatilised without burning the aerosolforming substrate. Aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosolgenerating article into a cavity, such as a heating chamber, of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be arranged for heating the aerosol-forming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

[0006] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a detection unit. The detection unit may be configured to detect the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosolgenerating device may be configured to prevent delivery of a user experience, if the authenticity of the inserted aerosol-generating article cannot be confirmed. Malfunction of the detection unit or the authentication process may result in the aerosol-generating device erroneously preventing the delivery of a user experience.

[0007] It would be desirable to provide a method reducing the risk of the usage of non- authentic aerosol-generating articles with the aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a method to reduce the risk of or prevent the aerosol-generating device erroneously blocking the provision of a user experience. It would be desirable to provide a method improving the reliability of the operation of the aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a method to reduce the risk of or prevent an undesired blockage of a user experience by the aerosol-generating device resulting from a malfunction of one or more of a controller, the detection unit and the authentication process. It would be desirable to provide a method to reduce the risk of or prevent the blockage of a user experience by the aerosol-generating device in response to an unintentional insertion of non-authentic aerosol-generating articles. It would be desirable to provide a method to give the user leeway before a user experience is prevented by the aerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a method improving user-friendliness. It would be desirable to provide a method improving the user experience. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0008] -2-

[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided a method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device. The method may comprise the following steps: a) receiving an aerosol-generating article in a cavity of an aerosol-generating device; b) checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is not confirmed; c) preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device. The method comprises the following steps: a) receiving an aerosol-generating article in a cavity of an aerosol-generating device; b) checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is not confirmed; c) preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

[0011] The method reduces the risk of the usage of non-authentic aerosol-generating articles with the aerosol-generating device. The method reduces the risk of or prevents the aerosolgenerating device erroneously blocking the provision of a user experience. The method improves the reliability of the operation of the aerosol-generating device. The method reduces the risk of or prevents an undesired blockage of a user experience by the aerosol-generating device resulting from a malfunction of the controller or authentication process. The method reduces the risk of or prevents the blockage of a user experience by the aerosol-generating device in response to an unintentional insertion of non-authentic aerosol-generating articles. The method gives the user leeway before a user experience is prevented by the aerosolgenerating device. The method improves user-friendliness. The method improves the user experience. The method enables prevention of the provision of a user experience after a limited number of unsuccessful attempts to detect an authentic aerosol-generating article.

[0012] Receiving an aerosol-generating article in a cavity of an aerosol-generating device may refer to inserting the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be manually inserted into the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device. The user may insert the aerosol-generating article into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol- New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0013] -3- generating device may refer to receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may refer to fully receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0014] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control operation of the aerosol-generating device. The controller may be configured to control operation of the heater assembly.

[0015] In step b), the controller may check the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article. In step b), the controller may attempt to detect the authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article.

[0016] The controller may be configured to take account of the number of negative results and the number of positive results of the check of authenticity. The controller may be configured to take account of the number of negative results and the number of positive results of the check by means of a counter value. The controller may be configured to provide the counter value. The controller may be configured to store the counter value. The controller may be configured to adapt the counter value in dependence of the result of the check of authenticity.

[0017] In step c), the controller may prevent or suspend the supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by the predetermined amount. The controller may be configured to determine if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by the pre-determined amount.

[0018] Preventing or suspending the supply of power to the heater assembly may prevent the generation of an aerosol. Preventing or suspending the supply of power to the heater assembly may prevent the aerosol-generating device from delivering a user experience to the user.

[0019] The method may be repeatedly performed. The method may comprise a sequence of steps. The method may comprise a sequence of steps a) to c). The method may comprise a sequence of at least steps a) to c). Preferably, the method is performed in an iterative manner. In other words, the sequence of steps of the method may be repeatedly performed. The sequence of steps of the method may be repeated one or multiple times. One or more of the repetitions, preferably each repetition of the sequence of steps may be performed in response to replacing the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating articles may be successively replaced. The number of negative results and the number of positive results of step c) may include results relating to multiple successively replaced aerosol-generating articles.

[0020] The check of the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article may provide a positive result or a negative result. A positive result may refer to the authenticity of the received New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0021] -4- aerosol-generating article being confirmed. In other words, a positive result may be indicative of the received aerosol-generating article being an authentic aerosol-generating article.

[0022] A negative result may refer to the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article not being confirmed. In other words, a negative result may be indicative of the received aerosol-generating article not being an authentic aerosol-generating article. A negative result may be indicative of the absence of an authentic aerosol-generating article. In particular, a negative result may be indicative of the presence of a non-authentic aerosol-generating article.

[0023] However, even if an authentic aerosol-generating article has been received, the check or confirmation of authenticity of the aerosol-generating article may fail due to malfunction of the controller of the aerosol-generating device. Thus, a negative result may also be caused by a malfunction of one or both of the controller and a detection unit of the aerosol-generating device. A negative result may be indicative of an impairment of the process to determine the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article.

[0024] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply. The power supply may be a battery. The power supply may be configured to provide the supply of power to the heater assembly. The power supply may be electrically connected to the heater assembly. The power supply may be electrically connected to the controller.

[0025] The pre-determined amount may be set by the manufacturer of the aerosol-generating device. The pre-determined amount may be factory-set. The pre-determined amount may not be adjustable by the end user of the device. Setting of the pre-determined amount may be used by the manufacturer of the aerosol-generating device to determine the minimum number of negative results before the delivery of an aerosol to the end user is prevented.

[0026] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate Receiving the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may refer to receiving at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device. Receiving the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device may refer to fully receiving the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0027] The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may be configured as a heating chamber. The heater assembly of the aerosol-generating device may be configured to heat the aerosolgenerating article received in the cavity. The heater assembly of the aerosol-generating device may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity.

[0028] The heater assembly may comprise a heating element. The heating element may be an external heating element. The heating element may be configured to circumscribe at least New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0029] -5- a portion of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The heating element may be configured to fully circumscribe the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0030] The heating element may be configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosolgenerating article received in the cavity. The heating element may be configured to heat at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate received in the cavity.

[0031] The heater assembly may be electrically powered. The heating element may be an electrically resistive heating element. Alternatively, the heating element may be an induction heating element. The heater assembly may comprise an induction coil. The induction coil may be configured to inductively heat the induction heating element. The induction coil may circumscribe at least a portion of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The induction coil may fully circumscribe the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The induction coil may circumscribe at least a portion of the induction heating element. The induction coil may fully circumscribe the induction heating element.

[0032] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor member. The susceptor member may comprise a susceptor material. The induction coil may be configured to heat the susceptor material of the susceptor member of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity.

[0033] An authentic aerosol-generating article may be an aerosol-generating article produced by an authorized manufacturer. An authentic aerosol-generating article may comprise a marker. The marker may be indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. The authenticity of the aerosol-generating article may be detected on basis of the marker. A non- authentic aerosol-generating article may not comprise a marker. A non-authentic aerosolgenerating article may comprise a non-authorized marker.

[0034] The method may further comprise providing a controller comprising a detection unit. The controller may be configured to check the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article by comparing a signal of the detection unit with a reference signal indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. The reference signal may be stored in a memory element.

[0035] The reference signal may be a pre-stored reference signal. The signal of the detection unit may be an output signal of the detection unit.

[0036] The signal of the detection unit may be generated in response to receiving the aerosolgenerating article. The signal of the detection unit may be generated in response to the presence of the received aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The signal of the detection unit may be generated in response to an interaction between the received aerosol-generating article and the detection unit. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0037] -6-

[0038] The signal of the detection unit may be indicative of the presence of an authentic aerosol-generating article. The signal of the detection unit may be indicative of the absence of an authentic aerosol-generating article. The signal of the detection unit may be indicative of a malfunction of one or both of the controller and the detection unit.

[0039] The controller may be configured to correlate the signal of the detection unit with the reference signal. The controller may be configured to check for the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article by correlating the signal of the detection unit with the reference signal. If the signal of the detection unit and the reference signal are correlated, the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article may be confirmed. In this case, the received aerosolgenerating article is an authentic aerosol-generating article. If the signal of the detection unit and the reference signal are not correlated, the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article may not be confirmed. In this case, the received aerosol-generating article may be a non- authentic aerosol-generating article. Alternatively, the check of authenticity or components involved in checking the authenticity may be defective.

[0040] The controller may comprise the memory element. The memory element may be configured to store the reference signal. The memory element may be configured to store different reference signals. The memory element may comprise a database of reference signals. Each reference signal may be indicative of the authenticity of an aerosol-generating article. The controller may be configured to determine if the signal of the detection unit correlates with one or more of the reference signals stored in the memory element.

[0041] The detection unit may be configured to detect one or both of receiving the aerosolgenerating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and a marker.

[0042] An authentic aerosol-generating article may comprise a marker. The marker may be indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. The detection unit may be configured to interact with the marker. The detection unit may be configured to detect the marker. The controller may be configured to confirm the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article in response to the presence of the marker. The controller may be configured to confirm the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article based on a signal of the detection unit triggered by the marker. The controller may be configured to confirm the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article based on a signal of the detection unit triggered by the interaction between the marker and the detection unit.

[0043] The marker may be provided on an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. The marker may be a taggant. The marker may comprise a printed element. The marker may comprise a bar code. The marker may comprise a magnetic element. The interaction between the detection unit and the marker may be electromagnetically. For example, the detection unit may comprise an optical scanner. The optical scanner may detect the bar code by scanning New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0044] -7- the aerosol-generating article for the bar code. The marker may comprise a mechanical element. The interaction between the sensing unit and the marker may be mechanical.

[0045] A non-authentic aerosol-generating article may not comprise a marker. The absence of the marker may be indicative of the received aerosol-generating article being non-authentic. The detection unit may be configured to interact with the received aerosol-generating article having no marker. The controller may be configured to confirm lack of authenticity of the aerosol-generating article in response to the absence of the marker. The controller may be configured to confirm lack of authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article based on a signal of the detection unit triggered by the received aerosol-generating article. The controller may be configured to confirm lack of authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article based on a signal of the detection unit triggered by the interaction between the received aerosol-generating article and the detection unit.

[0046] The detection unit may be arranged in a sidewall of the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The detection unit may be arranged abutting an interior of the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device.

[0047] The pre-determined amount may be at least 5, preferably at least 12, and more preferably at least 16.

[0048] By having a pre-determined amount of at least 5, user-friendliness is improved. By having a pre-determined amount of at least 5, the risk of undesired prevention of aerosolgeneration is reduced. By having a pre-determined amount of at least 5, the risk of undesired prevention of aerosol-generation due to a malfunction of the controller is reduced.

[0049] The method may further comprise allowing the supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase if the number of negative results does not exceed the number of positive results by the pre-determined amount.

[0050] The method may comprise providing the supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase if the number of negative results does not exceed the number of positive results by the pre-determined amount.

[0051] In the aerosol-generation phase, the supply of power may maintain the temperature of the heating element of the heater assembly substantially at an operating temperature. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to provide an aerosol when in the aerosolgeneration phase.

[0052] Checking the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article may be carried out in response to receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0053] -8-

[0054] The controller may be configured to detect receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The controller may be configured to check the presence of an aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0055] The detection unit may be configured to interact with the aerosol-generating article. Receiving an aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the device may trigger a signal of the detection unit. The presence of aerosol-generating article in the cavity may trigger a signal of the detection unit. The signal of the detection unit may be an output signal. The controller may be configured to confirm receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device based on the signal of the detection unit. The controller may be configured to check the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article in response to confirming receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the device.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, checking the authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article may be carried out in response to receiving a signal from a user interface. The aerosol-generating device may comprise the user interface. The provision of the signal of the detection unit may be triggered by receiving the signal from the user interface of the aerosol-generating device. The signal received from the user interface may be manually triggered. The signal received from the user interface may be manually triggered by a user of the aerosol-generating device. The user interface may comprise a touchscreen. The user interface may comprise a button. The user may trigger the signal of the user interface by using the touchscreen. The user may trigger the signal of the user interface by manually actuating the button. In this way, the user may manually indicate that an aerosol-generating article has been received in the cavity.

[0057] Preferably, when the method is performed in an iterative manner, each performance of the sequence of steps is triggered by receiving a new aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the device. Preferably, receiving a new aerosol-generating article refers to the replacement of a previously received aerosol-generating article by the new aerosol-generating article or to receiving a first aerosol-generating article in the cavity. For example, receiving a first aerosolgenerating article in the cavity may trigger an initial performance of the sequence of steps of the method. Replacing the first aerosol-generating article with a second aerosol-generating article may trigger a second performance of the sequence of steps of the method. Replacing the second aerosol-generating article with a third aerosol-generating article may trigger a third performance of the sequence of steps of the method, and so forth.

[0058] A pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article may be initiated in response to receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0059] -9-

[0060] The pre-heating phase may comprise providing a supply of power to the heater assembly. The pre-heating phase may comprise increasing a temperature of the heating element of the heater assembly from an initial temperature to a pre-heating target temperature. The pre-heating phase may comprise providing the supply of power to the heating element to maintain the temperature of the heating element of the heater assembly below an operating temperature. The aerosol-generation phase may follow the pre-heating phase. Pre-heating reduces the time to first puff after activating the heater.

[0061] Checking of the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article may be initiated after the start of the pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article.

[0062] The start of the pre-heating phase may correspond to starting to increase the temperature of the heating element of the heater assembly from the initial temperature to the pre-heating target temperature. The start of the pre-heating phase may correspond to providing an initial supply of power to the heater assembly.

[0063] The controller may comprise a timer. The timer may be configured to determine the time that has passed from the start of the pre-heating phase.

[0064] Checking of the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article may be initiated at least 5 seconds, more preferably at least 12 seconds and more preferably about 17 seconds after the start of the pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article.

[0065] The controller may initiate detection of authenticity of the received aerosol-generating based on a signal of the timer indicative of the time that has passed from the start of the preheating phase.

[0066] The controller may be configured to provide a counter value. The method may further comprises increasing the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, decreasing the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is not confirmed, preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the counter value is equal to or has fallen below a pre-determined threshold value.

[0067] The controller may increase the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed. The controller may decrease the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed. The controller may prevent or suspend a supply of power to the heater assembly when the counter value is equal to or has fallen below the pre-determined threshold value.

[0068] For each repetition of the sequence of steps of the method, the counter value provided by the controller may correspond to the counter value resulting from increasing or decreasing the counter value of the preceding sequence of steps of the method. The sequence of steps of the method may be repeated until the counter value is equal to or has fallen below the pre- New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0069] -10- determined threshold value. The sequence of steps of the method may be repeated until the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended.

[0070] The counter value may be indicative of a credit of negative results. The counter value may be indicative of a credit of unsuccessful attempts to confirm the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating articles. The counter value may be indicative of a minimum number of negative results left before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended. The counter value may be indicative of a minimum number of negative results left before aerosol-generation is prevented. A negative result may decrease the credit. In other words, in response to the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article not having been confirmed, the number of unsuccessful attempts to confirm the authenticity of an aerosolgenerating article left before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended may be reduced.

[0071] The pre-determined threshold value may be indicative of the credit having being fully used. In response to the credit having been fully used, the supply of power to the heater assembly may be prevented or suspended. Prevention or suspension of the supply of power to the heater assembly may prevent the aerosol-generating device from generating an aerosol. In other words, if the counter value is equal to or has fallen below the pre-determined threshold value, the aerosol-generating device is prevented from delivering a user experience.

[0072] A positive result may increase the credit. In other words, in response to confirming the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, the number of unsuccessful attempts to confirm the authenticity of an aerosol-generating article left before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended is increased.

[0073] The phrase “has fallen below a pre-determined threshold value” is not limited to the counter value being numerically smaller than the pre-determined threshold value. Instead, “equal to or below the pre-determined threshold value” indicates that the condition that the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended being fulfilled.

[0074] The increase and decrease of the counter value are not limited to a numerical increase and decrease, respectively. Instead, the increase and decrease is related to the increase and decrease, respectively, of the credit of negative results. The increase and decrease are related to the condition that the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended is fulfilled when the counter value is numerically greater than or less than the threshold value.

[0075] For example, if the pre-determined threshold value is numerically set to 0 and the condition that the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended is defined to be fulfilled when the numerical counter value is equal to or greater than 0, the counter value may be numerically amended by plus 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article has not been confirmed. In another example, if the pre-determined threshold value is New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0076] -11- numerically set to 0 and the condition that the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended is defined to be fulfilled when the numerical counter value is equal to or less than 0, the counter value may be numerically amended by minus 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article has not been confirmed.

[0077] The increase of the counter value by 1 indicates that the credit of negative results before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended is increased. The decrease of the counter value by 1 indicates that the credit of negative results before the supply of power to the heater assembly is provided or suspended is decreased.

[0078] The counter value being equal to the pre-determined threshold value may be indicative of the number of negative results exceeding the number of positive results by the predetermined amount. The counter value being below the pre-determined threshold value may be indicative of the number of negative results exceeding the number of positive results by more than the pre-determined amount.

[0079] In an exemplary performance of the method, the method is performed in an iterative manner. For a first performance of the sequence of steps of the method, the controller provides an initial pre-determined counter value. A first aerosol-generating articles is received into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. In response to the first aerosol-generating article having been received in the cavity, the authenticity of the first aerosol-generating article is checked. If the received first aerosol-generating article is confirmed to be authentic, the counter value is increased by 1. If the received first aerosol-generating article is not confirmed to be authentic, the counter value is decreased by 1. Subsequently, the controller controls the supply of power to the heater assembly in dependence on a comparison between the adapted counter value and the pre-determined threshold value. In other words, the controller prevents or suspends the supply of power to the heater assembly when the adapted counter value is equal to or below the pre-determined threshold value. The controller allows or continues the supply of power to the heater assembly when the adapted counter value is above the pre-determined threshold value.

[0080] For a second performance of the sequence of steps of the method, the controller provides the adapted counter value of the first performance. In other words, the adapted counter value of the first performance is the counter value provided for the start of the second performance. The first aerosol-generating article is replaced by a second aerosol-generating article. In response to receiving the second aerosol-generating article in the cavity, the authenticity of the second aerosol-generating article is checked. Subsequently, the above steps of the first performance are analogously performed.

[0081] For a third performance of the sequence of steps of the method, the controller provides the adapted counter value of the second performance. In other words, the adapted counter New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0082] -12- value of the second performance is the counter value provided for the start of the third performance. The second aerosol-generating article is replaced by a third aerosol-generating article. In response to receiving the third aerosol-generating article in the cavity, the authenticity of the third aerosol-generating article is checked. Subsequently, the above steps of the first performance are analogously performed.

[0083] Fourth, fifth and more performances may be analogously carried out.

[0084] An initial pre-determined counter value may be set to 0. The pre-determined threshold value may be at least minus 5, preferably at least minus 12, and more preferably at least minus 16.

[0085] The initial counter value may refer to the counter value provided in the first performance of the sequence of steps of the method. The initial pre-determined counter value may refer to a pre-set counter value provided in the first performance of the sequence of steps of the method.

[0086] An amount of a difference between the initial pre-determined counter value and the pre-determined threshold value may be indicative of a minimum number of negative results before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended. In other words, the amount of the difference between the initial pre-determined counter value and the predetermined threshold value may be indicative of the pre-determined amount described above. In still other words, the amount of the difference between the initial pre-determined counter value and the pre-determined threshold value may be indicative of a pre-determined minimum credit of negative results.

[0087] The minimum amount of negative results before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended may be at least 5, preferably at least 12, and more preferably at least 16.

[0088] The initial pre-determined counter value may be set by the manufacturer of the aerosolgenerating device. The initial pre-determined counter value may be factory-set. The initial predetermined counter value may not be adjustable by the end user of the device. Setting of the initial pre-determined counter value may determine the minimum credit of negative results.

[0089] The supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase may be allowed if the counter value is greater than the pre-determined threshold value.

[0090] A modification of the counter value may be performed after a pre-determined number of user experiences have been delivered by the aerosol-generating device, preferably after at least 1000 user experiences have been delivered, more preferably after at least 2000 user experiences have been delivered.

[0091] Step b) may be performed after a pre-determined number of user experiences have been delivered by the aerosol-generating device. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0092] -13-

[0093] The user experience may refer to a consumption provided by a single aerosolgenerating article. The user experience may refer to the provision of a pre-determined number of puffs. The user experience may refer to the provision of a pre-determined volume of aerosol. The user experience may refer to a usage session.

[0094] A modification of the counter value may be performed after a pre-determined number of aerosol-generating articles have been consumed. A modification of the counter value may be performed after 1000 aerosol-generating articles have been consumed. A modification of the counter value may be performed after 2000 aerosol-generating articles have been consumed.

[0095] By performing the modification of the counter value after a pre-determined number of user experiences have been delivered, the user friendliness is improved. By performing the modification of the counter value after a pre-determined number of user experiences have been delivered, a desired behaviour of the end user may be rewarded.

[0096] A modification of the counter value may be performed after random numbers of user experiences have been delivered by the aerosol-generating device. For example, a first modification of the counter value may be performed after 5 user experiences have been delivered and a second modification of the counter value may be performed after 13 user experiences have been delivered. A first modification may be performed after a first random number of user experiences have been delivered. A second modification may be performed after a second random number of user experiences have been delivered. A modification of the counter value may be performed after random numbers of aerosol-generating articles have been consumed. For example, a first modification of the counter value may be performed after 2 aerosol-generating articles have been consumed and a second modification of the counter value may be performed after 8 aerosol-generating articles have been consumed. A first modification may be performed after a first random number of aerosol-generating articles have been consumed. A second modification may be performed after a second random number of aerosol-generating articles have consumed. Such randomly performed modifications may preferably be used for end user of unknown behaviour and end user that have previously used non-authentic aerosol-generating articles.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided an aerosolgenerating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater assembly. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity configured for receiving an aerosolgenerating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller configured for checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article. It may be considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed. It may be considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0098] -14- confirmed. The controller may be configured to prevent or suspend a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

[0099] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater assembly. The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity configured for receiving an aerosol-generating article. The aerosolgenerating device comprises a controller configured for checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article. It is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed. It is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed. The controller is configured to prevent or suspend a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

[0100] The aerosol-generating device may comprise any of the above discussed features of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to carry out the method described herein.

[0101] The heater assembly may be configured for heating the aerosol-generating article.

[0102] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply configured to provide the supply of power to the heater assembly.

[0103] The controller may comprise a detection unit configured to detect one or both of receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and a marker.

[0104] The marker may comprise any of the above discussed features of the marker.

[0105] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided an aerosolgenerating system which may comprise an aerosol-generating device described herein, and an aerosol-generating article described herein.

[0106] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device described herein, and an aerosol-generating article described herein.

[0107] The aerosol-generating article may comprise any of the above discussed features of the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating system may be configured to carry out the method described herein. The aerosol-generating article may be an authentic aerosolgenerating article.

[0108] The aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate. The cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0109] The aerosol-generating article may comprise a marker which allows to determine the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0110] -15-

[0111] The marker may comprise any of the above discussed features of the marker.

[0112] As used herein, the terms ‘proximal’, ‘distal’, ‘downstream’ and ‘upstream’ are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosolgenerating device in relation to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating device during use thereof.

[0113] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a mouth end through which in use an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating device and is delivered to a user. The mouth end may also be referred to as the proximal end. In use, a user may draw on the proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosolgenerating device. Alternatively, a user may directly draw on an aerosol-generating article inserted into an opening at the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device. The opening at the proximal end may be an opening of the cavity. The cavity may be configured to receive the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a distal end opposed to the proximal or mouth end. The proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end and the distal end of the aerosol-generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal, downstream or mouth end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol-generating device.

[0114] As used herein, an ‘aerosol-generating device’ relates to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. An aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosolgenerating article to generate an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs thorough the user's mouth. An aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may be an electrically heated aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, a controller, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element.

[0115] As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term ‘smoking’ with reference to a device, article, system, substrate, or otherwise does not refer to conventional smoking in which an aerosol-forming substrate is fully or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate, but at or above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0116] -16-

[0117] The device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise the controller. The controller may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The controller may comprise further electronic components. The controller may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heater assembly. Power may be supplied to the heater assembly continuously following activation of the aerosol-generating device or may be supplied intermittently, such as on a puff-by-puff basis. The power may be supplied to the heater assembly in the form of pulses of electrical current. The controller may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heater assembly dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0118] The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply, typically a battery, within a main body of the aerosol-generating device. In one embodiment, the power supply is a Lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power supply may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, or a Lithium based battery, for example a Lithium-Cobalt, a Lithium- Iron-Phosphate, Lithium Titanate or a Lithium-Polymer battery. As an alternative, the power supply may be another form of charge storage device such as a capacitor. The power supply may require recharging and may have a capacity that enables to store enough energy for one or more user experiences; for example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to continuously generate aerosol for a period of around six minutes or for a period of a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power supply may have sufficient capacity to provide a pre-determined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

[0119] The cavity of the aerosol-generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be the base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of air apertures arranged in the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be arranged upstream of the cavity. The open end may be arranged downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongate extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. A longitudinal direction may be the direction extending between the open and closed ends along the longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating device.

[0120] The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received in the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross- New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0121] -17- section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0122] An airflow channel may run through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity and towards the user through the airflow channel. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be arranged or a user may directly draw on the aerosol-generating article. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

[0123] The aerosol-generating device may be an electrically-heated device. The aerosolgenerating device may be an electrical aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may be a handheld device. The aerosol-generating device may be a portable device. The aerosol-generating device may be a heat-not-burn device.

[0124] In any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may comprise an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example, molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic material. Such composite materials may comprise doped or undoped ceramics. Examples of suitable doped ceramics include doped silicon carbides. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel, Timetai® and iron-manganese-aluminium based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required.

[0125] The heater assembly may comprise an internal heating element or an external heating element, or both internal and external heating elements, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. An internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different electro-conductive portions, or an electrically resistive metallic tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heating needles or rods that run through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include a heating wire or filament, for example a Ni-Cr (Nickel-Chromium), platinum, tungsten or alloy wire or a heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be deposited in or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0126] -18- device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as a glass. Heaters formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the heating elements during operation.

[0127] An external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, an external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate, such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils can be shaped to conform to the perimeter of the substrate receiving cavity. Alternatively, an external heating element may take the form of a metallic grid or grids, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded interconnect device (MID), ceramic heater, flexible carbon fibre heater or may be formed using a coating technique, such as plasma vapour deposition, on a suitable shaped substrate. An external heating element may also be formed using a metal having a defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating materials. An external heating element formed in this manner may be used to both heat and monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation.

[0128] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The heater assembly may comprise an induction coil and an induction heating element comprising a susceptor material. In general, a susceptor material is a material that is capable of generating heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When located in an alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor material is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor material is magnetic, then typically another effect that contributes to the heating is commonly referred to hysteresis losses. Hysteresis losses occur mainly due to the movement of the magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor material, because the magnetic orientation of these will align with the magnetic induction field, which alternates. Another effect contributing to the hysteresis loss is when the magnetic domains will grow or shrink within the susceptor material. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor material that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor material. Hence, if the susceptor material is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor material. If the susceptor material is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor material will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the invention, the susceptor material may be electrically conductive or magnetic or both electrically conductive and magnetic. An alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heat the susceptor New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0129] -19- material, which then transfers the heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, such that an aerosol is formed. The heat transfer may be mainly by conduction of heat. Such a transfer of heat is best, if the susceptor material is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0130] As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-generating article’ refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. For example, an aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that is directly inhalable into a user’s lungs through the user's mouth. An aerosolgenerating article may be disposable.

[0131] As used herein, the term ‘aerosol-forming substrate’ relates to a substrate capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. An aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or smoking article.

[0132] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolforming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavour compounds which are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and propylene glycol.

[0133] The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises homogenised tobacco material, an aerosol-former and water. Providing homogenised tobacco material may improve aerosol generation, the nicotine content and the flavour profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenised tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaf, which more effectively enables the release of nicotine and flavours upon heating.

[0134] Below, there is provided 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 another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0135] Example 1 : A method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) receiving an aerosol-generating article in a cavity of an aerosol-generating device; b) checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is not confirmed; New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0136] -20- c) preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

[0137] Example 2: The method according to example 1 , further comprising providing a controller comprising a detection unit, wherein the controller is configured to check the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article by comparing a signal of the detection unit with a reference signal indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article, preferably wherein the reference signal is stored in a memory element.

[0138] Example 3: The method according to example 2, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect one or both of receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and a marker.

[0139] Example 4: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the predetermined amount is at least 5, preferably at least 12, and more preferably at least 16.

[0140] Example 5: The method according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising allowing the supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase if the number of negative results does not exceed the number of positive results by the pre-determined amount.

[0141] Example 6: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein checking the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is carried out in response to receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0142] Example 7: The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein a preheating phase of the received aerosol-generating article is initiated in response to receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

[0143] Example 8: The method according to example 7, wherein checking of the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is initiated after the start of the pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article.

[0144] Example 9: The method according to example 8, wherein checking of the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is initiated at least 5 seconds, more preferably at least 12 seconds and more preferably about 17 seconds after the start of the pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article.

[0145] Example 10: The method according to any of examples 2 to 9, wherein the controller is configured to provide a counter value, wherein the method further comprises increasing the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed; decreasing the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed; New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0146] -21- preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the counter value is equal to or has fallen below a pre-determined threshold value.

[0147] Example 11 : The method according to example 10, wherein an initial pre-determined counter value is set to 0, and wherein the pre-determined threshold value is at least minus 5, preferably at least minus 12, and more preferably at least minus 16.

[0148] Example 12: The method according to example 10 or example 11 , wherein the supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase is allowed if the counter value is greater than the pre-determined threshold value.

[0149] Example 13: The method according to any of examples 10 to 12, wherein a modification of the counter value is performed after a pre-determined number of user experiences have been delivered by the aerosol-generating device, preferably after at least 1000 user experiences have been delivered, more preferably after at least 2000 user experiences have been delivered.

[0150] Example 14: An aerosol-generating device comprising a heater assembly; a cavity configured for receiving an aerosol-generating article; a controller configured for checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed, wherein the controller is configured to prevent or suspend a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount.

[0151] Example 15: The aerosol-generating device according to example 14, wherein the heater assembly is configured for heating the aerosol-generating article.

[0152] Example 16: The aerosol-generating device according to example 14 or example 15, wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power supply configured to provide the supply of power to the heater assembly.

[0153] Example 17: The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 14 to 16, wherein the controller comprises a detection unit configured to detect one or both of receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and a marker.

[0154] Example 18: An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 14 to 17, and an aerosol-generating article.

[0155] Example 19: The aerosol-generating system according to example 18, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a marker which allows to determine the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0156] -22-

[0157] Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0158] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0159] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device according to the invention;

[0160] Fig. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device of the invention.

[0161] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device according to the invention. The method may be performed by an aerosol-generating device comprising a controller. The controller is configured to check an authenticity of an aerosol-generating article received in a cavity of the aerosol-generating device. It is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed. It is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed. The controller comprises a detection unit. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater assembly. The controller is configured to provide a counter value. The controller is configured to provide a pre-determined threshold value.

[0162] The controller provides a counter value. The counter value may be an initial predetermined counter value. For example, the initial pre-determined counter value may be 16. The controller provides a pre-determined threshold value. For example, the pre-determined threshold value may be 0. An amount of a difference between the initial pre-determined counter value and the pre-determined threshold value is indicative of a pre-determined amount by which the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results at which a supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended.

[0163] The aerosol generating article is received in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be inserted into the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device. The aerosol-generating article may be authentic or non-authentic. The controller checks the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article. For example, the controller checks the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article about 17 seconds after the start of a pre-heating phase. For example, the detection unit detects a marker of the aerosol-generating article. The controller checks if the received aerosol-generating article is an authentic aerosol-generating article by comparing a signal of the detection unit with a reference signal indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article. For example, the signal of the detection unit may be triggered in response to an interaction between the marker and the detection unit. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0164] -23-

[0165] The controller increases the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is confirmed. The controller decreases the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed. The failure to confirm the authenticity of the article may, for example, be due to one or both of a defect of the controller and the inserted aerosol-generating article being non-authentic. The controller checks if the adapted counter value is equal to has fallen below the pre-determined threshold value.

[0166] If the counter value is above the pre-determined threshold value, the aerosolgenerating device enters an aerosol-generation phase. If the counter value is equal to or has fallen below the pre-determined threshold value, a supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended. In other words, if the counter value is equal to or has fallen below the pre-determined threshold value, aerosol-generation by the aerosol-generating device is prevented.

[0167] The above described steps may be repeated one or multiple times, preferably each time the aerosol-generating article is replaced with a new aerosol-generating article. For each repetition, the counter value of the directly preceding performance of the method may serve as the input counter value of the repetition performance.

[0168] On the one hand, the method reduces the risk of the usage of non-authentic aerosolgenerating articles with the aerosol-generating device by preventing aerosol-generation after insertion of non-authentic aerosol-generating articles. On the other hand, the method reduces the risk of the aerosol-generating device erroneously blocking the provision of a user experience, for example due to an unintentional insertion of a non-authentic aerosolgenerating article or a malfunction of the controller and in the process of confirming authenticity of the article. The method allows one or more negative results before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended, for example by selecting a suitable initial predetermined counter value and pre-determined threshold value. For example, if the initial predetermined counter value is set to 0 and the pre-determined threshold value is set to minus 5, the method allows at least 5 negative results before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended. In this case, for instance, at least five different non-authentic aerosol-generating articles may be received in the aerosol-generating device before the supply of power to the heater assembly is prevented or suspended. By increasing the counter value in response to positive results, the user may be enabled to compensate for previous malfunctions of the controller and in the process of confirming authenticity of the article as well as usage of non-authentic aerosol-generating articles by using authentic aerosol-generating articles. In this way, the user is rewarded for frequently using authentic aerosol-generating articles. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0169] -24-

[0170] Fig. 2 shows an aerosol-generating device 10 of the invention. The aerosol-generating device 10 is configured to perform the method illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0171] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a controller 12. The controller comprises a detection unit 14. The controller 12 is configured to check an authenticity an aerosolgenerating article 16 inserted into the aerosol-generating device. It is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article 16 is confirmed. It is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed. The controller 12 is configured to provide a counter value. The controller 12 is configured to increase the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article 16 is confirmed. The controller 12 is configured to decrease the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article 16 is not confirmed. The controller 12 is configured to prevent or suspend a supply of power to a heater assembly 18 of the aerosol-generating device 10 when the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a predetermined amount.

[0172] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a cavity 20 configured for receiving an aerosol-generating article 16. The aerosol-generating article 16 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate 22. The aerosol-generating article 16 comprises a marker 24. The aerosolgenerating article 16 may not comprise a marker (not shown). A portion of the aerosolgenerating article 16 is received into the cavity 20 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The presence of the marker 24 may be used to confirm the authenticity of an aerosol-generating article 16 received into the cavity 20 of the aerosol-generating device 10. The absence of the marker 24 of the received aerosol-generating article 16 may be used to confirm a lack of authenticity of an aerosol-generating article 16 received into the cavity 20 of the aerosolgenerating device 10.

[0173] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises the heater assembly 18. The heater assembly 18 comprises a heating element 26. The heating element 26 is an external heating element 26. The heating element 26 circumscribes a portion of the cavity 20. The cavity 20 is configured as a heating chamber.

[0174] The detection unit 14 is configured to interact with the received aerosol-generating article 16. The detection unit 14 is configured to interact with the marker 24 of the aerosolgenerating article 16. The detection unit 14 is configured to provide an output based on the interaction with the aerosol-generating article 16. The detection unit 14 is configured to provide an output based on the interaction with the marker 24. The controller 12 is configured to check the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article 16 based on the output of the detection unit 14. New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT

[0175] -25-

[0176] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a power supply 28. Preferably, the power supply 28 is a battery. The power supply 28 is electrically connected to the controller 12. The power supply 28 is electrically connected to the heater assembly 18. The power supply 28 is configured to deliver a supply of power to the heater assembly 18. The supply of power to the heater assembly is controlled by the controller 12. The power supply 28 is configured to deliver a supply of power to the controller 12. The supply of power to the controller 12 is controlled by the controller 12.

Claims

New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT-26-CLAIMS1. A method of controlling a heater assembly of an aerosol-generating device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) receiving an aerosol-generating article in a cavity of an aerosol-generating device; b) checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is not confirmed; c) preventing or suspending a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount; wherein the method further comprises providing a controller comprising a detection unit, wherein the controller is configured to check the authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article by comparing a signal of the detection unit with a reference signal indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the controller is configured to provide a counter value; wherein the method further comprises increasing the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, decreasing the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed, preventing or suspending the supply of power to the heater assembly if the counter value is equal to or has fallen below a pre-determined threshold value.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the reference signal is stored in a memory element.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect one or both of receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosolgenerating device and a marker.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined amount is at least 5, preferably at least 12, and more preferably at least 16.New PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT-27-5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising allowing the supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase if the number of negative results does not exceed the number of positive results by the predetermined amount.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein checking the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is carried out in response to receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article is initiated in response to receiving the aerosol-generating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device, and wherein preferably checking of the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is initiated after the start of the pre-heating phase of the received aerosol-generating article.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an initial predetermined counter value is set to 0, and wherein the pre-determined threshold value is at least minus 5, preferably at least minus 12, and more preferably at least minus 16.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supply of power to the heater assembly in an aerosol-generation phase is allowed if the counter value is greater than the pre-determined threshold value.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a modification of the counter value is performed after a pre-determined number of user experiences have been delivered by the aerosol-generating device, preferably after at least 1000 user experiences have been delivered, more preferably after at least 2000 user experiences have been delivered.

11. An aerosol-generating device comprising a heater assembly; a cavity configured for receiving an aerosol-generating article; a controller configured for checking an authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article, wherein it is considered a positive result if authenticity of the received aerosolgenerating article is confirmed, wherein it is considered a negative result if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed, wherein the controller is configured toNew PCT Patent Application December 15, 2025 Philip Morris Products S.A. 46243-PCT-28- prevent or suspend a supply of power to the heater assembly if the number of negative results exceeds the number of positive results by a pre-determined amount, wherein the controller comprises a detection unit, wherein the controller is configured to check the authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article by comparing a signal of the detection unit with a reference signal indicative of the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article, wherein the controller is configured to provide a counter value, wherein the controller is configured to increase the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is confirmed, wherein the controller is configured to decrease the counter value by 1 if authenticity of the received aerosol-generating article is not confirmed, wherein the controller is configured to prevent or suspend the supply of power to the heater assembly if the counter value is equal to or has fallen below a pre-determined threshold value.

12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the heater assembly is configured for heating the aerosol-generating article.

13. The aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 11 or 12, wherein the controller comprises a detection unit configured to detect one or both of receiving the aerosolgenerating article in the cavity of the aerosol-generating device and a marker.

14. An aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device according to any of claims 11 to 13 and an aerosol-generating article, wherein the aerosolgenerating article preferably comprises a marker which allows to determine the authenticity of the aerosol-generating article.

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