Aerosol-generating device with article identification and classification

Abstract

NOT VISIBLE DUE TO STATUS OF PATENT

Description

[0001] AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH ARTICLE IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device.

[0003] 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 in or around the heating chamber for heating the aerosolforming substrate once the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

[0004] It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with secure authentication of aerosol-generating articles received in the aerosol generating device. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with secure authentication of aerosol-generating articles of different types received in the aerosol generating device. It would be desirable to have an aerosol-generating device with different functionalities, e.g., different heating profiles, for different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the invention there may be provided an aerosolgenerating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity for receiving an aerosolgenerating article of the any one of the plurality different types. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an authenticator configured to detect an authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity. The authentication marker may be indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article may be permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a classifier configured to detect a classification marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity. The classification marker may be indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a controller configured to permit or prohibit supply of power to a heating element to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity depending upon the detected authentication marker. The controller may be configured to select a functionality of the aerosol-generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending upon the detected classification marker. The controller may be configured to supply power to the heating element based on the selected heating profile.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided an aerosol-generating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating device comprises a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article of the any one of the plurality different types. The aerosol-generating device further comprises an authenticator configured to detect an authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity. The authentication marker is indicative of whether the received aerosolgenerating article is permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device. The aerosolgenerating device further comprises a classifier configured to detect a classification marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity. The classification marker is indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles. The aerosol-generating device further comprises a controller configured to permit or prohibit supply of power to a heating element to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity depending upon the detected authentication marker. The controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosolgenerating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending upon the detected classification marker. The controller is configured to supply power to the heating element based on the selected heating profile. The functionality that the controller is configured to select may comprise a user interface function, e.g., a display protocol for indicating progression of usage of the aerosol-generating article, and / or a tuning function for adapting one or more aspects of a heating profile for heating the aerosol-generating article.

[0007] Providing the authenticator enables authentication of an inserted aerosol-generating article. Authentication of the inserted aerosol-generating article may be beneficial in order to prevent aerosol-generating articles that are not compatible with the aerosol-generating device or undesirable to be used with the aerosol-generating device. For example, an aerosolgenerating device may be configured to be used with predetermined aerosol-generating articles, such as aerosol-generating articles having a specific structure and / or having specific aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol generation of the aerosol-generating device utilizing such aerosol-generating article may be optimized for specific accepted types of aerosolgenerating article. Due to the provisioning of the authenticator in the aerosol-generating device, the controller can identify whether the inserted aerosol-generating article is an accepted type of aerosol-generating article depending upon the output of the authenticator of the aerosol-generating device. The detection of whether the aerosol-generating article is an accepted type of aerosol-generating article by the authenticator may enable the controller to permit supply of electrical energy to the heating element. In other words, upon the detection of an acceptable type of aerosol-generating article, operation of the aerosol-generating device may commence. Further, if the authenticator does not authenticate the aerosol-generating article, power to the heating element may be prohibited by the controller. In other words, the aerosol-generating device may be prohibited from operation when the controller does not authenticate the inserted aerosol-generating article. Misuse of the aerosol-generating device may thus be prevented.

[0008] In addition, multiple different types of accepted aerosol-generating articles can be used with the aerosol-generating device. These different accepted types of aerosol-generating articles can be different from each other by for example the used aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the type of aerosol-forming substrate can be different. Another example is that aerosol-generating articles can be different from each other in the amount of aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol formation of the aerosol-generating device may be optimal for each individual aerosol-generating article type only when employing a specific heating profile suitable for this aerosol-generating article type by the aerosol-generating device. This is solved by the provisioning of the classifier of the aerosol-generating device. The classifier is configured to detect the type of aerosol-generating article. The detection of the type of aerosolgenerating article by the classifier may enable the controller to choose a function, preferably an appropriate heating profile optimized for the specific accepted type of aerosol-generating article.

[0009] Hence, the present application may provide an aerosol-generating device increasing safety by authenticating the inserted aerosol-generating article and subsequently optimizing aerosol generation by appropriately specifying the inserted aerosol-generating article and choosing an appropriate function, preferably a heating profile, for the type of aerosolgenerating article received in the aerosol-generating device.

[0010] The controller may be configured to, in dependence of the detected classification marker, adjust one or more of: an amplitude of a current supplied to the heating element; a frequency and / or duration of current pluses supplied to the heating element; a time period of power supply; a temperature of the heating element; a signal powering the heating element and a maximum number of power pulses to the heating element.

[0011] Adjusting the amplitude of the current supplied to the heating element may accelerate reaching the target temperature of the heating element or vice versa. Additionally or alternatively, adjusting the amplitude of the current supplied to the heating element may increase the target temperature of the heating element or vice versa. Similarly, adjusting the frequency of the current supplied to the heating element may accelerate reaching the target temperature and / or increase the target temperature of the heating element or vice versa. Adjusting the duration of current pulses supplied to the heating element may similarly accelerate reaching the target temperature and / or increase the target temperature of the heating element or vice versa. When referring to a temperature of the heating element, this temperature may be a target temperature of the heating element.

[0012] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a memory storing a plurality of different heating profiles. Each one of the different heating profiles may be stored in association with data indicative of one of the plurality different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0013] The memory may store one heating profile for each different type of aerosol-generating article compatible with the aerosol-generating device. In other words, the aerosol-generating devices memory may contain a list of aerosol-generating articles compatible with the aerosolgenerating device. For these aerosol-generating articles, power supply to the heating element is permitted when the respective aerosol-generating article is authenticated by the controller based upon the authenticator output. Each entry of a compatible aerosol-generating article in the list of aerosol-generating articles in the memory of the aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating profile for the specific aerosol-generating article. For each different type of aerosol-generating article, the heating profile may be different. Alternatively, one or more of the heating profiles may be similar or identical for different types of aerosol-generating articles. The provisioning of the different heating profiles may enable an optimized aerosol generation for different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0014] The controller may be configured to select the heating profile from of the plurality of different heating profiles stored in the memory that may be associated with data indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article that matches the determined type of aerosol-generating article.

[0015] The controller may be configured to determine the type of aerosol-generating article based on the detect classification marker, and optionally based on the detected authentication marker.

[0016] Enabling a determination of the type of aerosol-generating article by both the detected classification marker and the detected authentication marker may provide a particularly secure way of enabling operation of the aerosol-generating device and / or choosing an appropriate heating profile of the heating element of the aerosol-generating device.

[0017] A heating profile may comprise instructions to heat a heating arrangement to one or more target temperatures or target temperature ranges, wherein each target temperature may be applied for a respective section of the heating profile. Two or more of the plurality of different heating profiles may differ from one another by a predetermined maximum number of puffs being permitted before the respective heating profile may be ended. Such heating profiles may be particularly advantageous if the amount of aerosol-forming substrate in different types of aerosol-generating articles are different. These two or more different heating profiles may define the same target temperature(s) or target temperature ranges for each respective section of the heating profile, although the predetermined maximum number of puffs being permitted before the respective heating profile ends may differ for each respective heating profile.

[0018] Two or more of the plurality of different heating profiles may differ from one another by a predetermined maximum duration being permitted before the respective heating profile may be ended. Such heating profiles may be particularly advantageous if the amount of aerosolforming substrate in different types of aerosol-generating articles are different. These two or more different heating profiles may define the same target temperature(s) or target temperature ranges for each respective section of the heating profile, although the predetermined maximum duration being permitted before the respective heating profile ends may differ for each respective heating profile.

[0019] Two or more of the plurality of different heating profiles may differ from one another by a predetermined maximum volume of aerosol generated being permitted before the respective heating profile may be ended. Such heating profiles may be particularly advantageous if the amount of aerosol-forming substrate in different types of aerosol-generating articles are different. These two or more different heating profiles may define the same target temperature(s) or target temperature ranges for each respective section of the heating profile, although the predetermined maximum volume of aerosol generated being permitted before the respective heating profile ends may differ for each respective heating profile.

[0020] The controller may be configured to, in dependence of the detected classification marker, control supply of power to the heating element such that a first heating profile may be applied to a first type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity and such that a different second heating profile may be applied to a second different type of aerosol-generating article.

[0021] Similarly, the controller may be configured to, in dependence of the detected classification marker, control supply of power to the heating element such that a third heating profile may be applied to a third type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity. The third type of aerosol-generating article may be different from both the first type of aerosolgenerating article and second type of aerosol-generating article. The number of aerosolgenerating article types and associated number of heating profiles may be chosen as desired. In other words, the number of different aerosol-generating article types and associated different heating profiles may be more than three.

[0022] The controller may be configured to determine that the detected authentication marker may be of a type of aerosol-generating article not permitted for use with the aerosol-generating device, and in response prohibit the supply of power to the heating element. The controller may be configured to determine that the detected authentication marker may be of a type of aerosol-generating article not permitted for use with aerosol-generating device by failing to find data corresponding to the detected authentication marker in a memory of the aerosol-generating device.

[0023] The controller may be configured to determine that the detected authentication marker may be permitted for use with the aerosol-generating device, and in response permit the supply of power to the heating element.

[0024] The controller may be configured to determine that the detected authentication marker may be of a type of aerosol-generating article permitted for use with aerosol-generating device by successfully finding data corresponding to the detected authentication marker in a memory of the aerosol-generating device.

[0025] The controller may comprise a lookup table with prestored data of non-acceptable types of aerosol-generating articles, wherein the controller prohibiting supply of power to a heating element may comprise a comparison of the detected authentication marker with the prestored data.

[0026] The controller may comprise a lookup table with prestored data of acceptable types of aerosol-generating articles, and wherein the controller permitting supply of power to a heating element may comprise a comparison of the detected authentication marker with the prestored data. Particularly, the controller may permit supply of power to a heating element when a comparison of the detected authentication marker with the prestored data results in a match between the detected authentication marker and an entry in the prestored data.

[0027] The authenticator may comprise an optical detector, preferably an optical detector configured to detect fluorescent light or phosphorescent light.

[0028] The authenticator may comprise an electrical detector, preferably wherein the electrical detector may be configured to detect a resistance, a capacitance and / or an inductance of the authentication marker.

[0029] The authenticator and / or the classifier may comprise one or more electrical contacts, preferably wherein the electrical contacts are configured to establish a communication interface with a memory of the authentication marker or the classification marker respectively.

[0030] The classifier may comprise an optical detector, preferably an optical detector configured to detect visible light.

[0031] The authenticator may be different from the classifier. Particularly, the authenticator may comprise an optical detector operating in the nonvisible spectrum of light and the classifier may comprise an optical detector operating in the visible spectrum of light.

[0032] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a light emitter. The light emitter may be configured to emit light in the visible spectrum, preferably within a predetermined spectrum range.

[0033] The light emitter may be arranged in the cavity, preferably in a sidewall of the cavity, more preferably in the sidewall adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0034] The classifier may be configured to detect light in a predetermined spectrum shifted with respect to the spectrum emitted by the emitter.

[0035] Alternatively, the classifier may be configured to detect light in the same predetermined spectrum as emitted by the light emitter.

[0036] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a second emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the nonvisible spectrum, particularly in the infrared spectrum.

[0037] The authenticator may be arranged in the cavity, preferably in a sidewall of the cavity, more preferably in the sidewall adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0038] In the authenticator may be arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the aerosol-generating article, when the aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity.

[0039] The classifier may be arranged in the cavity, preferably in a sidewall of the cavity, more preferably in the sidewall adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0040] The classifier may be arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the aerosol-generating article, when the aerosol-generating article is received in the cavity.

[0041] The classifier may be arranged to detect nonvisible electromagnetic radiation, particularly infrared radiation, reflected from the aerosol-generating article and originating from the second emitter.

[0042] The second emitter may be arranged next to the classifier, preferably in the sidewall of the cavity adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0043] A first pair of the light emitter and the authenticator may be arranged at a first position in the sidewall of the cavity adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity. A second pair of the second emitter and the classifier may be arranged at a second position in the sidewall of the cavity adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity. The first position may be different from the second position.

[0044] The light emitter is preferably positioned such that light emitted by the light emitter is reflected by the aerosol-generating article towards the authenticator.

[0045] The second emitter is preferably positioned such that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second emitter is reflected by the aerosol-generating article towards the classifier. The controller may be configured to control switching of the aerosol-generating device from a standby mode to an active mode depending upon the detected authentication marker.

[0046] In other words, detection of the authentication marker may activate the aerosolgenerating device. Preferably, the aerosol-generating devices only switch from the standby mode to the active mode if an authorized aerosol-generating article is detected to be received in the cavity by the controller. If the controller does not find that the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity is an authorized aerosol-generating article compatible with the aerosolgenerating device, the controller may not switch the aerosol-generating device from the standby mode to the active mode.

[0047] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity.

[0048] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a power supply for supplying power to the heating element.

[0049] The controller may be configured to increase the temperature of the heating element to above a temperature at which the aerosol-generating article’s authentication marker may be deactivated, thereby preventing the aerosol-generating article from being used again.

[0050] The heating element may comprise an induction coil configured for heating a susceptor received in the cavity, preferably wherein the susceptor may be part of the aerosol-generating article. The susceptor may act as the heating element.

[0051] The controller may be operatively connected with the induction coil. The controller may be configured to detect a change in conductance or inductance of an inductive heating arrangement including the induction coil during operation of the induction coil. The controller may be configured to control operation of the induction coil depending upon the detected change in conductance or inductance.

[0052] The characteristics of changes of the conductance or inductance of the inductive heating arrangement may depend upon one or more of the shape and size and material of a susceptor heated by the induction coil. The susceptor may be part of the aerosol-generating article. Different types of aerosol-generating articles may comprise different susceptors. Hence, the changes in the conductance or inductance of the induction coil may be indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity.

[0053] The controller may be operatively connected with the induction coil. The controller may be configured to detect a supply current drawn by the induction coil during operation. The supply current drawn may also be denoted as the “current drawn”.

[0054] More generally, the controller may be configured to detect a supply current drawn by an inductive heating arrangement comprising the induction coil and potentially further elements, particularly the susceptor that may be part of the aerosol-generating article. The controller may be configured to detect a supply voltage to the inductive heating arrangement. The whole inductive heating arrangement may comprise further elements such as capacitors and wiring. The inductive heating arrangement may draw a supply current during operation. The supply current may be indicative of a susceptor being present in the cavity or not. Hence, the drawn supply current may be indicative of an aerosol-generating article being received in the cavity. Monitoring of the supply current may thus be utilized as an indicator for the presence or absence of the aerosol-generating article within the cavity. The drawn supply current may be indicative of the conductance or inductance of the susceptor arrangement. The ratio of the supply current to the supply voltage may be indicative of the conductance or inductance of the susceptor arrangement.

[0055] The magnitude of the drawn supply current may be indicative of a type of susceptor and thus of a type of aerosol-generating article. The magnitude of the ratio of the drawn supply current to the supply voltage may be indicative of a type of susceptor and thus of a type of aerosol-generating article. Exemplarily, a first type of aerosol-generating article may comprise a tobacco-containing substrate and have a first type of susceptor. A second type of aerosolgenerating article may comprise a tobacco free substrate and may have a different second type of susceptor. The first type of susceptor may be different from the second type of susceptor for example in shape and material. The drawn supply current (and / or ratio of the drawn supply current to the supply voltage) may be different over time during a heating operation when the first susceptor is utilized in contrast to the utilization of the second susceptor. In other words, the current drawn (and / or ratio of the drawn supply current to the supply voltage), monitored by the controller, may be indicative of the conductance or inductance of the susceptor, which may be different during operation with different susceptors.

[0056] Exemplarily, the controller may detect a maximum and a minimum conductance or inductance of a susceptor indicative of the type of susceptor. More specifically, the controller may be configured to determine a first value and a second value of an electrical property of the susceptor being reached during heating of the susceptor in use of the device when the aerosol-generating article is received by the cavity. The controller may further be determined to determine the difference between the first value and the second value, and to identify an article type of the aerosol-generating article received by the cavity based on the determined difference. The first value and the second value of the electrical property may be values indicative of the electrical conductance of the susceptor or values indicative of the supply current drawn by the inductive heating arrangement in heating the susceptor.

[0057] This controller functionality may be utilized in addition or as an alternative to one or both of the authentication marker and the classification marker of the aerosol-generating article and the associated authorization / classification of the device conducted by the controller. Particularly preferred, the above-described monitoring of the electrical conductance of the susceptor may be utilized in addition to the / classification described herein. This further monitored parameter may increase reliability. Further, this further monitored parameter may enable one or both of activation and deactivation of additional device functionalities.

[0058] The controller may be configured to control operation of the induction coil depending upon the detected supply current drawn by the induction coil.

[0059] The supply current drawn by the induction coil may be indicative of the inductance of the induction coil. Changes in the inductance of the induction coil may lead to changes in the supply current drawn by the induction coil.

[0060] The aerosol-generating device may further comprise an additional classifier configured to detect an additional classification marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity, the additional classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0061] The additional classifier may comprise the induction coil and preferably the classification marker may comprise the susceptor.

[0062] In other words, the classification of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity may be improved or more types of aerosol-generating articles may be classified by utilizing the classifier as described herein as well as the additional classifier. Exemplarily, the (first) classifier may be visible ink arranged on the periphery of the aerosol-generating article and the additional classifier may be the shape / size / material of the susceptor. Detecting both of these classifiers by the aerosol-generating device may improve classification quality and / or may enable qualification of more types of different aerosol-generating articles.

[0063] The controller may be configured to differentiate between different authentication markers of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0064] The controller may be configured to select a function, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending on the detected classification marker and the detected authentication marker, preferably wherein the controller requires detection of both the classification marker and the authentication marker to select the function, preferably the heating profile.

[0065] Requiring both the classification marker as well as the authentication marker for selecting a function and / or a heating profile may lead to a redundant system. Requiring both the classification marker as well as the authentication marker for selecting a function and / or a heating profile may prevent misuse of the aerosol-generating device.

[0066] The controller may be configured to select a function, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending on the detected classification marker, the detected additional classification marker and the detected authentication marker, preferably wherein the controller requires detection of each one of the classification marker, the additional classification marker and the authentication marker to select the function, preferably the heating profile.

[0067] Requiring detection of all three of the classification marker, the additional classification marker and the authentication marker may lead to a redundant system. Requiring detection of all three of the classification marker, the additional classification marker and the authentication marker may prevent misuse of the aerosol-generating device.

[0068] The controller may be configured to select, a function, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, independently of the detected authentication marker.

[0069] This may be beneficial in an operational mode of the aerosol-generating device in which the functions, e.g., heating operations, are independent from the authentication process.

[0070] The authenticator may be configured to detect a first number of authentication markers, wherein the classifier may be configured to detect a second number of classification markers, wherein the first number may be smaller than the second number. For instance, there may be only authentication marker that the authenticator is configured to detected, whereas there may be a plurality of classification makers that the classified is configured to detect.

[0071] The authenticator may be configured to detect a first number of authentication markers, wherein the classifier may be configured to detect a second number of classification markers, wherein the first number may be larger than the second number.

[0072] The classifier may be configured to detect a further classification marker indicative of a type of aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

[0073] Exemplarily, the first type of aerosol-forming substrate may be nicotine free. The second type of aerosol-forming substrate may contain nicotine. Operation of the aerosolgenerating device may be different for these types of aerosol-forming substrate.

[0074] The detection technology of the authenticator may be different from the detection technology of the classifier.

[0075] The authenticator of the aerosol-generating device may be different from the classifier of the aerosol-generating device.

[0076] The operating principle of the authenticator may be different from the operating principle of the classifier.

[0077] The authenticator may utilize a first sensor and the classifier may utilize a different second sensor.

[0078] The authenticator may comprise a first optical detector. The first optical detector may be configured to detect invisible light.

[0079] The classifier may comprise a second optical detector. The second optical detector may be configured to detect visible light. The first optical detector may be different from the second optical detector. The first optical detector may be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum different from a spectrum the second optical detector is configured to detect.

[0080] The invention further relates to a method for controlling operation of an aerosolgenerating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, preferably an aerosol-generating device as described herein, the method comprising one or more of the following steps: detecting, with an authenticator of the aerosol-generating device, an authentication marker of an aerosol-generating article received in a cavity of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the authentication marker may be indicative of whether the received aerosolgenerating article may be permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device, detecting, with a classifier of the aerosol-generating device, a classification marker of the received aerosol-generating article, the classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosolgenerating articles, permitting or prohibiting, with a controller of the aerosol-generating device, supply of power to a heating element depending upon the detected authentication marker, and selecting, with the controller, a functionality of the aerosol-generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending upon the detected classification marker. The method may further comprise supplying power to the heating element based on the selected heating profile.

[0081] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosolgenerating device as described herein; and one or more aerosol-generating articles. Each one of the aerosol-generating articles may be of one of the plurality of different types of aerosolgenerating articles.

[0082] The invention further relates to an aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosolgenerating device, preferably an aerosol-generating device as described herein, the aerosolgenerating device for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles; wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises: an authentication marker indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosolgenerating device; a classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0083] The authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article may be different from the classification marker of the aerosol-generating article.

[0084] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a colour marker indicative of a classification of the aerosol-generating article. The colour marker may be referred to the classification marker. Particularly preferred, the colour marker is indicative of a type of aerosol-generating article so as to enable classification of the aerosolgenerating article. Exemplarily, the controller may differentiate between aerosol-generating articles that may be used with the aerosol-generating article and that may not be used with the aerosol-generating device.

[0085] The authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a fluorescent ink or phosphorescent ink. The classification marker of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a visible ink. The authentication marker may partially or fully circumscribe the aerosol-generating article. The classification marker may partially or fully circumscribe the aerosol-generating article. The classification marker may comprise one or more coloured bands. The classification marker may comprise a plurality of coloured bands, preferably wherein each one of the coloured bands having a different colour to the other coloured bands. The classification marker may comprise a first coloured band having a first colour, and a second coloured band having a second colour, preferably wherein the first colour and the second colour are different to one another. The classification marker and the authentication marker may partially or fully overlap with one another. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor configured to be heated by an induction coil of the aerosol-generating device. The susceptor may have one or more predetermined electrical properties detectable by the aerosol-generating device.

[0086] The aerosol-generating device may be usable together with at least two different aerosol-generating articles. Particularly preferred, the different aerosol-generating articles are different in the type or amount of the aerosol-forming substrate utilized in the respective aerosol-generating articles.

[0087] Each one of the aerosol-generating articles for use with the system may comprise an authentication marker. Each one of the authentication markers may be the same, and / or causes the authenticator to output substantially the same signal(s) in response to detecting the authentication markers.

[0088] Each one of the aerosol-generating articles for use with the system may comprise an authentication marker, wherein two or more of the authentication markers are different, and / or causes the authenticator to output one or more different signals in response to detecting one of the two or more different authentication markers in comparison to detecting the other authentication marker(s).

[0089] The authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article, or the authentication markers of the aerosol-generating articles, may each comprise a fluorescent ink or phosphorescent ink. Each one of the aerosol-generating articles for use with the system may comprise a classification marker. Each two or more of the classification markers may be different, or causes the classifier to output one or more different signals in response to detecting one of the two or more different classification markers in comparison to detecting the other classifications marker(s).

[0090] The classification marker of the aerosol-generating article, or the classification markers of the aerosol-generating articles, may each comprise a visible ink, preferably wherein two, three, four, five or more of the classification marks of the aerosol-generating articles each comprise a different coloured visible ink.

[0091] One type of the aerosol-generating articles may differ from another different type of the aerosol-generating article in one or more of: aerosol-forming substrate type; aerosol-forming substrate amount; aerosol-forming substrate quality; total generatable aerosol volume and heating properties of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0092] One type of the aerosol-generating article may be free of tobacco and another different type of the aerosol-generating article may comprise tobacco.

[0093] One type of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a flavour additive and another different type of the aerosol-generating article may be free of flavour additives.

[0094] One type of the aerosol-generating article may comprise botanicals and another different type of the aerosol-generating article may be free of botanicals.

[0095] The authentication markers and / or the classification markers of the different types of aerosol-generating articles may comprise an identifiable spectroscopic signature.

[0096] The classification markers and / or the classification markers of the different types of aerosol-generating articles may comprise one or more of: visible ink, ultra violet (UV) ink, infra red (IR) ink, phosphorescent ink, fluorescent ink or metallic ink.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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 draws 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 comprises 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.

[0099] 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 comprise a housing, electric circuitry, a power supply, a heating chamber and a heating element.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The aerosol-generating device may comprise electric circuitry. The electric circuitry may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of the controller. The electric circuitry may comprise further electronic components. The electric circuitry may be configured to regulate a supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element 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 heating element in the form of pulses of electrical current. The electric circuitry may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element, and preferably to control the supply of power to the heating element dependent on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0102] 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 usage 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 predetermined number of puffs or discrete activations of the heating element.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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 crosssection. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] As described, in any of the aspects of the disclosure, the heating element may be part of an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device 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 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may comprise an induction coil and a susceptor. In general, a susceptor 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 is conductive, then typically eddy currents are induced by the alternating magnetic field. If the susceptor 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, 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. Commonly all these changes in the susceptor that happen on a nano-scale or below are referred to as “hysteresis losses”, because they produce heat in the susceptor. Hence, if the susceptor is both magnetic and electrically conductive, both hysteresis losses and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic, but not conductive, then hysteresis losses will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat, when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the invention, the susceptor 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, 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 is in close thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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. The aerosol-generating 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] Example 1 . An aerosol-generating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, the aerosol-generating device comprising: a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article of the any one of the plurality different types, an authenticator configured to detect an authentication marker of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity, the authentication marker indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device, a classifier configured to detect a classification marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity, the classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, and a controller configured to permit or prohibit supply of power to a heating element to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity depending upon the detected authentication marker, and wherein the controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosol-generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending upon the detected classification marker, and preferably supply power to the heating element based on the selected heating profile.

[0115] Example 2. The aerosol-generating device according to example 1 , wherein the controller is configured to, in dependence of the detected classification marker, adjust one or more of: an amplitude of a current supplied to the heating element; a frequency and / or duration of current pluses supplied to the heating element; a time period of power supply; a temperature of the heating element; a signal powering the heating element and a maximum number of power pulses to the heating element. Example 3. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising a memory storing a plurality of different heating profiles, wherein each one of the different heating profiles is stored in association with data indicative of one of the plurality different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0116] Example 4. The aerosol-generating device according to example 3, wherein the controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosol generating device, preferably the heating profile from of the plurality of different heating profiles, stored in the memory that is associated with data indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article that matches the determined type of aerosol-generating article.

[0117] Example 5. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to determine the type of aerosol-generating article based on the detect classification marker, and optionally based on the detected authentication marker.

[0118] Example 6. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein two or more of the plurality of different heating profiles differ from one another by a predetermined maximum number of puffs being permitted before the respect heating profile is ended.

[0119] Example 7. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein two or more of the plurality of different heating profiles differ from one another by a predetermined maximum duration being permitted before the respect heating profile is ended.

[0120] Example 8. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein two or more of the plurality of different heating profiles differ from one another by a predetermined maximum volume of aerosol generated being permitted before the respect heating profile is ended.

[0121] Example 9. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to, in dependence of the detected classification marker, control supply of power to the heating element such that a first heating profile is applied to a first type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity and such that a different second heating profile is applied to a second different type of aerosol-generating article.

[0122] Example 10. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the detected authentication marker is of a type of aerosol-generating article not permitted for use with the aerosolgenerating device, and in response prohibit the supply of power to the heating element.

[0123] Example 11. The aerosol-generating device according to example 10, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the detected authentication marker is of a type of aerosol-generating article not permitted for use with aerosol-generating device by failing to find data corresponding to the detected authentication marker in a memory of the aerosolgenerating device.

[0124] Example 12. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the detected authentication marker is permitted for use with the aerosol-generating device, and in response permit the supply of power to the heating element.

[0125] Example 13. The aerosol-generating device according to example 12, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the detected authentication marker is of a type of aerosol-generating article permitted for use with aerosol-generating device by successfully finding data corresponding to the detected authentication marker in a memory of the aerosolgenerating device.

[0126] Example 14. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the controller comprises a lookup table with prestored data of non- acceptable types of aerosol-generating articles, wherein the controller prohibiting supply of power to a heating element comprises a comparison of the detected authentication marker with the prestored data.

[0127] Example 15. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding examples, wherein the controller comprises a lookup table with prestored data of acceptable types of aerosol-generating articles, and wherein the controller permitting supply of power to a heating element comprises a comparison of the detected authentication marker with the prestored data.

[0128] Example 16. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the authenticator comprises an optical detector, preferably an optical detector configured to detect fluorescent light or phosphorescent light.

[0129] Example 17. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 1 to 15, wherein the authenticator comprises an electrical detector, preferably wherein the electrical detector is configured to detect a resistance, a capacitance and / or an inductance of the authentication marker.

[0130] Example 18. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 1 to 15, wherein the authenticator and / or the classifier comprises one or more electrical contacts, preferably wherein the electrical contacts are configured to establish a communication interface with a memory of the authentication marker or the classification marker respectively.

[0131] Example 19. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the classifier comprises an optical detector, preferably an optical detector configured to detect visible light. Example 20. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a light emitter.

[0132] Example 21. The aerosol-generating device according to example 18, wherein the light emitter is configured to emit light in the visible spectrum, preferably within a predetermined spectrum range.

[0133] Example 22. The aerosol-generating device according to example 20 or 21 , wherein the light emitter is arranged in the cavity, preferably in a sidewall of the cavity, more preferably in the sidewall adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0134] Example 23. The aerosol-generating device according to example 19 to 22, wherein the classifier is configured to detect light in a predetermined spectrum shifted with respect to the spectrum emitted by the emitter.

[0135] Example 24. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the authenticator is arranged in the cavity, preferably in a sidewall of the cavity, more preferably in the sidewall adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0136] Example 25. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the classifier is arranged in the cavity, preferably in a sidewall of the cavity, more preferably in the sidewall adjacent a proximal opening of the cavity.

[0137] Example 26. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to control switching of the aerosol-generating device from a standby mode to an active mode depending upon the detected authentication marker.

[0138] Example 27. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity.

[0139] Example 28. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises a power supply for supplying power to the heating element.

[0140] Example 29. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to increase the temperature of the heating element to above a temperature at which the aerosol-generating article’s authentication marker is deactivated, thereby preventing the aerosol-generating article from being used again.

[0141] Example 30. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the heating element comprises an induction coil configured for heating a susceptor received in the cavity, preferably wherein the susceptor is part of the aerosolgenerating article. Example 31. The aerosol-generating device according to example 30, wherein the controller is operatively connected with the induction coil, wherein the controller is configured to detect a change in conductance of the induction coil during operation of the induction coil, and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the induction coil depending upon the detected change in conductance.

[0142] Example 32. The aerosol-generating device according to example 30 or 31 , wherein the controller is operatively connected with the induction coil, wherein the controller is configured to detect a supply current drawn by the induction coil during operation, and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the induction coil depending upon the detected supply current drawn by the induction coil.

[0143] Example 33. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, further comprising an additional classifier configured to detect an additional classification marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity, the additional classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0144] Example 34. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the additional classifier comprises the induction coil of example 30, and preferably the classification marker comprises the susceptor of example 30.

[0145] Example 35. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to differentiate between different authentication markers of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0146] Example 36. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosol generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending on the detected classification marker and the detected authentication marker, preferably wherein the controller requires detection of both the classification marker and the authentication marker to select the heating profile.

[0147] Example 37. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosol generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending on the detected classification marker, the detected additional classification marker and the detected authentication marker, preferably wherein the controller requires detection of each one of the classification marker, the additional classification marker and the authentication marker to select the functionality, preferably the heating profile.

[0148] Example 38. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosol generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, independently of the detected classification marker.

[0149] Example 39. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to detect the authentication marker before the detection of the classification marker.

[0150] Example 40. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 1 to 39, wherein the controller is configured to detect the classification marker before the detection of the authentication marker.

[0151] Example 41. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 1 to 39, wherein the controller is configured to detect the classification marker and the authentication marker simultaneously.

[0152] Example 42. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the authenticator is configured to detect a first number of authentication markers, wherein the classifier is configured to detect a second number of classification markers, wherein the first number is smaller than the second number.

[0153] Example 43. The aerosol-generating device according to any of examples 1 to 41 , wherein the authenticator is configured to detect a first number of authentication markers, wherein the classifier is configured to detect a second number of classification markers, wherein the first number is larger than the second number.

[0154] Example 44. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the classifier is configured to detect a further classification marker indicative of a type of aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

[0155] Example 45. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the detection technology of the authenticator is different from the detection technology of the classifier.

[0156] Example 46. A method for controlling operation of an aerosol-generating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, preferably according to any of examples 1 to 45, the method comprising: detecting, with an authenticator of the aerosol-generating device, an authentication marker of an aerosol-generating article received in a cavity of the aerosolgenerating device, wherein the authentication marker is indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosolgenerating device, detecting, with a classifier of the aerosol-generating device, a classification marker of the received aerosol-generating article, the classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, and permitting or prohibiting, with a controller of the aerosol-generating device, supply of power to a heating element depending upon the detected authentication marker, and selecting, with the controller, a functionality of the aerosol generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending upon the detected classification marker, and supplying power to the heating element based on the selected functionality, preferably the selected heating profile.

[0157] Example 47. An aerosol-generating system comprising: the aerosol-generating device of any of examples 1 to 45; and one or more aerosol-generating articles, wherein each one of the aerosol-generating articles is of one of the plurality of different types of aerosolgenerating articles.

[0158] Example 48. The aerosol-generating system of example 47, wherein the each one of the aerosol-generating articles for use with the system comprises an authentication marker, wherein each one of the authentication markers is the same, and / or causes the authenticator to output substantially the same signal(s) in response to detecting the authentication markers.

[0159] Example 49. The aerosol-generating system of example 47, wherein the each one of the aerosol-generating articles for use with the system comprises an authentication marker, wherein two or more of the authentication markers are different, and / or causes the authenticator to output one or more different signals in response to detecting one of the two or more different authentication markers in comparison to detecting the other authentication marker(s).

[0160] Example 50. The aerosol-generating system of example 47 to 49, wherein the authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article, or the authentication markers of the aerosol-generating articles, each comprise a fluorescent ink or phosphorescent ink.

[0161] Example 51. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 50, wherein each one of the aerosol-generating articles for use with the system comprises a classification marker, wherein each two or more of the classification markers are different, or causes the classifier to output one or more different signals in response to detecting one of the two or more different classification markers in comparison to detecting the other classifications marker(s).

[0162] Example 52. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 51 , wherein the classification marker of the aerosol-generating article, or the classification markers of the aerosol-generating articles, each comprise a visible ink, preferably wherein two, three, four, five or more of the classification markers of the aerosol-generating articles each comprise a different coloured visible ink.

[0163] Example 53. The aerosol-generating system of example 47 to 52, wherein one type of the aerosol-generating articles differs from another different type of the aerosol-generating article in one or more of: aerosol-forming substrate type; aerosol-forming substrate amount; aerosol-forming substrate quality; total generatable aerosol volume and heating properties of the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0164] Example 54. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 53, wherein one type of the aerosol-generating article is free of tobacco and another different type of the aerosol-generating article comprises tobacco.

[0165] Example 55. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 54, wherein one type of the aerosol-generating article comprises a flavour additive and another different type of the aerosol-generating article is free of flavour additives.

[0166] Example 56. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 55, wherein one type of the aerosol-generating article comprises botanicals and another different type of the aerosol-generating article is free of botanicals.

[0167] Example 57. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 56, wherein the authentication markers and / or the classification markers of the different types of aerosolgenerating articles comprise an identifiable spectroscopic signature.

[0168] Example 58. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 57, wherein the authentication markers and / or the classification markers of the different types of aerosolgenerating articles comprises one or more of: visible ink, ultra violet (UV) ink, infra-red (IR) ink, phosphorescent ink, fluorescent ink or metallic ink.

[0169] Example 59. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 58, wherein the authentication marker partially or fully circumscribes each aerosol-generating article.

[0170] Example 60. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 59, wherein the classification marker partially or fully circumscribes each aerosol-generating article.

[0171] Example 61. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 60, wherein the classification marker comprises one or more coloured bands.

[0172] Example 62. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 61 , wherein the classification marker comprises a plurality of coloured bands, preferably wherein each one of the coloured bands having a different colour to the other coloured bands.

[0173] Example 63. The aerosol-generating system of any of examples 47 to 62, wherein the classification marker comprises a first coloured band having a first colour, and a second coloured band having a second colour, preferably wherein the first colour and the second colour are different to one another. Example 64. An aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device, preferably according to any of examples 1 to 45, the aerosol-generating device for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles; wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises: an authentication marker indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device; a classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

[0174] Example 65. The aerosol-generating article according to example 64, wherein the authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article comprises a fluorescent ink or phosphorescent ink.

[0175] Example 66. The aerosol-generating article according to example 64 or example 65, wherein the classification marker of the aerosol-generating article comprises a visible ink.

[0176] Example 67. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0177] 66, wherein the authentication marker partially or fully circumscribes the aerosol-generating article.

[0178] Example 68. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0179] 67, wherein the classification marker partially or fully circumscribes the aerosol-generating article.

[0180] Example 69. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0181] 68, wherein the classification marker comprises one or more coloured bands.

[0182] Example 70. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0183] 69, wherein the classification marker comprises a plurality of coloured bands, preferably wherein each one of the coloured bands having a different colour to the other coloured bands.

[0184] Example 71. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0185] 70, wherein the classification marker comprises a first coloured band having a first colour, and a second coloured band having a second colour, preferably wherein the first colour and the second colour are different to one another.

[0186] Example 72. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0187] 71 , wherein the classification marker and the authentication marker partially or fully overlap with one another.

[0188] Example 73. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to

[0189] 72, further comprising a susceptor configured to be heated by an induction coil of the aerosolgenerating device.

[0190] Example 74. The aerosol-generating article according to any one of examples 64 to 73 wherein the susceptor has one or more predetermined electrical properties detectable by the aerosol-generating device. Features described in relation to one embodiment may equally be applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0191] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0192] Fig. 1 shows an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

[0193] Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device 10 and an aerosol-generating article 12. The aerosol-generating article 12 comprises an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of a substrate portion of the aerosol-generating article 12.

[0194] The aerosol-generating article 12 can be received in the cavity 14 of the aerosolgenerating device 10. The cavity 14 is configured as a heating chamber. To heat the aerosolforming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 12 when the aerosol-generating article 12 is received in the cavity 14, the aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a heating element 16. In the aerosol-generating device 10 shown in Fig. 1 , the heating element 16 comprises an induction coil. The induction coil is configured for inductively heating the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 12. The susceptor that is heated by the alternating magnetic field created by the induction coil is arranged within the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article 12. In other words, the heating element 16 is preferably configured as an induction coil while the actual element that is heated is the susceptor which is not part of the aerosol-generating device 10 but rather part of the aerosol-generating article 12. Exemplarily, the susceptor is provided as a strip centrally arranged along the central longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article 12.

[0195] The induction coil is powered by a power supply 18. The power supply 18 is configured as a rechargeable battery. The power supply 18 is provided distal of the cavity 14.

[0196] The cavity 14 is provided at a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device 10. The cavity 14 has an opening for enabling insertion of the aerosol-generating article 12 into the cavity 14.

[0197] The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises a controller 20. The controller 20 is configured to control supply of power from the power supply 18 to the induction coil.

[0198] At a sidewall of the cavity 14, an authenticator 22 is provided. The authenticator 22 is provided to authenticate an aerosol-generating article 12 received in the cavity 14. The authenticator 22 comprises an optical detector configured to detect nonvisible light. The authenticator 22 faces the longitudinal central axis of the cavity 14 such that light reflected by the aerosol-generating article 12 or emitted by the aerosol-generating article 12 is detected by the authenticator 22. The authenticator 22 is connected with the controller 20. The controller 20 is configured to permit power to be supplied from the power supply 18 to the induction coil when the controller 20 detects, depending upon the authenticator 22 output, that an aerosolgenerating article 12 has been received in the cavity 14 that is accepted by the aerosolgenerating device 10. The controller 20 comprises a lookup table to compare the authenticator 22 output with the prestored data in the lookup table. If there is a match between the authenticator 22 output and the prestored data in the lookup table, the authenticator 22 confirms that the received aerosol-generating article 12 is authenticated and consequently permits the supply of power from the power supply 18 to the induction coil. If the controller 20 does not find a match between the output data from the authenticator 22 and the prestored data in the lookup table, the controller 20 prohibits supply of power from the power supply 18 to the heating element 16.

[0199] The aerosol-generating device 10 comprises a light emitter 24. The light is configured to emit light in the visible spectrum. The light emitter 24 is arranged at the sidewall of the cavity 14. The light emitter 24 is arranged adjacent the authenticator 22. When the aerosolgenerating article 12 is received in the cavity 14, the light emitter 24 is configured to emit light at the aerosol-generating article 12. The aerosol-generating article 12 comprises an authentication marker 26. The authentication marker 26 is preferably configured as a fluorescent ink or phosphorescent ink. The authentication marker 26 emits light in the nonvisible spectrum. The authentication marker 26 may emit the nonvisible light in reaction to absorbing light from the light emitter 24. The nonvisible light emitted by the authentication marker 26 may be spectrally shifted with respect to the light absorbed from the light emitter 24. Alternatively, the authentication marker 26 may absorb visible light when the aerosolgenerating article 12 is not received in the cavity 14 (i.e. ambient light) and emit nonvisible light towards the authentication marker 26 without receiving light from the light emitter 24. As a further alternative, the authentication marker 26 may both absorb visible light from the ambient environment as well as from the light emitter 24 and subsequently emit nonvisible light towards the authentication marker 26. As a particularly preferred embodiment, the light emitter 24 is configured to emit light in the nonvisible spectrum, preferably in the infrared spectrum, which is subsequently reflected by the authentication marker 26 or absorbed and reemitted by the authentication marker 26.

[0200] The aerosol-generating device 10 further comprises a classifier 28. The classifier 28 comprises an optical detector operating within the visible spectrum of light. The classifier 28 is arranged adjacent a second emitter 32. The classifier 28 is arranged at the sidewall of the cavity 14. The classifier 28 faces the longitudinal central axis of the cavity 14 for receiving light from a classification marker 30 of the aerosol-generating article 12 when the aerosolgenerating article 12 is received in the cavity 14. The classifier 28 is arranged similar to the authentication marker 26 but adjacent the second emitter 32. Preferably, the classifier 28 is configured to detect visible light in a predetermined spectrum. Preferably, the second emitter 32 is configured to emit light in the same predetermined visible spectrum that the classifier 28 is configured to receive. The classifier 28 may be configured to detect the light in this predetermined visible spectrum that is reflected from the aerosol-generating article 12 and originally submitted by the second emitter 32. The aerosol-generating article 12 comprises a corresponding classification marker 30. Preferably, the classification marker 30 is configured as a visible ink. The classification marker 30 may comprise one or more coloured bands. The coloured bands may be arranged coaxially around the periphery of the aerosol-generating article 12. Due to the authentication marker 26 and the classification marker 30 of the aerosolgenerating article 12 utilizing different technologies (fluorescent ink / phosphorescent ink versus visible ink), the classification marker 30 and the authentication marker 26 may overlie each other.

[0201] The classification of the aerosol-generating article 12 is utilized to choose a heating profile for the induction coil. In other words, depending upon the classification of the controller 20 when the controller 20 receives the classifier 28 output, the controller 20 chooses a heating profile suitable for the respective type of aerosol-generating article 12 received in the cavity 14. Similar to the memory comprising a lookup table for the authentication of aerosolgenerating articles 12, the controller 20 may comprise prestored data including classification data for different types of aerosol-generating articles 12 and associated different heating profiles.

[0202] Alternatively, the classification of the aerosol-generating article 12 is utilized to operate a different functionality of the aerosol-generating device 10, preferably to enable or disable an additional functionality of the aerosol-generating device 10. Utilizing the classification to choose a heating profile is, however, the particularly preferred embodiment.

[0203] When the aerosol-generating article 12 is inserted into the cavity 14, the authenticator 22 will read the authentication marker 26 of the aerosol-generating article 12 and output this data to the controller 20. The controller 20 then authenticates the aerosol-generating article 12. After that or at the same time, the classifier 28 reads the classification marker 30 and outputs this data to the controller 20. The controller 20 then classifies the type of aerosolgenerating article 12 and chooses an appropriate heating profile. The controller 20 only chooses an appropriate heating profile when the aerosol-generating article 12 has been authenticated. If the aerosol-generating article 12 has been authenticated, the controller 20 controls the supply of power from the heating element 16 to the induction coil based upon the chosen heating profile, which depends upon the classification of the aerosol-generating article

[0204] 12.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol-generating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, the aerosol-generating device comprising: a cavity for receiving an aerosol-generating article of the any one of the plurality different types, an authenticator configured to detect an authentication marker of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity, the authentication marker indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device, a classifier configured to detect a classification marker of the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity, the classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, and a controller configured to permit or prohibit supply of power to a heating element to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating article received in the cavity depending upon the detected authentication marker, and wherein the controller is configured to select a functionality of the aerosol-generating device depending upon the detected classification marker.

2. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the functionality that the controller is configured to select is a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles and the controller is configured to and supply power to the heating element based on the selected heating profile.

3. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, further comprising a memory storing a plurality of different heating profiles, wherein each one of the different heating profiles is stored in association with data indicative of one of the plurality different types of aerosol-generating articles.

4. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to select the heating profile from of the plurality of different heating profiles stored in the memory that is associated with data indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article that matches the determined type of aerosol-generating article.

5. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to determine the type of aerosol-generating article basedon the detect classification marker, and optionally based on the detected authentication marker.

6. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to, in dependence of the detected classification marker, control supply of power to the heating element such that a first heating profile is applied to a first type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity and such that a different second heating profile is applied to a second different type of aerosol-generating article.

7. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the detected authentication marker is permitted for use with the aerosol-generating device, and in response permit the supply of power to the heating element.

8. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to determine that the detected authentication marker is of a type of aerosolgenerating article permitted for use with aerosol-generating device by successfully finding data corresponding to the detected authentication marker in a memory of the aerosol-generating device.

9. The aerosol-generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller comprises a lookup table with prestored data of acceptable types of aerosol-generating articles, and wherein the controller permitting supply of power to a heating element comprises a comparison of the detected authentication marker with the prestored data.

10. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the authenticator comprises an optical detector, preferably an optical detector configured to detect fluorescent light or phosphorescent light.

11. The aerosol-generating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heating element comprises an induction coil configured for heating a susceptor received in the cavity, preferably wherein the susceptor is part of the aerosol-generating article.

12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11 , wherein the controller is operatively connected with the induction coil, wherein the controller is configured to detect a change in conductance of the induction coil during operation of the induction coil, and whereinthe controller is configured to control operation of the induction coil depending upon the detected change in conductance.

13. A method for controlling operation of an aerosol-generating device configured for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, preferably according to any of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising: detecting, with an authenticator of the aerosol-generating device, an authentication marker of an aerosol-generating article received in a cavity of the aerosolgenerating device, wherein the authentication marker is indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosolgenerating device, detecting, with a classifier of the aerosol-generating device, a classification marker of the received aerosol-generating article, the classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, and permitting or prohibiting, with a controller of the aerosol-generating device, supply of power to a heating element depending upon the detected authentication marker, and selecting, with the controller, a functionality of the aerosol-generating device, preferably a heating profile from a plurality of heating profiles, depending upon the detected classification marker.

14. An aerosol-generating system comprising: the aerosol-generating device of any of claims 1 to 12; and one or more aerosol-generating articles, wherein each one of the aerosol-generating articles is of one of the plurality of different types of aerosolgenerating articles.

15. An aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device, for use with a plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises: an authentication marker indicative of whether the received aerosol-generating article is permitted to be used with the aerosol-generating device; a classification marker indicative of the type of aerosol-generating article received in the cavity from the plurality of different types of aerosol-generating articles.

16. The aerosol-generating article of claim 15, wherein the aerosol-generating article comprises a colour marker as the classification marker.

17. The aerosol-generating article of claim 15 or 16, wherein the classification marker of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a visible ink.

18. The aerosol-generating article of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the classification marker comprises a plurality of coloured bands, preferably wherein each one of the coloured bands having a different colour to the other coloured bands.

19. The aerosol-generating article of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the authentication marker of the aerosol-generating article comprises a fluorescent ink or phosphorescent ink.