Aerosol Generating System With Fluorescent Cigarette Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol generating devices face challenges in accurately distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit cigarettes, identifying various cigarette types, and managing power consumption due to limited sensor accuracy and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a cigarette with an identification portion that emits light of a second wavelength when excited by a first wavelength, utilizing a sensor unit to detect regions with different concentrations of identification materials, and a controller to identify cigarette type and control heater power based on sensing values, enhancing sensor sensitivity and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to improve detection accuracy for distinguishing cigarette types and detecting counterfeits, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting authentication codes to identify genuine vs. counterfeit cigarettes, detecting color information to distinguish cigarette types, and providing feedback for heater control. This multi-functional approach allows one sensor to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate sensors, thereby improving measurement precision across multiple parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor detects different optical parameters (authentication code patterns and color information) from the same identification portion under different lighting conditions or wavelengths. By changing the detection parameters rather than adding separate physical sensors, the system achieves high measurement precision for multiple identification purposes while keeping the hardware complexity low
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to improve detection accuracy for distinguishing cigarette types and detecting counterfeits, then measurement precision improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor unit serves multiple detection purposes simultaneously - authentication verification and cigarette type identification - using a single sensor component. This eliminates the need for multiple separate sensors that would each consume power independently, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high measurement precision for both authentication and type detection functions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor operates in periodic measurement cycles rather than continuously, activating only when a cigarette is inserted and during authentication/type detection phases. This periodic operation reduces power consumption compared to continuous multi-sensor operation, while still achieving high measurement precision when detection is required
3Measurement precision
If the sensor operates continuously to ensure accurate detection, then measurement precision is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor operates periodically based on trigger events (cigarette insertion, authentication check requests) rather than continuously. This event-driven periodic operation ensures measurement precision is maintained when needed while dramatically reducing power consumption during idle periods when no cigarette is present or detection is not required
4Reliability
If the heater operates at high power to ensure proper heating, then heating effectiveness improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from the optical sensor's detection results (authentication status, cigarette type identification) to dynamically adjust heater power levels. For example, different cigarette types may require different heating powers, and authentication failures may trigger heater shutdown. This feedback-based control ensures heating effectiveness for each specific cigarette type while optimizing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary high-power operation
Solution Approach 2:
The heater power level is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection results rather than operating at a fixed high power level. The system transitions between different power states (high power for certain cigarette types, low power for others, zero power for counterfeit cigarettes) based on sensor feedback, thereby maintaining heating effectiveness when needed while reducing overall power consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively distinguishes between different cigarette types and reduces power consumption by optimizing sensor performance and heater control, improving user experience and device efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an identification portion that emits light of a second wavelength when excited by light of a first wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol generating system according to an embodiment includes a cigarette including an identification portion that emits light of a second wavelength when excited by light of a first wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength, a main body including a cavity into which the cigarette is inserted, a sensor unit arranged near the cavity and configured to detect the identification portion, and a controller configured to identify whether the cigarette is counterfeit and a type of cigarette based on a sensing value detected by the sensor unit, wherein the identification portion includes a plurality of regions containing identification materials with different concentrations.