Technical field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco, in particular to reconstituted
tobacco as well as aerosol-generating articles. The present invention further relates
to smoking devices, especially to an electrically heated e-liquid system or an electrically
heated aerosol-generating system.
Background of the invention
[0002] Electronic cigarettes based on aerosol-generating consumable articles have gained
popularity in the recent years. There are mainly two types: liquid vaporizers and
heated tobacco inhaler devices. Heated tobacco inhaler devices are referred to as
"heat-not-burn" systems (HNB). They provide a more authentic tobacco flavour compared
to electronic cigarettes, which deliver an inhalable aerosol from heating of a liquid
charge comprising aerosol formers, flavorants, and often nicotine. The HNB system's
working principle is to heat a tobacco material comprising an aerosol-forming substance
(such as glycerine and/or propylene glycol) which vaporises during heating and creates
a vapour that extracts nicotine and flavour components from the tobacco material.
The tobacco substance is heated to between 200 and 350°C, which is below the normal
burning temperatures of a conventional cigarette. The inhaler device is typically
a hand-held heater, which is configured to receive rod-shaped consumable articles.
[0003] Illicit trade of aerosol-generating articles, be it standard cigarettes, e-liquids,
or HNB articles, is a problem, as counterfeit articles in particular may be of inferior
quality or, may not be suited to a specifically dedicated aerosol-generating system.
In order to identify if an aerosol-generating consumable article is an authentic one,
a code or equivalent marking containing information about the article may be arranged
onto an outer surface of the article, for it to be detected in use or prior use with
a certain device. This allows to check for authenticity of the consumable article
and in case of negative check, to provide an appropriate control, such as to power
off the heating system with which it is used.
[0004] Moreover, there may be also a need for distinguishing a consumable article from another
article for the purpose of adapting the aerosol generating conditions. For example,
certain consumable articles within a range of articles may contain different constituents
(e.g. different tobacco blends, forming agents, nicotine levels, etc.) which so require
different parameter settings for the device to optimize the consumer experience.
[0005] To provide accurate authentication of a code on a consumable article such as an HNB
article, the recognition probability should be very high so that suitable articles
will not be rejected. However, existing indicia are limited by the low density of
information that they may be contained, and most known indicia rely on conventional
codes such as 1-Dimensional or 2-Dimensional barcodes that may be easily be forged
[0006] Various attempts at providing authenticatable aerosol-generating articles have been
proposed in the prior art already.
[0007] WO2019185749 discloses an aerosol generating apparatus having a cavity for receiving an article
(such as aerosol-generating consumable article). The article has marker elements arranged
in the form of lines on its outer surface. The marker elements consist of an encoded
parameter associated with the article. The apparatus includes a sensor arrangement
to monitor the marker elements (such as indicium) after the article has been inserted
in the cavity, i.e. when the article does not undergo any movement anymore. The apparatus
comprises an optical sensor arrangement and a non-optical sensor arrangement such
as capacitive sensor to monitor the presence of these markers. Due to lack of space
only simple markers can be arranged over a small length, limited to low density information.
In the optical configurations light has to be directed with several light sources
that have to be arranged with an array of detectors, which is cumbersome and leading
to easily reproducible codes.
WO2019185749 also describes that in the case optical sensors are used they must have a certain
field of view to detect markers.
[0008] In another document
US 2019008206A1 a small camera having a wide field of view is implemented to read a code on an article
that has been fully inserted into a cavity of an aerosol generating device. The system
described in
US 2019008206A1 requires a wide field of view lens to assure that the image of a significant portion
of the surface of the smoking article is required, so that the image covers at least
the area of the code. Implementing a vision camera requiring a uniform illumination
system and a very wide aperture lens to cover the angular span of a code on an article
is cumbersome and expensive. Also, as the system may only capture one side of a smoking
article it requires a precise angular orientation of the inserted article relative
to the optical axis of the vision system. In order to avoid a user to have to turn
the smoking article so that the code comes into the view angle of the imaging system,
US 2019008206A1 discloses an embodiment based on a mirror system which would lead to a complex system
that is not adapted for low cost smoking devices and their inserted smoking articles.
[0009] WO2017207442A1 discloses a tubular aerosol-generating article, marked with an identifier. The identifier
is arranged on the inner surface of the article or can be anywhere. The tubular aerosol
generating article comprises a mouthpiece, a proximal end and a distal end configured
to receive the heating portion of the main unit. The identity of the tubular aerosol-generating
article comprises a sensor system and the detection is done by optical scanner and
electric circuitry. The system disclosed in
WO2017207442A1 is limited to either a variation of an intensity or change of electrical current
or resistive information when a stick has been introduced. For example, the system
may detect a single resistance value that may be compared by values stored into a
lookup table. Therefore, the system is limited to low density codes and would be easy
to reproduce.
[0010] WO2019129378A1 discloses an inhaler for heated cigarette rods (such as consumable article), having
an indicium which is only readable by the optical reader after the consumable has
been exposed to a temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. The system is limited
to detect of the consumable has been overly heated or has been used a second time.
Due to lack of space, only simple codes can be detected by the system, or the detection
has to be done by the human eye which checks if the code on the articles has been
altered. There is thus a need for an improved technique to allow authentication of
aerosol-generating articles such as HNB, vaping and smoking articles. In particular,
authentication based on codes that comprise a much higher information density detectable
by a- non cumbersome detection system would be preferable to improve authentication
quality and harden counterfeiting of the articles.
[0011] Also, the use of complex detection and/or imaging optics to detect complex codes
should be avoided. Imaging optics to detect complex codes require most often complex
or voluminous optical paths and optical parts, which lead to devices that are too
heavy or which have unacceptable dimensions. Also, the use of chemicals, in the form
of liquids or gases, to realize indicia have to be avoided during the manufacturing
process of a consumable article.
Summary of the invention
[0012] The inventors of the present invention have found solutions to the above-discussed
problems by providing an authentication method that simplifies the detection system
required to detect indicia, by using the insertion movement of an aerosol-generating
article into an aerosol-generating device. The invention profits of the insertion
movement of a consumable article into an aerosol-generating device, which is a movement
that has to occur anyhow at consumption of an article.
[0013] In a first aspect the invention is achieved by a method to identify coded information
arranged on an aerosol-generating consumable article. The article defines an insertion
direction Z and comprises at least one indicium containing coded information about
the article arranged on or inside said article; the aerosol-generating device comprising
a heating cavity arranged for insertion of the article along the insertion direction
and comprising an indicium detection system.
The method comprises the steps of:
- detecting said coded information in said indicium by the indicium detection system
upon insertion of said aerosol-generating article in the cavity as the article moves
in or through the cavity of said aerosol-generating device, in particular during the
lapse time of the movement of insertion of the of said aerosol-generating article
in the cavity.
[0014] The detection may require the movement of insertion being an accelerated movement
or a movement having a constant speed. By detecting an indicium during the introduction
movement of a coded indicium, allows to use an indicium that may have a considerable
length on a consumable. This allows to provide a distributed code that may be read
by a simple and non-voluminous detector system that is arranged in a reduced space
next to or along a cavity of an aerosol-generating device Also, the indicium may have
a length that is much larger than the width of the detection area defined at a surface
of a consumable. Furthermore, as the detection is performed while the indicium is
in movement, optical sensors with relatively narrow field of view to detect the markers
can be used or optical sensors that do not require focusing or redirecting optical
elements, e.g. micro lenses or mirrors.
[0015] In an embodiment, the indicium is made of an array of optical layers arranged in
the insertion length of the article. The layers may be aligned along a line parallel
to the insertion direction. The layers are separated by a distance which may be constant
or variable between neighbouring layers.
[0016] In advantageous embodiments, the layers:
- may have different lengths;
- may be crossing layers having an overlapping area;
- may have any shape, defined in the plane of the layer, preferably a shape defined
by a polynomial, such as a triangle, a pentagon, an ellipse, or an oblong shape;
- may comprise at least two branches, such as a layer having a Y shape;
- comprise at least one aperture that may be a through aperture extending from one side
of the layer to an opposite side;
- may be a layer that overlaps, over a certain length, another layer;
- have a variable width over a length of the layer, for example the variable width may
be a series of continuous or discontinuous steps arranged over at least a portion
of its length.
[0017] The indicium detection system may comprise several optical detectors. Using more
than one indicium layer allows to enhance the authentication detection probability
of a consumable. In variants, indicia may be arranged in different orientations which
must not be necessarily the direction of the insertion of an article. Preferably,
the insertion length of the article corresponds to the longitudinal direction of extension
of the article. If the article is a rod-shaped article, the longitudinal direction
is the central axis of the article.
[0018] In an embodiment at least two of said optical layers have different optical transmission
or reflection properties. Such layers must not be parallel layers and may present
an angle relative to each other. The layers may also be crossing layers or layers
arranged in a matrix arrangement, or layers that are arranged according to a helicoidal
arrangement over a length on the circumference of an article. By using optical layers
as indicia that have different optical properties it is possible to complexify the
identification code of a consumable and make the detection of the embedded code information
more difficult. It allows also to provide a denser code information, such as information
related to the desired parameters of operation of a device.
[0019] In an embodiment an indicium or indicium layer may be made of an array of electrically
conductive layers arranged in the length of said insertion direction Z and wherein
said indicium detection system comprises at least one electrical detector. Similar
detection methods as the ones used in the case of optical detection schemes may be
applied, such as the use of conductive conical shaped indicia.
[0020] In an embodiment said conductive layers are metallic layers. Thin metallic layers
such as thin wires may be easily integrated in an article. These layers may be arranged
for example as an array of metallic wire parts. Metallic wires or layers may have
a rigidifying function. Because of their rigidity metallic wires or layers may be
easily introduced into the article for example in glue or bond or as separation layers
on an article.
[0021] In an embodiment said conductive layers are conductive ink layers. Applying conductive
ink layers may be applied by deposition that are easily adaptable to the manufacturing
of articles. For example, the ink layers are deposited as thin metal film onto the
surface of the article by evaporation under vacuum. Using ink layers allow to provide
bar-code type indicia which may be read sequentially in the insertion direction of
an article during its insertion in an aerosol-generating device. In variants, glue
or seam or bond layers may comprise conducting dopants or particles to provide an
at least partial electrically conductive property to the layer.
[0022] In embodiments, said conductive layers may be layers made of intrinsic conducting
polymers (ICP). This allows to provide conductive layers that do not contain metallic
compounds or metallic particles. In variants, different types of conductive layers
may be implemented on or into the same consumable article 1.
[0023] In embodiments the detection may be based on the detection of electrical and/or magnetic
properties of the indicium. Electrical detection methods may be based on the detection
or measurement of a capacitance, an inductance, or a resistance. Using electrical
and/or magnetic detection of a moving indicium is simpler than optical detection because
it requires less space.
[0024] In an embodiment the detector is configured to detect an electrical capacitance and/or
an inductance effect between said conductive layers and said electrical detector.
Using a method to detect and measure electrical effects provided by an indicium, one
may provide simpler detection than optical detection, as they are less sensitive to
surface contaminations. In variants, optical detection may be combined with electrical
detection. In an embodiment said indicium detection system comprises more than one
electrical detector and more than one optical detector. By using a combination of
different detection methods such as combining electrical and optical detection of
a code while introducing an article in a device it is possible to complexify the code
imbedded in an indicium considerably and impose more data encoding requirements.
[0025] In an embodiment said electrical detector is configured to detect an electrical resistance
between said conductive layers and said electrical detector. For this, the electrical
detector contacts the indicium for the detection of a resistance. The electrical contacts
may be flexible to ensure increased adaptability between the article and the detection
system.
[0026] In an embodiment the indicium is made of an array of magnetic layers arranged in
the length of said insertion direction Z, and wherein said indicium detection system
comprises at least one magnetic detector configured to detect a magnetic field generated
by said magnetic layers. Using magnetic detection methods allows to provide a detection
method that is quite insensitive to particle or moisture contamination of the detection
system.
[0027] In an embodiment said the article comprises an indicium made of at least a first
and a second array of detectable layers that are parallel and extending in said the
insertion direction Z. The signals provided by each of the first and second arrays
of detectable layers provide at least two signals S1, S2 that may be detected by a
single detector or a plurality of detectors. In variants a first detector is configured
to provide a first signal S1 and a second detector is configured to provide a second
signal. In variants said at least a first and a second array of detectable layers
may be layers that present an angle relative to each other and may be crossing layers.
[0028] Preferably, the signals S1, S2 provided by each of the first and second arrays of
detectable layers are detected by at least one optical detector and are superposed
to provide a superposed signal S3 that provides a unique identification code identifying
the aerosol-generating consumable article. Using a configuration wherein at least
two different codes are superposed allows to make the detection system independent
of the acceleration of the insertion movement of an article into a device. So, in
an advantageous variant said indicium may comprise at least one electrically detectable
layer and at least one optically detectable layer, both layers being separately arranged
in parallel along the insertion direction Z, said indicium detection system comprising
at least one electrical detector and at least one optical detector.
[0029] In variants, additional information on the article may be retrieved during the movement
of withdrawal of the article 1 out of said aerosol-generating device.
[0030] In a second aspect the invention is achieved by an aerosol-generating device comprising,
arranged in an outer body, a power supply section and a heating cavity, said body
having an opening accessible at the outer body and being configured to receive a consumable
article defining an insertion direction Z. Preferably, the heating cavity defines
a cavity axis that is parallel to the insertion direction.
[0031] The aerosol-generating device further comprises an indicium detection system configured
in the device to detect said readable code optically and/or electrically upon the
insertion of said article in the cavity as said article moves through the cavity,
Preferably the movement is executed from a proximal end to a distal end thereof. The
detection system may comprise a single detector and may comprise a slit arranged in
front of the detector, allowing to provide a simple detection system that relies on
the detection of varying optical and/or optical effects, such as varying light intensities
provided by the passing of the indicium in front of the detector system. In other
variants the detector system comprises an imaging system to provide an image of the
indicium or a portion of it while it passes in front of the detection system at the
introduction of the consumable article in the aerosol-generating device.
[0032] In variants the detector is an electric and/or magnetic detector and is configured
to detect and/or measure the value or variation of: an electrical capacitance, an
inductance a magnetic field, a resistance, an electric field, an electrical potential,
an electrical current, a micro-electrical discharge. In variants the device comprises
a microwave source and the detector is a microwave detector.
[0033] The invention is also achieved by an aerosol-generating article for aerosol generating
device comprising a cavity; the article defining an insertion direction Z and comprising
at least one indicium containing coded information about the article, said indicium
being arranged in the insertion direction Z, for being read by an indicium detection
system of an aerosol-generating device upon insertion of said aerosol-generating article
in the cavity as the article moves in or through the aerosol-generating device. In
embodiments the article comprises different types of layers as described above. In
a variant a first layer is optical detectable, and a second layer is electrically
detectable by said detection system. Also, in variants during insertion of the article
in a device an optical detection signal may be provided, in function of time, before
or after an electrical detection signal.
[0034] In another configurations, a layer is made of a fist layer comprising a plurality
of first layer elements and a second layer comprising a second array of second layer
elements. The layer may be arranged as a sequence of successive first and second layer
elements. In variants said first layer and said second layer are arranged on a common
longitudinal axis, or in parallel in contact or in close proximity. In advantageous
embodiment said first and/or second layer is partially optically detectable and partially
electrically detectable.
[0035] The invention is also achieved by an aerosol-generating system comprising said aerosol-generating
device and the at least partially inserted aerosol-generating article.
Brief description of the drawings
[0036]
Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating
article and an aerosol-generating device of the invention. The device comprises an
optical system to detect an elongated indicium during the insertion movement V of
an article in a device;
Figures 2 illustrates a typical signal provided by a detection system of the device.
The signal varies in function of the time of insertion and is provided by at least
one detector that detects information provided by optical or non-optical effects provided
by an indicium or array of indicia arranged on an article;
Figure 3 illustrates an article comprising at least two indicia that are detected,
at least partially during the insertion of an article into a device;
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate typical signals provided by an indicium during the insertion
movement of an article. The indicium comprises at least two different indicia detected
and identified during the insertion of an article into a device;
Figures 6 illustrates an article having a distributed indicium comprising a plurality
and possibly different indicium elements, in particular detectable by different detection
means e.g. electrical and optical detectors;
Figures 7 illustrates a detailed view of the superposition of two signals as provided
by an embodiment of an article as illustrated in Figure 3. The figure illustrates
that the shape of the superposed signals is independent of the acceleration of the
insertion movement of an article into a device;
Figure 8 shows a wedge-shaped indicium according to the invention;
Figure 9 illustrates a two-dimensional indicium comprising two orthogonal codes and
the corresponding signals provided by the two orthogonal codes. A first code is a
bar-like code arranged along the insertion direction of an article and the second
code is realized by the detection of the variation of the width or thickness of the
indicium;
Figure 10 illustrates an indicium realized on a substrate layer. The figure illustrates
that indicia elements may have different heights or widths or lengths, said height
being defined in a radial direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the article;
Fig.11 illustrates an indicium comprising incoupling structures and outcoupling structures,
the indicium being realized on a layer that has waveguiding properties. The figure
illustrates also the incoupling and outcoupling of a light beam into and out the indicium
layer.
Detailed description of the invention
[0037] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and
with reference to the appended drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto.
The drawings described are only schematic and are nonlimiting. In the drawings, the
size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative
purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions
to the practice of the invention.
[0038] The invention will be described in the following examples in relation to tobacco-based
consumable articles but the scope of the invention shall not be construed as limited
to tobacco based consumable articles but shall encompass any aerosol-generating consumable
articles, such as smoking articles, heat-not-burn articles, e-liquid cartridges and
cartomizers, which comprises an aerosol-generating substrate capable to generate an
inhalable aerosol upon heating. Aerosol-generating articles 1 of the invention are
also defined herein as articles or consumables or consumable articles.
[0039] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" refers to a material capable
of releasing upon heating volatile compounds, which can form an aerosol. The aerosol
generated from aerosol-generating material of aerosol-generating articles described
herein may be visible or invisible and may include vapours (for example, fine particles
of substances, which are in a gaseous state, that are ordinarily liquid or solid at
room temperature) as well as gases and liquid droplets of condensed vapours. Detailed
composition of the aerosol generating substance may be tobacco, aerosol formers, binders,
flavouring agents, nicotine and combinations thereof. An aerosol-forming substrate
may be provided in a stable support. Such a support may be in the form of a powder,
granules, strands, small strips, sheets or foam.
[0040] The term "wrapper" is defined broadly as any structure or layer that protects and
contains a charge of aerosol-generating material, and which allows to handle them.
It has an inner surface that may be in contact with the aerosol-generating material
and has an outer surface away from the aerosol-generating material. The wrapper 3
may preferably comprise a cellulose based material such as paper and/or cellulose
acetate. The wrapper 3 may also be made of a biodegradable polymer or may be made
of glass or a ceramic, and/or cellulose acetate. The wrapper 3 may be a porous material
and may have a smooth or rough outer surface 5 and may be a flexible material or a
hard material.
[0041] The manufactured aerosol-generating consumable article 1 may have a cross section
of any regular or irregular shape, and can have, for example, an elliptical or circular
cross-section, defined in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis.
[0042] Herein the term "indicium" is a broad term that encompasses any layer or structure
or element or configuration or layer or any geometrical and/or physical and/or or
chemical property that may be used to identify the aerosol-generating article. The
indicium is meant to be an element applied to or part of the aerosol-generating article
that has the ability to de detected or read by a detection device for providing a
signal of analog or digital form.
[0043] The indicium of the invention is particularly configured to be readable during the
introduction movement of the indicium in a device, by passing typically in front of
or next to a detector system 100. It is understood that the indicium may comprise
also additional information that is read when the indicium is not in movement, for
example when an article has been introduced into a device and before, during or after
its consumption.
[0044] Information in the indicium may be encoded in digital (e.g. binary) or analog manner.
[0045] As used herein, the term "electrical effect" encompasses any effect produced by an
electrical field or resistance of voltage or current or magnetic or induction effect.
As used herein "an optical effect" encompasses any of: a colour, an intensity, a polarisation,
a spectral, an interferometric, a transmission, a deviation or a reflection effect.
[0046] In a first aspect the invention is achieved by a method to identify coded information
arranged on an aerosol-generating consumable article 1. The article 1 defines an insertion
direction Z and comprises at least one indicium 10 containing coded information about
the article 1 arranged on or inside said article 1.
[0047] The method comprises the steps of:
- inserting the aerosol-generating article along the insertion direction Z in a heating
cavity 200 of an aerosol-generating device 2 for receiving an aerosol-generating consumable
article 1 said aerosol-generating device 2 comprising an indicium detection system
100;
- detecting said coded information in said indicium 10 by the indicium detection system
during the movement of insertion of said aerosol-generating article 1 into the heating
cavity 200 of said aerosol-generating device 2 from a proximal end 2a of the cavity
200 to a distal end 2b of the heating cavity 200.
[0048] It is understood that a movement of the aerosol-generating article may be realized
after the full insertion of the article in said cavity. The movement may be, for example,
any back-and-forward movement of the aerosol-generating article after it has been
inserted in the cavity 200.
[0049] The detection of the indicium 10 is realized by any optical and/or electrical effect
as defined before. The detection of the indicium 10 is fully finished when the aerosol-generating
article 1 does not move anymore. In variants additional information on the article
1 may be retrieved during the movement of withdrawal of the article 1.
[0050] Indicia 10 may have a continuous shape (Figure 8, 10) in the length of an article
or may be arranged according to a plurality of indicia elements 11-17 (Fig.1, 3, 6,
10)
[0051] In an embodiment said indicium 10 is made of an array of optical layers arranged
in the length of said insertion direction Z, and wherein said indicium detection system
100 comprises at least one optical detector 130, 140. As further described, and illustrated
in Fig.6, a detector system 100 may comprise two different detectors. In an embodiment
at least one of said two detectors 130,140 may be a non-optical detector. For instance,
a first detector is an optical detector and a second detector is an electrical detector,
e.g. a capacitive, inductive or resistive detector.
[0052] Layers that may be used as a code or a support of an indicium 10 are advantageously
chosen amongst article layers such as one of: glue layers, bond, seam, separation
layers, joining layers, overlapping layers. A layer may have also a single function
as support layer of an indicium or array of indicia.
[0053] In advantageous embodiments indicia 10 are realized onto or into layers that may
have typically one of the functions of:
- joining or adhesion;
- spacing between layers or elements;
- mechanical or humidity protecting, wrapping, rigidification and/or separation;
- airflow or cooling;
- friction reduction or enhancement skin of a user;
- optical and/or aesthetic functions.
[0054] Indicia may also be arranged on parts or inserts or layers that are incorporated
into or onto an article for the mere purpose of proving an indicium.
[0055] In variants, a layer of an article may be used as an indicium 10. Indeed, it is understood
that typical manufacturing layers of an article 1, such as a paper wrapper or a glue
layer, may be manufactured so that they conform to a predetermined shape, such as
a triangular shape that may be identified during the introduction of an article in
a device. The shaped part of such a layer may thus be used as an indicium 10 without
requiring an added indicium layer onto or into an article 1.
[0056] In variants (not illustrated), an indicium 10 may be formed by at least two straight
lines or stripes that are arranged according to an angle relative to a longitudinal
axis of an article 10. For example, an indicium 10 may comprise two thin lines or
strips that are separated by a small distance or be in contact at the side of the
consumable portion of an article and having a greater separation at the side to the
mouthpiece of an article. Such lines or stripes may have a curved shape and/or have
a variable width. Said at least two straight lines or stripes may have an angle relative
to each other or may even be crossing lines or stripes. In variants an indicium may
comprise two thin lines that present a relative angle of less than 10°, preferably
less than 5°, which is difficult to detect by the un-aided human eye. Such variant
can also be combined with the embodiment of Fig.8, further described, that comprises
an additional longitudinal code, possible a bar code extending in the length of said
two lines or strips.
[0057] In variants of all embodiments herein, the layers 10 may have at least one of the
following characteristics:
- layers may comprise different parts having different lengths;
- a layer may overlap, at least partially, another layer that is also used as indicium
10;
- layers may have any 2D and/or 3D shape, the 2D shape being defined in the plane of
the layer. Preferably a shape is defined by a polynomial, such as a triangle, a pentagon,
an ellipse, or an oblong shape;
- layers may comprise at least two branches, such as a layer having a Y shape;
- layers comprise at least one aperture that may a through aperture extending from one
side of the layer to an opposite side;
- have a variable width over a length of the layer, for example the variable width may
be a series of continuous or discontinuous steps arranged over at least a portion
of its length.
[0058] Indicia 10 may also be formed by a chemical treatment of a portion of a layer of
a consumable 1. For instance, a predetermined surface area of a wrapper may undergo
a chemical etching or vapor deposition this partially etched or vapor deposited area
may serve as an indicium 10. For example, etching may be used to realize a seam layer
that has a variable width along a length of an article so that it may be detected
when the article is introduced along a central axis 204 of a cavity of a device.
[0059] In variants, indicia 10 may be formed by a thickened predetermined area of a surface
of an article 1.
[0060] In an embodiment, an indicium 10 may be formed by at least two optical or electrical
layers 10, 10' that have different optical transmission or reflection properties,
or different electrical properties.
[0061] In an embodiment said indicium 10 is made of an array of successive conductive layers
arranged in the length of said insertion direction Z and wherein said indicium detection
system 100 comprises at least one electrical detector 110.
[0062] In an embodiment said conductive layers are metallic layers. In an alternative, the
layer is a graphite layer or a conductive ink layer. In variants a layer of an article
may have a directional conductivity. For example, the conductivity may be different
in two orthogonal directions. This may be realized for example by directional doping
of the layers.
[0063] In an embodiment said conductive layers are conductive ink layers 10.
[0064] In embodiments, said conductive layers may be layers made of intrinsic conducting
polymers (ICP). This allows to provide conductive layers that do not contain metallic
compounds or metallic particles.
[0065] In variants, different types of conductive layers may be implemented on or into the
same consumable article 1.
[0066] In an embodiment said electrical detector is configured to detect at least electrical
capacitance between said conductive layers and said electrical detector.
[0067] In an embodiment said electrical detector is configured to detect at least electrical
inductance generated between said conductive layers 10 and said electrical detector.
[0068] In an embodiment an electrical detector 100 of the invention is configured to detect
at least an electrical resistance between said conductive layers 10 and said electrical
detector.
[0069] In an embodiment said indicium 10 is made of an array of magnetic layers 10 arranged
in the length of said insertion direction Z, and wherein said indicium detection system
100 comprises at least one magnetic detector configured to detect a magnetic field
generated by said magnetic layers.
[0070] In an embodiment, illustrated in Fig. 3 said indicium 10 is made of at least a first
array 10' and a second array 10" of detectable layers that are both extending along
or parallel to said insertion direction Z. As schematically illustrated in Figs. 4
and 5 the signals S1, S2 provided by the optical or electrical effect each of said
at least a first array 10' and a second array 10" of detectable layers are detected
by at least one detector 110, 110' and are superposed to provide a superposed signal
S3 that provides a unique identification code identifying the aerosol-generating consumable
article 1. Said detector 110, 110' may be an optical or electric or magnetic sensor
but may also be a sensor that is configured to measure optical and electrical effects
at the same time. For example, a sensor may detect a polarisation state and at the
same time be configured as a Faraday effect sensor wherein the polarisation state
changes upon an induced current, for example induced in a metallic layer or wire.
[0071] Fig.7 illustrates a detailed view of two superposed signals S1, S2. The signal shape
of the superposed signal S1+S2 presents a unique shape which is independent of the
acceleration of the insertion movement of an article, as may be seen by comparing
the shapes of the signal S1+S2 at speeds different V1 and V2 as illustrated in Fig.
7. The shape of the signal S1+S2 at a speed V2, which is greater than the speed V1,
is identical. For example, even if the introduction movement of the article in a device
is an accelerated movement, it is still possible to determine the over-all shape of
the superposed signal S1+S2, for example by counting the number of peaks and valleys.
[0072] In variants, detector schemes may be implemented to detect and correct for sudden
backward movement, i.e. in the -Z direction, i.e. away from the end 2b of the cavity
200. Such correction techniques are well known in the field of rotational or linear
encoders and are not further described here.
[0073] In an embodiment wherein said indicium detection system 100 comprises at least one
electrical detector 130 and at least one optical detector 140.
[0074] In advantageous variants, illustrated in Fig.6, said indicium 10 comprises at least
one electrical detectable layer 10a and at least one optical detectable layer 10b,
both layers being arranged along or parallel to said insertion direction Z, said indicium
detection system 100 comprising at least one electrical detector 130 and at least
one optical detector 140. In a variant of the configuration of Fig.6, said indicium
10 comprises at least two different optical detectable layer 10a, 10b and the two
detectors 130, 140 are different optical detectors. A detector 130, 140 may be detector
comprising a color filter or an interference filter. In all embodiments of the invention
an optical detection system 100 may comprise optical means to measure spectral characteristics,
such as a spectrometer or refractive or diffractive dispersion elements. An optical
detection system may comprise mirrors to send collected light to a detector 130, 140
that is placed at a distance to the portion of the layer that provides optical information
such as its spectral characteristic. In a variant a detector may be arranged to a
distal end 2b of the cavity 200.
[0075] In embodiments the indicium may be made so that it comprises at least two codes that
may be codes that have a predetermined angle. For example, Fig.8 illustrates a conical
shaped indicium that has a varying width. A code, such as a bar-code , may be incorporated
into or onto the layer of the indicium so that not only the longitudinal distribution
of code elements constitutes a readable code, but the code may be complexified by
adding information on the variation of the width of the indicia, as illustrated schematically
in Fig.8.
[0076] In an advantageous variant, an indicium may have a wedge shape and at least one of
its sides may comprise step structure such as illustrated in the example of Fig.9.
Fig.9 illustrates how a first signal Sz may be provided in relation with the longitudinal
distribution of code elements 1001, 1004, 1007, 1010 of the indicium 10. Fig.9 shows
exemplary signals Sz1, Sz4, Sz7, Sz10 corresponding to longitudinal-oriented code
elements 1001, 1004, 1007, 1010. The variations of the widths of the steps of the
indicium may provide an addition signal Sy, which maxima area aligned with the centre
of the steps as illustrated in Fig.9. The sum of the signals Sx related to the longitudinal
code elements and the signals Sy related to the information on the variation of width
or presence of steps constitute a code signal S1+S2 that comprises much more information
than simpler codes such as the one illustrated in Fig.1.
[0077] In variants, to further complexify a code, information on the variable thickness
of successive indicia elements having different thicknesses may be provided, such
as illustrated in Fig. 10. The indicia elements are positioned in an array in the
direction of direction Z, e.g. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article as
illustrated in Fig. 10. The thickness of each element is determined orthogonally to
the insertion direction Z or to a tangent to the surface of the article, e.g. radial
to the surface of a rod-shaped article. In variants, indicia elements 11-19 may be
realized directly into the material of the layer 20. Indicia may be realized inside
or onto at least one side of the material of the layer 20 for example by a pressing
tool during the manufacturing of an article. The thickness may also vary between two
parallel arrays of layers. For example, a first array may have layers with first thicknesses
t1, t2, t3 and the second array have layers with second thicknesses t4, t5, t6.
[0078] Fig.11 illustrates an indicium that is made of a layer that is configured to provide
internal reflected light, similar to the reflection inside a prism or a pentaprism.
This allows to provide signals that depend on the way an article is introduced in
a device, for example it may provide information on the depth of introduction of an
article in a cavity 200. The light source 300 and the detector system 100 in the embodiment
of Fig.11 may be configured so that it detects a layer 10 arranged at the distal end
of an article. For example, as long as the distal end comprising the layer does not
provide a signal to the detector 110, the device 2 may not allow to trigger the start
of use of the device 2.
[0079] In variants, indicia 10 of the invention may have optical properties such as light
focusing, light diverging properties. In variants, indicia may provide a signal related
to changes of color, polarization and optical scattering effects, or a combination
of such optical effects. It is generally understood herein that a variety of detection
schemes or imaging methods may be applied to detect and/or image the indicium 10 or
indicium layer 10 of the invention image processing techniques in the invention may
be simple contrast enhancing techniques or very advanced. Image processing methods
such as used in any high security detection systems, for example as used in banking
or in fingerprint recognition. In variants 2D and/or 3D imaging may be used to detect
and interpret the information imbedded in the indicium 10. For example, 3D imaging
techniques may be used to detect the height variations of indicia elements, such as
the elements 11-19 illustrated in Fig.10. In variants, optical depth probes may be
applied to detect the indicia. Such probes are optical devices that provide information
on a depth or a depth profile of a structures, here an indicium structure. Also, interferometric
optical techniques may be used in the detection system 100, 100' of the invention.
[0080] Any advanced imaging and/or imaging processing technique may be used to detect an
indicium. Image processing comprising feature extraction techniques are well known
in the field of 2D and 3D image processing and are not further described here.
[0081] It is referred therefor to the following publications that are incorporated herein
in their entirety:
- R. Szeliski, Computer vision: Algorithms and Applications, Springer Verlag, 2010,
ISBN 978-1848829343 ;
- J.R.Parker, Algorithms for image processing and Computer Vision (2nd ed.), Wiley,
2011, ISBN 978-0470643853;
- N.Mark, A.Aguado, Feature Extraction and Image Processing for Computer Vision (4the
ed.), Academic Press, 2019, ISBN 978-0128149768.
[0082] In another aspect the invention is achieved by an aerosol-generating device 2 comprising,
arranged in an outer body a power supply section (not illustrated) and a cavity 200
defining a cavity axis 204, said body having an opening accessible at the outer body
and being configured to receive a consumable article 1 defining an insertion direction
Z.
[0083] The aerosol-generating device 2 further comprises an indicium detection system 100
configured arranged in the device 2 to detect said readable code optically and/or
electrically during the insertion movement of said article 1 into said cavity 200
from a proximal end 2a to a distal end 2b thereof.
[0084] The invention is also achieved by an aerosol-generating article 1 defining an insertion
direction Z and comprising at least one indicium 10 containing coded information about
the article 1, said indicium 10 and said coded information being arranged along or
parallel to said insertion direction Z for being readable by an indicium detection
system 100 of an aerosol-generating device 2 during the movement of insertion of said
aerosol-generating article 1 into said aerosol-generating device 2.
[0085] In another aspect the invention is also achieved by an aerosol-generating system
comprising an at least partially inserted aerosol-generating articles 1 and said aerosol-generating
device 2.
The present disclosure further relates to following items 1 to 17:
Item 1: Method for identifying coded information arranged on an aerosol-generating
consumable article (1) to be consumed by using an aerosol generating device, the article
(1) defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising at least one indicium (10)
containing coded information about the article (1) arranged on or inside said article
(1), the aerosol-generating device (2) comprising a cavity (200) arranged for insertion
of the article (1) along the insertion direction (Z) and comprising an indicium detection
system (100), the method comprising:
reading the coded information of said indicium (10) by the indicium detection system
(100) during the lapse of time of the movement of insertion of said aerosol-generating
article (1) in the cavity (200), as the article (1) is moved in or through the cavity
(200) of said aerosol-generating device (2).
Item 2: The method according to item 1, wherein said indicium (10) comprises an array
of optical layers arranged in the length of said insertion direction (Z), and wherein
said indicium detection system (100) comprises at least one optical detector (110).
Item 3: The method according to item 2, wherein at least two of the optical layers
have different optical transmission and/or reflection and/or absorption and/or scattering
and/or diffraction and/or polarisation properties.
Item 4: The method according to one of items 1 to 3, wherein the indicium (10) comprises
an array of electrically conductive layers arranged in the length of said insertion
direction (Z), and wherein the indicium detection system (100) comprises at least
one electrical detector (110).
Item 5: The method according to item 4, wherein said conductive layers (10) are metallic
layers.
Item 6: The method according to item 4 or 5, wherein said conductive layers (10) are
conductive ink layers, preferably metal ink layers.
Item 7: The method according to item 4 or 5, wherein said conductive layers (10) are
intrinsic conductive polymer (ICP) layers.
Item 8: The method according to any one of items 4 to 7, wherein the electrical detector
is configured to detect an electrical capacitance between the conductive layers and
the electrical detector.
Item 9: The method according to any one of items 4 to 7, wherein the electrical detector
(100) is configured to detect an electrical inductance generated between the conductive
layers and the electrical detector.
Item 10: The method according to any one of items 4 to 7, wherein the electrical detector
(100) is configured to detect an electrical resistance between the conductive layers
(10) and the electrical detector (100).
Item 11: The method according to item 1, wherein the indicium (10) comprises an array
of magnetic layers arranged in the length of said insertion direction (Z), and wherein
the indicium detection system comprises at least one magnetic detector configured
to detect a magnetic field generated by said magnetic layers.
Item 12: The method according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the indicium (10)
comprises at least a first array (10') and a second (10") array of detectable layers
that are both extending along or parallel to said insertion direction (Z), and wherein
the signals (S1, S2) produced by each of said at least a first array (10') and a second
array (10") of detectable layers are detected by at least one optical detector (110,
110') and are, preferably, superposed to provide a superposed signal (S3) that provides
a unique identification code identifying the aerosol-generating consumable article
(1).
Item 13: The method according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the indicium detection
system (100) comprises at least one electrical detector (130) and at least one optical
detector (140).
Item 14: The method according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the indicium (10)
comprises at least one electrically detectable layer (10a) and at least one optically
detectable layer (10b), both layers being arranged along or parallel to said insertion
direction (Z), said indicium detection system (100) comprising at least one electrical
detector (130) and at least one optical detector (140).
Item 15: An aerosol-generating device (2) comprising, arranged in an outer body (110),
a power supply section (120) and a cavity (200) defining a cavity axis (204), said
body (110) having an opening (202) accessible at the outer body and being configured
to receive a consumable article (1) defining an insertion direction (Z),
wherein the aerosol-generating device (2) further comprises an indicium detection
system configured in the device to detect said readable code optically and/or electrically
upon the insertion said article (1) in the cavity as the article moves in or through
the cavity (200).
Item 16: An aerosol-generating article (1) for aerosol generating device comprising
a cavity, the article defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising at least
one indicium (10) containing coded information about the article (1), said indicium
(10) being arranged in the insertion direction (Z), for being read by an indicium
detection system of the aerosol-generating device (2) upon insertion of said aerosol-generating
article (1) in the cavity as the article moves in or through the cavity of the aerosol-generating
device (2).
Item 17: An aerosol-generating system comprising said aerosol-generating device (2)
according to item 15 and said aerosol-generating article (1) according to item 16,
the aerosol-generating article (1) being at least partially inserted in said aerosol-generating
device (2).
1. Method for identifying coded information arranged on an aerosol-generating consumable
article (1) to be consumed by using an aerosol generating device, the article (1)
defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising at least one indicium (10) containing
coded information about the article (1) arranged on or inside said article (1), the
aerosol-generating device (2) comprising a cavity (200) arranged for insertion of
the article (1) along the insertion direction (Z) and comprising an indicium detection
system (100), the method comprising:
reading the coded information of said indicium (10) by the indicium detection system
(100) during the lapse of time of a movement of said aerosol-generating article (1)
in the cavity (200).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said movement is chosen among one of:
- an insertion movement of said aerosol-generating article (1) in the cavity (200);
- a withdrawal movement of said aerosol-generating article (1) from the cavity (200);
- a back movement or forth movement of said aerosol-generating article (1) inside
the cavity (200);
- a movement realized after the full insertion of the article (1) in said cavity.
3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said indicium (10) comprises an
array of optical layers arranged in the length of said insertion direction (Z), and
wherein said indicium detection system (100) comprises at least one optical detector
(110).
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein at least two of the optical layers have different
optical transmission and/or reflection and/or absorption and/or scattering and/or
diffraction and/or polarisation properties.
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the indicium (10) comprises
an array of electrically conductive layers arranged in the length of said insertion
direction (Z), and wherein the indicium detection system (100) comprises at least
one electrical detector (110) configured to detect an electrical capacitance or an
electrical inductance or an electrical resistance between the conductive layers and
the electrical detector (110).
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, during insertion of the article (1) in said
cavity (200), an optical detection signal is provided, in function of time, before
or after an electrical detection signal.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indicium (10) comprises
an array of magnetic layers arranged in the length of said insertion direction (Z),
and wherein the indicium detection system (100) comprises at least one magnetic detector
configured to detect a magnetic field generated by said magnetic layers.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the indicium (10) comprises
at least a first array (10') and a second (10") array of detectable layers that are
both extending along or parallel to said insertion direction (Z), and wherein the
signals (S1, S2) produced by each of said at least a first array (10') and a second
array (10") of detectable layers are detected by at least one optical detector (110,
110') and are, preferably, superposed to provide a superposed signal (S3) that provides
a unique identification code identifying the aerosol-generating consumable article
(1).
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the indicium (10) comprises
at least one electrically detectable layer (10a) and at least one optically detectable
layer (10b), both layers being arranged along or parallel to said insertion direction
(Z), said indicium detection system (100) comprising at least one electrical detector
(130) and at least one optical detector (140).
10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the indicium (10) is realized
by layers arranged in the length of said insertion direction Z, and chosen among at
least one of:
- layers comprising different parts having different lengths;
- layers that overlap at least partially another layer;
- layers that have a 2D shape defined by one of: a polynome, a triangle, a pentagon,
an ellipse, an oblong shape, a conical shape;
- wedge-shaped layers;
- seam layers having a variable width in the length of said insertion direction Z;
- layers presenting a variable thickness along said insertion direction Z, the thickness
being defined orthogonally to the insertion direction Z;
- layers comprising at least one aperture.
11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the indicium (10) comprises
at least two straight lines or stripes that are arranged according to an angle relative
to said insertion direction Z.
12. An aerosol-generating device (2) comprising, arranged in an outer body, a power supply
section and a cavity (200) defining a cavity axis (204), said body having an opening
accessible at the outer body and being configured to receive a consumable article
(1) defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising at least one indicium (10)
containing coded information about the article (1) arranged on or inside said article
(1),the aerosol-generating device (2) comprising an indicium detection system (100),
wherein the indicium detection system (100) is configured in the device to read said
coded information optically and/or electrically upon a movement of said article (1)
in the cavity (200).
13. An aerosol-generating article (1) for aerosol generating device comprising a cavity
(200), the article (1) defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising at least
one indicium (10) containing coded information about the article (1), said indicium
(10) comprising a plurality of optically and electrically detectable layers that are
arranged in the insertion direction (Z), for being read by an indicium detection system
of the aerosol-generating device (2) upon insertion of said aerosol-generating article
(1) in the cavity (200) as the article moves in or through the cavity of the aerosol-generating
device (2).
14. An aerosol-generating article (1) for aerosol generating device comprising a cavity
(200), the article (1) defining an insertion direction (Z) and comprising at least
one indicium (10) containing coded information about the article (1), said indicium
(10) comprising at least two lines or stripes that are arranged according to an angle
relative to said insertion direction Z in the insertion direction (Z), for being read
by an indicium detection system of the aerosol-generating device (2) upon insertion
of said aerosol-generating article (1) in the cavity (200) as the article moves in
or through the cavity of the aerosol-generating device (2).
15. An aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating device (2) according
to claim 12 and said aerosol-generating article (1) according to claim 13 or 14, the
aerosol-generating article (1) being at least partially inserted in said aerosol-generating
device (2).