Patent Description:
Articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called "heat not burn" products, also known as tobacco heating products or tobacco heating apparatus, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material.

<CIT> describes determining information related to a drug reservoir, which may help to ensure that a delivery device can only be used with a drug reservoir for which it is intended. <CIT> describes a heating system and device that releases organic residues from essential oils, extracts and plant based material upon appropriate heating and releases or vaporizes the organics without combustion. <CIT> describes methods and devices for identifying the contents of a nebule to improve the delivery of the aerosolized liquid to the patient. <CIT> describes an electronic cigarette and a method for identifying whether there is a match between a battery component and an atomizer component therein.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for generating aerosol from an aerosolisable medium. The aerosol is generated by heating the aerosolisable medium. The apparatus comprises: a housing; a chamber for receiving an article, the article comprising: an aerosolisable medium, and a marker arrangement comprising a first marker and a second marker spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and a sensor arrangement comprising a first sensor for sensing the first marker and a second sensor for sensing the second marker. The first sensor and the second sensor are spaced from each other by approximately the same distance as the predetermined distance. The first sensor has a first sense region in which the first sensor is able to sense the first marker. The second sensor has a second sense region in which the second sensor is able to sense the second marker. The first and second sensors are spaced from each other such that a point in the first sense region and a point in the second sense region are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article for use with the apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention. The article comprises: an aerosolisable medium; and a marker arrangement comprising a first marker and a second marker comprising identification information, wherein the first marker and the second marker are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention; and an article according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating the aerosol generating apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. The method comprises: sensing, at a first sensor of a sensor arrangement, a first indicia of an article comprising aerosolisable medium; sensing, at a second sensor of the sensor arrangement spaced a predetermined distance from the first sensor, a second indicia of the article; and operating the aerosol generating apparatus based on the first indicia and the second indicia.

As used herein, the terms "aerosolisable medium" includes materials that provide volatilised components upon heating, typically in the form of an aerosol. "Aerosolisable medium" includes any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. "Aerosolisable medium" also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. "Aerosolisable medium" may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel or a wax or the like. "Aerosolisable medium" may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials.

The present disclosure relates to apparatus that heat an aerosolisable medium to volatilise at least one component of the aerosolisable medium, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosolisable medium. Such apparatus is sometimes described as a "heat-not-burn" apparatus or a "tobacco heating product" or "tobacco heating device" or similar. Similarly, there are also so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporise an aerosolisable medium in the form of a liquid, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosolisable medium may be in the form of or provided as part of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like which can be inserted into the apparatus. One or more aerosol generating elements for volatilising the aerosolisable medium may be provided as a "permanent" part of the apparatus or may be provided as part of the consumable which is discarded and replaced after use. In one example, the one or more aerosol generating elements may be in the form of one or more heaters.

<FIG> shows an example of an apparatus <NUM> for generating aerosol from an aerosolisable medium. The apparatus <NUM> may be an aerosol provision device. In broad outline, the apparatus <NUM> may be used to heat a replaceable article <NUM> comprising an aerosolisable medium, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> shows a top view of the example of the apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an opening <NUM> in one end, through which the article <NUM> may be inserted into a heating chamber (not shown). In use, the article <NUM> may be fully or partially inserted into the chamber. The heating chamber may be heated by one or more heating elements (not shown). The apparatus <NUM> may also comprise a lid, or cap <NUM>, to cover the opening <NUM> when no article <NUM> is in place. In <FIG>, the cap <NUM> is shown in an open configuration, however the cap <NUM> may move, for example by sliding, into a closed configuration. The apparatus <NUM> may include a user-operable control element <NUM>, such as a button or switch, which operates the apparatus <NUM> when pressed.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of an example of an apparatus <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The apparatus <NUM> has a receptacle, or heating chamber <NUM> which is configured to receive the article <NUM> to be heated. In one example, the heating chamber <NUM> is generally in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube into which an article <NUM> comprising aerosolisable medium is inserted for heating in use. However, different arrangements for the heating chamber <NUM> are possible. In the example of <FIG>, an article <NUM> comprising aerosolisable medium has been inserted into the heating chamber <NUM>. The article <NUM> in this example is an elongate cylindrical rod, although the article <NUM> may take any suitable shape. In this example, an end of the article <NUM> projects out of the apparatus <NUM> through the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that user may inhale the aerosol through the article <NUM> in use. The end of the article <NUM> projecting from the apparatus <NUM> may include a filter material. In other examples the article <NUM> is fully received within the heating chamber <NUM> such that it does not project out of the apparatus <NUM>. In such a case, the user may inhale the aerosol directly from the opening <NUM>, or via a mouthpiece which may be connected to the housing <NUM> around the opening <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises one or more aerosol generating elements. In one example, the aerosol generating elements are in the form of a heater arrangement <NUM> arranged to heat the article <NUM> located within the chamber <NUM>. In one example the heater arrangement <NUM> comprises resistive heating elements that heat up when an electric current is applied to them. In other examples, the heater arrangement <NUM> may comprise a susceptor material that is heated via induction heating. In the example of the heater arrangement <NUM> comprising a susceptor material, the apparatus <NUM> also comprises one or more induction elements which generate a varying magnetic field that penetrate the heater arrangement <NUM>. The heater arrangement may be located internally or externally of the heating chamber <NUM>. In one example, the heater arrangement may comprise a thin film heater that is wrapped around an external surface of the heating chamber <NUM>. For example, the heater arrangement <NUM> may be formed as a single heater or may be formed of a plurality of heaters aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber <NUM>. The heating chamber <NUM> may be annular or tubular, or at least part-annular or part-tubular around its circumference. In one particular example, the heating chamber <NUM> is defined by a stainless steel support tube. The heating chamber <NUM> is dimensioned so that substantially the whole of the aerosolisable medium in the article <NUM> is located within the heating chamber <NUM>, in use, so that substantially the whole of the aerosolisable medium may be heated. In other examples, the heater arrangement <NUM> may include a susceptor that is located on or in the article <NUM>, wherein the susceptor material is heatable via a varying magnetic field generated by the apparatus <NUM>. The heating chamber <NUM> may be arranged so that selected zones of the aerosolisable medium can be independently heated, for example in turn (over time) or together (simultaneously), as desired.

In some examples, the apparatus <NUM> includes an electronics compartment <NUM> that houses electrical control circuitry or controller <NUM> and/or a power source <NUM>, such as a battery. In other examples, a dedicated electronics compartment may not be provided and the controller <NUM> and power source <NUM> are located generally within the apparatus <NUM>. The electrical control circuitry or controller <NUM> may include a microprocessor arrangement, configured and arranged to control the heating of the aerosolisable medium as discussed further below. The apparatus <NUM> includes a sensor arrangement comprising a first sensor 122a, and a second sensor 122b configured to monitor for the presence of a first marker (such as a reference marker) of the article <NUM> and sense, read or otherwise interrogate a second marker comprising indicia or identification information of the article <NUM>, as discussed further below.

In some examples, the controller <NUM> is configured to receive one or more inputs/signals from the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b. The controller <NUM> may also receive a signal from the control element <NUM> and activate the heater arrangement <NUM> in response to the received signal and the received inputs. Electronic elements within the apparatus <NUM> may be electrically connected via one or more connecting elements <NUM>, shown depicted as dashed lines.

The power source <NUM> may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), an alkaline battery and/or the like. The battery is electrically coupled to the one or more heaters to supply electrical power when required and under control of the controller <NUM> to heat the aerosolisable medium without causing the aerosolisable medium to combust. Locating the power source <NUM> adjacent to the heater arrangement <NUM> means that a physically large power source <NUM> may be used without causing the apparatus <NUM> as a whole to be unduly lengthy. As will be understood, in general a physically large power source <NUM> has a higher capacity (that is, the total electrical energy that can be supplied, often measured in Amp-hours or the like) and thus the battery life for the apparatus <NUM> can be longer.

It is sometimes desirable for the apparatus <NUM> to be able to operate in a power saving mode when a user is not using the apparatus <NUM> as this will reduce power consumption and prolong battery life. It is also desirable for the apparatus to be able to identify or recognise the particular article <NUM> that has been introduced into the apparatus <NUM>, without further input from the user. For example, the apparatus <NUM>, including, in particular, the heating control provided by the controller <NUM>, will often be optimised for a particular arrangement of the article <NUM> (e.g. one or more of size, shape, particular smokable material, etc.). It would be undesirable for the apparatus <NUM> to be used with an aerosol medium or an article <NUM> having different characteristics.

In addition, if the apparatus <NUM> can identify or recognise the particular article <NUM>, or at least the general type of article <NUM>, that has been introduced into the apparatus <NUM>, this can help eliminate or at least reduce counterfeit or other non-genuine articles <NUM> being used with the apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to operate in a first mode in which the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b monitors non-continuously for the presence of a first marker of the article <NUM>, and a second mode, following the detection of said first marker, wherein the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to sense the second marker comprising identification information of the article <NUM>. The sensor arrangement 122a, 122b comprises a first sensor 122a and a second sensor 122b that are spaced apart from each other at approximately the same distance as the first marker and the second marker.

The sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may provide one or more inputs to the controller <NUM>, based on the sensed marker arrangement. The controller <NUM> may determine a parameter or characteristic of the article <NUM>, such as whether the article <NUM> is a genuine article, based on the received one or more inputs. In one example, this determination is based on the characteristics of the input(s). For example, the first marker may produce a first input having a characteristic (e.g., a magnitude) which is an expected characteristic corresponding to a genuine article <NUM> or to a type of the aerosolisable medium of the article <NUM>. In other examples, the determination may be made on the presence (or absence) of the input(s), e.g., if a first input is received but a second input is not, the article <NUM> may be determined as not genuine. The controller <NUM> may activate the heater arrangement <NUM> depending on the determined parameter of the article <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> is therefore provided with means of detecting whether the article <NUM> is a genuine product or not and may alter the operation of the apparatus <NUM> accordingly, for example, by preventing supply of power to the heater arrangement <NUM> if a non-genuine article is detected. Preventing use of the apparatus <NUM> when a non-genuine article is inserted into the apparatus <NUM> would reduce the likelihood of consumers having a poor experience due to the use of illicit consumables.

In some examples, the controller <NUM> is able to determine a parameter of the article <NUM> based on the received one or more inputs from the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b and tailor the heat profile provided by the heater arrangement <NUM> based on the determined parameter. The heater arrangement <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> may be configured to provide a first heating profile if the identification information of the article <NUM> has a first characteristic (e.g., by the controller <NUM> controlling the supply of power) and the heater arrangement <NUM> is configured to provide a second heating profile if the identification information of the article <NUM> has a second characteristic different from the first characteristic. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may be able to determine whether the consumable is a solid or a non-solid consumable and adjust the heating profile accordingly. In other examples, the apparatus <NUM> may be able to distinguish between different blends of tobacco in the article <NUM> and tailor the heating profile accordingly to provide an optimised heating profile for the specific blend of tobacco that has been inserted into the apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic longitudinal side view of an example of an article <NUM> comprising aerosolisable medium for use with the apparatus <NUM>. In some examples, the article <NUM> also comprises a filter arrangement (not shown) in addition to the aerosolisable medium.

The article <NUM> also comprises a marker arrangement <NUM> that is configured to be sensed by the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b of the apparatus <NUM>. The marker arrangement <NUM> includes a first marker 126a and a second marker 126b comprising identification information. The first marker 126a is configured to be sensed by the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b to indicate the presence of the article <NUM>. The first marker 126a may be made up of one or more marker elements, as described below.

The second marker 126b may be made up of one or more marker elements and represents encoded information indicative of a parameter or characteristic of the article <NUM>. As mentioned above, the parameter may indicate the maker of the article <NUM>, such that the article <NUM> can be confirmed as genuine. In other examples, the parameter may indicate the type of aerosolisable medium in the article <NUM>, such as whether the aerosolisable medium is in the form of a solid, liquid or gel. The parameter may also be indicative of a variant of the aerosolisable medium, such as whether the aerosolisable medium comprises Burley tobacco or Virginia tobacco. In other examples, the parameter may indicate a heating profile that should be used to heat the article <NUM>. The parameter may indicate other characteristics of the article <NUM>. Providing a second marker 126b allows the apparatus <NUM> to provide a tailored experience for the user based on the identification information of the article <NUM>.

The first marker 126a and the second marker comprising identification information 126b are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, S1. <FIG> indicates that the separation S1 is measured from the mid-point of the first marker 126a to the mid-point of the second marker 126b. However, in other examples the separation may be measured from the start of the first marker 126a to the start of the second marker 126b, the distance of any blank space between them, or any other suitable predefined dimension.

The marker arrangement <NUM> may comprise an optical characteristic, for example, in <FIG>, the first marker 126a is a marker element in the form of a single line on the outside of the article <NUM> and the second marker 126b comprises marker elements in the form of a plurality of lines on the outside of the article <NUM>. In <FIG>, the lines are shown as being uniform width, but in other examples, the width of the lines may be varied. In the example of <FIG>, the second marker 126b is indicative of an encoded parameter associated with the article <NUM>. The marker <NUM>, once read, may be compared to a look-up table (LUT) storing a correspondence between data associated with the marker <NUM> (e.g., a binary sequence indicated by the indicia) and a heating profile or other action associated with the apparatus. In addition, the data associated with the marker <NUM> may be encoded according to a secret key common to all aerosol provision apparatus from a certain manufacturer/geographic origin, and the apparatus is configured to decode the encoded data before searching for the decoded data in the LUT.

In the example of the article <NUM> being cylindrical, the one or more marker elements, such as lines, may extend part of the way around the perimeter or circumference of the article <NUM> or all of the way around the perimeter of the article <NUM>. In some examples the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b configured to sense the marker arrangement <NUM> may be arranged at a specific location within the apparatus <NUM>. For example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may be arranged adjacent to one side of the chamber <NUM> and may have a limited detection range. Providing marker elements that extend all of the way around the perimeter of the article <NUM> facilitates the sensing of the marker arrangement <NUM> by the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b, irrespective of the particular orientation of the article <NUM> within the apparatus <NUM>.

The marker arrangement <NUM> may be formed in a number of different ways, and be formed of a number of different materials, depending on the particular sensor arrangement 122a, 122b, of the apparatus <NUM> with which the article <NUM> is intended to be used. The marker arrangement <NUM> may comprise optical features such as lines, gaps or notches, surface roughness, and/or reflective material. The second marker 126b may comprise optical features such as a barcode or a QR code.

In other examples, the marker arrangement <NUM> comprises an electrically conductive feature and the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may be configured to detect a change in capacitance or resistance when the article <NUM>, including the marker arrangement <NUM>, is inserted into the apparatus <NUM>. Providing a non-optical sensor arrangement <NUM> may potentially be more robust compared with an optical sensor because it would not be affected by deposition on an optical sensor or degradation of optical sensor over the life of the apparatus <NUM>. Non-optical sensors may be in the form of RF sensors or a hall effect sensor along with a permanent magnet or an electromagnet and a hall effect sensor. The marker arrangement <NUM> may be formed from an appropriate material arranged to affect the non-optical signal received by the sensors 122a, 122b.

In other examples, the marker arrangement <NUM> may comprise a combination of optical features and electrically conducting features, for example, the first marker 126a may comprise electrically conductive features and the second marker 126b may comprise optical features.

The marker arrangement <NUM> may, for example, be provided externally of the smokable article <NUM>, internally of the article <NUM>, or both externally and internally of the article <NUM>. Where optical sensing is used on its own or in combination with some other sensing, such as capacitive sensing, the marker arrangement <NUM> is preferably provided on the outside of the article <NUM> so that the marker arrangement <NUM> is visible to the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b of the apparatus <NUM>.

The first marker 126a and the second marker 126b are spaced apart from each other as indicated by the pre-determined spacing, S <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Providing a space between the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b reduces the likelihood of interference between the two regions. The sensor arrangement 122a, 122b comprises a first sensor 122a configured to sense the first marker 126a and a second sensor 122b configured to sense the second marker 126b. <FIG> shows an example of the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b comprising a first sensor 126a and a second sensor 126b, in which the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b are spaced apart by a distance S2. The first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b are spaced from each other by approximately the same distance as the predetermined distance of the first marker 126a and the second marker, such that S1 is approximately equal to S2. The first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b may be spaced apart from each other by any suitable distance within the apparatus <NUM>. In one example, the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b are spaced from each other by less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, more preferably less than <NUM>, or more preferably less than <NUM>.

If the first marker 126a has been sensed by the first sensor 122a and the second marker 126b does not then line up with the second sensor 122b, then the second sensor 122b may not be able to read the identification information of the second marker 126b. As a result, matching the spacing between the first sensor 122a and the second sensor 122b and the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b provides an authenticity check of the article <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM> may be prevented from operating if the spacing does not match.

The first sensor 122a has a first sense region in which the first sensor 122a is able to sense the first marker 126a and the second sensor 122b has a second sense region in which the second sensor 122b is able to sense the second marker 126b. The first and second sensors 122a, 122b are spaced from each other such that a point in the first sense region and a point in the second sense region are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance. This arrangement provides some tolerance for the spacing of the first marker 126a and 126b. In one example, the first sense region defines a first distance along the longitudinal axis of the chamber <NUM> and the second sense region defines a second distance along the longitudinal axis of the chamber <NUM>. In this example, the first and second sensors 122a, 122b are spaced from each other such by an amount between the predetermined distance minus the first and second longitudinal distances and the predetermined distance plus the first and second longitudinal distances. Again, this arrangement allows for some tolerance of the spacing of the spacing of the first marker 126a and 126b. In one example, the sense regions are defined based on the operational tolerances of the sensors. For example, the sense regions may be defined based on the field of view of an optical sensor or the range of an RFID sensor, for example, <NUM>.

This tolerance allows for the positioning of markers 126a and 126b on the consumable itself to vary between articles. For example, it may be difficult during production to ensure that the markers 126a, 126b are always in the exact same position on the consumable but the relative spacing between the markers 126a, 126b can be produced with high accuracy. By providing the sensors with a tolerance, the spacing between markers 126a, 126b can still be used for determining authenticity and/or other information of the article with a simpler production process.

In general, the sensor arrangement can be configured to determine a relative position between the first marker and a second marker. For example, the relative position may be expressed as a distance apart or a vector. The relative positioning of the first marker and the second marker can be used impart information about the article. For example, the spacing between the two markers may be used in a look up table to determine information and/or parameters relating to the consumable, such as a type of aerosolisable medium, a heating profile to use and/or whether the article is genuine. For example, relative spacing between the first and second marker may vary in increments of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>.

In some examples the relative spacing between the markers is combined with further information read from the marker itself, such as barcode or <NUM>-D barcode. The combination of the spacing and information read from the markers may provide a check on authenticity, with only some combinations valid. For example, a particular marker may be associated with a single relative positioning of the first and second marker. If the spacing does not substantially equal the spacing associated with the marker then the article may be determined as counterfeit.

In some examples where the sensors are operative over regions, the first sensor may indicate a position of the first marker within its sensed region as a baseline or datum for use by the second sensor. In such examples, the second sensor may determine a position of the second marker within its sensing region relative to the baseline or datum provided by the first sensor, allowing the relative position of the markers to be determined.

The first marker 126a may be configured to be sensed by the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b to determine whether the article <NUM> is in the vicinity of the first sensor 122a. In one example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to operate in a first mode when monitoring for the presence of the first marker 122a. In the first mode, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is not configured to detect the second marker 126b and so the apparatus may operate at a relatively low power. When the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b detects the presence of the first marker 122a of the article, it switches to a second mode in which the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to sense the second marker 122b. Restricting the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b to operate in the first mode, which consumes less power compared with the second mode, is efficient as the apparatus <NUM> does not have to utilise relatively high power to sense the second marker comprising identification information 122b, until the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b has already detected the first marker 122a of the article <NUM> is present.

In one example, in a first mode, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to non-continuously monitor for the presence of the first marker 126a. In one example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b periodically monitors for the presence of the first marker 126a at regular intervals. However, in other examples, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b monitors for the presence of the first marker 126a at irregular intervals. In one example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to monitor for the presence of the first marker 126a with a duty ratio of less than or equal to <NUM>%. In one example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to monitor for the presence of the first marker 126a for <NUM> millisecond in every <NUM> milliseconds. Non-continuous monitoring for the presence of the first marker 126a is more energy efficient compared with continuously monitoring for the presence of the reference marker 126a as is does not require a constant source of power. It should be appreciated that the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may be configured to begin monitoring for the presence of the first marker 126a in response to a user input, e.g., such as switching on the apparatus <NUM> (e.g., via a user activated button on the outside of the apparatus <NUM>). In addition, once the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b have been sensed, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may be switched off for a predetermined time (i.e., no further sensing occurs for the predetermined time). These options may further reduce energy consumption.

The sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may provide a first input to the controller <NUM> to indicate that an article <NUM> comprising a first marker 126a has been detected. Upon receipt of the first input, the controller <NUM> may be configured to signal the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b to operate in a second mode to sense the second marker 126b. In an alternative example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may be configured to sense the first marker 126a and the second marker 126b simultaneously.

The second marker 126b includes marker elements that are configured to be sensed by the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b to enable a parameter associated with the article <NUM> to be determined by the controller <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the second marker comprising identification information 126b includes four marker elements in the form of lines. The marker elements are spaced form each other at varying distances. The arrangement of the marker elements is indicative of a parameter of the article <NUM>, as described in more detail below. For example, the arrangement of the marker elements may be indicative of the article <NUM> being a genuine article <NUM> intended for use with the apparatus <NUM>, or it could be indicative of the heating profile to be used with this article <NUM>. The sensor arrangement 122a, 122b is configured to provide a second input indicative of the parameter of the article <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

Where capacitive or resistive sensing is used, the marker arrangement <NUM> may be provided internally and/or externally of the article <NUM>. The marker arrangement <NUM> may be literally "marked on" the article <NUM>, such as by printing. Alternatively, the marker arrangement <NUM> may be provided in or on the article <NUM> by other techniques, such as being formed integrally with the article <NUM> during manufacture.

In certain examples, and depending on the nature of the sensing that is used to sense the marker arrangement <NUM>, the marker arrangement <NUM> may be formed of an electrically conductive material. The marker arrangement <NUM> may be, for example, a metallic component such as aluminium or a conductive ink or ferrous or non-ferrous coating. The ink may be printed onto tipping paper of the article <NUM>, using for example a rotogravure printing method, screen printing, ink jet printing, or any other suitable process.

In general, capacitive sensing as used herein operates by effectively sensing a change in capacitance when the article <NUM> is located within the apparatus <NUM>. In effect, in an embodiment, a measure of the capacitance is obtained. If the capacitance meets one or more criteria, it may be decided that the article <NUM> is suitable for use with the apparatus <NUM>, which can then proceed to operate as normal to heat the aerosolisable medium. Otherwise, if the capacitance does not meet the one or more criteria, it may be decided that the article <NUM> is not suitable for use with the apparatus <NUM>, and the apparatus <NUM> does not function to heat the aerosolisable medium and/or may issue some warning message to the user. In general, capacitive sensing may work by providing the apparatus <NUM> with (at least) one electrode which in effect provides one "plate" of a capacitor, with the other "plate" of the capacitor being provided by the electrically conducting marker arrangement <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> mentioned above. When the article <NUM> is inserted into the apparatus <NUM>, a measure of the capacitance formed by the combination of the electrode of the apparatus <NUM> and the article <NUM> can be obtained, and then compared to one or more criteria to determine whether the apparatus <NUM> can then proceed to heat the article <NUM>. As an alternative, the apparatus <NUM> may be provided with (at least) two electrodes, which in effect provide the pair of "plates" of a capacitor. When the article <NUM> is inserted into the apparatus <NUM>, it is inserted between the two electrodes. As a result, the capacitance formed between the two electrodes of the apparatus <NUM> changes. A measure of this capacitance formed by the two electrodes of the apparatus <NUM> can be obtained, and then compared to one or more criteria to determine whether the apparatus <NUM> can then proceed to heat the article <NUM>.

In some examples, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b comprises at least two different sensing techniques, for example, the first sensor and the second sensor are configured to sense different properties. In one example, one sensor, such as the first sensor 122a, may comprise an optical sensor and the other sensor, such as second sensor 122b, may comprise a non-optical sensor, such as a capacitive sensor.

<FIG> shows a side view of an alternative example of an article <NUM> for use with an apparatus for heating aerosolisable medium. In this example, the marker arrangement <NUM> is in the form of a plurality of notches or holes formed in the article <NUM>. As with the marker arrangement <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the marker arrangement <NUM> in the example of <FIG> comprises a first marker 226a and a second marker 226b. In this example, the first marker 226a comprises a single marker element and the second marker 226b comprises marker elements spaced at a varying distance from each other. The first marker 226a and the second marker 226b are spaced apart by a distance S1.

<FIG> shows an illustrative example of an optical sensor arrangement 222a, 222b. In this example, the sensor arrangement 222a, 222b comprises a first sensor 222a in the form of a first light source 232a, such as an LED, and first light receiver 234a, such as light sensor, and a second sensor 222b in the form of a second light source 232b and a second light receiver 234b. The light receivers 234a, 234b are configured to receive light from the light sources 232a, 232b. In use, as the article <NUM> is located next to the sensors arrangement 222a, 222b in between the light sources 232a, 232b and the receivers 234a, 234b, the article <NUM> blocks the light and prevents it from being received at the receivers 234a, 234b. In other examples, the article <NUM> reduces the amount of light being received at the receivers 234a, 234b, rather than blocking it. However, light is not blocked in the location of the marker elements in the form of a notches. Therefore, the quantity of light received at the receivers 234a, 234b will vary across the length of the article <NUM> depending on whether a notch is within the light path between the light sources 232a and the receivers <NUM> or not. In this example, the first sensor 222a of the sensor arrangement is spaced from the second sensor of the sensor arrangement 222b by a distance S2.

<FIG> shows an example of a signal generated by the sensor arrangement 222a, 222b. In this example, a first signal <NUM> is a representation of light received by the first light sensor 234a from the first light source 232a and the second signal <NUM> is a representation of light received by the second light sensor 234a from the second light source 232a. The position of the peaks of the first signal <NUM> is equivalent to the positioning of the first marker 226a on the article <NUM> and the position of the peaks of the second signal <NUM> is indicative of the arrangement of the second marker 226b. As shown in <FIG>, the distance between the centre point of the peaks of the first signal <NUM> and the peaks of the second signal <NUM> is S3, which is substantially equal to S1 and S2. If the distance S2 between the first sensor 222a and the second sensor 222b is not substantially equal to the distance S1 between the first marker 226a and the second marker 226b, then part or all of one of the signals <NUM>, <NUM> will be missing, which will be indicative of the article <NUM> not being genuine.

In one example, in a first mode, the sensor arrangement 222a, 222b is configured to non-continuously monitor for the presence of the first marker 226a so power is not supplied to the light source 232b and light receiver 234b during the first mode. The first signal <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be provided to the controller <NUM> as a first input, which determines whether the position and size of the first marker 226a indicates that the article <NUM> is genuine or not, for example, by using a look-up table. If the controller <NUM> determines that the first marker 226a is indicative of the article <NUM> being genuine, then the sensor arrangement 222a, 222b will switch to a second mode wherein power is supplied to the to the light source 232b and light receiver 234b to enable the second sensor 222b to sense the second marker 226b. The second signal <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be provided to the controller <NUM> as a second input. The controller <NUM> determines identification information of the article <NUM>, for example, by using a look-up table. The second input is indicative of a parameter of the article <NUM> and so enables the controller <NUM> to determine the parameter of the article <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the sensor arrangement 222a, 222b comprises two light sources 232a, 232b and two light receivers 234a, 234b. However, in other examples, the optical sensor may comprise an array of light sources and an array of light sensors. In the example of the marker arrangement <NUM> comprising a reflective material, the light source <NUM> and the light receiver <NUM> may be formed in a single element and light will be reflected back to the light source/receiver to indicate the position of the marker element.

In other examples, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b is configured to sense the marker arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> by measuring the reflection or surface roughness from the surface of the article <NUM>, <NUM>. In other examples, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b may be configured to sense and read the marker comprising identification information 126b in the form of a barcode or QR code. In other examples, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b, 222a, 222b may be configured to sense visible or invisible fluorescent material.

The controller <NUM> may comprise pre-programmed information, such as a look-up table, that includes details of the various possible arrangements of the second marker 126b, 226b and what parameter is associated with each arrangement. Therefore, the controller <NUM> is able to determine the parameter associated with the article <NUM>, <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be arranged so that it will only heat an article <NUM>, <NUM> that it recognises, and will not operate in conjunction with an article <NUM>, <NUM> that it does not recognise. The apparatus <NUM> may be arranged so that it provides some indication to the user that the article <NUM>, <NUM> has not been recognised. This indication may be visual (for example a warning light, which may for example flash or be illuminated continuously for a period of time) and/or audible (for example a warning "beep" or the like). Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus <NUM> may be arranged so that, for example, it follows a first heating pattern when it recognises a first type of article <NUM>, <NUM> and follows a second, different heating pattern when it recognises a second type of article <NUM>, <NUM> (and optionally may provide yet further heating patterns for other types of article <NUM>, <NUM>). The heating patterns may differ in a number of ways, for example the rate of delivery of heat to the aerosolisable medium, the timing of various heating cycles, which part(s) of the aerosolisable medium are heated first, etc., etc. This enables the same apparatus <NUM> to be used with different basic types of article <NUM>, <NUM> with minimal interaction required of the user.

<FIG> shows a schematic longitudinal side view of another example of an article <NUM> comprising aerosolisable medium for use with the apparatus <NUM>. As with the article <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the article <NUM> comprises a marker arrangement 326a, 326b in the form of optical lines. In this example, the lines extend substantially along the longitudinal axis of the article <NUM>, rather than substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, as is shown in the example of the article <NUM> in <FIG>.

As with the articles <NUM>, <NUM> shown in the examples of <FIG> and <FIG>, the marker arrangement <NUM> is split into a first marker 326a (such as a reference marker) and a second marker 326b. The first marker 326a and the second marker 326b are spaced by a distance S1.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the second marker 326b includes four marker elements in the form of lines with a varied spacing therebetween. In one example, the spacing of the marker elements may be such as to create a defined start of the marker element and a defined end of the marker elements. As the article <NUM> could be inserted into the apparatus <NUM> in any orientation, the article <NUM> would need to make a full or partial rotation for all of the marker elements to be read by the one or more sensors 322a, 322b to determine the spacing of the marker elements.

In some examples, the article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have a location feature that enables the consumable to be inserted into the apparatus <NUM> with a defined orientation. For example, the article may comprise a protrusion or a cut-out feature that corresponds to a shape in the opening <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>. Thus, in some implementations, the article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may only be inserted into the apparatus <NUM> in a single orientation. In the example of the article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> being subsequently rotated, the starting position would be known and as such there would be no requirement for the article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to be rotated by at least <NUM> degrees. In other examples, the article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may have a predefined finger holds or orientation to align or feed into a device (ensuring the consumable is inserted in a predefined manner.

In some examples the one or more sensors 122a, 122b may be arranged at a specific location within the apparatus <NUM>. For example, the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b may be arranged within the chamber <NUM> and may have a limited detection range. Similarly, the marker arrangement <NUM> may be arranged at a specific location on, or within the article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and may occupy a certain area or volume of the article <NUM>. To ensure that the marker arrangement <NUM> is detected when a user inserts the article <NUM> into the receptacle, it is desirable for the apparatus <NUM> to be able to restrict the orientation of the article <NUM> to a single orientation when engaged with the chamber <NUM>. This may ensure that the marker arrangement <NUM> is correctly aligned with the sensor arrangement 122a, 122b, so that it can be detected.

<FIG> shows an example of a flow diagram of an operation an aerosol generating apparatus <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> senses, at a first sensor 122a of a sensor arrangement, a first indicia 126a of an article <NUM> comprising aerosolisable medium. At step <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> senses, at a second sensor 122b of the sensor arrangement, a second indicia of the article <NUM>. At step <NUM> the apparatus <NUM> operates the aerosol generating apparatus based on the first indicia and the second indicia.

In some examples, the controller <NUM> controls the operation of the one or more heaters <NUM> based on the parameter of said article, for example, if the controller determines that a counterfeit article has been inserted into the apparatus <NUM>, then the heaters are not activated. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may determine the type of aerosolisable medium within the article, such as solid, liquid or gel and tailor the heating profile accordingly.

In some examples, multiple first and second sensors may be provided spaced at different predetermined distances. For example, a first first sensor and a first second sensor may be spaced at one predetermined distance, and a second first sensor and second second sensor may be spaced at a different predetermined distance. These different predetermined distances may correspond to different articles <NUM> which may have markers spaced at different predetermined distances. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may be configured to sense different articles <NUM> based upon which of the sensor groups detects input(s). This enables the controller <NUM> to distinguish between articles <NUM> based solely or additionally on which sensors detect an input. It should also be appreciated that sensors of one 'group' may be used to define further groups of sensors - that is the first first sensor and the second second sensor may define their own group, and an input detected by these sensors signifies a different article to an input sensed by the first group or the second group.

The article <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise one or more flavourants. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may comprise natural or nature-identical aroma chemicals. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, powder, or gel.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for generating aerosol from an aerosolisable medium, the aerosol being generated by heating the aerosolisable medium, the apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a chamber (<NUM>) for receiving an article (<NUM>), the article (<NUM>) comprising: the aerosolisable medium; and a marker arrangement (126a, 126b) comprising a first marker (126a) and a second marker (126b) spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and
a sensor arrangement (122a, 122b) comprising a first sensor (122a) for sensing the first marker (126a) and a second sensor (122b) for sensing the second marker (126b), wherein:
the first sensor (122a) and the second sensor (122b) are spaced from each other by approximately the same distance as the predetermined distance;
the first sensor (122a) has a first sense region in which the first sensor (122a) is able to sense the first marker (126a);
the second sensor (122b) has a second sense region in which the second sensor (122b) is able to sense the second marker (126b); and
the first and second sensors (122a, 122b) are spaced from each other such that a point in the first sense region and a point in the second sense region are spaced apart from each other by the predetermined distance.