RU2834361C1 - Method, apparatus and system for waking up device before activating device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to processes of awakening a device in association with activation and control of an aerosol delivery device, such as an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) device. Aerosol delivery device is controlled by communication with the device based on activation after the device is awakened from a power saving mode or state. Aerosol delivery device includes a rechargeable power supply configured to provide power for aerosol formation, device electronics configured to generate an aerosol in response to the application of power from the power supply, and a blocking unit configured to perform either one or both of the power supply overcharging prevention, and preventing the power supply from the power supply to the device electronics in the locked state, and enabling the power supply recharging and the power supply from the power supply to the device electronics in the unlocked state. Blocking node is configured to detect an awakening event while the blocking node is in a blocked state, to awaken the blocking node in response to the awakening event, to perform an authentication process and, in response to completion of the authentication process, transfer the blocking node between the locked state and the unlocked state.

EFFECT: enabling initiation of an authentication process which does not lead to depletion of power to the ENDS device while waiting for authentication.

20 cl, 25 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present disclosure relates to waking up a device in association with activation and control of an aerosol delivery device, such as an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device. The aerosol delivery device is controlled by communicating with the device based on activation after the device is woken up from a power save mode or state.

State of the art

Numerous devices have been proposed over the years as improvements or alternatives to smoking articles that require the combustion of tobacco for use. Some exemplary alternatives include devices in which a solid or liquid fuel is burned to transfer heat to the tobacco or in which a chemical reaction is used to provide such a heat source. Additional exemplary alternatives use electrical energy to heat tobacco and/or other aerosol-generating substrate materials, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Generally, a device that uses electrical energy to heat tobacco or other substances may be referred to as an aerosol delivery device, and an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device is one example of such a device.

Many of these devices have been purportedly designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, but without delivering significant quantities of the products of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis that result from burning tobacco. To this end, numerous alternative smoking products, aroma generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material or attempt to produce the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe without burning tobacco to any significant degree. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat sources set forth in the prior art described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0096782 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/222,615 to Watson et al., filed July 28, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various implementations of products and heating configurations described in the Background of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,388,594 to Counts et al. and 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

The smoking articles described above may be subject to certain restrictions, including age restrictions. In some countries, the use of articles, including ENDS device cartridges, is restricted based on the age of the user. Any number of authentication methods may be used to satisfy the need for authentication of the device by a user with verified age. However, many of these authentication methods may rely on initiating communication, which may result in the ENDS device being depleted of power while waiting for authentication. As such, it may be desirable to introduce methods to allow the authentication process to be initiated after the device has been awakened.

The essence of the invention

The present disclosure relates to control of an aerosol delivery device that includes an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device. ENDS or aerosol delivery devices may operate when unlocked in response to authentication after waking up from a low power or sleep state by detecting a wake-up event. Authentication may first include age verification before authentication enables operation of the device. Authentication may include transmitting a control signal to the device. Transmitting the control signal may include an audio signal, such as an authentication tone, that is detected by a microphone or a pressure sensor on the device. Transmitting the control signal may include a visual, optical or light signal that is detected by a light sensor or a photodiode on the device. The audio or visual signal may be sent by a host device (e.g., a smartphone) based on a phone call to technical support or be from a point of sale location.

In one embodiment, an aerosol delivery device is provided. The aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power for generating an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate an aerosol in response to an application of power from the power source, and a blocking node configured to perform either one or both of preventing an overcharging of the power source and preventing an application of power from the power source to the device electronics in a blocked state, and to provide an opportunity to recharge the power source and to apply power from the power source to the device electronics in an unlocked state. The blocking node may be configured to detect a wake-up event while the blocking node is in a blocked state, to wake the blocking node in response to the wake-up event, to perform an authentication process, and, in response to the completion of the authentication process, to transfer the blocking node between the blocked state and the unlocked state.

In another embodiment, a method for unlocking an aerosol delivery device from a low-power or sleep mode may be provided. The method may include detecting a wake-up event while the aerosol delivery device is in a locked state in which the charging function or the aerosol generation function is not permitted, waking up a locking node of the aerosol delivery device from a low-power or sleep mode in response to detecting the wake-up event, performing an authentication process by the locking node and, in response to completing the authentication process, transitioning the locking node to an unlocked state in which the charging function and the aerosol generation function are permitted.

In another embodiment, a system for activating a locked and packaged component may be provided. The system may include an aerosol delivery device and a packaging unit including a package associated with the sale of the aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power for generating an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate an aerosol in response to the application of power from the power source, and a locking unit configured to perform either one or both of preventing the power source from being recharged and preventing the application of power from the power source to the device electronics in a locked state, and to provide the ability to recharge the power source and apply power from the power source to the device electronics in an unlocked state. The locking unit may be configured to perform awakening, authentication, and unlocking of the aerosol delivery device. The locking unit may also be configured to interact with, or be integrated into, the packaging, so that removal of the packaging initiates awakening of the aerosol delivery device.

It should be understood that this summary is provided merely for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary implementations in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that the exemplary implementations described above are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other exemplary implementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of some of the described exemplary implementations.

Brief description of the drawings

Having thus described the aspects of the disclosure in the above general conditions, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge and a control element that are connected to each other, according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway view of the aerosol delivery device of Fig. 1, in which the cartridge and control element are separated from each other in accordance with an embodiment example;

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device comprising a control element and an aerosol source element that are respectively connected to each other and separated from each other, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 and 6 show, respectively, a front view and a sectional view of the aerosol delivery device shown in Fig. 3 and 4, according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate, respectively, a side view and a partially sectioned view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge coupled to a control element, according to exemplary implementations;

Fig. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary implementations of the present disclosure;

Fig. 10 illustrates a circuit diagram of a signal conversion circuit according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure;

Fig.11 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary system for functional control of the device;

Fig.12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a signal detector circuit;

Fig. 13 illustrates exemplary embodiments of a control signal;

Fig. 14 illustrates exemplary embodiments of an audio detector;

Fig.15 illustrates exemplary embodiments of an optical detector;

Fig. 16 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary system for functionally controlling a device using an audio signal;

Fig. 17 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary system for functionally controlling a device using an optical signal;

Fig. 18 is a flow chart illustrating one example of processing a control signal according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 19 is a flow chart illustrating one example of audio signal processing according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 20 is a flow chart illustrating one example of authentication with a host device according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig.21 illustrates an exemplary authentication key;

Fig. 22 illustrates a high-level flow chart of the sequence of operations for waking up and unlocking an aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 23 illustrates a block diagram of various components of an aerosol delivery device adapted to wake up before unlocking in order to maintain power before authentication in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 24 illustrates a block diagram of various components involved in activating an aerosol delivery device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

Fig. 25 illustrates a flow chart showing operations associated with waking up, authenticating, and locking/unlocking an aerosol delivery device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Implementation of the invention

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure satisfies applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, singular terms also include reference to plural terms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, although reference may be made herein to quantities, values, geometric relationships, and the like, unless otherwise indicated, any one or more, if not all, of these may be absolute or approximate to account for reasonable variations that may occur, for example, due to engineering tolerances, and the like.

As described further herein, the present disclosure relates to a requirement for authentication of an age-restricted device, such as an aerosol delivery device or an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device. Authentication may include or require prior age verification, such that the age-restricted device is non-functional for a user who is not age-verified. Authentication may include the age-restricted device receiving a control signal to authenticate the device. The control signal may include audio signals and/or visual/optical signals to authenticate the device.

An aerosol delivery device or ENDS is an example of such a device that may be associated with a limitation, such as an age limitation. Other examples include delivery devices for delivering cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD), botanicals, medicinal and/or other active ingredients. Thus, it will be understood that while an aerosol delivery device or ENDS is used as an exemplary application of various embodiments throughout the description, this example is intended to be non-limiting such that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be used with devices other than aerosol delivery devices or ENDS, including aerosol delivery devices that may be used to deliver other medicinal and/or active ingredients to a user or may include smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products.

Authentication of the device via a control signal may be in addition to, or may be required as a prerequisite for, the user to perform age verification. A user who has not been age verified cannot authenticate the device. Authentication may need to be performed periodically to use an age-restricted product. There may be an age verification system to confirm the age of the user and/or authenticate the correct user and/or device.

Functional management and authentication may be applicable to any age-restricted device or substance, including nicotine, cigarettes, alcohol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), CBD oil, cannabis/marijuana, botanicals, drugs, and/or other age-restricted products. Authentication may be applicable to age-restricted devices other than an aerosol delivery device. Likewise, while age is one example of a device restriction, there may be other types of device restrictions that are verified through device authentication.

Aerosol delivery devices are one example of a device that can be limited, and authentication can be performed using a control signal to the device. Aerosol delivery devices are further described with respect to Figs. 1-10. In other examples, the device can be a heating device without combustion, in which an aerosol source element is used as a consumable material, rather than a cartridge. Aerosol delivery devices can be configured to produce an aerosol (an inhalable substance) from an aerosol precursor composition (sometimes referred to as a carrier for the inhalable substance). The aerosol precursor composition can include one or more of a solid tobacco material, a semi-solid tobacco material, or a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, aerosol delivery devices can be configured to heat and form an aerosol from a liquid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition). Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise one or more of the substances mentioned above, including but not limited to botanicals, medicinal substances, alcohol, glycerin, and may include nicotine and/or other active ingredients, including but not limited to botanicals (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, hemp, ginseng, maca, and herbal teas), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), and/or pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, and C, and cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)). Such aerosol delivery devices may include so-called electronic cigarettes. In other implementations, the aerosol delivery devices may comprise non-heating, non-combustion devices. In other implementations, the aerosol delivery devices may comprise non-heating, non-combustion devices.

An aerosol precursor liquid composition, also referred to as a vapor precursor composition or "e-liquid," is particularly useful for electronic cigarettes and heat-free, combustion-free devices. The aerosol precursor liquid composition may contain a variety of components, including, for example, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and/or flavorings. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition comprises glycerin and nicotine. In other examples, the composition may additionally or alternatively include alcohol, botanical ingredients (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, fig, hemp, ginseng, maca, and herbal teas), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, and C, and cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)), or other active ingredients, or some combination thereof.

Some liquid aerosol precursor compositions that can be used in combination with various embodiments can include one or more acids, such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, combinations thereof, and the like. Incorporation of acid(s) into liquid aerosol precursor compositions, including nicotine, can provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine in salt form. Typical types of liquid aerosol precursor components and compositions are set forth and characterized in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al.; U.S. Patent No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al., 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and 2015/0020830 to Koller; as well as PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2014/182736 to Bowen et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that can be used include aerosol precursors that have been incorporated into any of a number of the exemplary products noted above. Also desirable are the so-called "smoke juices" for electronic cigarettes that are available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC. Other examples of aerosol precursor formulations are sold under the brand names BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MIT, DR CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. Embodiments of effervescent materials can be used with an aerosol precursor and are described by way of example in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the use of effervescent materials is described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,178,878 to Wehling et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,223,264 to Wehling et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,381,667 to Bergquist et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,424,541 to Crawford et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 9,307,787 to Sun et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0018539 to Brinkley et al. and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 97/06786 to Johnson et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Typical types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components for supporting an aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0059780 to Davis et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216232 to Bless et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various wicking materials, as well as the configuration and operation of these wicking materials in certain types of electronic cigarettes, are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

In other embodiments, aerosol delivery devices may comprise non-heating and non-combustion devices configured to heat a solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., an extruded tobacco rod) or a semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a tobacco paste containing glycerin). The aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco-containing granules, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material, or combinations thereof, and/or a mixture of finely divided tobacco, tobacco extract, spray-dried tobacco extract, or other tobacco form mixed with optional inorganic materials (such as calcium carbonate), optional flavorants, and aerosol-forming materials to form a substantially solid or moldable (e.g., extrudable) substrate. Exemplary types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,424,538 to Thomas et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,464,726 to Sebastian et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0083150 to Conner et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0157052 to Ademe et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0000188 to Nordskog et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other representative types of solid and semi-solid compositions and aerosol precursor compositions include those contained in the NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source elements for the GLO™ product from British American Tobacco and in the HEETS™ consumable aerosol source elements for the IQOS™ product from Philip Morris International, Inc.

In various embodiments, the inhalable substance may in particular be a tobacco component or a material derived from tobacco (i.e., a material that is naturally present in tobacco, which may be isolated directly from tobacco or obtained synthetically). For example, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise tobacco extracts or fractions thereof combined with an inert substrate. The aerosol precursor composition may further comprise unburned tobacco or a composition comprising unburned tobacco that releases the inhalable substance when heated to a temperature below its combustion temperature. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise tobacco condensates or fractions thereof (i.e., condensed components of smoke formed during combustion of tobacco, leaving flavorings and, possibly, nicotine).

In other implementations, smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products may be examples of age-restricted merchandise rather than aerosol delivery devices or ENDS. Typical smokeless tobacco products that may be sold may include those called CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips, and CAMEL Sticks by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; GRIZZLY moist tobacco, KODIAK moist tobacco, LEVI GARRETT loose tobacco, and TAYLOR'S PRIDE loose tobacco by American Snuff Company, LLC; KAYAK moist snuff and CHATTANOOGA CHEW chewing tobacco by Swisher International, Inc.; REDMAN chewing tobacco by Pinkerton Tobacco Co LP; COPENHAGEN moist tobacco, COPENHAGEN pouches, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL pouches, RED SEAL longcut and REVEL Mint tobacco packs by the US Smokeless Tobacco Company; and MARLBORO Snus and Taboka by Philip Morris USA. Typical types of snuff products commonly referred to as "snus" may be manufactured in Europe, particularly in Sweden, by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S and Rocker Production AB. Snus products previously or currently available in the US have been sold under trade names such as CAMEL Snus Frost, CAMEL Snus Original and CAMEL Snus Spice, CAMEL Snus Mint, CAMEL Snus Mellow, CAMEL Snus Winterchill and CAMEL Snus Robust by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Smokeless tobacco products were packaged in cans, "pucks," or "pots." Other examples of products include nicotine lozenges, such as REVEL nicotine lozenges (a product of RJ Reynolds Vapor Company), and tobacco-free nicotine packaged products, such as ZYN by Swedish Match and LYFT.

The tobacco materials used in the present description may vary and may include, for example, flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fired tobacco and Rustica tobaccos, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos or blends thereof. The tobacco materials may also include so-called "blended" forms and processed forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut twisted or cut-air stems), expanded tobacco (e.g., air-blown tobacco such as dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET), preferably in the form of cut filler), reconstituted tobaccos (e.g., reconstituted tobaccos produced using paper or cast sheet making processes). Various representative tobacco types, processed tobacco types, and tobacco blend types are set forth in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,836,224 to Lawson et al., 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al., 5,056,537 to Brown et al., 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., 5,220,930 to Gentry, 5,360,023 to Blakley et al., 6,701,936 to Shafer et al., 7,011,096 to Li et al., 7,017,585 to Li et al., and 7,025,066 to Lawson et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0255965 to Perfetti et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. WO 02/37990 to Bereman; and Bombick et al., Fund Appl Toxicol., 39, pp. 11-17 (1997), which are incorporated herein by reference. Additional examples of tobacco compositions that may be useful in a smoking device, including according to the present disclosure, are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise an inert substrate containing the inhalant or a precursor thereof integrated therein or otherwise supported thereon. For example, a liquid containing the inhalant may be supported on, absorbed onto, or adsorbed in the inert substrate such that upon application of heat, the inhalant is released in a form that can be ejected from the article of the present invention by applying positive or negative pressure. In some aspects, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a blend of rich and flavorful tobaccos in the form of cut filler. In another aspect, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a reconstituted tobacco material such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al.; U.S. Patent No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For further information regarding a suitable aerosol precursor composition, see U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/916,834 to Sur et al., filed March 9, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition, aerosol delivery devices may include an aerosol generating component configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. For example, in the case of an electronic cigarette or a combustion-free heating device, the aerosol generating component may be or include a heating element. In the case of a combustion-free and heat-free device, in some examples, the aerosol generating component may be or include a vibrating piezoelectric or piezomagnetic mesh. In other words, there may be no heating element for generating an aerosol. The aerosol delivery device in some embodiments may include a combination of elements for providing an aerosol generating component, which may include both a heating element and an additional element, such as a vibrating aerosol generating component (e.g., a vibrating piezoceramic and/or other piezoelectric or piezomagnetic material), which interact to produce an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition.

One example of a suitable heating element is an induction heater. Such heaters often comprise an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. The induction transmitter may include a coil configured to create an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that periodically changes over time) when an alternating current is passed through it. The induction receiver may be at least partially located or received within the induction transmitter and may include a conductive material (e.g., a ferromagnetic material or an aluminum-coated material). By passing an alternating current through the induction transmitter, eddy currents may be generated in the induction receiver due to induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the induction receiver may heat it due to Joule heating (i.e., due to the Joule effect). An inductive receptacle, which may be an atomizer, may be heated wirelessly to generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition located near the inductive receptacle. Various embodiments of an aerosol delivery device with an inductive heater are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0127722 to Davis et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0202266 to Sur et al.; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/352,153 to Sur et al., filed November 15, 2016; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/799,365 to Sebastian et al., filed October 31, 2017; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/836,086 to Sur, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In other embodiments, including those described more specifically herein, the heating element is a conductive heater, such as in the case of a resistive electric heater. These heaters may be configured to produce heat when an electric current is passed through them. In various embodiments, the conductive heater may be in various forms, such as foils, foams, disks, coils, fibers, wires, films, yarns, strips, tapes, or cylinders. Such heaters often comprise a metallic material and are configured to produce heat as a result of electrical resistance associated with the passage of electric current through it. Such resistive heaters may be positioned near the aerosol precursor composition and heat it to form the aerosol. A variety of conductive substrates that may be used with the present disclosure are described in the above-cited U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith et al.

In some implementations, aerosol delivery devices may include a control element and a cartridge in the case of so-called electronic cigarettes or heat-not-burn devices, or a control element and an aerosol source element in the case of heat-not-burn devices. A cartridge may be one example of a consumable for the device, and reference to a cartridge may include other consumables. Other examples of an aerosol source element may include a "stick" that may contain tobacco, tobacco extract, an aerosol former, nicotine, and/or another active ingredient that can be used in a heat-not-burn device. For example, NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source elements for the GLO™ product from British American Tobacco and HEETS™ consumable aerosol source elements for the IQOS™ product from Philip Morris International, Inc. In the case of electronic cigarettes or combustion-free heating devices, the control element may be reusable, while the cartridge/aerosol source element may be designed for a limited number of uses and/or designed for single use. Various mechanisms may connect the cartridge/aerosol source element to the control element to provide threaded engagement, press fit engagement, interference fit, sliding fit, magnetic engagement, etc.

The control element and the cartridge/aerosol source element may include separate respective housings or external elements that may be formed from any of a number of different materials. The housing may be made of any suitable structurally strong material. In some examples, the housing may be made of a metal or alloy such as stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), a metal coating over plastic, ceramics, and the like.

The cartridge (i.e., the aerosol source element) may include an aerosol precursor composition. To form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol forming component (e.g., a heating element, a piezoelectric/piezomagnetic grid) may be located in contact with the aerosol precursor composition or near it, such as across the housing and cartridge or within a control element in which the aerosol source element may be located. The control element may include a power source that may be rechargeable or replaceable, and thus the control element may be reused with multiple cartridges/aerosol source elements.

The control element may also include means for activating the aerosol delivery device, such as a button, a touch surface, etc. for manually controlling the device. Additionally or alternatively, the control element may include a flow sensor for detecting when the user draws on the cartridge/element of the aerosol source to thereby activate the aerosol delivery device. In some embodiments, the control element may include a heating element, rather than being in the consumable or cartridge in other embodiments.

In various embodiments, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may have a variety of general shapes, including, but not limited to, a general shape that may be defined as substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical. In the embodiments shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the aerosol delivery device has a substantially circular cross-section; however, other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, rectangle, triangle, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Such language, which describes the physical shape of the article, may also be applied to its individual components, including the control element and the cartridge/aerosol source element. In other embodiments, the control element may take another shape of the portable device, such as the shape of a small box.

In more specific implementations, one or both of the control element and the cartridge/aerosol source element may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control element may have a power source such as a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery, SSB, thin-film SSB, capacitor, photovoltaic, rechargeable supercapacitor, lithium-ion or hybrid lithium-ion supercapacitor, and the like. One example of a power source is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery TKI-1550 manufactured by Tadiran Batteries GmbH of Germany. In another embodiment, a useful power source may be a nickel-cadmium cell N50-AAA CADNICA manufactured by Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd, Japan. In other implementations, a plurality of such batteries, for example, each 1.2 V, may be connected in series. In some implementations, the power source is configured to provide an output voltage. The power source may drive an aerosol generating component that is capable of producing an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition. The power source may be coupled to any type of charging technology, such as a charging accessory, as further discussed below.

Examples of power sources are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0112191 to Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of a suitable power source are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0283855 to Hawes et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0014125 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0243410 to Nichols et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0313901 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to the flow sensor, typical current control components and other current control components including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches for aerosol delivery devices are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Patents 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875, all to Brooks et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622 to Pan; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 8,881,737 to Collet et al.; U.S. Patent No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al.; U.S. Patent No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257445 to Henry et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Additional examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosing materials or components that may be used in this article include U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 to White; U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 to Voges; U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Patent Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby et al.; U.S. Patent Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 to Monsees et al.; U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0196518 and 2009/0188490 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0307518 to Wang; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010/091593 to Hon; and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2013/089551 to Foo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0099877 to Worm et al. describes capsules that can be included in aerosol delivery devices and keychain configurations for aerosol delivery devices and is incorporated herein by reference. Various materials disclosed in the above-mentioned documents can be included in the present devices in various implementations, and all of the foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

Still other features, controls, or components that may be included in the aerosol delivery devices of the present invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,365,742 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0016550 to Katase; U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al.; U.S. Patent No. 9,427,022 to Leven et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0180553 to Kim et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In another aspect, the present disclosure may be directed to kits that provide a plurality of components as described herein. For example, a kit may comprise a control element with one or more cartridges or aerosol source elements. The kit may further include a charging accessory, described below, together with one or more batteries, and a control element with one or more cartridges. The kit may further comprise a plurality of cartridges and one or more batteries and/or a charging accessory. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the cartridges or control elements may be provided with a heating element that includes them. The kits of the invention may further include a case (or other packaging, carrying or storage component) that houses one or more additional components of the kit. Alternatively, the charging accessory may be included in one of the kits. The case may be a reusable hard or soft container. In addition, the case may simply be a box or other packaging structure.

1 and 2 illustrate embodiments of an aerosol delivery device that includes a control element and a cartridge, in the case of an electronic cigarette. In this regard, Fig. 1 and 2 show an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As indicated, the aerosol delivery device may include a control element 102 (i.e., a battery pack) and a cartridge 104. As described below, authentication may be required in addition to age verification for operation of the device, for example, when the cartridge 104 is installed. The control element and the cartridge may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device in a connected configuration, while Fig. 2 shows a side view with a partial cutaway of the aerosol delivery device in a disconnected configuration. The aerosol delivery device may be, for example, substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical in some embodiments when the control element and cartridge are in an assembled configuration.

The control element 102 and the cartridge 104 may be configured to engage with each other by means of a plurality of connections, such as a press fit (or interference fit) connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, and the like. As such, the control element may include a first engaging element (e.g., a connector) that is adapted to engage a second engaging element (e.g., a connector) on the cartridge. The first engaging element and the second engaging element may be double-sided. As an example, either the first engaging element or the second engaging element may be an external thread, and the other may be an internal thread. As a further example, either the first engaging element or the second engaging element may be a magnet, and the other may be a metal or matching magnet. In specific implementations, the engaging elements may be defined directly by existing components of the control element and the cartridge. For example, the control element housing may define a cavity at its end, which is configured to receive at least a fragment of a cartridge (for example, a storage reservoir or another shell-forming element of the cartridge). In particular, the storage reservoir of the cartridge may at least partially enter the cavity of the control element, while the mouthpiece of the cartridge remains open outside the cavity of the control element. The cartridge may be retained inside the cavity formed by the control element housing, for example, by means of an interference fit (for example, by means of locks and/or other elements creating an interference engagement between the outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the wall forming the cavity of the control element), by means of magnetic engagement (for example, by means of magnets and/or magnetic metals located inside the cavity of the control element and placed on the cartridge), or by means of other suitable technologies.

As can be seen in the section shown in Fig. 2, each control element 102 and cartridge 104 include a number of corresponding components. The components shown in Fig. 2 are components that may be present in the control element and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components covered by the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the control element 102 may be referred to as a battery pack. As shown, for example, the control element 102 may consist of a housing 206 (sometimes referred to as a control element shell), which may include a control component 208 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a flow sensor 210, a power source 212 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor) and an indicator 214 (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot LED), and such components may be arranged in various ways. The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit connected to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent access (lock) to the device depending on the authentication or age verification status. In one example, the device may start in a locked state in which its use is prohibited, but will be usable once the device is authenticated after receiving the correct control signal on the device. In other words, the device may be locked by default, and authentication (along with age verification) unlocks the device.

The cartridge 104 may be formed from a housing 216 (sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell) enclosing a reservoir 218 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and including a heating element 220 (an aerosol formation component). In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a vessel; and, accordingly, the terms "cartridge," "vessel," and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing enclosing a reservoir for an aerosol precursor composition and including a heating element.

As shown, in some examples, the reservoir 218 may be in fluid communication with a liquid transfer element 222 adapted to absorb or otherwise transfer an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir body to a heating element 220. In some examples, a valve may be located between the reservoir and the heating element and configured to regulate the amount of aerosol precursor composition passing or delivered from the reservoir to the heating element.

Various examples of materials capable of generating heat when an electric current is passed through them can be used to form the heating element 220. The heating element in these examples can be a resistive heating element such as a wire coil, a micro heater, and the like. Examples of materials from which the heating element can be made include kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, nickel, stainless steel, indium tin oxide, tungsten, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), molybdenum disilicide doped with aluminum (Mo(Si,Al)2), titanium, platinum, silver, palladium, silver-palladium alloys, graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and filaments), conductive ink, boron-doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., ceramics with a positive or negative temperature coefficient). The heating element may be a resistive heating element or a heating element configured to generate heat by induction. The heating element may be coated with a thermally conductive ceramic such as aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon nitride, or composites thereof. Examples of implementations of heating elements used in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described below and may be included in devices such as those described herein.

The housing 216 may have an opening 224 (for example, at the end of the mouthpiece) to allow the generated aerosol to exit the cartridge 104.

The cartridge 104 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory), a sensor, etc. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and/or with an external device by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be located anywhere on the cartridge or its base 228.

Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are shown separately, it is understood that various electronic components, including the control component and the flow sensor, can be combined on a printed circuit board (e.g., PCB), which supports and electrically connects the electronic components. In addition, the printed circuit board can be positioned horizontally with respect to the illustration in Fig. 1, so that the printed circuit board can be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the control element. In some examples, the air flow sensor can include its own printed circuit board or other base element to which it can be attached. In some examples, a flexible printed circuit board can be used. The flexible printed circuit board can have a variety of shapes, including substantially tubular shapes. In some examples, the flexible printed circuit board can be combined with the heater substrate, superimposed on it, or form part or all of the heater substrate.

The control element 102 and the cartridge 104 may include components adapted to facilitate interaction by means of a fluid medium between them. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the control element may include a connector 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The base 228 of the cartridge may be adapted to engage with the connector and may include a projection 234 adapted to be received inside the cavity. Such engagement may facilitate a stable connection between the control element and the cartridge, and also establish an electrical connection between the power source 212 and the control component 208 in the control element and the heating element 220 in the cartridge. In addition, the housing 206 may include an air inlet 236, which may be a cutout in the housing where it connects to the connector, which allows ambient air to pass around the connector and into the housing, where it then passes through the cavity 232 of the connector and into the cartridge through the projection 234.

A connector and base useful in accordance with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the connector 230 shown in Fig. 2 may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of the base 228. In one example, the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the radius of the outer periphery of the connector. In addition, the connector may form one or more projections 242 on the outer periphery configured to engage with one or more recesses 244 formed on the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes and components may be used to connect the base to the connector. In some examples, the connection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the connector of the control element 102 may be substantially permanent, while in other examples, the connection therebetween may be detachable, such that, for example, the control element can be reused with one or more additional cartridges, which may be disposable and/or reusable.

The reservoir 218 shown in Fig. 2 may be a container or a fibrous reservoir as described herein. For example, the reservoir may comprise one or more layers of nonwoven fibers substantially formed in the form of a tube enclosing the interior of the housing 216, in this example. The aerosol precursor composition may remain in the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, may be sorptionally retained by the reservoir. The reservoir may be fluidly connected to a liquid transfer element 222. The liquid transfer element may transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir by capillary action - or via a micropump - to the heating element 220, which in this example is a coil of metal wire. Thus, the heating element is in a heating system with the liquid transfer element.

In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be integrated into a reservoir 218, and the amount and/or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a micropump, such as a pump based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Other exemplary implementations of reservoirs and transfer elements used in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are further described herein, and such reservoirs and/or transfer elements may be included in devices such as those described herein. In particular, certain combinations of heating elements and transfer elements, as further described herein, may be included in devices such as those described herein.

In use, when the user draws on the aerosol delivery device 100, the air flow is detected by the flow sensor 210, and the heating element 220 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing on the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device causes the surrounding air to enter the air inlet 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the connector 230 and the central opening in the projection 234 of the base 228. In the cartridge 104, the drawn air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is distilled, sucked or otherwise removed from the heating element and exits from the opening 224 in the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device.

For further details regarding the implementation of an aerosol delivery device including a control element and a cartridge in the case of an electronic cigarette, see the above-cited U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/836,086 to Sur; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/916,834 to Sur et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/916,696 to Sur, filed March 9, 2018, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

3-6 illustrate embodiments of an aerosol delivery device that includes a control element and an aerosol source element in the case of a combustion-free heating device. More specifically, Fig. 3 illustrates an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device may include a control element 302 and an aerosol source element 304. In various embodiments, the aerosol source element and the control element may be permanently or detachably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, Fig. 3 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a connected configuration, while Fig. 4 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a disconnected configuration.

As shown in Fig. 4, in various implementations of the present disclosure, the aerosol source element 304 may comprise a heated end 406 that is configured to be inserted into the control element 302, and a mouth end 408 on which the user draws to create an aerosol. In various implementations, at least a portion of the heated end may include an aerosol precursor composition 410.

In various implementations, the aerosol source element 304 or a portion thereof may be wrapped with an outer wrap material 412, which may be formed from any material suitable for providing additional structure and/or support for the aerosol source element. In various implementations, the outer wrap material may comprise a material that resists heat transfer, which may include paper or another fibrous material, such as a cellulosic material. The outer wrap material may also include at least one filler embedded or dispersed in the fibrous material. In various implementations, the filler may be in the form of water-insoluble particles. In addition, the filler may include inorganic components. In various implementations, the outer wrap may be formed from multiple layers, such as an underlying bulk layer and a top layer, such as conventional cigarette wrapping paper. Such materials may include, for example, lightweight "rag fibers" such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and/or esparto. The outer wrapper may also include a material commonly used in the filter element of a conventional cigarette, such as cellulose acetate.

Additionally, the excess length of the outer wrap on the mouthpiece 408 of the aerosol source element may simply separate the aerosol precursor composition 410 from the consumer's mouth or provide space for placement of a filter material, as described below, or to affect the draw on the article or the flow characteristics of the vapor or aerosol leaving the device during draw. Further discussion regarding the configurations of outer wrap materials that may be used with the present disclosure can be found in the above-cited U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.

In various embodiments, there may be other components between the aerosol precursor composition 410 and the mouthpiece 408 of the aerosol source element 304, wherein the mouthpiece may include a filter 414, which may, for example, be made of cellulose acetate or a polypropylene material. The filter may additionally or alternatively comprise strands of tobacco material as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the filter may increase the structural integrity of the mouthpiece of the aerosol source element and/or provide filtration capacity if desired and/or provide resistance to draw. In some embodiments, one or any combination of the following may be located between the aerosol precursor composition and the mouthpiece: an air gap; phase change materials for cooling air; a flavor-releasing medium; ion-exchange fibers capable of selective chemical adsorption; aerogel particles as a filter medium; and other suitable materials.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more conductive heating elements are used to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source element 304. In various embodiments, the heating element can be made in various shapes, such as a foil, foam, mesh, hollow sphere, hemisphere, disks, spirals, fibers, wire, films, yarn, strips, tapes or cylinders. Such heating elements often comprise a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance associated with the passage of electric current through them. Such resistive heating elements can be located in direct contact with or in close proximity to the aerosol source element and, in particular, the aerosol precursor composition of the aerosol source element. The heating element can be located in the control element and/or in the aerosol source element. In various embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include components (i.e., thermally conductive constituents) that are embedded in or otherwise part of a portion of the substrate that may serve or facilitate the function of the heating unit. Some examples of various heating elements and components are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al.

Some non-limiting examples of various configurations of the heating element include configurations in which the heating element is located near the aerosol source element 304. For example, in some examples, at least a portion of the heating element can surround at least a portion of the aerosol source element. In other examples, one or more heating elements can be located near the outer side of the aerosol source element when it is inserted into the control element 302. In other examples, at least a portion of the heating element can penetrate at least a portion of the aerosol source element (such as, for example, one or more projections and/or needles that penetrate the aerosol source element) when the aerosol source element is inserted into the control element. In some cases, the aerosol precursor composition can include a structure in contact with, or a plurality of beads or particles immersed in, or otherwise part of, the aerosol precursor composition, which can serve or facilitate the function of the heating element.

Fig. 5 illustrates a front view of an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol delivery device of Fig. 5. In particular, the control element 302 of the illustrated embodiment may comprise a housing 516 that includes an opening 518 formed at its engaging end, a flow sensor 520 (e.g., a puff sensor or a pressure switch), a control component 522 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a power source 524 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an end cap that includes an indicator 526 (e.g., an LED). The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit connected to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent operation of the switch if age verification fails, as discussed further below. By default, the device may be in a state where the switch is not connected, and the switch is connected after authentication (which may be based on verification).

In one implementation, indicator 526 may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes, quantum dot-based light-emitting diodes, etc. The indicator may be associated with control component 522 and light up, for example, when the user pulls aerosol source element 304 when it is attached to control element 302, as detected by flow sensor 520.

The control element 302 of the illustrated embodiment includes one or more heating assemblies 528 (individually or collectively referred to as a heating assembly) configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source element 304. Although the heating assembly in various embodiments of the present disclosure may take various forms, in the particular embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the heating assembly comprises an outer cylinder 530 and a heating element 532 (an aerosol generation component) which in this embodiment comprises a plurality of heater pins which extend from a receiving base 534 (in various configurations, the heating assembly or, more particularly, the heater pins may be referred to as a heater). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder comprises a double-walled vacuum tube constructed of stainless steel for maintaining the heat generated by the heater pins within the outer cylinder and, more particularly, maintaining the heat generated by the heater pins in the aerosol precursor composition. In various implementations, the heater contacts may be made of one or more conductive materials, including, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated, the heating unit 528 can extend near the engaging end of the housing 516 and can be configured to substantially surround a portion of the heated end 406 of the aerosol source element 304, which includes the aerosol precursor composition 410. Thus, the heating unit can have a generally tubular configuration. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the heating element 532 (e.g., a plurality of heater pins) is surrounded by an outer cylinder 530 to create a receiving chamber 536. Thus, in various implementations, the outer cylinder can comprise a non-conductive insulating material and/or a structure including, among other things, an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, one or more portions or components of the heating assembly 528 may be combined, packaged, and/or integrally formed with the aerosol precursor composition 410 (e.g., enclosed in it). For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be formed from a material as described above and may include one or more conductive materials mixed therewith. In some of these embodiments, the contacts may be connected directly to the aerosol precursor composition, such that when the aerosol source element is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control element, the contacts establish an electrical connection with the electrical energy source. Alternatively, the contacts may be integrally formed with the electrical energy source and may extend into the receiving chamber, such that when the aerosol source element is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control element, the contacts electrically connect with the aerosol precursor composition. Due to the presence of a conductive material in the aerosol precursor composition, the application of energy from an electrical energy source to the aerosol precursor composition allows an electrical current to flow and thus produce heat from the conductive material. Thus, in some embodiments, the heating element may be described as an integral part of the aerosol precursor composition. As a non-limiting example, graphite or another suitable conductive material may be mixed with, embedded, or otherwise present directly on or within the material forming the aerosol precursor composition to make the heating element integral with the medium.

As noted above, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder 530 can also serve to facilitate the correct positioning of the aerosol source element 304 when the aerosol source element is inserted into the housing 516. In various embodiments, the outer cylinder of the heating unit 528 can come into contact with the inner surface of the housing to ensure the alignment of the heating unit relative to the housing. Thus, as a result of the fixed connection between the heating unit, the longitudinal axis of the heating unit can extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. In particular, the support cylinder can extend from the opening 518 of the housing to the receiving base 534 to create a receiving chamber 536.

The heated end 406 of the aerosol source element 304 has a size and shape for insertion into the control element 302. In various implementations, the receiving chamber 536 of the control element can be characterized as defined by a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface defines an inner volume of the receiving chamber. For example, in the illustrated implementations, the outer cylinder 530 defines an inner surface defining an inner volume of the receiving chamber. In the illustrated implementation, the inner diameter of the outer cylinder can be slightly larger than or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the corresponding aerosol source element (e.g., to create a sliding fit), so that the outer cylinder is configured to guide the aerosol source element into a correct position (e.g., a lateral position) with respect to the control element. Thus, the largest outer diameter (or other dimension depending on the specific cross-sectional shape of the implementations) of the aerosol source element can be smaller than the inner diameter (or other dimension) on the inner surface of the wall of the open end of the receiving chamber in the control element. In some implementations, the difference in the respective diameters may be small enough that the aerosol source element fits snugly into the receiving chamber, and friction forces prevent the aerosol source element from moving without the application of force. On the other hand, the difference may be sufficient to allow the aerosol source element to slide into or out of the receiving chamber without requiring excessive force.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control element 302 is configured such that when the aerosol source element 304 is inserted into the control element, the heating element 532 (e.g., the heater pins) are located approximately in the radial center of at least a portion of the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the heated end 406 of the aerosol source element. Thus, when used in combination with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition, the heater rods can be in direct contact with the aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, for example, when used in combination with an extruded aerosol precursor composition that defines a tubular structure, the heater rods can be located inside a cavity defined by an inner surface of the extruded tubular structure and will not contact the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure.

During use, the consumer initiates heating of the heating unit 528 and, in particular, the heating element 532, which is located near the aerosol precursor composition 410 (or a specific layer thereof). Heating of the aerosol precursor composition releases an inhalable substance within the aerosol source element 304 to obtain an inhalable substance. When the consumer inhales through the mouthpiece 408 of the aerosol source element, air is drawn into the aerosol source element through the air inlet 538, such as holes or slots in the control element 302. The combination of the drawn air and the released inhalable substance is inhaled by the consumer when the drawn materials exit the mouthpiece of the aerosol source element. In some implementations, to initiate heating, the consumer can manually operate a button or similar component that causes the heating element of the heating unit to receive electrical energy from a battery or other energy source. Electricity can be supplied for a predetermined period of time or can be controlled manually.

In some implementations, the flow of electrical energy does not substantially occur between puffs on the device 300 (although the flow of energy may continue to maintain a base temperature higher than the ambient temperature - for example, a temperature that promotes rapid heating to an active heating temperature). However, in the depicted implementation, heating is initiated by the action of a puff by the consumer through the use of one or more sensors, such as the flow sensor 520. Once the puff is discontinued, the heating ceases or decreases. When the consumer has taken a sufficient number of puffs to release a sufficient amount of the inhalable substance (for example, an amount sufficient to correspond to a typical smoking), the aerosol source element 304 can be removed from the control element 302 and discarded. In some implementations, additional sensing elements can be used, such as capacitive sensing elements and other sensors, as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/707,461 to Phillips et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

In various implementations, the aerosol source element 304 may be formed from any material suitable for forming and maintaining a suitable conformation, such as a tubular shape, and for holding the aerosol precursor composition 410 therein. In some implementations, the aerosol source element may be formed from a single wall or, in other implementations, from a plurality of walls and may be formed from a material (natural or synthetic) that is heat-resistant so as to maintain its structural integrity - for example, not to deteriorate - at least at a temperature that is a heating temperature provided by an electric heating element, as further discussed herein. Although in some implementations a heat-resistant polymer may be used, in other implementations the aerosol source element may be formed from paper, such as paper that is substantially in the shape of a straw. As further discussed herein, the aerosol source element may have one or more layers associated therewith that act to substantially prevent vapor movement therethrough. In one embodiment, a layer of aluminum foil may be laminated onto one surface of the aerosol source element. Ceramic materials may also be used. In further embodiments, an insulating material may be used to avoid unnecessarily removing heat from the aerosol precursor composition. Additional examples of the types of components and materials that may be used to provide the functions described above, or used as an alternative to the materials and components described above, may include those of the types disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010/00186757 to Crooks et al., 2010/00186757 to Crooks et al., and 2011/0041861 to Sebastian et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In the illustrated implementation, the control element 302 includes a control component 522 that controls various functions of the aerosol delivery device 300, including supplying power to the electrical heating element 532. For example, the control component may include a processing circuit (which may be connected to additional components, as further described herein), which is connected by electrically conductive wires (not shown) to the power source 524. In various implementations, the processing circuit may control when and how the heating assembly 528, and in particular the contact pins of the heater, receive electrical energy to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 to release the inhalable substance for inhalation by the user. In some implementations, such control may be activated by the flow sensor 520, as described in more detail above.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the heating assembly 528 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an outer cylinder 530 and a heating element 532 (e.g., a plurality of heater pins) that extend from a receiving base 534. In some embodiments, such as those in which the aerosol precursor composition 410 comprises a tubular structure, the heater pins may be configured to extend into a cavity defined by an inner surface of the aerosol precursor composition. In other implementations, such as the illustrated implementation, in which the aerosol precursor composition comprises a solid or semi-solid substance, the plurality of heater rods are configured to penetrate the aerosol precursor composition contained in the heated end 406 of the aerosol source element 304, when the aerosol source element is inserted into the control element 302. In such implementations, one or more components of the heating assembly, including the heater rods and/or the receiving base, can be made of a non-stick or stick-resistant material, such as any aluminum, copper, stainless steel, carbon steel and ceramic materials. In other implementations, one or more components of the heating assembly, including the heater projections and/or the receiving base, may include a non-stick coating, including, for example, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating, such as Teflon®, or other coatings, such as a stick-resistant enamel coating, or a ceramic coating, such as Greblon® or Thermolon™, or a ceramic coating, such as Greblon® or Thermolon™.

In addition, although in the illustrated embodiment there are several heater rods 532 that are substantially uniformly distributed around the receiving base 534, it should be noted that in other embodiments any number of heater rods may be used, including only one, with any other suitable spatial configuration. In addition, in various embodiments, the length of the heater rods may vary. For example, in some embodiments, the heater rods may have small protrusions, while in other embodiments, the heater rods may protrude at any portion of the length of the receiving chamber 536, including up to about 25%, up to about 50%, up to about 75% and up to about the full length of the receiving chamber. In still other embodiments, the heating assembly 528 may adopt other configurations. Examples of other heater configurations that may be adapted for use in the present invention in accordance with the above discussion can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., 5,093,894 to Deevi et al., 5,224,498 to Deevi et al., 5,228,460 to Sprinkel Jr., et al., 5,322,075 to Deevi et al., 5,353,813 to Deevi et al., 5,468,936 to Deevi et al., 5,498,850 to Das, 5,659,656 to Das, 5,498,855 to Deevi et al., 5,530,225 to Hajaligol, 5,665,262 to Hajaligol et al., 5,565,262 to Hajaligol et al. and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

In various implementations, the control element 302 may include an air inlet 538 (for example, one or more holes or slots) to provide access of ambient air into the receiving chamber 536. Thus, in some implementations, the receiving base 534 may also include an air inlet. Thus, in some implementations, when the consumer draws on the mouthpiece of the aerosol source element 304, air may be drawn through the air inlet of the control element and the receiving base into the receiving chamber, pass into the aerosol source element and be drawn through the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source element for inhalation by the consumer. In some implementations, the drawn air carries the inhalable substance through an additional filter 414 and exits from the opening at the end 408 of the mouthpiece of the aerosol source element. When the heating element 532 is located within the aerosol precursor composition, the heater rods may be activated to heat the aerosol precursor composition and cause the release of the inhalable substance through the aerosol source element.

As described above with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, in particular, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, a conductive heater is used to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410. As also indicated above, in various other embodiments, an induction heater is used to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some of these embodiments, the heating assembly 528 can be implemented as an induction heater that comprises a transformer with an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. In embodiments in which the heating assembly is implemented as an induction heater, the outer cylinder 530 can be implemented as an induction transmitter, and the heating element 532 (for example, a plurality of heater rods), which extends from the receiving base 534, can be implemented as an induction receiver. In various embodiments, one or both of the induction transmitter and the induction receiver can be located in the control element 302 and/or in the aerosol source element 304.

In various implementations, the outer cylinder 530 and the heating element 532 as an induction transmitter and an induction receiver can be made of one or more conductive materials, and in additional implementations, the induction receiver can be made of a ferromagnetic material, including, but not limited to, cobalt, iron, nickel and combinations thereof. In one example of implementation, the foil material is made of a conductive material, and the heater rods are made of a ferromagnetic material. In various implementations, the receiving base can be made of a non-conductive and/or insulating material.

The outer cylinder 530 as an inductive transmitter may include a layering using a foil material that surrounds the support cylinder. In some implementations, the foil material may include an electrical path printed thereon, such as, for example, one or more electrical paths that in some implementations may form a spiral pattern of a coil when the foil material is arranged around the heating element 532 as an inductive receiver. Each of the foil material and the support cylinder may have a tubular configuration. The support cylinder may be configured to support the foil material in such a way that the foil material does not come into contact and, thus, does not short-circuit with the rods of the heater. Thus, the support cylinder may comprise a non-conductive material that may be substantially transparent to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the foil material. In various implementations, the foil material may be immersed in the support cylinder or otherwise attached to it. In the illustrated embodiment, the foil engages with the outer surface of the support cylinder; however, in other implementations, the foil material may be located on the inner surface of the support cylinder or completely embedded within the support cylinder.

The foil material of the outer cylinder 530 can be configured to create an oscillating magnetic field (for example, a magnetic field that periodically changes over time) when an alternating current passes through it. The heater rods of the heating element 532 can be at least partially located or received inside the outer cylinder and include a conductive material. By passing an alternating current through the foil material, eddy currents can be generated in the heater contact contacts due to induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the heater rods can heat it due to Joule heating (i.e., due to the Joule effect). The heater rods can be heated wirelessly to form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition 410 located near the heater rods.

Other embodiments of the aerosol delivery device, control element, and aerosol source element are described in the above-cited U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/916,834 to Sur et al.; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/916,696 to Sur; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/836,086 to Sur.

7 and 8 illustrate embodiments of an aerosol delivery device that includes a control element and a cartridge, in the case of a non-heating and non-combustion device. In this regard, Fig. 7 shows a side view of an aerosol delivery device 700 that includes a control element 702 and a cartridge 704, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, Fig. 7 shows a control element and a cartridge connected to each other. The control element and the cartridge can be detachably aligned in an operative respect.

8 shows more specifically an aerosol delivery device 700 according to some example implementations. As can be seen in the cross-sectional view illustrated herein, again the aerosol delivery device may comprise a control element 702 and a cartridge 704, each of which includes a number of corresponding components. The components shown in Fig. 8 represent components that may be present in the control element and the cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components covered by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control element may be formed from a control element housing or shell 806, which may include a control component 808 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), an input device 810, a power source 812, and an indicator 814 (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot LED), and such components may be arranged in various ways. Here, a specific example of a suitable control component includes the PIC16(L)F1713/6 microcontrollers from Microchip Technology Inc, which are described in Microchip Technology, Inc, AN2265, Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Reference Design (2016), which is incorporated by reference.

The cartridge 704 may be formed from a housing, sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell 816, which includes a reservoir 818 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and includes a nozzle 820 having a piezoelectric/piezomagnetic mesh (aerosol formation component). Similar to the above, in various configurations this structure may be referred to as a vessel.

The reservoir 818 shown in Fig. 8 may be a container or a fibrous reservoir as described herein. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the nozzle 820 to transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir body to the nozzle. The cartridge shell 816 may have an opening 822 (e.g., at the end) for the exit of the formed aerosol from the cartridge 704.

In some examples, the transfer element may be located between the reservoir 818 and the nozzle 820 and configured to control the amount of the aerosol precursor composition passing or being delivered from the reservoir to the nozzle. In some examples, the microfluidic chip may be integrated into the cartridge 704, and the amount and/or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by one or more microfluidic components. One example of a microfluidic component is a micropump 824, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. Examples of suitable micropumps include the micropump model MDP2205 and others from thinXXS Microtechnology AG, the micropumps model mp5 and mp6 and others from Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH, and piezoelectric micropumps from Takasago Fluidic Systems.

As also shown, in some examples, a microfilter 826 can be located between the micropump 824 and the nozzle 820 to filter the aerosol precursor composition supplied to the nozzle. Like the micropump, the microfilter is a microfluidic component. Examples of suitable microfilters include flow-through microfilters manufactured using lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology.

In use, when the input device 810 detects a user input to activate the aerosol delivery device, the piezoelectric/piezomagnetic mesh is activated to vibrate and thereby draw the aerosol precursor composition through the mesh. This forms droplets of the aerosol precursor composition, which combine with air to form an aerosol. The aerosol is whipped, sucked or otherwise diverted from the mesh and exits from the opening 822 in the mouthpiece of the aerosol delivery device.

The aerosol delivery device 700 may include an input device 810, such as a switch, sensor or detector, for controlling the supply of electricity to the piezoelectric/piezomagnetic grid of the nozzle 820 when aerosol formation is desired (for example, when drawing during use). In this way, for example, a nature or method for turning off the power supply to the grid is provided when the aerosol delivery device is not activated during use, and for turning on the power for actuating or starting the formation and distribution of the aerosol from the nozzle during drawing. Additional representative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, their structure and configuration, their components, and general methods of operation are described above and in U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010/003480 to Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

For more information regarding the above and other embodiments of the aerosol delivery device in the case of a heat-free, combustion-free device, see U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/651,548 to Sur, filed July 17, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

As described above, the aerosol delivery device in example implementations may include various electronic components in the context of an electronic cigarette, a combustion-free heating device, or a heat-free and combustion-free device, or even in the case of a device that includes the functionality of one or more of an electronic cigarette, a combustion-free heating device, or a heat-free and combustion-free device. Fig. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery device 900, which may be or include the functionality of any one or more of the aerosol delivery devices 100, 300, 700 according to various example implementations of the present disclosure.

As shown in Fig. 9, the aerosol delivery device 900 includes a control element 902 with a power source 904 and a control component 906 that can correspond to or include the functionality of the corresponding components of the control element 102, 302, 702, the power source 212, 524, 812 and the control component 208, 522, 808. The aerosol delivery device also includes an aerosol generation component 916 that can correspond to or include the functionality of the heating element 220, 532 or the piezoelectric/piezomagnetic grid of the nozzle 820. The control element 902 can include the aerosol generation component 916 or terminals 918 configured to connect the aerosol generation component to the control element.

In some implementations, the control element 902 includes a sensor 908 configured to measure the air flow. The sensor 908 may correspond to or include the functions of the flow sensor 210, 520 or the input device 810. In these implementations, the control component 906 includes a switch 910 connected to the power source 904 and the aerosol generation component 916 and between them. The control component also includes a processing circuit 912 associated with the sensor and the switch. The switch may be a switch based on a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). The sensor may be connected to an inter-integrated circuit (I2C), Vcc and/or ground of the processing circuit.

The sensor 908 may further include an audio detector 1402 or an optical detector 1502, as shown and described with respect to Figs. 11-15. The sensor 908 may detect a control signal that is used for authentication. After authentication, the switch 910 may be triggered to enable operation of the device. In some implementations, the processing circuit 912 is configured to process the control signal and determine whether it corresponds to a correct signal stored in the memory chip. In other embodiments, the processing circuit 912 may be configured to authenticate and/or verify the age of the user and output a signal (as indicated by arrow 922) to instruct the switch 910 to toggle between connecting and disconnecting the output voltage from the power source 904 to the aerosol generation component 916 to power the aerosol generation component during a period of aerosol generation or based on usage (e.g., insertion of a cartridge, charging of the device, etc.). In some implementations, the processing circuit 912 is configured to output a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The duty cycle of the PWM signal can be adjusted so that the switch toggleably connects and disconnects the output voltage to the aerosol generation component. The processing circuit 912 can include a signal detector circuit 1202 described with respect to Fig. 12.

In some implementations, the control component 906 further includes a signal conditioning circuit 914 coupled to the sensor 908 and the processing circuit 912. The signal conditioning circuit of such implementations may be configured to control the operation of the switch 910. The signal conditioning circuit will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 10.

Although not shown, the processing circuit 912 and/or the signal conditioning circuit 914 may be connected to the charging accessory or receive a control signal that is used for authentication or verification. The control signal may be received by the sensor 908. If the control signal is received and is correct, then the processing circuit 912 may turn on the switch 910 to allow the aerosol delivery device to operate. Alternatively or in addition, if the verification signal is not received or is incorrect, then the processing circuit 912 may turn off the switch 910 to prevent the aerosol delivery device 900 from operating. The switch 910 may be controlled by the processing circuit 912, including based on the detection of the control signal by the sensor 908. The control signal in the sensor 908 may be analyzed by the processing circuit 912. The age verification and authentication process may be used to determine when a connection is established. If the user is not verified or authenticated, the switch may be disabled to prevent voltage from being supplied to the aerosol generation component. Alternatively, if the switch is in the disabled state, then if the user is not verified or authenticated, the switch will remain in the disabled state. Similarly, when the user is verified or authenticated, the switch may establish a connection so that current can flow to use the device. In other words, when the user is verified or authenticated, the output voltage is allowed to be supplied to the aerosol generation component.

Fig. 10 illustrates a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit 1000 that may correspond to a signal conditioning circuit 914, according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, in some implementations, the signal conditioning circuit 1000 includes a signal conditioning chip 1001 and a bidirectional voltage level converter 1002. One example of a suitable signal conditioning chip is the ZAP 3456 model from Zap-Tech Corporation. And one example of a suitable bidirectional voltage level converter is the NVT 2003 bidirectional voltage level converter from NXP Semiconductors.

In one example, as shown in Fig. 10, the signal conditioning chip 1001 can be connected to a bidirectional voltage level converter 1002, and the bidirectional voltage level converter can be connected to the 5 V input and the ground of the processing circuit 912. It should be noted that the values (e.g., voltage, resistance, and capacitance) shown in Fig. 10 are intended to illustrate the example only, and unless otherwise indicated, the values should not be considered as limiting in the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary system for functional control of a device. Fig. 11 illustrates how a device 1106 communicates with an age verification system 1102 via a network 1103 and a host device 1104 in order to verify the age of a user, which can also be used to authenticate the device 1106 periodically. The age verification system 1102 communicates with the host device 1104 via the network 1103. Although not shown, the age verification system 1102 can be connected to the device 1106 via the network 1103.

Device 1106 may be an aerosol delivery device, including, for example, an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device according to the various embodiments described above. In one embodiment, device 1106 may include a charging accessory, such as the accessory described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,460, entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE" (Document Number 16004-54), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/282,222, filed April 2, 2019, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other exemplary charging devices or charging accessories that may be used in conjunction with the various embodiments are further described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0089180 to Rajesh Sur; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0224268 to Henry et al.; U.S. Patent No. 10,206,431 to Sur et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As described, the age verification system 1102 may not only verify age (e.g., for an age-restricted product), but may also provide authentication or identification of a user (e.g., for an actual purchase or to prevent theft). Authentication and age verification by the age verification system 1102 is further described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,460, entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," which claims benefit over U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/282,222, filed April 2, 2019, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The authentication described below may rely on age verification being performed first and then referenced for subsequent authentication using control signal 1105 sent to device 1106. However, there may be other verification mechanisms besides age. For example, in some embodiments, user identification may be performed instead of age verification. Cartridges or consumables may be registered as part of the age verification or authentication process, as described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,444, entitled "AGE VERIFICATION WITH REGISTERED CARTRIDGES FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," filed May 17, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 issued to Fernando et al. discloses identification systems for smoking devices, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The age verification system 1102 may include a database that tracks users along with their ages, as well as stores a record of devices and components (e.g., cartridges) along with permission. It may be encrypted and/or use anonymous identifiers (e.g., numbers, letters, or any alphanumeric identifiers) for each user.

The initial age verification may occur and be stored in a database, such as maintained in the age verification system 1102 and/or otherwise accessible over the network 1103. In some embodiments, the age verification records may be maintained using blockchain technology. Future requests for age verification from this user may be verified by calling the database. In particular, once the user's age is initially verified as confirmed in the age verification system database, future verifications (i.e., "authentications") may simply be calls to this database to unlock the device 1106. In other words, the user first performs an age verification, and then subsequent use may require authentication without meeting the full initial age verification requirements. The frequency with which the device 1106 must be unlocked or authenticated may vary. Likewise, the time when the user needs to re-verify his or her age may vary. For example, each time a cartridge is replaced, the user may need to re-verify or re-authenticate. In some embodiments, re-authentication may be required after a certain number of puffs from device 1106 or may be based on time (e.g., once per hour, day, week, month, etc.). An online database may track authentication requests and set limits for each user. This may prevent potential fraud when one user unlocks devices of other minors. This will also prevent the re-distribution of unlocked (i.e., verified and authenticated) devices and/or accessories. Reasonable limits on the number of devices, chargers, supplies, and/or authentications may prevent this potential fraud.

A user profile may be stored (e.g., on device 1106 or from an application or program on host device 1104) that includes age verification as described with respect to Fig. 20. The application on host device 1104 may access the user profile over a network, such as network 1103. After a user has initially verified an age that is confirmed in the age verification system database, a user profile for that user may be generated and stored, such that future verifications (i.e., "authentications") may simply be calls to that database. In one embodiment, age verification may be a necessary condition for host device 1104 to be able to generate and provide control signal 1105 to device 1106.

The host device 1104 may be any computing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a computer. The host device 1104 may communicate with or provide a control signal 1105 to the device 1106 for authentication. As discussed with respect to Figs. 13-15, the control signal 1105 from the host device 1104 to the device 1106 may be an audio signal or a light/optical signal. In some embodiments, the host device 1104 may be directly connected to the device 1106, such as to provide power or communication. The host device 1104 may already be configured to communicate over a network, such as network 1103, so the device 1106 may not require the same level of communication functionality, since the host device 1104 provides this capability. In one embodiment, host device 1104, after exchanging data with verification system 1102, may provide control signal 1105 to authenticate and unlock device 1106.

Authentication may be a process of verifying the identity of a user after the user has already verified his or her age. If the user does not verify his or her age, the authentication process will fail. As described, the authentication process may include receiving by the device 1106 and authenticating the control signal 1105 in order to unlock the device 1106. The age verification process may occur less frequently (for example, when purchasing the device) compared to the authentication process, which may occur based on usage, such as based on puff frequency, puff duration, usage time, and/or each time the cartridge is replaced. In alternative examples, there may be a more frequent authentication process that is required. A failure of the authentication process may result in the device 1106 not operating. For example, if the control signal 1105 is not approved for use with the device 1106, then the device 1106 may be prohibited from receiving the electricity required for heating.

The age verification system 1102 transmits an indication as to whether the user has the appropriate age to use a particular article, such as an aerosol delivery device or an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device including an aerosol delivery device, both of which are examples of the device 1106. At least some components or features of the age verification system 1102 may be part of the device 1106 or the host device 1104. For example, the processing and determinations from the age verification system 1102 may be performed locally after accessing a remote database. In an alternative embodiment, the age verification system 1102 may be located remotely and be accessible over a network, such as the network 1103.

The present disclosure involves a computer-readable medium that includes instructions or receives and executes instructions in response to a distributed signal, so that a device connected to a network can transmit voice, video, audio, images or any other data over the network. The device 1106, the host device 1104 or the age verification system 1102 can transmit instructions over the network through one or more communication ports. The communication port can be created in software or can be a physical connection on the hardware. The connection to the network can be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection, or can be established wirelessly, as described below. Similarly, connections to other components can be physical connections or can be established wirelessly. The device 1106 or the host device 1104 may communicate via a network, including, but not limited to, the network 1103. For example, the signal detector circuit 1202 (discussed with respect to Fig. 12) may include network functionality for communicating with the host device 1104 or the age verification system 1102. These components may include communication ports configured to connect to a network, such as the network 1103.

A network (e.g., network 1103) can connect devices so that data can be exchanged, for example, between device 1106, host device 1104 and/or age verification system 1102, including between other wireless devices connected via a wireless network, for example. As described, a group of machines storing data to be analyzed can be connected via one or more networks, such as network 1103. The network can also include a mass storage device, such as a network attached storage (NAS), a storage area network (SAN) or other forms of computer or machine-readable media, for example. The network can include the Internet, one or more local area networks (LAN), one or more wide area networks (WAN), wired connections, wireless connections, or any combination thereof. Similarly, subnetworks, for example, which can use different architectures or can be consistent or compatible with different protocols, can interact in a larger network. For example, various types of devices may be available to provide interoperability for different architectures or protocols. As one illustrative example, a router may provide communications between separate and independent local area networks. A communication line or channel may include, for example, analog telephone lines, such as twisted pair, coaxial cable, full or partial digital lines, including T1, T2, T3 or T4 type lines, integrated services digital networks (ISDN), digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless communication lines, including satellite communication lines, or other communication lines or channels, such as may be known to those skilled in the art. In addition, a computing device or other associated electronic devices may be remotely connected to the network, such as through a telephone line or communication line, for example.

The wireless network may connect devices such as the device 1106, the host device 1104, and the age verification system 1102. The network 1103 may include a wireless network and may use autonomous ad hoc networks, mesh networks, wireless LAN (WLAN) networks, a wide area wireless network (WWAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), cellular networks, or the like. The wireless network may further include a system of terminals, gateways, routers, etc., connected by wireless radio channels, etc., which may move freely, randomly, or be arbitrarily organized, so that the network topology may change, sometimes even quickly. A wireless network may additionally use a variety of network access technologies, including Long Term Evolution (LTE), WLAN, wireless router (WR) mesh network, or 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or future iterations) cellular technologies, etc. The network may provide radio frequency or wireless communications using one or more network access technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), GSM Enhanced Data Environment (EDGE), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n, Zigbee, Z Wave, IEEE 802.16 (e.g., WiMax) and/or other WWAN/WMAN technologies, etc., including future iterations of any of the aforementioned technologies. A wireless network may include virtually any type of wireless communication mechanism by which signals can be transmitted between devices. In some embodiments, the communication protocols listed above may be used to communicate between device 1106 and host device 1104, and then host device 1104 communicates with age verification system 1102 via the same or different communication protocols.

Signal packets transmitted over a network, such as network 1103 or a network of participating digital communication networks, may be compatible with or conform to one or more protocols. Signaling formats or protocols used may include, for example, TCP/IP, UDP, DECnet, NetBEUI, IPX, Appletalk, etc. Internet Protocol (IP) versions may include IPv4 or IPv6. The Internet refers to a decentralized global network of networks. The Internet includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, or public long-distance networks that, for example, allow signal packets to be transmitted between LANs. Signal packets may be transmitted between network nodes, for example, with one or more sites using a local network address. A signal packet may, for example, be transmitted over the Internet from a user site via an access node connected to the Internet. Likewise, a signal packet may be directed through network nodes to a target site associated with the network, for example, via an access node to the network. A signal packet transmitted via the Internet may, for example, be routed through a path of gateways, servers, etc., which may direct the signal packet in accordance with the target address and the availability of the network path to the target address. This transmission of a signal packet may be applicable to the transmission of data between the device 1106, the host device 1104, and/or the age verification system 1102.

The device 1106 includes a signal detector 1107 that detects a signal. As shown, the control signal 1105 is transmitted from the host device 1104 to the signal detector 1107, but the control signal 1105 may come from a source other than the host device 1104, including being transmitted directly over the network 1103 to the device 1106. The signal detector 1107 may be one example of the sensor 908 shown in Fig. 9. Exemplary signal detectors 1107 are described with respect to Figs.

Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a signal detector circuit 1202, which can be located on or connected to a signal detector 1107. The signal detector circuit 1202 can be used by the device 1106 to confirm that any received control signal 1105 is correct for authentication. The signal detector circuit 1202, in addition to receiving and analyzing the control signal 1105, can also operate to perform authentication, or can also be used for initial age verification. The signal detector circuit 1202 can also be called an authentication circuit and can include a processor 1204, a memory 1206, a converter 1207 and a switch 1208.

The processor 1204 in the signal detector circuit 1202 may be one or more chips and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or another type of processing device. The processor 1204 may be one or more general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, specialized integrated circuits, programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other currently known or later developed devices for analyzing and processing data. The processor 1204 may operate in conjunction with a program, such as hand-generated (i.e., programmed) code.

The processor 1204 may be connected to the memory 1206, or the memory 1206 may be a separate component. The memory 1206 may include, but is not limited to, computer-readable storage media, such as various types of volatile and nonvolatile storage media, including random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media, and the like. The memory 1206 may include random access memory for the processor 1204. Alternatively, the memory 1206 may be separate from the processor 1204, such as a processor cache, system memory, or other memory. The memory 1206 may be an external memory device or a database for storing stored applications or user data. Examples include a hard disk, a compact disc ("CD"), a digital video disc ("DVD"), a memory card, a memory stick, a floppy disk, a universal serial bus ("USB") storage device, or any other device designed to store applications or user data including authentication or signal detection data. Memory 1206 is designed to store instructions executed by processor 1204.

The functions, actions, or tasks illustrated in the drawings or described herein may be performed by a programmed processor executing instructions stored in memory 1206. In particular, the operation of detecting control signal 1105 and determining whether control signal 1105 can authenticate device 1106 may be performed by processor 1204 based on instructions from memory 1206. In other embodiments, authentication and/or age verification, for example from system 1102, may be performed by processor 1204 based on instructions from memory 1206. The functions, actions, or tasks are independent of a particular type of instruction set, storage media, processor, or processing strategy, and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firmware, microcode, and the like, operating alone or in combination. Similarly, processing strategies may include multiprocessing, multitasking, parallel processing, etc.

The processor 1204 can be configured to execute software including instructions for receiving/analyzing the control signal 1105, authenticating the device 1106 and/or verifying the age of the user or for subsequent authentication operations for the age verification system 1102. In particular, if the processor 1204 cannot authenticate the control signal 1105, then the switch 1208 can be activated to prevent the supply of power, which stops or prevents the operation of the device 1106. In particular, the device 1106 can include a battery for powering the device, which is activated only when the device 1106 receives the authenticated control signal 1105. In other words, the supply of electricity is allowed if the authentication from the age verification passes. Alternatively, the supply of electricity can be stopped if the authentication or age verification fails. In particular, electricity is not supplied to device 1106 when switch 1208 is off. Switch 1208 may be switch 910 described with respect to Fig. 9. Although switch 1208 is illustrated as part of signal detector circuit 1202, it may be a separate component on device 1106 in alternative embodiments.

The signal detector circuit 1202 may include a converter 1207 for converting the control signal 1105. The conversion of the control signal 1105 may be part of an authentication process by which the control signal 1105 is authenticated. The converter 1207 may be different depending on the type of the control signal 1105, as further described below with respect to Figs.

Fig. 13 illustrates embodiments of a control signal 1105. The control signal 1105 is provided for authenticating the device 1106. The control signal 1105 may correspond to a serial number of the device 1106 or a component (e.g., a cartridge) of the device. In order to be authenticated, the control signal 1105 must correspond to a serial number. In alternative embodiments, instead of serial numbers, there may be another identification or authentication code for the device 1106. The code may be unique for each device 1106, for each user, or for each type of device, in alternative embodiments. The age verification system 1102 may include a database for storing codes or control signals 1105 that must be provided for authentication. The database may associate a user, profile, and/or device with a specific code that can unlock device 1106. In one embodiment, the database may be a decentralized network storage using blockchain technology as described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,477, entitled "DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS," filed May 17, 2019, which claims priority over U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/838,272, filed April 24, 2019, entitled "DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS," the full disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference.

The control signal 1105 may be encrypted to reduce the likelihood of hacking by an unverified user. In one embodiment, the serial number of the device 1106 or other identifier may be randomly assigned a hashed code during production, which is stored in a memory chip of the device 1106 (e.g., memory 1206). The values may be stored in a database that is updated and accessed for authentication. In the embodiment of Fig. 19, a help desk operator may access this database. In this embodiment, when the operator receives a call from the customer's device 1106 to unlock his device, the operator looks up the serial number and transmits the assigned hashed code. In an alternative embodiment, the host device 1104 may access the database for an individual record after the user has been identified and / or verified by age. In another example of encryption, the serial numbers or identifiers may use a code operator that transforms all numbers in the same way. For example, the specified value can be added to or subtracted from all integers in the serial number and the alphanumeric characters in the serial number. In this example, when the specified value is +5, the S189A4R identifier becomes encrypted as X634F9W. For additional security and complexity, the code can be varied based on the date/time of manufacture of the 1106 device.

The device 1106 can be sold in a locked position that does not allow the device to be used until authentication, which can also include registration with age verification. In one embodiment, kiosks that are placed at the point of sale for retailers can make it easier for consumers to register and verify the age of their device during purchase. After the consumer has verified the age, periodic authentication of the device is used to confirm the consumer. In other embodiments, retailers can also be used in the registration and age verification process, for example, by scanning identification documentation and instructing the buyer of the device to provide visual or audio input data that is used for authentication.

The device 1106 may include a pseudo-random number generator that is synchronized with a network version, such as from the age verification system 1102 or associated with the help desk operator. This number generator may be rolling and changes after a predetermined time interval. The control signal 1105 will not need to be associated with the serial number of the device. Other exemplary forms of encryption may include an advanced encryption standard (AES), a triple data encryption standard (3DES), Twofish or RSA methods, which can be used to encrypt the control signal 1105 to prevent unverified users from unlocking the device. These methods can encrypt the control signal 105 before sending it to the device 1106. The device 1106 can then decrypt the signal using a designated key that is stored in the memory 1206 of the device 1106.

The control signal 1105 may be the same for each manufactured device or may be unique for a user, profile or a specific device. During the manufacturing process of the device, the software of the device may be encoded with a specific unlocking sequence (i.e., the control signal 1105, including the audio signal 1302 and/or the optical signal 1304), which corresponds to its serial number or other identifier. In one example, the control signal 1105 may be an unlocking tone sequence, which is the serial number of the device, transcribed in accordance with a character encoding scheme, such as Morse code or a code for tapping.

The control signal 1105 from the host device 1104 to the device 1106 may be an audio signal 1302. The audio signal 1302 may include a tone sequence. The audio signal 1302 or tone sequence may be a sequence of pulses, such as long and short, which are similar to Morse code. In alternative embodiments, different types of sequences may be used that have increases and/or decreases in amplitude and/or frequency. The serial number or identifier may be converted to an authentication tone in the age verification system 1102 or by means of software used by an operator (e.g., a help desk operator). This conversion may occur by means of software. One example of such software may include conversion to Morse code, such as the freely available online software at https://morsecode.scphillips.com/translator.html. The conversion of the serial number or identifier is a conversion to a sequence of dots and dashes for an example of Morse code. Accordingly, the identifier S189A4R becomes ... .---- ---.. ----. .- ....- .-. This Morse code signal can be audibly reproduced for the device 1106, which detects the code using the signal detector 1107 and converts the code using the converter 1207. The control signal 1105 can reference the converted signal, which is then converted back into an identifier by the device 1106.

The control signal 1105 from the host device 1104 to the device 1106 may be a light/optical/scanned signal 1304, which may be referred to as an optical signal. The optical signal 1304 may be a sequence of light pulses or a light sequence. Communication using an optical signal or light source is further described in UK application No. 1906243.9, entitled "ELECTRONIC VAPOUR PROVISION SYSTEM WITH OPTICAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS", filed March 5, 2019 in the UK, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Fig. 14 illustrates embodiments of an audio detector 1402. The audio detector 1402 is one embodiment of the signal detector 1107. The audio detector 1402 may include a pressure sensor 1407 and/or a microphone 1408. In some embodiments, in which the device is a puff-activated aerosol delivery device, the pressure sensor 1407 may include an existing pressure sensor in the device 1107 (e.g., sensor 908), which can be used to measure changes in pressure, such as when the user takes a puff or inhales on the device 1107, which activates the device 1107 (e.g., turns on the heater). There may be a separate pressure sensor that measures the inhalation to activate the device, or there may be only one pressure sensor that activates the device by inhalation and is used to detect the audio signal 1302. In other words, the pressure sensor 1407 may be the same sensor that is used to detect puffs and activate the heater, or an additional pressure sensor may be used only for authentication.

The pressure sensor 1407 can be exposed on the outer surface of the device 1107, for example, by means of a diaphragm, an opening or a channel to improve the detection of the audio signal 1302. In an embodiment, when the audio signal 1302 is provided by a support worker (for example, Fig. 19), the support worker can instruct the buyer of the device to hold the speaker of the phone in the correct location, for example, at the diaphragm, an opening or a channel, on the outer surface of the device 1107, so that the pressure sensor 1407 is in the optimal location to detect the audio signal 1302 (i.e., the authentication tone). In other embodiments, when the audio signal 1302 is provided by an application or software on the host 1104 (for example, a computing device, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.), the application can instruct the user how to hold the smartphone speaker in an optimal location relative to the device 1107. This ensures that the pressure sensor 1407 can detect the audio signal 1302.

The audio signal 1302 may be called an authentication tone and may be a low-frequency pressure wave. In one embodiment, the wave may be at the lower end of functionality for the main speaker of the phone, which is used in most smartphones or cell phones. In one example, the frequency may be about 10-20 Hz so that the pressure sensor 1407 detects a tone with a reduced signal-to-noise ratio.

There may be many different embodiments of the pressure sensor 1407 that can detect the audio signal 1302. One example is an isolated differential pressure sensor that provides the ability to compare changes in ambient pressure (due to pressure or sound waves) with a standard reference pressure. The isolated differential pressure sensor can detect sound waves emitted from the speaker. Alternatively, the pressure sensor 1407 may be a non-isolated differential pressure sensor that includes a flow sensor that compares the pressure created by a fluid flow passing through two openings of different diameters. The non-isolated differential pressure sensor may need to be positioned to better detect sound waves.

In another embodiment, the device 1107 may comprise a microphone 1408. The microphone 1408 may be adapted to perceive a wider range of tones (for example, inaudible in addition to audible), tones that can be emitted by a speaker of a cell phone, but it will be an additional component. In particular, audible tones may have a frequency range that is audible to humans, while the tones may additionally include a wider range that includes inaudible tones. The microphone 1408 may be used to detect puffs and activate the heater, or there may be an auxiliary microphone only for detecting the audio signal 1302 or the authentication tone. In this embodiment, the frequency may be at the upper end of the functionality of a smartphone, cell phone, tablet or other conventional speakers, for example, in the range of 20-25 kHz. Such a frequency will be inaudible to the user or purchaser of the device, while still being detectable by the microphone 1408. The microphone 1408 can detect tones based on the limit of its functionality, which includes any audible frequencies in the range between approximately 20 Hz and 20 kHz.

There may be many different embodiments of the microphone 1408 that can detect the audio signal 1302. One example is a MEMS electret microphone that uses a PTFE-based film diaphragm. This example may have a suitable size with durability. In other examples, other electret microphones may be used. In addition, there are other microphones in the condenser microphone family. Other examples include a crystal or piezo microphone. These examples can detect noise or vibrations through solid objects and can be placed inside close to the outer shell of the device, which can eliminate the need for a diaphragm, channel or hole to allow sound waves to travel inside the device 1107.

Fig. 15 illustrates embodiments of an optical detector 1502. The optical detector 1502 is one embodiment of the signal detector 1107. The optical detector 1502 may also be called a visual detector or a light detector. The optical detector 1502 may include a light sensor 1507, a photodiode 1508, a reader 1509 and/or an infrared detector 1510. The light sensor 1507 may include any light-dependent resistive elements. These sensors may change resistance due to the presence or absence of light. This may require current to flow through the resistive element when the optical signal 1304 (i.e., the authentication light sequence) is transmitted. The photodiode 1508 may include sensors that create a small current when exposed to a light source. It may act as a switch and may have a fast response time.

The optical detector 1502 may include a reader 1509, such as a camera, a barcode reader, or another detector. In one example, a user may capture an image (e.g., using the host 1104, including a mobile device or smartphone) of a unique code (e.g., a barcode) associated with a specific device. In alternative examples, the reader 1509 may read a barcode, radio frequency (RF) identification, near field communication (NFC), a magnetic stripe reader, a chip reader (e.g., similar to a credit card reader), wired communication, or wireless communication. Exemplary barcodes may include any type of scannable identifier, such as a universal product code (UPC), a data matrix code, and/or a quick response (QR) code. The code may include any one-dimensional (1D) codes, two-dimensional (2D) codes, three-dimensional (3D) codes, or other types of codes. Exemplary methods of RFID communication and authentication are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,015,987 to Henry et al. and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0020191 to Lamb et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary communication and authentication using NFC is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,864,947 to Sur et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. A code, such as a bar code, may be printed on the product packaging, on a label, on the product itself, or on an insert in the product packaging. In one embodiment, there may be a unique bar code for each individual device. An application or website associated with a bar code may use software to convert the identification information extracted from a unique bar code into a corresponding authentication light sequence. In other words, scanning a bar code may initiate the emission of an optical signal 1304 by the host 1104. Alternatively, the application or website may search for the identification information extracted from the unique bar code in a database to determine the corresponding optical signal 1304 for this particular device 1106. In another embodiment, the device 1106 (or packaging/inserts of the device 1106) may carry an RFID tag that can be read by the host 1104 (e.g., a mobile device or smartphone) executing the application or adapted to access the website. The RFID tag may carry a unique identifier for the device 1106, which may result in the generation of an optical signal 1304 that may authenticate or unlock that particular device 1106.

With respect to examples of the optical detector sensor 1502, the wavelength range of light may be approximately 400-700 nm. The optical detector 1502 may be configured to receive a smaller range of wavelengths, or any/all (i.e., white light). As opposed to a pulse sequence, the optical signal 1304 may include a wavelength pattern. In one example, the optical signal 1304 may rise from 400 nm to 500 nm in 3 seconds, remain black for 5 seconds, then rise from 400 nm to 700 nm in 1 second. This variation in wavelength and time may be used to form unique optical signals 1304. Other patterns and wavelength variations may be used.

When the host 1104 is a mobile device or a smartphone, the optical signal 1304 can be generated by a display (for example, a light/color arrangement on a screen or pulses from the display) or a photo flash (for example, a rear-facing photo flash on a mobile device or other computing device). An example of a display can include a display that is primarily black, but includes a portion that is placed near the optical detector 1502 of the device 1106 for detecting any colors/pulses/patterns that are shown on the display screen. In the example of the host 1104 that includes a photo flash application, the application can be programmed to instruct the photo flash to transmit light according to a specific pattern or sequence that provides the optical signal 1304. The light intensity can be greater for the photo flash, which can reduce the chance of signal loss during transmission. Before transmitting the optical signal 1304, the application can prompt the user to position his device in the correct location, so that the optical detector 1502 is aligned with the flashlight on the host 1104 or the mobile device. The optical detector 1502 can include a reader 1510 for scanning a QR or other barcode that is displayed in the application or on the website, which corresponds to the age verification using the age verification system 1102. The reader 1510 of such embodiments scans this QR code, which allows the device to be unlocked.

The light sensor on the device may be an infrared (IR) sensor 1510 in one embodiment. The host 1104 may be a mobile phone or other device with the IR function enabled, which transmits an optical signal 1304 via IR. In some embodiments, there may be a combination of a visible light spectrum and IR, which may rely on different optical detectors 1502 (for example, a light sensor 1507 and IR 1510), or a single sensor can measure both. Having a combination of optical types can provide a larger set of code combinations for the optical signal 1304. The user may be able to see the visible light spectrum, while the IR may not be detectable, which can also improve security by preventing the recreation of the optical signal. With regard to the IR or invisible signal, the user may be provided with an indication (for example, a pulse of the visible spectrum) or confirmation that the optical signal 1304 is transmitted to control/unlock the device.

Fig. 16 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary system for functionally controlling a device using an audio signal. Similar to Fig. 11, Fig. 16 illustrates a system for detecting sound. The host 1104 can access the age verification system 1102 over the network 1103. After verification, the host 1104 can be used to authenticate the device 1106. In particular, the host 1104 can provide an audio signal 1302 to the device 1106 for detection by an audio detector, such as a pressure sensor 1407 and/or a microphone 1408. The audio signal 1302 is a control signal or an authentication signal for unlocking the device 1106. In other embodiments, the audio signal 1302 can be provided by calling a support service instead of a user's smartphone or mobile device. In such an embodiment, the host 1104 can be considered as a support service that is accessed via audio communication (e.g., VoIP or a phone call).

Fig. 17 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary system for functional control of a device using an optical signal. Similar to Fig. 11, Fig. 17 illustrates a system for optical/visual detection. The host 1104 can access the age verification system 1102 over the network 1103. After verification, the host 1104 can be used to authenticate the device 1106. In particular, the host 1104 can provide an optical signal 1304 to the device 1106 for detection by means of the optical detector 1502. The optical signal 1304 is a control signal or an authentication signal for unlocking the device 1106. Examples of the optical detector 1502 are illustrated and described with respect to Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a flow chart illustrating one example of processing a control signal. In step 1802, a user/consumer purchases a device, such as device 1106. The purchase may be made online or in person at a retail store or kiosk. The device may operate until authentication is required in step 1804. In one embodiment, the device may be in a locked or inoperative state until authentication is completed. In another embodiment, device 1106 may be sold unlocked for limited use (a limited time or a limited number of puffs), after which time authentication will be required. Authentication may first require age verification as in step 1806, which may be performed by age verification system 1102. Age verification may only occur once or may need to be updated periodically, while authentication may be required more frequently (e.g., each time a cartridge or other element of the aerosol source is replaced). The age verification system 1102 provides functionality for verifying the age of a user. Age verification may be for a specific user, so that verification applies to multiple devices used by that user, but may still require authentication for each individual device. In some embodiments, each device may require an age verification process in addition to subsequent authentications.

As an initial age verification, the age verification system 1102 may require some identification document to establish the age of the user. For example, a driver's license or passport may be uploaded to establish the age of the user. An image from this document may be used to verify the future age by facial recognition using this image. The facial recognition technology may analyze the two images to confirm the identity match, reject the identity verification, or flag the verification to request additional identification information. This age verification may include comparing this image with a live self-image ("selfie") or video that the user takes with their mobile device or webcam. This may prevent fraud by simply showing someone else's photo. In particular, this reduces the potential for using a printed photo to fool facial recognition software (e.g., holding a driver's license close to a webcam). The self-image that the user uploads may also be verified for liveness by recording a short video to ensure that the frames are altered. In alternative embodiments, the verification step may include audio input from the user, such as speaking a number, sequence, or code to verify activity. Other examples of age verification may include some form of fingerprint reader to verify the user after the user has been verified by age. In one embodiment, the host 1104 may receive a fingerprint as part of the verification process. There may be other biometric data that is used to verify the user, such as DNA, blood, or other biological indicators.

The device 1106 may require more frequent authentications to ensure that the device is not verified by age and then distributed to other users. Authentication may include providing a control signal to the device 1106 as in step 1808. As described, the control signal may be either an audio signal 1302 or an optical signal 1304. This signal may originate from the host device 1104 or from another source (for example, a call to the support service). The control signal is received at device 1106 at step 1810, and if the control signal is correct, then the device is authenticated, and the device can continue to be used until authentication is required again at step 1812. If the control signal received at device 1106 is not correct at step 1810, then device 1106 is not authenticated and will remain blocked until a correct authentication control signal is sent at step 1808.

In some embodiments, authentication of the device by means of a control signal unlocks the device for a specific user, and future authentications that may be required again can be performed on the device 1106 itself. For example, a biometric reader, a fingerprint reader, or other biological indicators described above can be used on the device for authentication. In this regard, in some embodiments, the device 1106 can be linked (e.g., after the initial authentication) to specific biometric(s) information of the user used for the initial authentication in order to prevent a second user from using the device 1106. When re-authentication is required in the future, the user can unlock and/or continue using the device 1106 by providing the user's biometric data for re-authentication. As an additional example, a user may specify a code, such as a pin code, that may be entered through a user interface of device 1106 (e.g., through a touch screen, an input button, a specific puff pattern that may be provided by the user performing a puff on the device, etc.) and/or through a computing device that may be communicatively connected to device 1106 when device 1106 is initially authenticated, and may later enter the pin code to re-authenticate the user in order to unlock and/or continue using device 1106.

Fig. 19 is a flow chart illustrating one example of processing an audio signal. The example shown in Fig. 19 is the use of a support service for verification and authentication of the device 1106. In particular, a user can make a call to a support line for verification and/or authentication. In step 1902, the user calls the support service for age verification. The phone call to the support service can be used to confirm identity by providing or confirming user information. The support specialist receives information about the purchaser of the device, which can include the serial number of the device, the date of purchase, the driver's license number, the last four digits of the social security number, or other personal information that can be used to verify the identity of the purchaser. In one embodiment, the support service may be used to confirm the information provided in the identification document to verify the age of the user in step 1904. The support service operator may then transmit an audio signal 1302 for the user to provide to the device 1106. In particular, the receiver of the user's telephone, which may be the host device 1104, has a speaker through which the audio signal 1302 and the authentication tone are transmitted in step 1906.

In some embodiments, the telephone call to the support service in step 1902, the verification of the support service in step 1904 and the authentication tone in step 1906 may all be from different devices or from the same device. For example, the telephone call for verification in steps 1902-1904 may be made from a telephone different from the source of the authentication tone. In particular, the support service may send or provide authorization for an authentication tone transmitted from a different device or from a different source compared to the telephone call to the support service. In one example, the authorization tone may be played through an application on the phone (instead of playing it through the speaker during the telephone call) based on verification/authentication by the user's support service. In another example, the support service may send a one-time link to an audio file with an authentication tone, such as via email, via a text message or a notification. The link may be valid only for a limited period of time in order to prevent fraud.

The tone generation may be from software that may be embedded in a mobile application or web application that the device buyer uses themselves (for example, through an application with a profile on a mobile device as in Fig. 20). An authentication tone will be generated and emitted via the user's computer, telephone or mobile phone speakers and detected by the audio detector 1402 of the device 1106 as in step 1908. If the authentication tone is incorrect in step 1908, the device will remain locked or unauthenticated and wait for the correct authentication tone from step 1906. If the authentication tone is correct, then the device 1106 can be used until authentication is required again as in step 1910. In addition to the re-authentication process, there may be a requirement that the purchaser of the device is re-verified before each use, each charge, after a predetermined time interval, after a predetermined number of seconds of puff or puffs, before a predetermined number of cartridge insertions or only a single verification after purchasing the device. In such examples, when authentication is required again at step 1910, the user's age may need to be re-verified at step 1904 in addition to authentication at step 1906.

Fig. 20 is a flow chart illustrating one example of authentication with a host device. The embodiment of Fig. 20 authenticates device 1106 based in part on a profile of an age-verified user, which can then be available for authentication. In step 2002, device 1106 is purchased by a user. The user provides identification to the age verification system in step 2004. As discussed above, identification can include information that is used to confirm the user's identity and age. This information can be showing an identification document (e.g., a driver's license) to a retailer or scanning an identification document at a kiosk or on the user's personal device, such as a computer or mobile device. The user can also use an Internet-connected age verification system (computer, mobile phone, etc.) to upload his or her identification information himself. After identification and verification of age, the user can create a user profile using the age verification system 1102 in step 2006. The age verification system 1102 can be connected via a network 1103, such as the Internet, can require the user to create a profile in an application or using a web application. The user profile can be stored in a database for the age verification system 1102 for quick access during future authentication requests. Based on the request and confirmation that the user (or user profile) verifies the user's age, the host device 1104 can send a control signal 1105 to the device 1106 as in step 2008. The control signal 1105 can be stored and associated with the user profile stored in the database. Alternatively, there can be an application that generates the correct control signal based on information stored in the user profile, including information about the device 1106 (for example, a serial number). The control signal 1105 may be an audio signal 1302 or an optical signal 1304, which is transmitted by the host device 1104. If the control signal is incorrect in step 2010, the device 1106 is not authenticated and must wait for a correct control signal. If the control signal is correct in step 2010, the device 1106 can be used until authentication is required again in step 2012. When authentication is required again, the host device can again send the control signal to the device in step 2008.

Fig. 21 illustrates an exemplary authentication key 2102. The authentication key 2102 can be sent as part of the package with the device. The authentication key 2102 can be used with the optical signal 1304 by easily aligning with the optical detector 1502 (for example, the light sensor 1507) on the device 1106 and obscures the amount of light or obscures some areas of the light that are distinguishable by the detector or sensor. The authentication key 2102 can include a rotating mechanism that changes the intensity of light admitted to the detector/sensor or changes the areas of light that can pass to the detector/sensor. In one embodiment, a range of numbers (for example, from 0-12) is listed on the circumference of the key. When the rotating mechanism is engaged, the numbers can also rotate compared to an arrow that helps the user of the device identify what number the key is set to. In this embodiment, the user can unlock the device 1106 without accessing the network or the Internet. As described above, the user can first perform an age verification (for example, the user calls the support service to verify the age over the phone). After the age verification, a number or a sequence of numbers can be provided for use with the authentication key 2012. The numbers or a sequence of numbers exist for rotating the authentication key 2012. In one embodiment, the number or a sequence of numbers can correspond to the serial number of the device 1106. A corresponding light sequence generated from the user rotating the key can be programmed into the memory of the device 1106 (for example, into the memory 1206), for example, during the manufacture of the chip. This can allow the processor (for example, the processor 1204) to compare the expected value stored in the memory with the received value from a single or multiple rotations of the authentication key 2102 and compare them both to determine the authentication.

As may be appreciated from the descriptions above, the authentication processes may be applied using any of a variety of different methods to unlock use of device 1106. Some examples of these different methods are provided in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/441,903, entitled "FUNCTIONAL CONTROL AND AGE VERIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGH SPEAKER COMMUNICATION," which claims priority over U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/828,222, filed April 2, 2019, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/441,937, entitled "FUNCTIONAL CONTROL AND AGE VERIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES THROUGH VISUAL COMMUNICATION," which claims priority over U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/828,222 filed April 2, 2019, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference. Many of these referenced documents employ techniques that involve communication between device 1106 and other components or networks. In order to be prepared to engage in such communication and/or to respond to such communication, device 1106 may be in a ready state (e.g., awake), which allows for the detection of attempts made to communicate with device 1106 for authentication purposes. However, remaining awake or in such a ready state may deplete resources (e.g., battery power) of device 1106 and prevent authentication based on insufficient power. This may negatively impact the user experience and, therefore, may be desirable to avoid.

One option for preserving power in the device 1106 may be to place the components of the device 1106 in a low-power or sleep mode. The wake-up process may then be defined to wake the device 1106 from the low-power or sleep mode before performing the authentication process (which may be any of the methods described above or other suitable authentication methods). Fig. 22 illustrates a flow chart showing a general process for waking up the device 1106 according to an example embodiment. In this regard, the user may initially purchase a locked device (e.g., device 1106) in operation 2200. In addition to being locked so that operation of the device 1106 is not permitted until the authentication process is completed to unlock the device, the device 1106 (or at least its various components) may also be in a low-power or sleep mode. In the following, the user may wake up the device in operation 2210. However, as noted below, the specific location of the wake-up associated with operation 2210 may alternatively be in other positions in this flow chart. By waking up the device, the device 1106 (while still locked) may be woken up to perform an authentication process, which may include any suitable process (not exclusively including the processes mentioned above). While the device 1106 is woken up, the user may access the age verification system for authentication in operation 2220. Thus, for example, the age verification system operations described above with reference to Figs. 11-19 may therefore be initiated in operation 2220 (e.g., accessing the age verification system 1102 via the host 1104).

In operation 2230, a determination may be made as to whether the age (or identity) of the user has been successfully verified. In some cases, the user may provide information, credentials, and/or the like to establish or verify the age of the user. The information or credentials may include the presentation of identification documents (e.g., a photo page of a passport, a driver's license, etc.), identification methods using a blockchain (e.g., as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,444, entitled "AGE VERIFICATION WITH REGISTERED CARTRIDGES FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," filed May 17, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference), facial recognition or other biometric identification methods, and/or the like. However, in other cases, the user may verify his or her identity by confirming that the user has or is associated with an active account identifier that has previously gone through the age verification process (e.g., providing codes, serial numbers, or the like associated with an active account identifier). If successful age verification is not performed, the device 1106 may remain locked in operation 2240. In some cases, the device 1106 may transition back to a low power or sleep mode to await another awakening attempt before providing the opportunity for another age verification or identification attempt. However, in other cases, the user may be given the opportunity to make more than one attempt to complete the process (e.g., two, three, or some other specific number of allowed attempts). If multiple attempts to complete age verification are allowed, the user may be involved in each of the multiple allowed attempts before the device 1106 either transitions back to a low power or sleep mode or performs some other useful self-limiting function.

If the age (or identity) is successfully verified, the user can provide the device and the host with identification information in operation 2250. For example, the user can provide a serial number or other identification information associated with the device 1106, and can provide a telephone number, an email address, or other identification information associated with the host 1104. After this, the initiation of the authentication process between the device 1106 and the host 1104 can be initiated in operation 2260. The authentication process can, for example, include providing an optical or audio unlocking signal from the host 1104 to the device 1106, as described above. As noted above, in some cases, waking up the device in operation 2210 can be moved between operations 2250 and 2260. In operation 2270, a determination can be made regarding whether the authentication process was successfully completed. If not completed successfully, the sequence of operations may return to operation 2240, and the device 1106 may remain locked, as described above. In this regard, the device 1106 may go back to a low-power or sleep mode to await another awakening attempt before providing the opportunity for another authentication attempt. However, in other cases, the user may be given the opportunity to make more than one attempt to complete the process (e.g., two, three, or some other specific number of allowed attempts). If multiple authentication attempts are allowed, the user may be involved in each of the multiple allowed attempts before the device 1106 returns to operation 2240 and either goes back to a low-power or sleep mode or performs some other useful self-limiting function. However, if the authentication process is successfully completed, then the device 1106 may be unlocked for use in operation 2280. The device 1106 may remain unlocked either permanently or until it is re-locked either manually or due to meeting the locking criteria.

Fig. 23 shows a functional block diagram of various components of the device 2300 (which may be an example of the device 1106) that may employ the general method discussed above with reference to Fig. 22. In this regard, the device 2300 may include a battery 2302 that may be configured to provide power to various components of the device 2300, including device electronics 2304 that may operate to control the formation of an aerosol through either thermal formation or non-thermal formation methods (e.g., applying heat to a solution to form a vapor (e.g., in response to detecting a puff event), as described in more detail above, or using heat-free mechanical atomization technologies such as a vibrating mesh, etc.).

The battery 2302 can provide the main power supply to the voltage regulation circuit 2306 and the control switching circuit 2208. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery 2302 can be rechargeable. Thus, for example, the charging connection 2310 can be provided to receive power from an external source (for example, a power supply from the network, a charger for a battery, etc.). The charging connection 2310 can provide power for the charging IC (integrated circuit) 2312 and the charge monitoring circuit 2314, which are configured to control the application of power to the battery 2302 for safe charging of the battery. In an exemplary embodiment, the charge switching circuit 2316 can be provided between the charging connection 2310 and the charging IC 2312.

The control switching circuit 2308 may include one or more switches that operate to isolate the battery 2302 from the electronics 2304 of the device to prevent the device 2300 from operating (e.g., to generate steam). Alternatively, the control switching circuit 2308 may operate to connect the main power supply from the battery 2302 to the electronics 2304 of the device to enable the electronics 2304 of the device to operate (e.g., to generate steam in response to a puff event). The charge switching circuit 2316 may include one or more switches that operate to isolate the charging connection 2310 from the charging IC 2312 to prevent the battery 2302 from being charged. Alternatively, the charge switching circuit 2316 may be operative to allow power to flow from the charging connection 2310 to the charging IC 2312 and the charge monitor circuit 2314 to charge the battery 2302. Of course, although Fig. 23 shows the power supply from the charge monitor circuit 2314 to the battery 2302 as a line separate from the line providing power from the battery 2302 to the voltage regulation circuit 2306 and the control switching circuit 2308, in some cases, these lines may be combined into a single power bus.

The voltage regulation circuit 2306 may be configured to provide power to various components of the blocking node, as described herein. The power supply to the blocking node is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 23. Essentially, all components to which the dashed lines extend from the voltage regulation circuit 2306 may be considered part of the blocking node of the device 2300. In this example, the blocking node may include a microcontroller (e.g., MCU 2320), an authentication manager 2322, and a wake-up manager 2324. The blocking node may be configured to provide various control or information signals (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 23) to operate the charge switching circuit 2316 and the control switching circuit 2308 to control the charging and operation of the device 2300, as described herein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the MCU 2320 (or some other processor, controller, etc.) can be configured to control the operation of the device 2300 with respect to the formation of steam and various other functions (including blocking functions). In some cases, control of the charging function can be applied by means of a charge control signal 2330, which can be output by the MCU 2320 to change the position of the charge switching circuit 2316. In this regard, for example, if the charge control signal 2330 opens the charge switching circuit 2316, then the power supply path for charging the battery 2302 can be opened or cut off, and charging the battery 2302 can be impossible. However, if the charge control signal 2330 closes the charge switching circuit 2316, then a path for power supply can be provided to charge the battery 2302, and the charging of the battery 2302 can be performed from a power source connected to the charging connection 2310. Since the charge switching circuit 2316 controls the charging of the battery 2302, the charge switching circuit 2316 can also be referred to as "charging switches."

Similarly, the control of the steam generation functions can be provided by issuing a control signal 2332 from the MCU 2320 to the control switching circuit 2308. In this regard, for example, if the control signal 2332 opens the control switching circuit 2308, then the power supply path from the battery 2302 (or power bus) to the electronics 2304 of the device can be open or cut off, so that heating cannot be provided for steam generation. However, if the control signal 2332 closes the control switching circuit 2308, then a power supply path from the battery 2302 (or power bus) to the electronics 2304 of the device can be provided, and steam generation (for example, in response to puff detection or by other means) can be allowed. Because the control switch circuit 2308 controls the application of power (e.g., voltage) from the battery 2302 to the device electronics 2304, the control switch circuit 2308 may also be referred to as "voltage switches."

In an exemplary embodiment, the MCU 2320 may be configured to control the voltage switches and/or the charging switches based on various control signals (or triggers) that may be received by the MCU 2320. The MCU 2320 may be initiated by one or a plurality of different events or signals, some of which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 24 and 25. However, some specific signals that may be individually (or in combination) applied in various exemplary embodiments are also shown in Fig. 23. In this regard, as shown in Fig. 23, the authentication manager 2322 may provide an authentication signal 2340 to the MCU 2320. In some cases, the authentication signal 2340 may be transmitted only to indicate that a successful authentication has been performed by the authentication manager 2322. However, in other cases, the authentication signal 2340 may indicate both positive and negative results of the authentication attempt. When issued (or when positive), the authentication signal 2340 can be used to unlock the device 2300 and close the voltage and/or charge switches, as described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 25. When not issued (or when negative), the voltage and/or charge switches can be maintained open to prevent the formation of a pair and/or charge, respectively.

Another control signal that can be received by the MCU 2320 to influence the state of the device 2300 can be a wake-up signal 2342, which can be provided by the wake-up manager 2324. In this regard, the wake-up manager 2324 can be configured to monitor wake-up events and transmit an indication to various components of the blocking node, which can otherwise be asleep or in a low power mode, to wake up and prepare for an authentication attempt. Thus, for example, the authentication manager 2322, the wake-up manager 2324 and/or the MCU 2320 can be asleep until the wake-up manager 2324 detects a wake-up event and issues the wake-up signal 2342.

In some cases, the wake-up manager 2324 may detect a wake-up event directly from the charging connection 2310, as shown by the control signal 2344. For example, connecting the charging connection 2310 to an external power source may initiate the generation of the control signal 2344 for the wake-up manager 2324. Later in this document, the wake-up manager 2324 may issue a wake-up signal 2342 to the blocking node. Alternatively, the control signal 2346 may be provided to the MCU 2320 (for example, via power supply from the power bus), so that in response to the wake-up signal 2342, the MCU 2320 may detect that sufficient battery power is available to operate for the authentication process without external power from the charging connection 2310.

The operation of the wake-up manager 2324 according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig. 24. In this regard, the wake-up manager 2324 may include or otherwise be defined by a processing circuit configured to detect a wake-up event in order to issue a wake-up signal 2342 to the MCU 2320 in response to detecting the wake-up event. When the MCU 2320 is the MCU 2320 of the device 2300 (i.e., not the MCU of a separate board), the MCU 2320 may initially be maintained in a standby mode in order to reduce power consumption. The wake-up signal 2342 may wake the MCU 2320 from the standby mode in order to initiate an authentication process. In an exemplary embodiment, the wake-up signal 2342 may take the form of an interrupt provided in order to wake up or otherwise signal the MCU 2320 (and other components of the blocking node) that the authentication process is approaching. An interrupt may be issued in response to activation of the actuator 2400. Accordingly, for example, the interrupt generator 2410 may be provided to receive an input signal from the actuator 2400 in order to generate an interrupt in the form of a wake-up signal 2342, as shown in Fig. 24.

The actuator 2400 may take a number of different forms. For example, the actuator 2400 may be a button, a switch, a key, or another functional element that may be actuated directly or indirectly by a user. For example, the actuator 2400 may be a button that is either easily exposed or protected so as to require a deliberate effort to open the button for actuation. If easily exposed, the button may be either a multi-function button that is actuated in a separate manner (e.g., by holding for a period of time, or by pressing to enter a code). However, the button may also be a single-purpose button that is either pressed only once to actuate the interrupt generator 2410, or held for a period or actuated in the operating mode described above. If the button is protected, the user may need to use a tool to access and actuate the button. For example, the button may be located inside an opening, and a paper clip or similar tool may be used to actuate the button. As another option, the tool that operates the button can be built into the charger or charging device. For example, the button can be placed in the hole (as discussed above), and the charger can have a protruding pin located thereon and configured to interact with the button when the charger is connected to the charging connection 2310. In such an example, the protruding pin can operate the button after the charger is inserted into the charging connection 2310, and the control signal 2344 can be sent to the wake-up manager 2324. Alternatively, the control signal 2344 can be interpreted as inserting the charger into the charging connection 2310 to operate the actuator 2400 and initiate the interrupt generator 2410 to generate an interrupt signal as the wake-up signal 2342.

As another example, the actuator 2400 may be actuated in response to the removal of a blocking device. For example, the tab 2420 may be provided to block the actuation of the actuator 2400 (for example, due to a biasing unit configured to press a button, and otherwise blocked by the tab 2420). As another option, the tab 2420 may block the flow of current, and when removed, the flow of current into the actuator 2400 (or into the MCU 2320 itself in the form of the control signal 2346) may cause the excitation of the wake-up signal 2342 or otherwise serve as a wake-up event. In another example, the tab 2420, or a magnet, spike or other tool can be embedded in the packaging of the device 2300. In such an example, removing the device 2300 from the packaging can initiate the actuator 2400, for example, by removing the tab 2420, or otherwise activate the control signal 2346 to generate a wake-up event for the locking unit (for example, the MCU 2320 and/or other components of the locking unit). In cases where the packaging includes a magnet (or the tab 2420 is implemented as a magnet), movement of the tab 2420 in response to removing the packaging can change the position of the switch (thereby exciting the actuator 2400) or otherwise cause the actuator 2400 to operate without applying physical force to it. As such, some embodiments may include a system comprising a combination of an aerosol delivery device (e.g., device 2300) and an automated wake-up unit in the form of a package for the device (e.g., represented by tab 2420) where removal of the package initiates a wake-up event.

In some examples, the actuator 2400 may be a pressure sensor (or a puff sensor), such that detection of a user either blowing on the actuator 2400 or taking a puff may cause the generation of the wake-up signal 2342. The actuator 2400 may also be implemented as or work in cooperation with other sensors or components in other alternative embodiments. For example, the actuator 2400 may be implemented as, or otherwise interact with, an accelerometer. The accelerometer may detect movements of a particular type or nature, and the actuator 2400 may interact with the interrupt generator 2410 to generate the wake-up signal 2342 accordingly. Positioning the device in a particular orientation, either generally or for a given period of time, can trigger the actuator 2400. Alternatively or additionally, shaking, tapping or otherwise providing movement according to a detectable pattern can cause the actuator 2400 to drive the interrupt generator 2410. As another alternative, the sensor can detect changes in current, voltage or resistance, which can be initiated based on the insertion and/or removal of a docking module (or a specially designed docking module for testing with a given resistance value that differs from a conventional docking module). In such an example, inserting a docking module (or a docking module for testing) into the device 2300 can cause significant changes in current or voltage, detected due to the resistance of the docking module (or a docking module for testing). The changes themselves, or changes in the specified operating mode, can be used to actuate the 2400 actuator.

25 illustrates a flow chart explaining one example in which the components of Figs. 23 and 24 may interact to wake up, authenticate, and lock/unlock a device (e.g., device 1106 or device 2300). As shown in Fig. 25, the locking node may initially be in a deep sleep mode in operation 2500. In this state, the components of the locking node may be in a minimum power mode, and a locked state may be applied to the locking node in which the voltage switches and the charging switches are each open to prevent charging and operation of device 2300. In operation 2502, MCU 2320 (and/or the entire locking node) may remain in a sleep mode or a minimum power mode while waiting for an interrupt. When the interrupt is received, a determination may be made in operation 2504 about whether a charger event has occurred (for example, insertion of a charger into the charging connection 2310 or provision of the control signal 2346). If a charger event has not occurred, then a determination may be made about whether a wake-up event has occurred in operation 2506. If a wake-up event is not detected, then a determination may be made about whether the charger is attached in operation 2508. If the charger is not attached, then the flow of operations may return to operation 2502. However, if the charger is attached, then the flow of operations may proceed to operation 2510, in which a determination is made about the lock state. The determination related to the blocking state (i.e., operation 2510) is also a result of determining that a charger event has occurred in operation 2504. In this regard, if a charger event is detected in operation 2504, then the charging event can be cleared in operation 2512 before proceeding to operation 2510 to determine the blocking state. Regardless of whether the sequence of operations reaches operation 2510 by detecting a charger event or not, operation 2510 will either determine that the blocking node (or, in general, the device 2300) is blocked or unblocked.

If the lock state is "unlocked", then the charging switches can be closed to allow charging, and monitoring of energy delivery can be provided in operation 2514. In this regard, referring back to Fig. 23, operation 2514 can result in issuing a charge control signal 2330 to close the charge switch circuit 2316. The charge IC 2312 and the charge monitor circuit 2314 can therefore receive power from the charging connection 2310 through the charge switch circuit 2316. After this, the sequence of operations can return to operation 2506 to determine whether a wake-up event is detected.

If the lock state is "locked", then a determination can be made in operation 2516 about whether the single charge limit has been reached. If the single charge limit has not been reached, then the flow of operations can proceed to operation 2514 and, as mentioned above, the charging switches can be closed in order to allow charging, and monitoring of the energy delivery can be provided in operation 2514. If, however, the single charge limit has been reached, then the charging switches can be opened in operation 2518. Thus, for example, operation 2518 can result in issuing a charge control signal 2330 to open the charge switch circuit 2316. The charging IC 2312 and the charge monitor circuit 2314 can, therefore, not receive power from the charging connection 2310 through the charge switch circuit 2316.

Returning to operation 2506, if a wake-up event is detected, then a scanning operation may be performed for the authentication code in operation 2520. It should be understood, however, that the authentication code may also be scanned following, or as part of, the age/ID verification operation, as in some cases. The scanning operation may occur automatically (e.g., Bluetooth pairing, reading an RFID or NFC tag, or other automated scanning options). However, in other embodiments, the user may initiate operation 2520 and, in some cases, may provide information to ensure that operation 2520 is performed. Scanning the code may include an audio code, an optical or visual code, or any other suitable authentication method (including, but not limited to, the methods described in this document). Thus, for example, the authentication method may include block chain methods, facial recognition or other biometric identification methods, provision of trusted credentials such as a PIN code, serial number, or the like, which may be provided either simultaneously with the authentication process or which may have been previously provided, or other suitable methods.

A determination may be made in operation 2522 about whether the scanned code is verified or authenticated. If the code does not have authentication or verification, a determination may be made in operation 2524 about whether a wake-up timer has been exceeded. In this regard, the wake-up timer may be started when, in operation 2506, a wake-up event is detected. The user may be given the opportunity to perform one or more authentication attempts before the wake-up timer expires. Thus, if the wake-up timer has not expired, the flow of operations may return to operation 2520, and the user may be given the opportunity to try to perform another scan of the authentication code. In some cases, instead of, or in addition to, a timer, a number of attempts may be counted (and limited). If the wake-up timer expires after a failure to verify the code (or if the number of allowed attempts is exceeded), then the wake-up event flag may be cleared in operation 2526, and the flow of operations may return to operation 2508.

If the code verifies or authenticates the response to the determination in operation 2522, the wake-up event flag may be cleared in operation 2528 before a determination is made in operation 2530 about whether the verified code is a lock code or an unlock code. If the verified code is a lock code, then the flow of operations returns back to operation 2500, and the state is set to locked, and the voltage switches and the charging switches are opened. If the verified code is an unlock code, then the flow of operations continues to operation 2532. In operation 2532, the locking node may continue to operate at minimum power, and the locked state may change to "unlocked". The charging switches and voltage switches may be closed, and the single charge flag (if applicable) may also be cleared. After this, the flow of operations may return to operation 2502 to wait for the next interrupt.

Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, an aerosol delivery device is presented. The device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power for generating an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate an aerosol in response to an application of power from the power source, and a blocking node configured to perform either one or both of preventing an overcharging of the power source and preventing an application of power from the power source to the device electronics in a blocked state, and to provide an opportunity to recharge the power source and to apply power from the power source to the device electronics in an unlocked state. The blocking node may be configured to perform various operations, including: 1) detecting a wake-up event while the blocking node is in a blocked state, 2) waking up the blocking node in response to the wake-up event, 3) performing an authentication process and, in response to the completion of the authentication process, 4) transitioning the blocking node between the blocked state and the unlocked state. Of course, operations 1-4 may be performed in a sequential order, but such an ordering is not fixed or intended to be. Thus, the numbers assigned in the ordering above (and the ordering itself in the list) are not limiting, and the order in which the operations are performed may be changed in various example embodiments. For example, the authentication process (operation 3) above) may be performed, and an unlock key may be provided as a result. The device may then be awakened, and the device may be unlocked using the unlock key. In this example, the specific order would be 3), 1), 2), 4).

The above description of the use of the article(s) may be applied to various exemplary implementations described herein by minor modifications that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the additional disclosure provided herein. The above description of the use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the article, but is provided to meet all necessary disclosure requirements of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in the article(s) shown in Figs. 1-25, or as otherwise described above, may be included in an aerosol delivery device in accordance with the present disclosure.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will occur to those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, given the benefit of the teachings presented in the preceding descriptions and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the particular implementations disclosed, and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the preceding descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary implementations in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that various combinations of elements and/or functions may be represented by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and/or functions other than those expressly described above are also contemplated, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (43)

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a rechargeable power source configured to provide power for forming an aerosol; electronics of the device configured to generate an aerosol in response to power supply from a power source; a locking unit configured to perform either or both of preventing overcharging of the power source and preventing power from being supplied from the power source to the electronics of the device in the locked state, and to allow overcharging of the power source and supply of power from the power source to the electronics of the device in the unlocked state; and activator, wherein the blocking unit is designed with the ability to: detect a wake-up event while the blocking node is in a blocked state, wherein the wake-up event represents the activation of the activator by the user, wake up a blocking node in response to a wake up event, perform the authentication process and in response to completion of the authentication process, transition the blocking node between the locked state and the unlocked state. 2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the blocking node comprises a wake-up manager configured to wake the blocking node from a low power mode or sleep in a blocked state in response to a wake-up event. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the wake-up controller is configured to detect a wake-up event in response to operation of the activator. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the activator comprises a button or functional element actuated by a user according to an actuation mode or actuation code. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4, wherein the activator is protected and is activated in response to user-initiated contact with the instrument. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the instrument is integrated into a charger configured to interface with a power source to recharge the power source. 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the activator is activated in response to detecting a position or movement pattern of the aerosol delivery device. 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the activator is configured to be coupled to packaging associated with the sale of the aerosol delivery device, wherein removal of the packaging activates the activator. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the activator is configured to be coupled to an interrupt generator to generate an interrupt, wherein the microcontroller of the aerosol delivery device is activated from a standby state in response to the interrupt. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the activator is activated in response to removal of the tab from the portion of the aerosol delivery device. 11. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 2, wherein the locking node comprises an authentication manager configured to perform an authentication process in response to a wake-up event, wherein the authentication process comprises scanning an authentication code and transitioning the locking node to an unlocked state in response to verification of the authentication code. 12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, further comprising either or both of: a control switch circuit operative to close to allow power from the power source to be supplied to the electronics of the device and to open to prevent power from being supplied from the power source to the electronics of the device, and a charge switch circuit operative to close to allow overcharging of the power source and to open to prevent overcharging of the power source. 13. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 12, wherein the locking unit is configured to close the control switch circuit and the charge switch circuit in response to a transition to the unlocked state and to open the control switch circuit and the charge switch circuit in response to a transition to the locked state. 14. A method for unlocking an aerosol delivery device, comprising the steps of: detecting a wake-up event while the aerosol delivery device is in a locked state in which the charging function or the aerosol generation function is not enabled, wherein detecting the wake-up event comprises detecting an operation performed by a user on an activator; waking the aerosol delivery device locking node from a low power or sleep mode in response to detecting a wake-up event; perform the authentication process through the blocking node; and in response to the completion of the authentication process, the blocking node is transferred to an unlocked state in which the charging function and the aerosol generation function are enabled. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein waking up the blocking node comprises the steps of waking up the microcontroller of the aerosol delivery device from the standby mode and waking up the authentication manager to perform the authentication process. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein waking up the blocking node comprises waking up the authentication manager to perform the authentication process. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein detecting the actuation of the activator comprises a step in which the actuation of a button or a functional element actuated by a user according to an actuation mode or an actuation code is detected. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the activator is protected and is activated in response to user-initiated contact using a tool operated by the user or built into a charger configured to interface with a battery of the aerosol delivery device. 19. The method according to claim 14, wherein performing the authentication process comprises a step of scanning the authentication code and transferring the blocking node to an unlocked state in response to verification of the authentication code. 20. A system for activating a locked and packaged component, comprising: aerosol delivery device and a packaging unit containing packaging associated with the sale of an aerosol delivery device, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises: a rechargeable power source configured to provide power for forming an aerosol; electronics of the device configured to generate the aerosol in response to the supply of power from the power source; and a locking unit configured to perform either or both of preventing overcharging of the power source and preventing power from being supplied from the power source to the electronics of the device in a locked state, and to allow overcharging of the power source and supply of power from the power source to the electronics of the device in an unlocked state, wherein the blocking unit is configured to perform awakening, authentication and unlocking of the aerosol delivery device, and wherein the locking unit is configured to be coupled with the packaging so that removal of the packaging initiates the awakening of the aerosol delivery device.

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