Smoking device with authentication means

Abstract

To provide an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device configured to generate aerosol, the aerosol-generating device having a locked state, in which the aerosol-generating device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state, in which the aerosol-generating is permitted to generate aerosol.SOLUTION: A system further comprises a receiving device configured to at least partially receive an aerosol-generating device, where each of the aerosol-generating device and the receiving device includes a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol-generating device with the receiving device, where the receiving device includes a control arrangement with at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the aerosol-generating system based on sensing at least one biometric feature of the user, and where the control arrangement is configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol-generating device to configure the aerosol-generating device into a locked state or an unlocked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of aerosol generating systems or devices for use with aerosol generating articles or smoking articles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating system including an aerosol generating device and a receiving device, an aerosol generating device for such a system, and a receiving device for such a system. The present disclosure further relates to a computer-implemented method for authenticating a user in an aerosol generating system, a user device for configuring and / or registering an aerosol generating system, and a method for operating such a user device. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to one or more computer programs and one or more computer-readable media. [Background technology]

[0002] An aerosol generating system or device typically includes an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol, and, for example, a receiving device or main unit for storing the aerosol generating device. Typically, the aerosol generating device is designed as a handheld device that can be used by a user to consume the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating article or smoking article, for example, in one or more use sessions. Typically, the aerosol generating article includes an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, and / or a cartridge containing a liquid. Heat can be applied or transferred from a heating element or heat source of the aerosol generating device, for example, to heat at least a portion of the aerosol generating article, to generate an aerosol during use or consumption.

[0003] Exemplary aerosol-generating articles for use with an aerosol-generating device may comprise an aerosol-forming substrate assembled in the form of a stick, often together with other elements or components. Such a stick may be configured in a shape and size to be at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating device, and may include, for example, a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating article and / or the aerosol-forming substrate. Other exemplary aerosol-generating articles may include cartridges containing a liquid that may be evaporated during aerosol consumption by a user. Such cartridges may also be configured in a shape and size to be at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating device. Alternatively, the cartridge may be fixedly attached to the aerosol-generating device and refilled by inserting liquid into the cartridge.

[0004] In some conventional aerosol generating systems or stand-alone aerosol generating devices, a fingerprint sensor is placed on the handheld aerosol generating device to authenticate the user. For example, document US2015 / 122252A1 describes a handheld vaporizer that includes a fingerprint scanner for locking the vaporizer for use when an approved fingerprint is not detected via the fingerprint scanner. However, this may result in a complex design, configuration and appearance of the aerosol generating device.

[0005] It may therefore be considered desirable to have an improved aerosol generating system, an improved receiving device for such a system and / or an improved aerosol generating device for such a system that provides authentication means to ensure that only authorized users, such as adult individuals or users, users who have reached a certain age threshold, and / or owners of the aerosol generating system, are permitted to use the aerosol generating system, particularly for aerosol consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims, further embodiments of which are incorporated in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] Various aspects and embodiments and examples of those aspects of the present disclosure are described below, with the understanding that various aspects of the present disclosure relate at least in part, primarily or entirely to one or more of an aerosol generating system, an aerosol generating device, a receiving device for the aerosol generating system, and a user device.

[0008] However, it is emphasized that any feature, step, function, element, technical effect and / or advantage described hereinabove and below with reference to one aspect of the present disclosure, as described hereinabove and below, applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure as well.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generation system is provided, including an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol, the aerosol generating device having a locked state in which the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating an aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device is permitted to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generating system (hereinafter also referred to as the system) further includes a receiving device configured to at least partially receive the aerosol generating device. Each of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device includes a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device with the receiving device. In which, the receiving device includes a controller having at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the aerosol generating system based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user. In addition, the controller is configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device, for example, via the communication interface of the receiving device and the communication interface of the aerosol generating device, to configure and / or switch the aerosol generating device into the locked state or the unlocked state. In which, the authentication signal is indicative of, explains, and / or represents a successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating system.

[0010] By disposing a biometric sensor in the receiving device and transmitting an authentication signal from the receiving device to the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device can be configured and / or switched to a locked or unlocked state depending on whether authentication of the user based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic is successful or unsuccessful. For example, configuration of the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state by an unauthorized user can be effectively and reliably prohibited such that an unauthorized user is effectively and reliably prohibited from using the aerosol generating system for aerosol consumption.

[0011] Furthermore, locating the at least one biometric sensor in the receiving device may enable reliable, effective and safe authentication of a user with minimal modifications to the aerosol generating device, as compared to, for example, locating the at least one biometric sensor in the aerosol generating device. In particular, locating the at least one biometric sensor in the receiving device of the aerosol generating system may not require modification of the aerosol generating device in terms of shape, form and / or design, as discussed further below.

[0012] In the context of this disclosure, an authorized user (also referred to as an authenticated user) may refer to or denote a user who has been authorized to configure an aerosol generating device by an aerosol generating system, an adult, an adult individual, a user of full age, a user who has reached an age threshold, a user who has reached the age of majority, and / or another authorized user, such as the owner. Additionally, an unauthorized user may refer to or denote a minor user, a user who has not reached an age threshold, a child, or any other user who is not authorized to configure an aerosol generating device, particularly a user who is not authorized to have the aerosol generating device in an unlocked state for aerosol consumption.

[0013] An aerosol generating device may be configured or designed, for example, as a handheld device that can be used by a user or authorized user to consume an aerosol generating article during one or more usage sessions (also referred to as experience or experience sessions).

[0014] For example, an aerosol-generating article usable with an aerosol-generating device may include an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, which may be in the form of a stick at least partially insertable into the aerosol-generating device, optionally assembled with other elements or components. Alternatively or additionally, an aerosol-generating article usable with an aerosol-generating device may include at least one cartridge containing a liquid that may be evaporated during aerosol consumption by a user. Such a cartridge may be a refillable cartridge that is fixedly attached to the aerosol-generating device, or the cartridge may be at least partially inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

[0015] A locked state of the aerosol generating device may refer to a locked configuration and an unlocked state may refer to an unlocked configuration of the aerosol generating device. In a locked state or configuration, the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating aerosol. This may mean that in the locked state, the aerosol generating device is locked for aerosol consumption by a user and / or that the aerosol generating device is configured in the locked state such that no aerosol is generated. On the other hand, in an unlocked state or configuration, the aerosol generating device is permitted or allowed to generate aerosol. This may mean that in the unlocked state, the aerosol generating device is unlocked for aerosol consumption by a user and / or that the aerosol generating device is configured in the unlocked state such that aerosol may be generated.

[0016] Thus, when the aerosol generation device is in a locked state, the aerosol generation device may not be operable by a user to generate aerosol, and when the aerosol generation device is in an unlocked state, the aerosol generation device may be operable by a user to generate aerosol. In other words, in the locked state of the aerosol generation device, access to one or more functions or features of the aerosol generation device, including the aerosol generation device, may be prohibited to a user, and in the unlocked state of the aerosol generation device, access to one or more functions or features of the aerosol generation device, including aerosol generation, may be permitted to a user.

[0017] The aerosol generating device may include control circuitry for controlling one or more functions of the aerosol generating device and / or for processing the authentication signal. The control circuitry may include one or more processors for data processing, such as for processing the authentication signal. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may include data storage and / or memory for storing data, such as software instructions, computer programs, and / or other data.

[0018] The receiving device may generally refer to a support device for supporting and / or storing the aerosol generating device. The receiving device may be a portable receiving device. In the context of the present disclosure, the configuration of the receiving device should be broadly interpreted as at least partially receiving the aerosol generating device. For example, this may mean that the receiving device is configured to be physically coupled to the aerosol generating device. Such physical coupling may include, for example, a mechanical coupling based on an attachment means such as a hook mechanism, a latch mechanism, a snap-fit ​​mechanism, etc., whereby the aerosol generating device may be mechanically coupled to the receiving device and / or its housing. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be physically coupled to the receiving device based on a magnetic or electromagnetic coupling. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be at least partially inserted into the receiving device, such as, for example, into an opening of the receiving device.

[0019] Additionally, the aerosol generating device and the receiving device may refer to physically separate components or elements of an aerosol generating system. To communicate with each other and / or to exchange data or signals, such as authentication signals, each of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device includes at least one communication interface. The communication interfaces of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device may be configured for wireless communication, wired communication, or both. For example, the communication interfaces of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device may be configured to communicatively couple the aerosol generating device and the receiving device via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, a 3G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, a radio connection, a short-range connection, an IoT connection, or any other connection using any suitable communication protocol.

[0020] A controller of the receiving device may be configured to control one or more functions of the receiving device. The controller may include one or more processors for data processing. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device may include data storage and / or memory for storing data, such as software instructions, computer programs, and / or other data.

[0021] The controller and / or at least one biometric sensor of the controller may be configured to determine, sense, analyze, acquire, and / or detect one or more biometric characteristics of the user to authenticate the user. For example, authenticating a user may mean or include identifying the user, determining the identity of the user, verifying the identity of the user, and / or determining whether the user is authorized or authorized to configure the aerosol generating device, e.g., to unlock and enable aerosol generation.

[0022] Thus, "successful authentication" of a user may mean that the user was identified as a user authorized to configure the aerosol generating device to a locked or unlocked state based on detecting one or more biometric characteristics of the user with at least one biometric sensor. Thus, "failed authentication" of a user may mean that the user was not identified or was unsuccessful in being identified as a user authorized to configure the aerosol generating device to a locked or unlocked state based on detecting one or more biometric characteristics of the user with at least one biometric sensor.

[0023] In general, the authentication signal may be usable to configure the aerosol generation device into a locked or unlocked state. In other words, the authentication signal may refer to a data signal or data element that allows for configuring and / or being usable to configure the aerosol generation device into a locked or unlocked state, cause the aerosol generation device to enter a locked or unlocked state, and / or switch the aerosol generation device into a locked or unlocked state. Therein, causing, configuring, and / or switching the aerosol generation device into a locked or unlocked state may mean or include operating and / or configuring the aerosol generation device such that the aerosol generation device is in a locked or unlocked state.

[0024] For example, the aerosol generating device may be configured and / or switched to a locked state if or when the authentication signal indicates a failure to authenticate the user, and the aerosol generating device may be configured and / or switched to an unlocked state if or when the authentication signal indicates a successful authentication of the user. For example, the authentication signal may refer to a data signal, such as a binary signal, where a first value may indicate a successful authentication of the user at the receiving device and a second value, different from the first value, may indicate a failure to authenticate the user at the receiving device. Further, the aerosol generating device may be in an unlocked state when the authentication signal takes a first value and in a locked state when the authentication signal takes a second value.

[0025] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be configured in one of the locked and unlocked states when or when an authentication signal is transmitted by the receiving device, and may be configured in the other of the locked and unlocked states when or when an authentication signal is not transmitted by the receiving device.

[0026] The authentication signal may thus refer to an anonymized data signal or data element indicative of successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user. Optionally, however, the authentication signal may also be indicative of one or more biometric characteristics of the user sensed by at least one biometric sensor such that the aerosol generating device can determine whether the user is authorized to configure the aerosol generating device in a locked or unlocked state.

[0027] Furthermore, the aerosol generating device may be commanded to enter and / or switch to a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal transmitted by the receiving device. Thus, the receiving device may be configured to command and / or cause the aerosol generating device to enter and / or switch to a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be configured to process a received authentication signal and configure itself such that the aerosol generating device is in a locked or unlocked state.

[0028] Further, the control device of the receiving device may be configured to generate an authentication signal based on the determined one or more biometric features. The sensed one or more biometric features may, for example, be compared to one or more reference biometric features of the user to determine whether the user is authenticated or not authenticated. Such one or more reference biometric features may, for example, be stored in a data storage or memory of the receiving device and / or a data storage or memory of the aerosol generating device. For example, the control device of the receiving device may be configured to compare one or more biometric features of the user sensed by the at least one biometric sensor with one or more reference biometric features stored in the data storage. Based on the comparison, the control device of the receiving device may be configured to determine whether the user is authorized to configure the receiving device in a locked or unlocked state. The control device may further be configured to generate a corresponding authentication signal indicating whether the user authentication has been successful or unsuccessful based on the one or more biometric features sensed by the at least one biometric sensor, and to transmit the authentication signal to the aerosol generating device. Therein, the authentication signal may only indicate whether the user is authorized to configure the aerosol generating device, but may not include user individual or personal data, such as the one or more sensed biometric features. Thus, privacy may be effectively protected.

[0029] Alternatively, however, the authentication signal may describe, indicate, and / or represent one or more biometric features, and the aerosol generating device may be configured to compare the one or more biometric features sensed by at least one biometric sensor with one or more reference biometric features, which may be stored in data storage or memory of the aerosol generating device.

[0030] As mentioned herein above, arranging at least one biometric sensor on the receiving device may allow for reliable, effective and safe authentication of the user with minimal modifications to the aerosol generating device, as compared to, for example, arranging at least one biometric sensor on the aerosol generating device. In particular, by arranging at least one biometric sensor on the receiving device of the aerosol generating system, no modifications of the aerosol generating device are required, in terms of its geometry, shape and / or design, such as modifications of the mechanical or physical coupling between the aerosol generating device and the receiving device. Thus, based on the present disclosure, authentication means can be added or implemented in the aerosol generating system without adding complexity, in particular to the mechanical coupling of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device. For example, arranging at least one biometric sensor on the aerosol generating device may involve the presence of a protrusion on the outer wall of the aerosol generating device, which may result in a corresponding modification of the receiving device, for example, when the aerosol generating device may be at least partially inserted into the receiving device.

[0031] The at least one biometric sensor may be at least one of a fingerprint sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and a camera for facial recognition to determine one or more biometric characteristics of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one biometric characteristic may include one or more of at least one fingerprint, at least one iris characteristic, at least one voice characteristic, and at least one facial characteristic to determine the identity of the user, identify the user, and / or authenticate the user. It should also be noted that multiple biometric sensors, e.g., different types of biometric sensors, may be disposed on the receiving device.

[0032] To authenticate a user, one or more reference biometric features may be stored in the data storage and / or memory of the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, one or more reference biometric features may be stored in the data storage and / or memory of the aerosol generating device. Generally, the one or more reference biometric features may be stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device as a biometric signature, biometric signature data, biometric data and / or a biometric signature. For example, the one or more reference biometric features may be obtained during and stored upon completion of an authentication or enrollment process, such as an age authentication process, as discussed further below.

[0033] Depending on the type of biometric sensor used, the one or more reference biometric features may include one or more of at least one reference fingerprint, at least one reference iris feature, at least one reference voice feature, and at least one reference facial feature to determine the identity of the user, identify the user, and / or authenticate the user.

[0034] The receiving device and / or the controller of the at least one biometric sensor may be configured to obtain and / or sense at least one fingerprint of the user, at least one image of the user's iris, at least one audio message including the user's voice, and at least one image of at least a portion of the user's face. Alternatively or additionally, the controller of the receiving device may be configured to authenticate the user and / or determine whether the user is authenticated, e.g., to configure the aerosol generating device in an unlocked state, based on analyzing one or more of the sensed biometric features, e.g., based on comparing one or more of the sensed biometric features to one or more of the reference biometric features.

[0035] The at least one biometric sensor may be disposed on or within a housing of the receiving device. For example, the at least one biometric sensor may be disposed on a side wall, an outer wall, a top wall, and / or a bottom wall of the receiving device.

[0036] The aerosol generating device may include at least one energy storage unit for storing electrical energy and / or for supplying electrical energy to the aerosol generating device, and the receiving device may be configured to supply electrical energy to the aerosol generating device in order to charge the at least one energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the receiving device may be configured to charge the aerosol generating device and / or its at least one energy storage unit. The at least one energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device may include, for example, at least one battery, at least one accumulator, at least one capacitor, or any other energy storage unit.

[0037] The receiving device may be configured to supply electrical energy to an energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device when the aerosol generating device is at least partially received by the receiving device. The receiving device may include one or more batteries for supplying electrical energy to the energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the receiving device may be configured to wirelessly supply electrical energy to the energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device, for example based on induction. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device may be configured to supply electrical energy to the energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device via one or more electrical connectors between the receiving device and the aerosol generating device.

[0038] For example, the aerosol generation device and the receiving device may each include at least one electrical connector for electrically coupling the receiving device with the aerosol generation device when the aerosol generation device is at least partially received by the receiving device.

[0039] As an example, the receiving device may include an opening for at least partially receiving the aerosol generating device. By at least partially inserting the aerosol generating device into the opening, one or more electrical connections may be established between one or more electrical connectors of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be physically and / or mechanically coupled to the receiving device, e.g., to a housing of the receiving device, such that the aerosol generating device is at least partially received by the receiving device and one or more electrical connections are established between the aerosol generating device and the receiving device.

[0040] Optionally, establishing a communicative coupling and / or connection between the receiving device and the aerosol generating device may be triggered, for example, for the transmission of the authentication signal, by establishing an electrical connection between the receiving device and the aerosol generating device, for example, via one or more electrical connectors of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device. As an example, at least one electrical connector of the receiving device may combine with and / or include a communication interface of the receiving device. In other words, at least one electrical connector of the receiving device may be configured as a communication interface for communicatively coupling the receiving device with the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or additionally, at least one electrical connector of the aerosol generating device may combine with and / or include a communication interface of the aerosol generating device. In other words, at least one electrical connector of the aerosol generating device may be configured as a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device with the receiving device. Thus, the authentication signal may be transmitted from the receiving device to the aerosol generating device via one or more electrical connectors of the receiving device and the aerosol generating device. However, it should be noted that the communication interface of one or both of the receiving device and the aerosol generating device may be physically separate and independent from at least one electrical connector of the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device.

[0041] The aerosol generation system may be configured to configure, enter, and / or switch the aerosol generation device into a locked state based on one or more locking conditions. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generation system may be configured to configure, enter, and / or switch the aerosol generation device into a locked state based on determining whether one or more locking conditions are met. Such a determination may be made by one or more of the receiving device, the receiving device's control device, the aerosol generation device, and the aerosol generation device's control circuitry. Generally, configuring the aerosol generation device into a locked state based on one or more locking conditions may enable the aerosol generation device to be automatically and / or periodically configured into the locked state. The user may then be required to authenticate or re-authenticate themselves with the aerosol generation system depending on the one or more locking conditions, for example, in the event of loss of the aerosol generation device or system, to ensure that unauthorized users are prohibited and prevented from using the aerosol generation system or device for aerosol consumption.

[0042] The one or more locking conditions may include at least one of the following and / or may include determining at least one of: -The maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication with the receiving device; and -The maximum time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication on the accepting device.

[0043] However, it should be noted that other locking conditions may also be used to configure the aerosol generating device into a locked state, such as, for example, a maximum number of aerosol generating articles to be used in the system.

[0044] Thus, one or more of the receiving device, the receiving device's controller, the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device's control circuitry may be configured to determine at least one of a number of usage sessions of the aerosol generating device by a user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, a number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and a time period that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device. Further, one or more of the receiving device, the receiving device's controller, the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device's control circuitry may be configured to compare at least one of the determined number of usage sessions, the determined number of charging cycles, and the determined time period with one or more thresholds indicative of corresponding maximum values, i.e., a maximum number of usage sessions, a maximum number of charging cycles, and / or a maximum time period.

[0045] Therein, a usage session may be defined or given, for example, by at least one of a period during which the aerosol generating device continuously generates or has generated heat, a period during which the aerosol generating device is activated by a user, and a pre-defined number of puffs taken by the user on the aerosol generating device. Accordingly, one or more of the receiving device, the receiving device controller, the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device control circuitry may be configured to determine at least one of a period during which the aerosol generating device continuously generates or has generated heat, a period during which the aerosol generating device is activated by a user, and a pre-defined number of puffs taken by the user on the aerosol generating device.

[0046] A charging cycle may refer to a period during which the aerosol generating device is continuously supplied with electrical energy by the receiving device. During a charging cycle, the at least one energy store may be partially or fully charged.

[0047] For example, the controller of the receiving device may be configured to transmit a lock signal to the aerosol generation device to cause the aerosol generation device to enter a locked state when at least one of the one or more lock conditions is satisfied. Upon and / or in response to receiving the lock signal at the aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device may be switched to, enter, and / or configured into a locked state. Thus, a lock signal may refer to a control signal to instruct the aerosol generation device to enter the locked state.

[0048] The aerosol generating device may further include a data storage and control circuitry configured to determine an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device and to store the authentication indicator in the data storage. For example, the control circuitry may be configured to derive the authentication indicator from the authentication signal. Therein, the authentication indicator may indicate, represent and / or describe successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user. Alternatively or additionally, the authentication indicator may indicate, represent and / or describe whether the user is authorized to configure the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state, e.g., in which the aerosol generating device may be authorized for use by the user for aerosol generation and / or aerosol consumption by the aerosol generating device. Storing the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device may enable efficient, reliable and secure configuration of the aerosol generating device to a locked or unlocked state, and for example, to keep the aerosol generating device in the configured locked or unlocked state, at least temporarily, even if the receiving device is not currently available to the user. Protection may also be provided in the event of loss of the aerosol generating device.

[0049] In general, the authentication indicator may indicate or refer to a data element that corresponds to an authentication signal and / or describes an authentication number. Thus, the authentication indicator may be usable to configure the aerosol generating device into a locked or unlocked state. In other words, the authentication indicator may refer to a data element that allows the aerosol generating device to be configured and / or usable to configure, enter, switch to, and / or temporarily hold a locked or unlocked state. Therein, causing, configuring, and / or switching the aerosol generating device into a locked or unlocked state may mean or include operating and / or configuring the aerosol generating device such that the aerosol generating device is in a locked or unlocked state.

[0050] For example, the aerosol generating device may be configured and / or switched to a locked state if or when the authentication indicator indicates a failure to authenticate the user, and the aerosol generating device may be configured and / or switched to an unlocked state if or when the authentication indicator indicates a successful authentication of the user. For example, the authentication indicator may refer to a data element, such as a binary data element, where a first value may indicate a successful authentication of the user at the receiving device and a second value, different from the first value, may indicate a failure to authenticate the user at the receiving device. Further, the aerosol generating device may be configured to be in an unlocked state if or when the authentication indicator takes a first value and to be in a locked state if or when the authentication signal takes a second value.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may be configured in one of a locked state and an unlocked state if or when an authentication indicator is present or stored in data storage of the aerosol generating device, and may be configured in the other of a locked state and an unlocked state if or when an authentication indicator is present in data storage of the aerosol generating device.

[0052] The authentication indicator may thus refer to a de-identified data element that indicates whether authentication of a user was successful or unsuccessful. Optionally, however, the authentication indicator may also be indicative of one or more biometric characteristics of the user sensed by at least one biometric sensor, such that the aerosol generating device can determine whether the user is authorized to configure the aerosol generating device to a locked or unlocked state, for example, based on comparing the one or more sensed biometric characteristics to one or more reference biometric characteristics.

[0053] Thus, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on an authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device.

[0054] In one example, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on a value of the authentication indicator stored in a data storage of the aerosol generating device. For example, a first value of the authentication indicator may be associated with an unlocked state and a second value different from the first value may be associated with a locked state of the aerosol generating device (or vice versa). Thus, when the authentication indicator takes a first value, the aerosol generating device may be configured in an unlocked state and when the authentication indicator takes a second value, the aerosol generating device may be configured in a locked state (or vice versa).

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the presence and / or absence of an authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device. For example, the aerosol generating device may be configured in the locked state when the authentication indicator is absent and / or not stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device, and the aerosol generating device may be configured in the unlocked state when the authentication indicator is present and / or not stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device (or vice versa).

[0056] Additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to modify, adjust, alter, and / or change the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device upon successful user authentication with the receiving device such that the aerosol generating device enters and / or becomes an unlocked state. In other words, the control circuitry may be configured to configure, cause and / or switch the aerosol generating device to the unlocked state based on modifying the value of the authentication indicator, e.g., in response to or based on an authentication signal received from the receiving device. Therein, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to set the authentication indicator to a value, e.g., a first value associated with an unlocked state of the aerosol generating device, such that the aerosol generating device is configured in the unlocked state.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to set the authentication indicator to a further value, such as a second value associated with a locked state of the aerosol generating device, such that the aerosol generating device is configured in a locked state.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to store the authentication indicator in the data storage only if and / or when successful user authentication at the receiving device is indicated by the authentication signal. Thus, the aerosol generating device may be configured in one of the locked and unlocked states if and / or when the authentication indicator is stored in the aerosol generating device data storage, and the aerosol generating device may be configured in the other of the locked and unlocked states if and / or when the authentication indicator is not stored or absent in the aerosol generating device state data storage. For example, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device into the locked state in the absence of the authentication indicator in the aerosol generating device data storage.

[0059] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter, switch to and / or configure the aerosol generating device into a locked state if or when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device assumes a predefined value, wherein the predefined value of the authentication indicator may be associated with the locked state, such as, for example, the second value of the authentication indicator described above.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state if or when an authentication indicator is stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device. In other words, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state upon the presence of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state if or when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device assumes a further pre-defined value, which may differ from the pre-defined value, wherein the further pre-defined value of the authentication indicator may be associated with the unlocked state, such as, for example, the first value of the authentication indicator described above.

[0062] Further, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to remove, delete and / or erase the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device such that the aerosol generating device is configured in a locked state. In other words, the aerosol generating device may be configured in a locked state upon absence of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device and / or upon removal of the authentication indicator from the data storage. For example, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to periodically erase and / or delete the data storage for storing the authentication indicator, resulting in the aerosol generating device being periodically configured in a locked state. By periodically removing the authentication indicator from the data storage and / or periodically erasing the data storage of the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device may be periodically configured in a locked state. Thus, a user is required to periodically authenticate or re-authenticate himself / herself, thereby efficiently, reliably and securely preventing use of the aerosol generating device by unauthorized users.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to modify, alter, adjust and / or change the value of the authentication indicator such that the aerosol generating device is configured in a locked state, whereby the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to modify, alter, adjust and / or change the value of the authentication indicator to a value associated with the locked state, such as a second value of the authentication indicator. By periodically modifying the value of the authentication indicator, the aerosol generating device may be periodically configured in a locked state. Thus, a user may be required to periodically authenticate or re-authenticate themselves, thereby efficiently, reliably and securely preventing use of the aerosol generating device by unauthorized users.

[0064] To cause, switch, and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to remove, delete, and / or erase the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device, for example, based on one or more locking conditions and / or based on determining whether the one or more locking conditions are met.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, to cause, switch, and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state, control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to modify, alter, adjust, and / or change a value of the authentication indicator stored in a data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions and / or based on determining whether one or more locking conditions are satisfied, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to modify, alter, adjust, and / or change the value of the authentication indicator to a value associated with the locked state, such as a second value of the authentication indicator.

[0066] Generally, configuring an aerosol generating device into a locked state based on one or more locking conditions may enable the aerosol generating device to be automatically and / or periodically configured into a locked state based on one or more locking conditions. A user may then be required to authenticate or re-authenticate themselves with the aerosol generating system depending on the one or more locking conditions, thereby ensuring that use of the aerosol generating system or device by unauthorized users for aerosol consumption is prohibited and prevented.

[0067] The one or more locking conditions may include at least one of the following and / or may include determining at least one of: -The maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication with the receiving device; and -The maximum time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication on the accepting device.

[0068] Therein, a usage session may be defined or given, for example, by at least one of a period during which the aerosol generating device continuously generates or has generated heat, a period during which the aerosol generating device is activated by a user, and a predefined number of puffs taken by the user on the aerosol generating device. Thus, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to determine at least one of a period during which the aerosol generating device continuously generates or has generated heat, a period during which the aerosol generating device is activated by a user, and a predefined number of puffs taken by the user on the aerosol generating device.

[0069] Further, the communication device of the receiving device may be configured to communicate and / or transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device only upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, the authentication signal may indicate successful authentication of the user at the receiving device. Thus, the aerosol generating device may be configured to an unlocked state upon receiving the authentication signal and / or in response to receiving the authentication signal, based on the authentication signal.

[0070] Furthermore, the authentication signal may be an encrypted signal. For example, a secret or a passcode may be shared between the aerosol generating device and the receiving device to encrypt the authentication signal. Therein, the secret or the passcode may be coded or included in the authentication signal. Alternatively, the secret or the passcode may be transmitted separately from the authentication signal. However, any other encryption approach may be applied to encrypt the authentication signal. In general, by encrypting the authentication signal, attacks of unauthorized users who configure the aerosol generating device in an unlocked state, such as, for example, reply attacks, may be reliably prevented. Furthermore, the authentication indicator may be stored in a protected storage area of ​​the data storage of the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device.

[0071] Additionally, the aerosol generating device may include at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol generating article to produce an aerosol, and control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to prohibit activation of the at least one heating element by a user when the aerosol generating device is in a locked state. Additionally, control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to allow activation of the at least one heating element by a user when the aerosol generating device is in an unlocked state. By allowing activation of the heating element in the unlocked state and prohibiting activation of the heating element in the locked state, it may be ensured that a user can only use the aerosol generating device for aerosol consumption upon successful authentication.

[0072] As an example, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to prohibit activation of the heating element based on at least one of disabling at least one heating element, disabling an energy supply source for supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element, and disabling an actuation element of the aerosol generating device for activating the at least one heating element by a user.

[0073] Alternatively or additionally, the flow path of the aerosol through the aerosol generating device may be blocked in the locked state and the flow path may be open or unblocked in the unlocked state. Alternatively or additionally, the insertion of an aerosol-generating article into the aerosol generating device may be prohibited in the locked state and the insertion of an aerosol-generating article may be permitted in the unlocked state. However, any other means of permitting aerosol generation in the unlocked state and prohibiting aerosol generation in the locked state may be implemented.

[0074] Additionally, the receiving device may include data storage for storing at least one age authentication indicator, the age authentication indicator indicating that the user will reach or has reached the age threshold. Upon successful user authentication at the receiving device, the controller may be further configured to determine and / or verify that the user has reached the age threshold based on the age authentication indicator. Additionally, the controller of the receiving device may be configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device, e.g., to configure the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state, in response to determining and / or verifying that the user has reached the age threshold. Alternatively or additionally, the controller of the receiving device may be configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device, e.g., to configure the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state, only if or when the user is authenticated as reaching the age threshold.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device may further include data storage for storing at least one age authentication indicator indicating that the user has reached or has reached the age threshold, and upon receiving the authentication signal, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to authenticate and / or determine that the user has reached the age threshold based on the age authentication indicator. Further, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device into an unlocked state only if or when the user has been authenticated as reaching the age threshold.

[0076] In the context of the present disclosure, the term age threshold may indicate or refer to a predetermined and / or predefined age or minimum age of a user of an aerosol generating system or device. In certain jurisdictions, for example, consumption of aerosols may be permitted for citizens or individuals who have reached a certain minimum age and / or have an age equal to or greater than a minimum age. Furthermore, in at least some jurisdictions, individuals who have reached this minimum age may be considered of full age and / or adulthood. Thus, the term age threshold may indicate, represent, and / or describe a minimum age, which a user should have in order to use an aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption. Alternatively or additionally, the term age threshold may indicate, represent, and / or describe an adult age, at which a user may be considered an adult. For example, the age threshold may range from 14 to 25 years old, such as 16, 18, or 21 years old.

[0077] Thus, the age authentication indicator may be usable and / or may be a data element usable to determine whether a user of the aerosol generating system has reached a minimum age indicated by an age threshold. For example, the age authentication indicator may be usable to determine whether a user of the aerosol generating system has reached full age, reached the age of majority, and / or is an adult.

[0078] As an example, the age verification indicator may refer to a flag, a marker, a numeric data element, and / or a binary data element, and a first value of the age verification may indicate that the user has not reached the age threshold and / or that the user has an age below the age threshold. Further, a second value of the age verification indicator, different from the first value, may indicate that the user has reached the age threshold and / or that the user has an age equal to or greater than the age threshold.

[0079] By determining that a user has reached an age threshold based on an age authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the data storage of the aerosol generating device, misuse or legally abusive use of the aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption by users who have not reached the age threshold and / or have an age below the age threshold may be reliably and effectively prohibited, in particular use of the aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption by underage users.

[0080] Further, the age authentication indicator may be associated with the user. Alternatively or additionally, the age authentication indicator may be tied, associated, and / or linked to the user. For example, the age authentication indicator may be associated with the user based on or during an age authentication process, registration procedure, or setup procedure, such as an initial age authentication process, registration procedure, or initial setup procedure performed prior to or at the time of the user's first use of the aerosol generating system or device.

[0081] As an example, an age authentication indicator may be associated with a user based on associating one or more reference biometric features of the user with the age authentication indicator, where the one or more reference biometric features may be stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the data storage of the aerosol generating device together with the age authentication indicator. Thus, the one or more reference biometric features may be stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the data storage of the aerosol generating device separately from the age authentication indicator. However, alternatively, the one or more reference biometric features may be combined with the age authentication indicator.

[0082] To determine and / or authenticate that the user has reached an age threshold, the controller of the receiving device and / or control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to identify an authentication indicator associated with the user, e.g., based on comparing at least one biometric characteristic of the user sensed by the at least one biometric sensor with at least one reference biometric characteristic of the user stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device. Alternatively or additionally, the controller and / or control circuitry may be configured to determine and / or identify at least one reference biometric characteristic as substantially matching at least one biometric characteristic of the user sensed by the at least one biometric sensor, thereby determining an age authentication indicator associated with the user and / or said at least one reference biometric characteristic.

[0083] When the age authentication indicator indicates that the user has reached the age threshold, the controller of the receiving device may be configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device, for example, to configure the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state. When the age authentication indicator indicates that the user has not reached the age threshold, the controller may be configured to inhibit transmission of an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device, for example, such that the aerosol generating device remains configured to a locked state. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry of the receiving device may be configured to switch, enter, and / or configure the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state when the age authentication indicator indicates that the user has reached the age threshold. Furthermore, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device may be configured to switch, enter, and / or configure the aerosol generating device to a locked state when the age authentication indicator indicates that the user has not reached the age threshold.

[0084] Further, it should be noted that multiple age authentication indicators for multiple users may also be stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device, and at least one biometric feature for each of the multiple users may be stored in the data storage of the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device, where each of the age authentication indicators may be associated with one of the multiple users based on associating said age authentication indicator with one or more biometric features of said user. For example, each of the users may need or be required to perform an age authentication process, as described in more detail below. Alternatively or additionally, one user, e.g., a master user, may authenticate the age of additional users and add the additional users to the aerosol generating system as authenticated and / or age authenticated users.

[0085] Further, the receiving device may be configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device of a user, and the receiving device may be configured to store an age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device upon receiving an age authentication signal from the user device, the age authentication signal indicating that the user is at, has reached, and / or has an age equal to or greater than the age threshold. In other words, the age authentication indicator may be generated based on the use of the user device communicatively coupled to the receiving device. The user device may implement a comprehensive and secure procedure for determining the age of the user based on personal data or information of the user, such as, for example, the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, social security number, etc. Thus, the actual age of the user may be reliably and unambiguously determined. Furthermore, by storing the corresponding age authentication indicator in the data storage, it may be ensured that the aerosol generating device can only be configured in an unlocked state and / or can only be used for aerosol consumption by users who have reached the age threshold. In particular, the use of the aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption by underage users may be reliably and effectively prohibited.

[0086] In the context of this disclosure, a user device may refer to a computing device configured to communicate with an aerosol generating system and / or a receiving device, for example, based on an exchange of data or information. Generally, a user device may be a handheld or portable device. Alternatively, a user device may be a stand-alone or fixedly attached device. Furthermore, a user device may be owned by or installed at a user or another entity or individual, such as a retail store. By way of example, a user device may refer to a handheld, smartphone, personal computer ("PC"), tablet PC, laptop, or computer.

[0087] The user device may comprise a user interface for providing one or more queries to a user and / or receiving one or more user inputs, such as, for example, one or more answers to the one or more queries.

[0088] Further, the user device may include a communication interface, a communication module, and / or a communication circuit for communicatively coupling the user device to the receiving device, e.g., via a communication interface of the receiving device, in which the user device may be configured for wireless communication with the receiving device, wired communication with the receiving device, or both. For example, the user device may be configured to be communicatively coupled to the receiving device via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, a 3G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, a radio connection, a short-range connection, an IoT connection, or any other connection using any suitable communication protocol.

[0089] The user device of the aerosol generation system may include a controller or control circuit configured to determine and / or authenticate that the user has reached an age threshold based on guiding the user through a user interface and an age authentication process on the user interface. For example, the controller of the user device may be further configured to transmit an age authentication signal to the receiving device upon or in response to successfully authenticating that the user has reached the age threshold and / or has an age that is equal to or greater than the age threshold.

[0090] The controller or control circuitry of the user device may include one or more processors for data processing, such as processing one or more user inputs received at a user interface. Alternatively or additionally, the user device may include data storage and / or memory for storing data, such as software instructions, computer programs, and / or other data.

[0091] To guide the user through the age verification process, the controller may be configured to provide or output one or more queries and / or one or more requests at the user interface. Further, the controller may be configured to receive and / or process one or more user inputs from the user interface, such as one or more answers or responses to the one or more queries and / or one or more requests.

[0092] As an example, the one or more queries and / or the one or more requests may relate to personal information of the user to determine and / or authenticate the user's age. Thus, the controller may be configured to request personal information or data about the user based on querying the user to provide the requested personal information or data as user input at the user interface. Such personal information or data may be related to, associated with, and / or indicative of, for example, the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, the user's social security number, etc. Thus, the user's actual age may be reliably and unambiguously determined based on guiding the user through an age authentication process, thereby making it possible to ensure that the aerosol generating device can only be configured to an unlocked state and / or used for aerosol consumption by users who have reached an age threshold. In particular, the use of the aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption by underage users may be reliably and effectively prohibited.

[0093] Such age verification process may be performed by software instructions or an app stored in a data storage of the user device. Alternatively or additionally, the age verification process may be implemented based on a web interface of the user device that couples the user device to a server, a server network, a further computing device, a cloud computer network, or the like.

[0094] Additionally, an age authentication process may refer to a setup procedure or registration process for setting up an aerosol generation system, a receptor device, and / or an aerosol generation device. For example, an age authentication process may be performed for each user of an aerosol generation system, for example, as an initial age authentication process or initial setup procedure performed prior to or at the time of the corresponding user's first use of the aerosol generation system or device.

[0095] Alternatively or additionally, an aerosol generating device may be set up only once for a dedicated user, such as a master user, owner, or proprietor of the aerosol generating system. This dedicated or master user may add one or more additional users as authorized to use the aerosol generating system and / or as age-certified (or certified to have reached an age threshold). For example, the dedicated or master user may add one or more additional users based on one or more user inputs at a user interface of the user device and based on transmitting corresponding information to the aerosol generating system, the receiving device, and / or the aerosol generating device.

[0096] The controller of the user device may be further configured to provide a query to the user on a user interface to request the user to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store one or more reference biometric features using the at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, the controller of the user device may be configured to send a control signal to the receiving device to instruct the receiving device to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store one or more reference biometric features using the at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device based on the control signal. For example, the user may be requested to present one or more fingerprints to the at least one biometric sensor, to obtain at least one acoustic message with the at least one biometric sensor, to obtain one or more images of the user's face with the at least one biometric sensor, and / or to obtain one or more images of the user's iris.

[0097] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a receiving device for an aerosol generation system, such as, for example, an aerosol generation system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. Alternatively or additionally, the second aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a receiving device for use with the aerosol generation system, for use with an aerosol generation device, for authenticating a user with the aerosol generation system, and / or for authenticating a user at the aerosol generation device.

[0098] A receiving device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a communication interface for communicatively coupling the receiving device with an aerosol generating device of an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating device having a locked state in which the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device is permitted to generate aerosol. The receiving device further comprises a controller having at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the receiving device based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user, wherein the controller is configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device to place the aerosol generating device in the locked or unlocked state, the authentication signal configured to indicate successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device.

[0099] As described herein above, locating at least one biometric sensor in the receiving device may enable reliable, effective and secure authentication of a user with minimal modification to the aerosol generating device, as compared to, for example, locating at least one biometric sensor in the aerosol generating device. In particular, locating at least one biometric sensor in the receiving device of an aerosol generating system may be achieved without modification of the aerosol generating device in terms of its appearance, geometry, shape and design, and may furthermore be effective and reliable in preventing an unauthorized user from configuring the aerosol generating device into an unlocked state, and thus effectively and reliably preventing an unauthorized user from using the aerosol generating system for aerosol consumption.

[0100] It is emphasized that any disclosure relating to a direct or indirect receiving device presented herein above and hereinafter equally applies to and can be combined with a receiving device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure (and vice versa).

[0101] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an aerosol generation device for use in an aerosol generation system, such as, for example, an aerosol generation system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. Alternatively or additionally, the third aspect of the present disclosure may relate to an aerosol generation device for generating an aerosol, for use in an aerosol generation system and / or for use with a receiving device of the aerosol generation device.

[0102] An aerosol generating device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure has a locked state in which the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device is permitted to generate aerosol, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device to a receiving device of an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating device being configured to receive an authentication signal from the receiving device via the communication interface, the authentication signal indicating successful authentication or failure of authentication of a user at the receiving device using a biometric sensor at the receiving device, and the aerosol generating device further comprises control circuitry configured to cause, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device to enter, switch and / or configure the aerosol generating device into or into the locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device.

[0103] It is emphasized that all disclosures relating to direct or indirect aerosol generating devices presented herein above and hereinafter apply equally to and can be combined with the aerosol generating device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure (and vice versa).

[0104] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-implemented method of user authentication in an aerosol generation system, such as, for example, an aerosol generation system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, where the aerosol generation system includes an aerosol generation device and a receiving device communicatively coupled to the aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device having a locked state in which the aerosol generation device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device is permitted to generate aerosol. Alternatively or additionally, the fourth aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a computer-implemented method of user authentication at a receiving device for an aerosol generation system and / or at an aerosol generation device for an aerosol generation system. Alternatively or additionally, the method of the fourth aspect may relate to a method of operating one or more of the aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation device, and the receiving device.

[0105] The method according to the fourth aspect comprises: - sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user using a biometric sensor disposed in the receiving device to authenticate the user; generating, at the accepting device, an authentication signal indicative of success or failure of authentication of the user at the accepting device; and - transmitting an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device, thereby configuring and / or configuring the aerosol generating device to a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal.

[0106] It is emphasized that all disclosures relating to direct or indirect aerosol generating devices, receiving devices and aerosol generating systems presented hereinabove and hereinafter apply equally to and can be combined with the method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

[0107] The method may further include configuring, switching, and / or causing the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state based on the one or more locking conditions. Alternatively or additionally, the method may further include configuring, switching, and / or causing the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state based on determining the one or more locking conditions at the receiving device and / or the aerosol generating device.

[0108] As described above, determining the one or more locking conditions may include determining at least one of a maximum number of usage sessions of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, a maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and a maximum period of time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device. For example, a usage session may be defined by at least one of a period during which the aerosol generating device continuously produces heat, a period during which the aerosol generating device is activated by the user, and a predetermined number of puffs taken by the user on the aerosol generating device.

[0109] The method may further include determining, at the aerosol generating device, an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device, and storing the authentication indicator in a data storage of the aerosol generating device.

[0110] The method may further include causing the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication indicator.

[0111] The method may further include receiving, at the receiving device, an age authentication signal from a user device communicatively coupled to the receiving device, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold. The method may further include authenticating, at the receiving device, that the user has reached the age threshold based on the received age authentication signal. For example, the authentication signal may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device only if the user has been authenticated as reaching the age threshold.

[0112] The method may further include determining, at the receiving device, an age authentication indicator based on the received age authentication signal and storing the age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device. Optionally, the age authentication indicator may be stored in a data storage of the aerosol generating device, for example, based on transmitting the age authentication indicator from the receiving device to the aerosol generating device.

[0113] The method further includes guiding the user through an age authentication process on a user interface of a user device communicatively coupled to the receiving device, thereby authenticating that the user has reached the age threshold. The method may further include transmitting an age authentication signal from the user device to the receiving device upon successful authentication at the receiving device that the user has reached the age threshold.

[0114] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program which, when executed by one or more processors of one or more of the aerosol generation system, the receiving device and the aerosol generation device, instructs the one or more of the aerosol generation system, the receiving device and the aerosol generation device to perform or execute steps of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0115] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0116] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a biometric sensor at or located on a receiving device of an aerosol generation system to authenticate a user of the aerosol generation system and / or to configure an aerosol generating device of the aerosol generation system, having locked and unlocked states, into a locked or unlocked state based on transmitting an authentication signal from the receiving device to the aerosol generating device, where the authentication signal indicates successful or failed user authentication at the receiving device.

[0117] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generation system, a receiving device for the aerosol generation system, and / or a user device for configuring the aerosol generation system for the aerosol generation system. In that, the aerosol generation system may include an aerosol generation device and a receiving device that may be communicatively coupled to the aerosol generation device. Further, the aerosol generation device may have a locked state in which the aerosol generation device may be prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device may be permitted to generate aerosol.

[0118] A user device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a user interface configured to receive user input and / or guide a user through an age authentication process. The user device further comprises a controller configured to determine and / or authenticate that the user has reached an age threshold based on guiding the user through the age authentication process on the user interface, the controller further configured to transmit an age authentication signal to the receiving device upon successfully authenticating that the user has reached the age threshold, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold.

[0119] It is emphasized that any disclosure relating to a direct or indirect user device presented herein above and hereinafter equally applies to and can be combined with a user device according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure (and vice versa).

[0120] As described herein above, the user device may implement a comprehensive and secure procedure for determining the user's age based on the user's personal data or information, such as, for example, the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, social security number, etc. Thus, the user's actual age may be reliably and unambiguously determined, and the use of an aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption, for example, by an underage user, may be reliably and effectively prohibited.

[0121] Additionally, a user device may refer to a computing device configured to communicate with the aerosol generation system and / or the receiving device, for example, based on an exchange of data or information. In general, a user device may be a handheld or portable device. Alternatively, a user device may be a stand-alone or fixedly attached device. Additionally, a user device may be owned by or installed on a user or another entity or individual, such as a retail store. By way of example, a user device may refer to a handheld, smartphone, personal computer ("PC"), tablet PC, laptop, or computer. A user device may include a user interface for providing one or more queries to a user and / or receiving one or more user inputs, such as, for example, one or more answers to one or more queries.

[0122] Further, the user device may include a communication interface, a communication module, and / or a communication circuit for communicatively coupling the user device to the receiving device, e.g., via a communication interface of the receiving device, in which the user device may be configured for wireless communication with the receiving device, wired communication with the receiving device, or both. For example, the user device may be configured to be communicatively coupled to the receiving device via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, a 3G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, a radio connection, a short-range connection, an IoT connection, or any other connection using any suitable communication protocol.

[0123] The controller of the user device may be configured to instruct the receiving device to determine, based on the age authentication signal, at least one age authentication indicator that indicates that the user has reached an age threshold.

[0124] Alternatively or additionally, the controller of the user device may be configured to instruct the receiving device to store at least one age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device and / or a data storage of the aerosol generating device, for example based on instructing the receiving device to transmit an age authentication indicator and / or an age authentication signal to the aerosol generating device.

[0125] The user device may include a controller or control circuit configured to determine and / or authenticate that the user has reached the age threshold based on guiding the user through a user interface and an age authentication process on the user interface. For example, the controller of the user device may be further configured to transmit an age authentication signal to the receiving device upon or in response to successfully authenticating that the user has reached the age threshold and / or has an age that is equal to or greater than the age threshold.

[0126] The controller of the user device may include one or more processors for processing data, such as processing one or more user inputs received at a user interface. Alternatively or additionally, the user device may include data storage and / or memory for storing data, such as software instructions, computer programs, and / or other data.

[0127] To guide the user through the age verification process, the controller may be configured to provide or output one or more queries and / or one or more requests at the user interface. Further, the controller may be configured to receive and / or process one or more user inputs from the user interface, such as one or more answers or responses to the one or more queries and / or one or more requests.

[0128] As an example, the one or more queries and / or the one or more requests may relate to personal information of the user to determine and / or authenticate the user's age. Thus, the controller may be configured to request personal information or data about the user based on querying the user to provide the requested personal information or data as user input at the user interface. Such personal information or data may be related to, associated with, and / or indicative of, for example, the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, the user's social security number, etc. Thus, the user's actual age may be reliably and unambiguously determined based on guiding the user through an age authentication process, thereby making it possible to ensure that the aerosol generating device can only be configured to an unlocked state and / or used for aerosol consumption by users who have reached an age threshold. In particular, the use of the aerosol generating system or device for aerosol consumption by underage users may be reliably and effectively prohibited.

[0129] Such age verification process may be performed by software instructions or an app stored in a data storage of the user device. Alternatively or additionally, the age verification process may be implemented based on a web interface of the user device to a server, a server network, a further computing device, a cloud computer network, or the like.

[0130] Additionally, an age authentication process may refer to a setup or registration procedure for setting up an aerosol generation system, a receptor device, and / or an aerosol generation device. For example, an age authentication process may be performed for each user of an aerosol generation system, e.g., as an initial age authentication process or initial setup procedure performed prior to or at the time of the corresponding user's first use of the aerosol generation system or device.

[0131] Alternatively or additionally, an aerosol generating device may be set up only once for a dedicated user, such as a master user, owner, or proprietor of the aerosol generating system. This dedicated or master user may add one or more additional users as authorized to use the aerosol generating system and / or as age-certified (or certified to have reached an age threshold). For example, the dedicated or master user may add one or more additional users based on one or more user inputs at a user interface of the user device and based on transmitting corresponding information to the aerosol generating system, the receiving device, and / or the aerosol generating device.

[0132] The controller of the user device may be further configured to provide a query to the user on a user interface to request the user to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store one or more reference biometric features using the at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, the controller of the user device may be configured to send a control signal to the receiving device to instruct the receiving device to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store one or more reference biometric features using the at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device based on the control signal. For example, the user may be requested to present one or more fingerprints to the at least one biometric sensor, to obtain at least one acoustic message with the at least one biometric sensor, to obtain one or more images of the user's face with the at least one biometric sensor, and / or to obtain one or more images of the user's iris.

[0133] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for operating and / or registering an aerosol generating system, a receiving device for the aerosol generating system, and / or a user device for configuring the aerosol generating system for the aerosol generating system is provided. For example, the user device may refer to the user device according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure. In it, the aerosol generating system may include an aerosol generating device and a receiving device that may be communicatively coupled to the aerosol generating device. Furthermore, the aerosol generating device may have a locked state in which the aerosol generating device may be prohibited from aerosol generation, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device may be permitted to generate aerosol.

[0134] A method according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure comprises: -guiding, at a user interface of the user device, a user of the user device through an age verification process; - authenticating, on the user device, that the user has reached an age threshold; and - transmitting an age authentication signal from the user device to the receiving device when the user authenticates that he or she has reached the age threshold, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold.

[0135] It is emphasized that any disclosure relating to direct or indirect user equipment presented herein above and hereinafter equally applies to and can be combined with the method according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure (and vice versa).

[0136] The method may further include instructing the receiving device to determine, based on the age authentication signal, at least one age authentication indicator that indicates that the user has reached an age threshold.

[0137] Alternatively or additionally, the method may include instructing the receiving device to store at least one age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device and / or in a data storage of the aerosol generating device, for example based on instructing the receiving device to transmit an age authentication indicator and / or an age authentication signal to the aerosol generating device.

[0138] Guiding the user through the age verification process may include providing one or more queries and / or one or more requests at a user interface. Alternatively or additionally, the method may include receiving and / or processing one or more user inputs from the user interface, such as one or more answers or responses to the one or more queries and / or one or more requests.

[0139] For example, the method may further include providing a query to the user on a user interface to request the user to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store one or more reference biometric features using at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device. Alternatively or additionally, the method may further include transmitting a control signal to the receiving device, thereby instructing the receiving device to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store the one or more reference biometric features using at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device based on the control signal. For example, the user may be requested to present one or more fingerprints to the at least one biometric sensor, to obtain at least one acoustic message with the at least one biometric sensor, to obtain one or more images of the user's face with the at least one biometric sensor, and / or to obtain one or more images of the user's iris.

[0140] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program which, when executed by one or more processors of a user device, instructs the user device to perform or execute steps of a method according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0141] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure.

[0142] Below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples, any one or more of the features of which may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0143] A.1: 1. An aerosol generating system comprising: - an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol, the aerosol generating device having a locked state in which the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating an aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device is permitted to generate an aerosol; and - an aerosol generation system comprising a receiving device configured to at least partially receive an aerosol generation device. Therein, each of the aerosol generating device and the receiving device includes a communication interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device with the receiving device, the receiving device includes a control device having at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the aerosol generating system based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user, the control device is configured to send an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device to configure the aerosol generating device in a locked or unlocked state, and the authentication signal indicates successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device. B.1: The system according to embodiment A.1, wherein the at least one biometric sensor is at least one of a fingerprint sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and a camera for facial recognition. C.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to B.1, wherein the aerosol generating device includes at least one energy storage unit for storing electrical energy, and the receiving device is configured to supply electrical energy to the aerosol generating device and charge the at least one energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device. D.1: The system according to any of embodiments A.1-C.1, wherein the aerosol generation system is configured to cause the aerosol generation device to enter a locked state based on one or more locking conditions. E.1: One or more locking conditions: - the maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to D.1, including determining at least one of: - the maximum period of time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication at the accepting device. F.1: The usage session is: -The period during which the aerosol generator continuously produces heat; -The duration during which the aerosol generating device was activated by the user; and A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to E.1, defined by at least one of: a predetermined number of puffs taken by a user on the aerosol generating device. G.1: The aerosol generating device is Data storage; and The system according to any of embodiments A.1-F.1, further including a control circuit configured to determine an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device and store the authentication indicator in the data storage. H.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to F.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on an authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device. I.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to H.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device. J.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to I.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device upon successful authentication of a user at the receiving device, thereby configuring the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state. K.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to J.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to store the authentication indicator in the data storage only if successful authentication of the user at the receiving device is indicated by the authentication signal. L.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to K.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state in the absence of an authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device takes a predetermined value. M.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to L.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state if an authentication indicator is stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device takes a further predetermined value. No.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to M.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to remove the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to enter a locked state, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to enter a locked state. O.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to M.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically erase the data storage for storing the authentication indicator, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically enter a locked state, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically enter a locked state. P.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to O.1, wherein, to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to remove the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions, and / or, to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions. Q.1: One or more locking conditions: - the maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to P.1, including determining at least one of: - the maximum period of time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication at the accepting device. R.1: The usage session is: -The period during which the aerosol generator continuously produces heat; -The duration during which the aerosol generating device was activated by the user; and A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to Q.1, defined by at least one of: a predetermined number of puffs taken by a user on the aerosol generating device. S.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to R.1, wherein the communication device of the receiving device is configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device only upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device, and / or the authentication signal indicates successful authentication of the user at the receiving device. T.1: The system according to any of embodiments A.1-S.1, wherein the authentication signal is an encrypted signal. U.1: A system according to Examples A.1 to T.1, wherein the aerosol generating device includes at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol to generate an aerosol, and a control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to prohibit operation of the at least one heating element when the aerosol generating device is in a locked state, and the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to allow operation of the at least one heating element when the aerosol generating device is in an unlocked state. V.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to U.1, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to prohibit activation of the heating element based on at least one of disabling at least one heating element, disabling an energy supply source for supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element, and disabling an actuation element of the aerosol generating device for activating the at least one heating element by a user. W.1: The system according to any of embodiments A.1 to V.1, wherein at least one biometric sensor is disposed on a side wall of the receiving device. X.1: A system according to any of Examples A.1 to W.1, wherein the aerosol generating device and the receiving device each include an electrical connector for electrically coupling the receiving device to the aerosol generating device when the aerosol generating device is at least partially received by the receiving device. Y.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to X.1, wherein each of the communication interface of the receiving device and the communication interface of the aerosol generation device is configured for wireless communication between the receiving device and the aerosol generation device. Z.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to Y.1, wherein the communication interface of the receiving device and the communication interface of the aerosol generation device are each configured for wired communication between the receiving device and the aerosol generation device. AA.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to Z.1, wherein the receiving device further includes data storage for storing at least one age authentication indicator indicating when the user has reached an age threshold, and upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device, the control device is configured to determine that the user has reached the age threshold based on the age authentication indicator, wherein the control device of the receiving device is configured to send an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device when it is determined that the user has reached the age threshold. AB.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to AA.1, wherein the receiving device is further configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device of a user, and wherein the receiving device is configured to store an age authentication indicator in the data storage of the receiving device upon receiving an age authentication signal from the user device, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached an age threshold. AC.1: A system according to any of embodiments A.1 to AB.1, wherein the user device is communicatively coupled to the accepting device, the user device including a user interface and a controller configured to authenticate that the user has reached an age threshold based on guiding the user through an age authentication process on the user interface, and the controller is configured to send an age authentication signal to the accepting device upon successfully authenticating that the user has reached the age threshold. A.2: 1. A receiving device for an aerosol generation system, comprising: - a communications interface for communicatively coupling the receiving device to an aerosol generating device of an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating device having a locked state in which the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device is permitted to generate aerosol; and -A receiving device comprising: a control device having at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the receiving device based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user, and configured to send an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device to configure the aerosol generating device in a locked or unlocked state, the authentication signal indicating successful or failed authentication of the user at the receiving device. B.2: The receiving device according to embodiment A.2, wherein the at least one biometric sensor is at least one of a fingerprint sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and a camera for facial recognition. C.2: A receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2 to B.2, wherein the receiving device is configured to supply electrical energy to the aerosol generating device and to charge at least one energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device. D.2: The receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2 to C.2, wherein the receiving device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state based on one or more locking conditions. E.2: One or more locking conditions: - the maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and - a maximum period of time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication at the accepting device. F.2: The usage session is: -The period during which the aerosol generator continuously produces heat; -The duration during which the aerosol generating device was activated by the user; and - a predetermined number of puffs taken by a user on the aerosol generating device. G.2: The receiving device of any of embodiments A.2 to F.2, wherein the control device is configured to send a lock signal to the aerosol generating device to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state when at least one of the one or more locking conditions is met. H.2: A receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2 to G.2, wherein the communication device is configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device only upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device, and / or the authentication signal indicates successful authentication of the user at the receiving device. I.2: The receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2-H.2, wherein the authentication signal is an encrypted signal. J.2: The receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2 to I.2, wherein at least one biometric sensor is arranged on a side wall of the receiving device. K.2: A receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2 to J.2, wherein the receiving device further includes data storage for storing at least one age authentication indicator indicating that the user has reached an age threshold, and upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device, the control device is configured to determine that the user has reached the age threshold based on the age authentication indicator, wherein the control device of the receiving device is configured to send an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device when it is determined that the user has reached the age threshold. L.2: A receiving device according to any of embodiments A.2 to K.2, wherein the receiving device is further configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device of a user, and wherein a control device of the receiving device is configured to store an age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device upon receiving an age authentication signal from the user device, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached an age threshold. A.3: An aerosol generating device having a locked state in which the aerosol generating device is prohibited from generating aerosol and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generating device is permitted to generate aerosol, the aerosol generating device comprising: - a communications interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device to a receiving device of the aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating device being configured to receive an authentication signal from the receiving device via the communications interface, the authentication signal indicating successful or unsuccessful authentication of a user at the receiving device using a biometric sensor at the receiving device; and - an aerosol generating device comprising a control circuit configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on an authentication signal received from a receiving device. B.3: An aerosol generating device according to embodiment A.3, wherein the aerosol generating device includes at least one energy storage unit for storing electrical energy and is configured to be charged by the receiving device. C.3: The aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to B.3, wherein the aerosol generating system is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state based on one or more locking conditions. D.3: One or more locking conditions: - the maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and - The aerosol generating device of any of embodiments A.3 to C.3, including determining at least one of the following: - the maximum period of time elapsed since the user's last successful authentication at the receiving device. E.3: The usage session is: -The period during which the aerosol generator continuously produces heat; -The duration during which the aerosol generating device was activated by the user; and - a predetermined number of puffs taken by a user on the aerosol generating device. F.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to E.3, further comprising a data storage, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device and store the authentication indicator in the data storage. G.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to F.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on an authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device. H.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to G.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device. I.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to H.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device upon successful authentication of a user at the receiving device, thereby configuring the aerosol generating device to an unlocked state. J.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to I.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to store the authentication indicator in the data storage only if successful authentication of the user at the receiving device is indicated by the authentication signal. K.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to J.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state in the absence of an authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device takes a predetermined value. L.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to K.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state if an authentication indicator is stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device takes a further predetermined value. M.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to L.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to remove the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to enter a locked state, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to enter a locked state. No.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to M.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically erase the data storage for storing the authentication indicator, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically enter a locked state, and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage, such that the aerosol generating device is configured to periodically enter a locked state. O.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to N.3, wherein, to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to remove the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions, and / or, to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state, the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions. P.3: One or more locking conditions: - the maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and - A maximum period of time elapsed since the user's last successful authentication at the receiving device. An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to O.3, including determining at least one of the following: Q.3: The usage session is: -The period during which the aerosol generator continuously produces heat; -The duration during which the aerosol generating device was activated by the user; and - a predetermined number of puffs taken by a user on the aerosol generating device. R.3: An aerosol generating device according to Examples A.3 to Q.3, wherein the aerosol generating device includes at least one heating element configured to heat an aerosol to generate an aerosol, and wherein a control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to prohibit operation of the at least one heating element when the aerosol generating device is in a locked state, and wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to allow operation of the at least one heating element when the aerosol generating device is in an unlocked state. S.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to R.3, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to prohibit activation of the heating element based on at least one of disabling at least one heating element, disabling an energy supply source for supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element, and disabling an operating element of the aerosol generating device for activating the at least one heating element by a user. T.3: An aerosol generating device according to any of embodiments A.3 to S.3, wherein the receiving device further includes data storage for storing at least one age authentication indicator indicating when the user has reached an age threshold, and upon receiving the authentication signal, the control circuit is configured to determine that the user has reached the age threshold based on the age authentication indicator, and to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state when it is determined that the user has reached the age threshold. A.4: 1. A computer-implemented method for authenticating a user in an aerosol generation system, a receiving device and / or an aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device and the receiving device being communicatively coupleable to each other, the aerosol generation device having a locked state in which the aerosol generation device is prohibited from generating aerosol and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device is permitted to generate aerosol, the method comprising: - sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user using a biometric sensor disposed in the receiving device to authenticate the user; - generating, at the accepting device, an authentication signal indicative of success or failure of authentication of the user at the accepting device; and - A computer-implemented method comprising: transmitting an authentication signal to an aerosol generating device, thereby configuring the aerosol generating device to a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal. B.4: The method according to example A.4, further comprising configuring the aerosol generating device into a locked state based on one or more lock conditions. C.4: One or more locking conditions: - the maximum number of sessions of use of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device; - the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and The method according to any of embodiments A.4-B.4, including determining at least one of: - a maximum period of time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication at the accepting device. D.4: The usage session is: -The period during which the aerosol generator continuously produces heat; -The duration during which the aerosol generating device was activated by the user; and - a predetermined number of puffs taken by the user on the aerosol generating device. E.4: determining, at the aerosol generating device, an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device, and storing the authentication indicator in a data storage of the aerosol generating device; and The method according to any of embodiments A.4 to D.4, further comprising causing the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication indicator. F.4: receiving, at the receiving device, an age authentication signal from a user device communicatively coupled to the receiving device, the age authentication signal indicating that the user reaches an age threshold; and The method according to any of embodiments A.4-E.4, further including, at the receiving device, determining that the user reaches an age threshold based on the received age authentication signal. G.4: The method according to any of embodiments A4-F.4, wherein the authentication signal is sent to the aerosol generating device only if the user is authenticated as having reached the age threshold. H.4: The method according to embodiments A.4-G.4, further including determining an age authentication indicator based on the received age authentication signal and / or storing the age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device. I.4: The aerosol generation system further includes a user device communicatively connectable to the receiving device, and the method further includes: - guiding the user through an age verification process on the user device's user interface, thereby verifying that the user has reached an age threshold; and The method according to any of embodiments A.4 to H.4, further comprising, upon successful authentication that the user has reached an age threshold, transmitting an age authentication signal from the user device to the accepting device. A.5: A computer program that, when executed by one or more processors of an aerosol generation system, an aerosol generating device, and / or a receiving device, instructs the aerosol generation system, the aerosol generating device, and / or the receiving device to perform the steps of the method according to any of Examples A.4 to I.4. A.6: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to Example A.5. A.7: A method of using a biometric sensor in a receiving device of an aerosol generating system to authenticate a user of the aerosol generating system and / or to configure an aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system, having locked and unlocked states, into a locked or unlocked state based on transmitting an authentication signal from the receiving device to the aerosol generating device, wherein the authentication signal indicates successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device. A.8: 1. A user device for configuring an aerosol generating device for an aerosol generating system, the user device comprising: - a user interface configured to receive user input and / or guide a user through an age verification process; and -A user device comprising: a controller configured to authenticate that a user has reached an age threshold based on guiding the user through an age authentication process on a user interface, and configured to transmit an age authentication signal to a receiving device when the user has been successfully authenticated as having reached the age threshold, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold. B.8: A user device according to embodiment A.8, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the receiving device to determine, based on the age authentication signal, at least one age authentication indicator indicating that the user has reached an age threshold. C.8: A user device according to any of embodiments A.8-B.8, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the receiving device to store the at least one age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device. D.8: A user device according to any of embodiments A.8 to C.8, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the receiving device to store at least one age authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on instructing the receiving device to transmit an age authentication indicator and / or an age authentication signal to the aerosol generating device. E.8: A user device according to any of embodiments A.8-D.8, wherein the controller is configured to provide one or more queries and / or one or more requests in a user interface. F.8: A user device according to any of embodiments A.8-E.8, wherein the controller is configured to receive and / or process one or more user inputs from the user interface in response to one or more queries and / or one or more requests. G.8: A user device according to any of embodiments A.8 to F.8, wherein the controller is configured to request personal data of the user for age verification based on providing one or more queries and / or one or more requests in a user interface. H.8: The user device according to any of embodiments A.8-G.8, wherein the personal data is associated with at least one of the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, and social security number. I.8: A user device according to embodiments A.8-H.8, wherein the controller is further configured to provide a query to the user at a user interface to request the user to acquire, sense, determine and / or store one or more reference biometric features using at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device. J.8: A user device according to any of embodiments A.8-I.8, wherein the controller is configured to send a control signal to the receiving device and, based on the control signal, instruct the receiving device to acquire, sense, determine and / or store one or more reference biometric features using at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device. A.9: 1. A computer-implemented method of operating a user device for configuring and / or registering an aerosol generating system, an aerosol generating device, and / or a recipient device for an aerosol generating system, the method comprising: -guiding, at a user interface of the user device, a user of the user device through an age verification process; - authenticating, on the user device, that the user has reached an age threshold; and - transmitting an age authentication signal from the user device to a receiving device when the user authenticates that he or she has reached an age threshold, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold. B.9: The method according to embodiment A.9, further including instructing the receiving device to determine, based on the age authentication signal, at least one age authentication indicator indicating that the user has reached an age threshold. C.9: The method according to any of embodiments A.9-B.9, further including instructing the receiving device to store the at least one age authentication indicator in a data storage of the receiving device. D.9: A method according to any of Examples A.9 to C.9, further comprising instructing the receiving device to store at least one age authentication indicator in data storage of the aerosol generating device based on instructing the receiving device to transmit an age authentication indicator and / or an age authentication signal to the aerosol generating device. E.9: The method according to any of embodiments A.9-D.9, further including providing one or more queries and / or one or more requests in a user interface. F.9: The method according to any of Examples A.9-E.9, further including receiving and / or processing one or more user inputs from the user interface in response to the one or more queries and / or one or more requests. G.9: The method according to any of Examples A.9-F.9, further including requesting personal data of the user for age verification based on providing one or more queries and / or one or more requests in a user interface. H.9: The method according to any of embodiments A.9-G.9, wherein the personal data is associated with at least one of the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, and social security number. I.9: The method according to any of embodiments A.9 to H.9, further including providing a query to a user at a user interface to request the user to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store one or more reference biometric features using at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device. J.9: The method according to any of embodiments A.9-I.9, further including transmitting a control signal to the receiving device and instructing the receiving device to acquire, sense, determine, and / or store the one or more reference biometric characteristics using at least one biometric sensor of the receiving device based on the control signal. A.10: A computer program which, when executed by one or more processors of a user device, instructs the user device to perform the method steps according to any of Examples A.0 to J.9. A.11: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program according to embodiment A.10.

[0144] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0145] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generation system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a portion of a receiving device for an aerosol generation system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a user device for configuring an aerosol generating device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for authenticating a user in an aerosol generation system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of configuring an aerosol generation system with a user device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of configuring an aerosol generation system with a user device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0146] The figures are schematic and not to scale. As a rule, identical or similar parts, elements and / or steps are provided with identical or similar reference numbers in the figures.

[0147] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generation system 500 for generating an aerosol, for example, for consumption by a user.

[0148] The system 500 includes an aerosol generating device 100 for generating an aerosol, and a receiving device 300 for at least partially receiving the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the receiving device 300 may be configured to physically couple to the aerosol generating device 100. To at least partially receive the aerosol generating device 100 and / or to physically couple the aerosol generating device 100 with the receiving device 300, the receiving device 300 of FIG. 1 includes an opening 301 or receiving opening 301 into which the aerosol generating device 100 can be at least partially inserted, e.g., to store and / or support the aerosol generating device 100. Optionally, the receiving device 300 may include a cover for opening and closing the opening 301.

[0149] Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device 300 may be configured to receive the aerosol generation device 100 at least partially based on coupling the aerosol generation device 100 to a mechanical attachment or coupling mechanism, such as, for example, a hook mechanism, a latch mechanism, a snap fit, etc., of the receiving device 300. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device 300 may be configured to receive the aerosol generation device 100 at least partially based on coupling the aerosol generation device 100 with the receiving device 300 by magnetic or electromagnetic coupling.

[0150] The aerosol generating device 100 includes an insertion opening 101 for at least partially inserting an aerosol-generating article (not shown). The aerosol-generating article includes an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, and / or a cartridge containing a liquid.

[0151] To generate aerosol during use or consumption of the aerosol-generating article, for example, the aerosol-generating device 100 includes at least one heating element 120 or heat source 120 for heating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article.

[0152] To power the at least one heating element 120, the aerosol generating device 100 further comprises at least one energy storage unit 122 or energy source 122 for storing electrical energy or power.

[0153] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a control circuit 102 having one or more processors 103. The control circuit 102 may be configured to control the activation, activation, and / or deactivation of at least one heating element 120.

[0154] To activate the heating elements 120 for aerosol generation, the aerosol generating device 100 further comprises an actuation element 104, such as a button, switch, etc., which is actuatable by a user to activate and / or deactivate the aerosol generating device 100 based on activating and / or deactivating at least one heating element 120. Upon activation of the aerosol generating device 100, the heating element 120 is activated, such that heat may be applied to at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, such that aerosol may be generated for consumption by the user. Upon deactivation of the aerosol generating device 100, the heating element 120 is deactivated, such that no heat is applied or reduced to at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article, such that no aerosol may be generated for consumption by the user.

[0155] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a communication circuit 106 having one or more communication interfaces 108 for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device 100 and the receiving device 300, for example, via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, a 3G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, a radio connection, a short-range connection, and / or an IoT connection.

[0156] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a data storage 110 for storing information or data, such as, for example, at least one authentication indicator, at least one age authentication indicator, and / or other data.

[0157] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a visual indicator 112, such as an LED, for providing one or more signals to a user, for example, indicating the charge level of the at least one energy storage unit 122, indicating that the at least one energy storage unit should be charged, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the visual indicator 112 may be configured to indicate the configuration or status of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0158] The aerosol generation device 100 includes a locked state or configuration in which the aerosol generation device 100 is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device 100 is permitted to generate aerosol. Thus, the visual indicator 112 may be configured to indicate whether the aerosol generation device is in a locked state or an unlocked state.

[0159] In the locked state, the control circuit 102 may be configured to prohibit activation of the heating element 120 based on, for example, at least one of disabling the at least one heating element 120, disabling the energy supply source 122 for supplying electrical energy to the at least one heating element 120, and disabling the actuation element 104 of the aerosol generating device 100 for activating the at least one heating element 120 by a user.

[0160] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes at least one electrical connector 114 for coupling to at least one corresponding electrical connector 313 of the receiving device 300. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 is at least partially inserted into the opening 301 of the receiving device 300, the one or more electrical connectors 114 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be coupled to the one or more electrical connectors 313 of the receiving device 300 to charge the at least one energy storage unit 122 of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0161] For this purpose, the receiving device 300 comprises a charging module 312 or a charging circuit 312 coupled to an electrical connector 313. The charging module 312 may for example be coupled to a supply grid for supplying electrical energy to the energy storage 122 of the aerosol generating device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving device 300 may comprise one or more batteries, accumulators, capacitors, etc.

[0162] The receiving device 300 further includes a controller 302 having one or more processors 303. The controller 302 may be configured to control the charging module 312 and / or other components or functions of the receiving device 300. It should also be noted that the charging circuitry or module 312 may be combined with or included in the controller 302.

[0163] The receiving device 300 and / or the control device 302 further include at least one biometric sensor 304 configured to authenticate a user of the aerosol generating system 500 based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user, where the at least one biometric sensor 304 can be at least one of a fingerprint sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and a camera for facial recognition.

[0164] The receiving device 300 further comprises a data storage 306 for storing information or data such as at least one age authentication indicator, at least one authentication indicator, one or more biometric features of the user, one or more reference biometric features of the user, and / or other data.

[0165] The controller 302, biometric sensor 304 and data storage 306 may be embodied in a single unit. In this way, a user can be authenticated without the biometric features leaving the single unit, thereby improving security.

[0166] The receiving device 300 further includes a communication device 308 having one or more communication interfaces 310 for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device 100 and the receiving device 300, for example, via an Internet connection, a wireless LAN connection, a WiFi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular network, a 3G connection, an edge connection, an LTE connection, a BUS connection, a wireless connection, a wired connection, a radio connection, a short-range connection, and / or an IoT connection.

[0167] To authenticate a user and / or determine a user's identity, one or more reference biometric characteristics of a user may be stored in data storage 306. For example, one or more reference biometric characteristics of a user may be stored in data storage 306 during a configuration, registration, age authentication process, or set-up procedure of the aerosol generating system 500.

[0168] Additionally, the receiving device 300 includes a visual indicator 314, such as an LED, to provide one or more signals to a user, e.g., to indicate a charge level of the at least one energy storage unit 122, to indicate that the at least one energy storage unit should be charged, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the visual indicator 314 may be configured to indicate a configuration or status of the aerosol generating device 100, such as a locked and / or unlocked status. Additionally, the visual indicator 314 may be configured to request the user to obtain and / or sense one or more biometric characteristics to authenticate the user.

[0169] For example, the controller 302 may be configured to activate the visual indicator 314 when a user senses one or more biometric features with the at least one biometric sensor 304. Additionally, the controller 302 may be configured to compare the one or more biometric features sensed with the at least one biometric sensor 304 to one or more reference biometric features stored in the data storage 306. Additionally, the controller 302 may be configured to determine at least one reference biometric feature that substantially matches at least one of the sensed biometric features such that the user may be successfully authenticated. If a matching reference biometric feature cannot be determined by the controller 302, the user may be unsuccessfully authenticated.

[0170] The controller 302 of the receiving device 300 is further configured to generate an authentication signal indicating successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device 300 based on the sensed one or more biometric characteristics. Additionally, the controller 302 may be configured to transmit the authentication signal via the communication device 308 to the aerosol generating device 100 to configure the aerosol generating device 100 into a locked or unlocked state.

[0171] For example, upon failure to authenticate the user, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to a locked state based on the authentication signal. Alternatively, upon failure to authenticate the user at the receiving device 300, no authentication signal is transmitted. Alternatively or additionally, upon successful authentication of the user, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to an unlocked state based on the authentication signal.

[0172] For example, the aerosol generating system 500, the aerosol generating device 100 and / or the receiving device 300 may be configured to cause the aerosol generating device 100 to enter a locked state based on one or more locking conditions. Determining the one or more locking conditions may include determining at least one of a maximum number of usage sessions of the aerosol generating device by a user since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, a maximum number of charging cycles performed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device, and a maximum period of time that has elapsed since the user's last successful authentication on the receiving device.

[0173] Further, the control circuitry 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to determine an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device 300 and store the authentication indicator in the data storage 110. For example, the control circuitry 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to cause the aerosol generating device 100 to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication indicator stored in the data storage 110 of the aerosol generating device 100, based on the value of the authentication indicator, based on the presence of the authentication indicator in the data storage 110, and / or based on the absence of the authentication indicator in the data storage 110. Optionally, the authentication indicator may be stored only if successful authentication of the user at the receiving device is indicated by the authentication signal.

[0174] For example, the control circuit 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage 11 of the aerosol generating device 100 upon successful authentication of a user at the receiving device 300, such that the aerosol generating device 100 is configured to an unlocked state.

[0175] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to a locked state in the absence of an authentication indicator in the aerosol generating device's data storage. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to an unlocked state if an authentication indicator is stored in the aerosol generating device's data storage.

[0176] Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured in the locked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the aerosol generating device's data storage assumes a predefined value associated with the locked state. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured in the unlocked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the aerosol generating device's data storage assumes a further predefined value different from the predefined value.

[0177] Further, the control circuitry 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to periodically erase the data storage 110 for storing the authentication indicator, such that the aerosol generating device 100 is periodically configured to a locked state, for example based on one or more locking conditions. Alternatively or additionally, the control circuitry 102 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to periodically modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage 110, such that the aerosol generating device 100 is periodically configured to a locked state, for example based on one or more locking conditions.

[0178] Additionally, at least one age authentication indicator indicating that the user will reach or has reached the age threshold may be stored in the data storage 110 of the aerosol generating device 100 and / or the receiving device 300. Upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device 300, the controller 302 may be configured to determine that the user has reached the age threshold based on the age authentication indicator. Additionally, the controller 302 of the receiving device 300 may be configured to transmit an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device 100 upon determining that the user has reached the age threshold.

[0179] Additionally, the accepting device 300 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to a user device 700 (see FIG. 3 ) of the user, and the accepting device 300 may be configured to store an age authentication indicator in the data storage 306 of the accepting device 300 upon receiving an age authentication signal from the user device 700, the age authentication signal indicating that the user will reach or has reached an age threshold. Based on or using the user device 700, the user may be guided through an age authentication process, as further described with reference to the following figures.

[0180] The following describes and summarizes various embodiments, example embodiments, exemplary examples, achievements and / or advantages of the present disclosure.

[0181] The aerosol generating system 500 may be referred to as a smoking system 500, and the receiving device 300 may be considered as a charging device or unit for charging the aerosol generating device 100. Furthermore, the controller 302 having at least one biometric sensor 304 of the receiving device 300 may be configured to recognize a user's identity and to configure the aerosol generating device 100 in a locked or unlocked state depending on whether the authentication or identification of the user at the receiving device 300 is successful. Thus, the controller 302 having at least one biometric sensor 304 may be considered as a user identification module, unit, or circuit having a locking or unlocking function, and the controller 302 and / or the receiving device 300 may communicate with the aerosol generating device 100 and configure the aerosol generating device 100 in a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal.

[0182] Some conventional or prior art smoking systems or aerosol generating devices may include a fingerprint sensor located directly on the handheld vaporizer. In contrast, the aerosol generating system 500 illustratively shown in FIG. 1 includes a biometric sensor 304 located or positioned on the receiving device 300. This location of the biometric sensor 304 may enable the implementation of a comprehensive identification and / or authentication means in the aerosol generating system 300, including the receiving device 300 and the aerosol generating device 100, without adding additional design complexity, particularly to the aerosol generating device 100 and / or to the physical or mechanical coupling between the receiving device 300 and the aerosol generating device 100.

[0183] In the example of Fig. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 may be at least partially inserted into the opening 301 of the receiving device 300. Thus, placing a sensor in the aerosol generating device 100 may involve the presence of protrusions on the outer wall of the aerosol generating device 100, which will determine a corresponding modification of the receiving device 300, in particular in its receiving opening 301 and / or receiving groove.

[0184] By placing the biometric sensor 304 in the receiving device 300, the outer wall of the aerosol generating device may be generally smooth and no modifications to the connection with the receiving device 300 may be required, such as the placement of a matching groove to accommodate the protrusion formed by the sensor.

[0185] Additionally, the aerosol generating system 500 of the present disclosure advantageously allows for periodic user authentication checks or user authentication, for example, based on or upon the determination of one or more locking conditions. In particular, biometric or authentication can be implemented in the system 500 to restrict use of the aerosol generating device 100 for aerosol consumption only to authenticated or authorized users. Additionally, comprehensive protection in case of unauthorized use, e.g., minor users such as children, and loss or theft of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0186] For example, based on one or more locking conditions, identification or authentication may be required after a certain number of experience or usage sessions, after a specific period of time, or both. Additionally, a master user may be registered or configured via the user device 700. Such registration may be required, for example, only once, and the master user may authenticate or authenticate other "regular" users.

[0187] The authentication process may be implemented in the system 500, for example, as follows: When the aerosol generating device 100 is at least partially inserted into the opening 301 of the receiving device 300, if the aerosol generating device 100 is in a locked state and / or if the fingerprint has not yet been authenticated, the user may be requested to sense at least one biometric feature, for example by presenting a finger to the sensor 304 to check the fingerprint. Furthermore, an authentication signal that may indicate an authenticated state may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100, for example in a secure encrypted manner, to configure the aerosol generating device 100 in an unlocked state. Optionally, there may be a shared secret between the receiving device 300 and the aerosol generating device 100, which may prevent a replay attack on the aerosol generating device 100 that may configure it in an unlocked state. Once the authentication signal is transmitted by the receiving device 300, the receiving device 300 may be used to configure multiple aerosol generating devices 100. However, it is also possible that the receiving device 300 and the aerosol generation device 100 are coupled to each other such that the receiving device 300 can only configure a single aerosol generation device 100 in an unlocked or locked state.

[0188] Furthermore, the receiving device 300 may be configured to charge the energy storage 122 of the aerosol generating device even if, for example, authentication fails on the receiving device 300 or the aerosol generating device 100 is in a locked state. However, when the energy storage 122 runs out, the aerosol generating device 100 may remain in a locked state until authentication of the user is successful on the receiving device 300. For example, the number of experiences or usage sessions granted for use on the aerosol generating device 100 may be postponed or set to zero. Thus, the energy storage 122 may be fully charged, but the aerosol consumption experience or usage session may be postponed until authentication is successful. This may avoid long waiting times after authentication is successful and an experience and / or usage session is granted.

[0189] Alternatively, the receiving device 300 may be configured to charge the energy storage 122 of the aerosol generating device only upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device 300. In this example, the locked state may be considered as the energy storage 122 of the aerosol generating device not containing a sufficient charge to generate aerosol, and the unlocked state as the energy storage containing a sufficient charge to generate aerosol. The authentication signal may then be considered as the supply of charge by the receiving device 300 to the energy storage 122 of the aerosol generating device.

[0190] An exemplary authentication process or configuration of the aerosol generating device 100 from a locked state to an unlocked state may be implemented as follows: The aerosol generating device 100 may be in a locked state and the energy storage unit 122 may be empty. When the aerosol generating device is at least partially inserted into the opening 301 of the receiving device 300, the latter may provide a visual signal at the indicator 314 to indicate that identification or authentication is required. This may be triggered periodically, such as after a certain period and / or number of usage sessions, as described above. For example, the visual indicator 314 may signal a flashing or blinking blue light, thereby signaling to the user that a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint, is sensed or required. If authentication fails, for example if a matching reference biometric characteristic cannot be identified, the aerosol generating device 100 may remain in the locked state and the visual indicator 314 of the receiving device 300 may continue to flash. Upon sensing a biometric characteristic matching one of the reference biometric characteristics, an authentication signal may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100 and the visual indicator 314 of the receiving device 300 may stabilize and / or change color, for example, to white, thereby indicating successful authentication of the user at the receiving device 300 and that the aerosol generating device 100 has been configured into an unlocked state. Additionally, in the locked state and / or with an empty energy store 122, the visual indicator 112 of the aerosol generating device 100 may be off, flash during charging, and may be fixed or steady when the energy store 122 is charging and / or the device 100 is in an unlocked state.

[0191] 2 shows a block diagram of a portion of a receiving device 300 for an aerosol generation system 500. Unless otherwise stated, the receiving device 300 of FIG. 2 includes the same features, elements and / or functionality as the receiving device 300 described with reference to FIG.

[0192] 2 generally illustrates at least one component 305 of a controller 302 that includes at least one processor 303 and is coupled to at least one biometric sensor 304 via a multiplexer 307. Therein, the component 305 may be coupled to or comprise a charging circuit 312 and / or other electrical components of the receiving device 300. For example, the exemplary at least one component 305 of the controller 302 illustrated in FIG. 2 may refer to a main controller 305 of the receiving device 300.

[0193] For example, a biometric sensor 304, such as a fingerprint module, may be powered by the controller 302 and / or components 305 via a power output, such as a low dropout (LDO) regulator output at 3.3 volts.

[0194] Further, a port 309, such as a one-wire MT communication port (referred to as an "MTRTX" port), may be used to couple the controller 302 to the multiplexer 307. This one-wire communication may be converted to two-wire communication via the multiplexer 307. For example, a signal may be transmitted from the multiplexer 307 to an input port 315 (such as an RX port) of the sensor 304, and a signal may be transmitted from an output port 317 (such as a TX port) of the sensor 304 to the multiplexer 307. Therein, the multiplexer 307 may be controlled by the controller 302 via a port 311, such as an LED signal port or any other signal port.

[0195] Further, in the example shown in FIG. 2, at least one communication interface 310 is combined with or integrated into the electrical connector 313 so that an electrical connection for charging the energy storage unit 122 of the aerosol generating device 100 and a communicative connection between the aerosol generating device 100 and the receiving device 300 can be established via the electrical connector 114 of the aerosol generating device 100 and the connector 313 of the receiving device.

[0196] 3 shows a user device 700 for configuring and / or registering one or more of the aerosol generation system 500, the aerosol generation device 100, and the receiving device 300. In general, the user device 700 may be part of the aerosol generation system 500.

[0197] The user device 700 comprises a user interface 702 configured to receive user input and / or guide the user through an age verification process, for example, based on providing or outputting information or data to the user via the user interface 702.

[0198] The user device 700 may further comprise a controller 704 or control circuitry 702 configured to authenticate that the user has reached an age threshold based on guiding the user through an age verification process on a user interface 702. Therein, the controller 702 may comprise one or more processors 705 for data processing.

[0199] The user device 700 further comprises a communication circuit 706 for communicatively coupling the user device 700 to one or more of the server 1000, the aerosol generating system 500, the receiving device 300 and / or the aerosol generating device 100. Additionally, the user device 700 comprises a data storage 708 for storing data or information.

[0200] Further, the controller 704 may be configured to transmit an age authentication signal to the receiving device 300 upon successfully authenticating that the user has reached the age threshold, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold.

[0201] Alternatively or additionally, the controller 704 may be configured to instruct the receiving device 300 to determine at least one age authentication indicator indicating that the user has reached an age threshold based on the age authentication signal. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 704 may be configured to instruct the receiving device 300 and / or the aerosol generating device 100 to store at least one age authentication indicator based on the transmitted age authentication signal.

[0202] To guide the user through an age verification process for registration, the controller 704 may be configured to provide one or more queries and / or one or more requests at the user interface 702. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 704 may be configured to receive and / or process one or more user inputs from the user interface 702 in response to the one or more queries and / or one or more requests. For example, personal data of the user may be requested for age verification based on the user providing one or more queries and / or one or more requests at the user interface 702. Such personal data may relate to at least one of the user's ID card, passport, credit card, driver's license, and social security number.

[0203] Some or all of the personal information may be transmitted to the server 1000 for age verification and / or to register the aerosol generating system 500 to the user's account stored on the server 1000.

[0204] Additionally, the controller 704 may be further configured to provide a query to the user at the user interface 702 to request the user to acquire, sense, determine and / or store one or more reference biometric features using the at least one biometric sensor 304 of the receiving device 300. For example, a corresponding control signal may be sent to the receiving device 300, e.g., triggering its visual indicator 314, to indicate that the user should sense one or more reference biometric features.

[0205] We now summarize an exemplary embodiment of a user registration process using the user device 700. The user device 700, such as a smartphone or PC at a retail store, may send a message or signal to the aerosol generating system 500, the aerosol generating device 100 and / or the receiving device 300 that the user has been age verified with the user device 700 and / or the server 1000. The biometric sensor 304 may then be activated for user registration at the aerosol generating system 500, the aerosol generating device 100 and / or the receiving device 300. Upon receiving or sensing one or more biometric features, one or more reference biometric features may be stored in the receiving device 300 and / or the aerosol generating device 100, for example in the form of a biometric signature of the user, optionally in association with at least one age verification indicator, such as some flag, that the signature and / or the one or more reference biometric features are age verified. Thus, when the biometric sensor 304 receives an additional biometric feature, such as an additional fingerprint, that may match at least one of the one or more reference biometric features and / or signatures in the future, the user may be identified as being age verified. In this manner, transmission of fingerprint data outside of the receiving device 300 may be avoided, thereby protecting the privacy of the user or their personal data.

[0206] 4 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of authenticating a user with and / or operating an aerosol generation system 500, a receiving device 300 for the aerosol generation system 500, and / or an aerosol generation device 100 for the aerosol generation system 500. Unless otherwise stated, the aerosol generation system 500, the receiving device 300 and / or the aerosol generation device 100 comprise the same features, elements and / or functionality as described with reference to the previous figures.

[0207] Step 401 involves sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user to authenticate the user using a biometric sensor 304 located on the receiving device 300 .

[0208] Step 402 involves generating, at the accepting device 300 , an authentication signal indicating success or failure of user authentication at the accepting device 300 .

[0209] Additionally, step 403 includes transmitting an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device 100 and configuring and / or thereby configuring the aerosol generating device 100 in a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal.

[0210] The method illustrated in FIG. 4 may include a number of alternative or additional steps, for example as described with reference to any of the first to eleventh aspects of the present disclosure.

[0211] 5 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of configuring one or more of the aerosol generation system 500, the receiving device 300 for the aerosol generation system 500, and / or the aerosol generation device 100 for the aerosol generation system 500 with a user device 700. Unless otherwise stated, the aerosol generation system 500, the receiving device 300, the aerosol generation device 100, and / or the user device 700 have the same features, elements and / or functionality as described with reference to the previous figures.

[0212] Step 501 involves guiding a user of the user device 700 through an age verification process at a user interface 702 of the user device 700 .

[0213] Step 502 involves authenticating, at the user device 700, that the user has reached an age threshold.

[0214] Further, step 503 includes transmitting an age authentication signal from the user device 700 to the receiving device 300 upon authentication that the user has reached the age threshold, the age authentication signal indicating that the user has reached the age threshold.

[0215] The method illustrated in FIG. 5 may include a number of alternative or additional steps, for example as described with reference to any of the first to eleventh aspects of the present disclosure.

[0216] 6 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of configuring one or more of the aerosol generation system 500, the receiving device 300 for the aerosol generation system 500, and / or the aerosol generation device 100 for the aerosol generation system 500 with a user device 700. Unless otherwise stated, the aerosol generation system 500, the receiving device 300, the aerosol generation device 100, and / or the user device 700 have the same features, elements and / or functionality as described with reference to the previous figures. The method of FIG. 6 may, for example, depict an initial set-up procedure, an age verification process, or a registration process prior to a first use of the system 500 for aerosol consumption by a user.

[0217] In step 601, user registration information or data and / or age authentication data is transmitted from the user device 700 to the server 1000. The server 1000 receives, in step 602, the user registration information or data and / or age authentication data.

[0218] In step 603, the user is registered and / or the user's age is authenticated as being equal to or above an age threshold. If authentication at the server 1000 fails, a failure is received at the user device 700 in step 601' and sent to the user device 700 to trigger a repeat of step 601.

[0219] Upon successful authentication at the server 1000, a request for one or more reference biometric features, e.g., a request for a fingerprint, based on the user's personal data, is sent from the server 1000 to the user device 700 in step 604, and the request is received at the user device in step 605. The received request may trigger a prompt to the user to provide or obtain one or more reference biometric features using the biometric sensor 304 in the receiving device 300, based on one or more queries, for example.

[0220] For example, a sensing command, such as a fingerprint initiation command, may be received at the receiving device 300 and / or the aerosol generation system 500 in step 606 .

[0221] In step 607 , one or more reference biometric characteristics, such as fingerprint data or a fingerprint signature, may be acquired by the biometric sensor 304 and stored in the data storage 306 of the receiving device 300 and / or the data storage of the aerosol generating device 100 in step 608 .

[0222] Further, the one or more stored reference biometric features may be classified as age authenticated, e.g., based on an age authentication signal transmitted from the user device 700 to the receiving device 300 in step 609, e.g., separately or in combination with the request received in step 606, wherein the classification may include storing an age authentication indicator in the receiving device 300 and / or the aerosol generating device 100, where the age authentication indicator may be associated with the one or more stored reference biometric features.

[0223] If classification and registration of the user fails at step 609, step 605 may be re-executed and the procedure may be restarted at step 606.

[0224] Upon successful classification and registration of the user in step 609, the aerosol generating device 100 may be used by the user for aerosol consumption.

[0225] Further, successful authentication of one or more reference biometric features may be indicated to the user device 700 in step 610 , for example, based on transmission of a corresponding signal from the receiving device 300 to the user device 700 .

[0226] Further, in step 611, a signal indicating successful enrolment of the one or more reference biometric features may be sent from the user device 700 to the server 1000, and the server 1000 may store a corresponding indication that enrolment of the one or more reference biometric features at the receiving device 300 has been successful and that age has been authenticated.

[0227] The method illustrated in FIG. 6 may include a number of alternative or additional steps, for example as described with reference to any of the first to eleventh aspects of the present disclosure.

[0228] While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description is illustrative or representative and not restrictive, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, and can be practiced in the practice of the claims.

[0229] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims are not to be construed as limiting their scope.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generation device configured to generate an aerosol, the aerosol generation device having a locked state in which the aerosol generation device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device is permitted to generate aerosol; and a receiving device configured to at least partially receive the aerosol generating device; the aerosol generation device and the receiving device each include a communications interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generation device with the receiving device; the receiving device including a control device having at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the aerosol generation system based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user; An aerosol generating system, wherein the control device sends an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device to configure the aerosol generating device to the locked or unlocked state, and the authentication signal indicates successful or failed authentication of the user at the receiving device.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biometric sensor is at least one of a fingerprint sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a voice recognition sensor, and a camera for facial recognition.

3. the aerosol generating device includes at least one energy store for storing electrical energy; 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving device is configured to supply electrical energy to the aerosol generating device and charge the at least one energy storage unit of the aerosol generating device.

4. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol generation system is configured to cause the aerosol generation device to enter a locked state based on one or more locking conditions.

5. The one or more locking conditions are: the maximum number of usage sessions of the aerosol generating device by the user since the user's last successful authentication with the recipient device; the maximum number of charging cycles performed since the last successful authentication of the user with the receiving device; and The system of claim 4 , further comprising determining at least one of: a maximum period of time that has elapsed since a last successful authentication of the user at the receiving device.

6. The aerosol generating device comprises: Data storage; and The system of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising control circuitry configured to determine an authentication indicator based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device and to store the authentication indicator in the data storage.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device.

8. the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state in the absence of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device; and / or The system of claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device assumes a predetermined value.

9. the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state if the authentication indicator is stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device; and / or A system as described in either claim 7 or 8, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter an unlocked state when the value of the authentication indicator in the data storage of the aerosol generating device takes on a further predetermined value.

10. the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to remove the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device, such that the aerosol generating device is configured in a locked state; and / or A system as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator, such that the aerosol generating device is configured in a locked state.

11. and / or the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to remove the authentication indicator from the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state; and / or A system as described in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the control circuitry of the aerosol generating device is configured to modify the value of the authentication indicator stored in the data storage of the aerosol generating device based on one or more locking conditions in order to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked state.

12. the communication unit of the receiving device is configured to transmit the authentication signal to the aerosol generating device only upon successful authentication of the user at the receiving device; and / or A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the authentication signal indicates successful authentication of the user at the receiving device.

13. a user device communicatively coupled to the receiving device; the user device includes a user interface and a controller configured to authenticate that the user has reached an age threshold based on guiding the user through an age authentication process on the user interface; The system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the age authentication signal to the receiving device upon successful authentication that the user has reached an age threshold.

14. 1. A receiving device for an aerosol generating system, the receiving device comprising: a communications interface for communicatively coupling the receiving device with the aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation device having a locked state in which the aerosol generation device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device is permitted to generate aerosol; and a controller having at least one biometric sensor configured to authenticate a user of the receiving device based on sensing at least one biometric characteristic of the user; A receiving device, wherein the control device sends an authentication signal to the aerosol generating device to configure the aerosol generating device to the locked or unlocked state, the authentication signal indicating successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device.

15. 1. An aerosol generation device for an aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation device having a locked state in which the aerosol generation device is prohibited from generating aerosol, and an unlocked state in which the aerosol generation device is permitted to generate aerosol, the aerosol generation device comprising: a communications interface for communicatively coupling the aerosol generating device with a receiving device of the aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating device being configured to receive an authentication signal from the receiving device via the communications interface, the authentication signal indicating successful or unsuccessful authentication of the user at the receiving device using a biometric sensor at the receiving device; and An aerosol generating device comprising a control circuit configured to cause the aerosol generating device to enter a locked or unlocked state based on the authentication signal received from the receiving device.

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