Multi-level Certification for Aerosol-Generating Devices

Abstract

An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate; an image acquisition sensor configured to capture at least one image of a user of the aerosol generating device; an acoustic sensor configured to detect sound generated based on the user's breathing; and at least one processor configured to control at least one of the user's access to the aerosol generating device, the amount of substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate based on at least one of the at least one image of the user and the detected sound.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a system for controlling an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] An aerosol-generating device may include an electrically operated heat source configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, such as a nicotine-containing aerosol. However, such electronic devices should not be accessible by unauthorized users. Thus, there is a need for a system that allows only authorized users to access the electronic devices.

[0003] The use of an aerosol-generating device may affect a user depending on the user's particular biological condition. For example, it may be desirable to restrict the use of an aerosol-generating device for a user with a lung-related disease. Thus, there is a need for a system that restricts the use of an electronic device based on the user's biological condition.

[0004] An aerosol-generating device may be used by multiple users. However, different users may require or prefer different amounts or compositions of aerosol formed from the aerosol-forming substrate. Compared to other users, some users may require or prefer a different flavor content or a different medicinal content compared to another content of a substance. For example, some users may require or prefer to consume an increased content of a first substance compared to the content of a second substance in an aerosol-forming substrate disposed within an electronic device. Thus, there is a need for a system that selectively controls the administration of at least one substance or aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation system comprising: an aerosol-generating device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate; an image acquisition sensor configured to capture at least one image of a user of the aerosol-generating device; an acoustic sensor configured to detect sound generated based on the user's breathing; and at least one processor configured to control at least one of (i) the user's access to the aerosol-generating device, (ii) the amount of substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and (iii) the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate based on at least one of the at least one image of the user and the detected sound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within and / or engaged with the aerosol-generating device.

[0006] The amount of substance or aerosol generated may be controlled, for example, by controlling a temperature profile of a heater in the aerosol generating device. Controlling the temperature profile of the heater may include one or both of controlling the temperature of the heater over time and controlling the power supplied to the heater over time. The amount of substance in the aerosol may be controlled, for example, by selecting one of a plurality of predetermined heater temperature profiles. Thus, one of the plurality of predetermined heater temperature profiles may be selected based on at least one of an image of a user and a detected sound.

[0007] By providing an aerosol generation system including an image capture sensor and an acoustic sensor, an improved aerosol generation system for controlling an aerosol generation device in a safe and stable manner is provided. Specifically, the aerosol generation system including an image capture sensor and an acoustic sensor allows for restricting access to the aerosol generation device to authorized users only and provides multiple levels of authentication. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol generation system can provide customized control of the aerosol generation device based on data from the image capture sensor and the acoustic sensor, and can use the acoustic sensor to determine a user's biological condition. This makes it possible, for example, to modify, e.g., restrict, how the aerosol generation device is used based on the user's biological condition. For example, a user's access to the aerosol generation device may be limited to a predetermined number of puffs (e.g., within a predetermined period of time) or a predetermined duration of use.

[0008] Furthermore, the aerosol generating system may allow selective control of the administration of at least one substance content, such as a flavor content or a medicinal content, of the aerosol-forming substrate, or selective control of the duration of administration of the aerosol-forming substrate, which may be based on a user profile of an authorized user.

[0009] The at least one processor may be configured to determine a biological state of the user, such as a lung-related condition or a level of bronchitis, based on the detected audio. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one processor may be configured to determine at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state based on the at least one image of the user. This enables control of the aerosol generating device based on the user's biological state and at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state. For further security, the at least one processor may be configured to verify the user's identity based on the user's biological state.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided that includes capturing at least one image of a user by an image acquisition sensor, detecting sound generated based on the user's breathing by an acoustic sensor, and controlling at least one of the user's access to an aerosol generating device, the amount of substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate based on at least one of the at least one image of the user and the detected sound.

[0011] An improved aerosol generation system is provided that provides two-factor authentication via image acquisition sensors and acoustic sensors by controlling access to a user's aerosol generation device based on at least one image and detected voice of the user.

[0012] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-generating device may interact with one or both of an aerosol-generating article including the aerosol-forming substrate and a cartridge including the aerosol-forming substrate. In some examples, the aerosol-generating device may heat the aerosol-forming substrate to facilitate the release of volatile compounds from the substrate. An electrically operated aerosol-generating device may include an atomizer, such as an electric heater, for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol.

[0013] As used herein, the term "access to an aerosol-generating device" may refer to access to the operation of the aerosol-generating device to generate an aerosol. Thus, preventing access to an aerosol-generating device may refer to preventing the operation of the aerosol-generating device from generating an aerosol.

[0014] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate disposed within and / or engaged with an aerosol-generating device" refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-forming substrate. When the aerosol-forming substrate forms part of an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-forming substrate disposed within the aerosol-generating device refers to the combination of an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-forming substrate and the aerosol-generating device may cooperate to generate an aerosol.

[0015] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" refers to a substrate capable of releasing a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The volatile compound may be released by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. As an alternative to heating, in some cases the volatile compound may be released by a chemical reaction or by mechanical stimulation such as ultrasound. The aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or may contain both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article.

[0016] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. The aerosol may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable. An aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate containing tobacco may be referred to herein as a tobacco stick.

[0017] The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco, for example, a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a homogenized tobacco material, for example, cast leaf tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may further comprise an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol. [Example]

[0018] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, the following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of any other example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0019] Example 1: An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate; an image acquisition sensor configured to capture at least one image of a user of the aerosol generating device; an acoustic sensor configured to detect sound generated based on the user's breathing; and at least one processor configured to control at least one of the user's access to the aerosol generating device, the amount of substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate based on at least one of the at least one image of the user and the detected sound. Example 2: An aerosol generating system as described in Example 1, wherein at least one processor is configured to determine the biological state of the user based on the detected sound. Example 3: 3. The aerosol generating system of Example 2, wherein the biological condition comprises at least one of the user's lung-related condition and level of bronchitis. Example 4: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 2 and 3, wherein at least one processor is configured to determine at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state based on at least one image of the user. Example 5: An aerosol generating system as described in Example 4, wherein at least one of a user's access to the aerosol generating device, the amount of substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate, and the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate is controlled based on the user's biological state, and at least one of their identity, physical state, and emotional state. Example 6: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 4 and 5, wherein at least one processor is configured to determine a user profile based on at least one of the user's biological state and at least one of their identification, physical state, and emotional state, and the amount of substance and / or aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate is controlled in accordance with the user profile. Example 7: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 4 to 6, wherein at least one processor is configured to verify the identity of the user based on the user's biological state. Example 8: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 4 to 7, wherein at least one of the user's biological state and at least one of their identity, physical state, and emotional state is determined by using a neural network. Example 9: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein at least one processor is configured to control an acoustic sensor to detect sound based on analysis of at least one image of the user, and the analysis of the at least one image of the user includes determining whether the user is authorized. Example 10: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein at least one processor is configured to control user access to the aerosol generating device by limiting use of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined number of puffs, such as a predetermined number of puffs in a predetermined period of time or a predetermined number of puffs in a predetermined duration of use. Example 11: An aerosol-generating system according to one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein controlling the amount of substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate comprises increasing the amount of one substance content of the aerosol-forming substrate relative to the amount of another substance content of the aerosol-generating substrate. Example 12: An aerosol generation system as described in one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol generation system comprises at least one of a temperature sensor configured to measure a user's body temperature, for example, the temperature of the skin in contact with a part of the aerosol generation system (such as an aerosol generating device), and an inertial motion unit (IMU) sensor, wherein data from the IMU sensor is used to determine the user's usage behavior, and at least one of the user's access to the aerosol generating device and the amount of substance / aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate is controlled based on at least one of at least one image and detected voice of the user, and at least one of the user's usage behavior and body temperature. Example 13: An aerosol generating system according to one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein at least one processor is configured to determine whether a user is authorized to use the aerosol generating device based on at least one image of the user, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to do at least one of the following when the user is unauthorized: lock the aerosol generating device to prevent unauthorized users from using the aerosol generating device; and provide an alert to an authorized user of the aerosol generating device, for example, by providing an alert on a linked mobile phone, computer, or other device of the authorized user. Example 14: 14. The aerosol generating system of example 13, wherein the alert includes information associated with an unauthorized user attempt on the aerosol generating device. Example 15: 15. The aerosol generating system of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the alarm comprises at least one of an audible alarm, a visual alarm, an audio-visual alarm, or a vibrating alarm. Example 16: An aerosol generation system described in one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein at least one processor is configured to control an image acquisition sensor to capture at least one image of the user based on analysis of the audio. Example 17: An aerosol generating system as described in Example 16, wherein the analysis of the voice includes determining whether the user is in a physical condition that requires the use of an aerosol generating device. Example 18: An aerosol generating system described in Example 4 or, when dependent on Example 4, in any one of Examples 5 to 17, wherein at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state is determined by determining multiple different features of the user's face. Example 19: 19. The aerosol generating system of one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein the substance comprises at least one of a flavor content, a nicotine content, and a pharmaceutical content. Example 20: An aerosol generating system described in any one of Examples 5 to 19 when Example 4 or Example 4 is dependent thereon, wherein the user's emotional state includes at least one of happy emotion, sad emotion, angry emotion, calm emotion, fear emotion, neutral emotion, excited emotion, confused emotion, stressed emotion, embarrassed emotion, surprised emotion, enraged emotion, and frightened emotion. Example 21: An aerosol generating system described in any one of Examples 5 to 20 when the user's physical condition is dependent on Example 4 or Example 4, including at least one of age, gender, gesture, fatigue state, drinking state, and stress state related to user authentication. Example 22: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 2 and 3, or any one of Examples 4 to 21 when dependent on Example 2 or 3, wherein the user's biological state is determined based on at least one voice parameter obtained from voice generated based on the user's breathing, and the at least one voice parameter includes at least one of a loudness parameter, an intonation parameter, a harmonic intensity, a voice modulation parameter, a pitch parameter, a tone parameter, a speaking rate parameter, a voice quality parameter, a voice parameter, a pronunciation parameter, a prosody parameter, a timbre parameter, and one or more psychoacoustic parameters. Example 23: 23. The aerosol generation system according to one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the image capture sensor is included within the aerosol generation device. Example 24: An aerosol generation system described in one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the aerosol generation system comprises an image acquisition device such as a mobile phone or computer equipped with an image acquisition sensor, the image acquisition device being remote from the aerosol generation device, and the image acquisition device and the aerosol generation device being connected to a wireless network. Example 25: An aerosol generation system described in one of Examples 1 to 24, wherein the image acquisition sensor is configured to capture depth information of the user from at least one viewpoint. Example 26: An aerosol generation system described in one of Examples 1 to 25, wherein the image acquisition sensor includes one of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor, a wide-angle camera, an action camera, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, a camcorder, a digital camera, a camera phone, a time-of-flight (ToF) camera, and a night vision camera. Example 27: An aerosol generation system described in one of Examples 1 to 26, wherein the acoustic sensor includes one of a recording device, an electric microphone, a dynamic microphone, a carbon microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, a fiber microphone, and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone. Example 28: An aerosol generation system described in one of Examples 1 to 27, wherein at least one processor is configured to control an image acquisition sensor to capture at least one image of a user. Example 29: An aerosol generating system described in one of Examples 1 to 28, wherein at least one processor is configured to control an acoustic sensor to detect sound. Example 30: An aerosol generating system described in any one of Examples 5 to 29, when dependent on Example 4 or Example 4, wherein the aerosol generating system is configured to compare information associated with at least one image of the user with information associated with one or more pre-stored images to determine distinct facial features associated with the user, and the determined distinct facial features are used to determine at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state. Example 31: An aerosol generating system as described in Example 30, wherein information associated with one or more pre-stored images is stored integrally with the aerosol generating device or retrieved remotely from a server. Example 32: An aerosol generating system described in any one of Examples 4 to 31 when dependent on one of Examples 2 and 3 or Example 2 or 3, wherein the aerosol generating system is configured to compare information associated with a biological state with information associated with pre-stored biological states to determine the level of a user's lung-related condition, and the determined level of the user's lung-related condition is used to control at least one of the user's access to the aerosol generating device, the amount of substance and / or aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate. Example 33: An aerosol generating system as described in Example 32, wherein information associated with the pre-stored biological state is stored integrally with the aerosol generating device or retrieved remotely from a server. Example 34: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 13 to 33 when dependent on Example 12 or Example 12, wherein the usage behavior comprises a pattern of use of the aerosol generating device. Example 35: An aerosol generation system as described in Example 12, wherein the IMU sensor comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and the IMU sensor is configured to measure the angular velocity, force, and positional orientation of the aerosol generation device during use of the aerosol generation device. Example 36: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 13 to 35, when dependent on Example 12 or Example 12, wherein user access to the aerosol generating device and at least one of the amount of substance and / or aerosol content of the aerosol-forming substrate are controlled based on usage behavior and at least one of at least one image and detected voice of the user. Example 37: An aerosol generating device of an aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 36, wherein the device comprises any one, two, or all of an image acquisition sensor, an acoustic sensor, and at least one processor. Example 38: 38. The aerosol-generating system of any one of Examples 1 to 37, further comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. Example 39: 39. An aerosol-generating system according to any one of Examples 1 to 38, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within and / or engaged with an aerosol-generating device. Example 40: A method comprising: capturing at least one image of a user of an aerosol generating device using an image acquisition sensor; detecting sound generated based on the user's breathing using an acoustic sensor; and controlling at least one of the user's access to the aerosol generating device, the amount of substance content of the aerosol-forming substrate, and the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate based on at least one of the at least one image of the user and the detected sound.

[0020] Of course, any of the above system-related Examples 2-38 can be formulated as the method described in Example 39.

[0021] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the aerosol generation system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for controlling an aerosol generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] 1 shows an aerosol generation system comprising an aerosol generation device 100 configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate engaged with the aerosol generation device 100. The aerosol generation system comprises an image acquisition sensor 100A configured to capture at least one image of a user 102. The aerosol generation system further comprises an acoustic sensor 100B configured to detect sound generated based on the breathing of the user 102.

[0024] At least one of the image acquisition sensor 100A and the acoustic sensor 100B may be included in the aerosol-generation device 100. Alternatively, at least one of the image acquisition sensor 100A and the acoustic sensor 100B may be remote from the aerosol-generation device 100.

[0025] The image acquisition sensor 100A may be part of an image acquisition device. The image acquisition sensor 100A, the acoustic sensor 100B, and the aerosol generation device 100 may all be connected via a network. The network may be a wireless network.

[0026] The aerosol generating device 100 may be a heat-not-burn (HNB) device. The aerosol generating system may be used to detect a user profile associated with a user 102. Based on the detected user profile, the aerosol generating system may be configured to control at least one of activation of the aerosol generating device and administration of one or more substances (such as nicotine content, flavor content, or other medicinal content) to the user.

[0027] The image capture sensor 100A may be configured to capture an image or multiple images of the user 102 using the aerosol generating device 100. The image capture sensor 100A may be configured to capture depth information or multiple depth values ​​of the user from a single perspective or multiple perspectives. Examples of the image capture sensor 100A may include a LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor, a wide-angle camera, an action camera, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, a camcorder, a digital camera, a camera phone, a time-of-flight (ToF) camera, a night vision camera, an image sensor, and / or other image capture devices.

[0028] The one or more captured images may indicate physical information associated with the user 102 recognized in at least one frame of the one or more captured images. The physical information may indicate at least one of the user's age, the user's motion information, or a gesture associated with the user. Such physical information about the user may be calculated based on different features, such as size, proportions, distance, and geometric shape, associated with the user's 102 face, which may be inferred from the captured image of the user.

[0029] The one or more captured images may also be utilized to determine a facial state or expression of the user 102. The facial state or expression may indicate one or more movements or positions of the user's 102 facial muscles, and the facial expression may reveal emotions. The facial muscles may create facial lines / wrinkles, move the user's skin, or cause movement of facial features such as the user's mouth, head, nose, eyes, and eyebrows. The aerosol generating system may be configured to determine the user's state based on the determined facial state or expression of the user 102. The state of the user 102 may be tired, drunk, stressed, etc. The aerosol generating system may further be configured to determine the user's emotional state based on the determined facial state or expression of the user 102. The emotional state of the user 102 may be a happy emotion, a sad emotion, an angry emotion, a calm emotion, a fearful emotion, a neutral emotion, an excited emotion, a confused emotion, a stressed emotion, an embarrassed emotion, a surprised emotion, an enraged emotion, or a frightened emotion.

[0030] In one example, the aerosol-generating device may include an embedded neural network-based processor configured to communicate with the image capture sensor 100A for basic interactions associated with the image capture sensor 100A. The neural network may include electronic data, such as software programs, software program code, libraries, applications, scripts, or other logic or instructions for execution by a processing device, such as the aerosol generation system or the aerosol-generating device 100. The neural network may include code and routines configured to enable a computing device, such as the aerosol-generating device 100, to perform one or more operations for classification of one or more inputs. Furthermore, the neural network may also be implemented using hardware, including a processor, a microprocessor (e.g., for performing or controlling the performance of one or more operations), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, in some embodiments, the neural network may be implemented using a combination of hardware and software. In another example, the aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to interact with a smartphone for advanced interactions associated with the image capture sensor 100A. For example, the image capture sensor 100A may be included in a smartphone or other handheld computing device, and the smartphone may be configured to process images captured from the image capture sensor 100A. The smartphone may be configured to determine at least one of an identity, a physical state, and an emotional state of the user 102 based on at least one image of the user 102. The identity, the physical state, and / or the emotional state of the user 102 may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100 for further processing. Alternatively, the smartphone may be configured to receive additional information, such as a biological state, for further processing. Results of such further processing may be transmitted to the aerosol generating device 100 for controlling the aerosol generating device 100.In one embodiment, the smartphone captures at least one image of the user 102 and transmits the at least one image of the user 102 to the aerosol generating device 100 for further processing.

[0031] The bioacoustic sensor 100B may be configured to capture audio signals from the lungs of the user 102. The bioacoustic sensor 100B may be further configured to convert the captured audio signals into electrical signals to determine the user's biological condition. For example, the user's biological condition may correspond to the user's level of bronchitis or other lung or respiratory-related disease. The captured audio signals may include multiple audio parameters, such as, for example, a loudness parameter, an intonation parameter, a harmonic intensity parameter, a voice modulation parameter, a pitch parameter, a tone parameter, a speaking rate parameter, a voice quality parameter, a voice parameter, an articulation parameter, a prosody parameter, a timbre parameter, and one or more psychoacoustic parameters, that can be converted into electrical signals to determine the user's biological condition (e.g., the user's level of bronchitis). Examples of the bioacoustic sensor 100B may include a recording device, an electric microphone, a dynamic microphone, a carbon microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, a fiber microphone, a (microelectromechanical systems) MEMS microphone, or other microphones known in the art.

[0032] During operation, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the image acquisition sensor 100A to capture multiple images of the user 102. The aerosol generating device 100 may compare information associated with one or more captured images with information associated with pre-stored images to determine distinct facial features associated with the user 102. The information associated with the pre-stored images may be stored integrally with the aerosol generating device 100 or may be remotely retrieved from a server (e.g., a cloud server) or a smartphone via a suitable communication network (e.g., via a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network). Based on the determined facial features, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to estimate physical parameters associated with the user. For example, the physical parameters may include the user's age or emotional state. The aerosol generating device 100 may further control the bioacoustic sensor 100B to detect acoustic behavior of the user's lungs (e.g., sounds that may be generated based on the user's breathing). Based on the detected acoustic behavior of the lungs, the aerosol generating device 100 may estimate the biological state of the user 102 (e.g., the level of bronchitis or the level of a lung-related disease). The aerosol generating device 100 may compare information associated with the estimated level of the biological state with information associated with pre-stored levels of the biological state to determine the biological level (e.g., the level of a lung condition) of the user 102. The information associated with the pre-stored levels of the biological state may be integrally stored in the aerosol generating device 100 or may be retrieved from a remote server via a suitable communication network. Based on the estimated physical parameters, such as the user's age, stress level, fatigue level, or emotional state, and the biological state, such as the level of a lung-related disease, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to control at least one of activation of the aerosol generating device or administration of one or more substances (e.g., nicotine content, flavor content, or even other medicinal content) to the user.

[0033] For example, the image capture sensor 100A may capture multiple images of the first user 104. The aerosol generating system may compare the captured images with pre-stored images to determine distinct characteristics 104A associated with the first user 104. The distinct characteristics may correspond to at least one of age, gender, identity, or gesture associated with authenticating the first user 104. Based on the determined characteristics, if the first user 104 (e.g., someone below an age threshold) is not an authorized user, the aerosol generating device may be locked and / or turned off to prevent use by unauthorized users. The aerosol generating system may also generate an alert to the authorized user. For example, the alert may be provided to the authorized user or a device associated with the authorized user, such as a parent's mobile phone or the owner's mobile phone. The alert may include information about the unauthorized use of the aerosol generating device by the unauthorized user. The alert may include information associated with the unauthorized user's attempt at the aerosol generating device. The alert may include at least one of an audible alert, a visual alert, an audio-visual alert, or a vibration alert. In another example, if, based on the determined characteristics, the captured image indicates that the authorized user is tired, intoxicated, stressed, or emotionally unstable, such as the user being sad, crying, or frightened, the aerosol generating device may automatically turn off the aerosol generating device 100 based on the user's state.

[0034] If the second user is an authorized user, such as a person exceeding the age threshold of the owner of the device 100, the aerosol generating device 100 may control the bioacoustic sensor 100B to detect acoustic behavior, such as sound, that may be generated based on the breathing of the second user's lungs. Based on the detected acoustic behavior of the lungs, the aerosol generating device may estimate a biological condition. For example, the aerosol generating device may estimate the second user's level of bronchitis. The estimated level of the biological condition may be compared with a pre-stored level of the biological condition to determine the second user's biological level. In one example, if the second user does not meet the required biological level, for example, if the user's lung condition is unstable, the aerosol generating device may be locked and / or turned off to prevent use by the second user, and the second user may thereafter be considered an unauthorized user. The aerosol generating device may also control at least one of the amount of aerosol generating device consumed or the duration of consumption of the aerosol generating device. In another example, if the second user meets the required biological levels, for example, if the user's pulmonary condition is stable, the aerosol generating device may unlock to allow use by authorized users.

[0035] This order of operation of the image acquisition sensor and the bioacoustic sensor is provided merely as an example. The order of operations may be modified, reversed, or eliminated to achieve the same purpose. For example, the bioacoustic sensor may detect the user's acoustic behavior before the image acquisition sensor, or the bioacoustic sensor may detect the user's acoustic behavior simultaneously with the detection of the user's image from the image acquisition sensor.

[0036] In one example, the image capture sensor 100A may capture one or more images of a third user 106. The aerosol generating device may compare the one or more captured images with pre-stored images to determine a distinct characteristic associated with the third user. The distinct characteristic may correspond to at least one of age, gender, identity, or gesture associated with authenticating the third user. If, based on the determined characteristic, the third user is an authorized user, the aerosol generating device may unlock and / or turn on to grant the authorized user (i.e., a third user, such as a recognized owner who exceeds the age threshold of the aerosol generating device) access to use the aerosol generating device.

[0037] The aerosol generating system controls the bioacoustic sensor to detect acoustic behavior, such as breathing of the third user or an indication corresponding to a sound that may be generated based on the third user's lung condition. Based on the detected lung acoustic behavior, the aerosol generating device may estimate the third user's biological condition (e.g., level of bronchitis). The estimated level of the biological condition is compared with a pre-stored biological condition to determine the third user's biological level. The third user's biological level may be compared with a predetermined threshold to determine or detect the user's lung-related or respiratory-related condition. If no lung-related or respiratory-related condition is determined or detected, the aerosol generating device may continue to grant use access to the third user.

[0038] Based on the estimated body parameters and biological state of the third user, the aerosol generating device may also determine information associated with a prescribed administration of one or more substances, such as nicotine content, flavor content, or even other medicinal content, for the third user. The information associated with the prescribed administration may be integrally stored in the aerosol generating device or may be remotely obtained from a server via a suitable communication network. Based on the information associated with the prescribed administration, the aerosol generating device may control administration of one or more substances to the third user. In one example, the prescribed administration may be associated with an increased substance content compared to a different substance content.

[0039] Therefore, the aerosol generating system may advantageously be configured to selectively control the dispensing of at least one substance content, such as the nicotine content or flavor content, of a consumable disposed within the aerosol generating device based on the authorized user's condition, such as facial condition and biological condition. The aerosol generating system may further advantageously be configured to prevent overconsumption of a particular product through features such as controlling the amount of puff consumed and / or the duration of consumption of the aerosol generating device based on a biological level, such as the level of the user's lung condition.

[0040] The aerosol generation system may also include other sensors, such as a temperature sensor and an inertial motion unit (IMU) sensor, to determine the user's usage behavior. The temperature sensor may be configured to measure the user's body temperature. The IMU sensor may include an accelerometer and a gyroscope, which may be configured to measure the user's angular velocity, force, and positional orientation while using the aerosol generation device. The usage behavior may correspond to at least one of a usage pattern, such as time, duration of use of the aerosol generation device, or number of puffs on the aerosol generation device. Based on the usage behavior, estimated body parameters, and the third user's biological state, the aerosol generation system may improve control of the prescribed administration of one or more substances, such as nicotine content, flavor content, or other medicinal content, to the third user.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for controlling an aerosol generating device. At least one step of method 200 is performed by a processor or computing device. For example, method 200 may be performed by an electronic device or system. The aerosol generating system described with respect to FIG. 1 may perform method 200. In one example, method 200 is performed by a system, and any of the features of the aerosol generating system described with respect to FIG. 1 may be part of the system in which method 200 is performed.

[0042] Method 200 includes, at step 210, capturing at least one image of a user with an image capture sensor. The user may attempt to use the aerosol generating device. For example, the user may provide an input to the aerosol generating device that instructs the image capture sensor to capture at least one image of the user. The image capture sensor may be part of the aerosol generating device or may be remote from the aerosol generating device.

[0043] In step 220, sound generated by the user's breathing is detected by an acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor may be part of the aerosol generating device. Steps 210 and 220 may be performed simultaneously or sequentially. For example, step 220 may be performed after step 210. In one example, step 220 is performed after at least one image of the user is processed by at least one processor. The at least one processor may determine whether the user is authorized to use the aerosol generating device by performing a facial recognition method, and step 220 may be performed only when the user is authorized to use the aerosol generating device.

[0044] In step 230, at least one of a user's access to the aerosol-generating device and the amount of substance and / or aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate engaged with the aerosol-generating device is controlled based on at least one of an image of the user and a detected voice. For example, a user's access to the aerosol-generating device may be controlled by analyzing at least one image of the user, a detected voice, or both. Additionally or alternatively, a substance and / or an amount of aerosol generated from an aerosol-forming substrate engaged with the aerosol-generating device may be controlled by analyzing at least one image of the user, a detected voice, or both.

[0045] Analyzing the at least one image of the user may include determining at least one of an identity, a physical state, and an emotional state of the user based on the at least one image of the user, wherein the determined identity, the determined physical state, or the determined emotional state may be used to control the user's access to the aerosol-generating device or to control the amount of substance and / or aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0046] The analysis of the detected sound may include determining a biological state of the user based on the detected sound. The biological state may include at least one of a lung-related condition and a level of bronchitis of the user. The determined lung-related condition or the determined level of bronchitis of the user may be used to control the user's access to the aerosol-generating device or to control the amount of substance content of the aerosol-forming substrate. The biological state and at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state may be determined by using a neural network.

[0047] In one example, method 200 includes determining an identity of a user based on at least one captured image of the user and verifying the identity of the user based on the detected voice by determining that characteristics derived from the detected voice correspond to characteristics stored in a user profile. The characteristics derived from the detected voice may be specific to the user. For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like are understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. In some cases, as used in the appended claims, the number A may deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol-generating device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate; an image capture sensor configured to capture at least one image of a user of the aerosol generating device; an acoustic sensor configured to detect sounds generated based on the user's breathing; at least one processor, based on at least one of the at least one image and the detected audio of the user; access of the user to the aerosol generating device; the amount of material generated from the aerosol-forming substrate; and and at least one processor configured to control at least one of: a quantity of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate.

2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the biological state of the user based on the detected sound.

3. 3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2, wherein the biological condition comprises at least one of the user's lung-related condition and level of bronchitis.

4. The aerosol generating system of any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine at least one of the user's identity, physical state, and emotional state based on the at least one image of the user.

5. 5. The aerosol generating system of claim 4, wherein the user's access to the aerosol generating device and the amount of the substance or aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate are controlled based on the user's biological state and at least one of the identity, the physical state, and the emotional state.

6. 6. The aerosol generating system of claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a user profile based on at least one of the user's biological state and at least one of the identification, the physical state, and the emotional state, and the amount of the substance or aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate is controlled in accordance with the user profile.

7. 7. The aerosol generating system of claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is configured to verify the identity of the user based on the biological state of the user.

8. An aerosol generating system as described in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein at least one of the biological state of the user and at least one of the identity, physical state, and emotional state is determined by using a neural network.

9. The aerosol generating system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the acoustic sensor to detect the sound based on an analysis of the at least one image of the user, and the analysis of the at least one image of the user includes a determination of whether the user is authorized.

10. An aerosol generating system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the user's access to the aerosol generating device by limiting use of the aerosol generating device to a predetermined number of puffs or a predetermined duration of use.

11. 11. The aerosol generating system according to claim 1, wherein controlling the amount of a substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate comprises increasing the amount of one substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate relative to another substance generated from the aerosol-forming substrate.

12. the aerosol generation system comprises at least one of a temperature sensor configured to measure a body temperature of the user and an inertial motion unit (IMU) sensor, and data from the IMU sensor is used to determine the usage behavior of the user; An aerosol generating system as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the user's access to the aerosol generating device and the amount of the substance and / or aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate are controlled based on at least one of the at least one image and the detected voice of the user, and at least one of the user's usage behavior and body temperature.

13. the at least one processor is configured to determine, based on the at least one image of the user, whether the user is authorized to use the aerosol generating device; When the user is unauthorized, the at least one processor: locking the aerosol generating device to prevent use of the aerosol generating device by the unauthorized user; and providing an alert to an authorized user of the aerosol generating device.

14. the alert includes information associated with the unauthorized user's attempt at the aerosol generating device; 14. The aerosol generating system of claim 13, wherein the alarm comprises at least one of an audible alarm, a visual alarm, an audio-visual alarm, or a vibrating alarm.

15. 1. A method comprising: capturing at least one image of a user with an image capture sensor; detecting, by an acoustic sensor, sounds generated based on the user's breathing; based on at least one of the at least one image and the detected audio of the user; said user accessing an aerosol generating device; the amount of material generated from the aerosol-forming substrate; and and (b) controlling at least one of the amount of aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming substrate.

Images