Distributed identification storage for tobacco products

Abstract

To provide a method and system for ensuring compliance with age restrictions on smoking articles and ensuring the security of private data.SOLUTION: A distributed identity management system for storing identity information, wherein the identity information includes age verification information and is used for operating an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) device. The ENDS device includes an aerosol delivery device, such as a smoking article that generates an aerosol, and the ENDS device or the aerosol delivery device has an age verification requirement or other identification requirement necessary for authentication of a user. A distributed structure for storing identity information may increase the security of the identity information while still providing a mechanism for accessing the information for verification or authentication. A decentralized structure or decentralized identity management system can utilize blockchain technology for the storage of personal or identity information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 838,272, filed April 24, 2019, entitled "DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a system for managing consumer identity, for example, for users of age-restricted products such as electronic nicotine delivery systems ("ENDS") and any tobacco product, including aerosol delivery devices. The management of user data may include a distributed identity management system or storage system that can be used for age verification. [Background technology]

[0003] Over the years, various devices have been proposed as an improvement or replacement for smoking products that require the combustion of tobacco for use. Some examples of alternatives include devices that burn solid or liquid fuels to transfer heat to the tobacco, and devices that use chemical reactions to achieve such a heat source. Another alternative uses electrical energy to heat tobacco and / or other aerosol-generating substrate materials, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 (Worm et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. Generally, devices that use electrical energy to heat tobacco or other materials are sometimes referred to as electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices.

[0004] Many of these devices have been designed with the intention of providing a sensation reminiscent of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, while not delivering significant amounts of the incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from the combustion of tobacco. To this end, a variety of alternative smoking products, flavor generators, and medical inhalers have been proposed, which utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances, or which attempt to provide a significant portion of the sensation of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning tobacco. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 (Collett et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0255702 (Griffith Jr. et al.), 2014 / 0000638 (Sebastian et al.), 2014 / 0096781 (Sears et al.), 2014 / 0096782 (Ampolini et al.), 2015 / 0059780 (Davis et al.), and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 222,615 (Watson et al.). See the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat-generating sources described in the Background section of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0129964 filed July 28, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various embodiments of products and heating configurations described in the Background section of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,388,594 (Counts et al.) and 8,079,371 (Robinson et al.), which are incorporated by reference.

[0005] The smoking articles described above are subject to certain restrictions, including age restrictions. In some countries, the use of these articles is restricted based on the user's age. To verify a user's age, it may be necessary to identify the user, and information about the user must be stored. Improper storage of personal and identifying information can lead to various problems in the event of a data breach. To ensure compliance with restrictions and ensure the security of private data, it may be necessary to improve the user identification storage process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the problems in the prior art described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a decentralized structure for storing identifying information. The identifying information may include age verification information and may be used to operate an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device, which may include an aerosol delivery device such as an aerosol-generating smoking article. ENDS devices or aerosol delivery devices may have age verification or other identification requirements necessary for user authentication, and that information must be stored. A decentralized structure for storing identifying information can increase the security of the identifying information while providing a mechanism for accessing the information for verification or authentication. A decentralized structure or decentralized identity management system can utilize blockchain technology for storing personal or identifying information. Conversely, a centralized structure (e.g., a database) stores information in a single location, which may be vulnerable to hacking and pose a security risk.

[0008] In one embodiment, a system includes a network and a distributed storage of data coupled to the network, the distributed storage utilizing blockchain technology. The system includes a user device coupled to the network and configured to communicate with the distributed storage. The communication includes personal identification information about a user sent from the user device to be stored in the distributed storage. The personal identification information is provided from the distributed storage to identify the user and verify the user's age. The system may further include an aerosol delivery device coupled to the user device, where operation of the aerosol delivery device by the user is dependent on authenticating the user's personal identification information in the distributed storage. The aerosol delivery device may not operate unless the user is authenticated. The system may further include a vending machine that sells age-restricted products, the vending machine configured to communicate with the distributed storage to verify the user's identity and age based on the personal identification information about the user stored by the distributed storage. In one example, the vending machine may not sell the age-restricted product unless the user's identity and age are verified. In one embodiment, the vending machine may be a self-service kiosk and / or the age-restricted product may include an aerosol delivery device. In another embodiment, the vending machine may include a mobile vending machine capable of operating as a pop-up shop for aerosol delivery devices, accessories, and / or chargers. In another embodiment, payment information may be stored in distributed storage and provided from the distributed storage upon authentication.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method for providing age-restricted products may include requesting a user's identification information from a distributed storage and receiving the identification information from the distributed storage. The method may include verifying the user's age based on the identification information, receiving payment for the age-restricted product after verifying the user's age, and providing the age-restricted product after receiving the payment. In one embodiment, the method may include registering the user in the distributed storage by providing the identification information to the distributed storage. In one embodiment, the age verification may include verifying that the user matches the identification information. In one embodiment, the distributed storage includes storage using blockchain technology, and the user's identification information is stored on a specific blockchain. In one embodiment, each item of the user's identification information is stored in a subsequent block on the specific blockchain. Furthermore, payment may be confirmed by checking the identification information in the distributed storage. In one embodiment, the method may include tracking the chain of custody of the age-restricted product by adding each interaction to the distributed storage. The method may further include a trade marketer using the age verification to recommend additional products or services. In one embodiment, the age-restricted product may include an aerosol delivery device. In one embodiment, transaction data from a payment transaction may be added to the distributed storage and associated with the identification information.

[0010] In one embodiment, a method may include storing identification information in distributed storage. The distributed storage may be modified upon request of the identification information. The modification may include adding a block to the distributed storage. The block previously containing the identification information is unchanged. At least a portion of the identification information may be requested from the distributed storage for identity verification.

[0011] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure encompasses any combination of two, three, or more features or elements described herein, whether such features or elements are explicitly combined or otherwise described in specific exemplary embodiments described herein. The present disclosure, in both its aspects and exemplary embodiments, is intended to be read holistically, such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure should be considered combinable unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0012] It should be understood, therefore, that this Summary is intended merely to provide a brief summary of some exemplary embodiments so that a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure can be obtained. It should be understood, therefore, that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples only and should not be construed in any way as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Other exemplary embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some exemplary embodiments described.

[0013] Having generally described aspects of the present disclosure above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge and a control body coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a partial cutaway view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1, with the cartridge and control body separated from one another, according to one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] ~ [Figure 4]1A and 1B show perspective views of an aerosol delivery device in which the control unit body and the aerosol source member are coupled to each other and detached from each other, respectively, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] ~ [Figure 6] 5A and 5B show a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and 4, according to one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] ~ [Figure 8] 1A and 1B show a side view and a partial cutaway view, respectively, of an aerosol delivery device with a cartridge coupled to a control body, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 shows a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 shows a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a distributed identity management system. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates another embodiment of a distributed identity management system. [Figure 13] An example of personal identification information is shown below. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates an exemplary storage structure for personal identification information. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary purchasing process. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a purchasing process. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process for utilizing a distributed identity management system. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the process of age verification through a distributed identity management system. [Figure 19] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of tracking by a distributed identity management system. [Figure 20] 1 shows an example of information that may be found in a distributed identity management system. [Figure 21] 1 is a flowchart illustrating transaction data in a distributed identity management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and the like, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, and the like, unless otherwise specified, any one or more, if not all, of these may be absolute or approximate, taking into account possible acceptable variations (e.g., variations due to engineering tolerances, etc.).

[0016] As described below, the present disclosure relates to using a decentralized identity management structure (e.g., a blockchain) to store certain information. The decentralized identity management structure may enable personal information to be stored securely while still allowing necessary access to the personal information (e.g., to verify a user's identity or age). Personal information or identifying information may be required for certain restricted products (e.g., age-restricted products that require age verification). One example of where age verification is required is in the case of electronic nicotine delivery systems ("ENDS"), which may include aerosol delivery devices. ENDS are an example of a device that may have restrictions, such as age restrictions, or that may require certain identifying information. Other examples include delivery devices for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), botanicals, drugs, and / or other active ingredients. Thus, it will be understood that while ENDS devices (e.g., aerosol delivery devices) will be used throughout as an example application of various embodiments, this example is intended to be non-limiting, as the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be used with devices other than ENDS devices, including aerosol delivery devices that may be used to deliver other medicinal ingredients and / or active ingredients to a user, or that may include smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products.

[0017] ENDS devices or aerosol delivery devices may require authentication features that may be based on age verification. Such devices can be restricted based on age or other factors that require some form of authentication, verification, and / or identification. A decentralized management structure can be used to store identification or age information, allowing secure storage and authorization of access to that information, and allowing authentication or verification for the purchase and / or use of restricted products (such as ENDS devices).

[0018] An aerosol delivery device is one example of a device that may be restricted and require authentication / verification using identifying information stored in a decentralized management structure (e.g., via blockchain technology). Aerosol delivery devices are described in more detail with respect to Figures 1-10. The aerosol delivery device may be configured to generate an aerosol (inhalable substance) from an aerosol precursor composition (sometimes referred to as an inhalable substance medium). The aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of a solid tobacco substance, a semi-solid tobacco substance, or a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to generate an aerosol by heating a fluid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition). Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of the substances described above (including, but not limited to, botanical substances, medicinal substances, alcohol, and glycerin) and may include nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other active ingredients. Such an aerosol delivery device may include a so-called electronic cigarette. In another embodiment, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion heating device. In yet another embodiment, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a non-combustion, non-heating device.

[0019] Liquid aerosol precursor compositions (also called vapor precursor compositions or "e-liquids") are particularly useful for electronic cigarettes and non-combustion, non-heating devices. Liquid aerosol precursor compositions may include various ingredients, such as a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and / or flavorings. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition includes glycerin and nicotine. In other examples, the composition may additionally or alternatively include alcohol, another botanical substance, another medicinal substance, or may include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other active ingredients, or some combination thereof.

[0020] Some liquid aerosol precursor compositions that can be used with various embodiments can include one or more acids, such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, combinations thereof, etc. Including an acid in a liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine can provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine in a salt form. Representative types of liquid aerosol precursor components and formulations are described and characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 (Robinson et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,002 (Chong et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0008457 (Zheng et al.), 2015 / 0020823 (Lipowicz et al.), and 2015 / 0020830 (Koller), as well as International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2014 / 182736 (Bowen et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 (Collett et al.), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include those incorporated into any of the numerous representative products identified above. Also desirable are so-called "smoke juices" for e-cigarettes, such as those available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.Further exemplary aerosol precursor compositions are sold under the brand names BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR. CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. An embodiment of the effervescent agent can be used with an aerosol precursor, and is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494 (Hunt et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the use of effervescent substances is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,639,368 (Niazi et al.), 5,178,878 (Wehling et al.), 5,223,264 (Wehling et al.), 6,974,590 (Pather et al.), 7,381,667 (Bergquist et al.), 8,424,541 (Crawford et al.), 8,627,828 (Strickland et al.), and 9,307,787 (Sun et al.). al.), as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0018539 (Brinkley et al.), and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 97 / 06786 (Johnson et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components that support aerosol precursors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,569 (Newton), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014 / 0261487 (Chapman et al.), 2015 / 0059780 (Davis et al.), and 2015 / 0216232 (Bless et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various wicking materials, and the configuration and operation of those wicking materials in particular types of electronic cigarettes, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,640 (Sears et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] In another embodiment, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion heating device configured to heat a solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., an extruded tobacco rod) or a semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a glycerinated tobacco paste). The aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco-containing beads, tobacco shreds, tobacco straps, reconstituted tobacco material, or combinations thereof, and / or a mixture of finely ground tobacco, tobacco extract, spray-dried tobacco extract, or other forms of tobacco combined with optional inorganic substances (such as calcium carbonate), optional flavorings, and aerosol-forming materials to form a substantially solid or moldable (e.g., extrudable) substrate. Representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,424,538 (Thomas et al.), 8,464,726 (Sebastian et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2015 / 0083150 (Conner et al.), 2015 / 0157052 (Ademe et al.), and 2017 / 0000188 (Nordskog et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further exemplary types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and arrangements are those found in British American Tobacco's NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source members for its GLO™ products and Philip Morris International, Inc.'s HEETS™ consumable aerosol source members for its IQOS™ products.

[0023] In various embodiments, the inhalable substance may specifically be a tobacco component or a tobacco-derived substance (i.e., a substance that is naturally present in tobacco and can be isolated directly from tobacco or synthetically prepared). For example, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a tobacco extract or an extract fraction thereof in combination with an inert substrate. The aerosol precursor composition may further comprise unburned tobacco or a composition containing unburned tobacco, which releases the inhalable substance when heated to a temperature below its combustion temperature. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise tobacco condensate or a condensed fraction thereof (i.e., the flavor and (possibly) nicotine-depleted condensed component of smoke generated by tobacco combustion).

[0024] In another embodiment, smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products, rather than ENDS devices, may be examples of age-restricted products. Representative smokeless tobacco products on the market include CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips, and CAMEL Sticks manufactured by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company; GRIZZLY Moist Tobacco, KODIAK Moist Tobacco, LEVI GARRETT Loose Tobacco, and TAYLOR'S PRIDE Loose Tobacco manufactured by American Snuff Company, LLC; KAYAK Moist Snuff and CHATTANOOGA CHEW Chewing Tobacco manufactured by Swisher International, Inc.; REDMAN Chewing Tobacco manufactured by Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP; and COPENHAGEN Moist Tobacco, COPENHAGEN Pouches, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, RED SEAL Long Cut, and REVEL Mint Tobacco manufactured by US Smokeless Tobacco Company. Packs, as well as those called MARLBORO Snus and Taboka manufactured by Philip Morris USA. Representative types of snuff products (commonly referred to as "snus") may be those manufactured in Europe (particularly Sweden), such as those manufactured by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A / S, and Rocker Production AB.Snus products previously or currently available in the United States have been sold by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company under trade names such as CAMEL Snus Frost, CAMEL Snus Original, and CAMEL Snus Spice, CAMEL Snus Mint, CAMEL Snus Mellow, CAMEL Snus Winterchill, and CAMEL Snus Robust. Smokeless tobacco products have been packaged in tin containers, "pucks," or "pots." Other example products include nicotine lozenges (e.g., REVEL Nicotine Lozenges, an RJ Reynolds Vapor Company product)) and smoking cessation nicotine pouch products (e.g., ZYN, manufactured by Swedish Match and LYFT).

[0025] Tobacco materials useful in the present disclosure may vary, for example, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Oriental or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fire-cured tobacco, and rustica tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Tobacco materials may also include so-called "blend" forms and processed forms, such as processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut roll stems or cut puff stems), volume-expanded tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco, preferably in cut filler form (e.g., dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET))), and reconstituted tobacco (e.g., reconstituted tobacco produced by papermaking or cast sheet processing). Various representative tobacco types, tobacco processing types, and tobacco blend types are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,836,224 (Lawson et al.), 4,924,888 (Perfetti et al.), 5,056,537 (Brown et al.), 5,159,942 (Brinkley et al.), 5,220,930 (Gentry), 5,360,023 (Blakley et al.), 6,701,936 (Shafer et al.), 7,011,096 (Li et al.), and 7,017,585 (Li et al.). al.), and 7,025,066 (Lawson et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 (Perfetti et al.), International Patent Application Publication No. WO 02 / 37990 (Bereman), and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol. 39, 11-17 (1997), which are incorporated herein by reference.Further exemplary tobacco compositions that may be useful in smoking devices, including those according to the present disclosure, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 (Robinson et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Additionally, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise an inert substrate onto which the inhalable substance (or its precursor) is incorporated or otherwise deposited. For example, a liquid containing the inhalable substance may be applied, absorbed, or adsorbed onto the inert substrate, such that upon application of heat, the inhalable substance is released in a form that can be removed from the article by application of positive or negative pressure. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a flavorful, aromatic blend of multiple tobaccos in cut filler form. In other embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a reconstituted tobacco material, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,809 (Pryor et al.), 4,889,143 (Pryor et al.), and 5,025,814 (Raker), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For more information regarding suitable aerosol precursor compositions, see U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 916,834 (Sur et al.), filed March 9, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol delivery device may include an aerosol-generating component configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. In the case of an electronic cigarette or non-combustion heating device, for example, the aerosol-generating component may be or include a heating element. In the case of a non-combustion non-heating device, in some examples, the aerosol-generating component may be or include a vibrable piezoelectric or piezomagnetic mesh.

[0028] One example of a suitable heating element is an induction heater. Such heaters often include an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. The induction transmitter may include a coil configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically over time) when an alternating current is passed through it. The induction receiver may be at least partially within or housed within the induction transmitter and may include a conductive material (e.g., a ferromagnetic material or an aluminum-coated material). Passing an alternating current through the induction transmitter can generate eddy currents in the induction receiver due to induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the induction receiver can heat the induction receiver by Joule heating (i.e., by the Joule effect). The induction receiver may define an atomizer and may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition located in the vicinity of the induction receiver. Various embodiments of aerosol delivery devices having inductive heaters are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2017 / 0127722 (Davis et al.), 2017 / 0202266 (Sur et al.), U.S. Patent Application Nos. 15 / 352,153 (Sur et al., filed November 15, 2016), 15 / 799,365 (Sebastian et al., filed October 31, 2017), and 15 / 836,086 (Sur), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] In other embodiments, including those specifically described herein, the heating element is a conductive heater, such as an electrical resistance heater. Such heaters may be configured to generate heat when an electric current is passed through them. In various embodiments, the conductive heater may be provided in various forms, such as a foil, foam, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, yarn, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heaters often include metallic materials and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance coupled with the passage of electric current through the material. Such resistive heaters can be positioned in proximity to and heat an aerosol precursor composition, thereby generating an aerosol. Various conductive substrates that may be used with the present disclosure are described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 (Griffith et al.).

[0030] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge in the case of a so-called electronic cigarette or non-combustion, non-heated device, or may include a control body and an aerosol source member in the case of a non-combustion, non-heated device. In the case of either an electronic cigarette or a non-combustion, non-heated device, the control body may be reusable, while the cartridge / aerosol source member may be configured for limited use and / or may be configured for disposable use. The cartridge / aerosol source member may be connected to the control body by various mechanisms, which may result in a threaded fit, a pressure fit, an interference fit, a sliding fit, a magnetic fit, etc.

[0031] The control body and cartridge / aerosol source member may each include a separate housing or outer body, which may be formed from any of a variety of materials. The housing may be formed from any suitable, structurally sound material. In some examples, the housing may be formed from a metal or alloy (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal plating on plastic, ceramic, etc.

[0032] The cartridge (i.e., aerosol source member) may contain an aerosol precursor composition. To generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol-generating component (e.g., a heating element, a piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh) may be disposed in contact with or in close proximity to the aerosol precursor composition, for example, disposed across the control body and cartridge, or disposed within the control body within which the aerosol source member may be disposed. The control body may include a power source, which may be rechargeable or replaceable, such that the control body may be reused with multiple cartridges / aerosol source members.

[0033] The control body may also include means for activating the aerosol delivery device, such as a push button for manually controlling the device, a touch-sensitive surface, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the control body may include a flow sensor for detecting when a user draws on the cartridge / aerosol source member and activating the aerosol delivery device.

[0034] In various embodiments, the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure may have a variety of overall shapes, including, but not limited to, the overall shape may be defined as generally rod-shaped, generally tubular, or generally cylindrical. In the embodiments shown in and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the aerosol delivery device has a generally circular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Such language describing the physical shape of an article may also apply to the individual components of the article, including the control body and cartridge / aerosol source member. In other embodiments, the control body may have another hand-held shape (e.g., a small box shape).

[0035] In more specific embodiments, one or both of the control unit body and the cartridge / aerosol source member may be disposable or reusable. For example, the control unit body may include a power source, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, an SSB, a thin-film SSB, a rechargeable supercapacitor, a lithium-ion or hybrid lithium-ion supercapacitor, etc. One example of a power source is the TKI-1550 rechargeable lithium-ion battery manufactured by Tadiran Batteries GmbH of Germany. In another embodiment, a useful power source may be an N50-AAA CADNICA nickel-cadmium battery manufactured by Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd. of Japan. In another embodiment, multiple such batteries (e.g., each providing 1.2 volts) may be connected in series. In some embodiments, the power source is configured to provide an output voltage. The power source may power an aerosol generation component, which may be powered to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. The power source may be connected to any type of charging technology, for example, to a charging accessory, which is described in more detail below.

[0036] Examples of power sources are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,484,155 (Peckerar et al.) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112191 (Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further examples of suitable power sources are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014 / 0283855 (Hawes et al.), 2014 / 0014125 (Fernando et al.), 2013 / 0243410 (Nichols et al.), 2010 / 0313901 (Fernando et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,454 (Fernando et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to flow sensors, representative constant current and other current-controlled components, including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches, for aerosol delivery devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,217 (Gerth et al.), 4,922,901 (Brooks et al.), 4,947,874 (Brooks et al.), 4,947,875 (Brooks et al.), 5,372,148 (McCafferty et al.), 6,040,560 (Fleischhauer et al.), and 7,040,314 (Nguyen et al.). Nos. 8,205,622 (Pan), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 8,881,737 (Collet et al.), U.S. Patent Nos. 9,423,152 (Ampolini et al.), 9,439,454 (Fernando et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0257445 (Henry et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] Further exemplary components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and the disclosed materials or components usable therein include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,217 (Gerth et al.), 5,249,586 (Morgan et al.), 5,666,977 (Higgins et al.), 6,053,176 (Adams et al.), 6,164,287 (White), 6,196,218 (Voges), and 6,810,883 (Felter et al.). al.), 6,854,461 (Nichols), 7,832,410 (Hon), 7,513,253 (Kobayashi), 7,896,006 (Hamano), 6,772,756 (Shayan), 8,156,944 (Hon), 8,375,957 (Hon), 8,794,231 (Thorens et al.), 8,851,083 (Oglesby et al.), 8,915,254 (Monsees et al.), Nos. 8,925,555 (Monsees et al.), 9,220,302 (DePiano et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006 / 0196518 (Hon), 2009 / 0188490 (Hon), 2010 / 0024834 (Oglesby et al.), 2010 / 0307518 (Wang), International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO2010 / 091593 (Hon), and WO2013 / 089551 (Foo), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0099877 (Worm et al.) discloses capsules that can be included in aerosol delivery devices and fob configurations for aerosol delivery devices, and is incorporated herein by reference.Various materials disclosed in the above documents may be incorporated into the present device in various embodiments, all of the above disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] Further features, controls, or components that can be incorporated into the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,148 (Harris et al.), 5,934,289 (Watkins et al.), 5,954,979 (Counts et al.), 6,040,560 (Fleischhauer et al.), 8,365,742 (Hon), 8,402,976 (Fernando et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 (Katase), U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 (Fernando et al.), and the like. No. 9,427,022 (Leven et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0180553 (Kim et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 (Sebastian et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 (Novak et al.), and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 (DePiano et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] In another aspect, the present disclosure may be directed to kits providing various components described herein. For example, a kit may include a control unit body together with one or more cartridges or aerosol source members. The kit may further include a charging accessory, described below, with one or more batteries, and a control unit body having one or more cartridges. The kit may further include a charging accessory, described below, and a control unit body having one or more cartridges. The kit may further include a charging accessory, described below, and a control unit body having one or more batteries. In another embodiment, a kit may include multiple cartridges. The kit may further include multiple cartridges and one or more batteries and / or a charging accessory, described below. In the above-described embodiment, the cartridge or control unit body may incorporate a heating element. The kits of the present invention may further include a case (or other packaging, carrying, or storage component) that houses one or more of the additional kit components. Alternatively, the charging accessory may be the case in one of the kits. The case may be a reusable hard or soft container. Additionally, the case may simply be a box or other packaging structure.

[0040] 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of an aerosol delivery device, which in the case of an electronic cigarette includes a control body and a cartridge. In this regard, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an aerosol delivery device 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body 102 and a cartridge 104. The control body and cartridge may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device in a combined configuration, while FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cutaway side view of the aerosol delivery device in a separated configuration. The aerosol delivery device may, for example, in some embodiments, be generally rod-shaped, or generally tubular, or generally cylindrical in its assembled configuration with the control body and cartridge.

[0041] The control body 102 and the cartridge may be configured to engage with one another via various connections (e.g., a pressure-fit (or interference-fit) connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, etc.). Accordingly, the control body may include a first engaging element (e.g., a coupler) adapted to engage with a second engaging element (e.g., a connector) on the cartridge. The first and second engaging elements may be reversed. As an example, either the first or second engaging element may be male threaded, and the other may be female threaded. As another example, either the first or second engaging element may be a magnet, and the other may be a metal or a magnet of opposite polarity. In certain embodiments, the engaging elements may be directly defined by existing components of the control body and cartridge. For example, the housing of the control body may define a cavity at an end of the housing configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge (e.g., a reservoir tank or other shell-forming element of the cartridge). Specifically, at least a portion of the reservoir of the cartridge may be received within the cavity of the control body, while the mouthpiece of the cartridge remains exposed outside the cavity of the control body. The cartridge may be retained within the cavity formed by the control body housing, for example, by an interference fit (e.g., using detents and / or other features that form an interference fit between the outer surface of the cartridge and the inner surface of the wall forming the control body cavity), by magnetic engagement (e.g., using magnets and / or magnetic metal disposed within the cavity of the control body and magnets and / or magnetic metal disposed on the cartridge), or by other suitable techniques.

[0042] As seen in the cutaway view of FIG. 2 , the control body 102 and cartridge 104 each include several respective components. The components shown in FIG. 2 are representative of components that may be present in the control body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body may be formed with a housing 206 (sometimes referred to as a control body shell) that includes a control component 208 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a flow sensor 210, a power source 212 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an indicator 214 (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot-based LED), and these components may be variously aligned. The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit coupled to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent access to the device (lock the device) depending on the age verification status.

[0043] The cartridge 104 may be formed by a housing 216 (sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell) enclosing a reservoir 218 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and incorporating a heating element 220 (an aerosol-generating component). In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank, and thus the terms "cartridge," "tank," and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing that encloses a reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition and incorporates a heating element.

[0044] As shown, in some embodiments, reservoir 218 may be in fluid communication with a liquid delivery element 222 adapted to capillary action or otherwise deliver the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to heating element 220. In some embodiments, a valve may be disposed between the reservoir and the heating element, and the valve may be configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition that passes, i.e., is delivered, from the reservoir to the heating element.

[0045] Various embodiments of materials configured to generate heat when an electric current is applied therethrough may be used to form the heating element 220. In these embodiments, the heating element may be a resistive heating element, such as a wire coil or a microheater. Examples of materials from which the heating element can be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, nickel, stainless steel, indium tin oxide, tungsten, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al)), titanium, platinum, silver, palladium, silver-palladium alloys, graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams or yarns), conductive inks, boron-doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., ceramics with positive or negative temperature coefficients). The heating element may be a resistive heating element or a heating element configured to generate heat inductively. The heating element may be coated with a thermally conductive ceramic, such as aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, alumina, silicon nitride, or composites thereof. Exemplary embodiments of heating elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described in more detail below, and such embodiments may be incorporated into devices such as the aerosol delivery devices described herein.

[0046] An opening 224 may be present in (eg, at the mouth end of) the housing 216 to allow the formed aerosol to exit the cartridge 104 .

[0047] The cartridge 104 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include integrated circuits, memory components (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory), sensors, etc. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and / or external devices via wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be located anywhere within the cartridge or the base 228 of the cartridge.

[0048] While the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are shown as separate components, it should be understood that various electronic components, including the control component and the flow sensor, may be combined on a circuit board (e.g., PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Furthermore, the circuit board may be oriented horizontally relative to the illustration of FIG. 1 , i.e., the circuit board may have a longitudinal direction parallel to the central axis of the controller body. In some embodiments, the air flow sensor may include its own circuit board or other base element to which the air flow sensor may be mounted. In some embodiments, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. The flexible circuit board may be configured into various shapes, including a generally tubular shape. In some embodiments, the flexible circuit board may be combined with, laminated on, or form part or all of the heater substrate.

[0049] The control body 102 and cartridge 104 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid engagement therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2 , the control body may include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The cartridge base 228 may be adapted to engage with the coupler and may include a protrusion 234 adapted to fit within the cavity. Such engagement may facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the cartridge and establish an electrical connection between the power source 212 and control components 208 in the control body and the heating element 220 in the cartridge. Additionally, the housing 206 may include an air intake 236, which may be a notch in the housing that interfaces with the coupler to allow ambient air to enter the housing around the coupler, then pass through the coupler cavity 232 and protrusion 234 into the cartridge.

[0050] Couplers and bases useful in accordance with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 (Novak et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, coupler 230 may define an outer circumferential surface 238 configured to mate with inner circumferential surface 240 of base 228, as seen in FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the base may define a radius approximately equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the coupler. Additionally, the coupler may define one or more protrusions 242 on the outer circumferential surface, which are configured to engage with one or more recesses 244 defined in the inner circumferential surface of the base. However, various other structures, shapes, and component embodiments may be used to couple the base to the coupler. In some embodiments, the connection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of the control body 102 may be substantially permanent, while in other embodiments, the connection therebetween may be removable, for example, so that the control body can be reused with one or more other cartridges, which may be disposable and / or refillable.

[0051] The reservoir 218 shown in FIG. 2 may be a container or, as described herein, a fibrous reservoir. For example, the reservoir may include one or more layers of nonwoven fibers generally shaped like a tube that surrounds the interior of the housing 216 in this example. An aerosol precursor composition may be held within the reservoir. For example, a liquid component may be adsorbed and held by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a liquid delivery element 222. The liquid delivery element may deliver the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir by capillary action (or a micropump) to a heating element 220, which in this example is in the form of a metal wire coil. The heating element, together with the liquid delivery element, thus forms a heating mechanism.

[0052] In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the reservoir 218, and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a micropump (e.g., a micropump based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology). Further exemplary embodiments of reservoirs and feeding elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are detailed herein, and such reservoirs and / or feeding elements may be incorporated into devices such as those described herein. In particular, certain combinations of heating elements and feeding elements detailed herein may be incorporated into devices such as those described herein.

[0053] In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device 100, airflow is detected by the flow sensor 210 and the heating element 220 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing on the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air intake 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the coupler 230 and the central opening in the protrusion 234 of the base 228. In the cartridge 104, the drawn-in air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is flicked, sucked, or otherwise drawn away from the heating element and exits through the opening 224 in the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0054] For further details regarding embodiments of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and a cartridge in the case of an electronic cigarette, see previously cited U.S. Patent Application Nos. 15 / 836,086 (Sur), 15 / 916,834 (Sur et al.), and 15 / 916,696 (Sur, filed March 9, 2018), which are also incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] 3-6 illustrate embodiments of aerosol delivery devices including a control body and an aerosol source member for non-combustion heating devices. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an aerosol delivery device 300 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body 302 and an aerosol source member 304. In various embodiments, the aerosol source member and the control body can be permanently or removably aligned in operative relationship. In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a combined configuration, while FIG. 4 illustrates the aerosol delivery device in a separated configuration.

[0056] 4, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol source member 304 can include a heated end 406 configured to be inserted into the control body 302 and a mouth end 408 that a user inhales to form an aerosol. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the heated end can include an aerosol precursor composition 410.

[0057] In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 304, or a portion thereof, may be wrapped with an outer overwrap material 412, which may be formed of any material useful for adding structure and / or support to the aerosol source member. In various embodiments, the outer overwrap material may include a material that is a poor conductor of heat, such as paper or other fibrous materials (e.g., cellulosic materials). The outer overwrap material may also include at least one filler material embedded or dispersed within the fibrous material. In various embodiments, the filler material may be in the form of water-insoluble particles. Additionally, inorganic components may be incorporated into the filler material. In various embodiments, the outer overwrap may be formed from multiple layers, such as a lower bulk layer and an upper layer, such as a typical cigarette wrapper. Such materials may include, for example, lightweight "waste fibers," such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto. The outer overwrap may also comprise materials typically used in filter elements of conventional cigarettes (eg, cellulose acetate).

[0058] Additionally, the excess length of the overwrap at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member may serve to simply distance the aerosol precursor composition 410 from the consumer's mouth, to provide space for placement of a filter material as described below, to affect inhalation of the article, or to affect the flow characteristics of vapor or aerosol exiting the device during inhalation. Further discussion regarding the configuration of overwrap materials that may be used with the present disclosure can be found in the previously cited U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 (Worm et al.).

[0059] In various embodiments, other components may be present between the aerosol precursor composition 410 and the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member 304. The mouth end may include a filter 414, which may be made of, for example, cellulose acetate or polypropylene material. The filter may additionally or alternatively include strands of tobacco-containing material, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 (Raker et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the filter may enhance the structural integrity of the mouth end of the aerosol source member, provide filtering capacity as needed, and / or provide resistance to suction. In some embodiments, any or any combination of the following may be disposed between the aerosol precursor composition and the mouth end: an air gap, a phase change material for cooling the air, a flavor-releasing medium, ion-exchange fibers capable of selective chemical adsorption, aerogel particles as a filter medium, and other suitable materials.

[0060] Various embodiments of the present disclosure use one or more conductive heating elements to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. In various embodiments, the heating elements may be provided in various forms, such as a foil, foam, mesh, hollow sphere, hemisphere, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, yarn, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heating elements often comprise a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance coupled with the passage of electrical current through the material. Such resistive heating elements may be located in direct contact with or near the aerosol source member, specifically the aerosol precursor composition of the aerosol source member. The heating elements may be located within the controller body and / or the aerosol source member. In various embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include a component (i.e., a heat-conducting component) that is embedded in or otherwise part of a substrate portion and capable of acting as or facilitating the function of the heating assembly. Some examples of various heating members and elements are described in US Pat. No. 9,078,473 (Worm et al.).

[0061] Some non-limiting examples of various heating element configurations include configurations in which the heating element is positioned proximate the aerosol source member 304. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element may surround at least a portion of the aerosol source member. In other embodiments, one or more heating elements may be positioned adjacent to the exterior of the aerosol source member when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body 302. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element may penetrate at least a portion of the aerosol source member when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body (e.g., one or more prongs and / or spikes may penetrate the aerosol source member). In some cases, the aerosol precursor composition may include a structure in contact with the aerosol precursor composition, or a plurality of beads or particles embedded in the aerosol precursor composition, or another form of a portion of the aerosol precursor composition, that can act as a heating element or facilitate the function of the heating element.

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 5. Specifically, the control body 302 of the illustrated embodiment includes a housing 516 including an opening 518 defined in an engagement end of the housing 516, a flow sensor 520 (e.g., a puff sensor or pressure switch), a control component 522 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a power source 524 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an end cap including an indicator 526 (e.g., an LED). The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit coupled to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent operation by the switch if age verification fails, as described in more detail below.

[0063] In one embodiment, indicator 526 may include one or more LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs, etc. The indicator may be in communication with control component 522 and may, for example, be illuminated when a user draws on aerosol source member 304 coupled to control unit body 302 (which is detected by flow sensor 520).

[0064] The control body 302 in the illustrated embodiment includes one or more heating assemblies 528 (individually or collectively referred to as heating assemblies) configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 in the aerosol source member 304. While the heating assemblies in various embodiments of the present disclosure can take a variety of forms, in the specific embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the heating assembly includes an outer cylinder 530 and a heating element 532 (the aerosol-generating component), which in this embodiment includes a plurality of heating prongs extending from a receiving base 534 (in various configurations, the heating assembly, or more specifically, the heating prongs, may be referred to as a heater). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder includes a double-walled, evacuated tube made of stainless steel to maintain heat generated by the heating prongs within the outer cylinder, and more specifically, to maintain heat generated by the heating prongs within the aerosol precursor composition. In various embodiments, the heating prongs may be made of one or more electrically conductive materials, such as, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.

[0065] As shown, the heating assembly 528 may extend proximate the engagement end of the housing 516 and may be configured to generally surround a portion of the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 containing the aerosol precursor composition 410. In such a manner, the heating assembly may define a generally tubular configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , a heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heating prongs) is surrounded by an outer cylinder 530 to create a receiving chamber 536. In such a manner, in various embodiments, the outer cylinder may comprise a non-conductive, insulating material and / or construction, including, but not limited to, an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combination thereof.

[0066] In some embodiments, one or more portions or components of the heating assembly 528 may be combined with, packaged with, and / or integrated into (e.g., embedded in) the aerosol precursor composition 410. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be formed from the materials described above and may have one or more electrically conductive materials mixed therein. In some of these embodiments, contacts may be directly connected to the aerosol precursor composition, such that the contacts are electrically connected to an electrical energy source when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control body. Alternatively, the contacts may be integrated with the electrical energy source and extend into the receiving chamber, such that the contacts are electrically connected to the aerosol precursor composition when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control body. The presence of an electrically conductive material in the aerosol precursor composition allows for electrical current to flow and heat to be generated from the electrically conductive material when power is applied to the aerosol precursor composition from an electrical energy source. Thus, in some embodiments, the heating element may be described as being integral with the aerosol precursor composition. As one non-limiting example, graphite or other suitable conductive material may be mixed with, embedded in, or otherwise present directly on or within the material forming the aerosol precursor composition, thereby making the heating element integral with the medium.

[0067] As mentioned above, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder 530 can also serve to facilitate proper positioning of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the housing 516. In various embodiments, the outer cylinder of the heating assembly 528 can engage the inner surface of the housing to align the heating assembly relative to the housing. As a result of the fixed connection between the heating assembly and the housing, the longitudinal axis of the heating assembly can extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Specifically, the support cylinder can extend from the opening 518 in the housing to the receiving base 534, thereby forming a receiving chamber 536.

[0068] The heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 is sized and shaped to be inserted into the control body 302. In various embodiments, the receiving chamber 536 of the control body may be characterized as being defined by a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder 530 defines the inner surface, the inner surface defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner diameter of the outer cylinder may be slightly larger or approximately the same as the outer diameter of the corresponding aerosol source member (e.g., to form a sliding fit), such that the outer cylinder is configured to guide the aerosol source member to an appropriate position (e.g., lateral position) relative to the control body. Thus, the maximum outer diameter (or other dimension, depending on the particular cross-sectional shape of the embodiment) of the aerosol source member may be smaller than the inner diameter (or other dimension) of the inner surface of the wall of the open end of the receiving chamber of the control body. In some embodiments, the difference in diameter may be small enough so that the aerosol source member fits snugly within the receiving chamber and frictional forces prevent the aerosol source member from moving without application of force, but the difference may be sufficient to allow the aerosol source member to slide in and out of the receiving chamber without undue force.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the control body 302 is configured such that when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the control body 302, the heating element 532 (e.g., heating prongs) is located approximately radially centered over at least a portion of the aerosol precursor composition 410 at the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member. In such a manner, when used in conjunction with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition, the heating prongs may be in direct contact with the aerosol precursor composition. In another embodiment, for example, when used in conjunction with an extruded aerosol precursor composition defining a tubular structure, the heating prongs may be located within a cavity defined by the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure, but do not contact the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure.

[0070] In use, a consumer initiates heating of the heating assembly 528, specifically, the heating element 532 proximate to the aerosol precursor composition 410 (or a particular layer thereof). Heating the aerosol precursor composition releases the inhalable substance within the aerosol source member 304, providing the inhalable substance. When the consumer inhales into the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member, air is drawn into the aerosol source member through the air intake 538 (e.g., an opening or aperture in the control body 302). As the drawn-in substance exits the mouth end of the aerosol source member, a mixture of the drawn-in air and the released inhalable substance is inhaled by the consumer. In some embodiments, to initiate heating, the consumer may manually activate a push button or similar component that causes the heating element of the heating assembly to receive electrical energy from a battery or other energy source. The electrical energy may be supplied for a predetermined length of time or may be manually controlled.

[0071] In some embodiments, little flow of electrical energy passes through device 300 between puffs (although energy flow can pass to maintain a baseline temperature above ambient temperature (e.g., a temperature that promotes rapid heating to an active heating temperature)). However, in the illustrated embodiment, heating is initiated by the consumer's puffs using one or more sensors (e.g., flow sensor 520). Heating ceases or decreases as puffs cease. Once the consumer has taken a sufficient number of puffs to release a sufficient amount of inhalable substance (e.g., an amount corresponding to a typical smoking experience), aerosol source member 304 may be detached from control body 302 and discarded. In some embodiments, additional sensing elements (e.g., capacitive sensing elements and other sensors) may be used, as discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 707,461 (Phillips et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 304 may be formed of any material suitable for forming and maintaining an appropriate shape (e.g., a tubular shape) and for retaining the aerosol precursor composition 410 therein. In some embodiments, the aerosol source member may be formed of a single wall, or in other embodiments, multiple walls, and may be formed of a heat-resistant material (natural or synthetic) that maintains its structural integrity (e.g., does not deteriorate) at least at temperatures that are the heating temperatures imparted by the electric heating element. This will be discussed further herein. In some embodiments, a heat-resistant polymer may be used, while in other embodiments, the aerosol source member may be formed from paper (e.g., a substantially straw-like paper). As will be discussed further herein, the aerosol source member may have one or more layers associated therewith that act to substantially prevent vapor passage. In one exemplary embodiment, an aluminum foil layer may be laminated to one surface of the aerosol source member. Ceramic materials may also be used. In another embodiment, insulating materials may be used to prevent heat from escaping from the aerosol precursor composition. Other exemplary types of components and materials that can be used to perform the functions described above, or that can be used as substitutes for the materials and components described above, may include the types of components and materials described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010 / 00186757 (Crooks et al.), 2010 / 00186757 (Crooks et al.), and 2011 / 0041861 (Sebastian et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, controller body 302 includes a control component 522 that controls various functions of aerosol delivery device 300, including providing power to electrical heating element 532. For example, the control component may include a processing circuit (which may be connected to other components, as described in more detail herein) connected to power source 524 by conductive wires (not shown). In various embodiments, the processing circuit may control when and how much electrical energy heating assembly 528, specifically the heating prongs, receives to heat aerosol precursor composition 410 to emit an inhalable substance for inhalation by a consumer. In some embodiments, such control may be activated by flow sensor 520, as described in more detail above.

[0074] 5 and 6 , in the illustrated embodiment of the heating assembly 528, an outer cylinder 530 and a heating element 532 (e.g., a plurality of heating prongs) extend from a receiving base 534. In some embodiments, such as those in which the aerosol precursor composition 410 comprises a tubular structure, the heating prongs may be configured to extend into a cavity defined by the inner surface of the aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment in which the aerosol precursor composition comprises a solid or semi-solid, the plurality of heating prongs may be configured to pierce the aerosol precursor composition contained in the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the controller body 302. In such embodiments, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heating prongs and / or the receiving base, may be made of a non-stick or resistant material, such as certain aluminum, copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, and ceramic materials. In another embodiment, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heating prongs and / or the receiving base, may include a non-stick coating (e.g., including a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating (such as Teflon®)), or other coating, such as a stick-resistant enamel coating, or a ceramic coating (such as Glebron® or Thermolon™).

[0075] Furthermore, while in the illustrated embodiment, the multiple heating prongs 532 are generally evenly distributed about the receiving base 534, it should be noted that in other embodiments, any number of heating prongs, including as few as one, may be used in any other suitable spatial configuration. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the heating prongs may vary in length. For example, in some embodiments, the heating prongs may be configured as small protrusions, while in other embodiments, the heating prongs may extend to any percentage of the length of the receiving chamber 536, such as up to about 25%, or up to about 50%, or up to about 75%, or up to about 100% of the length of the receiving chamber. In still other embodiments, the heating assembly 528 may have other configurations. Examples of other heater configurations that may be adapted for use in the present invention in accordance with the above discussion include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,060,671 (Counts et al.), 5,093,894 (Deevi et al.), 5,224,498 (Deevi et al.), 5,228,460 (Sprinkel Jr. et al.), 5,322,075 (Deevi et al.), 5,353,813 (Deevi et al.), and 5,468,936 (Deevi et al.), which are incorporated herein by reference. al.), 5,498,850 (Das), 5,659,656 (Das), 5,498,855 (Deevi et al.), 5,530,225 (Hajaligol), 5,665,262 (Hajaligol), and 5,573,692 (Das et al.), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 (Fleischhauer et al.).

[0076] In various embodiments, the control body 302 may include an air intake 538 (e.g., one or more openings or apertures) therein that allows ambient air to enter the interior of the receiving chamber 536. In some embodiments, the receiving base 534 may also include an air intake in such a manner. Thus, in some embodiments, when a consumer draws breath on the mouth end of the aerosol source member 304, air is drawn into the receiving chamber through the air intakes in the control body and the receiving base, enters the aerosol source member, passes through the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member, and can be inhaled by the consumer. In some embodiments, the drawn air, carrying the inhalable substance, passes through the optional filter 414 and exits through the openings in the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member. With the heating element 532 positioned within the aerosol precursor composition, the heating prongs can be activated to heat the aerosol precursor composition and cause the inhalable substance to be released from the aerosol source member.

[0077] As previously described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 , various embodiments of the present disclosure use an electrically conductive heater to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410. Also, as previously indicated, various other embodiments use an inductive heater to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some of these embodiments, the heating assembly 528 may be configured as an inductive heater including a transformer having an inductive transmitter and an inductive receiver. In embodiments in which the heating assembly is configured as an inductive heater, the outer cylinder 530 may be configured as an inductive transmitter, and the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heating prongs) extending from the receiving base 534 may be configured as an inductive receiver. In various embodiments, one or both of the inductive transmitter and the inductive receiver may be located within the controller body 302 and / or the aerosol source member 304.

[0078] In various embodiments, the outer cylinder 530 and heating element 532 as an inductive transmitter and receiver may be made of one or more conductive materials, while in other embodiments, the inductive receiver may be made of a ferromagnetic material, including but not limited to cobalt, iron, nickel, and combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the foil material is made of a conductive material and the heating prongs are made of a ferromagnetic material. In various embodiments, the receiving base may be made of a non-conductive and / or insulating material.

[0079] The outer cylinder 530 as an induction transmitter may include a laminate having a foil material surrounding the support cylinder. In some embodiments, the foil material may have electrical traces printed on its surface, such as one or more electrical traces that, in some embodiments, can form a helical coil pattern when the foil material is placed around the heating element 532 as an induction receiver. The foil material and the support cylinder may each define a tubular form. The support cylinder may be configured to support the foil material so that it does not move and contact the heating prongs, causing a short circuit. In such a manner, the support cylinder may include a non-conductive material that may be substantially transparent to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the foil material. In various embodiments, the foil material may be embedded in or otherwise coupled to the support cylinder. While in the illustrated embodiment, the foil material engages the outer surface of the support cylinder, in other embodiments, the foil material may be located on the inner surface of the support cylinder or completely embedded in the support cylinder.

[0080] The foil material of the outer cylinder 530 may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically with time) when an alternating current is passed through it. The heating prongs of the heating element 532 may be at least partially located within or received by the outer cylinder and may comprise an electrically conductive material. Passing an alternating current through the foil material can generate eddy currents in the heating prongs due to induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the heating prongs can heat the heating prongs by Joule heating (i.e., by the Joule effect). The heating prongs may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition 410 located in the vicinity of the heating prongs.

[0081] Other embodiments of aerosol delivery devices, control body, and aerosol source members are described in the previously cited U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 15 / 916,834 (Sur et al.), 15 / 916,696 (Sur), and 15 / 836,086 (Sur).

[0082] 7 and 8 illustrate embodiments of an aerosol delivery device, which in the case of a non-combustion, non-heating device, includes a control body and a cartridge. In this regard, FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an aerosol delivery device 700 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, where the device 700 includes a control body 702 and a cartridge 704. Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates the control body and cartridge coupled together. The control body and cartridge can be removably aligned into a functional relationship.

[0083] FIG. 8 more specifically illustrates an aerosol delivery device 700 according to some exemplary embodiments. As seen in the cutaway view shown here, the aerosol delivery device may again include a control body 702 and a cartridge 704, each of which includes several respective components. The components shown in FIG. 8 are representative of components that may be present in the control body and cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body may be formed with a control body housing or shell 806 containing control components 808 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), input devices 810, a power source 812, and indicators 814 (e.g., LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs), which may be variously aligned. An example of a suitable control component is the PIC16(L)F1713 / 6 microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology Inc., as described in "AN2265, Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Reference Design," Microchip Technology Inc. (2016), which is incorporated by reference.

[0084] The cartridge 704 may be formed by a housing (sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell 816) enclosing a reservoir 818 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and incorporating a nozzle 820 (the aerosol-generating component) having a piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh. As above, in various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank.

[0085] 8 may be a container or, as described herein, a fibrous reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the nozzle 820 to deliver an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to the nozzle 820. An opening 822 may be present in (e.g., at the mouth end of) the cartridge shell 816 to allow the formed aerosol to exit the cartridge 704.

[0086] In some embodiments, a pumping element may be disposed between reservoir 818 and nozzle 820 and configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passing, i.e., delivered, from the reservoir to the nozzle. In some embodiments, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in cartridge 704, and the amount and / or mass of aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by one or more microfluidic components. One example of a microfluidic component is micropump 824 (e.g., a micropump based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology). Examples of suitable micropumps include the model MDP2205 micropump manufactured by thinXXS Microtechnology AG and others, the mp5 and mp6 model micropumps manufactured by Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH and others, and piezoelectric micropumps manufactured by Takasago Fluidic Systems.

[0087] Also shown, in some embodiments, a microfilter 826 may be positioned between the micropump 824 and the nozzle 820 to filter the aerosol precursor composition delivered to the nozzle. Like the micropump, the microfilter is also a microfluidic component. An example of a suitable microfilter is a flow-through microfilter fabricated using lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology.

[0088] In use, when input device 810 detects a user input that activates the aerosol delivery device, the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh is activated to vibrate, thereby drawing the aerosol precursor composition through the mesh. This forms droplets of the aerosol precursor composition, which mix with air to form an aerosol. The aerosol is flicked, sucked, or otherwise drawn away from the mesh and exits through opening 822 at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0089] The aerosol delivery device 700 may incorporate an input device 810, such as a switch, sensor, or detector, to control the application of power to the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 820 when aerosol generation is required (e.g., during inhalation during use). Thus, for example, a manner or method is provided for turning off power to the mesh when the aerosol delivery device is not in use and not being inhaled, and turning on power during inhalation to activate or trigger aerosol generation and dispensing from the nozzle. Further exemplary types of sensing or detection mechanisms, their construction and configuration, their components, and their general methods of operation have been described above and are also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,424 (Sprinkel, Jr. et al.), 5,372,148 (McCafferty et al.), and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010 / 003480 (Flick), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0090] For details regarding these and other embodiments of the aerosol delivery device for non-combustion, non-heating devices, see U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 651,548 (Sur, filed July 17, 2017), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] As discussed above, in the context of an electronic cigarette, a non-combustion heating device, or a non-combustion non-heating device, or even in the case of a device that includes functionality possessed by one or more of an electronic cigarette, a non-combustion non-heating device, or a non-combustion non-heating device, an aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiments may include various electronic components. Figure 9 shows a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device 900, which may be any one or more of aerosol delivery devices 100, 300, 700, or may incorporate functionality of any one or more of the aerosol delivery devices, according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0092] 9 , the aerosol delivery device 900 includes a control body 902 having a power source 904 and a control component 906, which may correspond to or include the functionality of the control body 102, 302, 702, power source 212, 524, 812, and control component 208, 522, 808, respectively. The aerosol delivery device also includes an aerosol-generation component 916, which may correspond to or include the functionality of the heating element 220, 532, or the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 820. The control body 902 may include a terminal 918 configured to connect the aerosol-generation component 916 or the aerosol-generation component to the control body.

[0093] In some embodiments, the controller body 902 includes a sensor 908 configured to generate a measurement of airflow. The sensor 908 may correspond to or include functionality of the flow sensors 210, 520, or the input device 810. In these embodiments, the control component 906 includes a switch 910 coupled between the power supply 904 and the aerosol generation component 916. The control component also includes a processing circuit 912 coupled to the sensor and the switch. The switch may be a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switch. The sensor may be connected to the processing circuit's Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Vcc, and / or ground.

[0094] In some embodiments, the processing circuit 912 is configured to verify the user's age and output a signal (as indicated by arrow 922) that causes the switch 910 to switchably connect or disconnect the output voltage from the power supply 904 to the aerosol generation component 916 to power the aerosol generation component during the aerosol generation period. In some embodiments, the processing circuit is configured to output a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is adjustable to cause the switch to switchably connect or disconnect the output voltage to the aerosol generation component. An age verification and authentication process may be used to determine when the connection occurs. If the user is not verified or authenticated, the switch may be disconnected to prevent voltage from being supplied to the aerosol generation component. Alternatively, if the switch is in the disconnected state and the user is not verified or authenticated, the switch remains in the disconnected state. Similarly, if the user is verified or authenticated, the switch may establish a connection to allow current to flow from the charging accessory to the device. In other words, if the user is verified or authenticated, output voltage is permitted to be supplied to the aerosol-generating component.

[0095] Control of the aerosol-generation component 916 may be achieved in a variety of ways, for example, by supplying power to the aerosol-generation component only during the aerosol-generation time. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 912 is configured to calculate a fixed sample window of measurements of the instantaneous actual power supplied to the aerosol-generation component at a periodic frequency during the aerosol-generation time. Each measurement over the sample window is calculated as the product of the voltage and current across the aerosol-generation component. The processing circuit in such embodiments may be further configured to calculate a running average of the power supplied to the aerosol-generation component based on the sample window of measurements of the instantaneous actual power. In such embodiments, the processing circuit may be further configured to compare the running average power with a power setpoint and output a signal that causes a switch to disconnect the output voltage if the running average power is above the power setpoint or to connect the output voltage if the running average power is below the power setpoint. In one embodiment, the processing circuit 912 can measure the actual voltage and current (I) at the aerosol-generation component 916. The processing circuit can read the measured voltage and current values ​​from its analog-to-digital converter (ADC) inputs and calculate the instantaneous "real" power (I x V) directed to the aerosol-generation component. In some cases, such "instantaneous" power measurements can be added to values ​​in a sample window or moving window (i.e., other instantaneous power measurements), such that the moving average power over the sample window is then calculated using the formula "P 平均 =P サンプル +P 平均 ×1 / window size." In some aspects, for example, the window size may be approximately 20 to 256 samples.

[0096] In some embodiments, processing circuit 912 may then compare the calculated running average power to a power setpoint, which may be a selected power setpoint associated with power supply 904 (e.g., a power level or current output from the power supply, regulated by processing circuit 912 or another regulating component associated with processing circuit 912, and disposed in electrical communication between the power supply and aerosol generation component 916).

[0097] In some embodiments, (1) P 平均 If the actual power (measured at the aerosol-generation component 916) is below the selected power set point (average power), the switch 910 turns on to allow current to flow from the power supply 904 to the aerosol-generation component. 平均 exceeds the selected power set point, the switch is turned off to prevent current from flowing from the power supply to the aerosol-generation component. (3) Steps 1 and 2 are repeated until the aerosol-generation time is over or interrupted. More specifically, during the aerosol-generation time, the processing circuit 912 may measure and calculate the actual power at the aerosol-generation component, compare the actual power with the preselected power set point, and determine whether to turn the switch on or off to adjust the preselected power set point, approximately continuously at a periodic frequency (e.g., about 20-50 times per second) so that a more stable and accurate average power is directed and delivered to the aerosol-generation component. The actual power (P 平均 Various examples of controlling a switch based on a .DELTA..sub.V.sub.R.sub.S are described in US Pat. No. 9,423,152 (Ampolini et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0098] Although not shown, processing circuit 912 and / or signal conditioning circuit 914 may be coupled to or receive authentication or verification signals from a distributed structure (e.g., a blockchain). If the verification or authentication signal is received and is correct, processing circuit 912 may turn on switch 910 to enable operation of the aerosol delivery device. Alternatively or additionally, if the verification signal is not received or is incorrect, processing circuit 912 may shut off switch 910 to prevent operation of aerosol delivery device 900. The structure, operation, and communications with distributed identity management are shown in detail in and described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11-21. No. 8,689,804 (Fernando et al.) discloses an identification system for a smoking device, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the control component 906 further includes a signal conditioning circuit 914 coupled to the sensor 908 and the processing circuit 912. The signal conditioning circuit in such embodiments may be configured to manipulate the operation of the switch 910. The signal conditioning circuit is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0099] 10 shows a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit 1000 that may correspond to signal conditioning circuit 914, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in some embodiments, signal conditioning circuit 1000 includes a signal conditioning chip 1001 and a bidirectional voltage level translator 1002. An example of a suitable signal conditioning chip is model ZAP 3456 manufactured by Zap-Tech Corporation. And, an example of a suitable bidirectional voltage level translator is model NVT 2003 bidirectional voltage level translator manufactured by NXP Semiconductors.

[0100] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, signal conditioning chip 1001 may be connected to bidirectional voltage level translator 1002, which may be connected to the 5V input of processing circuitry 912 and ground. Note that the values ​​(e.g., voltages, resistances, and capacitances) shown in Figure 10 are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure unless otherwise specified.

[0101] 11 illustrates one embodiment of a distributed identity management system. In this system, a distributed identity 1102 may be coupled to or stored within a network 1103. A user 1105 may refer to a user operating a device 1104, or the user 1105 may refer to a user device, such as any computing device (e.g., a mobile phone, computer, tablet, laptop, etc.). The user 1105 may be a computing device (e.g., a mobile phone, laptop, etc.) that connects to the network 1103 to both provide information to the distributed identity 1102 and to access information from the distributed identity 1102. In one embodiment, the user 1105 device may include a charging accessory, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. ____________, entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE" (Docket No. 16004-54), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 282,222, filed April 2, 2019, the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The device 1104 may be any electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device, including an aerosol delivery device as described above.

[0102] The distributed identities 1102 may be stored on a network in a decentralized structure for security purposes. One example of a decentralized structure is a blockchain, where the distributed identities 1102 may include identities stored on the blockchain. Specifically, the decentralized structure may be organized so that a block is generated for each transaction and may be a store of data such as identities. The data stored in the blocks is hashed for storage in a chain or tree structure. As each transaction occurs in each block, each block may be linked to the previous block of the transaction. A blockchain is an arrangement of blocks into a group. A blockchain may be called a protocol or may include a specific protocol for utilizing blockchain technology. Being decentralized means there is no single point of failure compared to a centralized database storing information. A distributed database built using blockchain technology can eliminate the need for centralized facilities and databases. Anyone on the blockchain may be able to view and inspect transactions. The blockchain can be further secured using public key encryption, with a public key being an address on the blockchain and a private key acting as a password to grant the owner access to the data.

[0103] A blockchain structure may be formed from hash chains. A hash function can transform data into another format. A hash function can be repeated and the results concatenated into a series of hashes, sometimes called a hash chain. In a hash chain, any modification of data in an individual block affects all subsequent blocks. Public key encryption techniques may be used to authorize the creation of new blocks in the chain. In a blockchain, hash chains may be placed inside each other. Identifying information may be sensitive and therefore may be stored securely and accurately. Data quality can be based on multiple copies of the blockchain through database replication, as there is no centralized copy.

[0104] A blockchain network may be used to create a database that can store anything of value (e.g., assets, stocks, currency, savings, etc.). When ownership is transferred, everyone in the network can receive a notification about the transfer. If a majority of owners on the network approve the ownership transfer, the transfer is added to the blockchain as a record that everyone can see. If an owner of an item (e.g., property, asset, cash, etc.) attempts to sell the same item to two different entities, everyone on the network will recognize the double transfer, and one of the transfers will be rejected by the network. Blockchains offer increased transparency compared to existing ledgers for many industries, in part by eliminating intermediate steps involved in recordkeeping and asset transfer, reducing costs. Eliminating intermediate steps allows for increased transaction speeds.

[0105] In one embodiment, discussed further below, the decentralized identity information 1102 may be used for identity or age verification. Thus, an identification document (e.g., FIG. 13) may be uploaded to an application built on blockchain technology. This may be done using a mobile device (cell phone) camera and an internet connection. Once the document is captured by the cell phone, the image data is hashed (i.e., encrypted) into the blockchain, making the data visible. This is done by converting the data into an alphanumeric string and splitting it among different nodes operating on the blockchain. Further security measures may be incorporated to ensure that the person uploading the document matches the person on the identification document. Such measures may include taking a selfie snap (image or video) to confirm a facial recognition match, or uploading credit card information for a credit check if the names match.

[0106] This disclosure contemplates computer-readable media containing instructions or receiving and executing instructions in response to propagated signals, thereby enabling devices connected to a network to communicate voice, video, audio, images, or any other data over the network. User 1105 devices may communicate instructions (e.g., to provide or request information from distributed identity 1102) over one or more communication ports over network 1103. Communication ports may be created in the form of software or may be physical connections in the form of hardware. Connections with network 1103 may be physical connections, such as wired Ethernet connections, or may be established wirelessly as described below. Similarly, connections with other components may be physical connections or may be established wirelessly.

[0107] The network 1103 on which the decentralized structure or blockchain is stored may be a public network (e.g., the Internet) or a private network that limits access to specific users (e.g., employees of an organization). A public blockchain may have no access restrictions, allowing anyone with a network connection to interact. Conversely, a private blockchain may include access permissions. The network 1103 may couple devices together to enable the exchange of communications. In addition to user 1105 devices, devices 1104 may also communicate via the network. As described, a cluster of machines that stores data to be analyzed may be connected via one or more networks (e.g., network 1103). The network may also include mass storage, such as a network-attached storage (NAS), a storage area network (SAN), or other forms of computer-readable or machine-readable media. The network may include the Internet, one or more local area networks (LANs), one or more wide area networks (WANs), wired connections, wireless connections, or any combination thereof. Similarly, subnetworks may interoperate within a larger network, including subnetworks that may use different architectures or conform to or be compatible with different protocols. Various types of devices may be available, for example, to provide interoperability for different architectures or protocols. As an illustrative example, a router may provide a link between multiple LANs, each of which is separate and independent. The communication links or channels may include, for example, analog telephone lines (such as twisted wire pairs), coaxial cable, fully digital or fractional digital lines (including T1, T2, T3, or T4 type lines), Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), wireless links (including satellite links), or other communication links or channels as would be known to one skilled in the art.Additionally, a computing device or other associated electronic device may be remotely coupled to the network (eg, via a telephone line or link, etc.).

[0108] Devices, such as user 1105 devices, devices 1104 (and / or distributed identities 1102), may be coupled together via a wireless network. Network 1103 may include a wireless network, such as a standalone ad-hoc network, a mesh network, a wireless LAN (WLAN) network, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a cellular network, etc. Wireless networks may also include systems of terminals, gateways, routers, etc. coupled together via wireless radio links, etc., which may move freely, move randomly, or be in any configuration, thereby causing the network topology to change from time to time (possibly rapidly). Wireless networks may also use multiple network access technologies, such as long-term evolution (LTE), WLAN, wireless router (WR) mesh, second-generation, third-generation, or fourth-generation (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or later) cellular technologies, etc. The network may enable RF or wireless type communications via one or more network access technologies, such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, 802.11b / g / n, Zigbee, Z Wave, IEEE 802.16 (e.g., WiMax), and / or other WWAN / WMAN technologies (including future versions of any of the aforementioned technologies).A wireless network may include nearly any type of wireless communication mechanism that allows signaling between devices (e.g., between a user 1105 device and a distributed identity 1102), between networks, within a network, etc. In some embodiments, the communication protocols listed above may be used for communication. In another embodiment, the protocol for communication with the distributed identity 1102 may be a blockchain or blockchain-related protocol.

[0109] Signaling packets transmitted over a network (e.g., network 1103 or a network of related digital communication networks) may be compatible with or conform to one or more protocols. Signaling formats or protocols used may include, for example, TCP / IP, UDP, DECnet, NetBEUI, IPX, Appletalk, etc. Versions of the Internet Protocol (IP) may include IPv4 or IPv6. The Internet refers to a distributed global network of networks. The Internet includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, or long-haul public networks (e.g., allowing signaling packets to be transmitted between LANs). Signaling packets may be transmitted between nodes of a network, such as to one or more sites using local network addresses. Signaling packets may be transmitted over the Internet, for example, from a user site through an access node coupled to the Internet. Similarly, signaling packets may be forwarded through network nodes, for example, to a target site coupled to the network through a network access node. Signal packets transmitted over the Internet may be routed through paths, such as gateways, servers, etc., that can route signal packets according to a target address and the availability of a network path to the target address. This signal packet communication may be applicable to data communication with a blockchain (e.g., decentralized identity 1102).

[0110] FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a distributed storage system. Specifically, distributed identity information 1102 in FIG. 11 may be distributed age verification 1202 in FIG. 12. In other words, the stored information is age-related and is used for age verification purposes. The distributed age verification may include age data stored using blockchain technology. Specifically, a user's date of birth may be used to verify the user's age, which may be used to authenticate use of device 1104 (e.g., alcohol 1206 or tobacco 1204). Alcohol 1206 and tobacco 1204 are just two examples of age-restricted devices or substances for which age verification is required. In another embodiment, there may be restrictions other than age, for which data is stored in a distributed manner.

[0111] Users 1205, 1207 of cigarettes 1204 or alcohol 1206, respectively, may be required to verify their age in order to purchase or use the product. As described, the distributed age verification 1202 can not only verify age (e.g., for age-restricted products), but can also provide authentication or user identification (e.g., for physical purchases or to prevent theft). Authentication, as described below, may assume that age verification is performed first and then referenced for subsequent authentication. However, there may be other verification mechanisms other than age verification alone. For example, in some embodiments, user identification may be performed instead of age verification.

[0112] The cigarette 1204 (e.g., an e-cigarette or ENDS device) may be allowed to energize if authentication is successful, or may be de-energized and prevented from use if authentication is not successful. This authentication may be a process of verifying the user's identity from distributed identity information 1102 or verifying the user's age from distributed age verification 1202. The authentication or verification may include verifying the user's identity and / or the user's age. An initial age verification or registration process may occur less frequently (e.g., upon device purchase) than an authentication process (e.g., per use or based on number or duration of puffs). However, both age verification and authentication are based on utilizing data residing in the decentralized structure (e.g., 1102 or 1202).

[0113] A user (1105, 1205, or 1207) may provide identification information to the decentralized identification information 1102 or the decentralized age verification 1202. Both decentralized structures may be based on blockchain technology. The identification information provided may include information described with respect to FIG. 13. This data may then be used in a variety of ways, for example, for age verification of age-restricted products such as alcohol 1206 and tobacco 1204. The identification data communicated to the decentralized age verification 1202 may be one communication with multiple items, with the data stored in one block. Conversely, identification data communicated individually may be multiple blocks added to the chain.

[0114] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of personal identity information 1302. Personal identity information 1302 may include information used to identify or authenticate a user or device. Personal identity information may include the user's name 1306. The user's date of birth 1308 may also be stored and used for age verification. Other contact 1310 information (e.g., email address, mailing address, and / or phone number) may be personal identity information 1302 stored in the distributed structure. The user's driver's license 1312 may also be stored. This may be just the driver's license number or may include a scan of the driver's license used for age verification. For example, the user may use a selfie photo or video, which is compared to the driver's license image stored in the distributed structure. In some embodiments, a social security number 1314 may be additional personal identity information stored. FIG. 14 illustrates how certain personal identity information 1302 can be stored in a traditional centralized database while other information is stored in a decentralized structure (e.g., via blockchain technology).

[0115] Another form of personal identification information 1302 may be biometric information 1316. A user's biometric information can be detected and used for age verification, which is performed by accessing biometric information 1316 stored in a distributed identification structure. Examples of biometric information 1316 include fingerprints, facial recognition, iris / eye recognition, blood, or DNA. In one embodiment, biometric information 1316 stored in a distributed identification structure may be accessed by that structure for a user (e.g., 1105, 1205, 1207) to authenticate or verify use of a restricted device 1104 (e.g., alcohol 1206 or cigarette 1204). In one embodiment, if the device 1104 or cigarette 1204 is an ENDS device, the user may be required to place a fingerprint on a biometric sensor, which is compared to the biometric information 1316 stored in the distributed identification structure to authenticate the user or verify the user's age. This process may be required periodically, for example, when using a new cartridge. Alternatively, the re-authentication period may vary and may be based on time, number of puffs, charge state (e.g., every charge cycle), and / or other triggers. Biometric information 1316 may include facial recognition. Facial recognition technology may be used to compare two images and confirm an identity match, reject the identity confirmation, or flag the confirmation as requiring further identity information.

[0116] The personal identification information 1302 may include usage data 1318. For example, in the case of an ENDS device 1204, the usage data 1318 may include data regarding frequency of use, length of use, number of puffs, length of puffs, etc. The usage data 1318 may include product type usage, e.g., nicotine usage, cartridge flavor purchase / usage, and location of use. This usage data may be stored in decentralized storage using blockchain technology. Finally, the personal identification information 1302 may include an exemplary mechanism for verifying the user's age. An identification document may be stored in a decentralized location. The identification document may be a driver's license or passport. An image from that document may be used for future age verification.

[0117] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary storage structure for personal identification information 1302. A centralized structure 1406 may include a database that tracks certain user data, while other user data is stored in a distributed structure 1404 (e.g., using blockchain technology). In one embodiment, more sensitive data (e.g., Social Security, driver's license, credit card information, etc.) may be stored in the distributed structure 1404 using blockchain, while less sensitive data (e.g., name, address, etc.) may be stored in the centralized structure 1406 (e.g., a database). Hashing the more sensitive / private information allows consumers to trust that their private data is safe and hidden from businesses, while still allowing businesses to access the information invisibly for identity and / or age verification purposes. In either structure, the identification information may be encrypted and / or an anonymous identifier (e.g., a number, letter, or any alphanumeric identifier) ​​may be used for each user.

[0118] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary purchasing process. In one embodiment, the vending machine, dispenser, or point-of-sale kiosk may be a vending machine, dispenser, or point-of-sale kiosk. A consumer attempting to purchase an age-restricted product (e.g., an ENDS device) from the vending machine, dispenser, or kiosk is required to provide identity verification and / or age verification. Identification documents (driver's license / passport) and / or biometric information may be required for at least an initial registration step (i.e., initial age verification), after which only proof 1502 may be required for purchases. In an alternative embodiment, the purchasing process and proof may be online. The proof (1502) may include any of the personal identification information 1302 of FIG. 13. Additionally or alternatively, the user may be required to provide a selfie or video for identity verification. The proof is analyzed (1504) to determine whether it is a verified identity and / or a verified age. If the proof is correct, the product (e.g., an ENDS device or cartridge) may be dispensed (1506). In an embodiment of an online purchasing process, dispensing (1506) may include shipping of the product. If the authentication is incorrect, the product is rejected (1508) and not provided. If the authentication is questionable, additional information may be requested (1510) for further analysis (1504). In the case of an online purchase, the additional information (1510) may be other identifying information the user is requested to upload. In a vending machine embodiment, a connected vending machine may communicate with the purchaser's computing device (e.g., mobile phone) to receive verified age information necessary to complete a legitimate purchase. Additionally, the purchaser may opt-in to sharing certain additional personally identifying information (e.g., email, phone number, address, etc.) in exchange for coupons or other items of value.

[0119] Exemplary dispensing devices, vending machines, or kiosks may be mobile. For example, a vending machine may be equipped to travel to and park at popular vaping locations, becoming a pop-up vape shop. They may also be autonomously controlled, allowing consumers wishing to purchase tobacco products (e.g., ENDS devices, cartridges, and accessories) to summon the mobile vending machine to a specific location. Autonomous mobile vending machines may be aircraft-based, but may also be enabled with age verification software and connected to a network such as the Internet. Vending machines may also be equipped in taxis, trains, and other modes of transportation for age-verified purchases on the move. By entrusting storage of personal identification information to a decentralized structure, consumers have a reliable and secure mechanism for verifying their age to complete a purchase, thereby reducing the risk of underage purchases.

[0120] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a purchasing process. FIG. 16 may be a purchasing process similar to that of FIG. 5. A merchant 1602 may include any retailer, such as a vending machine, a dispenser, or a kiosk or other point of sale (including a store). The merchant receives a proof from a user. A correct proof is communicated to a distributed identification location or blockchain 1606, which accepts the correct proof and dispenses the product (1612). An incorrect proof is communicated to a distributed identification location or blockchain 1604, which refuses to provide the product as a result of the incorrect proof (1610). Although not shown, the blockchain systems 1604, 1606 may be a single blockchain system. If the proof is questionable, the proof may be flagged and further information requested (1608). Based on an analysis of the additional information, the flag may be accepted (i.e., the proof is flagged as questionable) and the product may be refused (1614). Conversely, if the flag is rejected (i.e., the certification was flagged as potentially problematic, but those problems were rejected), the product may be dispensed (1616).

[0121] 17-18 illustrate how an initial age verification may be performed based on storing data in a decentralized location using blockchain technology, such that subsequent age verification requests (i.e., authentication) by the user may access information in the decentralized location. Specifically, once a user's age is initially verified and stored using blockchain technology, future verification (i.e., "authentication") may simply require a call to this decentralized location to unlock the device 1104. In other words, in such embodiments, once a user performs an initial age verification, subsequent use may require only authentication, rather than a full initial age verification. The frequency with which the device 1104 must be unlocked or authenticated may vary. Similarly, the timing with which a user must reverify their age may also vary. For example, a user may be required to reverify or reauthenticate every time a cartridge is replaced. In some embodiments, reauthentication may be required after a certain number of puffs on the device 1104 or may occur based on a time course (e.g., hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.).

[0122] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process utilizing a distributed identity management system. An item is purchased at block 1702. As part of the purchase process, the user may be required to register the item at block 1704. Registration is described in more detail in co-filed U.S. Patent No. ______ (Docket No. 16004-51), entitled "AGE VERIFICATION WITH REGISTERED CARTRIDGES FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Registration may include providing personal information to a distributed storage structure (i.e., a blockchain structure) at block 1706. In one embodiment, the user then authenticates the purchased device at block 1708. Authentication includes accessing the distributed storage for authentication at block 1710. This access may include retrieving personal identifying information. If authentication (1712) is not successful, the process returns to block 1708, where the user must authenticate the device. If authentication (1712) passes, the device is ready for use at block 1714 and the user can continue to use it until authentication expires (1716). In one embodiment, device registration may involve the purchaser sending a blockchain-verified confirmation to the device (e.g., an ENDS device) authorizing the device to capture a one-time biometric key. This biometric data is stored on the device and used as authentication for every session or puff activation.

[0123] Decentralized identity management may also be used to verify the identity and age of consumers during ENDS device registration. Once verified, purchasers of ENDS products can use wired or wireless connections to interact with the ENDS device itself. During device registration, the purchaser sends a blockchain-verified confirmation to the device, allowing the device to capture a one-time biometric key. The biometric data is stored on the ENDS device (or the user's mobile device associated with the ENDS device) and used as authentication for each session or puff activation. The biometric data may also be hashed onto the blockchain for online authentication. The user may scan their biometric information (e.g., face or finger) before starting a vaping session. This data may be sent for validation on the blockchain. In one embodiment, the data is sent from a mobile device coupled to the ENDS device. Once a new block is formed and a validation is returned, the ENDS device may be unlocked for a determined length of time (e.g., based on time, usage, number of puffs, etc.). Storing this data on the mobile device can help consumers skip the registration process if their device is lost or stolen. Specifically, the data is backed up in a decentralized, unhackable form like blockchain.

[0124] At the point of sale (1702), the user may be required to verify their age. For example, in the case of an in-store purchase, a store clerk may be required to view the user's identification and enter that information online for storage by the blockchain. Alternatively, the user may be required to register the purchase online or in an app at the time of purchase. In one embodiment, there may be a kiosk or other mechanism through which the user interacts at the time of purchase, enabling a consistent registration process across retailers. The retail location may also be equipped with a "tap-to-verify" kiosk located near the payment kiosk. The kiosk may be provided and operated by the ENDS device seller. For example, it may be integrated into an existing VERIPHONE payment kiosk or may be a standalone kiosk provided by the retailer. In either case, the consumer can provide their verified age by scanning a code (a 2D or 3D barcode, e.g., a QR code) located at the point of sale or displayed on a pre-purchase screen for online purchases. The registration process may include providing proof of age. This age verification process may occur with each purchase. In an alternative embodiment, the initial age verification may occur only once, and the user may create a profile (online or in an app) that can be used for authentication and associated with all future purchases. The purchaser's age verification is communicated to the blockchain via a wired or wireless connection (e.g., NFC, Bluetooth, etc.) to enable or authorize the purchase of age-restricted products (e.g., ENDS devices).

[0125] In one embodiment, verification may be required for trade marketing consumer engagement. Once verified by the blockchain application, users can engage with trade marketers to discuss products. Trade marketers may be subject to a "21+ verification" that does not disclose the user's actual age for privacy reasons. Users can opt in to receiving marketing materials and coupons, as appropriate, by selectively sharing certain personally identifiable information or by performing age verification on the blockchain application. Verification information may be sent to the trade marketer via NFC, Bluetooth, or other wired or wireless connection, or by using a kiosk or tablet on-site.

[0126] Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating the process of age verification using a distributed identity management system. At block 1802, a consumer may create a personal profile including personal information. At block 1804, the personal information is provided to a distributed storage structure (e.g., a blockchain structure). At block 1806, the personal information in the distributed storage structure is accessed for age verification. If verification (1808) is not successful, additional personal information may be accessed (1806). Once age is verified, the purchase may proceed (1810).

[0127] 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of tracking a product with a distributed identity management system. At block 1902, a distributed storage (e.g., a blockchain) for the product is established. At block 1904, nodes corresponding to each step in the product's life are added to the distributed storage. Examples of steps in the product's life include, but are not limited to, those shown in FIG. 20 and described with reference to FIG. 20. At block 1906, information stored in the distributed identity management is accessed for product monitoring and tracking.

[0128] FIG. 20 shows an example of information found in a distributed identity management system 2002. Information 2002 may include nodes added to a blockchain to track each step of a particular product's lifecycle. Tracking information may include chain of custody 2006, tracking where a product goes to whom, using blockchain technology to track raw materials 2008 and manufacturing details 2010. Similarly, packaging 2012 and sales / shipping 2014 information may also be tracked by the blockchain. Finally, transfer 2016 tracks the product's transfer from one user to another. All of this information 2002 may be sensed and recorded as a new block on the network. Due to the nature of blockchain, each subsequent block contains all of the information from the previous block, along with newly written lines from its associated processing steps. Information 2002 may be used to identify and track illegal sales, sales to minors, or for quality control measures.

[0129] While the distributed data storage has been described as being used for age verification applications, the distributed data storage may also be used for payment processing. For example, identification information may be used to verify identity when making a payment. Alternatively, identification information may include a payment method (e.g., a credit card number) that is stored in the distributed data storage. Thus, the payment information (along with the identification and / or age) may be extracted at the time of purchase. Transaction data may be stored as blocks in the distributed data storage using blockchain technology. The transaction data may include payment processing of payments that include cryptocurrency. Thus, there may be a blockchain associated with the cryptocurrency, which may be separate from or included in a blockchain for payment processing or transaction data. In another embodiment, the cryptocurrency may be dedicated to a brand or product. For example, there may be a cryptocurrency dedicated to the purchase of ENDS devices that may be supported by a product OEM, a brand, a group of such brands, a retailer, etc. This cryptocurrency may include age verification and identity management functionality (described above) on the same blockchain as the cryptocurrency / payment transaction service. Age verification and identity management may be a separate block from the cryptocurrency / payment transaction service. Alternatively, they may be recorded in the same block or consecutive blocks organized based on user identification.

[0130] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a transaction in a distributed identity management system. Specifically, transaction data may include data from cryptocurrency or a purchase using cryptocurrency. A transaction is initiated (2102), which may include a request for a transaction. This may be a request for funds or payment information. The requested transaction is submitted to the network (2104). The transaction may be validated (2106), for example, to verify the user's identity and, in the case of age-restricted products, to verify the user's age. Validation (2106) may further include verifying the transaction according to the requirements of the specific blockchain using blockchain technology. A new block is created (2108) containing the transaction data. This new block may be added to an existing blockchain (2110). Specifically, the new block is added to a blockchain that records other data / information, including previous transactions. The new block added to an existing blockchain may become a permanent record on that blockchain. Thus, any data (e.g., identity data or age verification data) added to the distributed identity storage may be added as a new block to an existing blockchain (e.g., for a particular user or type of data).

[0131] Transaction data stored in a distributed identity storage (e.g., a blockchain) may be used to enforce other ordering parameters beyond age verification. For example, there may be a limit on the number of device purchases (or cartridge purchases), such as N purchases within a certain period of time. If such a limit exists, a pre-purchase check may be included in the blockchain, using transaction data to ensure that the user's intended purchase does not exceed such a purchase limit. This may be used for online orders as well as in-person purchases at vending machines, kiosks, retail stores, etc., to prevent users from exceeding the limit by purchasing at multiple locations. Each purchase may be aggregated in the distributed identity storage (i.e., a new block is added to the chain with each purchase). This aggregation of transaction data may be used to enforce policies across multiple OEMs, different stores, different products, etc. In another embodiment, transaction data may be stored for cartridges (or other consumables) and may include a unique identifier associated with the cartridge. A second validation may occur when the cartridge is plugged into a device to ensure that the user using the cartridge is the user who purchased it, and this transaction data may be stored on the blockchain, associated with the specific user.

[0132] The above description of the use of the present article is applicable to the various exemplary embodiments described herein with minor modifications, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. However, the above description of the use is not intended to limit the use of the present article, but is provided so as to comply with all necessary disclosure requirements of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in the present article, as illustrated in Figures 1-21, or otherwise described above, may be included in an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

[0133] Various modifications and other embodiments of the inventions will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosures set forth herein pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while the foregoing description and associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of particular example combinations of elements and / or functions, it will be understood that other combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, it is contemplated that combinations of elements and / or functions other than those expressly described above may be set forth in any of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. 1. A method of providing an age-restricted product, comprising: requesting a user's identity from the distributed storage; receiving the identification information from the distributed storage; verifying the age of the user based on the identification information; receiving payment for the age-restricted product after the age of the user is verified; providing said age-restricted product after said receipt of said payment; A method comprising:

2. registering a user with the distributed storage by providing identification information to the distributed storage; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the age verification includes verifying that the user matches the identifying information.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distributed storage includes storage using blockchain technology, and further wherein the user's identity information is stored in a specific blockchain.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein each item of the identity of the user is stored in a subsequent block of the particular blockchain.

6. verifying the payment by checking the identity information in the distributed storage. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. Tracking the chain of custody of the age-restricted product by adding each interaction to the distributed storage. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

8. trade marketers using said age verification to recommend further products or services. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the age-restricted product comprises an aerosol delivery device.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein transaction data from the payment transaction is added to the distributed storage and associated with the identity information.

11. 1. A system for identification and age verification, comprising: Network and a distributed storage of data coupled to the network; a user device coupled to the network and configured to communicate with the distributed storage, the communication including personal identification information about the user sent from the user device to be stored in the distributed storage, and further, the personal identification information provided by the distributed storage to identify the user and verify the user's age when purchasing a product; A system including:

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the product includes an aerosol delivery device coupled to the user device, and operation of the aerosol delivery device by a user is dependent on authenticating the personal identification information of the user in the distributed storage.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the aerosol delivery device will not operate unless the user is authenticated.

14. The product includes an age-restricted product, and the system further comprises: a vending machine that sells the age-restricted product, the vending machine configured to communicate with the distributed storage to verify the identity and age of a user based on the personal identification information about the user stored by the distributed storage. The system of claim 11 , comprising:

15. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vending machine will not sell the age-restricted product unless the identity and the age of the user are verified.

16. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vending machine comprises a self-service kiosk.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the age-restricted product comprises an aerosol delivery device.

18. 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the vending machine comprises a mobile vending machine capable of operating as a pop-up shop for aerosol delivery devices, accessories, and chargers.

19. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein payment information is stored in the distributed storage and provided by the distributed storage upon the authentication.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the distributed storage utilizes blockchain technology.

21. storing the identity information in a distributed storage; modifying the distributed storage according to the request for the identification information, the modifying step including adding a block to the distributed storage, and further, the previous block having the identification information is unchanged; requesting at least a portion of the identity information from the distributed storage for identity verification; A method comprising:

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