System, apparatus, and method for unlocking an aerosol generator

Abstract

This invention provides a system, apparatus, and method for unlocking an aerosol generator that cannot be unlocked by underage users. [Solution] The system includes a user interface device 201, an aerosol generator 102, and a server 50. The server 50 includes a database. The aerosol generator 102 sends an unlock request 308A to the user interface device 201, and the user interface device forwards the unlock request 308A to the server. The server 50 receives the unlock request 308A, refers to the database, decides to unlock, generates an unlock permission 310, and sends it to the user interface device 201. The user interface device 201 sends an unlock permission 312 to the aerosol generator 102, and the aerosol generator 102 unlocks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, an apparatus, and a method for use in unlocking an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

[0002] Improper use of an aerosol generating device by a minor user (e.g., a user to whom use of the aerosol generating device is not legally permitted) can be particularly difficult to restrict or regulate, especially through resale of the aerosol generating device among users or third parties such as an inappropriate retailer. For example, when a first user purchases an aerosol generating device from a regular retailer, the first user may resell the purchased aerosol generating device to a second user who may be a minor.

[0003] In addition, an unauthorized user may use an aerosol generating device of an authorized user without the authorized user's knowledge. For example, if an authorized user leaves the aerosol generating device unattended, an unauthorized user may utilize the unattended aerosol generating device without the authorized user's knowledge. Further, for example, if an authorized user loses the aerosol generating device, an unauthorized user may find and utilize the lost aerosol generating device without the authorized user's knowledge.

[0004] Aerosol generators and associated systems may offer limited locking capabilities. Published PCT patent application WO2019 / 126805A1 describes a vaporizer and vaporizer system that can unlock the vaporizer to activate its operation based on a determined age of a user who meets a threshold (e.g., legal age). The vaporizer may determine the age or receive an age determination from a server and / or application. Furthermore, pairing, locking, and / or unlocking the vaporizer may be accessible through an app logged into a user account linked to that vaporizer. Furthermore, a shared secret key generated by the app may be sent to the vaporizer upon a lock request, which can then be used to lock / unlock the vaporizer. Additionally, the vaporizer may be configured such that authorized ownership prevents another account owner from linking a vaporizer owned by another account owner to another account without the device owner explicitly releasing the vaporizer from the original account, thus making theft difficult by communicating that the vaporizer is paired with another account user. Furthermore, the vaporizers may be configured so that the vaporizers linking users can link only a certain number of vaporizers per period of time, thereby preventing abuse by minors.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 9,763,478 describes an electronic vapor device that includes a locking mechanism which can be controlled for locking or unlocking by at least one of the following: a voice profile module, a password or passcode module, a physical key, a fingerprint scanner, an iris recognition scanner, third-party device authentication, or other biometric data. Furthermore, a central server can receive both usage information and location information, and access integrated account and tracking information to determine whether both the vapor device and the electronic communication device are associated with the same user.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015 / 0181945A1 describes an electronic vaping device that may allow the ability of the electronic vaping device to provide vapor to be altered (e.g., disabled, reduced, enabled, or increased) in certain circumstances (e.g., to prevent unauthorized inhalation by a child, teenager, or another individual). A mobile communication device runs a software application related to the e-cigarette, obtains authentication information from the user, and, if it determines that the authentication information is valid and the user is authorized to vape, enables the vapor supply ability of the e-cigarette. The mobile communication device may transmit the authentication information (or a subset thereof) to a remote server (e.g., a web server) for authentication, which may be particularly useful if a third party were to influence the user's vaping ability.

[0007] Ensuring that only authorized users use the functions of an aerosol generator can be difficult, especially if the authorized user resells the aerosol generator. In addition, various locking and unlocking solutions can be cumbersome for users and sellers to use. For example, if the unlocking and locking functions are excessively burdensome and complex, honest resale of aerosol generators between users can be difficult. Furthermore, various locking and unlocking solutions can be difficult for manufacturers to provide. Moreover, some solutions may not provide secure unlocking and locking functions that can still be bypassed by sophisticated malicious users (e.g., hackers) (e.g., improperly encrypted unlocking and locking functions), thus allowing them to still access unauthorized aerosol generators.

[0008] A simple, secure, and easy method is desirable to restrict underage users from using aerosol generators. Furthermore, it is desirable to restrict third parties from reselling unlocked aerosol generators to unauthorized users. Moreover, it is desirable to provide a secure, uncounterable, unique, and one-time-use process for locking or unlocking aerosol generators using cryptographic secrets known only to the manufacturer's backend server. Furthermore, it is desirable to prevent anyone from unilaterally sending unlock commands to an aerosol generator in order to maliciously unlock it. [Overview of the project]

[0009] The present invention may be described as providing an exemplary aerosol generator, user interface device, and server for use in unlocking the unlockable features of an aerosol generator when associated with a single user account. Furthermore, the present invention may be described as further providing exemplary devices, systems, and methods for use in unlocking the unlockable features of an aerosol generator using server-based cryptographic authentication. The exemplary user interface device may be used to initiate the unlocking process between the aerosol generator and the server, and data transmitted between the aerosol generator and the server may be transmitted via the user interface device. For example, a user may connect the exemplary aerosol generator to the exemplary server, for example, via a retail store or mobile application, and once the user is verified, the unlocking process may be initiated.

[0010] In addition, the present invention may also be described as providing exemplary aerosol generators, user interface devices, and servers for use in locking already unlocked features of an aerosol generator when it is unassociated or unregistered with a user account. Furthermore, the present invention may be described as further providing exemplary devices, systems, and methods for use in locking already unlocked features of an aerosol generator using server-based cryptographic authentication. An exemplary user interface device may be used to initiate the locking process between the aerosol generator and the server, and data transmitted between the aerosol generator and the server may be transmitted via the user interface device. For example, a user may connect to an exemplary aerosol generator via, for example, a retail store or a mobile application to an exemplary server, and when the user is unassociated with the aerosol generator, the locking process may be initiated.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary aerosol generator is provided, comprising a controller having one or more processors. The controller is configured to provide an unlockable feature, send an unlock request to a server to unlock the unlockable feature, receive an unlock permission from the server in response to the sent unlock request, and unlock the unlockable feature in response to the receipt of the unlock permission.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary user interface device is provided, which includes a display device with a graphical user interface that enables a user to interact with it to unlock a unlockable feature of an aerosol generator; a communication interface for transmitting data between the aerosol generator and a server; and a controller comprising one or more processors and operably coupled to the display device and the communication interface. The controller is configured to receive an unlock request from the aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature, send an unlock request to the server, receive an unlock permission from the server in response to the transmitted unlock request, and send the unlock permission to the aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary server is provided for unlocking unlockable features of an aerosol generator, comprising a communication interface to or from the aerosol generator, and a controller comprising one or more processors and operably coupled to the communication interface. The controller is configured to receive an unlock request from the aerosol generator and unlock the unlockable feature, and in response to the transmitted unlock request, to send an unlock permission to the aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature. In addition, before initiating an unlock or lock process, the exemplary server may request information from the aerosol generator to initiate a lock / unlock process, and if the server request is valid, the aerosol generator may send a lock or unlock request to the server.

[0014] In addition, naturally, the same or similar processes can be used to relock (e.g., relock) already unlocked features of an aerosol generator, for example, when a user unassociates or deregisters the aerosol generator.

[0015] Exemplary aerosol generators, user interface devices, and servers can, advantageously, interoperate or “collaborate” to restrict the use of aerosol generators by underage users in a simple, secure, and easy manner, and to restrict third parties from reselling unlocked aerosol generators to unauthorized users. In particular, for example, the transmission of unlock authorization to an aerosol generator from one or both of the server and / or user interface device can provide authorized users with a simple, secure, and easy unlock of the aerosol generator and help restrict third parties from reselling unlocked aerosol generators to unauthorized users. Furthermore, the present invention can be described as addressing the problem of ensuring that only the manufacturer of the aerosol generator or e-smoking device can unlock certain features or functions of the aerosol generator to users verified as the owner of the aerosol generator before first use or resale.

[0016] As described herein, an aerosol generator may include or have one or more unlockable features. For example, an aerosol generator may have a single unlockable feature. In this example, preferably, the unlockable feature of the aerosol generator is the ability to heat an aerosol generating article using a heating element to generate an aerosol therefrom. In other words, the unlockable feature is the ability of a user to inhale or snort an aerosol from the aerosol generator.

[0017] In other embodiments, the unlockable feature of the aerosol generator may be one of a variety of different functions provided by the aerosol generator. For example, the unlockable feature may be the ability to configure one or more options associated with the aerosol generator, such as smoke concentration, the color of the light-emitting element thereon, sound output options, heater temperature, display options, smoke count limit, and tactile feedback (e.g., vibration output) options.

[0018] To this end, exemplary aerosol generators, user interface devices, and servers may enable unlocking one or more unlockable features of the aerosol generator. According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary aerosol generator includes a cavity for receiving an aerosol generating article, a heating element for heating the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol, and a power supply operably connected to the heating element.

[0019] Naturally, exemplary aerosol generators may be shipped from the manufacturer in a locked state so that one or more unlockable features are locked before the initial purchase or sale. The exemplary methods, processes, and systems described herein may enable such one or more unlockable features to be unlocked only after following a rigorous verification procedure. In addition, such exemplary aerosol generators may be relocked before or at the time of resale.

[0020] The aerosol generator comprises a communication interface for transmitting data to and from a user interface device, and a controller comprising one or more processors. The communication interface includes at least telemetry circuits and antennas for bidirectional communication with other devices, such as the user interface device, a server, a network device, a personal computer, and the like. More specifically, data and commands may be transmitted and received using the communication interface during uplink or downlink telemetry between the user interface device and other devices and / or a network. In at least one embodiment, the communication interface is a radio interface using one or more radio (radio frequency) data transmission protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, any protocol in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, any protocol in the centimeter-wave (SHF) band, or low frequency.

[0021] The controller of the aerosol generator may include one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors) that may operate with associated data storage or memory to access one or more types of data that may be used to execute processing programs or routines and exemplary methods. For example, processing programs or routines stored in data storage may include programs or routines for executing statistics, matrix calculations, compression algorithms (e.g., data compression algorithms), standardization algorithms, comparison algorithms, or any other processing used to implement one or more exemplary methods and processes described herein. Furthermore, for example, processing programs or routines stored in data storage may include steps and functions for wirelessly transmitting data and commands between a user interface device and the aerosol generator, and between the user interface device and a server. The data storage or memory may be further configured to store data related to locking and unlocking one or more unlockable features of the aerosol generator, as well as the transmission of unlock requests and lock permissions between the aerosol generator, the user interface device, and the server, and any other data and / or schemes necessary to carry out the processes and methods described herein.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the aerosol generator and its controller may be described as being implemented using one or more computer programs running on one or more programmable processors, including processing capabilities (e.g., microcontrollers, programmable logic devices, etc.), data storage (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, and / or memory elements), input devices, and output devices. The program code and / or logic described herein may be applied to input data to perform the functions described herein and generate desired output information. The output information may be applied as input to one or more other devices and / or processes as described herein, or as applied in well known ways.

[0023] Computer program products used to implement the processes described herein may be provided using any programmable language, for example, a high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming language suitable for communication with a computer system. Such program products may be stored, for example, on any suitable device, for example, a storage medium readable by a general-purpose or application program, or on a controller device for configuring and operating a computer when a device suitable for performing the procedures described herein is read. In other words, in at least one embodiment, a user interface device may be implemented using a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium configured with a computer program, which such a storage medium causes the computer to operate in a specific and predetermined manner to perform the functions described herein.

[0024] The exact configuration of the controller for the aerosol generator is not limited, and essentially any device capable of providing adequate computing and control capabilities to carry out the exemplary methods described herein may be used. Given the above, it will be readily apparent that the functions described in one or more embodiments of the present invention may be carried out in any form that would be well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, computer languages, controllers, or any other software / hardware used to implement the processes described herein are not limited to the systems, processes, or programs described herein (e.g., the functions provided by such processes or programs). The methods and processes, or various components, described in this disclosure, including those resulting from the System, may be implemented at least in part in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, various aspects of the Art may be implemented within one or more processors, including one or more microprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, CPLDs, microcontrollers, or any other equivalent integrated circuits or individual logic circuits, and any combination of such components. When implemented in software, the functions belonging to the systems, devices, and methods described herein may be embodied as instructions on a computer-readable medium such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, magnetic data storage media, optical data storage media, or similar. The instructions may be executed by one or more processors to support one or more aspects of the functions described herein.

[0025] As described herein, an unlock request is transmitted from the aerosol generator to the server. In one embodiment, the unlock request may be transmitted directly to the server. More specifically, the aerosol generator may be wirelessly connected to the internet to communicate with the server, and the user may transmit an unlock request to the server via the internet using a user interface on the aerosol generator (e.g., a graphical user interface, buttons, etc.). In another embodiment, the unlock request may be transmitted from the aerosol generator to a user interface device, which can then transmit the unlock request to the server. The user interface device may be wirelessly connected to the internet to communicate with the server.

[0026] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the user interface device is a mobile phone. In one or more embodiments, the user interface device is a smartwatch. Generally, the user interface device may be described as any electronic device including a display device that provides a graphical user interface with which a user can interact. The user interface device may include a controller and a communication interface device similar to those of the aerosol generator described herein.

[0027] In one or more aspects of the present invention, an exemplary user interface device includes a display device that includes a graphical user interface that allows a user to attempt to unlock an unlockable feature. Furthermore, in one or more aspects of the present invention, a controller of the exemplary user interface device displays an unlockable feature graphical area on the graphical user interface, and allows a user to select the unlockable feature graphical area to activate an aerosol generator and send an unlock request.

[0028] The display device is operably connected to a controller for outputting data via the display device and can be depicted and used as a graphical user interface with which a user can interact. The graphical user interface and the display device may comprise a touch screen. The graphical user interface may be configured to enable a user to view and / or manipulate data on the display device in order to enable the user to interact with the user interface device and the like, and thus may be described as being interactive by the user. The graphical user interface may be configured to perform any of the functions described herein with respect to unlocking or locking one or more unlockable features of the aerosol generating device.

[0029] An unlock request that may be transmitted from either or both the aerosol generator and / or the user interface device includes data or information to provide the server's functionality for unlocking the aerosol generator. Similarly, a lock request that may be transmitted from either or both the aerosol generator and / or the user interface device includes data or information to provide the server's functionality for locking the aerosol generator (for example, when a user is unassociated from or unregistered from the aerosol generator). A lock request may utilize the same or similar process as described herein with respect to an unlock request. In one or more aspects of the present invention, an unlock request includes unique device identification information that identifies the aerosol generator and time-limited nonce information corresponding to an unlockable feature. In other words, an unlock request may include both a time-limited random value (nance) in addition to the aerosol generator-specific information. The unique device identification information may be information or data that identifies that aerosol generator and is specific to each particular aerosol generator. In other words, each aerosol generator may include unique device identification information that is specific to itself and not specific to other aerosol generators. Therefore, the unique device identification information differs for each aerosol generator. The unique device identification information may be an alphanumeric string, a hexadecimal string, or the like. In one or more aspects of the present invention, the unique device identification information is a serial number. The unique device identification information is used, in particular, to ensure that an received message or data transmission is directed to a target aerosol generator.

[0030] The time-limited nonce information corresponding to the unlockable feature can be any data or information that can be used only once in an encrypted communication to the server to stop or limit the use of future unlock requests. In other words, the use of the time-limited nonce information prevents the replay of unlock requests or messages to unlock a future aerosol generator. Further, the time-limited nonce information can be any number that can be used only once in an encrypted communication and is often described as a random or pseudo-random number issued by an authentication protocol to prevent old communications from being reused in a "replay attack". The time-limited nonce information can be valid during a validity period. If the unlock permission or message received from the server is valid and the time-limited nonce information is not expired (e.g., the validity period is not expired), the aerosol generator can change the state of the unlockable feature (e.g., unlock the unlockable feature).

[0031] For example, the validity period can be 5 minutes. In this example, if the aerosol generator does not receive an unlock permission after 5 minutes, the time-limited nonce information transmitted in the unlock request is determined to be invalid, and thus the unlock permission that may include the time-limited nonce information or its derivative becomes invalid. Conversely, if the unlock permission is received within the 5-minute validity period, the unlock permission becomes valid and enables the aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature. In other embodiments, the validity period can be about 7 minutes or more, about 10 minutes or more, about 60 seconds or less, about 30 seconds or less, about 20 seconds or less, or 5 seconds or less.

[0032] Thus, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the controller of an exemplary aerosol generator or an exemplary user interface device is further configured to end the unlocking of the unlockable feature if an unlock permission is not received within the validity period after the unlock request is sent to the server. Further, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the validity period is 5 minutes or less.

[0033] After the server receives an unlock request from either or both the aerosol generator and the user interface device, the server may send an unlock authorization to either or both the aerosol generator and the user interface device, depending on whether the server decides to unlock the aerosol generator. The unlock authorization may be transmitted or communicated to either or both the aerosol generator and the user interface device in a secure and confidential manner. In one or more aspects of the present invention, the unlock authorization is encrypted. For example, the unlock authorization may be encrypted with a secret key known only to the server. Furthermore, the unlock authorization may include, among other things, unique device identification information and time-limited nonce information. The unique device identification information may be used to verify that the correct aerosol generator has received the unlock authorization or message, and the time-limited nonce information may be used to determine whether the unlock authorization was received within its validity period, as described herein. In other words, an exemplary server may create or generate a lock / unlock message based on information from the aerosol generator.

[0034] In one or more aspects of the present invention, the exemplary server controller is further configured to limit the number of unlock permissions sent to the aerosol generator. In one or more aspects of the present invention, the number of unlock permissions for each unique aerosol generator is 1 or less, 3 or less, or 10 or less.

[0035] In one or more aspects of the present invention, in response to receiving an unlock permission, the controller of an exemplary aerosol generator decrypts the unlock permission. The unlock permission can be decrypted by the aerosol generator using a public key located on all aerosol generators. Thus, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the unlock permission is decryptable using a public key stored on the aerosol generator. By using asymmetric cryptography, only the manufacturer's server can lock / unlock the unlockable features of the aerosol generator, eliminating the reliance on and knowledge of unique keys for each aerosol generator.

[0036] Furthermore, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the controller of an exemplary aerosol generator determines whether the decrypted unlock permission includes unique device identification information and time-limited nonce information, and unlocks the unlockable feature in response to the determination that the decrypted unlock permission includes unique device identification information and nonce information. Thus, the present invention advantageously provides a secure, uncounterable, unique, and one-time-use process for locking or unlocking the functions of an aerosol generator using cryptographic secrets known only to the manufacturer's server (e.g., a backend server), which can restrict or prevent third-party hacking and malicious unlocking of the aerosol generator.

[0037] Furthermore, the aerosol generator may be temporarily locked by the user, for example, if the user knows that they will not have the aerosol generator for a certain period of time. In this way, the user can protect the aerosol generator from being used by others while the user is away from the aerosol generator. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the controller of the exemplary aerosol generator or exemplary user interface device is further configured to temporarily relock unlockable features for a temporary lock period. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the temporary lock period is 24 hours or less. Moreover, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the controller of the exemplary aerosol generator or exemplary user interface device is further configured so that the user can select the amount of time for the temporary lock period and initiate the temporary relock. For example, a graphical user interface may be provided by the user interface device so that the user can interact with the graphical user interface to select the amount of time for the temporary lock period and initiate the temporary lock period. In other embodiments, the temporary lock period may be configured and initiated using the interface of the aerosol generator itself (e.g., buttons, display devices, etc.).

[0038] An exemplary server may perform one or more different processes to ensure that only one user is associated with each aerosol generator, to restrict the use of already unlocked aerosol generators by unauthorized users, and to limit the number of aerosol generators that can be unlocked by a single user. To this end, the server may include or utilize a database containing user account information and aerosol generator information. According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary method (e.g., use by a server) is provided, which includes maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with user accounts. Each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. The exemplary method further includes receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator and unlocking the unlockable feature of the current aerosol generator. The unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. The exemplary method further includes determining whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, and, in response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, sending an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature. The exemplary method further includes updating the database in order to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator, in response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not yet associated with any user account in the database.

[0039] According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary computer program product is provided which includes a non-temporary computer-readable medium on which a program code portion is stored, the program code portion maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with user accounts when the aforementioned program product is executed on a computer or network device (e.g., a server). Each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. The program code portion is further configured to receive an unlock request from the current aerosol generator and unlock the unlockable feature of the current aerosol generator. The unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. The program code portion is further configured to determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, and in response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, to send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature. In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not yet associated with any user account in the database, the program code portion is further configured to update the database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary system (e.g., a server) for unlocking unlockable features of an aerosol generator is provided, comprising a communication interface to or from an aerosol generator, and a controller comprising one or more processors and operably coupled to the communication interface. The controller is configured to maintain a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with user accounts. Each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. The controller is further configured to receive unlock requests from the current aerosol generator in order to unlock unlockable features. An unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. The controller is further configured to determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, and in response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, to send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator in order to unlock unlockable features. The controller is further configured to update the database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator, in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not yet associated with any user account in the database.

[0041] The described database may include, for example, a set of user data, such as a user account associated with each verified user. In one or more aspects of the present invention, each user account in the database is associated with a person who is verified to be of legal age to use the aerosol generator. The described database may further include a set of aerosol generator data, such as, for example, unique device identification information (e.g., serial number) that identifies each aerosol generator. User accounts and unique device identification information may be associated with each other in the database when a user unlocks one or more unlockable features of an aerosol generator, for example, when purchasing the aerosol generator. Conversely, user accounts and unique device identification information may be disassociated with each other in the database when a user relocks one or more unlockable features of an aerosol generator, for example, when selling or otherwise disposing of the aerosol generator. In other words, unique device identification information (e.g., serial number) may be linked to only one user account, and an aerosol generator can only be unlocked (e.g., one or more unlockable features are unlocked) when the unique device identification information is linked to a user account. Furthermore, if an aerosol generator is not linked to an associated user account, the aerosol generator will be automatically locked (for example, one or more unlockable features will be locked).

[0042] Through the use of the described database, the exemplary methods, program code, and system may restrict or prevent one user from unlocking a device already associated with another user, thereby limiting the unlocking of locked aerosol generators by another user. Furthermore, through the use of the described database, the exemplary methods, program code, and system may limit the number of aerosol generators that any single user can unlock, thereby addressing the problem that an authorized purchaser could purchase multiple devices, use those authorized accounts to unlock multiple such devices, and resell the unlocked devices to, for example, minor users. In other words, it is possible to prevent a malicious seller from purchasing hundreds of aerosol generators, linking them to an account, and then selling the aerosol generators to a minor. Moreover, if a seller attempts to do so, the minor would not be able to configure such improperly acquired aerosol generators using the user interface device application (for example, because a minor would not be able to obtain a user account for use with the software application on the user interface device). Furthermore, if an aerosol generator is confiscated from a minor, it would be possible to detect which account was used to unlock the aerosol generator sold to that minor.

[0043] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each user account in the database can be associated with only an acceptable number of aerosol generators, and the exemplary method further includes the program code portion instructing to stop sending unlock permissions and updating the database if the current user account is already associated with an acceptable number of aerosol generators, or the controller further includes the controller further being configured. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the acceptable number of aerosol generators is 10 or less. In other embodiments, the acceptable number of aerosol generators is 25 or less, 15 or less, 5 or less, or 2 or less. In other words, only a limited number of devices can be linked to an account.

[0044] As described herein, for example, if an aerosol generator is sold or otherwise disposed of, the user can relock the aerosol generator. Accordingly, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the exemplary method further includes the configuration of a program code portion instructing the current aerosol generator to receive a lock request in order to relock the unlockable feature, or a controller further includes the configuration of a controller. A relock request may be substantially similar to an unlock request, except that the reverse result is desired. Accordingly, a relock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. The database may then be updated in response to the receipt of the lock request to unassociate the current user account from the current aerosol generator, and a lock permission may be sent to the current aerosol generator in order to relock the unlockable feature in response to the receipt of the lock request.

[0045] If an unauthorized user attempts to interface with or configure an aerosol generator that the user is not associated with (and thus unauthorized) (e.g., using a user interface device), a lock permission may be sent to the aerosol generator to lock one or more unlockable features of the aerosol generator. In this way, the unauthorized user may be blocked from using the aerosol generator that they were attempting to configure. For example, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the exemplary method further includes a controller being configured, instructing a portion of the program code to send a lock permission to the current aerosol generator to relock its unlockable features in response to an attempt by a user interface device not associated with the current user account to configure the current aerosol generator. In addition, in some embodiments, prior to the automatic locking of the aerosol generator, in response to the attempted unauthorized access, a warning message may be sent to the user interface device or aerosol generator to indicate to the user that they do not have the authority to configure or interface with the aerosol generator because it is not associated with a database. For example, in one or more aspects of the present invention, the exemplary method further includes the configuration instructing a portion of the program code to send a warning message to a user interface device in response to a user interface device not associated with the current user account attempting to configure the current aerosol generator, or further including the configuration of a controller.

[0046] The terms “aerosol generating article” or “aerosol generating substrate” refer to a substrate having the ability to release volatile compounds capable of forming aerosols when heated. The aerosols generated from the aerosol generating substrate of the smoking article according to this disclosure may be visible or invisible and may include vapor (e.g., fine particles of a substance that is in a gaseous state, which is normally a liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as droplets of gas and condensed vapor. One embodiment of a heating-type aerosol generating article is the IQOS HeatSticks used in IQOS (also known as MARLBORO HEATSTICKS manufactured by Phillip Morris International) and a heating-type non-combustion aerosol generator (also manufactured by Phillip Morris International).

[0047] The term "aerosol generator" refers to a device configured to use or utilize an aerosol-generating article that releases volatile compounds to form an aerosol that can be inhaled by a user.

[0048] The terms “controller” and “processor” refer to any device or apparatus having the ability to provide appropriate computing and control capabilities, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuits, or any combination thereof, and the ability to provide appropriate data storage capabilities, such as any medium containing digital bits (encoded in binary or ternary, etc.) that may be readable and / or writable (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, magnetic recording media such as CD-ROMs, disks or tapes).

[0049] The term "communication interface" means any device or apparatus that has the ability to provide appropriate data communication capability between an aerosol generator and a user interface device (e.g., various telemetry circuits and antennas), and may use one or more wired or wireless (e.g., radio frequency) data transmission protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, any protocol in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, any protocol in the centimeter-high frequency (SHF) band, low frequency, or a combination thereof.

[0050] The term "database" refers to a queryable collection, set, or repository of related data, such as a relational database. [Examples]

[0051] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exclusive list of non-limiting embodiments is provided below. Any one or more features of these embodiments may be combined with any one or more features of other embodiments, forms, or aspects described herein.

[0052] Example 1: It is a method, Maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with those user accounts, where each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account; Receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator and unlocking the unlockable feature of the current aerosol generator, wherein the unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. To determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable features, A method comprising updating a database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database. Example 2: A computer program product comprising a non-temporary computer-readable medium having a program code portion stored thereon, wherein the program code portion, when the program product is executed on a computer or network device, Maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with those user accounts, where each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. Receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator and unlocking the unlockable feature of the current aerosol generator, wherein the unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. To determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database. In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable features, and A computer program product configured to update a database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator, in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database. Example 3: A system for unlocking the unlockable feature of an aerosol generator, A communication interface for transmitting data from an aerosol generator, and A controller comprising one or more processors and operably connected to a communication interface, wherein the controller, Maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with those user accounts, where each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. Unlocking an unlockable feature upon receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator, wherein the unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. To determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database. In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable features, and A system configured to update the database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator, in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database. Example 4: Aerosol generator, Cavity for receiving aerosol-generating items, A heating element that heats an aerosol-generating article to generate aerosols from it, and A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, comprising a power supply operably connected to a heating element, wherein the unlockable feature is the ability to use the heating element to heat an aerosol-generating article and generate an aerosol therefrom. Example 5: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein each user account in the database can only be associated with an acceptable number of aerosol generators, and if the current user account is already associated with an acceptable number of aerosol generators, the method further includes, or is further configured to be instructed by a portion of the program code, or is further configured to be performed by a controller, the method further includes, that the program code portion instructs, or that the controller performs, the method further includes, that the user account in the database can only be associated with an acceptable number of aerosol generators, and that the transmission of unlock permission and updating of the database are stopped if the current user account is already associated with an acceptable number of aerosol generators. Example 6: The method, computer program product, or system according to Example 5, wherein the acceptable number of aerosol generators is 10 or less. Example 7: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein each user account in the database is associated with a person who is verified to be of legal age to use an aerosol generator. Example 8: Re-locking an unlockable feature upon receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator, wherein the re-lock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. In response to receiving a lock request, update the database to disconnect the current user account from the current aerosol generator, A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, further comprising, in response to receiving a lock request, sending a lock permission to an aerosol generator to relock an unlockable feature, or further configured to be instructed by a portion of the program code, or further configured to be performed by a controller. Example 9: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, the method of sending a lock permission to the current aerosol generator to relock an unlockable feature in response to a user interface device not associated with the current user account attempting to configure the current aerosol generator. The method further includes, or is further configured to be instructed by a portion of the program code, or is further configured to be performed by a controller. Example 10: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, further comprising sending a warning message to a user interface device in response to a user interface device not associated with the current user account attempting to configure the current aerosol generator, either by a method, further configured to be instructed by a portion of the program code, or further configured to be performed by a controller. Example 11: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the unlock request includes unique device identification information that identifies an aerosol generator and time-limited nonce information corresponding to an unlockable feature. Example 12: A computer program product or system according to Example 11, wherein the unique device identification is a serial number. Example 13: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, in which the unlock permission is encrypted. Example 14: A computer program product or system according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the unlock permission can be decrypted using a public key stored on the current aerosol generator. Here, we refer to drawings that depict one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, naturally, other aspects not shown in the drawings fall within the scope and intent of this disclosure. Similar numbers used in the drawings refer to similar components, processes, and similar elements. However, it will be understood that using a certain number to refer to a component in a given drawing is not intended to limit the component labeled with the same number in another drawing. In addition, the use of different numbers to refer to components in different drawings is not intended to indicate that components with different numbers cannot be the same as or similar to components with other numbers. Schematic drawings are not necessarily proportional to actual size and are presented for illustrative purposes only, not limiting them. The drawings illustrate one or more aspects described in this disclosure. However, naturally, other aspects not shown in the drawings fall within the scope and intent of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0053] Here, we will further describe the examples with reference to the following figures.

[0054] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 200 for using locking and unlocking one or more features of an aerosol generator 102. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the example aerosol generator 102. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram of an exemplary unlocking process 300. [Figure 4] Figures 4-7 show exemplary graphical user interfaces 250 for use in conjunction with user interface device 201 to lock and unlock the aerosol generator. [Figure 5] Same as above. [Figure 6] Same as above. [Figure 7] Same as above. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0055] Referring to Figure 1, a functional scheme of an exemplary system 200 according to the present invention is illustrated. The system 200 includes a user interface device 201, an aerosol generator 100, and a server 50. The user interface device 201, the aerosol generator 100, and the server 50 are physically separate devices, but are operably connected to each other for data communication between them, as indicated by bidirectional lines extending between them. The user interface device 201 is a general-purpose computer (in this embodiment, a smartphone or tablet computer) and includes a controller 202 and associated data storage 203. The data storage 203 includes programs and routines 204, such as programs and routines for sending and receiving data or messages between the aerosol generator 100 and the server 50, and any other programs or routines for performing exemplary methods and processes described herein. For example, data or messages related to locking and unlocking one or more unlockable features of the aerosol generator 102 may be transmitted between the user interface device 201, the aerosol generator 102, and the server 50. The data storage 203 further includes data 205 such as unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator 102, unique device identification information that identifies the aerosol generator 102, and various temporary data used during the lock and unlock processes described herein.

[0056] The user interface device 201 further includes a display device 206 having a graphical user interface that the user can interact with. The user interface device includes a communication connection to the Internet, such as a wireless local area network (e.g., Wi-Fi) transceiver. Referring further to Figure 1, the user interface device 201 may be a portable device configured to establish a connection to a server 50 to transmit / receive data, such as data related to locking and unlocking one or more unlockable features of an aerosol generator 102. The data can be transmitted and / or received via the Internet through the Wi-Fi transceiver of the user interface device 201.

[0057] As described herein, the system 200 may include an aerosol generator 102, as described in more detail with reference to Figure 2. Preferably, the aerosol generator 102 includes an aerosol generating article 104, such as a heat stick, and a cavity 132 for receiving a heater 134 configured to provide a heat source to the aerosol generating article 104, thereby generating an inhalable aerosol. The aerosol generator 102 further includes a controller 128 having one or more processors and associated memory. The controller 128 may include the ability to lock or unlock various unlockable features of the aerosol generator 102. For example, the controller 128 may lock or unlock the ability to heat the aerosol generating article 104 using the heating element 134 to generate an aerosol therefrom.

[0058] The controller 128 may further include a communication interface, such as a wireless communication interface, which communicates with the user interface device 201 and / or the server 50 to enable unlocking or locking the functions of one or more unlockable features described herein. The communication interface of the controller 128 may preferably include a Bluetooth interface or include a Wi-Fi interface. The aerosol generator 102 may further include a power supply 126, for example, in particular, to power the aerosol generator 102 to heat a heater to generate an aerosol and to communicate with the user interface device 201 and the server 50.

[0059] Figure 3 illustrates a sequence diagram of an exemplary unlocking process 300. The aerosol generator 102, indicated by the vertical solid line on the far left, may include a locked / unlocked state 150, which, at the beginning of this example, indicates that the aerosol generator 102 is locked. The device detection process 302, indicated by the vertical solid line, may be performed sequentially between the aerosol generator 102 and the user interface device 201, so that the user interface device 201 can detect and connect to the aerosol generator 102, regardless of whether the aerosol generator is locked or unlocked, or whether the aerosol generator is paired with or associated with the user interface device 201. The device detection process 302 may enable the user interface device 201 to be paired with or associated with the aerosol generator 102. Furthermore, the device detection process 302 may enable the aerosol generator 102 to be connected to the user interface device 201, i.e., more specifically, to a software application running on the user interface device 201 that provides the lock and unlock functions described herein. The device detection process 302 may exchange information such as unique device identification information (e.g., serial number) that identifies the aerosol generator 102.

[0060] The user interface device 201 may query the aerosol generator 102 304 to determine the current lock / unlock state 150 of the aerosol generator 102. In one embodiment, the query 304 may be a read command requesting data from a portion of the memory of the aerosol generator 102 indicating the current lock / unlock state 150. Alternatively, the aerosol generator 102 may return the lock / unlock state 150, an error message, or a busy message 305. In other words, the user interface device 201 or the server 50 may request 304 the current state of an unlockable feature that it wishes to lock or unlock, and the aerosol generator 102 may respond 305 with, among other things, the current lock / unlock state 150.

[0061] The unlocking process 300 can be initiated by the aerosol generator 102, the user interface device 201, or the server 50. The server 50 is indicated by the solid vertical line on the far right. Regardless of where the unlocking process 300 is initiated, the unlocking request must ultimately be sent to the server 50. In this example, the user interface device 201 initiates the unlocking by issuing a read command 306 to the aerosol generator 102. In response, the aerosol generator 102 may send an unlocking request 308A to the user interface device 201. The unlocking request 308A may include at least time-limited nonce information and unique device identification information. The time-limited nonce information may be a 16-byte integer. In addition, the unlocking request 308A may include a response size. In one or more embodiments, it may be described that if the server 50 or the user interface device 201 wishes to change the current lock / unlock state 150, it requests unique information such as the serial number and unique value (e.g., nonce value) of the aerosol generator 102. In response, the aerosol generator 102 transmits this information to one or both of the user interface device 201 and the server 50.

[0062] The user interface device 201 receives the unlock request 308A and can modify the unlock request 308A to include, for example, unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator 102. The modified unlock request 308B may be sent to the server 50.

[0063] Server 50 may include and maintain a database 54, as shown in Figure 1. The database 54 may include a collection of user account information and device information, which may be utilized by the locking and unlocking processes described herein. While it can be described that Server 50 includes, or has, a database 54, it is naturally not required that the database 54 be physically located on Server 50, but rather on another server that Server 50 can access. In addition, Server 50 may not be a single computer server, but rather a group of servers or a server cluster. Furthermore, Server 50 may simply be a virtual server running on various hardware platforms or cloud services.

[0064] Server 50 receives an unlock request 308A and may perform one or more processes 52 relating thereto in accordance with this disclosure. For example, Server 50 may determine whether the aerosol generator 102 is already associated with another user 52 (for example, by querying the database 54). If it is determined that the aerosol generator 102 is already associated with another user based on unique device identification information, Server 50 does not issue an unlock permission. Furthermore, for example, Server 50 may determine whether the current user is already associated with an allowable number of aerosol generators 52 (for example, by querying the database 54). If it is determined that the current user is already associated with an allowable number of aerosol generators, Server 50 does not issue an unlock permission (for example, by stopping the transmission of an unlock permission). In addition, if the current aerosol generator is not yet associated with any user account in the database, Server 50 may update the database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator 102.

[0065] If server 50 determines that the aerosol generator 102 should be unlocked, server 50 may generate an unlock permission 310 and send the unlock permission 310 to user interface device 201. In addition, in some embodiments, the unlock permission 310 may be sent directly from server 50 to the aerosol generator 102. The unlock permission 310 may be encrypted using a secret key known only to server 50 and may include time-limited nonce information and unique device identification information. In other words, server 50 creates a string (i.e., an unlock permission) consisting of a lock / unlock request, unique information of the aerosol generator, a nonce, and some additional padding, encrypts the string using an asymmetric secret key, and sends the result (i.e., the encrypted string) to one or both user interface device 201 and the aerosol generator 102. User interface device 201 may then send an unlock permission 312 to the aerosol generator 102. In this example, the user interface device 201 sends lock / unlock permission 312 multiple times, as indicated by the characters following unlock permission 312A, 312B, ... 312n.

[0066] If the unlock authorization 312 is not received within the validity period 199, the unlock process 300 expires, the aerosol generator 102 is not unlocked, and the unlock process 300 must be restarted. In this example, the unlock authorization 312 is received within the validity period 199, and as a result, the aerosol generator 102 is unlocked as indicated by the current locked / unlocked state 150. In other words, the aerosol generator 102 may start a validity timer for which the unlock process must be completed, and if the procedure fails or is not completed within the validity period, the current process 300 must be invalidated and restarted from the beginning.

[0067] For example, an aerosol generator 102 can receive an encrypted string (i.e., an unlock permission) and decrypt it using the public key of the server 50, which can be stored on all aerosol generators 102. The aerosol generator 102 can verify whether the decrypted string respects a predetermined format and contains the original nonce, unique device information, and can request a change in the state of the current lock / unlock state 150 associated with the nonce. If these conditions are met and the validity period has not expired, the aerosol generator 102 changes the current lock / unlock state 150.

[0068] In addition, the user interface device 201 can periodically retrieve information 290 from the aerosol generator 102 by querying it 304, and determine its current locked / unlocked state 150. In particular, the periodic retrieval 290 may include a query 304 from the user interface device 201, in which case the aerosol generator 102 can return the locked / unlocked state 150, an error message, or a busy message 305.

[0069] Although the unlocking process 300 is illustrated in Figure 3, it should be understood that the locking or relocking processes can be carried out in a similar manner. For example, the user interface device 201 may initiate a lock request to collect the same or similar information, such as unique device identification information, unique user identification information, and time-limited nonce information, to send to the server 50. The server 50 then issues a lock authorization to lock the aerosol generator 102.

[0070] Figures 4-7 show an exemplary user interface device 201 including a display device 206 showing a graphical user interface 250. In Figure 4, the graphical user interface 250 includes a locked state graphical element 251, which is configured to indicate whether a connected aerosol generator is in a locked or unlocked state (for example, whether one or more unlockable features of the aerosol generator are locked or unlocked). As shown in Figure 4, the locked state graphical element 251 illustrates the unlocked state, which is indicated by a graphical representation of an unlocked padlock. Thus, if the connected aerosol generator is unlocked and the unlockable feature is the ability to heat an aerosol-generating article using a heating element to generate an aerosol from it, the user can use the aerosol generator to heat the aerosol-generating article using a heating element to generate an aerosol from it.

[0071] The graphical user interface 250 further includes a device status message 252 indicating whether an aerosol generator is connected. As shown, the device status message 252 displays "Device connected" to indicate that the aerosol generator is currently connected to the user interface device 201 so that the aerosol generator can be configured or locked / unlocked using the user interface device 201. Conversely, the device status message 252 may display "Device not connected" to indicate that the aerosol generator is not currently connected to the user interface device 201. The graphical user interface 250 further includes an aerosol generator graphical representation 254 illustrating the associated aerosol generator to indicate, for example, the type of aerosol generator currently connected to the user interface device 201.

[0072] The graphical user interface 250 of the user interface device 201 can be used to configure the aerosol generator and to lock / unlock the unlockable features of the aerosol generator. To do this, the user can select (e.g., touch, click, etc.) a change settings graphical area 256, illustrated as the word “Settings” with a right-pointing arrow. Furthermore, the graphical user interface 250 may include a toolbar area 258 containing multiple selectable areas that traverse the graphical user interface 250 (e.g., to traverse aerosol generator software applications running on the graphical user interface 250). For example, the toolbar area 258 may include, among other things, a device area and a user account area. The device area may allow the user to configure the connected aerosol generator, and the user account area may allow the user to configure their user account.

[0073] A user may wish to temporarily lock the aerosol generator using the user interface device 201. To do this, the user may select the lock status graphical element 251 or the text "Locked" located near it. Selecting the lock status graphical element 251 may cause a lock graphical area 260 to be displayed in the graphical user interface 250, as shown in Figure 5. The user may use the lock graphical area 260 to select a time amount within or over a temporary lock period. In this example, a lock period selection area 262 is displayed containing a scrollable list of time values, with 10 hours, 15 hours, and 21 hours displayed, and 15 hours selected, currently shown in bold in the center. In one embodiment, the user may "swipe up" or "swipe down" on the lock period selection area 262 to view other time values ​​arranged in a contiguous manner. Once the user has found and selected the desired lock period using the lock period selection area 262, the user may select the lock start graphical element 264 to initiate a temporary lock or relock.

[0074] Furthermore, a user may wish to lock the aerosol generator using the user interface device 201 before reselling or transferring it, which can also be done by selecting the lock status graphical element 251 and using the lock graphical area 260 to lock the aerosol generator indefinitely until another user attempts to unlock it using an authorized user account. For example, instead of selecting a lock period, the user may use the lock period selection area 262 to select an indefinite period until another authorized user unlocks the aerosol generator.

[0075] When the Lock Start graphical element 264 is selected to initiate a temporary lock or relock, a temporary lock status message 270 may be displayed in the graphical user interface 250, as shown in Figure 6. The temporary lock status message 270 is text and may indicate that the associated aerosol generator is locked. As shown, the temporary lock status message 270 reads "The device is locked." In addition, the temporary lock status message 270 may also indicate the amount of time remaining in the temporary lock period. As shown, the temporary lock status message 270 reads "The device will be unlocked in 15 hours," indicating that the temporary lock state of the aerosol generator will expire in 15 hours.

[0076] Furthermore, since the associated aerosol generator is currently locked (for example, one or more of its unlockable features are temporarily locked), the locked state graphical element 251 currently illustrates the locked state, which is indicated by a graphical representation of a locked padlock. Thus, if the connected aerosol generator is locked and the unlockable feature is the ability to heat an aerosol-generating article using a heating element to generate an aerosol from it, the user may not be able to use the aerosol generator to heat the aerosol-generating article using a heating element to generate an aerosol from it.

[0077] If the associated aerosol generator is locked, the user may wish to unlock the aerosol generator (e.g., unlock one or more of its unlockable features). To do this, the user may select the lock status graphical element 251 or the text "Unlock" located near it. The selection of the lock status graphical element 251 may cause an unlock graphical area 280 to be displayed in the graphical user interface 250, as shown in Figure 7. Using the unlock graphical area 280, the user may select either an unlock start graphical element 282 (e.g., a button) or an unlock cancellation graphical element 284. The selection of the unlock start graphical element 282 initiates the unlock process described herein. For example, an unlock request may be generated by the aerosol generator and user interface device 201 and sent to a server attempting to obtain unlock permission.

[0078] For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all figures representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc., should be understood in all cases as being modified by the term “approximately.” Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. In addition, all scientific and technical terms used herein have their meanings as commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. The definitions provided herein are for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of certain terms that are frequently used herein. The singular forms used herein ("a," "an," and "the") include embodiments that have plural subjects, unless otherwise clearly defined by the context. The “or” used herein is generally adopted to include “and / or,” unless otherwise clearly defined by the context. The term “and / or” means one or all of the listed elements, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements. As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,” “comprising,” and similar terms are used in their unrestricted sense and generally mean “include, but not limited to.” Naturally, “essentially consist of,” “consist of,” and similar terms are encompassed by “include,” “comprising,” and similar terms. The terms “preferred” and “preferred” refer to embodiments of the present invention that, under certain circumstances, may provide certain advantages. However, other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the enumeration of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are unhelpful, nor is it intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of this disclosure, including the claims.

Claims

1. It is a method, Maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with said user accounts, wherein each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. Receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator and unlocking the unlockable feature of the current aerosol generator, wherein the unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. To determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, an unlock permission to unlock the unlockable feature is transmitted to the current aerosol generator, A method comprising updating the database to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database.

2. A computer program product comprising a non-temporary computer-readable medium having a program code portion stored thereon, wherein the program code portion is executed on a computer or network device. Maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with said user accounts, wherein each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. Receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator and unlocking the unlockable feature of the current aerosol generator, wherein the unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. To determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, to send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature, and A computer program product configured to update the database in order to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator, in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database.

3. A system for unlocking the unlockable feature of an aerosol generator, A communication interface for transmitting data from an aerosol generator, and The controller comprises one or more processors and is operably connected to the communication interface, and the controller is Maintaining a database of user accounts and aerosol generators associated with said user accounts, wherein each aerosol generator can be associated with only one user account. Unlocking the unlockable feature upon receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator, wherein the unlock request includes unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. To determine whether the current aerosol generator is already associated with any user account in the database, In response to the determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database, to send an unlock permission to the current aerosol generator to unlock the unlockable feature, and A system configured to update the database in order to associate the current user account with the current aerosol generator, in response to a determination that the current aerosol generator is not already associated with any user account in the database.

4. The aerosol generator, Cavity for receiving aerosol-generating items, A heating element that heats the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol therefrom, and The heating element is equipped with a power supply that is operably connected to it, The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unlockable feature is the ability to heat the aerosol-generating article using the heating element to generate an aerosol therefrom.

5. Each user account in the aforementioned database can be associated with only an acceptable number of aerosol generators. The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising, or further configured to instruct, the controller, to stop the transmission of the unlock permission and the update of the database if the current user account is already associated with the acceptable number of aerosol generators.

6. The method, computer program product, or system according to claim 5, wherein the acceptable number of aerosol generators is 10 or less.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a computer program product, or a system, wherein each user account in the database is associated with a person who is verified to be of legal age to use the aerosol generator.

8. Re-locking the unlockable feature upon receiving an unlock request from the current aerosol generator, wherein the re-lock request includes the unique user identification information that identifies the current user account associated with the current aerosol generator. In response to receiving the lock request, update the database to disconnect the current user account from the current aerosol generator, The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising, or further configured to instruct, the program code portion, or the controller, transmitting a lock permission to the aerosol generator to relock the unlockable feature in response to the receipt of the lock request.

9. The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising, or further configured to instruct, the controller, to transmit a lock permission to the current aerosol generator to relock the unlockable feature in response to a user interface device not associated with the current user account attempting to configure the current aerosol generator.

10. The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising, or further configured to instruct, the controller, to send a warning message to the user interface device in response to a user interface device not associated with the current user account attempting to configure the current aerosol generator.

11. The aforementioned unlock request, Unique device identification information for identifying the aerosol generator, and The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a computer program product, or a system comprising time-limited nonsense information corresponding to the unlockable feature.

12. The method according to claim 11, a computer program product, or a system, wherein the unique device identifier is a serial number.

13. The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the unlock permission is encrypted.

14. The method, computer program product, or system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the unlock permission is decryptable using a public key stored on the current aerosol generator.

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