Method for authenticating consumables for use with aerosol generating devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of authenticating a consumable for use with an aerosol generation device, the method comprising initiating communication between the aerosol generation device and a first entity to obtain a consumable from the first entity for use with the aerosol generation device, the aerosol generation device being associated with a device ID and the consumable being associated with a consumable ID; transmitting the device ID and the consumable ID from the first entity to a second entity, the second entity being configured to store the device ID and the consumable ID in association with each other; and verifying use of the consumable with the aerosol generation device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to aerosol generating devices, such as electronic cigarettes, and more particularly to electronic cigarettes capable of contactless payment. [Background technology]

[0002] Aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes are becoming more and more popular. This has led to a growing demand for such devices to be smarter and easier to use. However, introducing additional functionality into these devices can make them more complex and costly. In addition, enabling some of these functions can require sensitive information to be stored on the device, which can lead to potential security issues.

[0003] In some aerosol generating devices, the precursors used to generate the aerosol are stored in removable consumables, such as cartridges. The cartridges can therefore be easily removed and replaced when the precursors are consumed. Some unauthorized entities manufacture counterfeit cartridges for use in aerosol generating devices. Such cartridges are of low quality and may cause damage to the device and the user. It may be unclear to the user whether the cartridge is genuine. Thus, the user may unknowingly use a counterfeit cartridge with the device. This is clearly undesirable for both the consumers and the manufacturers of such aerosol generating devices and genuine cartridges. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to address the above mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of authenticating a consumable for use with an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: initiating communication between an aerosol generation device and a first entity to obtain a consumable from the first entity for use with the aerosol generation device, where the aerosol generation device is associated with a device ID and the consumable is associated with a consumable ID; transmitting the device ID and the consumable ID from the first entity to a second entity, where the second entity is configured to associate and store the device ID and the consumable ID; and verifying use of the consumable with the aerosol generation device.

[0006] Advantageously, the method allows for the purchase of cartridges for use from a seller using an aerosol generating device such as an electronic cigarette. With the help of the seller and a remote server, it is also possible to verify the use of the purchased cartridges with the electronic cigarette. In this way, counterfeit cartridges can be identified, protecting the interests of both manufacturers and users.

[0007] Preferably, use of the consumable with the aerosol generating device is verified based on an association between the device ID and the consumable ID.

[0008] Preferably, the method also includes storing a consumable ID of a consumable used in the aerosol generation device in the aerosol generation device, regardless of whether the consumable is authenticated or not, and transmitting the consumable ID stored in the aerosol generation device together with the device ID from the aerosol generation device to a second entity.

[0009] Preferably, the method also includes comparing the device ID and consumable ID received from the aerosol generation device with an association of device ID and consumable ID received from the first entity to determine whether use of the consumable with the aerosol generation device has been verified, and sending a notification to the aerosol generation device if use of the consumable with the aerosol generation device has not been verified.

[0010] Preferably, the method also includes transmitting, by the first entity, a consumable ID to the aerosol generation device after successfully obtaining the consumable.

[0011] Preferably, the method also includes storing the consumable ID in the aerosol generation device and unlocking the aerosol generation device for use based on the stored consumable ID.

[0012] Preferably, the method also includes scanning the consumable ID and comparing it with the consumable ID received from the first entity and stored in the aerosol generation device, and deleting the consumable ID from the aerosol generation device if the comparison is a match.

[0013] Preferably, the method also includes sending an unlock command by the first entity to the aerosol generation device after successfully obtaining the consumable, the unlock command including information indicating the number of items in the pack of consumables that are authorized for use in the aerosol generation device.

[0014] Preferably, the unlock command further includes information indicating a period of use associated with the consumable item.

[0015] Preferably, the method also includes automatically locking the aerosol generating device when the number of items in the pack of consumables has been used or when a period of use associated with the consumable has expired.

[0016] Preferably, the method also includes initiating a contactless payment using the contactless payment interface and providing an identification of the aerosol generating device to the first entity when a security condition is met.

[0017] Preferably, the method also includes wirelessly communicating with a personal computing device, and the security condition includes detecting that the personal computing device is in proximity to the aerosol generating device.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device comprising: a processor for performing the steps in the above method; a memory for storing an apparatus ID and / or a consumable ID; and a communication unit configured to communicate with at least one of a first entity, a second entity, and a personal computing device.

[0019] According to another aspect of the method, a remote server is provided, the remote server including a memory, a communications interface configured to receive a first device ID for the aerosol generation device and a first consumable ID for the consumable from a first entity, and a second device ID for the aerosol generation device and a second consumable ID for the consumable from the personal computing device, and a processor configured to compare the first device ID and the first consumable ID with the second device ID and the second consumable ID, respectively, to verify authenticity of the consumable.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising software instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method as described above.

[0021] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary aerosol generating device with improved ease of use in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing various modules within the device of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a system in which the devices of FIG. 1 communicate with other entities in the system. [Figure 4] 2 is a flow diagram of a method performed by the device of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]1 is an exemplary database of users of various aerosol generating devices. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a remote server in the system of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method performed in the system of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Next, various aspects of the present invention will be described. In the following description of the drawings, it should be noted that the same or similar parts are indicated by the same or similar reference numerals. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic drawings, and the ratios of the respective sizes are different from those in reality. Therefore, the specific sizes and the like should be judged in consideration of the following description. Needless to say, the drawings also include parts whose mutual relationship and ratio of size are different between the drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a non-combustion aerosol generating device 100, which is an appliance for inhaling flavors and / or stimulants without combustion. The device 100 has a rod-like shape with a body 101 extending from a non-mouthpiece end 102 to a mouthpiece end 103. An air channel or pathway is defined in the body 101 between the opposing ends 102, 103. The device 100 in this example is an aerosol generating device or vaping device, hereinafter referred to as an e-cigarette 100. The e-cigarette 100 functions by vaporizing or heating an aerosol source contained within the e-cigarette 100 to release a flavor or stimulant for inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece end 103. The aerosol source within the e-cigarette 100 preferably includes a removable consumable, such as a tobacco rod, which the user may place within a cavity provided within the body 101, which may be heated by a heating element. A temperature sensor may also be provided within the cavity within the body 101. The structure and operation of such devices is well known in the art and would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0025] The electronic cigarette 100 also includes an activation switch 104 that may be configured to at least one of power on and power off the electronic cigarette 100. The activation switch 104 may be a push button or a touch button located at any convenient location on the surface of the body 101 of the electronic cigarette 100. The switch 104 may also include a shake sensor, a touch screen, a biometric sensor, a voice recognition unit, or any other unit that recognizes input from a user.

[0026] The electronic cigarette 100 also includes a near field communication (NFC) module 105, preferably in the form of a chip or tag, disposed within the body 101. The electronic cigarette 100 may have more than one NFC tag 105, for example, one disposed on the body 101 of the electronic cigarette 100 and another disposed on a cartridge.

[0027] The electronic cigarette 100 also preferably includes a visual indicator 106 disposed on the surface of the body 101. The visual indicator 106 may be in the form of an elongated strip of adjacent LEDs. Similarly, any indicator or feedback method may be used, such as other light sources, mechanical indicators, LCD displays, sound emitters, vibration units, or any other configuration of LEDs, such as a circular array of LEDs. The LED strip 106 may include multiple strips of LEDs, each strip optionally having LEDs of different colors. The LED strip 106 may indicate any status of the device, such as indicating that a scan for Bluetooth-enabled devices is occurring, that the battery charge level is low, that an error has occurred, or that a wireless link cannot be found. Additionally, the LED strip 106 may indicate the progress of a continuous operation, such as pre-heating progress, scanning progress, or charging progress. This may be achieved by turning one or more LEDs on or off, turning LEDs of a particular color on or off, or any such convenient selection of LEDs that conveniently informs the user of the status of the device. The remaining available resources of the device, such as battery power or remaining aerosol-forming substrate, may be communicated to the user using the LED strip 106 by proportionally or otherwise correspondingly turning on or off a number of consecutive LEDs in the strip. The progress of any operation, such as those described above, may also be indicated in this manner. Alternatively or additionally, information may be communicated to the user by varying the brightness of one or more LEDs, or by blinking the LEDs at a predetermined frequency.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows various components of the electronic cigarette or device 100. The electronic cigarette 100 includes a consumable module 201a and a heating element 202 that heats up to vaporize a consumable 201b or cartridge disposed within the consumable module 201a to release an aerosol containing flavors and / or stimulants for inhalation by a user. In this example, the consumable 201b is a substance containing nicotine. The consumable 201b may be in solid or liquid form and is heated by the heating element 202 to release the aerosol without combustion. The heating element 202 may be powered by a power source 203. The power source 203 may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery. The power source 203 provides the power required for the operation of the electronic cigarette 100. For example, the power source 203 provides power to all other components or modules included in the electronic cigarette 100. In an alternative example, the heating element is disposed within a consumable that is in liquid form.

[0029] The consumable 201b may include an additional flavor source (not shown) disposed on the side of the mouthpiece end 103 beyond the consumable module 201a holding the consumable 201b to generate a flavor that is inhaled by the user along with the aerosol generated from the consumable 201b. Examples of flavor sources that may be used include cut tobacco, molded bodies including tobacco material molded into granules, and molded bodies including tobacco material molded into sheets. The flavor source may include plants other than tobacco, such as mint or herbs. Flavors such as menthol may be added to the flavor source.

[0030] The electronic cigarette 100 also includes a first communication module, which may include a contactless payment interface. In this example, the contactless payment interface is an NFC module 105, as described above. Through the NFC module 105, the electronic cigarette 100 can communicate with any other NFC-enabled device. Preferably, the NFC module 105 in the present invention is used to make contactless payments using the electronic cigarette 100 for the purpose of purchasing products or services from a merchant. This will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0031] The electronic cigarette 100 further includes a second communication module, preferably a Bluetooth module 204. The Bluetooth module 204, typically in the form of a chip or tag, can be located anywhere within the body 101 of the electronic cigarette 100. Using the Bluetooth module 204, the electronic cigarette 100 can establish short-range secure communication with another Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a smartphone. This is described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. It should be noted that the second communication module 204 can also communicate using one of the known long-range protocols, such as Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.

[0032] The electronic cigarette 100 also includes a controller 205 configured to control various modules or components within the electronic cigarette 100. The controller 205 may also process data captured by the NFC module 105 and the Bluetooth module 204.

[0033] The electronic cigarette 100 may include a memory 206 and other modules 207, such as additional visible light emitters, displays, and sound emitters. The memory 206 is configured to store information such as vaping usage history and user settings and preferences, as well as device ID, consumable ID, and data received from various sensors. A visible light emitter, such as an LED, may be disposed at the tip of the non-mouthpiece end 102. Such an LED may exhibit a first light emission mode in a puff state in which aerosol is inhaled, and a second light emission mode different from the first light emission mode in a non-puff state in which aerosol is not inhaled. Here, the light emission mode is defined by a combination of parameters such as the light intensity of the light emitting element, the number of light emitting elements in a lit state, the color of the light emitting element, and the cycle of turning on and off the light emitting element. Different light emission modes mean that at least one of the above parameters is different.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 including an electronic cigarette 100 and various other interconnected entities. The system 300 includes a personal computing device 301, which may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or wearable small device, owned by a user of the electronic cigarette 100. The electronic cigarette 100 is connectable to the device 301 via a Bluetooth module 204. For simplicity, the personal computing device 301 is hereinafter referred to as the smartphone 301. To connect the electronic cigarette 100 to the smartphone 301, the user preferably presses a switch 104 on the electronic cigarette 100 for a set time or a predetermined number of times. This activates the Bluetooth module 204, which then scans for Bluetooth signals from nearby devices. If the Bluetooth interface of the smartphone 301 is enabled and in discoverable mode, the electronic cigarette 100 will find the smartphone 301 and request the smartphone 301 to connect or pair with the electronic cigarette 100. If the user of the smartphone 301 accepts the request from the electronic cigarette 100, the two devices are paired. Alternatively, this pairing operation can be initiated or requested from the smartphone 301, and the user operates the electronic cigarette 100 to accept and complete the pairing between the electronic cigarette 100 and the smartphone 301. The electronic cigarette 100 preferably stores a device ID, such as the MAC address of the smartphone 301, in the memory 206 so that it can automatically connect to the smartphone 301 whenever the smartphone 301 is within Bluetooth range. The electronic cigarette 100 may periodically check the Bluetooth connection with the smartphone 301. The smartphone 301 may run an application (app) that allows the user to monitor and control the functions of the electronic cigarette 100.

[0035] The system 300 further includes a merchant terminal 303, which may be an NFC-enabled point-of-sale (POS) terminal located in a merchant outlet or at a vending machine. The merchant terminal 303 has a merchant payment interface, such as an NFC tag similar to the NFC module 105 in the electronic cigarette 100, through which the merchant terminal 303 can communicate with the electronic cigarette 100. As is known in the art, in NFC communication, the devices must be in close proximity to each other to be able to communicate. In the present invention, a user uses the electronic cigarette 100 to pay for a product or service at a merchant outlet or at a vending machine. To do so, the user may bring the electronic cigarette 100 close enough to the merchant terminal 303 and press the switch 104 or shake the electronic cigarette 100 to enable the NFC module 105 to communicate with the NFC tag on the merchant terminal 303. The electronic cigarette 100 receives data from the merchant terminal 303, such as the transaction amount, merchant ID, etc., and passes this data to the smartphone 301 via a Bluetooth connection established between the two devices. The controller 205 may facilitate the transfer of such data.

[0036] The seller terminal 303 may also include means for reading a unique device identifier or device ID associated with the electronic cigarette 100 and a cartridge unique identifier or consumable ID associated with the cartridge 201b.

[0037] The system 300 also includes a financial clearinghouse 304, which is essentially an issuer server of the bank where the user holds an account. The financial clearinghouse 304 is able to verify the user details passed to it by the merchant terminal 303 and authorise the payment. For simplicity, the financial clearinghouse 304 will be referred to as the issuer 304 in the following.

[0038] The system 300 further includes an e-cigarette server 305 communicatively connected to the seller terminal 303. The e-cigarette server 305 is a remote server operated and managed by the manufacturer of the e-cigarette 100 or by a trusted third party authorized by the manufacturer of the e-cigarette 100. The e-cigarette server 305 may also be communicatively connected to the e-cigarette 100 and the smartphone 301. The e-cigarette server 305 may be accessible to a user via the e-cigarette 100 and / or the smartphone 301 connected to the e-cigarette 100 and the seller terminal 303. In some cases, the e-cigarette server 305 may determine adjustable operational settings of the e-cigarette 100 for which service is requested. In some embodiments, the e-cigarette server 305 may determine the aerosol emission composition using only the brand and / or model of the e-cigarette 100 or any other device characteristic, such as its identifier. In this case, the e-cigarette server 305 may have access to, for example, emission test reports for this brand and / or model of the e-cigarette 100 or any other device characteristic. In some embodiments, the e-cigarette server 305 can store device and cartridge information, as described below. The e-cigarette server 305 can also store personal data of the user, such as the user's ID, user identifier, age, photo, location, preferences, a list of authorized users, etc.

[0039] The various entities in the system 300 are preferably connected through a network 306. The network 306 may be a public network such as the Internet. Some communications in the system 300 may occur over secure private links, such as between the e-cigarette server 305 and the issuer 304.

[0040] As used herein, device ID may refer to a number or a series of alphanumeric characters or any other form of identification information, and is a device-specific identifier that allows each aerosol generating device, such as the electronic cigarette 100, to be identified, preferably in a unique manner. The device ID may be assigned to each aerosol generating device, for example, during manufacture or purchase of each aerosol generating device. In some cases, the device ID may correspond to a product serial number.

[0041] As used herein, the term consumable ID is a cartridge-specific identifier that may be a number or a series of alphanumeric characters or any other form of identification information that allows each cartridge, such as cartridge 201b, to be uniquely identified and authenticated. The consumable ID may be assigned to each cartridge, for example, during its manufacture or purchase. In some cases, the consumable ID may correspond to a product serial number. In some embodiments, the consumable ID allows for determining the nature of the precursor and / or its composition stored within the cartridge.

[0042] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other entities such as directory servers, tokenization platforms, merchant banks, etc. may also be present in system 300. Moreover, the entities in system 300 may communicate with each other over wired lines or wirelessly. System 300 also adheres to known security protocols and standards that are well established in online banking systems.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of making a contactless payment using an aerosol generating device or electronic cigarette 100. In step 601, the aerosol generating device is activated. In this example, the user presses the switch 104 once to power on the electronic cigarette 100. The visual indicator 106 may be illuminated to indicate activation of the electronic cigarette 100. At this point, the electronic cigarette 100 is preferably not activated for vaping (e.g., by turning on the heater), but simply to turn on the NFC module 105 and the Bluetooth module 204. Rather, the electronic cigarette 100 may be activated by shaking the device or through a voice command. In addition, the user may be authenticated using biometric authentication, such as by scanning their fingerprint with a fingerprint sensor located on the switch 104.

[0044] In step 402, wireless communication (e.g., NFC communication) is established with the merchant terminal. This wireless communication can be achieved, for example, when the device is brought in close proximity to a contactless payment interface. In this example, the user initiates the payment process using the merchant terminal 303 by making a request to a merchant (e.g., a store clerk) or by making a selection at a vending machine (e.g., a vending machine at a train station). For example, the user may request and select a particular flavor of consumables compatible with the e-cigarette 100 at an e-cigarette retail outlet. The user then brings the e-cigarette 100 in close proximity to the merchant terminal 303 to establish an NFC connection.

[0045] In step 403, it is determined whether a signal is received from the payment interface. In this example, normally, the NFC module 105 in the electronic cigarette 100 detects the NFC tag at the merchant terminal 303, and vice versa. The merchant terminal 303 sends a signal to the electronic cigarette 100 via the established NFC connection, requesting the user's payment credentials from the electronic cigarette 100. If the signal is not received by the electronic cigarette 100, the user may need to move the device closer to the merchant terminal 602 to establish a connection.

[0046] In step 404, it is determined whether the aerosol generating device can detect the user's electronic device. In this example, upon receiving a signal from the seller terminal 303, the controller 205 scans for Bluetooth-enabled devices in the vicinity of the electronic cigarette 100 via the Bluetooth module 204 to determine whether the smartphone 301 is in the vicinity of the electronic cigarette 100. If the smartphone 301 has previously been authenticated and connected to the electronic cigarette 100, the electronic cigarette 100 matches the MAC address of the smartphone 301 stored in the memory 206. The electronic cigarette 100 may also quickly establish a connection with the smartphone 301. However, establishing a connection or communication with the smartphone 301 is optional. As long as the electronic cigarette 100 can detect that the previously authenticated smartphone 301 is in the vicinity of the electronic cigarette 100, the process proceeds to step 606. However, if the electronic cigarette 100 cannot detect the smartphone 301 and authenticate the user, the process proceeds to step 605. In step 405, the transaction is rejected. In this example, if the e-cigarette 100 fails to detect the smartphone 301, it cannot authenticate the user. The merchant terminal 303 waits a set period of time (usually a few seconds) to receive payment authentication information, and then aborts the transaction.

[0047] In step 406, the identification information of the aerosol generating device is transmitted to the seller terminal. In this example, upon detecting the smartphone 301, the e-cigarette 100 transmits its device ID to the seller terminal 303. The controller 205 may facilitate transmission of the device ID to the seller terminal 303 via the NFC module 105.

[0048] In step 407, the device identification information is forwarded to the server. In this example, after the seller terminal 303 receives the device ID from the e-cigarette 100, it transmits the device ID to the e-cigarette server 305. The e-cigarette server 305 stores the user's user profile, including the user's name, age, registered vaping device(s) with their respective device IDs, registered payment method (e.g., credit card information), etc.

[0049] At step 408, the user's payment credentials are retrieved from the server using the device identification. In this example, the e-cigarette server 305 maintains a database of all users registered with the e-cigarette server 305 and securely stores their user profiles, including their payment credentials. The e-cigarette server 305 searches for the relevant user's device ID in the database and retrieves the user's payment credentials, such as registered credit card information, associated with the device ID. An example of such a database 500 is shown in FIG. 5.

[0050] The database 500 stores a profile for each user registered with the e-cigarette server 305. Each user profile stores information such as a user name, associated e-cigarette device ID, payment credentials, vaping history, and home address. For example, the second row of the database 500 stores a profile for a user called Tim, who has three e-cigarette IDs associated with the profile, a Visa credit card linked to the profile, and a home address stored in the database. After authenticating the user, the e-cigarette server 305 may allow the user to edit or add to the profile stored in the database 500. It should be understood that the fields shown in the database 500 are non-limiting and that there may be more fields in the database known to those skilled in the art.

[0051] In step 409, the payment authentication information is sent to a financial clearinghouse. In this example, the e-cigarette server 305 sends the user's retrieved payment authentication information back to the merchant terminal 303 for processing the payment, which then forwards the received payment authentication information to the issuer 304. Alternatively, the e-cigarette server 305 sends the user's retrieved payment authentication information directly to the issuer 304 for processing the payment. The e-cigarette server 305 preferably sends the payment authentication information to the issuer 304 over a secure line to minimize the risk of online fraud.

[0052] In step 410, approval is received from the financial clearinghouse. In this example, the issuer 304 verifies the payment authentication information received from the e-cigarette server 305 to approve the payment. If the issuer 304 is not sure about the payment, the issuer 304 may authenticate the user using one or more known methods, such as sending a one-time password (OTP) to the smartphone 301 or asking the user to confirm the transaction by a banking app on the smartphone 301. If the issuer 304 is confident about the transaction and the user's account has sufficient funds, the issuer 304 approves the payment and sends confirmation information to the e-cigarette server 305, which then sends a confirmation signal to the merchant terminal 303. Upon receiving the confirmation information, the merchant terminal 303 may display a payment approved message on the screen of the merchant terminal 303 for the merchant. The user may also receive a confirmation response directly from the issuer 304 via the smartphone 301. This acknowledgement may be in the form of an update to the banking app or a text on the smartphone 301 from the issuer 304.

[0053] However, if the verification fails or there are insufficient funds in the user's account, the issuer 304 will reject the transaction and the rejection of the transaction will also be communicated to the merchant terminal 303 in the same manner as described above.

[0054] In the method described above, the electronic cigarette 100 is used as a contactless payment device to initiate a payment process with the merchant terminal 303. However, the electronic cigarette 100 uses the user's smartphone 301 to authenticate the user and transmits a device ID to the merchant terminal for further processing of the payment via the electronic cigarette server 305. The electronic cigarette server 305 then uses the device ID to retrieve the user's payment authentication information and complete the payment process with the issuer 304. The electronic cigarette 100 cannot make a payment without detecting the smartphone 301, thus making the payment process more secure. Moreover, since the electronic cigarette 100 does not store the user's payment authentication information, there is no data security issue with using the electronic cigarette 100 to make a payment. The aerosol generating device 100 of the present invention serves as an intermediary payment initiation device between the merchant terminal 303 and the smartphone 301, thereby providing convenience and improved usability without complicating or compromising the security of online transactions.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the smartphone 301 stores the user's payment authentication information and enables payment processing between the merchant terminal 303 and the issuer 304. In such an embodiment, the e-cigarette 100 connects to the merchant terminal 303 using NFC and transmits a received signal from the merchant terminal 303 to the smartphone 301. The e-cigarette 100 receives the user's payment authentication information from the smartphone 301 using a Bluetooth connection and transmits the received payment authentication information to the merchant terminal 303 using NFC. The merchant terminal 303 then transmits the payment authentication information of the issuer 304 for processing the payment. Thus, the payment is made using the smartphone 301, but through the e-cigarette 100 as an intermediary for additional security.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of various components in an e-cigarette server 305. The e-cigarette server 305 includes a processor 301, which may include one or more processing units for executing various instructions, such as associating a device ID with a consumable ID, and a memory 602 for storing such instructions and other information. The memory 602 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) or static RAM (SRAM), read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM). The above types of memory are merely exemplary and thus are not limiting as to the types of memory that may be used to store computer programs.

[0057] The memory 602 includes a database 500 that stores device and user information such as user ID, device ID, consumable ID, etc. The database 500 may be integrated into the remote server 305 or the database 500 may be external to and remotely located from the remote server 305. For example, the remote server 305 may include one or more hard disk drives as storage devices.

[0058] The processor 601 is operatively coupled to a communication interface 604 such that the remote server 305 can communicate with other devices of the system 300, such as the smartphone 301 and the merchant terminal 303. For example, the communication interface 604 may receive communications from other components of the system 300 over the network 306, depending on the functionality of the e-cigarette server 305 in the context of the system 300.

[0059] 7 illustrates a flow diagram 700 of a method according to another embodiment of the invention that is performed in system 300. Note that not all steps are shown in diagram 600, and steps do not necessarily occur in the order shown.

[0060] In step 701, a consumable associated with the consumable ID is obtained from a first entity for use with an aerosol generating device associated with the device ID. In this example, a user uses the consumable with the electronic cigarette 100, such as cartridge 201b. When the cartridge used with the electronic cigarette 100 is exhausted or a spare cartridge is needed, the user may purchase a new cartridge from a seller authorized to sell such cartridges. The user may walk into a seller store and purchase a new cartridge, such as cartridge 201b, using the electronic cigarette 100 as a payment device, as described above. When the user brings the electronic cigarette 100 in close proximity to the seller terminal 303, an NFC reader in the seller terminal 303 cooperates or communicates with an NFC module in the electronic cigarette 100 to initiate a payment using contactless payment technology. It should be noted that the seller terminal 303 may be a point of sale (PoS) terminal in the seller store or a vending machine located in any public space.

[0061] The electronic cigarette 100 may further include a device identification element configured to provide a device identifier (device ID) to the seller terminal 303. The identification element may be integrated into the electronic cigarette 100 or placed on the outer surface of the body of the electronic cigarette 100. If the identification element is integrated into the electronic cigarette 100, this element may be formed by a chip including a memory that stores the device ID and that can communicate with an external device, such as the seller terminal 303, to transmit this identifier using a known short-range communication protocol, such as NFC. If the identification element is placed on the outer surface of the body of the electronic cigarette 100, the identification element may be formed by a label including, for example, a QR code or a barcode that encodes the device ID. In a variant, the device identifier is written on the label, for example using alphanumeric characters.

[0062] The cartridge 201b may also include a cartridge identification element configured to provide a cartridge unique identifier or consumable ID. In the same manner as the device identification element for the electronic cigarette 100, the cartridge identification element may be formed by a chip including a memory for storing the consumable ID so as to be able to communicate with an external device to transmit this identifier using known near field communication protocols, such as NFC. According to another embodiment, the cartridge identification element may be formed by a label including, for example, a QR code or a barcode encoding the consumable ID. In a variant, the consumable ID is written on the label, for example using alphanumeric characters.

[0063] The consumable ID provided by the cartridge identification element can be read using identification means. These identification means include, depending on the nature of the element, a photo / video camera and / or an RF reader and / or an optical reader and / or a mechanical / electronic contact surface. In some cases, such identification means can be integrated into the electronic cigarette 100 so that the consumable ID can be read by the consumable module 201a. In some other embodiments, the identification means can be integrated into a mobile device, such as a smartphone 301, associated with the electronic cigarette 100, or into any other external device, such as a merchant terminal 303.

[0064] In step 702, the device ID and the consumable ID are sent from the first entity to the second entity, which stores the device ID and the consumable ID in association with each other. In this example, when the electronic cigarette 100 is used to purchase the cartridge 201b, the seller terminal 303 reads the device ID from the electronic cigarette 100 and the consumable ID from the cartridge 201b. Even if the payment is not made using the electronic cigarette 100, the seller may still require the user to scan the electronic cigarette 100 with the seller terminal 303 or another scanning terminal to read the device ID. Once the transaction is confirmed, the seller terminal 303 sends the device ID and the consumable ID to the electronic cigarette server 305. The electronic cigarette server 305 then stores the device ID and the consumable ID in association with each other in the database 500. It should be noted that the consumable or cartridge 201b may be purchased in a package that includes many individual cartridges or sticks.

[0065] In step 703, the consumable ID is verified to authenticate the consumable. In this example, the cartridge 201b is verified for use with the electronic cigarette 100, i.e., to ensure that the cartridge 201b is not counterfeit and is suitable for consumption. This can be done in a number of ways, as described below.

[0066] In a first embodiment, the user purchases the cartridge 201b in a package containing many cartridges, and the consumable ID or pack ID is provided on the package, for example in the form of a barcode or QR code. Alternatively, the consumable ID or pack ID can be directly transmitted to the electronic cigarette 100 by the seller terminal 303. This consumable ID or pack ID is stored by the electronic cigarette 100. Later, when the user needs to use the purchased cartridge 201b in the electronic cigarette 100, the consumable ID is read by the electronic cigarette 100 to determine whether the cartridge 201b is authentic, and the consumable ID is used to activate or unlock the electronic cigarette 100 for use. Once the data is read, the consumable ID stored in the electronic cigarette 100 can be deleted or disabled so that the consumable ID can only be used once. In this way, unauthorized parties are prevented from using the pack to store consumables that are not necessarily authorized or safe, reducing the possibility of counterfeiting.

[0067] In a second embodiment, the seller terminal 303 sends an unlock command that includes information indicating the number of cartridges in the pack or the duration of cartridge use. The electronic cigarette 100 has an internal counter included in the other module 207 to monitor vaping consumption, and the controller 205 locks the device when it determines that the cartridge 201b is depleted. For example, if a user purchases two packs (each pack containing 30 individual cartridges), an unlock command is sent to the electronic cigarette 100 to allow the use of 60 cartridges in the electronic cigarette 100. After all 60 cartridges are consumed, the electronic cigarette 100 automatically locks the device. Advantageously, this prevents unauthorized users from using the electronic cigarette 100 unless the user is in possession of the device at the time of cartridge purchase. This prevention of use by unauthorized users also helps prevent the use of counterfeit consumables, since only the number of packs purchased from an authorized seller are permitted to be used in the electronic cigarette 100.

[0068] In the third embodiment, no information or unlock command is sent back to the electronic cigarette 100. At the time of purchase, the device ID and consumable ID are only sent to the electronic cigarette server 305 for storing the association in the database 500. Each time the user unlocks the device with the consumable ID or pack ID as described above, the electronic cigarette 100 records and stores the consumable ID or pack ID internally in the memory 206, regardless of the authentication of the consumable. When the user subsequently connects the electronic cigarette 100 to the smartphone 301, the puff record and vaping history as well as information about the device, the consumed cartridge or pack are uploaded to the electronic cigarette server 305. The electronic cigarette server 305 then uses the uploaded device and consumable information to perform a comparison with the association information stored in the database 500 at the time of purchase. In other words, the device ID and consumable ID stored in the electronic cigarette 100 are compared with the device ID and consumable ID stored in the electronic cigarette server 305. This comparison can be used to identify unauthorized packs (e.g., packs stolen from the merchant terminal 303, counterfeit packs with false IDs), unauthorized devices (e.g., stolen e-cigarettes), or for regulatory purposes. In this case, the e-cigarette server 305 preferably sends a warning message to the owner of the e-cigarette 100 that an unauthentic consumable is being used in the e-cigarette 100.

[0069] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0070] The process steps described herein executed by the main control unit or controller may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium or storage device associated with the main control unit. Computer readable media may include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media may include, among others, semiconductor memory and dynamic memory. Non-volatile media may include, among others, optical disks and magnetic disks.

[0071] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the preceding embodiments in the above description are not limiting, and the features of each embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments as appropriate.

Claims

1. 1. A method of authenticating a consumable for use with an aerosol generating device, the method comprising: initiating communication between the aerosol generating device and a first entity to obtain the consumable from the first entity for use with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device being associated with a device ID and the consumable being associated with a consumable ID; transmitting the device ID and the consumable ID from the first entity to a second entity, the second entity being configured to store the device ID and the consumable ID in association with each other; verifying the use of the consumable in the aerosol generating device; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein use of the consumable with the aerosol generating device is verified based on the association between the device ID and the consumable ID.

3. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: storing in the aerosol generating device the consumable ID of the consumable used in the aerosol generating device, regardless of whether the consumable is authenticated; transmitting the consumable ID stored in the aerosol generating device together with the device ID from the aerosol generating device to the second entity; A method comprising:

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: comparing the device ID and the consumable ID received from the aerosol generation device with the association of the device ID and the consumable ID received from the first entity to determine whether use of the consumable with the aerosol generation device has been verified; sending a notification to the aerosol generating device if use of the consumable with the aerosol generating device has not been verified; A method comprising:

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting, by the first entity, the consumable ID to the aerosol generating device after the consumable is successfully obtained.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: storing the consumable ID in the aerosol generation device; unlocking the aerosol generating device for use based on the stored consumable ID; A method comprising:

7. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: scanning the consumable ID and comparing it with the consumable ID received from the first entity and stored in the aerosol generation device; deleting the consumable ID from the aerosol generation device if the comparison is a match; A method comprising:

8. 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending an unlock command to the aerosol generating device by the first entity after the consumable is successfully obtained; The method, wherein the unlock command includes information indicating the number of items in the pack of consumables that are authorized for use with the aerosol generating device.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the unlock command further comprises information indicating a period of use associated with the consumable item.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: The method includes automatically locking the aerosol generating device when the number of items in the pack of the consumable has been used or when the period of use associated with the consumable has expired.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising initiating a contactless payment using a contactless payment interface to provide identification information of the aerosol generating device to the first entity when security conditions are met.

12. 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: wirelessly communicating with a personal computing device; The method, wherein the security condition includes detecting that the personal computing device is in proximity to the aerosol generating device.

13. An aerosol generating device, comprising: A processor for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a memory for storing the device ID and / or the consumable ID; a communication unit configured to communicate with at least one of the first entity, the second entity, and the personal computing device; An aerosol generating device comprising:

14. a remote server, Memory, a communications interface configured to receive from a first entity a first device ID for an aerosol generation device and a first consumable ID for a consumable, and to receive from a personal computing device a second device ID for the aerosol generation device and a second consumable ID for the consumable; a processor configured to compare the first device ID and the first consumable ID with the second device ID and the second consumable ID, respectively, to verify authenticity of the consumable; A remote server comprising:

15. A computer readable medium comprising software instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

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