Age Verification with Registered Cartridges for Aerosol Delivery Devices

Abstract

An electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device may include an aerosol delivery device, such as a smoking article, that generates an aerosol. The device may include an aerosol-generating cartridge. The cartridge is assigned a unique identifier, which is authorized for a user or the user's device, and the cartridge and / or device will only operate if authorized. The unique identifier aids in user identification, tracking, and age verification.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to assigning unique serial numbers to cartridges for electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices, including aerosol delivery devices such as smoking articles, that generate aerosols. The serial numbers can be registered to specific users and can provide functionality for authentication of the users, including age verification. [Background technology]

[0002] Over the years, various devices have been proposed as an improvement or replacement for smoking products that require the combustion of tobacco for use. Some examples of alternatives include devices that burn solid or liquid fuels to transfer heat to the tobacco, and devices that use chemical reactions to achieve such a heat source. Further alternatives use electrical energy to heat tobacco and / or other aerosol-generating substrate materials, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 (Worm et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. Generally, devices that use electrical energy to heat tobacco or other materials are sometimes referred to as Electronic Nicotine Delivery System ("ENDS") devices.

[0003] Many of these devices have been designed with the intent of providing a sensation reminiscent of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, but without delivering significant amounts of the incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from tobacco combustion. To this end, a variety of alternative smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances, or that attempt to provide to a large extent the sensation of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning tobacco. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 (Collett et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0255702 (Griffith Jr. et al.), 2014 / 0000638 (Sebastian et al.), 2014 / 0096781 (Sears et al.), 2014 / 0096782 (Ampolini et al.), 2015 / 0059780 (Davis et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 222,615 (Watson et al.), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. See the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources described in the Background of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,388,594 (Counts et al.) and 8,079,371 (Robinson et al.), all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Also see, for example, the various embodiments of products and heating configurations described in the Background sections of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,388,594 (Counts et al.) and 8,079,371 (Robinson et al.), all of which are incorporated by reference.

[0004] The smoking articles mentioned above are subject to certain restrictions, including age restrictions. In some countries, the use of these articles, including cartridges for ENDS devices, is restricted based on the age of the user. It is believed that there is a need to improve the process of purchasing and using cartridges by identified and age-verified users. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems in the conventional techniques described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to assigning unique serial numbers to cartridges for electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") devices, which may include aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking articles, that generate aerosol. The ENDS or aerosol delivery devices include replaceable cartridges that may be assigned a serial number. The serial number may be used to identify, track, and verify the age of a user. ENDS devices include aerosol delivery devices configured to generate aerosol, which may be referred to as electronic cigarettes, non-combustion heated tobacco (or non-combustion heated devices), or non-combustion non-heated devices. Although described as applied to cartridges for ENDS devices, this is merely one example of a serial number registration process that may be used to identify, track, and verify the age of a user. The embodiments described below may be applied to uniquely identify components other than cartridges. Additionally, the embodiments described below may be applied to devices other than ENDS devices (e.g., other components for any age-restricted device). The present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments.

[0007] In some embodiments, a system includes an age verification system configured to verify the age of a user, and an aerosol delivery device configured to provide an aerosol to a user and include a consumable of a plurality of consumables, each of the plurality of consumables being assigned a unique identifier, the unique identifier being used to authenticate the user by comparing the unique identifier to an approved list of unique identifiers associated with the user. The aerosol delivery device may require that the user be age verified and the consumable be authenticated in order for the aerosol delivery device to operate. The consumable may include an aerosol precursor composition and a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition to form an aerosol.

[0008] The aerosol delivery device may include a battery portion including a battery. The battery portion is configured to couple with one of the consumables. The battery provides power to the heating element. Power is provided to the heating element if the consumable is authenticated by a unique identifier approved for use with the aerosol delivery device.

[0009] Authentication includes comparing the unique identifier to an approved list of unique identifiers for the aerosol delivery device. The approved list includes unique identifiers of consumables purchased by and registered to the user. Authentication may require the user to first be age-verified. Authentication may be required each time the consumable is replaced or refilled.

[0010] The system may include a host device coupled to the aerosol delivery device and coupled to an age verification system. The host device accesses a user profile for the user that stores an approved list of unique identifiers. The user profile is stored on a network and accessed by the host device. The host device includes a mobile device, and the user profile is accessed by an application on the mobile device. The host device communicates with the age verification system over the network.

[0011] In some embodiments, a method of registering cartridges for use with an aerosol delivery device includes receiving age verification of a user of the aerosol delivery device, receiving a request for a unique identifier associated with at least one of the cartridges, adding the unique identifier corresponding to the at least one of the cartridges to an approved list for the user, and receiving a request to compare the unique identifier of one of the cartridges to the approved list. If the unique identifier of the cartridge is on the approved list, the cartridge receives power from the aerosol delivery device.

[0012] A unique identifier for each of the cartridges is assigned at the time of manufacture and provided after purchase. The approved list is updated with the unique identifier of each cartridge purchased. The unique identifiers of all cartridges that have been consumed are removed from the approved list. The request for the unique identifier includes a user scanning a barcode on the cartridge. The approved list is part of a user profile, which also includes an age verification of the user, and is stored on the network. The age verification includes communicating over the network with an age verification system to receive an age verification of the user. The approved list may be stored on the network using blockchain technology.

[0013] In some embodiments, an aerosol device includes a control body configured to provide power for the generation of an aerosol, and includes a consumable of a plurality of consumables configured to be coupled to the control body for the generation of an aerosol. Each of the plurality of consumables is assigned a unique identifier, which is used to authenticate the unique identifier by comparing the unique identifier to an approved list of unique identifiers. Age verification and authentication may be required for the control body to operate. The approved list includes unique identifiers of consumables purchased by a user and registered to the user. The registration to the user includes age verification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description below, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure encompasses any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements described herein, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise described in specific exemplary embodiments described herein. This disclosure, in both its aspects and exemplary embodiments, is to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure are to be considered combinable unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0014] It should therefore be understood that this "Summary" is intended merely to provide a summary of some exemplary embodiments so that a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure may be obtained. It should therefore be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are merely examples and should not be construed in any way to narrow the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Other exemplary embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some exemplary embodiments described.

[0015] Having broadly described aspects of the disclosure above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge and a control body coupled together according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a partial cutaway view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1, with the cartridge and control body separated from one another, according to one exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 3] ~ [Figure 4] 1A and 1B show perspective views of an aerosol delivery device in which a control unit body and an aerosol source member are coupled to each other and detached from each other, respectively, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] ~ [Figure 6] 5A and 5B show front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the aerosol delivery device of FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] ~ [Figure 8] 1A and 1B show a side view and a partial cutaway view, respectively, of an aerosol delivery device in which a cartridge is coupled to a control body, according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 shows a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 shows a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11a] ~ [Figure 11c] 1 shows an exemplary system diagram for cartridge authentication. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates the assignment of a unique identifier to a cartridge. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates one embodiment of an authentication circuit. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart illustrating a cartridge registration process. [Figure 15] 13 is a flow chart illustrating a cartridge registration process with user verification at the time of purchase. [Figure 16] 13 shows an example of verification from an age verification system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and so that the scope of the disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and the like, include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, although the present specification may refer to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, and the like, any one or more, if not all, of these may be absolute or approximate, taking into account possible acceptable variations (e.g., variations due to engineering tolerances, etc.), unless otherwise specified.

[0018] As described below, the present disclosure relates to identifying and authenticating a user and verifying the age of a user for use of an age restriction device (e.g., an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device), which may include an aerosol delivery device. The age restriction device may include components necessary for the operation of the age restriction device (e.g., cartridges in an ENDS device). By providing unique identification to those components (e.g., by providing a serial number for a cartridge), age verification can limit the age restriction device to identified or authenticated users.

[0019] ENDS is one example of a device that may be subject to restrictions, such as age restrictions. Other examples include delivery devices for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), botanical drugs, drugs, and / or other active ingredients. Thus, it will be understood that while ENDS devices (such as aerosol delivery devices) are used throughout as an example application of various embodiments, this example is intended to be non-limiting as the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be used with devices other than ENDS devices, including aerosol delivery devices that may be used to deliver other medicinal and / or active ingredients to a user, or aerosol delivery devices that may include smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products.

[0020] Assigning a unique number to a cartridge and associating that unique number with a particular user may be referred to as registering the cartridge. Associating with a user may be in addition to the user being age verified or may be required as a prerequisite to the user being age verified. A user who has not been age verified cannot be associated and cannot register a cartridge. Registering a cartridge may be part of an authentication process in which a user must periodically authenticate themselves in order to access age-restricted products. The authentication requirement prevents minors from using age-restricted products. There may be an age verification system that verifies the user's age and / or verifies that the cartridge serial number is being used by the correct user and / or device.

[0021] Unique number assignment for age verification may be applicable to any device or substance that has an age restriction, such as nicotine, tobacco, alcohol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), CBD oil, cannabis / marijuana, botanical drugs, drugs, and / or other age-restricted products. Serial number registration may be applicable to age-restricted devices other than aerosol delivery devices. Similarly, while age is one example of a restriction that the charger accessory checks, there may be other types of restrictions on a device that are checked by assigning a unique number to at least one component of the device.

[0022] An aerosol delivery device is an example of a device that may be restricted, and authentication may be aided by assigning a serial number to at least one component. Aerosol delivery devices are described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 1-10. In one embodiment, the cartridge of the aerosol delivery device is the component that is assigned a unique identifier or serial number. In other embodiments, the device may be a non-combustion heating device that uses an aerosol source member as a consumable, rather than a cartridge. The aerosol delivery device may be configured to generate an aerosol (inhalable substance) from an aerosol precursor composition (sometimes referred to as an inhalable substance medium). The aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of a solid tobacco substance, a semi-solid tobacco substance, or a liquid aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat a fluid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid aerosol precursor composition) to generate an aerosol. Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol precursor composition may include one or more of the above-mentioned substances (including, but not limited to, botanical substances, medicinal substances, alcohol, glycerin), and may include nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other active ingredients. Such an aerosol delivery device may include a so-called electronic cigarette. In other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion heating device. In yet other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion non-heating device.

[0023] Liquid aerosol precursor compositions (also called vapor precursor compositions or "e-liquids") are particularly useful for electronic cigarettes and non-combustion, non-heating devices. Liquid aerosol precursor compositions may include various components, such as polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extracts, and / or flavorings. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition includes glycerin and nicotine. In other examples, the composition may additionally or alternatively include alcohol, other botanicals, other medicinal substances, or may include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other active ingredients, or any combination thereof.

[0024] Some liquid aerosol precursor compositions that can be used with various embodiments can include one or more acids, such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, combinations thereof, etc. Including an acid in a liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine can provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine in a salt form. Representative types of liquid aerosol precursor components and formulations are described and characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 (Robinson et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,002 (Chong et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0008457 (Zheng et al.), 2015 / 0020823 (Lipowicz et al.), and 2015 / 0020830 (Koller), as well as International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2014 / 182736 (Bowen et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 (Collett et al.), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include those incorporated into any of the numerous representative products identified above. Also desirable are so-called "smoke juices" for e-cigarettes, such as those available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.Further exemplary aerosol precursor compositions are sold under the brand names BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR. CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. An embodiment of the effervescent material can be used with an aerosol precursor, and is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494 (Hunt et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, the use of effervescent materials has been described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,639,368 (Niazi et al.), 5,178,878 (Wehling et al.), 5,223,264 (Wehling et al.), 6,974,590 (Pather et al.), 7,381,667 (Bergquist et al.), 8,424,541 (Crawford et al.), 8,627,828 (Strickland et al.), and 9,307,787 (Sun et al.). al.), as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0018539 (Brinkley et al.), and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 97 / 06786 (Johnson et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0025] Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components that support aerosol precursors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,569 (Newton), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014 / 0261487 (Chapman et al.), 2015 / 0059780 (Davis et al.), and 2015 / 0216232 (Bless et al.,), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various wicking materials, and the configuration and operation of those wicking materials in particular types of electronic cigarettes, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,640 (Sears et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] In other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a non-combustion heating device configured to heat a solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., an extruded tobacco rod) or a semi-solid aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a glycerinized tobacco paste). The aerosol precursor composition may include tobacco-containing beads, tobacco strips, tobacco straps, reconstituted tobacco materials, or combinations thereof, and / or a mixture of finely ground tobacco, tobacco extract, spray-dried tobacco extract, or other forms of tobacco combined with optional inorganic substances (such as calcium carbonate), optional flavorings, and aerosol-forming materials to form a substantially solid or moldable (e.g., extrudable) substrate. Representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and formulations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,424,538 (Thomas et al.), 8,464,726 (Sebastian et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2015 / 0083150 (Conner et al.), 2015 / 0157052 (Ademe et al.), and 2017 / 0000188 (Nordskog et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further representative types of solid and semi-solid aerosol precursor compositions and arrangements are those found in British American Tobacco's NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source components for their GLO™ products and Philip Morris International, Inc.'s HEETS™ consumable aerosol source components for their IQOS™ products.

[0027] In various embodiments, the inhalable substance may be, inter alia, a tobacco component or a tobacco-derived substance (i.e., a substance that is naturally present in tobacco and can be isolated directly from tobacco or synthetically prepared). For example, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a tobacco extract or an extract fraction thereof in combination with an inert substrate. The aerosol precursor composition may further comprise unburned tobacco or a composition comprising unburned tobacco, which releases an inhalable substance when heated to a temperature below its combustion temperature. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a tobacco condensate or a condensed fraction thereof (i.e., the flavor and (possibly) nicotine-free condensed components of smoke generated by the combustion of tobacco).

[0028] In other embodiments, smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products, rather than ENDS devices, may be examples of age-restricted products. Representative smokeless tobacco products on the market include CAMEL Snus, CAMEL Orbs, CAMEL Strips, and CAMEL Sticks manufactured by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, GRIZZLY moist tobacco, KODIAK moist tobacco, LEVI GARRETT loose tobacco, and TAYLOR'S PRIDE loose tobacco manufactured by American Snuff Company, LLC, KAYAK moist snuff and CHATTANOOGA CHEW chewing tobacco manufactured by Swisher International, Inc., REDMAN chewing tobacco manufactured by Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP, COPENHAGEN moist tobacco, COPENHAGEN Pouches, SKOAL Bandits, SKOAL Pouches, RED SEAL Long Cut, and REVEL Mint Tobacco manufactured by US Smokeless Tobacco Company. Packs, as well as MARLBORO Snus and Toboka manufactured by Philip Morris USA. Representative types of snuff products (commonly referred to as "snus") may be those manufactured in Europe (particularly Sweden) by or through companies such as Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A / S, and Rocker Production AB.Snus products previously or currently available in the United States have been marketed by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company under trade names such as CAMEL Snus Frost, CAMEL Snus Original, and CAMEL Snus Spice, CAMEL Snus Mint, CAMEL Snus Mellow, CAMEL Snus Winterchill, and CAMEL Snus Robust. Smokeless tobacco products have been packaged in tin containers, "pucks," or "pots." Other example products include nicotine lozenges (e.g., REVEL Nicotine Lozenges (RJ Reynolds Vapor Company products)), and smoke-free nicotine pouch products (e.g., Zyn by Swedish Match and LYFT).

[0029] Tobacco materials useful in the present disclosure may vary, for example, flue-cured, burley, oriental or Maryland, dark, dark-cured and rustica tobaccos, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Tobacco materials may also include so-called "blend" forms and processed forms, for example, processed tobacco stems (e.g., cut roll stems or cut puff stems), volume expanded tobacco (e.g., puffed tobacco, preferably in cut filler form (e.g., dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET)), etc.), reconstituted tobacco (e.g., reconstituted tobacco produced by papermaking or cast sheet processing). Various representative tobacco types, tobacco process types, and tobacco blend types are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,224 (Lawson et al.), 4,924,888 (Perfetti et al.), 5,056,537 (Brown et al.), 5,159,942 (Brinkley et al.), 5,220,930 (Gentry), 5,360,023 (Blakley et al.), 6,701,936 (Shafer et al.), 7,011,096 (Li et al.), 7,017,585 (Li et al.), and 7,018,591 (Li et al.). Nos. 7,025,066 (Lawson et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 (Perfetti et al.), International Patent Application Publication No. WO 02 / 37990 (Bereman), and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol. 39, 11-17 (1997), which are incorporated herein by reference.Further exemplary tobacco compositions that may be useful in smoking devices, including those according to the present disclosure, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 (Robinson et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0030] Furthermore, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise an inert substrate in which the inhalable substance (or its precursor) is incorporated or otherwise deposited. For example, a liquid containing the inhalable substance may be applied or absorbed or adsorbed onto the inert substrate, such that upon application of heat, the inhalable substance is released in a form that can be removed from the article of the present invention by application of positive or negative pressure. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a flavorful, aromatic blend of tobaccos in cut filler form. In another embodiment, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise a reconstituted tobacco material as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,809 (Pryor et al.), 4,889,143 (Pryor et al.), and 5,025,814 (Raker), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. For further information regarding suitable aerosol precursor compositions, see U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 916,834 (Sur et al.), filed March 9, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] Regardless of the type of aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol delivery device may include an aerosol generation component configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. In the case of an e-cigarette or non-combustion heating device, for example, the aerosol generation component may be or may include a heating element. In the case of a non-combustion non-heating device, in some examples, the aerosol generation component may be or may include a vibrating piezoelectric or piezomagnetic mesh. In other words, there may be no heating element for aerosol generation. The aerosol delivery device of some embodiments may include a combination of elements to realize the aerosol generation component, which may include both a heating element and an additional element, for example, a vibrating aerosol generation component (e.g., a vibrating piezoelectric ceramic and / or other piezoelectric or piezomagnetic material), and the heating element and the additional element cooperate to generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition.

[0032] An example of a suitable heating element is an induction heater. Such heaters often include an induction transmitter and an induction receiver. The induction transmitter may include a coil configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically over time) when an alternating current is passed through it. The induction receiver may be at least partially within or housed in the induction transmitter and may include a conductive material (e.g., a ferromagnetic material or an aluminum-coated material). By passing an alternating current through the induction transmitter, eddy currents due to induction can be generated in the induction receiver. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the induction receiver can heat the induction receiver by Joule heating (i.e., by the Joule effect). The induction receiver may define an atomizer and may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition located in the vicinity of the induction receiver. Various embodiments of aerosol delivery devices having inductive heaters are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2017 / 0127722 (Davis et al.), 2017 / 0202266 (Sur et al.), U.S. Patent Application Nos. 15 / 352,153 (Sur et al., filed November 15, 2016), 15 / 799,365 (Sebastian et al., filed October 31, 2017), and 15 / 836,086 (Sur), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] In other embodiments, including those specifically described herein, the heating element is an electrically conductive heater, such as an electrical resistance heater. Such heaters may be configured to generate heat when an electric current is passed through them. In various embodiments, the electrically conductive heater may be provided in various forms, such as a foil, foam, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, yarn, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heaters often include metallic materials and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance coupled with the passage of electric current through the material. Such resistive heaters can be placed in proximity to an aerosol precursor composition to heat it and generate an aerosol. Various electrically conductive substrates that may be used with the present disclosure are described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 (Griffith et al.).

[0034] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge in the case of a so-called electronic cigarette or non-combustion non-heating device, or a control body and an aerosol source member in the case of a non-combustion heating device. The cartridge may be an example of a consumable for the device, and reference to a cartridge may include other consumables. Other examples of aerosol source members may be "sticks", which may contain, for example, tobacco, tobacco extracts, aerosol formers, nicotine, and / or other active ingredients usable in non-combustion heating devices. For example, NEOSTIKS™ consumable aerosol source members for British American Tobacco's GLO™ products and HEETS™ consumable aerosol source members for Philip Morris International, Inc.'s IQOS™ products.

[0035] In either the case of an e-cigarette or non-combustion heating device, the control body may be reusable, while the cartridge / aerosol source member may be configured for limited use and / or may be configured to be disposable. The cartridge / aerosol source member may be connected to the control body by a variety of mechanisms, resulting in a threaded fit, a pressure fit, an interference fit, a sliding fit, a magnetic fit, etc.

[0036] The control body and cartridge / aerosol source member may each include a separate housing or outer body, which may be formed from any of a variety of materials. The housing may be formed from any suitable, structurally sound material. In some examples, the housing may be formed from a metal or metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.). Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal plating on plastic, ceramics, etc.

[0037] The cartridge (i.e., aerosol source member) may contain the aerosol precursor composition. To generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol generation component (e.g., a heating element, a piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh) may be disposed in contact with or in close proximity to the aerosol precursor composition, for example, disposed across the control body and the cartridge, or disposed within the control body, within which the aerosol source member is disposed. The control body may include a power source, which may be rechargeable or replaceable, such that the control body may be reused for multiple cartridges / aerosol source members.

[0038] The control body may also include a means for activating the aerosol delivery device, such as a push button for manually controlling the device, a touch-sensitive surface, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the control body may include a flow sensor to detect when a user draws on the cartridge / aerosol source member and activate the aerosol delivery device. In some embodiments, a heating element may be included in the control body, which in other embodiments is in the consumable or cartridge.

[0039] In various embodiments, the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure may have a variety of overall shapes, including, but not limited to, the overall shape may be defined as generally rod-shaped, generally tubular, or generally cylindrical. In the embodiments shown in and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the cross section of the aerosol delivery device is generally circular, but other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, rectangular, triangular, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Such language describing the physical shape of the article may also apply to individual components of the article, including the control body and the cartridge / aerosol source member. In other embodiments, the control body may have another hand-held shape (e.g., a small box shape).

[0040] In more specific embodiments, one or both of the control body and the cartridge / aerosol source member may be disposable or reusable. For example, the control body may include a power source, such as a replaceable or rechargeable battery, an SSB, a thin film SSB, a rechargeable supercapacitor, a lithium-ion or hybrid lithium-ion supercapacitor, etc. An example of a power source is a TKI-1550 rechargeable lithium-ion battery manufactured by Tadiran Batteries GmbH of Germany. In another embodiment, a useful power source may be an N50- AAA CADNICA nickel-cadmium battery manufactured by Sanyo Electric Company, Ltd., of Japan. In other embodiments, multiple such batteries (e.g., each providing 1.2 volts) may be connected in series. In some embodiments, the power source is configured to provide an output voltage. The power source may provide power to an aerosol generation component, which may be powered to generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition. The power source may be connected to any type of charging technology, for example to a charging accessory, which is described in more detail below.

[0041] Examples of power sources are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,484,155 (Peckerar et al.) and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112191 (Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of suitable power sources are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014 / 0283855 (Hawes et al.), 2014 / 0014125 (Fernando et al.), 2013 / 0243410 (Nichols et al.), 2010 / 0313901 (Fernando et al.), and U.S. Patent No. 9,439,454 (Fernando et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. With respect to flow sensors, representative constant current and other current controlled components, including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches, for aerosol delivery devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,217 (Gerth et al.), 4,922,901 (Brooks et al.), 4,947,874 (Brooks et al.), 4,947,875 (Brooks et al.), 5,372,148 (McCafferty et al.), 6,040,560 (Fleischhauer et al.), 7,040,314 (Nguyen et al.), and 8,040,410 (Nguyen et al.). Nos. 8,205,622 (Pan), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 8,881,737 (Collet et al.), U.S. Patent Nos. 9,423,152 (Ampolini et al.), 9,439,454 (Fernando et al.), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0257445 (Henry et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] Further exemplary components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and the disclosed materials or components usable therein include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,735,217 (Gerth et al.), 5,249,586 (Morgan et al.), 5,666,977 (Higgins et al.), 6,053,176 (Adams et al.), 6,164,287 (White), 6,196,218 (Voges), and 6,810,883 (Felter et al.). Nos. 6,854,461 (Nichols), 7,832,410 (Hon), 7,513,253 (Kobayashi), 7,896,006 (Hamano), 6,772,756 (Shayan), 8,156,944 (Hon), 8,375,957 (Hon), 8,794,231 (Thorens et al.), 8,851,083 (Oglesby et al.), 8,915,254 (Monsees et al.), and 8,513,253 (Kubota et al.). Nos. 8,925,555 (Monsees et al.), 9,220,302 (DePiano et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006 / 0196518 (Hon), 2009 / 0188490 (Hon), 2010 / 0024834 (Oglesby et al.), 2010 / 0307518 (Wang), International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO2010 / 091593 (Hon), and WO2013 / 089551 (Foo), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0099877 (Worm et al.) discloses capsules that can be included in aerosol delivery devices, and fob configurations for aerosol delivery devices, and is incorporated herein by reference.The various materials disclosed in the above documents may be incorporated into the present device in various embodiments, all of the above disclosures being incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] Still other features, controls, or components that can be incorporated into the aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,148 (Harris et al.), 5,934,289 (Watkins et al.), 5,954,979 (Counts et al.), 6,040,560 (Fleischhauer et al.), 8,365,742 (Hon), 8,402,976 (Fernando et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0016550 (Katase), U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,804 (Fernando et al.), and the like. No. 9,427,022 (Leven et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0180553 (Kim et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 (Sebastian et al.), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 (Novak et al.), and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 (DePiano et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] In another aspect, the present disclosure may be directed to a kit providing various components described herein. For example, the kit may include a control body together with one or more cartridges or aerosol source members. The kit may further include a charging accessory with one or more batteries, as described below, and a control body with one or more cartridges. The kit may further include a charging accessory, as described below, and a control body with one or more cartridges. The kit may further include a charging accessory, as described below, with one or more batteries. In another embodiment, the kit may include multiple cartridges. The kit may further include multiple cartridges and one or more batteries and / or a charging accessory, as described below. In the above embodiment, the cartridge or control body may incorporate a heating member. The kit of the present invention may further include a case (or other packaging, carrying, or storage component) that houses one or more of the additional kit components. Alternatively, the charging accessory may be the case in one of the kits. The case may be a reusable, hard or soft container. Moreover, the case may simply be a box or other packaging structure.

[0045] 1 and 2 show an embodiment of an aerosol delivery device, which in the case of an e-cigarette includes a control body and a cartridge. In this regard, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the aerosol delivery device may include a control body 102 and a cartridge 104. As described below, the cartridge 104 may be a component having a unique serial number used for user authentication and age verification applications. Other components may also be registered with serial numbers for use restrictions, but the cartridge is an example described below. The control body and the cartridge can be permanently or removably aligned into a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the aerosol delivery device in a combined configuration, while FIG. 2 shows a partial cutaway side view of the aerosol delivery device in a separated configuration. The aerosol delivery device may, for example, in some embodiments, be generally rod-shaped, or generally tubular, or generally cylindrical in the assembled configuration of the control body and the cartridge.

[0046] The control body 102 and the cartridge may be configured to engage with each other by various connections (e.g., a pressure fit (or interference fit) connection, a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, etc.). Thus, the control body may include a first engagement element (e.g., a coupler) that is adapted to engage with a second engagement element (e.g., a connector) on the cartridge. The first engagement element and the second engagement element may be reversed. As an example, either the first engagement element or the second engagement element may be male threaded and the other may be female threaded. As another example, either the first engagement element or the second engagement element may be a magnet and the other may be a metal or a magnet of opposite polarity. In certain embodiments, the engagement elements may be directly defined by existing components of the control body and the cartridge. For example, the housing of the control body may define a cavity at an end of the housing configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge (e.g., a reservoir tank or other shell-forming element of the cartridge). In particular, at least a portion of the reservoir of the cartridge may be received within the cavity of the control body while the mouthpiece of the cartridge remains exposed outside the cavity of the control body. The cartridge may be retained within the cavity formed by the control body housing, for example, by an interference fit (e.g., using detents and / or other features that form an interference engagement between an outer surface of the cartridge and an inner surface of a wall forming the control body cavity), or by magnetic engagement (e.g., using magnets and / or magnetic metals disposed within the cavity of the control body and magnets and / or magnetic metals disposed on the cartridge), or by other suitable techniques.

[0047] As seen in the cutaway view shown in FIG. 2, the control body 102 and the cartridge 104 each include several respective components. The components shown in FIG. 2 are representative of components that may be present in the control body and the cartridge, and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body 102 may be formed with a housing 206 (sometimes referred to as a control body shell) including a control component 208 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), a flow sensor 210, a power source 212 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an indicator 214 (e.g., an LED, a quantum dot-based LED), which may be aligned in various ways. The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit coupled to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent access to the device (lock the device) depending on the age verification status. In one embodiment, the control body 102 may be referred to as a battery section.

[0048] The cartridge 104 may be formed by a housing 216 (sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell) enclosing a reservoir 218 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and containing a heating element 220 (an aerosol generating component). In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank, and thus the terms "cartridge," "tank," and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other housing that encloses a reservoir for the aerosol precursor composition and contains a heating element.

[0049] As shown, in some embodiments, the reservoir 218 may be in fluid communication with a liquid delivery element 222 adapted to capillary action or otherwise deliver the aerosol precursor composition stored within the reservoir housing to the heating element 220. In some embodiments, a valve may be disposed between the reservoir and the heating element and may be configured to control the amount of the aerosol precursor composition that passes, i.e., is delivered, from the reservoir to the heating element.

[0050] Various embodiments of materials configured to generate heat when an electric current is applied therethrough may be used to form the heating element 220. The heating element in these embodiments may be a resistive heating element, such as a wire coil, a microheater, or the like. Examples of materials from which the heating element may be formed include Kanthal (FeCrAl), Nichrome, Nickel, Stainless Steel, Indium Tin Oxide, Tungsten, Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi2), Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi), Aluminum Doped Molybdenum Disilicide (Mo(Si,Al)2), Titanium, Platinum, Silver, Palladium, Silver Palladium Alloys, Graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams or yarns), conductive inks, boron-doped silica, and ceramics (e.g., ceramics with positive or negative temperature coefficients). The heating element may be a resistive heating element or a heating element configured to generate heat inductively. The heating element may be coated with a thermally conductive ceramic, such as aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, beryllium oxide, alumina, silicon nitride, or composites thereof. Exemplary embodiments of heating elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described in more detail below, and such embodiments may be incorporated into devices such as the aerosol delivery devices described herein.

[0051] There may be an opening 224 present in the housing 216 (eg, at the mouth end) that allows the formed aerosol to exit the cartridge 104 .

[0052] The cartridge 104 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include integrated circuits, memory components (e.g., EEPROM, flash memory), sensors, etc. The electronic components may be adapted to communicate with the control component 208 and / or external devices by wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be located anywhere within the cartridge or within the base 228 of the cartridge.

[0053] Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are shown as separate, it should be understood that the various electronic components, including the control component and the flow sensor, may be combined on a circuit board (e.g., PCB) that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Furthermore, the circuit board may be oriented horizontally relative to the illustration of FIG. 1, i.e., the circuit board may be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the controller body. In some embodiments, the air flow sensor may include its own circuit board or other base element to which the air flow sensor may be attached. In some embodiments, a flexible circuit board may be utilized. The flexible circuit board may be configured to be in a variety of shapes, including generally tubular. In some embodiments, the flexible circuit board may be combined with, laminated on, or form part or all of the heater substrate.

[0054] The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may include components adapted to facilitate fluid engagement therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the control body may include a coupler 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The base 228 of the cartridge may be adapted to engage with the coupler and may include a protrusion 234 adapted to fit within the cavity. Such engagement may facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the cartridge, as well as establish an electrical connection between the power source 212 and control components 208 in the control body and the heating element 220 in the cartridge. Additionally, the housing 206 may include an air intake 236, which may be a notch in the housing that interfaces with the coupler to allow ambient air to enter the housing around the coupler, and then pass through the coupler cavity 232 and through the protrusion 234 into the cartridge.

[0055] Couplers and bases useful according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 (Novak et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the coupler 230 may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of the base 228, as seen in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the inner periphery of the base may define a radius that is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. Additionally, the coupler may define one or more protrusions 242 on the outer periphery that are configured to engage with one or more recesses 244 defined in the inner periphery of the base. However, various other configurations, shapes, and component embodiments may be used to couple the base to the coupler. In some embodiments, the connection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the coupler of the control body 102 may be substantially permanent, while in other embodiments, the connection therebetween may be removable, for example, such that the control body may be removable for reuse with one or more different cartridges, which may be disposable and / or refillable.

[0056] The reservoir 218 shown in FIG. 2 may be a container or may be a fibrous reservoir as described herein. For example, the reservoir may include one or more layers of non-woven fibers, which in this example are generally shaped like a tube that surrounds the interior of the housing 216. An aerosol precursor composition may be held within the reservoir. For example, a liquid component may be adsorbed and held by the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a liquid feed element 222. The liquid feed element may deliver the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir by capillary action (or a micropump) to a heating element 220, which in this example is in the form of a metal wire coil. The heating element thus forms a heating mechanism together with the liquid feed element.

[0057] In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the reservoir 218, and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a micropump (e.g., a micropump based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology). Other exemplary embodiments of reservoirs and feeding elements useful in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are detailed herein, and such reservoirs and / or feeding elements may be incorporated into devices such as those described herein. In particular, certain combinations of heating members and feeding elements detailed herein may be incorporated into devices such as those described herein.

[0058] In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device 100, airflow is detected by the flow sensor 210 and the heating element 220 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing on the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air intake 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the coupler 230 and the central opening in the protrusion 234 of the base 228. In the cartridge 104, the drawn-in air combines with the formed vapor to form an aerosol. The aerosol is flicked, sucked, or otherwise drawn away from the heating element and exits through the opening 224 at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0059] For further details regarding embodiments of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and a cartridge in the case of electronic cigarettes, see previously cited U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15 / 836,086 (Sur), 15 / 916,834 (Sur et al.), and 15 / 916,696 (Sur, filed March 9, 2018), which are also incorporated by reference herein.

[0060] 3-6 show embodiments of an aerosol delivery device including a control body and an aerosol source member for non-combustion heating devices. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows an aerosol delivery device 300 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body 302 and an aerosol source member 304. In various embodiments, the aerosol source member and the control body can be permanently or removably aligned into a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 3 shows the aerosol delivery device in a combined configuration, while FIG. 4 shows the aerosol delivery device in a separated configuration.

[0061] 4, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol source member 304 can include a heated end 406 configured to be inserted into the control body 302 and a mouth end 408 that a user inhales to form an aerosol. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the heated end can include an aerosol precursor composition 410.

[0062] In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 304 or a portion thereof may be wrapped with an outer overwrap material 412, which may be formed of any material useful for adding structure and / or support to the aerosol source member. In various embodiments, the outer overwrap material may include a material that is a poor conductor of heat, such as paper or other fibrous materials (e.g., cellulosic materials). The outer overwrap material may also include at least one filler material embedded or dispersed within the fibrous material. In various embodiments, the filler material may be in the form of water-insoluble particles. Additionally, inorganic components may be incorporated into the filler material. In various embodiments, the outer overwrap may be formed of multiple layers, such as a lower bulk layer and an upper layer, such as a typical cigarette wrapper. Such materials may include, for example, lightweight "waste fibers," such as flax, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto. The outer overwrap may also comprise materials typically used in filter elements of conventional cigarettes (eg, cellulose acetate).

[0063] Additionally, the extra length of overwrap at the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member may serve to simply move the aerosol precursor composition 410 away from the consumer's mouth, or to provide space for placement of a filter material as described below, or to affect inhalation of the article, or to affect the flow characteristics of the vapor or aerosol exiting the device during inhalation. Further discussion regarding the configuration of overwrap materials that may be used with the present disclosure can be found in previously cited U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 (Worm et al.).

[0064] In various embodiments, other components may be present between the aerosol precursor composition 410 and the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member 304, which may include a filter 414, which may be made of, for example, cellulose acetate or polypropylene material. The filter may additionally or alternatively include strands of tobacco-containing material as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,814 (Raker et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the filter may enhance the structural integrity of the mouth end of the aerosol source member and / or provide filtering capacity as needed and / or provide resistance to suction. In some embodiments, any or any combination of the following may be disposed between the aerosol precursor composition and the mouth end: an air gap, a phase change material for cooling the air, a flavor releasing medium, ion exchange fibers capable of selective chemical adsorption, aerogel particles as a filter medium, and other suitable materials.

[0065] Various embodiments of the present disclosure use one or more conductive heating elements to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member 304. In various embodiments, the heating elements may be provided in various forms, such as a foil, foam, mesh, hollow sphere, hemisphere, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, yarn, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heating elements often include a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of electrical resistance coupled with passing of an electric current through the material. Such resistive heating elements may be located in direct contact with or near the aerosol source member, specifically the aerosol precursor composition of the aerosol source member. The heating elements may be located within the controller body and / or within the aerosol source member. In various embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include a component (i.e., a thermally conductive component) that is embedded in or otherwise part of the substrate portion and capable of acting as or facilitating the function of the heating assembly. Several examples of various heating members and heating elements are described in US Pat. No. 9,078,473 (Worm et al.).

[0066] Some non-limiting examples of various heating element configurations include configurations in which the heating element is disposed proximate the aerosol source member 304. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element may surround at least a portion of the aerosol source member. In other embodiments, one or more heating elements may be disposed adjacent to the exterior of the aerosol source member when the aerosol source member is inserted into the controller body 302. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the heating element may penetrate at least a portion of the aerosol source member when the aerosol source member is inserted into the controller body (e.g., one or more prongs and / or spikes may penetrate the aerosol source member). In some cases, the aerosol precursor composition may include a structure in contact with the aerosol precursor composition, or a plurality of beads or particles embedded in the aerosol precursor composition, or a portion of the aerosol precursor composition in another form, capable of acting as a heating element or facilitating the function of the heating element.

[0067] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an aerosol delivery device 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol delivery device of FIG. 5. Specifically, the control body 302 of the illustrated embodiment includes a housing 516 including an opening 518 defined in an engagement end of the housing 516, a flow sensor 520 (e.g., a puff sensor or pressure switch), a control component 522 (e.g., a processing circuit, etc.), a power source 524 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor), and an end cap including an indicator 526 (e.g., an LED). The power source may be rechargeable, and the control component may include a switch and a processing circuit coupled to the flow sensor and the switch. The processing circuit may be configured to prevent operation by the switch if age verification fails, as described in more detail below.

[0068] In one embodiment, the indicator 526 may include one or more LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs, etc. The indicator may be in communication with the control component 522 and may, for example, be illuminated when a user draws on the aerosol source member 304 coupled to the control body 302 (as detected by the flow sensor 520).

[0069] The control body 302 in the illustrated embodiment includes one or more heating assemblies 528 (individually or collectively referred to as a heating assembly) configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 in the aerosol source member 304. While the heating assemblies in various embodiments of the present disclosure can take a variety of forms, in the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the heating assembly includes an outer cylinder 530 and a heating element 532 (an aerosol generating component), which in this embodiment includes a number of heating prongs extending from a receiving base 534 (in various configurations, the heating assembly, and more specifically, the heating prongs, may be referred to as a heater). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder includes a double-walled evacuated tube made of stainless steel to maintain heat generated by the heating prongs within the outer cylinder, and more specifically, to maintain heat generated by the heating prongs within the aerosol precursor composition. In various embodiments, the heating prongs may be made of one or more electrically conductive materials, such as, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, graphite, or any combination thereof.

[0070] As shown, the heating assembly 528 may extend proximate to the engagement end of the housing 516 and may be configured to generally surround a portion of the heating end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 containing the aerosol precursor composition 410. In such a manner, the heating assembly may define a generally tubular configuration. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heating prongs) is surrounded by an outer cylinder 530 to create a receiving chamber 536. In such a manner, in various embodiments, the outer cylinder may comprise a non-conductive insulating material and / or construction, including, but not limited to, an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combination thereof.

[0071] In some embodiments, one or more portions or components of the heating assembly 528 may be combined with and / or packaged with the aerosol precursor composition 410 and / or integrated with (e.g., embedded in) the aerosol precursor composition 410. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be formed from the materials described above and one or more electrically conductive materials may be mixed therein. In some of these embodiments, contacts may be directly connected to the aerosol precursor composition, such that the contacts are electrically connected to the electrical energy source when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control body. Alternatively, the contacts may be integrated with the electrical energy source and may extend into the receiving chamber, such that the contacts are electrically connected to the aerosol precursor composition when the aerosol source member is inserted into the receiving chamber of the control body. The presence of an electrically conductive material in the aerosol precursor composition allows for electrical current to flow and heat to be generated from the electrically conductive material when power is applied to the aerosol precursor composition from the electrical energy source. Thus, in some embodiments, the heating element may be described as being integral with the aerosol precursor composition. As one non-limiting example, the heating element may be integral with the medium by being mixed with, embedded in, or otherwise directly present on or in the material forming the aerosol precursor composition.

[0072] As mentioned above, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder 530 can also act to facilitate proper positioning of the aerosol source member 304 when it is inserted into the housing 516. In various embodiments, the outer cylinder of the heating assembly 528 can engage an inner surface of the housing to align the heating assembly relative to the housing, such that the longitudinal axis of the heating assembly can extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing as a result of the fixed connection between the heating assembly and the housing. Specifically, the receiving chamber 536 can be formed by the support cylinder extending from the opening 518 in the housing to the receiving base 534.

[0073] The heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 is sized and shaped to be inserted into the control body 302. In various embodiments, the receiving chamber 536 of the control body may be characterized as being defined by a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cylinder 530 defines the inner surface, the inner surface defining the interior volume of the receiving chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner diameter of the outer cylinder may be slightly larger or approximately the same as the outer diameter of the corresponding aerosol source member (e.g., to form a sliding fit), such that the outer cylinder is configured to guide the aerosol source member to an appropriate position (e.g., lateral position) relative to the control body. Thus, the maximum outer diameter (or other dimension depending on the particular cross-sectional shape of the embodiment) of the aerosol source member may be sized smaller than the inner diameter (or other dimension) of the inner surface of the wall of the open end of the receiving chamber of the control body. In some embodiments, the difference in diameter may be small enough so that the aerosol source member fits snugly within the receiving chamber and frictional forces do not allow the aerosol source member to move without application of force, but the difference may be sufficient to allow the aerosol source member to slide in and out of the receiving chamber without undue force.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the control body 302 is configured such that when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the control body 302, the heating element 532 (e.g., heating prongs) are located approximately in the radial center of at least a portion of the aerosol precursor composition 410 at the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member. In such a manner, when used in conjunction with a solid or semi-solid aerosol precursor composition, the heating prongs may be in direct contact with the aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, for example, when used in conjunction with an extruded aerosol precursor composition defining a tubular structure, the heating prongs may be located within a cavity defined by the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure, but do not contact the inner surface of the extruded tubular structure.

[0075] In use, a consumer initiates heating of the heating assembly 528, specifically the heating element 532 proximate to the aerosol precursor composition 410 (or a particular layer thereof). Heating the aerosol precursor composition releases the inhalable substance within the aerosol source member 304, resulting in the inhalable substance. When the consumer inhales on the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member, air is drawn into the aerosol source member through an air intake 538 (e.g., an opening or aperture in the control body 302). As the drawn-in substance exits the mouth end of the aerosol source member, a mixture of the drawn-in air and the released inhalable substance is inhaled by the consumer. In some embodiments, to initiate heating, the consumer may manually activate a push button or similar component that causes the heating element of the heating assembly to receive electrical energy from a battery or other energy source. The electrical energy may be provided for a predetermined length of time or may be manually controlled.

[0076] In some implementations, little flow of electrical energy passes through the device 300 between puffs (although energy flow can pass to maintain a baseline temperature above ambient temperature (e.g., a temperature that promotes rapid heating to an active heating temperature). However, in the illustrated implementation, heating is initiated by the consumer's puff using one or more sensors (e.g., flow sensor 520). Heating ceases or decreases if the puff is no longer continuous. Once the consumer has performed a sufficient number of puffs to release a sufficient amount of inhalable substance (e.g., an amount corresponding to a typical smoking experience), the aerosol source member 304 may be detached from the control body 302 and discarded. In some implementations, additional sensing elements (e.g., capacitive sensing elements and other sensors) may be used, as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 707,461 (Phillips et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 304 may be formed of any material suitable for forming and maintaining a suitable shape (e.g., a tubular shape) and for retaining the aerosol precursor composition 410 therein. In some embodiments, the aerosol source member may be formed of a single wall, or in other embodiments, of multiple walls, and may be formed of a heat-resistant material (natural or synthetic) that retains its structural integrity (e.g., does not degrade) at least at the heating temperature provided by the electric heating element. This will be discussed further herein. In some embodiments, a heat-resistant polymer may be used, while in other embodiments, the aerosol source member may be formed from paper (e.g., a substantially straw-like paper). As will be discussed further herein, the aerosol source member may have one or more layers associated therewith that act to substantially prevent the movement of vapor therethrough. In one exemplary embodiment, an aluminum foil layer may be laminated to one surface of the aerosol source member. Ceramic materials may also be used. In another embodiment, insulating materials may be used to prevent heat from escaping from the aerosol precursor composition.Other exemplary types of components and materials that may be used to perform the functions described above, or that may be used as substitutes for the materials and components described above, may include the types of components and materials described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2010 / 00186757 (Crooks et al.), 2010 / 00186757 (Crooks et al.), and 2011 / 0041861 (Sebastian et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the controller body 302 includes a control component 522 that controls various functions of the aerosol delivery device 300, including providing power to the electrical heating element 532. For example, the control component may include a processing circuit (which may be connected to other components as described in more detail herein) connected to a power source 524 by conductive wires (not shown). In various embodiments, the processing circuit may control when and how much electrical energy the heating assembly 528, specifically the heating prongs, receive to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410 to release an inhalable substance for inhalation by the consumer. In some embodiments, such control may be activated by a flow sensor 520, as described in more detail above.

[0079] 5 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment of the heating assembly 528, an outer cylinder 530 and a heating element 532 (e.g., a plurality of heating prongs) extend from a receiving base 534. In some embodiments, such as those in which the aerosol precursor composition 410 comprises a tubular structure, the heating prongs may be configured to extend into a cavity defined by an inner surface of the aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment in which the aerosol precursor composition comprises a solid or semi-solid, the plurality of heating prongs may be configured to pierce the aerosol precursor composition contained in the heated end 406 of the aerosol source member 304 when the aerosol source member 304 is inserted into the controller body 302. In such embodiments, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heating prongs and / or the receiving base, may be made of a non-stick or stick-resistant material, such as certain aluminum, copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, and ceramic materials. In other embodiments, one or more of the components of the heating assembly, including the heating prongs and / or the receiving base, may include a non-stick coating (e.g., including a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating (such as Teflon®)) or other coating, such as a stick-resistant enamel coating, or a ceramic coating (such as Glebron® or Thermolon™).

[0080] Further, it should be noted that while in the illustrated embodiment the multiple heating prongs 532 are generally evenly distributed about the receiving base 534, in other embodiments any number of heating prongs, including as few as one, may be used in any other suitable spatial configuration. Additionally, in various embodiments the heating prongs may vary in length. For example, in some embodiments the heating prongs may be configured as small protrusions, while in other embodiments the heating prongs may extend to any percentage of the length of the receiving chamber 536, such as up to about 25%, or up to about 50%, or up to about 75%, or up to about 100% of the length of the receiving chamber. In still other embodiments the heating assembly 528 may have other configurations. Examples of other heater configurations that may be adapted for use in the present invention in accordance with the above discussion include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,060,671 (Counts et al.), 5,093,894 (Deevi et al.), 5,224,498 (Deevi et al.), 5,228,460 (Sprinkel Jr., et al.), 5,322,075 (Deevi et al.), 5,353,813 (Deevi et al.), and 5,468,936 (Deevi et al.), which are incorporated herein by reference. Nos. 5,659,656 (Das), 5,498,855 (Deevi et al.), 5,530,225 (Hajaligol), 5,665,262 (Hajaligol), and 5,573,692 (Das et al.), as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 (Fleischhauer et al.).

[0081] In various embodiments, the control body 302 may include an air intake 538 (e.g., one or more openings or apertures) therein that allows ambient air to enter the interior of the receiving chamber 536. In some embodiments, the receiving base 534 may also include an air intake in such a manner. Thus, in some embodiments, when a consumer draws on the mouth end of the aerosol source member 304, air can be drawn into the receiving chamber through the air intakes of the control body and the receiving base, enter the aerosol source member, pass through the aerosol precursor composition 410 of the aerosol source member, and be inhaled by the consumer. In some embodiments, the drawn air passes through the optional filter 414 carrying the inhalable substance and exits through the openings of the mouth end 408 of the aerosol source member. With the heating element 532 located within the aerosol precursor composition, the heating prongs can be activated to heat the aerosol precursor composition and cause the release of the inhalable substance from the aerosol source member.

[0082] As already described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrically conductive heater is used to heat the aerosol precursor composition 410. Also, as already indicated, in various other embodiments, an inductive heater is used to heat the aerosol precursor composition. In some of these embodiments, the heating assembly 528 may be configured as an inductive heater including a transformer having an inductive transmitter and an inductive receiver. In embodiments in which the heating assembly is configured as an inductive heater, the outer cylinder 530 may be configured as an inductive transmitter and the heating element 532 (e.g., multiple heating prongs) extending from the receiving base 534 may be configured as an inductive receiver. In various embodiments, one or both of the inductive transmitter and the inductive receiver may be located in the controller body 302 and / or the aerosol source member 304.

[0083] In various embodiments, the outer cylinder 530 and the heating element 532 as the inductive transmitter and receiver may be made of one or more conductive materials, while in other embodiments, the inductive receiver may be made of ferromagnetic materials, including but not limited to cobalt, iron, nickel, and combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the foil material is made of a conductive material and the heating prongs are made of a ferromagnetic material. In various embodiments, the receiving base may be made of a non-conductive and / or insulating material.

[0084] The outer cylinder 530 as an inductive transmitter may include a laminate having a foil material surrounding a support cylinder. In some implementations, the foil material may have electrical traces printed thereon, such as one or more electrical traces that may form a helical coil pattern (in some implementations) when the foil material is placed around the heating element 532 as an inductive receiver. The foil material and the support cylinder may each define a tubular form. The support cylinder may be configured to support the foil material such that it cannot move and contact the heating prongs and cause a short circuit. In such a manner, the support cylinder may include a non-conductive material that may be substantially transparent to the oscillating magnetic field generated by the foil material. In various implementations, the foil material may be embedded in or otherwise coupled to the support cylinder. In the illustrated implementation, the foil material engages the outer surface of the support cylinder, but in other implementations, the foil material may be located on the inner surface of the support cylinder or completely embedded in the support cylinder.

[0085] The foil material of the outer cylinder 530 may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field (e.g., a magnetic field that changes periodically with time) when an alternating current is passed through it. The heating prongs of the heating element 532 may be at least partially located within or received by the outer cylinder and may comprise an electrically conductive material. By passing an alternating current through the foil material, eddy currents can be generated in the heating prongs by induction. The eddy currents flowing through the resistance of the material defining the heating prongs can cause the heating prongs to heat by Joule heating (i.e., by the Joule effect). The heating prongs may be wirelessly heated to form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition 410 located in the vicinity of the heating prongs.

[0086] Other embodiments of the aerosol delivery device, control body, and aerosol source member are described in the previously cited U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 15 / 916,834 (Sur et al.), 15 / 916,696 (Sur), and 15 / 836,086 (Sur).

[0087] Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments of an aerosol delivery device, which in the case of a non-combustion, non-heating device, includes a control body and a cartridge. In this regard, Figure 7 shows a side view of an aerosol delivery device 700 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the device 700 including a control body 702 and a cartridge 704. Specifically, Figure 7 shows the control body and cartridge coupled together. The control body and cartridge can be removably aligned into a functional relationship.

[0088] FIG. 8 more specifically illustrates an aerosol delivery device 700 according to some exemplary embodiments. As seen in the cutaway view shown here, the aerosol delivery device may again include a control body 702 and a cartridge 704, each of which includes several respective components. The components shown in FIG. 8 are representative of components that may be present in the control body and cartridge, and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the present disclosure. As shown, for example, the control body may be formed with a control body housing or shell 806 including control components 808 (e.g., processing circuitry, etc.), input devices 810, power source 812, and indicators 814 (e.g., LEDs, quantum dot-based LEDs), which may be aligned in various ways. An example of a suitable control component is the PIC16(L)F1713 / 6 microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology Inc., which is described in "AN2265, Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Reference Design" by Microchip Technology Inc. (2016), which is incorporated by reference.

[0089] The cartridge 704 may be formed by a housing (sometimes referred to as a cartridge shell 816) enclosing a reservoir 818 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and incorporating a nozzle 820 having a piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh (the aerosol generating component). As above, in various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a tank.

[0090] 8 may be a container or may be a fibrous reservoir as described herein. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the nozzle 820 to deliver an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to the nozzle 820. An opening 822 may be present in the cartridge shell 816 (e.g., at the mouth end) to allow the formed aerosol to exit the cartridge 704.

[0091] In some embodiments, a pumping element may be disposed between the reservoir 818 and the nozzle 820 and configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passing, i.e., delivered, from the reservoir to the nozzle. In some embodiments, a microfluidic chip may be embedded in the cartridge 704 and the amount and / or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by one or more microfluidic components. One example of a microfluidic component is a micropump 824 (e.g., a micropump based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology). Examples of suitable micropumps include model MDP2205 micropumps manufactured by thinXXS Microtechnology AG and others, mp5 and mp6 model micropumps manufactured by Bartels Mikrotechnik GmbH and others, and piezoelectric micropumps manufactured by Takasago Fluidic Systems.

[0092] Also as shown, in some embodiments, a microfilter 826 may be disposed between the micropump 824 and the nozzle 820 to filter the aerosol precursor composition delivered to the nozzle. Like the micropump, the microfilter is also a microfluidic component. An example of a suitable microfilter is a flow-through microfilter fabricated using lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology.

[0093] In use, when the input device 810 detects a user input that activates the aerosol delivery device, the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh is activated to vibrate, thereby drawing the aerosol precursor composition through the mesh. This forms droplets of the aerosol precursor composition, which mix with air to form an aerosol. The aerosol is flicked, sucked, or otherwise drawn away from the mesh and exits through an opening 822 at the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0094] The aerosol delivery device 700 may incorporate an input device 810, such as a switch, sensor, or detector, to control the application of power to the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 820 when aerosol generation is required (e.g., during inhalation during use). Thus, for example, a manner or method is provided for turning off the power to the mesh when the aerosol delivery device is in use and not being inhaled, and turning on the power during inhalation to activate or trigger aerosol generation and dispensing from the nozzle. Further representative types of sensing or detection mechanisms, their construction and configuration, their components, and their general methods of operation have been described above and are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,261,424 (Sprinkel, Jr. et al.), 5,372,148 (McCafferty et al.), and International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010 / 003480 (Flick), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0095] For details regarding these and other embodiments of the aerosol delivery device for non-combustion, non-heating devices, see U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 651,548 (Sur, filed July 17, 2017), which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0096] As discussed above, in the context of an e-cigarette, a non-combustion heating device, or a non-combustion non-heating device, or even in the case of a device that includes functionality of one or more of an e-cigarette, a non-combustion heating device, or a non-combustion non-heating device, the aerosol delivery device of the exemplary embodiments may include various electronic components. Figure 9 shows a circuit diagram of an aerosol delivery device 900, which may be any one or more of the aerosol delivery devices 100, 300, 700, or may incorporate functionality of any one or more of the aerosol delivery devices according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0097] 9, the aerosol delivery device 900 includes a control body 902 having a power source 904 and a control component 906, which may correspond to or include functionality of the control body 102, 302, 702, power source 212, 524, 812, and control component 208, 522, 808, respectively. The aerosol delivery device also includes an aerosol generation component 916, which may correspond to or include functionality of the heating element 220, 532, or the piezoelectric / piezomagnetic mesh of the nozzle 820. The control body 902 may include a terminal 918 configured to couple the aerosol generation component 916 or the aerosol generation component to the control body.

[0098] In some embodiments, the controller body 902 includes a sensor 908 configured to generate a measurement of airflow. The sensor 908 may correspond to or include functionality of the flow sensors 210, 520, or the input device 810. In these embodiments, the control component 906 includes a switch 910 coupled between the power source 904 and the aerosol generation component 916. The control component also includes a processing circuit 912 coupled to the sensor and the switch. The switch may be a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) switch. The sensor may be connected to an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Vcc, and / or ground of the processing circuit.

[0099] In some implementations, the processing circuitry 912 is configured to verify the age of the user and output a signal (as indicated by arrow 922) that causes the switch 910 to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage from the power source 904 to and from the aerosol generation component 916 to power the aerosol generation component during the aerosol generation time. In some implementations, the processing circuitry 912 is configured to output a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. The duty cycle of the PWM signal is adjustable to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage to and from the aerosol generation component. An age verification and authentication process may be used to determine when to make the connection. If the user is not verified or authenticated, the switch may be disconnected to prevent voltage from being provided to the aerosol generation component. Alternatively, if the switch is in a disconnected state and the user is not verified or authenticated, the switch remains in the disconnected state. Similarly, if the user is verified or authenticated, the switch may establish a connection to allow current to flow from the charging accessory to the device. In other words, if a user is verified or authenticated, output voltage is permitted to be supplied to the aerosol generation component.

[0100] Although not shown, the processing circuit 912 and / or the signal conditioning circuit 914 may be coupled to or may receive an authentication or verification signal based on a determination of whether the installed cartridge is properly registered. If the verification or authentication signal is received and is correct, the processing circuit 912 may turn on the switch 910 to allow operation of the aerosol delivery device. Alternatively or additionally, if the verification signal is not received or is incorrect, the processing circuit 912 may shut off the switch 910 to prevent operation of the aerosol delivery device 900. The structure, operation, and communication for cartridge serial number registration and age verification are shown in detail in and described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11-16. No. 8,689,804 (Fernando et al.) discloses an identification system for a smoking device, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the control component 906 further includes a signal conditioning circuit 914 coupled to the sensor 908 and the processing circuit 912. The signal conditioning circuit in such embodiments may be configured to manipulate the operation of the switch 910. The signal conditioning circuit is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0101] 10 illustrates a circuit diagram of a signal conditioning circuit 1000 that may correspond to signal conditioning circuit 914, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in some embodiments, signal conditioning circuit 1000 includes a signal conditioning chip 1001 and a bi-directional voltage level translator 1002. An example of a suitable signal conditioning chip is model ZAP 3456 manufactured by Zap-Tech corporation. And an example of a suitable bi-directional voltage level translator is model NVT 2003 bi-directional voltage level translator manufactured by NXP Semiconductors.

[0102] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, signal conditioning chip 1001 may be connected to bi-directional voltage level translator 1002, which may be connected to the 5V input and ground of processing circuitry 912. It should be noted that the values ​​(e.g., voltages, resistances, and capacitances) shown in Figure 10 are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure unless otherwise specified.

[0103] 11a, 11b, and 11c show an exemplary system diagram for cartridge registration. FIG. 11a shows device 1106 communicating with age verification system 1102 to verify the user's age, which may also be used to periodically authenticate device 1106. Device 1106 may be any electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device, including an aerosol delivery device as described above. In one embodiment, device 1106 may be or include a charging accessory, such as the accessories described in U.S. Patent No. ____________, entitled "AUTHENTICATION AND AGE VERIFICATION FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE" (Docket No. 16004-54), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 282,222, filed April 2, 2019, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Other example chargers or charging accessories that may be used in combination with various embodiments are further described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2019 / 0089180 (Rajesh Sur), 2015 / 0224268 (Henry et al.), and U.S. Patent No. 10,206,431 (Sur et al.), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0104] The device 1106 includes a cartridge 1108. The cartridge 1108 may be a cartridge as described with respect to Figures 1-10 (e.g., cartridge 104, aerosol source member 304, cartridge 704, or aerosol generation component 916). The cartridge or group of cartridges may be assigned a unique identifier used for authentication and / or age verification, as described with respect to Figure 12. In other embodiments, the unique identifier may be assigned to a component other than the cartridge.

[0105] As described, the age verification system 1102 can perform age verification (e.g., for age-restricted products) as well as provide authentication or user identification (e.g., for physical purchase or anti-theft) based on a unique identifier assigned to the cartridge 1108 for the device 1106. The authentication described below may assume that age verification is performed first and then referenced for subsequent authentication using the unique identifier. However, there may be other verification mechanisms other than age verification alone. For example, in some embodiments, user identification may be performed instead of age verification and a unique identifier for the cartridge may be used for user identification. The unique identifier may be unique only for a particular type. For example, all consumables may have a unique identifier and all cartridges may have a unique identifier, but consumables and cartridges (i.e., different types) may have the same identifier. That is, the identifier may be repeated for different products and types. In other embodiments, the uniqueness may be based on a particular flavor / type / size / etc. of the product. For example, there may be cartridges of many different flavors and the identifier is unique only within those flavors.

[0106] The age verification system 1102 may include a database that tracks users with their ages, as well as keeping a record of a unique identifier for each cartridge and which devices or users are authorized for those cartridges. The records may be encrypted and / or may use an anonymous identifier for each user (e.g., a number, letter, or any alphanumeric identifier). A user profile may be stored (e.g., on the device 1106 or from an application or app on the host device 1104) that includes the age verification as described with respect to FIG. 16. The app on the host device 1104 may access the user profile over the network. Once a user is initially age verified as verified in the age verification system database, a user profile for that user may be created and stored, so that subsequent verifications (i.e., "authentication") require only a call to this database. The user profile may also include a list of devices associated with a particular user, as well as cartridges that are also associated with that user. Given that a user has been age verified and authenticated, the user's registered cartridges must be approved for use with the user's devices. In one example, each time a cartridge is replaced, the user may be required to authenticate the new cartridge, which includes checking the user profile to ensure that the unique identifier associated with the cartridge is approved for that user. In some embodiments, re-authentication of the cartridge may be required after a certain number of puffs on the device 11106, or may occur on a time-based basis (e.g., once per hour, day, week, month, etc.). An online database may track authentication requests and set limits per user. This may eliminate the possibility of fraud where a single user unlocks devices of other minor users. This may also prevent redistribution of registered cartridges. Reasonable limits on the number of devices, chargers, and / or authentications may eliminate this possibility of fraud. For example, the limit may be up to 10 cartridges per month.

[0107] FIG. 11b illustrates an embodiment in which a host device 1104 is coupled to the age verification system 1102 and the device 1106. The host device 1104 may be any computing device, such as a smart phone, tablet, or computer. The host device 1104 may communicate with or instruct the device 1106 regarding whether the cartridge 1108 is approved. Approval of the cartridge may be based on a unique identifier associated with the cartridge being properly associated with an authenticated or age-verified user, as described with respect to FIGS. 14-15. In some embodiments, the host device 1104 may be directly connected to the device 1106, for example, to provide power to and communicate with the device 1106. In one embodiment, communications from the device 1106 may be passed through the host device 1104. The host device 1104 may already be configured to communicate over a network (e.g., network 1103), in which case the device 1106 may not need the same level of communication functionality since the host device 1104 provides that functionality. In some embodiments, the host device 1104 may block the cartridge 1108 from being used with the device 1106 upon communication with the age verification system 1102.

[0108] Authentication may be a process that verifies the identity of a user if the user has already been age verified. If the user does not provide age verification, the authentication process will fail. As described, the authentication process may include verifying that the cartridge 1108 is registered for use with the device 1106 based on the assignment of a unique identifier (e.g., a serial number assigned to the cartridge). The age verification process may occur less frequently than the authentication process (e.g., upon device purchase), and the authentication process may occur each time the cartridge is replaced. In alternative embodiments, an authentication process may be required more frequently, which may or may not include a unique identifier assigned to the cartridge. The authentication process may be required for each use, or may be based on the number or duration of puffs. If the authentication process fails, the device 1106 may be rendered inoperable. For example, if the cartridge 1108's unique identifier is not approved for use with the device 1106, the cartridge 1108 may be prevented from receiving electricity required for heating.

[0109] The age verification system 1102 indicates whether a user is old enough to use a particular product, such as an electronic nicotine delivery system ("ENDS") device, including an aerosol delivery device (both of which are examples of device 1106). At least some components or functionality of the age verification system 1102 may be part of the device 1106 or the host device 1104. For example, processing and determinations from the age verification system 1102 may occur locally after accessing a remote database. In an alternative embodiment, the age verification system 1102 may be located remotely and accessible over a network, as described with respect to FIG. 11c.

[0110] Figure 11c illustrates an embodiment of an age verification system 1102 connected via a network 1103. Whereas in Figure 11a a device 1106 is coupled to the age verification system 1102 for authentication and in Figure 11b a host device 1104 is coupled to the age verification system 1102 for authentication, Figure 11c illustrates an embodiment in which the age verification system 1102 is coupled to the host device 1104 via the network 1103. Although not shown, the age verification system 1102 may be coupled to the device 1106 via the network 1103.

[0111] The present disclosure contemplates computer-readable media that contain instructions or receive and execute instructions in response to a propagated signal, such that devices connected to a network can communicate voice, video, audio, images, or any other data over the network. The device 1106, the host device 1104, or the age verification system 1102 may output instructions over the network from one or more communication ports. The communication ports may be created in the form of software or may be physical connections in the form of hardware. The connection with the network may be a physical connection, such as a wired Ethernet connection, or may be established wirelessly as described below. Similarly, the connection with other components may be a physical connection or may be established wirelessly. The device 1106 or the host device 1104 may communicate over a network, including but not limited to the network 1103. For example, the authentication circuitry 1302 may include network functionality to be coupled with the age verification system 1102. These components may include communication ports configured to connect with a network (e.g., the network 1103).

[0112] A network (e.g., network 1103) may connect devices to enable the exchange of communications, such as between device 1106, host device 1104, and / or age verification system 1102, and also between other wireless devices connected, for example, via a wireless network. As described, a cluster of machines that stores data to be analyzed may be connected via one or more networks (e.g., network 1103). A network may also include mass storage, such as network attached storage (NAS), storage area network (SAN), or other forms of computer-readable or machine-readable media. A network may include the Internet, one or more local area networks (LANs), one or more wide area networks (WANs), wired connections, wireless connections, or any combination thereof. Similarly, sub-networks may interoperate within a larger network, such as sub-networks that may use different architectures or conform to or be compatible with different protocols. Various types of devices may be made available, for example, to provide interoperable functionality for different architectures or protocols. As one illustrative example, a router may provide a link between multiple LANs, each of which is separate and independent. The communication links or channels may include, for example, analog telephone lines (e.g., twisted wire pairs), coaxial cables, fully digital or fractional digital lines (including T1, T2, T3, or T4 type lines), Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), wireless links (including satellite links), or other communication links or channels as would be known to one skilled in the art. Additionally, computing devices or other associated electronic equipment may be remotely coupled to the network (e.g., via telephone lines or links, etc.).

[0113] The devices, for example, the device 1106, the host device 1104, and the age verification system 1102, may be coupled together by a wireless network. The network 1103 may include a wireless network, and may use a standalone ad-hoc network, a mesh network, a wireless LAN (WLAN) network, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a cellular network, etc. The wireless network may further include a system of terminals, gateways, routers, etc. coupled together by wireless radio links, etc., which may be freely mobile, may be randomly mobile, or may be in any arrangement, thereby allowing the network topology to change from time to time (sometimes rapidly). The wireless network may further use multiple network access technologies, such as long-term evolution (LTE), WLAN, wireless router (WR) mesh, second-generation, third-generation, or fourth-generation (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and beyond) cellular technologies, etc. The network may enable RF or wireless type communications via one or more network access technologies, such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, 802.11b / g / n, Zigbee, Z Wave, IEEE 802.16 (e.g., WiMax), and / or other WWAN / WMAN technologies (including future versions of any of the aforementioned technologies).A wireless network may encompass nearly any type of wireless communication mechanism that allows for signal transmission between devices. In some embodiments, the communication protocols listed above may be used for communication between the device 1106 and the host device 1104, which in turn communicates with the age verification system 1102 over the same or a different communication protocol.

[0114] Signal packets transmitted over a network (e.g., network 1103 or a network of related digital communication networks) may be compatible with or conform to one or more protocols. Signaling formats or protocols used may include, for example, TCP / IP, UDP, DECnet, NetBEUI, IPX, Appletalk, etc. Internet Protocol (IP) versions may include IPv4 or IPv6. The Internet refers to a distributed global network of networks. The Internet may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless network, or a long-haul public network (e.g., allowing signal packets to be transmitted between LANs). Signal packets may be transmitted between nodes of a network, such as to one or more sites using a local network address. Signal packets may be transmitted over the Internet, for example, from a user site through an access node coupled to the Internet. Similarly, signal packets may be forwarded through a network node, for example, to a target site coupled to the network through a network access node. Signaling packets traveling over the Internet may be routed through a path of, for example, gateways, servers, etc., that may route the signaling packets according to a target address and the availability of a network path to the target address. This signaling packet communication may be applicable to data communication between the device 1106, the host device 1104, and / or the age verification system 1102.

[0115] 11c illustrates that device 1106 may be directly connectable to a network (e.g., network 1103). Alternatively, device 1106 may be considered to be, or have functionality provided by, host device 1104. In particular, device 1106 may include a network interface (examples discussed above) and provide communication with age verification system 1102 via network 1103. In one embodiment, the network interface may be a WPAN (e.g., Bluetooth) (which may also have a host) or the network interface may be a WLAN.

[0116] FIG. 12 illustrates the assignment of unique identifiers to cartridges. The device 1106 may have a cartridge 1108 required for operation. For an ENDS device, the cartridge may be disposable and replaceable. Thus, cartridges may be sold singly or in packs. For example, a user may purchase a package or pack of cartridges with different flavors or nicotine content. In one embodiment, all cartridges 1108 (labeled Cartridge 1, Cartridge 2, ..., Cartridge n) may have a unique identifier 1209. The unique identifier 1209 may be a serial number or other unique representation that uniquely identifies each of the n cartridges. FIG. 12 illustrates that there is a unique serial number (Serial #1, Serial #2, ..., Serial #n) associated with each cartridge (Cartridge 1-n). In an alternative embodiment, each pack of cartridges may be associated with a unique identifier, such that all cartridges in a pack are associated with that unique identifier. Once the unique identifier of the pack is approved for a particular device or user, all cartridges in that pack will work with that device.

[0117] The unique identifier or serial number may be assigned to the cartridge during the manufacturing process. In another embodiment, a distributor or other supply chain entity may assign it to the cartridge. Cartridges manufactured overseas may be assigned at the time of arrival for distribution. As described with respect to Figures 14-15, the user must be age verified (e.g., Figure 16), and a unique identifier is associated with the user and the user's device when the cartridge is purchased or registered. In one embodiment, each user may have a user profile that is accessible over a network or stored on a computing device (e.g., a mobile device or computer) and updated with the unique identifier. In an alternative embodiment, the device 1106 may store a user profile or a copy of the user profile, and the user is authenticated using the device 1106 with a password, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Unless the cartridge 1108 is listed in the user profile as approved for the device 1106, the cartridge 1108 will not be enabled for operation with the device 1106.

[0118] The user's profile may reside on the host device 1104 (e.g., stored in memory 1306 of FIG. 13) or may be accessible to the age verification system 1102 over a network. As described with respect to FIGS. 14-15, the cartridge's unique identifier is associated with the user profile. In one embodiment, the device 1106 may open a switch (e.g., 1308 of FIG. 13) that provides operating power to the cartridge 1108. If the cartridge 1108 is not authorized, it cannot operate on the particular device 1106.

[0119] When the cartridge 1108 is connected to the device 1106, the unique identifier may be scanned by the device 1106 or sent through a secondary data pin of the cartridge-device interface. In alternative embodiments, the device 1106 may retrieve the unique identifier from the cartridge 1108 by optical reading of the barcode, radio frequency (RF) identification, near field communication (NFC) communication, a magnetic strip reader, a chip reader (e.g., similar to a credit card reader), wired communication, or wireless communication. Examples of barcodes may include any type of scannable identifier, such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), a Data Matrix Code, and / or a Quick Response (QR) code. The code may include any one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), or other type of code. Examples of RFID communication and authentication are described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,015,987 (Henry et al.), and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0020191 (Lamb et al.), each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of NFC communication and authentication are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,864,947 (Sur et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of other attribute identifiers are further described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0000144 (Bless et al.), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0120] In an alternative embodiment, if the device-cartridge interface does not have a data connection to communicate the cartridge 1108's unique identifier, the unique identifier may be communicated to the device 1106 through a power connection based on a given signal or pin code. For example, the cartridge 1108 may use power from the device 1106's battery to send information to the device 1106's memory (e.g., 1306 in FIG. 13). The device 1106 may compare the verified unique identifier to the unique identifier of the cartridge 1108 with which it is communicating. If the unique identifiers match, a switch (e.g., 1308 in FIG. 13) is closed, allowing current to flow from the device 1106 to a heater internal to the cartridge 1108. If the unique identifiers do not match, the cartridge 1108 is rejected by the device 1106 and no current is allowed to flow. If the cartridge includes a tag, chip, etc., that carries an identifier, the cartridge may include an active tag / chip, a passive tag / chip, or a combination thereof. Active tags differ from passive tags in that they may be pre-powered (e.g., by an internal battery) and communicate automatically, whereas passive tags may not have an internal power source and must be activated when scanned by a device. Specifically, passive tags are powered in the presence of a reader, e.g., by a magnetic field activated power source. Even if the cartridge does not include an internal power source, there may be active tags that are powered by connection to a battery unit.

[0121] In one embodiment, the device 1106 may be or may include a charging accessory, as described above. In that embodiment, the charging accessory may not provide power to the device or cartridge unless the cartridge's unique identifier is approved for the device. In other words, the cartridge's unique identifier may be used by the charging accessory for age verification or authentication by not providing a charge to the device (or unlocking the device) unless the unique identifier is approved. Specifically, the host may send the serial number of a purchased cartridge to the device's memory through the charging accessory's data pin.

[0122] An active list of approved cartridges / consumables may be stored and associated with a user (e.g., a user profile). This list may also include all devices owned by the user (e.g., along with the user profile). This list may be a table or database stored locally or on a network ("in the cloud"). In one embodiment, storage of the user profile and / or active list may be stored in distributed network storage using blockchain technology, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. __________, entitled "DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS," which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 838,272, entitled "DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY STORAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS," filed on April 24, 2019 (Docket No. 16004-56), the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. To prevent sharing, there may be a limit on the number of active devices and / or the number of active cartridges. Listed cartridges can only work with listed devices and listed devices can only accept listed cartridges. The active list of approved cartridges may be updated as users purchase additional cartridges and add them to the list. Similarly, when a cartridge is used up, its unique identifier is removed from the active list. In one embodiment, the list may identify the cartridge as consumed. The device may detect the end of life of a cartridge and automatically update the status of the cartridge. End of life detection or calculation may be based on the number of puffs of each cartridge and may include calculating the average puff length and average number of puffs over a period of time to pinpoint the end of life of a cartridge. In an alternative embodiment, end of life calculation / detection may be based on monitoring / counting coulombs / energy or based on the temperature of the device.End of life estimates may be based on energy usage or temperature. If the cartridge is refillable, it may need to be compared to the active list every time it is refilled to prevent sharing.

[0123] 13 illustrates one embodiment of an authentication circuit 1302. The authentication circuit 1302 may be part of the device 1106 or the host device 1104. The authentication circuit 1302 may include functionality to perform authentication of the device 1106 and / or the cartridge 1108 based on a unique identifier registered with the cartridge 1108. The authentication circuit 1302 may also include age verification functionality, which may be performed separately from the unique identifier registration or may be part of the registration process. The authentication circuit 1302 may include a processor 1304, a memory 1306, and a switch 1308.

[0124] The processor 1304 in the authentication circuit 1302 may be on one or more chips and may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or other type of processing device. The processor 1304 may be one or more general-purpose processors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, servers, networks, digital circuits, analog circuits, combinations thereof, or other now known or hereafter developed devices that analyze and process data. The processor 1304 may operate with a software program, for example, manually generated (i.e., programmed) code.

[0125] The processor 1304 may be coupled to the memory 1306, or the memory 1306 may be a separate component. The memory 1306 may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable storage medium, such as various types of volatile and non-volatile storage media, including random access memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic tape or disk, optical media, and the like. The memory 1306 may include random access memory for the processor 1304. Alternatively, the memory 1306 may be separate from the processor 1304, such as a cache memory, system memory, or other memory of the processor. The memory 1306 may be an external storage device or database that stores recorded add data or user data. Examples include a hard drive, a compact disc ("CD"), a digital video disc ("DVD"), a memory card, a memory stick, a floppy disk, a universal serial bus ("USB") memory device, or any other device operable to store add or user data. The memory 1306 is operable to store instructions executable by the processor 1304.

[0126] The functions, operations, or tasks illustrated or described herein may be performed by a programmed processor executing instructions stored in memory 1306. In particular, the operation of the age verification system 1102, or the operation of registering the unique identifier of the cartridge 1108, may be performed by the processor 1304 based on instructions in memory 1306. The functions, operations, or tasks are not dependent on a particular type of instruction set, storage medium, processor, or processing strategy, and may be performed by software, hardware, integrated circuits, firmware, microcode, etc. operating alone or in combination. Similarly, the processing strategies may include multi-processing, multi-tasking, parallel processing, etc.

[0127] The processor 1304 may be configured to execute software including instructions for performing a user age verification or subsequent authentication operation based on a unique identifier assigned to the cartridge 1108 for the age verification system 1102. Specifically, if the processor 1304 is unable to verify the user's age or if the device 1106 is not authorized (e.g., if the unique identifier assigned to the cartridge 1108 is not recognized for the device 1106), the switch 1308 may be activated to prevent operation of the device 1106. In some embodiments, the switch 1308 may be used to provide power from the device 1106 to the cartridge 1108. The switch 1308 may be off by default unless verification or authentication is approved. The switch 1308 may control the current to the cartridge 1108 to allow current to flow if authentication from the age verification passes, whereas the current may be shut off if authentication or age verification fails. Although the switch 1308 is illustrated as being part of the authentication circuit 1302, in other embodiments it may be a separate component.

[0128] FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating the cartridge registration process. At block 1402, a user of the device 1106 purchases a cartridge or pack of cartridges. The purchased cartridges are associated with a unique identifier (either a unique identifier for each cartridge or one unique identifier for all cartridges in the pack). The user must associate the purchased cartridge with the user or the user's device. In one embodiment, there may be a scannable tag / code (e.g., any of the codes or tags described above) on the pack that the user scans, which automatically associates the serial number with the user. For purposes of this example, the scannable tag / code may be a QR code, and the user may have an application or app on their mobile phone (e.g., the host device 1104) that is associated with the user's profile, which receives the scanned QR code or serial number (e.g., block 1408). The app can then associate the serial number with the user and the user's device. The user must be age verified at block 1406, but this may have already occurred when the user purchased the device 1106 or set up their user profile. User age verification (1406) is described in more detail with respect to FIG. 16. At block 1408, for the verified user, the cartridge serial number is listed as approved for use by the particular user, device, or devices. At block 1410, this list of approved cartridges is provided to the device 1106 or host device 1104. At block 1412, as soon as the cartridge 1108 is connected to the device 1106, the device identifies the cartridge 1108 serial number and compares it to the active / approved list. If the cartridge 1108 serial number is on the active / approved list, at block 1414, the cartridge 1108 is operated by the device 1106. If the cartridge 1108 serial number is not on the active / approved list, at block 1416, the cartridge 1108 is rejected from the device 1106.

[0129] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a cartridge registration process with user verification at the time of purchase. FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, except that age verification may occur at the time of purchase in block 1502. At the time of purchase at a retail location or kiosk, the user may scan their identification (e.g., driver's license or passport) to verify their age and may scan the cartridge pack. The cartridge pack scan provides a serial number, which is added to the approved list in block 1504. In other words, age verification and cartridge serial number registration may both occur at the time of purchase. In one embodiment, the age verification required for purchase may be used as the age verification. The age verification and cartridge serial number may be automatically uploaded. In another embodiment, for online purchases, age verification may occur at the time of purchase or as a condition of completing the purchase, and cartridge serial numbers purchased online are automatically associated with the age-verified user and their device (i.e., listed as approved in the active list). Once the cartridge has been added to the approved list and the user has been age verified, the remaining steps in FIG. 15 are the same as blocks 1410-1416 in FIG.

[0130] FIG. 16 shows an example of a verification from the age verification system 1102. The age verification may be stored in a user profile or may be associated with the user. The user profile and association with the user may also include unique identifiers of devices owned by the user and cartridges purchased by the user. The authentication process for using a device with a particular cartridge involves comparing the unique identifier of the cartridge to approved cartridges that may be listed in the user profile or stored by the host device. To authenticate a cartridge, a user may first be required to have their age verified. Age verification may be done only once or may need to be updated periodically, while authentication may be required more frequently (e.g., every time a cartridge is replaced).

[0131] The age verification system 1102 provides functionality to verify the age of a user. The age verification may be per user, so as to apply to multiple devices used by a particular user, but may still require authentication for each individual device. In some embodiments, each device may require an age verification process in addition to subsequent authentication. Verification example 1601 is an example of a mechanism to verify the age of a user. For initial age verification, the age verification system 1102 may require some identification document 1606 to prove the user's age. For example, a driver's license or passport may be uploaded to prove the user's age. An image from that document may be used for future age verification, which is performed by performing facial recognition 1608 using that image. Facial recognition technology can analyze the two images to confirm an identification match, reject the identification verification, or flag the verification result as needing further identification information. In an alternative embodiment, the verification step may include voice input from the user, such as reciting a number, number sequence, or code to verify good health. Another verification example 1601 includes a help desk 1607 phone call, where the user can provide or verify user information to perform identity verification. In one embodiment, the help desk 1607 may be used to verify the information provided in the identification document 1606. The examples described herein with respect to the cartridge may also apply to other consumables, such as aerosol source members usable in the devices shown in Figures 3-6. A cartridge may be one example of a consumable for a device, and references to a cartridge may encompass other consumables. Another example of an aerosol source member may be a "stick," which may contain, for example, tobacco, tobacco extract, aerosol former, nicotine, and / or other active ingredients usable in a non-combustion heating device.

[0132] The above description of the use of the article is applicable to various exemplary embodiments described herein with minor modifications, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. However, the above description of the use is not intended to limit the use of the article, but is provided to meet all necessary disclosure requirements of the present disclosure. Any of the elements shown in the article shown in Figures 1-16 or otherwise described above may be included in the aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

[0133] Various modifications and other embodiments of the inventions will come to mind to those skilled in the art to which the disclosures described herein pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, while the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it will be understood that other combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those expressly described above are also contemplated as may be recited in any of the appended claims. Although specific terms have been used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. [Appendix 1] an age verification system configured to verify an age of a user; an aerosol delivery device configured to provide aerosol to the user and to include a consumable of a plurality of consumables, each of the plurality of consumables being assigned a unique identifier, the unique identifier being used to authenticate the user by comparing the unique identifier to an approved list of unique identifiers associated with the user, and further requiring the user to be age verified and the consumable to be authenticated in order for the aerosol delivery device to operate; A system including: [Appendix 2] Each of the consumables is an aerosol precursor composition; a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition into an aerosol; 2. The system of claim 1, comprising: [Appendix 3] The aerosol delivery device further comprises: a battery unit including a battery, the battery unit being configured to couple to one of the consumables; 3. The system of claim 2, comprising: [Appendix 4] 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the battery powers the heating element. [Appendix 5] 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the power is supplied to the heating element only if the consumable is authenticated by the unique identifier approved for use with the aerosol delivery device. [Appendix 6] 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication includes comparing the unique identifier to the approved list of unique identifiers for the aerosol delivery device. [Appendix 7] 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the approved list includes unique identifiers of consumables purchased by the user and registered to the user. [Appendix 8] 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the authentication requires that the user first be age-verified. [Appendix 9] 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the authentication is required each time the consumable is replaced or refilled. [Appendix 10] a host device coupled to the aerosol delivery device and coupled to the age verification system, the host device storing the approved list of unique identifiers and accessing a user profile of the user; 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: [Appendix 11] 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the user profile is stored on a network and accessed by the host device. [Appendix 12] 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the host device includes a mobile device and the user profile is accessed by an application on the mobile device. [Appendix 13] 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the host device communicates with the age verification system over a network. [Appendix 14] 1. A method of registering a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, comprising: receiving age verification of a user of the aerosol delivery device; receiving a request for a unique identifier associated with at least one of the cartridges; adding the unique identifier corresponding to the at least one of the cartridges to an approved list for the user; receiving a request to compare the unique identifier of one of the cartridges to the approved list, where if the unique identifier of that cartridge is on the approved list, then that cartridge receives power from the aerosol delivery device; The method includes: [Appendix 15] 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the unique identifier for each of the cartridges is assigned at the time of manufacture and provided after purchase. [Appendix 16] 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the approved list is updated with a unique identifier for each cartridge purchased. [Appendix 17] 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the unique identifier of any cartridge that has been consumed is removed from the approved list. [Appendix 18] 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the request for a unique identifier includes a user scanning a barcode of the cartridge. [Appendix 19] 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the approved list is part of a user profile, the user profile also including the age verification of the user and stored on a network. [Appendix 20] The age verification further includes: communicating over a network with an age verification system to receive said age verification of said user; 15. The method of claim 14, comprising: [Appendix 21] 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the approved list is stored in a network using blockchain technology. [Appendix 22] A control unit body configured to supply power for generating an aerosol; a consumable of a plurality of consumables configured to be coupled with the control unit body for the generation of the aerosol, each of the plurality of consumables being assigned a unique identifier, the unique identifier being used for authentication by comparing the unique identifier with an approved list of unique identifiers, and further, age verification and the authentication being required for the control unit body to operate; 13. An aerosol delivery device comprising: [Appendix 23] 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the approved list includes unique identifiers of consumables purchased by the user and registered to the user, the registration for the user including the age verification.

Claims

1. an age verification system configured to verify an age of a user; an aerosol delivery device configured to provide aerosol to the user and to include one of a plurality of consumables, each of the plurality of consumables being assigned a unique identifier, the unique identifier being used to authenticate the one of the plurality of consumables by comparing the unique identifier of the one of the plurality of consumables to an approved list of unique identifiers associated with the user, and further configured to transition from a locked state that prevents the one of the plurality of consumables from providing the aerosol to the user to an unlocked state that permits the one of the plurality of consumables to provide the aerosol to the user in response to the user being age verified and the consumable being authenticated for the user by comparison to the approved list; A system including:

2. Each of the consumables is an aerosol precursor composition; a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition into the aerosol; The system of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The aerosol delivery device further comprises: a battery unit including a battery, the battery unit configured to couple with the one of the plurality of consumables; The system of claim 2 , comprising:

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the battery powers the heating element.

5. The system described in claim 4, wherein power is supplied to the heating element only in response to at least one of the plurality of consumables being authenticated to the user via the approved list and the unique identifier.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the authentication includes comparing the unique identifier of the one of the plurality of consumables to the approved list of unique identifiers for the user associated with the aerosol delivery device.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the approved list includes unique identifiers of consumables purchased by and registered to the user.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the authentication requires that the user first be age verified.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the authentication is required each time a consumable of the plurality of consumables is replaced or refilled.

10. a host device coupled to the aerosol delivery device and coupled to the age verification system, the host device storing the approved list of unique identifiers and accessing a user profile of the user; The system of claim 1 further comprising:

11. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein a user profile is stored on a network and accessed by the host device.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the host device comprises a mobile device, and the user profile is accessed by an application on the mobile device.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the host device communicates with the age verification system over a network.

14. 1. A method for controlling aerosol generation from a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, comprising: receiving age verification of a user of the aerosol delivery device; receiving a request for a unique identifier associated with one of the cartridges; adding the unique identifier corresponding to the one of the cartridges to an approved list for the user; receiving a request to compare the unique identifier of the one of the cartridges to the approved list, determining that the unique identifier of the one of the cartridges is on the approved list for the user by comparing the unique identifier of the one of the cartridges with unique identifiers of cartridges in the approved list for the user, and in response to the user being age-verified by the age verification, the one of the cartridges receives power from the aerosol delivery device to generate the aerosol from the one of the cartridges for the user; The method includes:

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the unique identifier for each of the cartridges is assigned at the time of manufacture and provided after purchase.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the approved list is updated with a unique identifier for each cartridge purchased.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the unique identifiers of all cartridges that have been consumed are removed from the approved list.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the request for a unique identifier includes a user scanning a bar code of the cartridge.

19. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the approved list is part of a user profile, the user profile also including the age verification of the user, and is stored on a network.

20. The age verification further includes: communicating over a network with an age verification system to receive said age verification of said user; 15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

21. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the approved list is stored in a network using blockchain technology.

22. An aerosol delivery device comprising: A control unit body configured to supply power for generating an aerosol; one of a plurality of consumables configured to be coupled to the control unit body for the generation of the aerosol, the one of the plurality of consumables being assigned a unique identifier, the unique identifier being used to authenticate the one of the plurality of consumables by comparing the unique identifier of the one of the plurality of consumables to an approved list of unique identifiers for a user, and further configured, in response to the user being age verified and the consumable being authenticated for the user by comparison to the approved list, for the aerosol delivery device to transition from a locked state that prevents the one of the plurality of consumables from providing the aerosol to the user to an unlocked state that permits the one of the plurality of consumables to provide the aerosol to the user; 13. An aerosol delivery device comprising:

23. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the approved list includes unique identifiers of consumables purchased by the user and registered to the user, the registration for the user including the age verification.

Images