Aerosol generator with user authentication

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device that may include a radiator. The radiator may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at at least two distinct frequencies. One of the frequencies may be within the infrared spectrum. The aerosol generating device may further include a detector. The detector may be configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in at least two distinct frequency spectra emitted by the radiator. The aerosol generating device may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to perform face recognition of a user of the aerosol generating device for user authentication based on the detector output. The present invention further relates to a method of performing user authentication in an aerosol generating device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device. The present invention further relates to a method for performing user authentication in an aerosol generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to provide aerosol-generating devices for producing inhalable vapors. Such devices may heat an aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature at which one or more components of the aerosol-forming substrate volatilize, without burning the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided as part of an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may have a rod shape for insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity (such as a heating chamber) of the aerosol-generating device. A heating element may be disposed in or around the heating chamber to heat the aerosol-forming substrate when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device.

[0003] It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device that allows for user authentication. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with improved user authentication. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device that allows for user age verification. It would be desirable to have an aerosol generating device with improved user age verification. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating device that may include an emitter. The emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at at least two distinct frequencies, one of which may be in the infrared spectrum. The aerosol generating device may further include a detector. The detector may be configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in the spectrum of at least two distinct frequencies emitted by the emitter. The aerosol generating device may further include a controller. The controller may be configured to perform facial recognition of a user of the aerosol generating device for user authentication based on the detector output.

[0005] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at at least two distinct frequencies, one of which is in the infrared spectrum. The aerosol generating device may further comprise a detector configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation in the spectrum of at least two distinct frequencies emitted by the emitter. The aerosol generating device may further comprise a controller configured to perform facial recognition of a user of the aerosol generating device for user authentication based on the detector output.

[0006] User authentication can enhance the security of a device. For example, it can prevent minor users from misusing the device. As a further example, it can prevent unauthorized users from using the device after it has been lost.

[0007] Emitting electromagnetic radiation at at least two distinct wavelengths may improve the user authentication process. For example, if only visible light is used for user authentication, different ambient light conditions may be problematic. By using electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum, user authentication may be improved in low light conditions.

[0008] The controller may be further configured to perform age verification of a user of the aerosol generating device based on the detector output.

[0009] Age verification may improve the functionality of the device to prevent underage users from using the device.

[0010] The emitter may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum, which allows for highly accurate age verification in both nighttime and daylight conditions. Electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum may be optimal in low light conditions, such as nighttime. Electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum may be optimal in bright conditions, such as daytime.

[0011] Configuring the emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum may enable the emitter to have user interface functionality. The user interface functionality may, for example, enable the emitter to notify a user of a status. This may be facilitated by variations in visible light, such as flashing, varying brightness, or varying light color. This may be utilized to visually communicate the status of user authentication to the user.

[0012] The emitter may comprise an LED. The emitter may include an OLED. The emitter may comprise a laser.

[0013] The emitter may be embedded in the housing of the aerosol generating device. The emitter may be disposed behind a transparent portion of the housing. The emitter may be hermetically sealed behind the transparent portion of the housing. The transparent portion of the housing may be disposed at the proximal end of the housing. Such an arrangement may protect the emitter from external influences.

[0014] The transparent portion may act as a diffuser element for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiator.

[0015] The emitter may be overmolded with a polymer compound to embed the emitter within the housing of the aerosol generating device. The polymer compound may be transparent so as to act as a transparent portion of the housing.

[0016] The emitter may be arranged such that electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter is reflected proximally by the housing of the aerosol generating device, such that the electromagnetic radiation from the emitter may be more uniformly spread or concentrated within a predetermined range.

[0017] An LED may be used to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a user's face. The user's face may be illuminated by the LED's electromagnetic radiation. This illumination may be utilized in that a detector may capture image data of the user's face. The detector may then output information including image data information of the user's face.

[0018] The emitter may comprise at least two LEDs.

[0019] The two LEDs may be capable of emitting two distinct wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

[0020] The emitter may comprise at least one LED for emitting electromagnetic radiation.

[0021] This electromagnetic radiation may be optimal for user authentication during bright ambient light conditions, for example, in sunlight or well-lit spaces.

[0022] The emitter may comprise at least one LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum.

[0023] This electromagnetic radiation may be ideal for user authentication during low light conditions, for example, at night or in poorly lit spaces.

[0024] The combination of at least one LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and at least one LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum may enable the device to perform user authentication in all lighting conditions. In particular, improved user authentication may be possible not only in daylight conditions, but also in low light environments.

[0025] The emitter may comprise at least one LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 700 nm and 1400 nm, preferably between 800 nm and 1200 nm, more preferably between 820 nm and 890 nm, and most preferably 850 nm.

[0026] This infrared spectrum, adjacent to the visible spectrum, may be particularly suitable for improving user authentication in typical low light conditions.

[0027] The emitter may include at least two LEDs, a first LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and a second LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum.

[0028] The emitter may comprise an LED ring.

[0029] The LED ring may emit electromagnetic radiation uniformly. Alternatively, or additionally, a diffuser element may be disposed in front of the emitter. The uniform distribution of the emitted electromagnetic radiation may be beneficial for uniformly illuminating the user's face. The uniform illumination of the user's face may improve the quality of image data received by the detector and, therefore, the quality of user authentication performed by the controller.

[0030] The emitter may be located at the proximal end of the device.

[0031] User authentication may be performed by the user pointing the proximal end of the device towards their face, and the emitter may then illuminate the user's face as described herein.

[0032] The emitter may be disposed surrounding the proximal opening of the device.

[0033] A perimeter configuration may be enabled by providing the emitter as a ring-shaped emitter. Illustratively, as described herein, the emitter may be configured as an LED ring.

[0034] The proximal opening may be configured as an opening in a cavity of the device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, as described in more detail below. The surrounding configuration may allow user authentication to be performed regardless of whether an aerosol-generating article is received within the cavity of the device. In both cases, the emitter may emit electromagnetic radiation in a proximal direction of the device.

[0035] The emitter may be arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation in a proximal direction.

[0036] The user's face may be in proximity to the device during the user authentication process.

[0037] The detector may be configured as a camera.

[0038] The camera may be configured to detect at least two distinct wavelengths emitted by the emitter. Illustratively, a user's face illuminated by the emitter may reflect the emitter's electromagnetic radiation back to the camera, such that the camera may receive image data of the user's face.

[0039] The camera may be a CCD camera or may comprise a CMOS sensor.

[0040] The detector may be located at the proximal end of the device.

[0041] The detector may be disposed at the same end of the device as the emitter. The detector may be disposed near the emitter. The detector may be disposed adjacent to the emitter. The detector may be disposed abutting the emitter. When the aerosol generating device comprises a cavity and respective openings as described herein, the detector may be disposed on the ring-shaped emitter, preferably on peripheral and proximal points of the ring-shaped emitter.

[0042] The detector may have a focal length of 10 cm to 30 cm, preferably 15 cm to 25 cm, more preferably 18 cm to 22 cm.

[0043] This focal length may be selected to obtain improved image data of the user's face. This focal length may be specifically optimized to improve the age verification process of the user's face. The age verification process of the user's face may be improved by a particular focal length because it may enable accurate measurements of the user's face.

[0044] The age verification process may utilize user facial information, such as facial ratio information of the user's face. The facial ratio information may include the size or ratio of the user's face compared to pre-set facial information. The pre-set facial information may include facial size distributions for age groups, such as adults, teenagers, and children. The pre-set facial information may include facial ratio distributions for age groups, such as adults, teenagers, and children.

[0045] The preset face information may include, among other things, one or both of axial eye length distribution and medial body length distribution for age groups such as adults, teenagers, and children.

[0046] One or both of the axial eye length and the central region human length may be determined by the controller based on image data captured by the detector, and the accuracy of this determination may be improved when the image data of the user is acquired at a focal distance, as described herein.

[0047] The preset axial eye length distribution may include values of 21 mm to 24 mm for adults, 19 mm to 20 mm for teenagers, and 16 mm to 18 mm for children.

[0048] If the user's axial eye length is determined by the controller to be less than 18 millimeters, preferably less than 20 millimeters, the controller may prevent the aerosol generating device from operating.

[0049] Preventing operation of the aerosol generating device may be understood as preventing aerosol generation. Other functions of the aerosol generating device, such as user authentication and age verification, may still be active.

[0050] The preset central region body length distribution may include values of 3 mm to 7 mm for adults, 2 mm to 5 mm for teenagers, and 2 mm to 5 mm for children. A trained detection algorithm may be provided for the age verification process. The detection algorithm may use data from a predetermined database. Similar to the axial eye length distribution, if the age verification process identifies the person as a teenager or a child, the aerosol generating device may be prevented from operating.

[0051] The controller of the aerosol generator is provided for analyzing the image data of the detector, in particular for the age verification process, as shown by "Diagnostic Features for Human Categorization of Adult and Childfaces" (Faghel-Soubeyrand S, Kloess JA, Gosselin F, Charest I and Woodhams J (2021) Diagnostic Features for Human Categorization of Adult and Childfaces. Front. Psychol. 12:775338. doi: 10.3389 / fpsyg.2021.775338).

[0052] The controller may be configured to control the emitter to emit different colors in the visible spectrum to indicate whether the user is within the correct focal distance of the detector.

[0053] For example, the controller may control the emitter to emit a particular color when the user's face is at the correct focal distance of the detector. Alternatively, or additionally, a flashing light signal or other light signal may be emitted by the emitter indicating the correct focal distance between the detector and the user's face. A user at the correct focal distance of the detector may be determined by the controller based on the detector's image data by any known means.

[0054] To determine whether the user's face is at the correct focal length of the detector, the aerosol generating device may include a distance measurement sensor. The distance measurement sensor may have an autofocus function. The distance measurement sensor may include a time-of-flight sensor. The distance measurement sensor may be part of the detector. Both the distance measurement of the user's face and the detection of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter may be facilitated by the detector. Alternatively, the detector may include a fixed focal length lens or be configured as a fixed focal length camera.

[0055] The controller may be configured to prevent aerosol generation of the device when facial recognition may be negative.

[0056] The controller may be configured to enable aerosol generation of the device when facial recognition may be positive.

[0057] The controller may include a look-up table containing information about facial proportions indicative of the user's age, and the controller may be configured to perform age verification by comparing the output of the detector with the information in the look-up table.

[0058] The face ratio information stored in the lookup table may also be referred to as preset face information, as described herein, and the detector output may also be referred to as detector image data, as described herein.

[0059] The device may further comprise a user authentication button, which may be configured to initiate a user authentication process when pressed.

[0060] The authentication button may be disposed on the periphery of the aerosol generating device.

[0061] Pressing the authentication button may cause the emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation as described herein.

[0062] For example, pressing the authentication button may cause the emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation of a first color in the visible spectrum, thus notifying the user that authentication has begun. The user may then position their face proximate to and within the correct focal distance of the detector, as described herein. Correct placement of the user's face proximate to and within the correct focal distance of the detector may then be indicated by one or both of the first color and a second color in the visible spectrum that is different from the flashing light. Further visual guidance may be provided by the emitter during the authentication process. For example, a third distinct color in the visible spectrum may be emitted by the emitter to indicate ongoing user authentication. This may be useful for the user to indicate that the user's face should not move relative to the detector. A fourth distinct color in the visible spectrum may be emitted by the emitter after user authentication is complete. The fourth distinct color may be provided in two distinct colors, depending on whether the user authentication is positive and the device can be used, or whether the user authentication is negative and use of the aerosol generating device is prevented. All colors described herein may be different from one another to allow a user to easily distinguish between different stages of the authentication process. Alternatively, other visual cues, such as a flashing light, may be utilized by the emitter for the same purpose.

[0063] The device may comprise a user database, and the controller may be configured to compare the output of the detector with user data in the user database for user authentication.

[0064] The user database may include information about users who are permitted to use the aerosol generating device, and the image data from the detector may be compared by the controller with the user information in the user database to check whether the detected user is permitted to use the device.

[0065] As used herein, the term "proximal" is used to describe the relative position of a component or portion of a component of an aerosol generating device with respect to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol generating device during use.

[0066] The aerosol generating device may have an oral end through which the aerosol exits the aerosol generating device and is delivered to the user during use. The oral end may also be referred to as the proximal end. During use, a user draws on the proximal end of the aerosol generating device to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device has a distal end opposite the proximal or oral end. The proximal or oral end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the downstream end, and the distal end of the aerosol generating device may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components or portions of components of the aerosol generating device may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on the relative locations of these components or portions of components between the proximal, downstream, or oral end and the distal or upstream end of the aerosol generating device.

[0067] As used herein, "aerosol-generating device" refers to a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol. The aerosol-forming substrate may be part of an aerosol-generating article, for example part of a smoking article. The aerosol-generating device may be a smoking device that interacts with the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that is inhalable directly through the user's mouth into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating device may be a holder. The device may be an electrically heated smoking device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing, an electrical circuit, a power source, a heating chamber, and a heating element.

[0068] As used herein in relation to the present invention, the term "smoking" in relation to a device, article, system, substrate or otherwise does not refer to conventional smoking, in which the aerosol-forming substrate is completely or at least partially combusted. The aerosol-generating device of the present invention is arranged to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate but above a temperature at which one or more volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate are released to form an inhalable aerosol.

[0069] The aerosol generating device may comprise an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit may comprise a microprocessor, which may be a programmable microprocessor. The microprocessor may be part of a controller. The electrical circuit may comprise further electronic components. The electrical circuit may be configured to regulate the supply of power to the heating element. Power may be supplied to the heating element continuously following activation of the aerosol generating device, or may be supplied intermittently, such as with each puff. Power may be supplied to the heating element in the form of current pulses. The electrical circuit may be configured to monitor the electrical resistance of the heating element and to control the supply of power to the heating element, preferably depending on the electrical resistance of the heating element.

[0070] The aerosol generating device may include a power source (typically a battery) within the main body of the aerosol generating device. In one embodiment, the power source is a lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, the power source may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium titanate battery, or a lithium polymer battery). Alternatively, the power source may be another form of charge storage device, such as a capacitor. The power source may require recharging and may have a capacity that allows for storage of energy sufficient for one or more use experiences; for example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to continuously generate aerosol for a period of approximately six minutes, or a multiple of six minutes. In another example, the power source may have a capacity sufficient to provide a predetermined number of puffs or discontinuous activation of the heating element.

[0071] The cavity of the aerosol generating device may have an open end into which the aerosol-generating article is inserted. The open end may be a proximal end. The cavity may have a closed end opposite the open end. The closed end may be a base of the cavity. The closed end may be closed except for the provision of an air opening disposed within the base. The base of the cavity may be flat. The base of the cavity may be circular. The base of the cavity may be disposed upstream of the cavity. The open end may be disposed downstream of the cavity. The cavity may have an elongated extension. The cavity may have a longitudinal central axis. The longitudinal axis may be a direction extending along the longitudinal central axis between the open end and the closed end. The longitudinal central axis of the cavity may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device.

[0072] The cavity may be configured as a heating chamber. The cavity may have a cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The cavity may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol-generating article to be received within the cavity. The cavity may have a circular cross-section. The cavity may have an elliptical or rectangular cross-section. The cavity may have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

[0073] An airflow channel may extend through the cavity. Ambient air may be drawn through the airflow channel into the aerosol-generating device, into the cavity, and toward the user. Downstream of the cavity, a mouthpiece may be disposed, or the user may inhale the aerosol-generating article directly. The airflow channel may extend through the mouthpiece.

[0074] In any aspect of the present disclosure, the heating element may include an electrically resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, semiconductors such as doped ceramics, "conductive" ceramics (e.g., molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys, and composites made of ceramic and metallic materials. Such composites may include doped or undoped ceramics. An example of a suitable doped ceramic is doped silicon carbide. Examples of suitable metals include titanium, zirconium, tantalum platinum, gold, and silver. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminum-, titanium-, zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese-, gold-, and iron-containing alloys, as well as nickel-, iron-, cobalt-, and stainless steel-based superalloys, Timetal®, and iron-manganese-aluminum-based alloys. In composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated in, or coated with the insulating material, or vice versa, depending on the required energy transfer kinetics and external physicochemical properties.

[0075] As described, in any of the aspects of the present disclosure, the heating element may be part of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may include an internal heating element, an external heating element, or both an internal and an external heating element, where "internal" and "external" refer to the aerosol-forming substrate. The internal heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the internal heating element may take the form of a heating blade. Alternatively, the internal heater may take the form of a casing or substrate having different conductive portions or an electrically resistive metal tube. Alternatively, the internal heating element may be one or more heated needles or rods that pass through the center of the aerosol-forming substrate. Other alternatives include a heated wire or filament, such as Ni-Cr (nickel-chromium), platinum, tungsten, or alloy wire or heating plate. Optionally, the internal heating element may be disposed within or on a rigid carrier material. In one such embodiment, the electrically resistive heating element may be formed using a metal with a well-defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track on a suitable insulating material, such as a ceramic material, and then sandwiched in another insulating material, such as glass. The heater thus formed may be used to both heat the heating element and monitor its temperature during operation.

[0076] The external heating element may take any suitable form. For example, the external heating element may take the form of one or more flexible heating foils on a dielectric substrate such as polyimide. The flexible heating foils may be shaped to fit the periphery of the substrate-receiving cavity. Alternatively, the external heating element may take the form of a metal grid, a flexible printed circuit board, a molded-in circuit component (MID), a ceramic heater, a flexible carbon fiber heater, or may be formed using a coating technique such as plasma deposition on a suitably shaped substrate. The external heating element may also be formed using a metal that has a well-defined relationship between temperature and resistivity. In such an exemplary device, the metal may be formed as a track between two layers of suitable insulating material. The external heating element thus formed may be used both to heat the external heating element and to monitor the temperature of the external heating element during operation.

[0077] As an alternative to an electrically resistive heating element, the heating element may be configured as an induction heating element. The induction heating element may include an induction coil and a susceptor. Generally, the susceptor is a material capable of generating heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. When placed within the alternating magnetic field, if the susceptor is conductive, the alternating magnetic field typically induces eddy currents. If the susceptor is magnetic, another effect that typically contributes to heating is commonly referred to as hysteresis loss. Hysteresis loss occurs primarily due to the movement of magnetic domain blocks within the susceptor as their magnetic orientation aligns with the alternating induced magnetic field. Another effect that contributes to hysteresis loss is when magnetic domains expand or contract within the susceptor. Generally, all of these changes, which occur at the nanoscale or below within the susceptor, generate heat within the susceptor, hence the term "hysteresis loss." Thus, if the susceptor is both magnetic and conductive, both hysteresis loss and the generation of eddy currents will contribute to the heating of the susceptor. If the susceptor is magnetic but not conductive, hysteresis loss will be the only means by which the susceptor will heat when penetrated by an alternating magnetic field. According to the present invention, the susceptor may be conductive or magnetic, or both conductive and magnetic. The alternating magnetic field generated by one or several induction coils heats the susceptor, which then transfers heat to the aerosol-forming substrate, thereby forming the aerosol. Heat transfer may be primarily by conduction. Such heat transfer is best when the susceptor is in intimate thermal contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

[0078] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating article" refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate capable of emitting a volatile compound capable of forming an aerosol. For example, the aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article that generates an aerosol that can be inhaled directly through the user's mouth into the user's lungs. The aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

[0079] As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" relates to a substrate capable of emitting one or more volatile compounds capable of forming an aerosol. Such volatile compounds may be emitted by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may conveniently be part of an aerosol-generating article or a smoking article.

[0080] The aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may include both solid and liquid components. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the substrate upon heating. The aerosol-forming substrate may include a non-tobacco material. The aerosol-forming substrate may include an aerosol former that facilitates the formation of a dense and stable aerosol. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0081] The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises a homogenized tobacco material, an aerosol former, and water. Providing a homogenized tobacco material may improve aerosol generation and the nicotine content and flavor profile of the aerosol generated during heating of the aerosol-generating article. Specifically, the process of making homogenized tobacco involves grinding tobacco leaves, which allows for more efficient release of nicotine and flavor upon heating.

[0082] The present invention further relates to a method of performing user authentication on an aerosol generating device as described herein, the method comprising: initiating a user authentication process by facial recognition of said user of the aerosol generating device by emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies by an emitter; receiving electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies with a detector; and comparing, by a controller, the detector output with user data in a user database for user authentication.

[0083] The present invention further relates to a method for performing user authentication on an aerosol generating device as described herein, the method comprising: initiating a user authentication process by facial recognition of said user of the aerosol generating device by emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies by an emitter; receiving electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies with a detector; and comparing, by the controller, the output of the detector with user data in a user database for user authentication.

[0084] The method may further include an age verification process including comparing, by the controller, the detector output with facial proportion information indicative of the user's age from a look-up table to estimate the user's age.

[0085] The following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples, any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

[0086] Example 1. An aerosol generating device, a radiator configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies, one of the frequencies being within the infrared spectrum; and a detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in a spectrum of at least two distinct frequencies emitted by the emitter; An aerosol generating device comprising: a controller configured to perform facial recognition of a user of the aerosol generating device for user authentication based on the output of the detector.

[0087] Example 2. The aerosol generating device of example 1, wherein the controller is further configured to perform age verification of a user of the aerosol generating device based on the output of the detector.

[0088] Example 3. The aerosol generating device of any preceding example, wherein the emitter comprises an LED.

[0089] Example 4. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the emitter comprises at least two LEDs.

[0090] Example 5. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the emitter comprises at least one LED for emitting electromagnetic radiation within the visible light spectrum.

[0091] Example 6. An aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding Examples 1 to 8, wherein the emitter comprises at least one LED for emitting electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum.

[0092] Example 7. An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the emitter comprises at least one LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1000 nm, preferably 820 nm to 890 nm, more preferably 850 nm.

[0093] Example 8. An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the emitter comprises at least two LEDs, a first LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum, and a second LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum.

[0094] Example 9. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the emitter comprises an LED ring.

[0095] Example 10. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the emitter is disposed at the proximal end of the device.

[0096] Example 11. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the emitter is disposed surrounding the proximal opening of the device.

[0097] Example 12. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the emitter is arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation in a proximal direction.

[0098] Example 13. The aerosol generating device of any of the preceding examples, wherein the detector is configured as a camera.

[0099] Example 14. An aerosol generating apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the detector has a focal length of 10 cm to 30 cm, preferably 15 cm to 25 cm, more preferably 18 cm to 22 cm.

[0100] Example 15. An aerosol generating device according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller is configured to control the emitter to emit different colors within the visible spectrum to indicate whether the user is within the correct focal distance of the detector.

[0101] Example 16. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the controller is configured to prevent aerosol generation by the device when facial recognition is negative.

[0102] Example 17. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the controller is configured to enable aerosol generation of the device when facial recognition is positive.

[0103] Example 18. An aerosol generating device described in any of the preceding examples, wherein the controller comprises a lookup table containing information on facial proportions indicative of the user's age, and the controller is configured to perform age verification by comparing the output of the detector with the information in the lookup table.

[0104] Example 19. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the device further comprises a user authentication button and is configured to initiate a user authentication process when the user authentication button is pressed.

[0105] Example 20. An aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, wherein the device comprises a user database, and the controller is configured to compare the output of the detector with user data in the user database for user authentication.

[0106] Example 21. A method for user authentication in an aerosol generating device according to any preceding example, comprising: - initiating a user authentication process by facial recognition of the user of the aerosol generating device by emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies by a radiator; receiving electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies by a detector; - comparing, by the controller, the output of the detector with user data in a user database for user authentication.

[0107] Example 22. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising an age verification process, including comparing, by the controller, the detector output with facial ratio information indicative of the user's age from a lookup table to estimate the user's age.

[0108] Features described with respect to one embodiment may be equally applied to other embodiments of the invention.

[0109] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0110] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an aerosol generating device having an emitter and a detector. [Figures 2A-2C] 2A-2C show a more detailed view of the emitter and detector. [Figure 3A-3C] 3A-3C illustrate a user authentication and age verification process utilizing an aerosol generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0111] Figure 1 shows an aerosol generating device 10. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a housing 12. The aerosol generating device 10 comprises a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. An emitter 18 and a detector 20 are disposed at the proximal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10. Additionally, Figure 1 shows a user authentication button 22.

[0112] The emitter 18 and the detector 20 are part of a user authentication function of the aerosol generating device 10. Additionally, the emitter 18 and the detector 20 are part of an age verification function of the aerosol generating device 10. To this end, the aerosol generating device 10 further comprises a controller, which is disposed within the housing 12 of the aerosol generating device 10 and is not shown in FIG.

[0113] The emitter 18 is configured as a ring-shaped LED. The emitter 18 is disposed surrounding an opening 24 of the aerosol generation device 10. The opening 24 allows an aerosol-generating article to be received in a cavity 26 of the aerosol generation device 10. In other words, the opening 24 disposed at the proximal end 14 of the aerosol generation device 10 is the opening 24 of the cavity 26 of the aerosol generation device 10 for receiving an aerosol-generating article including an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0114] The aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to perform user verification and age verification functions as described below with reference to FIGS.

[0115] 2A, 2B, and 2C show a more detailed view of the proximal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10.

[0116] Figure 2A shows a top view of the proximal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10 of Figure 1. The emitter 18 is shown as a ring-shaped LED that surrounds the cavity 26 of the aerosol generating device 10. A protrusion 28 is provided in the center of the aerosol-generating article when the article is inserted into the cavity 26. The gaps between the individual protrusions 28 allow for additional airflow.

[0117] Detector 20 is provided as a camera. Detector 20 is disposed next to opening 24 in emitter 18. Detector 20 is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation of the wavelength emitted by emitter 18.

[0118] The emitter 18 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct wavelengths. Figure 2B shows a slightly different view of the proximal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10, and Figure 2C shows the emitter 18 in operation emitting electromagnetic radiation.

[0119] To perform the user authentication function, the user presses the user authentication button 22. The user then aligns the emitter 18 and detector 20 at the proximal end 14 of the aerosol generating device 10 so that the emitter 18 illuminates the user's face. At the same time, the detector 20 collects image data of the user's face.

[0120] This process is illustrated in Figure 3, which further indicates that the distance between the detector 20 and the user's face, i.e., the focal length of the detector 20, should be within a certain range to enable the age verification function.

[0121] For the user authentication function, the image data of the detector 20, including information about the user's face, is processed by the controller of the aerosol generating device 10. The image data of the detector 20 is compared to preset facial information stored in a lookup table. The preset facial information includes user information, i.e., which users are authorized to use the aerosol generating device 10. If the controller determines a match between the image data of the detector 20 and the preset facial information, user authentication is positive. During initial startup of the device, the user may input the preset facial information, for example, by taking multiple photographs of their face using the detector 20. This information may be used as basic 30 information for the user authentication function.

[0122] The age verification function utilizes the focal length 32 of the detector 20. The user's face must be within the optimal focal length 34 of the detector 20. In this case, the processor can determine information such as the user's axial eye length and central region body length. This information can be reliably determined only if the user is within the optimal focal length 34 of the detector 20. This information can be compared to pre-set facial information, including one or both of the axial eye length distribution and central region body length distribution. In this manner, the controller can estimate the user's age. If the user is estimated to be an adult, the age verification is positive. If the user is estimated to be a teenager, especially if the user is estimated to be a child, the age verification is negative.

[0123] If one or both of the user authentication and age verification are negative, the controller prevents the aerosol generating device 10 from generating aerosol.

[0124] Figure 3A shows a user with their face too far away from the detector 20. Figure 3B shows a user with their face at the optimal focal distance 34, approximately 18 cm to 22 cm away from the detector 20. Figure 2C shows a user with their face too close to the detector 20. At the optimal focal distance 34, the detector 20, together with the controller, can determine the user's base 30 ratio and therefore estimate the user's age.

[0125] The color of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter 18 can be used to guide the user through user authentication and age verification. For example, when the user presses the user authentication button 22, the emitter 18 can emit a first color to indicate that the aerosol generating device 10 is ready to perform user authentication and age verification. The user may then position their face in front of the detector 20. When the user positions their face within the optimal focal distance 34 of the detector 20, the emitter 18 can emit a second color, different from the first color, to indicate to the user that user authentication and age verification may begin. While user authentication and age verification are beginning, an additional distinct color can be used by the emitter 18 to indicate the ongoing process to the user. The completion of user authentication and age verification may be indicated by the emitter 18 in an additional color.

[0126] Emitter 18 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum and separately and simultaneously emit electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum, meaning that user authentication and age verification can be performed in daylight and low light conditions.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a radiator configured to emit electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies, one of the frequencies being in the infrared spectrum and one of the frequencies being in the visible light spectrum; a detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation in the spectrum of at least the two distinct frequencies emitted by the emitter; and An aerosol generating device comprising: a controller configured to perform facial recognition of a user of the aerosol generating device for user authentication based on the detector output.

2. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to perform age verification of a user of the aerosol generating device based on the detector output.

3. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises at least one LED capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1000 nm, preferably 820 nm to 890 nm, more preferably 850 nm.

4. An aerosol generating device as described in claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises an LED ring.

5. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the emitter is disposed so as to surround the proximal end of the device.

6. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the emitter is arranged to emit the electromagnetic radiation in a proximal direction.

7. The aerosol generating device of claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured as a camera.

8. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the detector has a focal length of 10 cm to 30 cm, preferably 15 cm to 25 cm, more preferably 18 cm to 22 cm.

9. 9. The aerosol generating device of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to control the emitter to emit different colors within the visible light spectrum to indicate to a user whether the user is within the correct focal distance of the detector.

10. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to prevent aerosol generation by the device when the facial recognition is negative.

11. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a lookup table containing facial ratio information indicative of the age of the user, and the controller is configured to perform age verification by comparing the output of the detector with the information in the lookup table.

12. 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a user authentication button, the user authentication button configured to initiate a user authentication process when pressed.

13. 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a user database, and the controller is configured to compare the output of the detector with the user data in the user database for user authentication.

14. A method for performing user authentication in an aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: - initiating a user authentication process by facial recognition of the user of the aerosol generating device by emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least two distinct frequencies by the emitter, one of the frequencies being in the infrared spectrum and one of the frequencies being in the visible light spectrum; receiving, by said detector, electromagnetic radiation of said at least two distinct frequencies; comparing, by said controller, the output of said detector with user data in a user database for user authentication.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising an age verification process further comprising comparing, by the controller, an output of the detector with facial proportion information indicative of the user's age from a look-up table to estimate the user's age.

Images