Aerosol Device Biometric Nodal Point Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aerosol provision systems lack effective control over activation, allowing unauthorized use and potential misuse, which can be undesirable for manufacturers seeking to prevent activation in certain circumstances.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating control circuitry and a biometric detector using nodal point identification to authenticate authorized users, ensuring the aerosol provision device can only be activated by verified individuals, thereby maintaining security and control over usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a biometric detector with nodal point identification is added to the aerosol provision device, then security and control over usage are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biometric authentication system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a biometric detector for capturing facial data, control circuitry for processing the data and comparing it against stored templates, and a database for storing authorized user information. This modular segmentation allows the security function to be added without completely redesigning the entire device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuitry acts as an intermediary between the biometric detector and the aerosol generation system. It processes the biometric data, determines authentication status, and controls the activation of the aerosol provision device accordingly. This intermediary layer provides a clear interface between the security subsystem and the main device functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If biometric authentication is implemented, then unauthorized use is prevented, but ease of operation is reduced due to additional authentication steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unauthorized useVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Biometric authentication data is captured and stored in advance during a registration phase, creating a template for future comparisons. This preliminary action ensures that when a user attempts to activate the device, the authentication process is rapid and requires minimal user input, as the system simply compares the current facial scan against pre-stored templates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The nodal point identification system automatically captures and processes facial biometric data without requiring manual intervention or complex user actions. The system self-activates upon detecting a user's presence and automatically completes the authentication process by comparing facial features against stored data, minimizing the operational burden on the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250098781A1Aerosol provision arrangement

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 NICOVENTURES TRADING LTD

AI summary

There is provided an aerosol provision arrangement (100) comprising: an aerosol provision device comprising control circuitry (112, 212) for controlling an activation state of the aerosol provision device; and, a biometric detector (120, 220) arranged to detect a property associated with a user (130, 230, 250, 304, 326) of the aerosol provision device and provide a signal (140, 240, 260) to the control circuitry (112, 212), wherein the control circuitry (112, 212) is arranged to change an activation state of the aerosol provision device upon receiving a signal (140, 240, 260) from the biometric detector (120, 220) associated with an authorised user and wherein the biometric detector (120, 220) uses nodal point identification.