Vaporizer Access Control Using Age Verification and Proximity Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaporizer devices face challenges in preventing underage and unauthorized use, as well as controlling the use of vaporizers in specific locations and ensuring the authenticity of consumable parts.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of computer-implemented methods and devices that determine whether a vaporizer is within a communication range of a second device, locking or unlocking the vaporizer based on user age verification, and using communication features to control the use of vaporizers in specific locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication features are added to enable location-based control and age verification, then unauthorized use prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A second device (such as a smartphone or verification device) acts as an intermediary between the vaporizer and the verification system. The vaporizer communicates with the second device, which then performs age verification and authorization checks. This mediator approach allows the vaporizer to gain unauthorized use prevention capabilities without embedding all verification functionality directly in the vaporizer, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the vaporizer unit, the second device for verification, and potentially a remote server for data storage and additional verification. By segmenting the system, each component can be optimized independently, and the vaporizer itself remains relatively simple while the overall system provides robust unauthorized use prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If locking mechanism is implemented to prevent unauthorized use, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Age verification and authorization are performed in advance before the vaporizer becomes operational. The user completes verification steps (such as entering age information or biometric authentication) before use, and once authorized, the vaporizer remains unlocked for normal operation. This preliminary action ensures safety without creating ongoing operational barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking state of the vaporizer is dynamic rather than static. The device transitions between locked and unlocked states based on verification status and usage conditions. After successful verification, the device remains accessible, providing ease of operation for authorized users while maintaining safety controls when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Vaporizers and vaporizer systems, which can include a user device in communication with a vaporizer, can include one or more features related to control of functions and/or features of the vaporizer. A method for locking a vaporizer is provided. The method includes determining whether a vaporizer is within a communication range of a second device. The method further includes locking the vaporizer in response to the vaporizer being within the communication range. The method further includes receiving information associated with a user of the vaporizer. The method further includes determining, based on the received information, an age of the user and unlocking, by the one or more processors and based on the age of the user satisfying a threshold, the vaporizer to activate the operation of the vaporizer.