KR20240013384A - Aerosol-generating device with age verification and device locking - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device with an age authentication and locking function, and more specifically, an aerosol generating device with an age authentication and locking function that implements effective age authentication and unlocking of the device accordingly, while lowering manufacturing costs and increasing user convenience. It is about the generating device.
The aerosol generating device of the embodiment includes an input unit for detecting user input, a communication means for communicating with an external device that performs user age authentication, and an authentication password for user authentication, which is transmitted from the external device through the communication means, and is stored. It includes a control unit that controls the operation of the memory unit and the aerosol generating unit and can change the state between the locked state and the unlocked state, and the control unit determines that the age authentication state is in the case when the authentication password is stored in the memory unit. , Characterized in that the unlocking process is performed only under age verification.

Description

Aerosol generating device with age verification and locking function {AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE WITH AGE VERIFICATION AND DEVICE LOCKING}

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device with an age authentication and locking function, and more specifically, an aerosol generating device with an age authentication and locking function that implements effective age authentication and unlocking of the device accordingly, while lowering manufacturing costs and increasing user convenience. It is about the generating device.

Inhalation of hedonic substances, commonly referred to as smoking, can be achieved by inhaling fine particles in the air, i.e. aerosols. Previously, cigarette-type tobacco was almost the only means of inhaling these substances, but recently, aerosol generating devices such as electronic cigarettes are also being used. Electronic cigarettes generate aerosol by vaporizing the inhaled material into vapor by applying heat or ultrasonic waves to a cartridge containing the inhaled material in liquid form, so it is completely different from the conventional cigarette type of cigarette that generates smoke by combustion. It has the advantage of being able to prevent the generation of various harmful substances that may occur due to combustion.

Because of the possibility of inhaling nicotine, aerosol generating devices are subject to restrictions such as restrictions on sales and use, like regular cigarettes. Nevertheless, teenagers can easily acquire and use them through proxy purchases and second-hand transactions, and problems of unauthorized use by family members may arise. Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2222248 discloses an electronic cigarette user authentication system and method. Additionally, Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2325372 discloses a method of authenticating a user through an external device and determining the operation of an aerosol generating device according to the authentication result. Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0080943 discloses a means of adding a biometric authentication function to an aerosol generating device so that only users who have obtained user authentication can use it.

These conventional methods can still avoid age-restricted authentication or user authentication, so there is a need to utilize a recognized authentication system to prevent authentication bypass, which is a limitation of the prior art. If an aerosol generating device has a biometric authentication function, it is difficult to prevent use by youth because it is possible to reset the device and re-register biometric information. Additionally, when an aerosol generating device is authenticated by an external device, it is intended to provide additional functions to the user and can be used even without authentication.

In embodiments, even if the aerosol-generating device does not have a terminal function that can connect to the Internet, the age is authenticated upon first use of the aerosol-generating device by linking with an authorized authentication system using an external device, and the device is used only if the user is of age for use. The purpose is to provide an aerosol-generating device that can be unlocked and prevent minor use by youth.

Additionally, the purpose is to provide an aerosol generating device that can restrict unauthorized use by others through identity authentication using pattern or biometric authentication or password authentication.

The aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention is an aerosol generating device capable of changing states between a locked state and an unlocked state, including a housing for accommodating internal components, a power supply for applying power to the components, and an unlocking state. An aerosol generator operating in the state, an input unit for detecting user input, a communication means for communicating with an external device that performs user age authentication, and an authentication password for user authentication transmitted from the external device through the communication means. It includes a control unit that controls the operation of the stored memory unit and the aerosol generating unit and can change the state into a locked state and an unlocked state, and the control unit is configured to set the age authentication state when an authentication password is stored in the memory unit. The unlocking process is performed only in the age authentication state. The control unit determines whether the user input detected through the input unit matches the authentication password stored in the memory unit during the unlocking process, and if they match, the lock is unlocked. It is characterized by state conversion to the released state.

In addition, in the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention, when receiving a user's request for use, the control unit determines whether the aerosol generating device is in a locked state or an unlocked state, and if in a locked state, performs an unlocking process, and unlocks the aerosol generating device. In this case, power is supplied to the aerosol generator to control the aerosol to be generated.

In addition, the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the input unit is a keypad module formed on the outside of the housing and including a plurality of buttons for inputting characters.

In addition, the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the input unit is a touch sensor module formed on the outside of the housing for pattern input.

Additionally, the aerosol generating device of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the aerosol generating device is initially manufactured without age verification.

In addition, the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the communication means is a communication module capable of two-way communication in a wired or wireless manner.

In addition, the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the communication means is a short-distance unidirectional signal detection sensor.

In addition, in the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit calculates the degree of use of the aerosol generating device in the unlocked state, and changes the state of the aerosol generating device to the locked state when the calculated degree of use exceeds a predetermined threshold. It is characterized by

In addition, in the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit calculates the degree of use of the aerosol generating device in an unlocked state, and when the calculated degree of use exceeds a predetermined threshold, the aerosol generating device is placed in an age-unverified state. It is characterized by conversion.

In addition, in the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention, when receiving a user's password change request in the age authentication state, the control unit changes the authentication password based on the user input detected through the input unit and stores it in the memory unit. It is characterized by

In addition, the authentication system of the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention includes an aerosol generating device of any of the above embodiments, an authentication unit that verifies the age of the user, and, when the authentication of the user's age performed by the authentication unit succeeds, based on the user input. It is characterized by comprising an authentication providing device including a password generating unit that generates an authentication password, and a password transmitting unit that transmits the generated authentication password to the aerosol generating device.

In addition, the authentication system of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the authentication unit is connected to a public authentication system and an Internet network to request age authentication and receive the age authentication result.

In addition, the authentication system of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the authentication password generated by the password transmission unit based on the user input is a text password.

In addition, the authentication system of the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the authentication password generated by the password transmission unit based on the user input is a pattern password.

In addition, in the authentication system of the aerosol generating device of an embodiment of the present invention, the password generating unit changes the authentication password based on the user input when receiving a password change request from the user, and the password transmitting unit sends the changed authentication password to the aerosol generating device. It is characterized by transmitting to .

The aerosol generating device provided by the present invention is unlocked only after age verification by an accredited authentication system upon first use, thereby preventing unauthorized use by youth, and re-authentication can be requested regularly, further strengthening the age authentication function. .

In addition, the aerosol generating device provided by the present invention can perform authorized age authentication using an external device without being equipped with a communication module or terminal function for accessing the Internet, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of age authentication.

Additionally, the aerosol generating device according to the present invention has the effect of preventing unauthorized use by others by requiring user authentication before use.

1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a conceptual plan view to explain the external configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of converting a user's touch input into data through the input unit 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of an authentication system for an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generating device 100 of an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the authentication providing device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a flow chart showing how the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention operates after receiving a user's request for use;
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the unlocking process that can be performed by the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of operating an authentication system for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 is a flowchart for explaining the age authentication process of the authentication system for an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram for explaining the functional configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a conceptual plan view to explain the external configuration of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 includes a housing 110, a control unit 120, an aerosol generating unit 130, an input unit 140, a communication means 150, a memory unit 160, and a power supply device 170. may include.

The aerosol generating device 100 can maintain either an age-verified state or an age-unverified state by the control unit 120, and can also maintain either a locked state or an unlocked state. The age-unverified state can be converted to an age-verified state through an age authentication process that will be described later, and the locked state can be converted to an unlocked state through an unlocking process that will be described later. The locked state may be, for example, a state in which the operation of the aerosol generating unit 130 is restricted. In particular, it is preferable that the control unit 120 allows the operation of the aerosol generating unit 130 only when the age is verified and the lock is unlocked. Additionally, it is preferable that the aerosol generating device 100 is initially manufactured without age verification. The unlocking process can only be performed in the age authentication state, so if the aerosol generating device is in an unauthenticated state, it may mean that it is in a locked state at the same time.

The control unit 120 may include, for example, a Micro-Controller Unit (MCU) that can perform command processing, various operations, and device control. The control unit 120 controls the operation of the aerosol generating unit 130 and converts the aerosol generating device 100 into one of the locked state and the unlocked state. Additionally, the control unit 120 determines whether the authentication password is stored in the memory unit 160, and if so, determines that the aerosol generating device 100 is in an age authentication state. In addition, the control unit 120 determines whether the user input detected through the input unit 140 matches the authentication password stored in the memory unit 160, and if they match, the aerosol generating device 100 is unlocked. By changing the state, the user can use the aerosol generating device 100.

The aerosol generating unit 130 includes a substrate supply unit into which an aerosol-forming substrate (smoking article), such as a liquid cartridge or cigarette, is inserted or fixedly mounted, and a substrate supply portion or aerosol-forming substrate that supplies energy by a method such as resistance heating, induction heating, or high-frequency heating. It may include a heating member that generates aerosol by supplying it to the. The aerosol generator 130 corresponds to a technology easily recognized by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and its detailed description is omitted. The power supply device 170 may be, for example, a secondary battery, and may include all or Apply the power necessary for operation to some parts.

Components of aerosol-generating device 100 may be housed within housing 110 . The housing 110 has a size that can be carried and held and protects the components accommodated therein. Since the input unit 140 must detect the user's input, it is preferably provided on the outside of the housing 110. The input unit 140 may be a variety of conventional means capable of receiving user input. For example, the input unit 140 may be a keypad module formed on the outside of the housing 110 and including a plurality of buttons for character input, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2. Alternatively, the input unit 140 may be a touch sensor module formed on the outside of the housing 110 for inputting a touch pattern, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2. The input unit 140 may also be a touch screen or a combination of a liquid crystal panel and a few buttons. In this way, the input unit 140 may adopt various input means that are already known.

When the input unit 140 is a touch sensor module or a touch screen as shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the input unit 140 may include a plurality of logically divided touch areas 141. In this case, the input unit 140 can receive a pattern input as a user input, which is formed by starting from one touch area 141 of the touch sensor and connecting the surrounding touch areas 141 with one continuous line. there is. Pattern input is widely used as a means to easily replace the user password consisting of conventional characters. Therefore, the method of the input unit 140 or the control unit 120 converting the pattern input through the input unit 140 into data is a conventional method. technology can be used. As an example, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of converting a user's touch input into data through the input unit 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown here, a unique key, for example, a unique number, is logically assigned to each touch area 141 of the input unit 140, which is visually and logically divided, and the control unit 120 or the input unit 140 controls each touch. The touch of the area 141 can be converted into data by processing it as an input of the corresponding unique key. Figure 3 shows an example of a pattern input in which the touch starts from the touch area 141 with the unique number 1, passes through the unique numbers 2, 3, 6, and 8, and ends at the touch area with the unique number 11. In this case, the control unit 120 determines that the detected touch input is a pattern input and converts the unique numbers of the continuously touched touch areas into list data in the order of touch {1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 11. } can be processed as input data.

The communication means 150 is an element for receiving predetermined data, that is, an authentication password created by the user, from an external device that performs age authentication (for example, an authentication providing device to be described later). The communication means 150 may be a communication module for two-way communication or a signal detection sensor for only receiving data in one direction at a short distance. For the purpose of the present invention, the communication means 150 is preferably a communication module for short-distance communication or a signal detection sensor. For example, the communication means 150 may be a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, an NFC reception module, or an RFID reception module. Additionally, the communication means 150 may be an illuminance sensor for receiving optical signals, an antenna for receiving electromagnetic waves, or a microphone for receiving voice signals. In this case, the communication means 150 or the control unit 120 uses the signals for authentication. It is desirable to store pre-arranged decoding rules that can be decoded into encrypted data.

The communication means 150 stores the authentication password received from an external device (for example, an authentication providing device to be described later) that performs the user's age authentication directly or through the control unit 120 in the memory unit 160 to later use it. It is used during the unlocking process.

The memory unit 160 is an element that stores data that can be recognized by a computer, and may be, for example, a non-volatile memory device such as a solid state disk (SSD) that can continue to store data even when power is turned off. there is. The memory unit 160 is an element that stores an authentication password for user authentication, which is transmitted from an external device through the communication means 150.

Figure 4 shows the configuration of an authentication system for an aerosol generating device including the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the authentication system of the aerosol generating device performs age authentication through interaction with the aerosol generating device 100 of any embodiment of the present invention and the authorized authentication system 300, and uses the result for user authentication. It is characterized by including an authentication providing device (200) that receives a password and transmits the corresponding authentication password to the aerosol generating device (100). The authentication providing device 200 receives the age authentication result performed by the authorized authentication system 300 and the newly created authentication password as input, and transmits the authentication password generated above to the aerosol generating device 100 as an output. do.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the components of the authentication providing device 200 by way of example. The authentication providing device 200 includes an authentication unit 210 that verifies the user's age through interaction with the certified authentication system 300, and when the authentication of the user's age performed by the authentication unit 210 is successful. , It may include a password generator 220 that generates an authentication password based on user input, and a password transmission unit 230 that transmits the generated authentication password to the aerosol generating device 100.

The authentication providing device 200 may be, for example, a conventional PC or a terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet, except that it performs a process specific to embodiments of the present invention. It is preferable that the authentication providing device 200 is a terminal device that is connected to the public authentication system 300 through an Internet network and can request age authentication of a user and receive the authentication result.

Referring to FIG. 5, which is shown for illustrative purposes, the authentication unit 210 of the authentication providing device 200 allows the user to input personal information for age authentication and also input a password for generating a password for authentication. It may include a user interface 211 that allows interaction with the authentication providing device 200, and a communication unit 212 for connecting the authorized authentication system 300 and the authentication providing device 200 over the Internet. You can. Therefore, the authentication unit 210 authenticates the user's age through the accredited authentication system 300, and in this process, receives the user's input when necessary and transmits it to the accredited authentication system 300. In addition, the age authentication result can be received from the authorized authentication system 300, and accordingly it can be determined whether the user is of an age at which the aerosol generating device 100 can be used.

When the age authentication result of the authentication unit 210 is successful, that is, when the user is certified as being of age for use of the aerosol generating device 100, the password generator 220 generates the user's information through the user interface 211. Receives input and generates a password for authentication. For example, the password generator 220 may receive a user's text input through the user interface 211 and generate a text password as an authentication password. Alternatively, the password generator 220 may receive a user's pattern input through the user interface 211 and generate a pattern password as an authentication password. Additionally, when receiving a user's password change request, the password generator 220 may generate a new authentication password based on the user input and transmit it to the aerosol generating device 100.

Depending on the embodiment, the authentication unit 210 and the password generator 220 may be physically one component and perform various command processing and calculations, and also enable various apps to be executed, for example. It could be a microprocessor. Additionally, the authentication providing device 200 may include a power supply 240 that supplies power to the components.

The password transmitting unit 230 transmits the authentication password generated by the password generating unit 220 to the nearby aerosol generating device 100. That is, the password transmission unit 230 is a means for transmitting data to the communication means 150 of the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the password transmitter 230 may be a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, an NFC transmission module, or an RFID transmission module. Alternatively, the password transmission unit 230 converts and outputs the password data for authentication into any one of electromagnetic waves, sound waves, vibrations, or optical signals, for example, and outputs the communication means of the aerosol generating device 100 located in close proximity ( 150) allows this to be detected. Alternatively, the communication unit 212 may replace the role of the password transmission unit 230.

The authorized authentication system 300 may be, for example, a variety of identity authentication services capable of at least age authentication provided by a credit information company that can be accessed through an app running on the authentication providing device 200. there is. This identity authentication service authenticates date of birth, gender, and name through, for example, mobile phone authentication, PASS app authentication, joint certificate authentication, ID authentication, or authentication using an OTP generator, and sends the authentication result to the authentication providing device 200. You can at least verify your age by sending it back through the app.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing how the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention operates after receiving a user's request for use. In this embodiment, when the control unit 120 receives a user request to use the aerosol generating device 100, it determines whether the current state is unlocked or locked (step s110). The user's request for use may be regarded as a request for use, for example, turning on the power of the aerosol generating device 100 or turning it on and pressing an operation button. If the control unit 120 determines that the current state of the aerosol generating device 100 is unlocked, the control unit 120 may operate the aerosol generating unit 130 in response to the use request (step s120). On the other hand, if the control unit 120 determines that the current state of the aerosol generating device 100 is locked, it may request the user to unlock the device without operating the aerosol generating device 130 (step s130). After step s130, the control unit 120 may perform an unlocking process that will be described in detail later.

Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating an unlocking process that can be performed by the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, prior to the unlocking process, the control unit 120 determines whether the current state is an age-verified state or an age-unverified state (step s210). For example, if the authentication password is stored in the memory unit 160, the control unit 120 may determine the age to be in an age authentication state. Otherwise, the control unit 120 may determine the age to be in an unauthenticated state. If the control unit 120 determines that the current state of the aerosol generating device 100 is in an age-unverified state, the control unit 120 may request performance of an age verification process (step s220). On the other hand, if the control unit 120 determines that the current state of the aerosol generating device 100 is in the age authentication state, it requests the user to enter an authentication password and begins to detect the user input through the input unit 140 (step s230). ).

Next, it is determined whether the user input detected through the input unit 140 matches the authentication password stored in the memory unit 160 (step s240). If the control unit 120 determines that this matches, the control unit 120 considers the user to be a legitimate user, converts the state of the aerosol generating device 100 to the unlocked state (step s260), and terminates the unlocking process. , Alternatively, power can be supplied to the aerosol generator 130 to control aerosol generation (step s270). On the other hand, if the control unit 120 determines in step s240 that the user input detected through the input unit 140 and the authentication password stored in the memory unit 160 do not match, it is considered not to be a legitimate user, and the aerosol generating device ( 100) operation can be terminated (step s250). Accordingly, after performing age authentication through an external device (e.g., the authentication providing device of the present invention), the lock is released only when the authentication password set through the external device is entered into the aerosol generating device 100, The aerosol generating device 100 of the embodiment can prevent unauthorized use by users who have not verified their age.

Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation method of the authentication system for the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 illustrates the age authentication process for the authentication system for the aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is the flowchart for doing so. For example, in the case of purchasing the aerosol generating device 100 for the first time, a user who wishes to use the aerosol generating device 100 without age verification can access the authorized authentication system 300 using the authentication providing device 200. You can request age verification by entering the information required for age verification. The authentication providing device 200 transmits the age authentication information entered by the user to the authorized authentication system 300 and then receives the age authentication result again from it. If the age authentication result transmitted from the authorized authentication system 300 is authentication success, the authentication providing device 200 requests the user to set an authentication password, detects this input through the user interface 211, and A password for authentication is generated and transmitted to the user's aerosol generating device 100 using the password transmission unit 230.

This is explained in more detail using the example flowchart in FIG. 9. When the age authentication process that can be performed by the authentication providing device 200 begins, the authentication unit 210 of the authentication providing device 200 provides information necessary for the user, for example, which can be implemented in the form of an app. , provides an interface, and receives user information required for age authentication (step s310). Thereafter, the authentication unit 210 transmits age authentication required information to the authorized authentication system 300 through the communication unit 212 for Internet connection and requests age authentication (step s320). Thereafter, the authentication unit 210 receives the age authentication result responded by the authorized authentication system 300 (step s330). The authentication unit 210 determines whether the user is of an age at which the aerosol generating device 100 can be used based on the received age authentication result (step s340). If it is determined that the age is not usable, the age authentication process may be terminated without generating an authentication password (step s350). On the other hand, if the age is determined to be usable in step s340, the authentication unit 210 requests the user to enter an authentication password to generate the authentication password and detects this (step s360). When the authentication password is input, the password generator 220 generates an authentication password based on it, and the password transmission unit 230 transmits the generated authentication password to the user's aerosol generating device 100 (step s370) ).

Depending on the embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 of the present invention may be converted from the unlocked state to the locked state by the control unit 120 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Additionally, depending on the embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 may change the state from the age-verified state to the age-unverified state by the control unit 120 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, when the aerosol generating device 100 is in an unlocked state, the control unit 120 accumulates and calculates the user's usage time, or measures the user's puff (inhalation) by means such as a puff sensor (not shown). The number of times is accumulated and calculated to calculate the degree of use of the aerosol generating device 100, and when this exceeds a predetermined threshold, the aerosol generating device 100 can be converted back to a locked state or an age-unverified state.

By requesting re-entry of the authentication password or re-authentication of age according to predetermined conditions, the effectiveness of age authentication and user authentication can be further increased.

The aerosol generating device 100 or the authentication system of the aerosol generating device in any embodiment of the present invention described above can convert the initially set age non-authentication state to an age authentication state by receiving an authentication password through age authentication. . In addition, even in the age authentication state, the user must enter the authentication password set by the user into the aerosol generating device 100 to operate the aerosol generating unit 130, thereby preventing unauthorized use by youth and use by unauthorized users other than the user. can do.

As explained above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and anyone skilled in the art can use various Of course, modifications are possible, and such modifications fall within the scope of the claims.

100: Aerosol generating device 110: Housing
120: Control unit 130: Aerosol generating unit
140: input unit 150: communication means
160: memory unit 170: power device
200: Authentication providing device 210: Authentication unit
220: Password generation unit 230: Password transmission unit
300: Accredited authentication system

Claims (15)

In the aerosol generating device capable of changing states between a locked state and an unlocked state,
a housing to accommodate internal components;
A power supply device for applying power to components;
Aerosol generator operated in unlocked state;
An input unit for detecting user input;
Communication means for communicating with an external device that performs age authentication of the user;
a memory unit that stores an authentication password for user authentication, which is transmitted from an external device through a communication means; and
It includes a control unit that controls the operation of the aerosol generator and can change the state into a locked state and an unlocked state,
If the authentication password is stored in the memory unit, the control unit determines the age authentication state and performs the unlocking process only in the age authentication state.
The control unit determines whether the user input detected through the input unit matches the authentication password stored in the memory unit during the unlocking process, and if they match, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the state is converted to the unlocked state. According to paragraph 1,
When receiving a user's request for use, the control unit determines whether the aerosol generating device is in a locked or unlocked state. If in a locked state, performs an unlocking process. If in an unlocked state, supplies power to the aerosol generating unit. An aerosol generating device characterized in that it is controlled to generate an aerosol. According to paragraph 1,
The input unit is an aerosol generating device, characterized in that it is a keypad module formed on the outside of the housing and including a plurality of buttons for character input. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device, characterized in that the input unit is a touch sensor module formed on the outside of the housing for pattern input. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device, characterized in that the aerosol generating device is initially manufactured in an age-unverified state. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the communication means is a communication module capable of two-way communication in a wired or wireless manner. According to paragraph 1,
An aerosol generating device characterized in that the communication means is a short-distance unidirectional signal detection sensor. According to paragraph 1,
The control unit calculates the degree of use of the aerosol-generating device in the unlocked state, and changes the state of the aerosol-generating device to the locked state when the calculated degree of use exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to paragraph 1,
The control unit calculates the degree of use of the aerosol generating device in the unlocked state, and changes the state of the aerosol generating device to an age-unverified state when the calculated degree of use exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to paragraph 1,
The control unit, when receiving a user's password change request in the age authentication state, changes the authentication password based on the user input detected through the input unit and stores it in the memory unit. An aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10;
An authentication unit that verifies the user's age, a password generator that generates an authentication password based on the user input when the user's age authentication performed by the authentication unit is successful, and a password generator that transmits the generated authentication password to the aerosol generating device. An authentication system for an aerosol generating device, comprising: an authentication providing device including a password transmission unit. According to clause 11,
An authentication system for an aerosol generating device, wherein the authentication unit is connected to a public authentication system and an Internet network to request age authentication and receive age authentication results. According to clause 11,
An authentication system for an aerosol generating device, wherein the authentication password generated by the password transmission unit based on user input is a character password. According to clause 11,
An authentication system for an aerosol generating device, wherein the authentication password generated by the password transmission unit based on user input is a pattern password. According to clause 11,
An authentication system for an aerosol generating device, wherein the password generating unit changes the authentication password based on the user input when receiving a password change request from the user, and the password transmitting unit transmits the changed authentication password to the aerosol generating device.