WO2022013067A1

WO2022013067A1 - Aerosol generation device with user authentication

Info

Publication number: WO2022013067A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/069038
Authority: WO
Inventors: Theodorus VERLAAN
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2020-07-16
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2022-01-20
Also published as: EP4181711A1; JP2023533654A

Abstract

An aerosol generation device. The device comprises verification control circuitry configured to authorise the aerosol generation device for use, at least one behavioural sensor for measuring at least one behavioural mode from a user, and at least one physiological sensor for measuring at least one physiological mode from a user. The verification control circuitry is configured to unlock the aerosol generation device by verifying the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode.

Description

AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE WITH USER AUTHENTICATION

The present invention relates to an aerosol generation device, such as an electronic cigarette, and methods for user authentication of such a device.

Electronic cigarettes often have locking mechanisms in order to prevent accidental or unauthorised use. Such mechanisms may utilise physiological biometric information such as fingerprint or facial recognition data, and can be implemented on an electronic cigarette by providing an appropriate sensor on the electronic cigarette to detect the biometric information. Other locking mechanisms employ behavioural techniques where a user may have to physically unlock a device before use, by performing an action such as pressing a button or swiping to unlock. It has been found that known authorisation techniques can encounter problems with detection, where the reliability of the known methods can lead to false negatives or false positives such that an authorised user is unable to access and use the device, or even an unauthorised person is able to successfully unlock the electronic cigarette device.

It is therefore desirable to provide an aerosol generating device having a reliable authorisation mechanism which has an increased chance of successful detection of the authorised user, for example, and decreased chance of successful unlocking by unauthorised users, and which is simple, easy to use and inexpensive to implement.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect there is provided an aerosol generation device, comprising: verification control circuitry configured to authorise the aerosol generation device for use; at least one behavioural sensor for measuring at least one behavioural mode from a user; and at least one physiological sensor for measuring at least one physiological mode from a user, wherein the verification control circuitry is configured to unlock the aerosol generation device by verifying the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode.

By using a mixed mode biometric detection system on the aerosol generation device, which combines the result of behavioural and physiological identifications to make the decision on authentication, it has been found that accuracy of authentication is significantly improved. The result is a significantly more secure aerosol generating device which has improved reliability of authentication whilst maintaining simplicity of use and supressing implementation costs. Advantageously the present invention improves detection and verification methods without relying on ancillary devices such as smartphones or wireless networks for detection. It should be understood that more than two modes are also possible, where more modes may result in an increased potential accuracy.

The at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode may be verified by processing the results of measurement. For this the device may comprise a processor for carrying out the corresponding data processing operations. Alternatively the device may comprise a transmitter and the results of measurement may be transmitted to an external device such as a server for remote processing and verification of the measured modes.

Preferably, the device may further comprise a memory comprising a set of reference data, the reference data comprising a set of reference behavioural data and a set of reference physiological data. The verification control circuitry of the device may be configured to verify the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode by comparison against the reference behavioural data and reference physiological data respectively. In one example way of comparing the measured modes with the reference data, verification may be achieved when a value representative of the measured mode (or modes) is equal to a value representative of the reference data stored on the memory. Such an approach to verification provides a simple and easily implementable way of verifying the authenticity of a user’s attempt to unlock the device. Preferably the reference dataset is based on a predetermined user profile. Preferably the aerosol generation device may further comprise a switch configured to select the predetermined user profile from a plurality of user profiles in the aerosol generation device, the predetermined user profile determining the reference dataset. In this way the aerosol generation device allows multiple users to access the device, each with their own set of behavioural and physiological modes to ensure valid authentication. In some examples, behavioural modes may be shared between multiple profiles having different physiological modes, such that different users may unlock using the same behavioural modes. A user profile provides a predefined dataset of behaviour and physiological attributes to unlock the device. In some examples, measurement of the physiological mode may trigger the activation of a stored user profile - i.e. if a recognised physiological mode is attributable to a stored user profile associated with a particular behavioural mode, the device may be on standby for the particular associated behavioural mode and ignore all other inputted behavioural modes.

The aerosol generation device may comprise an activation button configured to activate the at least one behavioural sensor and/or the at least one physiological sensor for measurements. In this way accidental measurements and/or unlocking of the device may be minimised. An activation button may also provide a resource saving technique to the device to reduce battery power being wasted on the measurements accidental or undesired movements/actions.

The verification control circuitry may be configured to calculate, store and/or output a pass score, the pass score being representative of the accuracy of each verification of the behavioural mode and the physiological mode. The accuracy of each verification may be derived from calculations of the closeness of the match of the measured modes to the reference data. For example, a significant overlap or identity with the reference data may cause a measurement to be attributed a high pass score. Such a pass score provides an indication of the extent to which each verification meets the requirements to unlock the device. This can be particularly important for example in maintaining a record of the security history of the device. A low score for example may alert the user that a potentially fraudulent unlock has activated. Alternatively the user is able to learn which of his login attempts were more or less effective than others. In examples where a memory is provided in the device, the pass score may be stored in the on-board memory.

A key feature of the present invention is that the control circuitry is configured to verify at least one behavioural mode and at least one physiological mode to provide a mixed mode authentication mechanism for unlocking the device. Typically, the verification control circuitry may be configured to verify the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode sequentially. An advantage of sequential verification is that each measurement is not influenced by another measurement, and another advantage is that the verification is easier to set up. Whilst any sequence can in theory be implemented, typically the at least one physiological mode may be verified first, and then the at least one behavioural mode may be verified after the at least one physiological mode has been verified. Such an arrangement ensures that each measurement is independent and more robust. When measurements are taken sequentially, the control circuitry may be further configured to output and/or store a signal to identify that the verification was done sequentially.

Alternatively, the verification control circuitry may be configured to verify the at least one physiological mode and the at least one behavioural mode simultaneously. When measurements are taken simultaneously, the verification control circuitry may be further configured to output and/or store a signal to identify that the verification was done simultaneously. In this way a more efficient verification method can be provided since at least two modes may be detected simultaneously. The aerosol generation device may further comprise a timer to determine the time period, or time cycle, in which the behavioural and physiological modes are measured, so that it can be determined that such modes were measured simultaneously.

Alternatively, the verification control circuitry may be configured to verify the at least one physiological mode and the at least one behavioural mode within a predetermined time period. Such measurements may be taken either sequentially or simultaneously, so long as they are done within the predetermined time period. When measurements are taken within a predetermined time period, the verification control circuitry may be further configured to output and/or store a signal to identify that the verification was done within the predetermined time period. The aerosol generation device may further comprise a timer to determine the time period, or time cycle, in which the behavioural and physiological modes are measured, so that it can be determined that such modes were measured within the predetermined time period.

A behavioural mode may be defined as a human behavioural biometric, which may be defined in essence as what the body ‘does’. The at least one behavioural sensor of the aerosol generation device may comprise one or more sensors from the group consisting of: a motion sensor; a gravity sensor; a pressure sensor; a momentary switch; a touch screen sensor; a timing device; a light sensitive switch; and an impedance sensor.

In particular, examples of sensors capable to detect behavioural modes on an aerosol generation device include:

• Motion sensors, such as accelerometers, gravity or motion sensors to detect the movement of the device. These can measure both large movements of the device, or used to detect smaller movements and impacts like for instance tapping.

• Gravity or position sensors to detect absolute positioning measurements in order to determine the position of the device in space.

• Pressure sensors to interact with the hand and or fingers of the user to measure pressure exerted on the sensor.

• Momentary switches or touch sensors to detect touch activation.

• Touch screen sensors to measure all the known input features, such as position/movement within the touch areas. Touch screen sensors may also be incorporated with pressure sensors.

• Timing devices which can be used in tandem with other sensors, like the movement sensor or switches. • Light sensitive switches to detect certain areas of the device being covered by a hand, for example.

• Impedance sensors: these can be used to determine how the device is being gripped. Note that these sensors are not suitable to measure bio-impedance (that would be physiological biometric property).

Examples of behaviours measurable with a device of the present invention:

• Movement of the device while in the hand of the user;

• Button pressure by users’ fingers when pressing buttons;

• Grip pressure on the device while handling the device; and

• Tapping a fixed pattern on a touch screen display.

A physiological mode may be defined as a human physiological biometric, which may be defined in essence as what the body ‘is’. The at least one physiological sensor in the aerosol generation device may comprise at least one of: a fingerprint scanner; a blood vein scanner; a visible light camera; an infrared or ultraviolet light camera; a portable DNAtest; and bioimpedance sensor.

Examples of physiological biometrics that can be recognised by the physiological sensors of the present invention include:

• Fingerprint recognition, including blood vein recognition (e.g. at fingertips).

• Facial recognition, including partial facial recognition (e.g. recognition of parts of facial features such as mouth shape) as well as iris scans.

• Hand shape recognition, e.g. by optical detection through one or more cameras.

• DNAtest -e.g. by portable DNAtest equipment, handheld size DNA testing equipment.

• Bioimpedance measurements of the resistance of a body or a body part.

It should be noted that in some examples the same set of sensors may be used, for example the movement sensors, to detect multiple modes. This applies to both the behavioural sensors as well as the physiological sensors. That is, at least one of the at least one behavioural sensors may be configured to measure a plurality of behavioural modes, and/or at least one of the physiological sensors may be configured to measure a plurality of physiological modes. Such an arrangement may require the measurement result to be processed to separate the individual modes. This may for instance be an overall hand gesture combined with tapping. The smaller tapping impulses may be separated out from the larger overall device movement, generating two measurements from the same data set. This advantageously reduces the number of sensors used, though in some instances the efficiency can come at a cost with respect to data processing power.

According to a second aspect there is provided an aerosol generation device authentication method, comprising the steps of: measuring, on an aerosol generation device comprising at least one behavioural sensor and at least one physiological sensor, at least one behavioural mode of a user and at least one physiological mode of the user; verifying, by verification control circuitry on the aerosol generation device, the behavioural and physiological modes; and unlocking, by the verification control circuitry, the aerosol generation device for use according to the behavioural and physiological modes.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable memory medium comprising executable instructions stored thereon which when executed by an aerosol generation device causes the aerosol generation device to perform steps including: measuring, on an aerosol generation device comprising at least one behavioural sensor and at least one physiological sensor, at least one behavioural mode of a user and at least one physiological mode of the user; verifying, by verification control circuitry on the aerosol generation device, the behavioural and physiological modes; and unlocking, by the verification control circuitry, the aerosol generation device for use according to the behavioural and physiological modes. It will be understood that features described above with respect to the first aspect can equally be applied with respect to the second or third aspect with corresponding effects and advantages.

The steps of measuring the physiological and behavioural modes can be done simultaneously or sequentially. They may be performed within a predetermined time period. When the steps of measuring the behavioural and physiological modes, respectively, are performed sequentially, typically, the step of measuring the behavioural and physiological modes may comprise: measuring, by the at least one physiological sensor, at least one physiological mode of the user; and then measuring, by the at least one behavioural sensor, at least one behavioural mode of the user.

The method may further comprise the steps of: storing, on the aerosol generation device, the at least one physiological mode as a set of measured physiological data; and storing, on the aerosol generation device, the at least one behavioural mode as a set of measured behavioural data.

When the measured physiological data and measured behavioural data are stored in the aerosol generation device in the way, the method may further comprise the steps of: processing, by the aerosol generation device, the measured physiological data; processing, by the aerosol generation device, the measured behavioural data; and combining, by the aerosol generation device, the measured physiological data and the measured behavioural data.

Furthermore, the step of verifying the behavioural and physiological modes may comprise comparing the measured physiological data and the measured behavioural data against a set of reference data, or comparing the combined measured and physiological data against a set of reference data.

The method may further comprise the step of initiating, on the aerosol generation device, an identification sequence to define the physiological and behavioural modes for the verification control circuitry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example aerosol generating device will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example aerosol generating device in an assembled configuration.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates the steps performed in an example aerosol generating device authentication method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows an electronic cigarette 2 having a main body 4 with a battery 6 and electronic components 8 provided within. A mouthpiece 10 comprising a capsule 12, or pod, can be inserted into the main body 4. The capsule 12 comprises a heater element configured to heat aerosol generating medium in the capsule 12 in order to generate aerosol for user inhalation. The electronic components 8 include electrical circuitry to transfer electrical energy from the battery 6 to the heater element in order to generate heat.

It should be understood that the electronic cigarette is an aerosol generation device which could equally be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat- not-burn tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are equally applicable to devices which are designed to vaporise any aerosol generating medium.

The aerosol generating medium should be understood as a component suitable for delivering the medium into the device such that an aerosol may be generated. For example the capsule 12 may comprise a liquid reservoir, where the liquid can be vaporised when heated. Another example may be a tobacco rod, stick or other shaped consumable which is configured to be heated to release a vapour without burning the aerosol generating medium.

The electronic cigarette 2 includes a behavioural sensor configured to measure and detect at least one behavioural mode of a user. In this case, the behavioural sensor is an accelerometer sensor 16 which can detect relative movement of the device. The device also includes a button 14 provided on the outer surface of the main body 4. The button 14 is configured to be depressed, or pushed, by a user, and the accelerometer sensor 16 is arranged below the button 14 and is configured to detect the overall movement of the electronic cigarette 2 as well as downward movements as the button 14 is depressed. Therefore it should be understood that the sensor 16 can detect a user waving the electronic cigarette 2 in a large sweeping movement and also smaller impact or tapping movements when the button 14 is pushed or tapped. In other examples, multiple buttons can be provided on the main body 4 and multiple behavioural sensors can be provided to detect different behavioural modes/user actions. For example a pressure sensor may also be incorporated with the accelerometer sensor 16 to provide additional force data relating to the pressing of the button 14.

The cigarette 2 further includes a physiological sensor configured to measure and detect at least one physiological mode of a user. In this case, the physiological sensor is a fingerprint scanner 15. The fingerprint scanner 15 can detect when a user has placed his finger on the scanner 15 and takes measurements to verify the fingerprint features of the user. In some examples, the fingerprint scanner 15 may comprise a switch and may be depressable, so that the user can activate the scanner 15 by pressing down with his finger.

It will be appreciated that Figure 1 provides a schematic illustration of an example device, and therefore that the relative positions of each of the included features can be different. For example, in some examples, the fingerprint scanner can be integral with the button 14, so that the user can press the button 14 to activate both the fingerprint scanner 15 and the accelerometer 16 at the same time. The electronic components 8 further comprise a memory 18 and a processor 20. The memory 18 is configured to store verification data, for example movement data and fingerprint data, processed by the processor 20, relating to at least one behavioural mode and/or at least one physiological mode. The verification data also includes the speed of the device movement and the timing of the button presses in relation to the device movement. The verification data is therefore used a reference dataset against which a user’s actions are compared. The memory 18 is also configured to store measurement data in a similar way to the verification data, the measurement data relating to physiological and behavioural modes performed by the user wishing to unlock the electronic cigarette 2. After recording the measurement data, the processor 20 compares the measurement data against the verification data, and determines whether to unlock the device for use, or to remain locked.

The electronic components 8 further comprise a control panel 22 which allows a user to select a user profile, the user profile defining the desired verification data. User profile information is also stored the memory 18. In some examples multiple user profiles are provided in the electronic cigarette 2.

The electronic cigarette 2 further comprises a switch 24 to activate the physiological sensor 15 and behavioural sensor 16, where a user can press the switch 24 in order to initiate the measurement detection of the sensors 15, 16. In another example the switch 24 is incorporated with the button 14 and a first depression of the button 14 activates the behavioural sensor 16 for measurement recordal. In another example, the button 14 or the switch 24 may also be used to end a measurement cycle, or period. The ending/termination of a measurement cycle may provide an indication that a user’s behavioural and/or physiological modes for measurements and verification is complete, and thereby start the measurement data processing.

Another example process may be as follows: a motion sensor system is provided in the aerosol generation device, or electronic cigarette, to detect movement together with a press button. A user profile identification sequence is activated with a first button press. This starts the measurement of the movements by the sensor. Four more button presses are made by the user. These button presses are counted by the device, and the measurement cycle ends with a fifth button press. The measured data is then evaluated as described above. In this example the first mode is device movement and the second mode is number of button presses. Additional modes could also be included, for instance the time between button presses, and/or button pressure (where an additional pressure sensor may be utilised).

Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing a sequence of steps undertaken in an authentication method of the electronic cigarette 2. At step 50 a predetermined user profile is initiated. This may be achieved by selecting the user profile on the control panel 22, and/or by depressing the switch 24. By initiating the user profile, the sensors 15, 16 are activated and prepared for measuring a user’s behavioural and/or physiological modes. In some examples, the activation/initiation also starts a timing device.

At steps 52 and 54 the user performs a physiological mode and a behavioural mode, which are measured by the physiological sensor 15 and behavioural sensor 16 respectively. The physiological and behavioural modes are performed in an overlapping manner such that the sensors 15, 16 measure the modes at the same time, or within a predefined time period. The time period may be determined from the initiation of the timing device or from the detection of a physiological mode. In another example the physiological and behavioural modes are performed in quick succession to one another, and may be performed within the predefined time period.

At step 56 the measured physiological and behavioural modes are stored in the memory 18 as measurement data.

At step 58 the measurement data set from the measured physiological and behavioural modes can be processed to normalize and smooth out measurement errors. This may be done to remove possible background noise. The filtering can involve identifying different modes in the measurement date, such as identifying rapid repeated events (e.g. repeated accelerations/deceleration) and grouping the repeated events as a second mode. The data processing step 58 can be performed in a different order, for example before or after storing the raw measurement data set to the memory 18.

At step 60, the measurement dataset is compared against the reference dataset in the memory 18. For example, when the physiological sensor 15 comprises a fingerprint sensor, and the behavioural sensor 16 comprises an accelerometer, the measured fingerprint data and measured movement data are compared against a pre-loaded set of fingerprint data and movement data. The measured fingerprint data is compared against the pre-loaded fingerprint to calculate how closely the data match. This can be done as a visual comparison - i.e. comparison of exposure - or as a mathematical comparison. In this example, a pass score characterising the strength of the data match is calculated at step 60. The pass score can comprise a single value which represents the closeness of the match of both the behavioural and physiological modes, or it can comprise a plurality of values for each of those modes. The pass score is either displayed on the control panel or stored in the memory 18 and associated with the circumstances of the verification (for example a login attempt ID, which may comprise a login attempt number, date, time, location) so that the history and details of the verification can be kept. The behavioural mode is compared in a similar manner, so for the example of an accelerometer 16, the measurement movement data is compared against the pre-loaded movement data and compared to provide (or contribute to) the pass score.

At Step 62 the decision is made as to whether or not verification is successful. In the above example where a pass score has been calculated in step 60, verification can involve comparing the pass score against a threshold value. If the pass score is higher than the threshold value a signal can be generated to indicate that verification has been successful. In other examples, the pass score may not directly be used for verification but merely as a record of the closeness of match. In such examples the verification can be integral to step 60 where the comparison between datasets can directly generate the signal which indicates whether or not verification has been successful.

If there is a positive verification of the verification dataset, the processor 20 unlocks the electronic cigarette for use at step 64. This may involve permitting electrical energy to flow from the battery 6 to the capsule 12 for aerosol generation. As will be understood a positive verification may be a match between the verification dataset associated with the measured behavioural modes and the verification information in the predetermined user profile.

In some examples, the accuracy and manner of verification can affect operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, the pass score can be used to regulate the amount or signal of electrical energy which is allowed to flow from the batter 6 to the capsule 12 for aerosol generation. In some examples, parameters used for verification, such as the pass score, can be made proportional to the electrical operation of the cigarette device. That is, a weak verification may lead to weak generation of aerosol (i.e. low pass score resulting in low electrical power allowed to flow from battery to capsule) and a strong verification may lead to strong generation. Another implementation may be that a weak verification (low pass score) leads to a limited time of activation of the electronic cigarette - i.e. a low pass score results in a short electrical pulse from the battery 6 to the capsule 12.

The above examples have been described in which the physiological sensor 15 is a fingerprint detector and the behavioural sensor 16 is an accelerometer. The device is provided with a fingerprint scanner and motion sensors. The detected fingerprint is compared to the reference fingerprint, while the motion sensors detect inherent hand movement and compare that to the reference movement profile. Note for example in this case that pressing on the fingerprint sensor will cause some movement, and therefore subsequent motion detection will result in a cleaner measurement result. Other examples are possible which incorporate different combinations of different physiological and behavioural sensors. For example, the physiological sensor 15 may comprise facial recognition detectors and the behavioural sensor 16 may comprise button press detectors. Such a device can be provided with an optical detector to measure facial features of the user. The button press sensors 16 may test the behavioural mode by timing the times between button presses, and/or the pressure exerted on the button for example. In such examples multiple sensors can be combined for measuring one mode. For example, the button press sensor can be combined with a pressure sensor to provide a reliable measure of the pressure exerted on the button.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device, comprising: verification control circuitry configured to authorise the aerosol generation device for use; at least one behavioural sensor for measuring at least one behavioural mode from a user; and at least one physiological sensor for measuring at least one physiological mode from a user, wherein the verification control circuitry is configured to unlock the aerosol generation device by verifying the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode.

2. An aerosol generation device according to claim 1 , further comprising memory comprising a set of reference data, the reference data comprising a set of reference behavioural data and a set of reference physiological data, wherein the verification control circuitry is configured to verify the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode by comparison against the reference behavioural data and reference physiological data respectively.

3. An aerosol generation device according to any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the verification control circuitry is configured to calculate, store and/or output a pass score, the pass score being representative of the accuracy of each verification of the behavioural mode and the physiological mode.

4. An aerosol generation device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the verification control circuitry is configured to verify the at least one behavioural mode and the at least one physiological mode sequentially, preferably wherein the at least one physiological mode is verified first, and then the at least one behavioural mode is verified after the at least one physiological mode has been verified.

5. An aerosol generation device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the verification control circuitry is configured to verify the at least one physiological mode and the at least one behavioural mode simultaneously, and the verification control circuitry is further configured to output and/or store a signal to identify that the verification was done simultaneously, or the verification control circuitry is configured to verify the at least one physiological mode and the at least one behavioural mode within a predetermined time period, and the verification control circuitry is further configured to output and/or store a signal to identify that the verification was done within the predetermined time period.

6. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one behavioural sensor comprises at least one of: a motion sensor; a gravity sensor; a pressure sensor; a momentary switch; a touch screen sensor; a timing device; a light sensitive switch; and an impedance sensor.

7. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one behavioural mode provides an indication of at least one of: movement of the device due to the user; pressure applied to the device by the user; and a tapping pattern effected by the user on the device.

8. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one physiological sensor comprises at least one of: a fingerprint scanner; a blood vein scanner; a visible light camera; an infrared or ultraviolet light camera; a portable DNAtest; and bioimpedance sensor.

9. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one physiological mode provides an indication of at least one of: fingerprint recognition; blood vein recognition; facial feature recognition; overall facial recognition; iris recognition; handshape recognition; DNA recognition.

10. An aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the at least one behavioural sensors is configured to measure a plurality of behavioural modes, and/or at least one of the physiological sensors is configured to measure a plurality of physiological modes.

11. An aerosol generation device authentication method, comprising the steps of: measuring, on an aerosol generation device comprising at least one behavioural sensor and at least one physiological sensor, at least one behavioural mode of a user and at least one physiological mode of the user; verifying, by verification control circuitry on the aerosol generation device, the behavioural and physiological modes; and unlocking, by the verification control circuitry, the aerosol generation device for use according to the behavioural and physiological modes.

12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein the physiological and behavioural modes are measured simultaneously, or within a predetermined time period.

13. A method according to claim 11 , wherein the step of measuring the behavioural and physiological modes comprises: measuring, by the at least one physiological sensor, at least one physiological mode of the user; and then measuring, by the at least one behavioural sensor, at least one behavioural mode of the user.

14. A method according to any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: initiating, on the aerosol generation device, an identification sequence to define the physiological and behavioural modes for the verification control circuitry.

15. A computer readable memory medium comprising executable instructions stored thereon which when executed by an aerosol generation device causes the aerosol generation device to perform steps including: measuring, on an aerosol generation device comprising at least one behavioural sensor and at least one physiological sensor, at least one behavioural mode of a user and at least one physiological mode of the user; verifying, by verification control circuitry on the aerosol generation device, the behavioural and physiological modes; and unlocking, by the verification control circuitry, the aerosol generation device for use according to the behavioural and physiological modes.