EP4142532A1

EP4142532A1 - Aerosol generation device user authentication

Info

Publication number: EP4142532A1
Application number: EP21722215.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastien Gouin
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2020-04-29
Filing date: 2021-04-29
Publication date: 2023-03-08
Also published as: JP2023522823A; WO2021219791A1

Abstract

An aerosol generation device user authentication unit (200) is provided. The user authentication unit comprises a controller (202) and a motion detection component (204), the motion detection component is configured to detect movement of an aerosol generation device comprising the user authentication unit, and the controller configured to perform steps comprising detecting motion information using the motion detection component (S402), determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user (S404), and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user (S406).

Description

Aerosol Generation Device User Authentication Field of Invention

The present application relates to aerosol generation devices, or electronic cigarettes, and more specifically user authentication for aerosol generation devices.

Background

Aerosol generation devices such as electronic cigarettes and other aerosol inhalers or vaporisation devices are becoming increasingly popular consumer products.

Heating devices for vaporisation or aerosolisation are known in the art. Such devices typically include a heater arranged to heat a vaporisable or aerosolisable product. In operation, the vaporisable or aerosolisable product is heated with the heater to vaporise or aerosolise the constituents of the product for the consumer to inhale. In some examples, the product may comprise tobacco and may be similar to a traditional cigarette, in other examples the product may be a liquid, or liquid contents in a capsule.

There is a need for robust and efficient user authentication in such devices. An object of the invention is, therefore, to address such a challenge.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol generation device user authentication unit, the user authentication unit comprising a controller and a motion detection component, the motion detection component configured to detect movement of an aerosol generation device comprising the user authentication unit, and the controller configured to perform steps comprising: detecting motion information using the motion detection component; determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user; and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user.

In this way, the first action can be performed by the aerosol generation device without the need for an active input from the user. This improves the usability compared to existing authentication methods that require an active input from the user, such as inputting a PIN or undertaking a finger/thumbprint scan.

Preferably, determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of the user comprises: comparing the detected motion information with predetermined motion information stored in memory accessible by the controller; and determining whether the detected motion information matches the predetermined motion information.

In this way predetermined motion information, characteristic to the user, can be used to in the determination step so that only a user for which such predetermined motion information is stored can enable the device to perform the first action. This improves device security.

Preferably, determining whether the detected motion information matches the predetermined motion information comprises determining whether the detected motion information is within a predefined tolerance of the predetermined motion information.

In this way, discrepancies, for example due to external factors, can be accounted for without preventing the user from enabling the device to perform the first action.

Preferably, the first action comprises controlling the user authentication unit to unlock the aerosol generation device so that an aerosolisation session can be performed.

In this way, the aerosol generation device can be unlocked in a seamless and secure manner, without requiring the user to actively control the device to unlock it. Moreover, this allows for the device to be ready to use in response to the user picking up / holding the device with no further input required.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to control the user authentication unit to perform a second action when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user.

In this way, the user can be alerted that they have not enabled the device to perform the first action. Preferably, the second action may comprise indicating, with a visual or audible indication, to convey that the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user. In examples, the second action may comprise illuminating one or more light emitting diodes, emitting an audible sound from a speaker, or displaying a message on a display integrated into an aerosol generation device.

Preferably, the second action comprises indicating, with an indicator, that the aerosol generation device is locked such that an aerosolisation session cannot be performed.

In this way, information relating to the device being in a locked state is conveyed to the user. This is beneficial as it allows for the user to be aware that the device is locked, rather than non-functional for example.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to perform steps comprising: detecting a secondary authentication input when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user; and controlling the user authentication unit to unlock the aerosol generation device in response to detecting the secondary authentication input so that an aerosolisation session can be performed.

In this way, when the user is unable to unlock the device based upon the detected motion information, the user can utilise the secondary authentication input to unlock the aerosol generation device. This is beneficial in scenarios such as when external factors may restrict the natural motion of the user’s hand such that the characteristic motion is not possible. Preferably, the secondary authentication input may comprise on or more of entering a PIN or password/passphrase, finger/thumbprint recognition, voice detection, facial recognition or other biometric inputs.

Preferably, the detected motion information comprises movements of the motion detection component due to movement of a hand holding an aerosol generation device comprising the user authentication unit.

Movements, or ‘micro-movements’, that are unique to each person when holding the device can be measured to identify an individual by comparison to a pre measured record or signature. In this way, the micro-movement signature of the hand of a registered user of the device can be determined by detecting movements recorded by the motion detection component when the user is holding the device and comparing these to a predetermined movement signature accessible by the authentication unit.

Preferably, the controller is further configured to determine the predetermined motion information by: detecting preliminary motion information using the motion detection component; determining characteristic motion information from the detected preliminary motion information; and storing the determined characteristic motion information as the predetermined motion information in memory accessible by the controller.

In this way, a ‘training’ phase can be carried out so that the authentication unit can learn the characteristic motion information of the user to be stored as the predetermined motion information.

Preferably, detecting the preliminary motion information using the motion detection component comprises detecting a plurality of instances of motion information when a user is holding an aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device user authentication unit; and determining the characteristic motion information from the detected preliminary motion information comprises determining one or more common trends in the plurality of instances of motion information.

The identification of trends allows for anomalies to be accounted for in the training phase. This improves the authentication process as anomalies can be discounted.

Preferably, the motion detection component is configured to detect three- dimensional movement.

In this way, the authentication is improved as motion in all directions is accounted for.

Preferably, the detected motion information comprises one or more of: X-Y movement data, Y-Z movement data, X-Z movement data, and movement data as a function of time.

According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device user authentication unit of the first aspect.

According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol generation device user authentication method performed at a user authentication unit of an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: detecting motion information using a motion detection component; determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user; and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user.

According to another aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer- readable medium storing instructions thereon which when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to control an aerosol generation device user authentication unit, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising: detecting motion information using a motion detection component; determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user; and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figures 1 A and 1 B are schematic diagrams of an aerosol generation device;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an authentication unit;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a user holding an aerosol generation device;

Figure 4 is a flow diagram of an aerosol generation device user authentication process;

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of an aerosol generation device user authentication process training phase;

Figure 6 is a plurality of movement data sets;

Figure 7 is a plurality of movement data sets with predefined tolerances of predetermined motion information;

Figure 8 is a plurality of movement data sets with predefined tolerances of predetermined motion information; and

Figure 9 is a plurality of movement data sets with predefined tolerances of predetermined motion information. Detailed Description

Figures 1A and 1B show a schematic illustration of an aerosol generation device 100, also known as a vapor generation device or electronic cigarette. For the purposes of the present disclosure, it will be understood that the terms vapour and aerosol are interchangeable.

In such an embodiment, the aerosol generation device 100 has a main body 104 and a connectable mouthpiece portion 102.

The mouthpiece portion 102 comprises a liquid store 106 and a mouthpiece 108 which form a single entity. That is, a liquid store 106, arranged to contain a vaporisable liquid, is part of the mouthpiece portion 102, such that the mouthpiece portion 102 including the liquid store 106 is removable from the main body 104, and interchangeable. The mouthpiece portion 102 can be thought of as a liquid store, or cartridge, 106 with a mouthpiece 108.

The main body 104 comprises a battery for providing power to the aerosol generation device 100, and control electronics for controlling the operation of the aerosol generation device 100. In particular, an atomizer 116 in the mouthpiece portion 102 is powered and controlled by the battery and control electronics in the main body 104. The main body 104 can further comprise a user operable button for functions such as switching the aerosol generation device on and off, and engaging a heater of the atomizer to aerosolise or vaporise a vaporisable liquid from the liquid store 106. The control electronics, or controller, comprise one or more processors and memory storing operating instructions for the aerosol generation device 100. In an example, the control electronics may be comprised in a microcontroller unit. The mouthpiece portion 102 comprises a mouthpiece 108 with an opening or orifice 110 at a first end portion 112, and an atomizer 116 at a second end portion 114 (the second end portion 114 being a distally opposite end to the first end portion 112). The second end portion 114 of the mouthpiece portion further comprises an electrical contact 118 arranged to engage the main body 104 to create an electric connection between the atomizer 116 and the battery and controller, that is a power and control electric connection for the atomizer 116.

Figure 1A shows the mouthpiece portion 102 separate to the main body 104. Figure 1B shows the mouthpiece portion 102 engaged with the main body 104.

A liquid store 106 is arranged between the first end portion 112 and the second end portion 114 of the mouthpiece portion 102, and a vapor flow tube 120 extends from the atomizer 116 at the second end 114 of the mouthpiece portion 102, through the liquid store 106, to the mouthpiece opening 110 at the first end 112 of the mouthpiece portion 102. That is, the vapor flow tube 120 has a portion in the liquid store 106 connecting to the atomizer 116, and a portion in the mouthpiece 108 connecting to the mouthpiece opening 110.

The atomizer 116 comprises a fluid transfer element, such as a wick or any other suitable means to transfer liquid, and a heater. The fluid transfer element is arranged to wick liquid from the liquid store 106 to the heater. The heater then heats and vaporises the liquid to generate a vapor.

When the mouthpiece portion 102 and main body 104 are brought into connection with one another, the electrical contact 118 and liquid store 106 are received within the main body 104. In doing so, the electrical contact 118 of the mouthpiece portion 102 is brought into connection with a corresponding contact within the main body 104, thereby allowing for the main body 104 to power and control the atomizer 116.

In use, power is applied from the battery, by the controller, to the heater in the atomizer 116. The heater then heats liquid wicked to the heater, by the fluid transfer element, and generates a vapor. When a consumer inhales upon the opening 110 in the mouthpiece 108, the generated vapor is drawn by the mouthpiece 108 along a vapor flow path, or vapor flow channel 105; this comprises the vapor being drawn through the vapor flow tube 120, from the atomizer 116, and to the mouthpiece opening 110. The consumer can then inhale the generated vapor. This can be considered an aerosolisation or vaporisation session.

In an example, when the liquid in the liquid store 106 has run out, the mouthpiece portion 102 can be removed from main body 104 and replaced with a fresh mouthpiece portion 102. In another example, the liquid store 106 in the mouthpiece portion 102 can be refilled with fresh liquid.

In examples, the aerosol generation device 100 may also include an indicator 122 such as a light emitting indicator (for example one or more light emitting diodes), an audio emitting indicator (for example a speaker) or a display screen. In the particular example of Figure 1 , the indicator 122 is arranged in the main body 104. In various examples, the indicator 122 is used to convey internal operational state information of the aerosol generation device 100.

Whilst the following description is presented corresponding to the aerosol generation device of Figures 1A and 1 B, the skilled person will readily understand that the subject matter described subsequently can be readily applied to any other type of aerosol generation device, vapour generation device or electronic cigarette. Such other types of device may, for example, include without being limited to devices with an integral liquid reservoir arranged to receive a vaporisable liquid that can be vaporised by a vaporiser in the device, devices that receive cartridges or capsules of liquid or fibrous material for vapor or aerosol generation, devices configured to receive and heat tobacco products such as plugs or cigarette-like consumables without burning the tobacco so as to form an aerosol, and the like.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an authentication unit 200 configured for use with an aerosol generation device such as (but not limited to) that described with reference to Figures 1 A and 1 B.

The authentication unit 200 comprises a controller 202 coupled to a motion detection component 204. The controller 202 may be the main controller of the aerosol generation device; alternatively, the controller 202 may be specifically purposed for use in the authentication unit 200 and in communication with the main controller of the aerosol generation device. The motion detection component 204 may be an accelerometer, and more specifically a 3-dimensional or 3-axis accelerometer. Alternatively the motion detection component 204 may be any other component suitable configured to measure motion in one, two or three dimensions.

Figure 3 shows an illustration of a user of the aerosol generation device holding the aerosol generation device 100 in their hand 300. In this specific example, the motion detection component 204 measures the movement of the aerosol generation device in three dimensions: the x-direction 302, the y-direction 304 and the z-direction 306. This skilled person will, however, understand that in alternatives the motion detection component 204 may measure motion in two dimensions (i.e. the x-direction and y-direction, the y-direction and z-direction, or the x-direction and z-direction), or one dimension (i.e. the x-direction, the y- direction, or the z-direction).

Every person exhibits small baseline movements in the hands. Such movements may not be intentional, but rather intrinsic to a person’s hand occurring naturally when holding an object for example. These movements, or ‘micro-movements’, are unique to each person and can be measured to identify the individual by comparison to a pre-measured record or biometric ‘signature’. That is, the micro-movements of the hand 300 of the user when holding the aerosol generation device 100 provides a characteristic signature of the user that can be used for a user authentication process. The movements and characteristic pre-measured record can be recorded in one, two or three dimensions and as a function of time.

These movements can be detected by the authentication unit 200 and an action can be performed by the aerosol generation device in response to these matching the characteristic signature of a registered user of the device, without the need for an active input from the user. This improves the usability compared to existing authentication methods that require an active input from the user, such as inputting a PIN or undertaking a finger/thumbprint scan. The controller 202 can comprise memory and one or more processors configured to execute instructions stored in the memory. In an example, the controller 202 may be a microcontroller unit. Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of steps, corresponding to instructions stored in the memory, which the controller 202 is configured to perform in a user authentication process based upon characteristic movements of a user’s hand.

At step S402, the controller 202 is configured to detect motion information using the motion detection component 204.

The detected motion information relates to natural movements or micro movements of the user’s hand when holding the aerosol generation device, as described above. That is, the detected motion information comprises movements of the motion detection component 204 due to movement of a hand holding an aerosol generation device comprising the user authentication unit 200.

The detected motion information can include one or more of X-Y movement data, Y-Z movement data, X-Z movement data, and movement data as a function of time. Preferably the detected motion information comprises a combination of one or more of these movement data sets; in this way, the accuracy of whether the detected motion information is characteristic of the user is improved as there are more points of comparison.

Figure 6 shows an example of detected motion information comprising a plurality movement data sets 602, 604, 606, 608. The movement data sets include a movement data set 602 of Z-position against time 602a, a movement data set 604 of X-Y movement as a function time represented by line 604a, a movement data set 606 of X-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 606a, and a movement data set 608 of Y-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 608a. Although not presented, movement data sets can also include X-positon against time and Y-position against time. In an example, the authentication process may be triggered when a user picks up the aerosol generation device. In such an example, the detection of motion by the motion detection component 204 after a period of being stationary can trigger the controller 202 to perform step S402.

At step S404, the controller 202 is configured to determine whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user.

In more detail, at step S404 the controller 202 determines whether the detected motion information is characteristic of the user by comparing the detected motion information with predetermined motion information stored in memory accessible by the controller 202. In some examples, this memory may be memory comprised in the controller 202 or memory that is separate from but accessible by the controller 202. The controller 202 then determines whether the detected motion information matches the predetermined motion information.

The predetermined motion information can be considered a biometric signature, and at step S404 the controller 202 determines whether the detected motion information matches this biometric signature.

In more detail, the predetermined motion information is data stored in the memory which represents the characteristic or signature movements of the users hand when holding the aerosol generation device 100. The type of predetermined motion information stored in the memory can correspond to the type of motion information detected at step S402. In other terms, the predetermined motion information corresponds to the detected motion information in terms of X, Y and Z dimensionality as a function of time. For example, if the detected motion information includes X-Y movement data, Y-Z movement data, X-Z movement data, and movement data as a function of time, the predetermined motion information is predetermined X-Y movement data, predetermined Y-Z movement data, predetermined X-Z movement data, and predetermined movement data as a function of time. The determination of the predetermined motion information is described with reference to Figure 5, subsequently. Determining whether the detected motion information matches the predetermined motion information can comprise determining whether the detected motion information is within a predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information. The predetermined tolerance may be pre-set at the controller 202, and represent an allowable margin of error between the detected motion information and the predetermined motion information.

Figures 7 to 9 show examples of the detected motion information described with reference to Figure 6 in combination with examples of predetermined motion information having a predetermined tolerance. These plots provide exemplary visual representations to aid the understanding of detected motion information that is within the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information (Figure 7) and outside the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information (Figures 8 and 9).

Figure 7 shows an example of movement data sets corresponding to predetermined motion information that includes:

• a movement data set 702 of Z-position against time 702a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 702b (shaded region); a movement data set 704 of X-Y movement as a function time represented by line 704a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 704b (shaded region); a movement data set 706 X-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 706a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 706b (shaded region); and a movement data set 708 of Y-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 708a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 708b (shaded region).

As can be seen, in each of the plots 702, 704, 706, 708 the line representing the detected motion information 702a, 704a, 706a, 708a is substantially mapped to and within the shaded region representing the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information 702b, 704b, 706b, 708b. This is indicative of the detected motion information being within the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information. In such an example, the controller would determine that the detected motion information is characteristic of the user and would progress to step S406.

Figure 8 shows an example of movement data sets corresponding to predetermined motion information that includes: a movement data set 802 of Z-position against time 802a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 802b (shaded region); a movement data set 804 of X-Y movement as a function time represented by line 804a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 804b (shaded region); a movement data set 806 X-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 806a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 806b (shaded region); and a movement data set 808 of Y-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 808a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 808b (shaded region). As can be seen, in each of the plots 802, 804, 806, 808 the line representing the detected motion information 802a, 804a, 806a, 808a is substantially outside of and/or not mapped to the shaded region representing the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information 802b, 804b, 806b, 808b. This is indicative of the detected motion information being outside the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information. In such an example, the controller would determine that the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user and would not progress to step S406.

Figure 9 shows an example of movement data sets corresponding to predetermined motion information that includes:

• a movement data set 902 of Z-position against time 902a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 902b (shaded region);

• a movement data set 904 of X-Y movement as a function time represented by line 904a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 904b (shaded region);

• a movement data set 906 X-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 906a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 906b (shaded region); and

• a movement data set 908 of Y-Z movement as a function of time represented by line 908a (solid line) in combination with the corresponding predetermined motion information with the predetermined tolerance 908b (shaded region).

As can be seen, in each of the plots 902, 904, 906, 908 the line representing the detected motion information 902a, 904a, 906a, 908a is substantially outside of and/or not mapped to the shaded region representing the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information 902b, 904b, 906b, 908b. This is indicative of the detected motion information being outside the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information. In such an example, the controller would determine that the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user and would not progress to step S406.

It is noted that the plots of Figures 7 to 9 are visual representations intended to aid the understanding of detected motion information that is within and outside the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information. The controller does not necessarily need to compute plots of this nature to determine whether the detected motion information is within or outside the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information; any suitable type of difference calculation between datasets may be executed by the controller nature to determine whether the detected motion information is within or outside the predetermined tolerance of the predetermined motion information.

At step S406, the controller 202 is configured to control the user authentication unit 200 to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user. In particular, the first action comprises controlling the user authentication unit 200 to unlock the aerosol generation, when already in a locked state, so that an aerosolisation session can be performed.

In an example, when locked, a user operable button may be deactivated such that actuating it does not perform an action (such as engaging a heater to aerosolise or vaporise an aerosol generating material); unlocking the aerosol generation device may comprise unlocking a user operable button such that when actuated the aerosol generation device aerosolises or vaporises liquid stored in the reservoir. In another example, when locked a restriction may be applied to the heater such that it cannot be engaged; unlocking the generation device may comprise removing such a restriction. In more general terms, when the aerosol generation device is locked, one or more actions relating to typical use of the aerosol generation device are restricted; when the device is unlocked one or more of these restrictions are removed. That is, when the device is locked an aerosolisation session cannot be performed; when then device is unlocked an aerosolisation session can be performed.

In some examples, a plurality of user profiles may be stored in memory accessible by the controller 202. In this way, a plurality of users can be registered with the authentication unit 200 and can therefore be authorised to use the device.

The aerosol generation device may include an indicator 122 arranged to convey that the device has been unlocked.

In an example the indicator may be a visual indicator, such as an LED (light emitting diode) or a plurality of LEDs integrated into the aerosol generation device. Indicating when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user may comprise illuminating the LED(s) in a first manner, for example in a first colour such as green, or in a first pattern, associated with the device being in or entering the unlocked state to convey that the device has been unlocked.

In another example, the indicator may be a display screen integrated into the aerosol generation device. Indicating when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user may comprise displaying a first message associated with the device being in or entering the unlocked state to convey that the device has been unlocked.

In a further example, the indicator may be an audio indicator, such as a speaker integrated into the aerosol generation device arranged to emit sounds. Indicating when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user may comprise emitting a first audible indication such as signal, tone, melody or more generally a sound associated with the device being in or entering the unlocked state to convey that the device has been unlocked.

Indicating the device being in, or entering, the unlocked state may comprise any combination of the aforementioned indications, or indicating with any other suitable indicators to convey that the device has been unlocked. When the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user, for example when it does not match (or fall within the predetermined tolerance of) the predetermined motion information, the controller 202 controls the user authentication unit 200 to perform a second action. In a particular example, the second action comprises indicating, with an indicator, that the aerosol generation device is locked such that an aerosolisation session cannot be performed.

In an example in which the indicator is a visual indicator, such as an LED (light emitting diode) or a plurality of LEDs integrated into the aerosol generation device, indicating when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user may comprise illuminating the LED(s) in a second manner (different to the first manner), for example in a second colour (different to the first colour) such as red, or in a second pattern (different to the first pattern), associated with the device being in the locked state to convey that the device has not been unlocked.

In an example in which the indicator is a display screen integrated into the aerosol generation device, indicating when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user may comprise displaying a second message (different to the first message) associated with the device being in the locked state to convey that the device has not been unlocked.

In an example in which the indicator is an audio indicator, such as a speaker integrated into the aerosol generation device arranged to emit sounds, indicating when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user may comprise emitting a second audible indication (different to the first audible indication) such as a signal, tone, melody or more generally a sound associated with the device being in the locked state to convey that the device has not been unlocked.

The second action may comprise indicating with a combination of the aforementioned indicators, or any other suitable indicators. Optionally, at step S408, when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user, the controller 202 is configured to detect a second authentication input.

Optionally, at step S410, the controller 202 is configured to control the user authentication unit 200 to unlock the aerosol generation device in response to detecting the secondary authentication input so that an aerosolisation session can be performed.

That is to say, at step S408, when the detected motion information at step S402 is not determined to be characteristic of the user at step S404, a secondary authentication input can be input by the user. This provides a backup for the user to unlock the aerosol generating device in case the micro-movements of their hand do not match the predetermined motion information, for example due to external reasons.

Examples of secondary authentication inputs may include a finger or thumb print scan by a scanner integrated into the device, the inputting of a PIN number, password or passphrase by a user input means such as a touchscreen or keypad, or other biometric inputs such as voice detection or a facial recognition scan.

As described with reference to step S404, the controller 202 determines whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user by comparing the detected motion information with predetermined motion information stored in memory accessible by the controller 202. This predetermined motion information can be determined by the process described with reference to the flow chart of Figure 5. The flow chart of Figure 5 describes a ‘training’ process by which the user authentication unit 200 learns detected motion information that is characteristic of the user. In an example, the process flow of Figure 5 occurs before a user is first able to unlock the device with a detected motion that is characteristic of the user, as described with reference to Figure 4. At step S502, the controller 202 is configured to detect preliminary motion information using the motion detection component 204.

In more detail, detecting the preliminary motion information using the motion detection component 204 may comprise detecting a plurality of instances of motion information when a user is holding an aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device user authentication unit 200.

At step S504, the controller 202 is configured to determine characteristic motion information from the detected preliminary motion information.

For example, in a training phase the user may be required to pick up and/or hold the aerosol generation device a predetermined number of times. For each of these, the motion information is recorded as an instance of preliminary motion information at step S502. The controller 202 then determines the characteristic motion information from the instances of preliminary motion information; this determination may comprise determining one or more common trends in the plurality of instances of motion information using trend analysis. In some examples, this training phase may be guided for the user before they can first use the device. In other examples, the user may be able to use the device using a secondary authorisation, and when doing so the authentication unit 200 determines the characteristic motion information over a period of uses for aerosolisation sessions (corresponding to instances of preliminary motion information) by the user so that the authorisation process of Figure 4 can subsequently be used when the requisite amount of preliminary motion information has been detected.

Alternatively, to picking up and/or holding the aerosol generation device a predetermined number of times to acquire the instances of preliminary motion information, the user may be required to pick up and/or hold the aerosol generation device a number of times until the controller 202 determines that sufficient movement data has been recorded for characteristic motion information to be derived based upon one or more common trends in the plurality of instances of motion information. At step S506, the controller 202 is configured to store the determined characteristic motion information as the predetermined motion information in memory accessible by the controller 202.

In some examples, after the training phase, the predetermined motion information can be updated each time the user picks up and/or holds the aerosol generation device based upon the combination of that instance of motion information and the already stored predetermined motion information. For example, when the user picks up and/or holds the device for an aerosolisation session, if the authentication is successful, that instance of detected motion information may be used to update the already stored predetermined motion information. In this way, the predetermined motion information is continually updated throughout the lifetime of the aerosol generation device to account for subtle changes in the characteristic motion information of the user’s hand when holding the device as time progresses.

In some examples, the predetermined motion information is only determined and stored when the user first uses the device in the training phase. That is, it is not continually updated throughout the lifetime of the device. This is advantageous in removing a processing burden every time the user picks up and/or holds the aerosol generation device as the predetermined motion information does not need to be updated.

In some examples, the predetermined motion information updated at intervals. For example, the predetermined motion information may be updated every nth time the user picks up and/or holds the device based upon the combination of that instance of motion information and the presently stored predetermined motion information. In an alternative, rather than every nth time the user picks up and/or holds the device, the predetermined motion information may be updated and predetermined time intervals, such as daily, weekly or monthly. These approaches provide a balance between maintaining accurate predetermined motion information over the lifetime of the aerosol generation device and reducing a processing burden each time the device is picked up and/or held. The processing steps described herein carried out by the controller 202 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or storage, associated with the controller 202. A computer-readable medium can include non-volatile media and volatile media. Volatile media can include semiconductor memories and dynamic memories, amongst others. Non-volatile media can include optical disks and magnetic disks, amongst others.

It will be readily understood to the skilled person that the preceding embodiments in the foregoing description are not limiting; features of each embodiment may be incorporated into the other embodiments as appropriate whilst falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An aerosol generation device user authentication unit, the user authentication unit comprising a controller and a motion detection component, the motion detection component configured to detect movement of an aerosol generation device comprising the user authentication unit, and the controller configured to perform steps comprising: detecting motion information using the motion detection component; determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user; and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user.

2. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of the user comprises: comparing the detected motion information with predetermined motion information stored in memory accessible by the controller; and determining whether the detected motion information matches the predetermined motion information.

3. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of claim 2, wherein determining whether the detected motion information matches the predetermined motion information comprises determining whether the detected motion information is within a predefined tolerance of the predetermined motion information.

4. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim, wherein the first action comprises controlling the user authentication unit to unlock the aerosol generation device so that an aerosolisation session can be performed.

5. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to control the user authentication unit to perform a second action when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user.

6. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of claim 5, wherein the second action comprises indicating, with an indicator, that the aerosol generation device is locked such that an aerosolisation session cannot be performed.

7. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is further configured to perform steps comprising: detecting a secondary authentication input when the detected motion information is not characteristic of the user; and controlling the user authentication unit to unlock the aerosol generation device in response to detecting the secondary authentication input so that an aerosolisation session can be performed.

8. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim, wherein the detected motion information comprises movements of the motion detection component due to movement of a hand holding an aerosol generation device comprising the user authentication unit.

9. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the predetermined motion information by: detecting preliminary motion information using the motion detection component; determining characteristic motion information from the detected preliminary motion information; and storing the determined characteristic motion information as the predetermined motion information in memory accessible by the controller.

10. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of claim 9, wherein: detecting the preliminary motion information using the motion detection component comprises detecting a plurality of instances of motion information when a user is holding an aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device user authentication unit; and determining the characteristic motion information from the detected preliminary motion information comprises determining one or more common trends in the plurality of instances of motion information.

11. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim, wherein the motion detection component is configured to detect three-dimensional movement.

12. The aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim, wherein the detected motion information comprises one or more of: X-Y movement data, Y-Z movement data, X-Z movement data, and movement data as a function of time.

13. An aerosol generation device comprising the aerosol generation device user authentication unit of any preceding claim.

14. An aerosol generation device user authentication method performed at a user authentication unit of an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: detecting motion information using a motion detection component; determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user; and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon which when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to control an aerosol generation device user authentication unit, wherein the instructions cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising: detecting motion information using a motion detection component; determining whether the detected motion information is characteristic of a user; and controlling the user authentication unit to perform a first action when the detected motion information is characteristic of the user.