WO2024080670A1

WO2024080670A1 - Method of unlocking aerosol generating device and apparatus for performing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2024080670A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/015377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Kyu Kim; Wonkyeong LEE; Byung Sung Cho
Original assignee: Kt & G Corporation
Priority date: 2022-10-14
Filing date: 2023-10-06
Publication date: 2024-04-18

Abstract

A method of unlocking an aerosol generating device includes establishing a wireless channel with the aerosol generating device using short-range wireless communication, performing age verification for a user of a user terminal, outputting an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device through a display when the age verification is completed, and transmitting an unlock command to the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel when an unlock input is received through the interface.

Description

METHOD OF UNLOCKING AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING THE SAME

The following embodiments relate to technology for unlocking an electronic device, and more particularly, to technology for unlocking functions of the electronic device.

These days, there is a gradual rise in the demand for electronic cigarettes. The rising demand for electronic cigarette devices has accelerated the continued development of electronic cigarette device-related functions. The electronic cigarette device-related functions may include, in particular, functions associated with types and characteristics of electronic cigarette devices.

An aspect provides a method of unlocking an aerosol generating device when verification is completed for a user.

An aspect provides a user terminal that unlocks the aerosol generating device when verification is completed for the user.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method of unlocking an aerosol generating device, performed by a user terminal, including establishing a wireless channel with the aerosol generating device using short-range wireless communication, performing age verification for a user of the user terminal, when the age verification is completed, outputting an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device through a display, and when an unlock input is received through the interface, transmitting an unlock command to the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel.

The performing of the age verification for the user of the user terminal may include, when the user signs in as an adult to a preset server, determining that the age verification is completed for the user.

The age verification for the user of the user terminal is performed using an application programming interface (API) of an age verification application.

The short-range wireless communication may be Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

The method may further include receiving a target identification number of the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel, and when the age verification is completed, associating the user with the target identification number, wherein the interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device is outputted when a number of target identification numbers associated with the user is less than a preset number.

The unlock command is configured to unlock the aerosol generating device.

The unlock command is configured to activate a heating function for generating an aerosol.

According to another aspect, there is provided a user terminal including a processor configured to execute a program for unlocking an aerosol generating device and a memory configured to store the program, wherein the processor may be configured to establish a wireless channel with the aerosol generating device using short-range wireless communication, perform age verification for a user of the user terminal, when the age verification is completed, output an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device through a display, and when an unlock input is received through the interface, transmit an unlock command to the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel.

According to another aspect, there is provided an unlocking method, performed by an aerosol generating device, including establishing a wireless channel with a user terminal using short-range wireless communication, when age verification is completed for a user of the user terminal, receiving an unlock command from the user terminal through the wireless channel, and in response to the unlock command, unlocking the aerosol generating device.

The unlocking may include activating a heating function for generating an aerosol.

An aerosol generating device is unlocked exclusively for users for which verification is performed, allowing limited access to the aerosol generating device.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating examples of an aerosol generating article inserted into an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of an aerosol generating article according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for unlocking an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of unlocking an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of outputting an interface for unlocking an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for unlocking an aerosol generating device according to various embodiments.

The following detailed structural or functional description is provided as an example only and various alterations and modifications may be made to embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be construed as limited to the disclosure and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, or replacements within the idea and the technical scope of the disclosure.

Although terms, such as first, second, and the like are used to describe various components, the components are not limited to the terms. These terms should be used only to distinguish one component from another component. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

It should be noted that, if one component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another component, a third component may be "connected," "coupled," and "joined" between the first and second components, although the first component may be directly connected, coupled, or joined to the second component.

The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "include," "comprise," and "have" specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, are to be construed to have meanings matching with contextual meanings in the relevant art, and are not to be construed to have an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless otherwise defined herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements and a repeated description related thereto will be omitted.

FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating examples of a cigarette inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generating device 1 may include a battery 11, a controller 12, and a heater 13. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the aerosol generating device 1 may further include a vaporizer 14. A cigarette 2 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device 1.

The aerosol generating device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 may include components related to the embodiments described herein. Therefore, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that the aerosol generating device 1 may further include other general-purpose components in addition to the ones shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In addition, although it is shown that the heater 13 is included in the aerosol generating device 1 in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heater 13 may be omitted as needed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a linear alignment of the battery 11, the controller 12, and the heater 13. FIG. 2 illustrates a linear alignment of the battery 11, the controller 12, the vaporizer 14, and the heater 13. FIG. 3 illustrates a parallel alignment of the vaporizer 14 and the heater 13. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 1 is not limited to what is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. That is, the alignments of the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14 may be changed depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 1.

When the cigarette 2 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may operate the heater 13 and/or the vaporizer 14 to generate an aerosol. The aerosol generated by the heater 13 and/or the vaporizer 14 may pass through the cigarette 2 into a user.

Even when the cigarette 2 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the aerosol generating device 1 may heat the heater 13, as needed.

The battery 11 may supply power to be used to operate the aerosol generating device 1. For example, the battery 11 may supply power to heat the heater 13 or the vaporizer 14, and may supply power required for the controller 12 to operate. In addition, the battery 11 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, or the like installed in the aerosol generating device 1.

The controller 12 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 1. Specifically, the controller 12 may control respective operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 1, in addition to the battery 11, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. In addition, the controller 12 may verify a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 1 to determine whether the aerosol generating device 1 is in an operable state.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that the processor may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The heater 13 may be heated by power supplied by the battery 11. For example, when a cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, the heater 13 may be disposed outside the cigarette. The heated heater 13 may thus raise the temperature of an aerosol generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 13 may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13 may be heated as a current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13 is not limited to the foregoing example, and any example of heating the heater 13 up to a desired temperature may be applicable without limitation. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 1 or may be set by the user.

As another example, the heater 13 may be an induction heater. Specifically, the heater 13 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette in an induction heating manner, and the cigarette may include a susceptor to be heated by the induction heater.

For example, the heater 13 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and may heat the inside or outside of the cigarette 2 according to the shape of a heating element.

In addition, the heater 13 may be provided as a plurality of heaters in the aerosol generating device 1. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 2, or may be disposed outside the cigarette 2. In addition, some of the heaters 13 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 2, and the rest may be disposed outside the cigarette 2. However, the shape of the heater 13 is not limited to what is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 but may be provided in various shapes.

The vaporizer 14 may heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette 2 into the user. That is, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 may travel along an airflow path of the aerosol generating device 1, and the airflow path may be configured such that the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14 may pass through the cigarette into the user.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may include a liquid storage, a liquid transfer means, and a heating element. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the liquid storage, the liquid transfer means, and the heating element may be included as independent modules in the aerosol generating device 1.

The liquid storage may store the liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material having a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage may be manufactured to be detachable and attachable from and to the vaporizer 14, or may be manufactured in an integral form with the vaporizer 14.

The liquid composition may include, for example, water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, for example, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit-flavored ingredients, and the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The flavoring agent may include ingredients that provide a user with a variety of flavors or scents. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, or vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid transfer means may transfer the liquid composition in the liquid storage to the heating element. The liquid transfer means may be, for example, a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The heating element may be an element configured to heat the liquid composition transferred by the liquid transfer means. The heating element may be, for example, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition, the heating element may include a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure wound around the liquid transfer means. The heating element may be heated as a current is supplied and may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, and may thereby heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol may be generated.

For example, the vaporizer 14 may also be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The aerosol generating device 1 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11, the controller 12, the heater 13, and the vaporizer 14. For example, the aerosol generating device 1 may include a display that outputs visual information and/or a motor that outputs tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may include at least one sensor (e.g., a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, a cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). In addition, the aerosol generating device 1 may be manufactured to have a structure in which external air may be introduced or internal gas may flow out even with the cigarette 2 being inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the aerosol generating device 1 may constitute a system along with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 1. Alternatively, the cradle may be used to heat the heater 13, with the cradle and the aerosol generating device 1 coupled.

The cigarette 2 may be similar to a general combustible cigarette. For example, the cigarette 2 may be divided into a first portion including an aerosol generating material and a second portion including a filter or the like. Alternatively, the second portion of the cigarette 2 may also include the aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material provided in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion.

The first portion may be entirely inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, and the second portion may be exposed outside. Alternatively, only the first portion may be partially inserted into the aerosol generating device 1, or the first portion may be entirely inserted into the aerosol generating device 1 and the second portion may be partially inserted into the aerosol generating device 1. The user may inhale an aerosol with the second portion in a mouth of the user. In this case, an aerosol may be generated as external air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol may pass through the second portion into the mouth of the user.

For example, the external air may be introduced through at least one air path formed in the aerosol generating device 1. In this example, opening or closing and/or the size of the air path formed in the aerosol generating device 1 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, an amount of atomization, a sense of smoking, or the like may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may be introduced into the inside of the cigarette 2 through at least one hole formed on a surface of the cigarette 2.

Hereinafter, examples of the cigarette 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of a cigarette according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cigarette 2 may include a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. The first portion and the second portion described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 may include the tobacco rod 21 and the filter rod 22, respectively.

Although the filter rod 22 is illustrated as having a single segment in FIG. 4, embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, the filter rod 22 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a segment that cools an aerosol and a segment that filters a predetermined ingredient contained in an aerosol. In addition, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment that performs another function, as needed.

The diameter of the cigarette 2 may be in a range of 5 millimeters (mm) to 9 mm, and the length thereof may be about 48 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the length of the tobacco rod 21 may be about 12 mm, the length of a first segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 10 mm, the length of a second segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 14 mm, and the length of a third segment of the filter rod 22 may be about 12 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The cigarette 2 may be wrapped with at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas flows out. For example, the cigarette 2 may be wrapped with one wrapper 24. As another example, the cigarette 2 may be wrapped with two or more wrappers 24 in an overlapping manner. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be wrapped with a first wrapper 241, and the filter rod 22 may be wrapped with

wrappers

242, 243, and 244. In addition, the cigarette 2 may be entirely wrapped again with a single wrapper 245. For example, when the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments may be wrapped with the

wrappers

242, 243, and 244, respectively.

The first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be formed of general filter wrapping paper. For example, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper. In addition, the first wrapper 241 and the second wrapper 242 may be formed of oilproof paper and/or an aluminum laminated wrapping material.

The third wrapper 243 may be formed of hard wrapping paper. For example, the basis weight of the third wrapper 243 may be in a range of 88 grams per square meter (g/m²⁾ to 96 g/m², and desirably, may be in a range of 90 g/m² to 94 g/m². Further, the thickness of the third wrapper 243 may be in a range of 120 micrometers (μm) to 130 μm, and desirably, may be 125 μm.

The fourth wrapper 244 may be formed of oilproof hard wrapping paper. For example, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in a range of 88 g/m² to 96 g/m², and desirably, may be in a range of 90 g/m² to 94 g/m². Further, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 244 may be in a range of 120 μm to 130 μm, and desirably, may be 125 μm.

The fifth wrapper 245 may be formed of sterile paper (e.g., MFW). Here, the sterile paper (MFW) may refer to paper specially prepared such that it has enhanced tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, or the like, compared to general paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 245 may be in a range of 57 g/m² to 63 g/m², and desirably, may be 60 g/m². Further, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 245 may be in a range of 64 μm to 70 μm, and desirably, may be 67 μm.

The fifth wrapper 245 may have a predetermined material internally added thereto. The predetermined material may be, for example, silicon. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Silicon may have properties, such as, for example, heat resistance which is characterized by less change by temperature, oxidation resistance which refers to resistance to oxidation, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency against water, or electrical insulation. However, silicon may not necessarily be used, and any material having such properties described above may be applied to (or used to coat) the fifth wrapper 245 without limitation.

The fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the cigarette 2 from burning. For example, there may be a probability that the cigarette 2 burns when the tobacco rod 21 is heated by the heater 13. For example, when the temperature rises above an ignition point of any one of materials included in the tobacco rod 21, the cigarette 2 may burn. Even in this example, it may still be possible to prevent the cigarette 2 from burning because the fifth wrapper 245 includes a non-combustible material.

In addition, the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent a holder from being contaminated by substances produced in the cigarette 2. For example, liquid substances may be produced in the cigarette 2 when a user puffs. For example, as an aerosol generated in the cigarette 2 is cooled by external air, liquid substances (e.g., water, etc.) may be produced. Thus, wrapping the cigarette 2 with the fifth wrapper 245 may prevent the liquid substances produced in the cigarette 2 from leaking out of the cigarette 2.

The tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may include, for example, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, or oleyl alcohol. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The tobacco rod 21 may also include other additives such as, for example, a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and/or an organic acid. In addition, the tobacco rod 21 may include a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizing agent that is added as being sprayed onto the tobacco rod 21.

The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Alternatively, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed of tobacco leaves finely cut from a tobacco sheet. In addition, the tobacco rod 21 may be enveloped by a thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material may be, for example, metal foil such as aluminum foil. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the thermally conductive material enveloping the tobacco rod 21 may evenly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 21 to improve the conductivity of the heat to be applied to the tobacco rod 21, thereby improving the taste of tobacco. In addition, the thermally conductive material enveloping the tobacco rod 21 may function as a susceptor heated by an induction heater. In this case, although not shown, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the thermally conductive material enveloping the outside thereof.

The filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. However, a shape of the filter rod 22 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may be a cylindrical rod, or a tubular rod including a hollow therein. The filter rod 22 may also be a recess-type rod. For example, when the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The first segment of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. For example, the first segment may be a tubular structure including a hollow therein. The first segment may prevent internal materials of the tobacco rod 21 from being pushed back when the heater 13 is inserted into the tobacco rod 21 and may cool the aerosol. A desirable diameter of the hollow included in the first segment may be adopted from a range of 2 mm to 4.5 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

A desirable length of the first segment may be adopted from a range of 4 mm to 30 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Desirably, the length of the first segment may be 10 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The first segment may have a hardness that is adjustable through an adjustment of the content of a plasticizer in a process of manufacturing the first segment. In addition, the first segment may be manufactured by inserting a structure such as a film or a tube of the same or different materials therein (e.g., in the hollow).

A second segment of the filter rod 22 may cool an aerosol generated as the heater 13 heats the tobacco rod 21. The user may thus inhale the aerosol cooled down to a suitable temperature.

A length or diameter of the second segment may be determined in various ways according to the shape of the cigarette 2. For example, a desirable length of the second segment may be adopted from a range of 7 mm to 20 mm. Desirably, the length of the second segment may be about 14 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The second segment may be manufactured by weaving a polymer fiber. In this case, a flavoring liquid may be applied to a fiber formed of a polymer. Alternatively, the second segment may be manufactured by weaving a separate fiber to which a flavoring liquid is applied and the fiber formed of the polymer together. Alternatively, the second segment may be formed of a crimped polymer sheet.

For example, the polymer may be prepared with a material selected from a group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), cellulose acetate (CA), and aluminum foil.

As the second segment is formed of the woven polymer fiber or the crimped polymer sheet, the second segment may include a single channel or a plurality of channels extending in a longitudinal direction. A channel used herein may refer to a path through which a gas (e.g., air or aerosol) passes.

For example, the second segment formed with the crimped polymer sheet may be formed of a material having a thickness between about 5 μm and about 300 μm, for example, between about 10 μm and about 250 μm. In addition, the total surface area of the second segment may be between about 300 square millimeters per millimeter (mm²/mm) and about 1000 mm²/mm. Further, an aerosol cooling element may be formed from a material having a specific surface area between about 10 square millimeters per milligram (mm²/mg) and about 100 mm²/mg.

The second segment may include a thread containing a volatile flavor ingredient. The volatile flavor ingredient may be menthol, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thread may be filled with an amount of menthol sufficient to provide at least 1.5 mg of menthol to the second segment.

A third segment of the filter rod 22 may be a cellulose acetate filter. A desirable length of the third segment may be adopted from a range of 4 mm to 20 mm. For example, the length of the third segment may be about 12 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The third segment may be manufactured such that a flavor is generated by spraying a flavoring liquid onto the third segment in a process of manufacturing the third segment. Alternatively, a separate fiber to which the flavoring liquid is applied may be inserted into the third segment. An aerosol generated in the tobacco rod 21 may be cooled as it passes through the second segment of the filter rod 22, and the cooled aerosol may pass through the third segment into the user. Accordingly, when a flavoring element is added to the third segment, the durability of the flavor to be carried to the user may be enhanced.

In addition, the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23. Here, the capsule 23 may perform a function of generating a flavor or a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cigarette 3 may further include a front end plug 33. The front end plug 33 may be disposed on one side of a tobacco rod 31 opposite to a filter rod 32. The front end plug 33 may prevent the tobacco rod 31 from escaping to the outside, and may also prevent an aerosol liquefied in the tobacco rod 31 during smoking from flowing into an aerosol generating device (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3).

The filter rod 32 may include a first segment 321 and a second segment 322. Here, the first segment 321 may correspond to the first segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 4, and the second segment 322 may correspond to the third segment of the filter rod 22 of FIG. 4.

The diameter and the total length of the cigarette 3 may correspond to the diameter and the total length of the cigarette 2 of FIG. 4. For example, the length of the front end plug 33 may be about 7 mm, the length of the tobacco rod 31 may be about 15 mm, the length of the first segment 321 may be about 12 mm, and the length of the second segment 322 may be about 14 mm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The cigarette 3 may be wrapped with at least one wrapper 35. The wrapper 35 may have at least one hole through which external air is introduced or internal gas flows out. For example, the front end plug 33 may be wrapped with a first wrapper 351, the tobacco rod 31 may be wrapped with a second wrapper 352, the first segment 321 may be wrapped with a third wrapper 353, and the second segment 322 may be wrapped with a fourth wrapper 354. In addition, the cigarette 3 may be entirely wrapped again with a fifth wrapper 355.

In addition, at least one perforation 355 may be formed in the fifth wrapper 355. For example, the perforation 355 may be formed in a region enclosing the tobacco rod 31. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The perforation 355 may perform a function of transferring heat generated by the heater 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to the inside of the tobacco rod 31.

In addition, the second segment 322 may include at least one capsule 34. The capsule 34 may perform a function of generating a flavor or a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 34 may have a structure in which a liquid containing a fragrance is wrapped with a film. The capsule 34 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

The first wrapper 351 may be a combination of general filter wrapping paper and metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the total thickness of the first wrapper 351 may be in a range of 45 μm to 55 μm, and desirably, may be 50.3 μm. Further, the thickness of the metal foil of the first wrapper 351 may be in a range of 6 μm to 7 μm, and desirably, may be 6.3 μm. In addition, the basis weight of the first wrapper 351 may be in a range of 50 g/m² to 55 g/m², and desirably, may be 53 g/m².

The second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be formed with general filter wrapping paper. For example, the second wrapper 352 and the third wrapper 353 may be porous wrapping paper or non-porous wrapping paper.

For example, the porosity of the second wrapper 352 may be 35000 CU. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the thickness of the second wrapper 352 may be in a range of 70 μm to 80 μm, and desirably, may be 78 μm. In addition, the basis weight of the second wrapper 352 may be in a range of 20 g/m² to 25 g/m², and desirably, may be 23.5 g/m².

For example, the porosity of the third wrapper 353 may be 24000 CU. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the thickness of the third wrapper 353 may be in a range of 60 μm to 70 μm, and desirably, may be 68 μm. In addition, the basis weight of the third wrapper 353 may be in a range of 20 g/m² to 25 g/m², and desirably, may be 21 g/m².

The fourth wrapper 354 may be formed with polylactic acid (PLA) laminated paper. The PLA laminated paper may refer to three-ply paper including a paper layer, a PLA layer, and a paper layer. For example, the thickness of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in a range of 100 μm to 120 μm, and desirably, may be 110 μm. In addition, the basis weight of the fourth wrapper 354 may be in a range of 80 g/m² to 100 g/m², and desirably, may be 88 g/m².

The fifth wrapper 355 may be formed of sterile paper (e.g., MFW). Here, the sterile paper (MFW) may refer to paper specially prepared such that it has enhanced tensile strength, water resistance, smoothness, or the like, compared to general paper. For example, the basis weight of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in a range of 57 g/m² to 63 g/m², and desirably, may be 60 g/m². Further, the thickness of the fifth wrapper 355 may be in a range of 64 μm to 70 μm, and desirably, may be 67 μm.

The fifth wrapper 355 may have a predetermined material internally added thereto. The predetermined material may be, for example, silicon. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Silicon may have properties, such as, for example, heat resistance which is characterized by less change by temperature, oxidation resistance which refers to resistance to oxidation, resistance to various chemicals, water repellency against water, or electrical insulation. However, silicon may not necessarily be used, and any material having such properties described above may be applied to (or used to coat) the fifth wrapper 355 without limitation.

The front end plug 33 may be formed of cellulose acetate. For example, the front end plug 33 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. The mono denier of a filament of the cellulose acetate tow may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0, and desirably, may be in a range of 4.0 to 6.0. The mono denier of the filament of the front end plug 33 may be more desirably 5.0. In addition, a cross section of the filament of the front end plug 33 may be Y-shaped. The total denier of the front end plug 33 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000, and desirably, may be in a range of 25000 to 30000. The total denier of the front end plug 33 may be more desirably 28000.

In addition, as needed, the front end plug 33 may include at least one channel, and a cross-sectional shape of the channel may be provided in various ways.

The tobacco rod 31 may correspond to the tobacco rod 21 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Thus, a further description of the tobacco rod 31 will be omitted herein.

The first segment 321 may be formed of cellulose acetate. For example, the first segment may be a tubular structure including a hollow therein. The first segment 321 may be manufactured by adding a plasticizer (e.g., triacetin) to cellulose acetate tow. For example, the mono denier and the total denier of the first segment 321 may be the same as the mono denier and the total denier of the front end plug 33.

The second segment 322 may be formed of cellulose acetate. The mono denier of a filament of the second segment 322 may be in a range of 1.0 to 10.0, and desirably, may be in a range of 8.0 to 10.0. The mono denier of the filament of the second segment 322 may be more desirably 9.0. In addition, a cross section of the filament of the second segment 322 may be Y-shaped. The total denier of the second segment 322 may be in a range of 20000 to 30000, and desirably, may be 25000.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an aerosol generating device 400 according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 400 (e.g., the aerosol generating device 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3) may include a controller 410, a sensing unit 420, an output unit 430, a battery 440, a heater 450, a user input unit 460, a memory 470, and a communication unit 480. However, an internal structure of the aerosol generating device 400 is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 6. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that some of the components shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted or new components may be added according to the design of the aerosol generating device 400.

The sensing unit 420 may sense a state of the aerosol generating device 400 or a state of an environment around the aerosol generating device 400, and transmit sensing information obtained through the sensing to the controller 410. Based on the sensing information, the controller 410 may control the aerosol generating device 400 to control operations of the heater 450, restrict smoking, determine whether an aerosol generating article (e.g., a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, display a notification, and perform other functions.

The sensing unit 420 may include at least one of a temperature sensor 422, an insertion detection sensor 424, or a puff sensor 426. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The temperature sensor 422 may sense a temperature at which the heater 450 (or an aerosol generating material) is heated. The aerosol generating device 400 may include a separate temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heater 450, or the heater 450 itself may perform a function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 422 may be arranged around the battery 440 to monitor the temperature of the battery 440.

The insertion detection sensor 424 may sense whether the aerosol generating article is inserted and/or removed. The insertion detection sensor 424 may include, for example, at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, or an infrared sensor, which may sense a signal change by the insertion and/or removal of the aerosol generating article.

The puff sensor 426 may sense a puff from a user based on various physical changes in an airflow path or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 426 may sense the puff from the user based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

The sensing unit 420 may further include at least one of a temperature/humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS)), a proximity sensor, or a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor (e.g., an illuminance sensor), in addition to the sensors 422 to 426 described above. A function of each sensor may be intuitively inferable from its name by one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus, a more detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The output unit 430 may output information about the state of the aerosol generating device 400 and provide the information to the user. The output unit 430 may include at least one of a display 432, a haptic portion 434, or a sound outputter 436. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. When the display 432 and a touchpad are provided in a layered structure to form a touchscreen, the display 432 may be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

The display 432 may visually provide information about the aerosol generating device 400 to the user. The information about the aerosol generating device 400 may include, for example, a charging/discharging state of the battery 440 of the aerosol generating device 400, a preheating state of the heater 450, an insertion/removal state of the aerosol generating article, a limited usage state (e.g., an abnormal article detected) of the aerosol generating device 400, or the like, and the display 432 may externally output the information. The display 432 may be, for example, a liquid-crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. The display 432 may also be in the form of a light-emitting diode (LED) device.

The haptic portion 434 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 400 to the user in a haptic way by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus. The haptic portion 434 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

The sound outputter 436 may provide information about the aerosol generating device 400 to the user in an auditory way. For example, the sound outputter 436 may convert an electrical signal into a sound signal and externally output the sound signal.

The battery 440 may supply power to be used to operate the aerosol generating device 400. The battery 440 may supply power to heat the heater 450. In addition, the battery 440 may supply power required for operations of the other components (e.g., the sensing unit 420, the output unit 430, the user input unit 460, the memory 470, and the communication unit 480) included in the aerosol generating device 400. The battery 440 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. The battery 440 may be, for example, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The heater 450 may receive power from the battery 440 to heat the aerosol generating material. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 400 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a direct current (DC)-to-DC (DC/DC) converter) that converts power of the battery 440 and supplies the power to the heater 450. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 400 generates an aerosol in an induction heating manner, the aerosol generating device 400 may further include a DC-to-alternating current (AC) (DC/AC) converter that converts DC power of the battery 440 into AC power.

The controller 410, the sensing unit 420, the output unit 430, the user input unit 460, the memory 470, and the communication unit 480 may receive power from the battery 440 to perform functions. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 400 may further include a power conversion circuit, for example, a low dropout (LDO) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts the power of the battery 440 and supplies the power to respective components.

In an embodiment, the heater 450 may be formed of a predetermined electrically resistive material that is suitable. The electrically resistive material may be a metal or a metal alloy including, for example, titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition, the heater 450 may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate on which an electrically conductive track is arranged, a ceramic heating element, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, the heater 450 may be an induction heater. For example, the heater 450 may include a susceptor that heats the aerosol generating material by generating heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil.

In an embodiment, the heater 450 may include a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 450 may include a first heater for heating a cigarette and a second heater for heating a liquid.

The user input unit 460 may receive information input from the user or may output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 460 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., a contact capacitive type, a pressure resistive film type, an infrared sensing type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, a piezo effect method, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 6, the aerosol generating device 400 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to another external device through the connection interface such as a USB interface to transmit and receive information or to charge the battery 440.

The memory 470, which is hardware for storing various pieces of data processed in the aerosol generating device 400, may store data processed by the controller 410 and data to be processed by the controller 410. The memory 470 may include at least one type of storage medium of a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XD memory), a random-access memory (RAM), a static random-access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The memory 470 may store an operating time of the aerosol generating device 400, a maximum number of puffs, a current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, data associated with a smoking pattern of the user, or the like.

The communication unit 480 may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device. For example, the communication unit 480 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 482 and a wireless communication unit 484.

The short-range wireless communication unit 482 may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, and an Ant+ communication unit. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The wireless communication unit 484 may include, for example, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a wide-area network (WAN)) communication unit, or the like. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The wireless communication unit 484 may use subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) to identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 400 in a communication network.

The controller 410 may control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 400. In an embodiment, the controller 410 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains that it may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The controller 410 may control the temperature of the heater 450 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 440 to the heater 450. For example, the controller 410 may control the supply of power by controlling switching of a switching element between the battery 440 and the heater 450. As another example, a direct heating circuit may control the supply of power to the heater 450 according to a control command from the controller 410.

The controller 410 may analyze a sensing result obtained by the sensing of the sensing unit 420 and control processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the controller 410 may control power to be supplied to the heater 450 to start or end an operation of the heater 450 based on the sensing result obtained by the sensing unit 420. As another example, the controller 410 may control an amount of power to be supplied to the heater 450 and a time for which the power is to be supplied, such that the heater 450 may be heated up to a predetermined temperature or maintained at a desired temperature, based on the sensing result obtained by the sensing unit 420.

The controller 410 may control the output unit 430 based on the sensing result obtained by the sensing unit 420. For example, when the number of puffs counted through the puff sensor 426 reaches a preset number, the controller 410 may inform the user that the aerosol generating device 400 is to be ended soon, through at least one of the display 432, the haptic portion 434, or the sound outputter 436.

In an embodiment, the controller 410 may control a power supply time and/or a power supply amount for the heater 450 according to a state of the aerosol generating article sensed by the sensing unit 420. For example, when the aerosol generating article is in an over-humidified state, the controller 410 may control the power supply time for an inductive coil to increase a preheating time, compared to a case where the aerosol generating article is in a general state.

An embodiment may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executable by the computer. A computer-readable medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a computer and includes a volatile medium, a non-volatile medium, a removable medium, and a non-removable medium. In addition, the computer-readable medium may include both a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer storage medium includes all of a volatile medium, a non-volatile medium, a removable medium, and a non-removable medium implemented by any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The communication medium typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in modulated data signals such as program modules, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information transfer medium.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for unlocking an aerosol generating device, according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a system 700 may include a server 710, a user terminal 720, and an aerosol generating device 730.

For example, the aerosol generating device 730 may be the aerosol generating device 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 or the aerosol generating device 400 described above with reference to FIG. 6.

For example, the server 710 may be a server operated by the manufacturer of the aerosol generating device 730, or may be a server operated by an operator affiliated with the manufacturer of the aerosol generating device 730.

For example, the user terminal 720 may be a mobile communication terminal that supports cellular wireless communication and short-range wireless communication. The user terminal 720 may exchange data with the server 710 or the aerosol generating device 730 using software or an application installed on the user terminal 720.

According to an embodiment, the aerosol generating device 730 may be in a locked state or unlocked state. For example, when the aerosol generating device 730 is in a shipping mode, the aerosol generating device 730 may be in the locked state. The aerosol generating device 730 in the locked state may be unlocked when a user of the aerosol generating device 730 is verified. For example, when the user is a user registered as an adult in the server 710, the aerosol generating device 730 may be unlocked. For example, when the user is verified as an adult using the user terminal 720, the aerosol generating device 730 may be unlocked. When the aerosol generating device 730 is in the locked state, functions (e.g., a heating function) other than a function for wireless communication with the user terminal 720 may not operate.

A method of unlocking the aerosol generating device 730 is described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of unlocking an aerosol generating device, according to various embodiments.

Operations

810, 820, 830, 840, and 850 may be performed by the user terminal 720 described above with reference to FIG. 7, and

operations

815, 860, and 870 may be performed by the aerosol generating device 730 described above with reference to FIG. 7.

In operation 810, the user terminal 720 may establish a wireless channel with the aerosol generating device 730 using short-range wireless communication. For example, short-range wireless communication may be Bluetooth, BLE, or near field communication (NFC).

In operation 815, the aerosol generating device 730 may establish a wireless channel with the user terminal 720 using short-range wireless communication. Even when the aerosol generating device 730 is in a locked state, a function for short-range wireless communication with the aerosol generating device 730 may operate. For example, the aerosol generating device 730 may transmit a beacon for establishing a wireless channel to the user terminal 720. When receiving the beacon from the aerosol generating device 730, the user terminal 720 may establish the wireless channel with the aerosol generating device 730 based on a connection command received from a user.

In operation 820, the user terminal 720 may perform age verification for the user of the user terminal 720 (or the aerosol generating device 730).

According to an embodiment, the user terminal 720 may perform the age verification through an application programming interface (API) of an age verification application.

According to an embodiment, the user terminal 720 may transmit an identifier (ID) and password of the user to the server 710, and receive from the server 710 information on whether the user with that ID is an adult. When receiving information indicating that the user is an adult from the server 710, the user terminal 720 may determine that the age verification has been completed for the user. For example, the user may create a new account in advance using the server 710, and a separate age verification may be performed for the account creation process. The server 710 may store information about whether the user is an adult. When the user signs in as an adult on the server 710, the user terminal 720 may determine that the age verification has been completed for the user.

In operation 830, when the age verification for the user has been completed, the user terminal 720 may output an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device 730 through a display of the user terminal 720. For example, the interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device 730 may be an unlock button.

In operation 840, the user terminal 720 may receive an unlock input through the interface from the user. For example, the user may transmit the unlock input to the user terminal 720 by touching the unlock interface.

In operation 850, when receiving the unlock input from the user, the user terminal 720 may transmit an unlock command to the aerosol generating device 730 through the wireless channel.

In operation 860, if the age verification has been completed (i.e., successful) for the user of the user terminal 720 in operation 820, the aerosol generating device 730 may receive the unlock command from the aerosol generating device 730 through the wireless channel.

In operation 870, when the unlock command is received, the aerosol generating device 730 may be unlocked. For example, when the aerosol generating device 730 is unlocked, its previously locked functions may be activated. For example, when the aerosol generating device 730 is unlocked, a heating function for generating an aerosol may be activated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of outputting an interface for unlocking an aerosol generating device, according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment,

operations

910 and 920 may be further performed after operation 820 described above with reference to FIG. 8 is performed.

Operations

910 and 920 may be performed by the user terminal 720 described above with reference to FIG. 7.

In operation 910, the user terminal 720 may receive a target identification number of the aerosol generating device 730 through a wireless channel from the aerosol generating device 730. For example, the target identification number may be a manufacturing number or ID of the aerosol generating device 730, but embodiments are not limited thereto. The target identification number is only transmitted from the aerosol generating device 730 to the user terminal 720 and not to the server 710. In other words, the user terminal 720 does not transmit the target identification number to the server 710.

In operation 920, when age verification for the user is completed, the user terminal 720 may associate the user with the target identification number. For example, the user terminal 720 may associate one or more target identification numbers with the user. When the user has a plurality of aerosol generating devices, the user may register the plurality of aerosol generating devices with the user terminal 720 through a plurality of target identification numbers to manage the plurality of aerosol generating devices.

According to an embodiment, operation 830 described above with reference to FIG. 8 may include operation 930.

In operation 930, the user terminal 720 may output an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device 730, only if the number of target identification numbers associated with the user is less than a preset number. That is, when the number of target identification numbers associated with the user is greater than or equal to the preset number, the interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device 730 may not be output.

According to an embodiment, the user terminal 720 may output the interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device 730 only if the number of currently unlocked aerosol generating devices among the plurality of aerosol generating devices associated with the user is less than a preset number.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for unlocking an aerosol generating device, according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a system 1000 may include a server 1010 and a user terminal 1020. A user 1015 may be the owner of both the user terminal 1020 and an aerosol generating device 1030.

For example, the aerosol generating device 1030 may be the aerosol generating device 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 or the aerosol generating device 400 described above with reference to FIG. 6. Unlike the system 700 described above with reference to FIG. 7, data communication may not occur between the user terminal 1020 and the aerosol generating device 1030.

For example, the server 1010 may be a server operated by the manufacturer of the aerosol generating device 1030, or may be a server operated by an operator affiliated with the manufacturer of the aerosol generating device 1030.

For example, the user terminal 1020 may be a mobile communication terminal that supports cellular wireless communication and short-range wireless communication. The user terminal 720 may exchange data with the server 710 using software or an application installed on the user terminal 720.

According to an embodiment, the server 1010 may store information associated with a target identification number and a password of the aerosol generating device 1030. For example, during the manufacturing of the aerosol generating device 1030, a target identification number and a password for the target identification number may be set up in the aerosol generating device 1030. The server 1010 may store a list of target identification numbers and passwords of a plurality of aerosol generating devices including the aerosol generating device 1030.

The user 1015 of the aerosol generating device 1030 may access target specific information of the aerosol generating device 1030 stored in the aerosol generating device 1030. For example, the aerosol generating device 1030 may output the target specific information through a display in response to a request from the user 1015. As another example, target specific information may be provided in the form of a sticker attached to the aerosol generating device 1030 or may be engraved on the aerosol generating device 1030.

The user 1015 may transmit the target specific information to the server 1010 through the user terminal 1020. When age verification is completed for the user 1015, the server 1010 may provide the user 1015 with a password corresponding to the received target specific information through the user terminal 1020. The description of operation 820 described above with reference to FIG. 8 may similarly apply to the description of age verification for the user 1015.

The user 1015 may input a password to the aerosol generating device 1030. For example, the user 1015 may input the password into the aerosol generating device 1030 using a user interface of the aerosol generating device 1030. The user interface of the aerosol generating device 1030 may include one or more buttons or a touch display. The user may input alphanumeric characters, a drag pattern, or Morse code as a password using the user interface. For example, when the user desires to input the number "76" using the user interface with a single button, the user may tap the button seven times consecutively. Then, if the aerosol generating device 1030 vibrates, the user may tap the button six more times consecutively. The vibration of the aerosol generating device 1030 may indicate that a single digit is recognized.

When the password received from the user 1015 corresponds to a preset password, the aerosol generating device 1030 may be unlocked.

The methods according to the embodiments may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations of the embodiments. The computer-readable media may include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of embodiments, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to one of ordinary skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM or DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The above-described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the embodiments, or vice versa.

The software may include a computer program, a piece of code, an instruction, or one or more combinations thereof, to independently or collectively instruct or configure the processing device to operate as desired. Software and/or data may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, or in a propagated signal wave capable of providing instructions or data to or being interpreted by the processing device. The software may also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the software may be stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The software and data may be stored by one or more computer-readable recording mediums.

Although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited drawings, one of ordinary skill in the art may apply various technical modifications and variations based thereon. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A method of unlocking an aerosol generating device, performed by a user terminal, the method comprising:

establishing a wireless channel with the aerosol generating device using short-range wireless communication;

performing age verification for a user of the user terminal;

when the age verification is completed, outputting an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device through a display; and

when an unlock input is received through the interface, transmitting an unlock command to the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel.
The method of claim 1, wherein the performing of the age verification for the user of the user terminal comprises, when the user signs in as an adult to a preset server, determining that the age verification is completed for the user.
The method of claim 1, wherein the age verification for the user of the user terminal is performed using an application programming interface (API) of an age verification application.
The method of claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless communication is Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a target identification number of the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel; and

when the age verification is completed, associating the user with the target identification number,

wherein the interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device is outputted when a number of target identification numbers associated with the user is less than a preset number.
The method of claim 1, wherein the unlock command is configured to unlock the aerosol generating device.
The method of claim 1, wherein the unlock command is configured to activate a heating function for generating an aerosol.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that are executable by a processor to perform the method of claim 1.
A user terminal comprising:

a processor configured to execute a program for unlocking an aerosol generating device; and

a memory configured to store the program,

wherein the processor is configured to:

establish a wireless channel with the aerosol generating device using short-range wireless communication;

perform age verification for a user of the user terminal;

when the age verification is completed, output an interface for unlocking the aerosol generating device through a display; and

when an unlock input is received through the interface, transmit an unlock command to the aerosol generating device through the wireless channel.
An unlocking method performed by an aerosol generating device, the unlocking method comprising:

establishing a wireless channel with a user terminal using short-range wireless communication;

when age verification is completed for a user of the user terminal, receiving an unlock command from the user terminal through the wireless channel; and

in response to the unlock command, unlocking the aerosol generating device.
The unlocking method of claim 10, the unlocking comprises activating a heating function for generating an aerosol.