Methods and devices for cartridge authentication

A method for authenticating a cartridge of at least one electronic vaping device, the method comprising:

• reading an identification label of the cartridge of the at least one electronic vaping device, the at least one electronic vaping device including a battery section;
• obtaining authentication information from the identification label, the authentication information including identification information identifying the cartridge;
• obtaining reference identification information for a plurality of cartridges from a memory;
• determining whether the cartridge is authentic based on the authentication information by determining whether the identification information corresponds to reference identification information stored in the memory, the reference identification including an expiration date;
• unlocking the battery section in response to determining the cartridge is authentic and when the identification information corresponds to the reference identification information;
• maintaining the battery section in a locked state if the expiration date has passed;
• determining a charge level of the battery section of the at least one electronic vaping device;
• determining a charge level of a device battery within a device configured to receive the at least one electronic vaping device;
• and
• connecting at least one of (i) the device battery to the battery section or (ii) an external power source to the battery section based on the charge level of the battery section and the charge level of the device battery.

A device comprising:

• at least one slot configured to receive and hold at least one electronic vaping device, the at least one electronic vaping device including a cartridge and a battery section;
• at least one sensor configured to obtain authentication information from an identification label of the at least one electronic vaping device, the authentication information associated with the cartridge and including identification information identifying the cartridge;
• a memory storing reference identification information for a plurality of cartridges;
• a device battery configured to charge the battery section of the at least one electronic vaping device;
• a charger input configured to connect the device to an external power source;
• processing circuitry configured to
• perform authentication of the cartridge based on the authentication information to determine whether the cartridge is authentic by determining whether the identification information corresponds to reference identification information stored in the memory, the reference identification including an expiration date;
• in response to determining that the cartridge is authentic and the identification information corresponds to the reference identification information, unlock the battery section to power the cartridge, determine a charge level of the battery section, and determine a charge level of the device battery, and
• maintain the battery in a locked state if the expiration date has passed;
• and
• a switch configured to selectively connect at least one of (i) the device battery to battery section or (ii) the external power source to the battery section via the charger input to charge the battery section of the electronic vaping device based on the charge level of the battery section and the charge level of the device battery.

A method for authenticating a cartridge of at least one electronic vaping device, the method comprising:

• detecting insertion of the at least one electronic vaping device into at least one slot of a device, the device including a device battery, the at least one electronic vaping device including a battery section;
• reading an identification label of the cartridge of the at least one electronic vaping device;
• obtaining authentication information from the identification label, the authentication information includes identification information identifying the cartridge;
• obtaining reference identification information for a plurality of cartridges from a memory;
• determining whether the cartridge is authentic based on the authentication information by determining whether the identification information corresponds to reference identification information stored in the memory, the reference identification including an expiration date;
• unlocking the battery section of the electronic vaping device when the identification information corresponds to the reference identification information;
• maintaining the battery section in a locked state if the expiration date has passed;
• determining a charge level of the battery section of the at least one electronic vaping device in response to determining the cartridge is authentic;
• determining a charge level of the device battery;
• and
• connecting at least one of (i) the device battery to the battery section or (ii) an external power source to the battery section based on the charge level of the battery section and the charge level of the device battery.