Hardware key for device activation
AssigneeCharlie's Holdings Inc.
InventorsRyan Stump, Ed Carmines
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure describes a system and method for preventing unauthorized use of a personal vaporizer or other controlled device. A software/hardware lock can be installed by the manufacturer on the personal vaporizer, which requires a hardware authenticator key and an activation code to “unlock” or “activate” the personal vaporizer for user. This prevents unauthorized (e.g., under-age) users from abusing the controlled device. Further if the controlled device needs to be uniquely activated, a stolen device, or one that has been tampered with in an unauthorized manner can be prevented from use or “bricked,” further enabling the manufacturer or seller of the personal vaporizer to ensure the device is not abused.
Claims20
A hardware authenticator key comprising:
- a scanner configured to scan a machine readable code and extract a digital code from the machine readable code;
- a communications interface;
- and
- a controller configured to receive the digital code from the scanner, extract an activation code by decrypting the digital code, and send the activation code through the communications interface to an inoperable personal vaporizer, activating the personal vaporizer, wherein activating the personal vaporizer enables operation of the previously inoperable personal vaporizer.
A method for activating a personal vaporizer using a hardware authenticator key comprising:
- scanning a machine readable code using a scanner;
- extracting a digital code from the machine readable code;
- extracting an activation code by decrypting the digital code;
- sending the activation code through a communications interface to an inoperable personal vaporizer;
- and
- activating the personal vaporizer, wherein activating the personal vaporizer enables operation of the previously inoperable personal vaporizer.
A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions executable by a computer system to perform operations comprising:
- scanning a machine readable code using a scanner;
- extracting a digital code from the machine readable code;
- extracting an activation code by decrypting the digital code;
- sending the activation code through a communications interface to an inoperable personal vaporizer;
- and
- activating the personal vaporizer, wherein activating the personal vaporizer enables operation of the previously inoperable personal vaporizer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.