IP Library Granted Patent US 12,642,306
Granted Patent B2
US 12,642,306 · App. 17/887,213 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Activation of vaporizer devices

Inventor: Andrew L. Murphy (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: JUUL Labs, Inc.
A24F40/65A24F40/40A24F40/51
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,642,306
App. No.
17/887,213
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for activating a vaporizer device may include a point-of-sale device receiving, based on an identifier of the vaporizer device, activation data associated with the vaporizer device. The vaporizer device may be activated by communicating, to the vaporizer device, the activation data. The point-of-sale device may communicate the activation data to the vaporizer device via a dock coupled with the vaporizer device. Moreover, the point-of-sale device may communicate the activation data to the vaporizer device through a packaging of the vaporizer device. Alternatively, the point-of-sale device may communicates the activation data to the vaporizer device by communicating the activation data to a computing device associated with a user of the vaporizer device. The computing device may further communicate the activation data to the vaporizer device via audio signals and/or optical signals corresponding to the activation data. Related systems and articles of manufacture are also provided.

Claims (18)

1 . A method, comprising:

detecting, at a computing device, a first audio signal corresponding to a first data associated with a vaporizer device; and

in response to detecting the first audio signal, outputting, by the computing device, a second audio signal encoding a second data, wherein the second data indicates an activation control of the vaporizer device, and wherein the vaporizer device is activated by an apparatus coupled with the vaporizer device upon receiving the second audio signal to at least enable the vaporizer device to vaporize a vaporizable material.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first audio signal is output by the apparatus.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus includes a speaker configured to output the first audio signal.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus includes a microphone configured to detect the second audio signal, and wherein the apparatus responds to detecting the second audio signal by at least activating a power source and/or a heating element of the vaporizer device.

5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first data includes a first identifier associated with the vaporizer device, a second identifier associated with the apparatus, and/or a session identifier.

6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the second data includes an identifier of the apparatus, a message authentication code, and a response.

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus outputs the first audio signal in response to the vaporizer device being coupled with the apparatus.

8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is configured to generate the first audio signal by at least applying a spread spectrum frequency shift keying and/or a forward error correction to encode the first data as one or more frequencies in a human audible spectrum and/or a non-human audible spectrum.

9 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is configured to generate the first audio signal by at least encrypting the first data.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the encrypting of the first data includes the apparatus and the computing device performing a secure key exchange to establish one or more keys for encrypting the first data.

11 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises a dock or a cartridge configured to couple with the vaporizer device.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the apparatus is configured to couple to an external power source that charges the vaporizer device when the vaporizer device is coupled to the dock.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein prior to outputting the second audio signal, receiving at the computing device one or more signals corresponding to one or more verifications based on a user interaction with the computing device.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the one or more verifications comprise age verification, cartridge authentication, vaporizer device location, or any combination thereof.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the one or more signals are received from a web application.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the computing device receives activation data configured to activate the vaporizer device based at least on the one or more verifications.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2024
From: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
To: JUUL LABS, INC.; VMR PRODUCTS LLC; ENVENIO INC.
Reel/Frame 069185/0228 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2023
From: JUUL LABS, INC.; VMR PRODUCTS LLC; ENVENIO INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 064252/0225 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 062114 FRAME: 0196. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 23, 2022
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: JLI NATIONAL SETTLEMENT TRUST
Reel/Frame 062214/0142 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2022
From: CHEUNG, BRANDON; CHRISTENSEN, STEVEN; LOMELI, KEVIN; MURPHY, ANDREW L.; QUACKENBUSH, JEFFREY M.; RAO, IMMANENI HITESHWAR; WETTROTH, JOHN TRAVIS
To: JUUL LABS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062188/0127 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2022
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: JLI NATIONAL SETTLEMENT TRUST
Reel/Frame 062114/0195 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 30, 2022
From: JUUL LABS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC
Reel/Frame 061578/0865 →