APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ORAL NICOTINE DISPENSING SYSTEM
An apparatus and method for an oral nicotine dispensing system. The apparatus includes storing a plurality of a pods in a magazine within a body, receiving a fingerprint scan from a user via a fingerprint scanner coupled to the body, authenticating the fingerprint scan, de-activating a locking mechanism to allow access to at least a pod upon successful authentication of the fingerprint scan, and dispensing, using at least a drive mechanism, the at least a pod from the magazine through an opening of the body.
1 . An apparatus for oral nicotine dispensing, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a body, wherein the body configured to hold at least a pod of a plurality of pods;
a fingerprint scanner coupled to the body, wherein the fingerprint scanner is configured to authenticate a user;
a locking mechanism coupled to the fingerprint scanner, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to allow authorized access to the at least a pod;
a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism dispenses the at least a pod upon successful authentication;
a display coupled to the body;
a magazine fastened to the body and coupled with the drive mechanism, wherein:
the magazine is configured to store the plurality of pods;
the magazine is configured to guide, using the drive mechanism, the at least a pod into a dispensing position;
the magazine includes a locking mechanism configured to prevent ejection of the plurality of pods when the magazine is not fastened to the body; and
the magazine includes a near field communication (NFC) chip, and the dispenser is configured to receive product details from the NFC chip and display the product details on the display;
an aperture located on the body, wherein the aperture is configured to allow the at least a pod to move from within the magazine to exterior environment.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a button, wherein the button is coupled to the body.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the button is located on a front surface of the body.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the button is configured to slide when a force is applied.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a cuboid shape.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a cylindrical shape.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the magazine is further configured to be removed from the body and refilled with a replacement magazine.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the magazine comprises a rotating conveyor belt, wherein the rotating conveyor belt is configured to advance at least a pod using a rack of a plurality of racks.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least a motor, at least a spring, at least a power source, and at least a circuit board.
10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least a power source comprises at least a battery configured to power the apparatus.
11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least a power source comprises at least a piezoelectric hammer starter configured to power the apparatus.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least a spring, wherein the at least a spring is configured to be loaded with the magazine.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least a near field communication chip configured to lock and unlock the apparatus.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to utilize one or more of at least a solenoid and at least a shape memory allow actuator.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display is further configured to provide an indication of a charge level of the apparatus.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to provide access to the at least a pod using one or more of:
a linear tray configuration;
a drop down tray configuration; and
a revolver configuration.
17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism is further configured to provide access to the at least a pod using one or more of:
a spiral coil mechanism;
a gravity feed mechanism, and
a carousel mechanism.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint scanner comprises one or more of:
a visual indicator,
a tactile indicator, and
an audio indicator.
19 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the magazine is composed of biodegradable material.
20 . A method for oral nicotine dispensing, the method comprising:
storing a plurality of a pods in a magazine within a body;
receiving a fingerprint scan from a user via a fingerprint scanner coupled to the body;
authenticating the fingerprint scan;
de-activating a locking mechanism to allow access to at least a pod upon successful authentication of the fingerprint scan;
de-activating a locking mechanism of the magazine;
receiving product details from a near-field communication in the magazine;
displaying the product details on a display coupled to the body; and
dispensing, using at least a drive mechanism, the at least a pod from the magazine through an opening of the body.