IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,952,260
Granted Patent B2
US 11,952,260 · App. 18/143,897 · Granted Apr 9, 2024

Age verified device activation

Inventors: Joel R. Setchell (Advance, NC); Daniel S. Michels (Tobaccoville, NC)
Assignee: SPOT YOU MORE, INC.
B67D7/3209G01F23/802G01P13/00G06Q10/06311
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,952,260
App. No.
18/143,897
Granted
Apr 9, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus is provided that is in communication with an age verification system and an accessory. The apparatus may include at least one interface element configured to receive information indicative of an age or identity of a user, a first communication interface configured to connect with the age verification system, a second communication interface configured to connect with the accessory, and circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to activate the accessory through the second communication interface to provide access to an age restricted product in response to receiving an age verification from the age verification system through the first communication interface.

Claims (52)

1. An apparatus in communication with an age verification system and an accessory, the apparatus comprising:

an interface element configured to receive information indicative of an age or identity of a user;

a communication interface configured to connect with the age verification system and the accessory; and

circuitry operably coupled to the interface element and the communication interface, the circuitry being configured to:

provide the information of the age or the identity of the user received by the interface element to the age verification system via the communication interface;

receive an age verification from the age verification system via the communication interface; and

activate the accessory to provide access to an age-restricted product by sending, via the communication interface, a communication to the accessory in response to receipt of the age verification.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises a first communication interface and a second communication interface;

wherein communications with the age verification system are performed via the first communication interface and communications with the accessory are performed via the second communication interface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to, in response to the age verification, communicate with a mobile device of the user to provide a product purchase offering or a coupon for a product.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the interface element comprises a camera;

wherein the information of the age or the identity of the user is an image of the user.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a lock that secures a restricted area.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a kiosk configured to distribute an age-restricted product to the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be physically coupled to a fuel pump or an electric vehicle charging station.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor configured to detect movement of the apparatus indicative of a tampering event;

wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate an indication of the tamper event to a server.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor configured to detect opening or closing of a door as a door event;

wherein the circuitry is configured to communicate an indication of the door event to a server.

10. An apparatus in communication with an age verification system and a device, the apparatus comprising:

an interface element configured to receive information indicative of an age or identity of a user;

a communication interface configured to connect with the age verification system and the device; and

circuitry operably coupled to the interface element and the communication interface, the circuitry being configured to:

provide the information of the age or the identity of the user received by the interface element to the age verification system via the communication interface;

receive an age verification from the age verification system via the communication interface; and

activate the device by sending, via the communication interface, a communication to the device in response to receipt of the age verification.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the device is a charger, and activating the device comprises enabling charging of an electronic device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is an aerosol delivery device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a battery configured to provide electrical power to the circuitry.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a display controlled by the circuitry;

wherein the circuitry is configured to display content to the user in response to receipt of the age verification.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to, in response to the age verification, communicate with a mobile device of the user to provide a product purchase offering or a coupon for a product.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the interface element comprises a camera;

wherein the information of the age or the identity of the user is an image of the user.

17. A system comprising:

a monitoring module; and

an accessory;

wherein the monitoring module comprises:

a first interface element configured to receive information indicative of an age or identity of a user;

a communication interface configured to connect with an age verification system and the accessory; and

circuitry operably coupled to the first interface element and the communication interface, the circuitry being configured to:

provide the information of the age or the identity of the user received by the first interface element to the age verification system via the communication interface;

receive an age verification from the age verification system via the communication interface; and

sending, via the communication interface, an activation communication to the accessory in response to receipt of the age verification;

wherein the accessory comprises a second interface element;

wherein the accessory is configured to:

receive the activation communication from the monitoring module; and

in response to the activation communication, require receipt of an identifier to perform an activation; and

activate the accessory in response to the second interface element receiving the identifier.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the identifier is a biometric identifier.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the accessory comprises a kiosk configured to distribute an age-restricted product to the user in response to being activated.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the accessory comprises a lock that secures a restricted area.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2023
From: SETCHELL, JOEL R.; MICHELS, DANIEL S.
To: SPOT YOU MORE, INC.
Reel/Frame 063891/0224 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16671591 · Nov 1, 2019
Provisional Application 62755037 · Nov 2, 2018
Related Publication 20230271821A1 · Aug 31, 2023
Cited By (3)
US 12,527,358 US 12,740,597 US 12,740,598