Aerosol generating device and method and program for operating the same

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (100A) is provided, which is capable of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of a storage unit (116A) and a holding unit (130) of an aerosol source. The aerosol generating device comprises: a storage unit storing an aerosol source; a load (132) atomizing the aerosol source by generating heat from power supplied from a power source (110); a holding unit holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage unit in a manner that allows the load to be heated; a sensor (112) outputting a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control unit (106). The control unit is configured to supply power to the load from the power supply according to an aerosol generation requirement, execute a power supply cycle, and estimate or detect a state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit based on at least a first value and a second value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, and a method and a program for operating the device. Background Art

[0002] In aerosol generating devices such as general electronic cigarettes, heated cigarettes, and atomizers that generate aerosol for users to inhale, if the user inhales when the aerosol source that is atomized into aerosol is insufficient, sufficient aerosol cannot be supplied to the user. In addition, in the case of electronic cigarettes or heated cigarettes, the problem of not being able to generate aerosol with a desired aroma and taste may occur.

[0003] As a solution to this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining that the aerosol forming substrate is empty based on the rate of increase of the heater temperature at the initial stage of power supply and a threshold value. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for determining that the aerosol forming substrate is empty based on the rate of increase of the heater temperature after a predetermined time has passed since the start of power supply or the rate of increase of the heater temperature at the initial stage of power supply when the heater is not in operation. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the wick based on the resistance value of the wick.

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Documents 1 or 2 focuses on minute amounts and needs to set a threshold value so as not to be affected by noise or error, so there is a possibility that the determination becomes slow. In addition, Patent Document 3 neither discloses nor teaches a method for accelerating the determination of the liquid remaining amount in the liquid absorbent core becoming empty.

[0005] In addition, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not disclose or teach the following problem: in order to be able to distinguish at which part of the path from the tank to the wick, the tank of the aerosol forming substrate, or the aerosol source shortage problem occurs, estimating or detecting the state of at least one of the tank and the wick.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2012 / 085203

[0009] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2017 / 084818

[0010] Patent Document 3: International Publication No. 2017 / 021550 Summary of the invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above aspects.

[0013] A first problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device and a method and program for operating the device that can determine the occurrence of depletion or shortage of an aerosol source at an earlier stage.

[0014] A second problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of a storage portion and a holding portion of an aerosol source, and a method and a program for operating the device.

[0015] Means for solving problems

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned first problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source or an aerosol substrate for holding the aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source by utilizing heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a sensor for outputting a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, wherein the control portion is configured to supply power from the power source to the load according to an aerosol generation requirement, execute a power supply cycle, and determine the occurrence of depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the storage portion or the aerosol substrate based on an indicator of a deviation of an output value of the sensor in a single power supply cycle.

[0017] According to this embodiment, since the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be determined based on the standard deviation or variance of the temperature of the load in a single power supply cycle, etc., the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be detected at an earlier stage.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the occurrence of the dry-up or the shortage based on a comparison between the index and an index based on a deviation of an output value of the sensor in a single power supply cycle when the dry-up or the shortage does not occur.

[0019] According to this embodiment, since the standard deviation or variance of the temperature of the load when the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source occurs can be used as a threshold value, the occurrence of the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be detected with high accuracy.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to make the output value of the sensor at least one of the start of a single power supply cycle, the end of a single power supply cycle, one or more time points in a single power supply cycle, and a portion of a single power supply cycle, have zero or reduced influence on the derivation of the index. In one embodiment, the control unit is configured not to obtain the temperature of the load at least one of the start of a single power supply cycle, the end of a single power supply cycle, one or more time points in a single power supply cycle, and a portion of a single power supply cycle.

[0021] According to this embodiment, since data mixed with noise caused by changes in room temperature, etc. can be excluded from data such as the standard deviation or variance of the temperature used to derive the load, temperature fluctuations when depletion or shortage of the aerosol source occurs will not be buried in the noise, and the detection accuracy related to the depletion or occurrence of the aerosol source can be improved.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to make the influence of the output value of the sensor in one or both of a heating period and a cooling period in a single power supply cycle on the derivation of the index zero or reduce the influence.

[0023] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured not to obtain the temperature of the load in one or both of a heating period and a cooling period in a single power supply cycle.

[0024] According to this embodiment, since the data during the heating period and the cooling period can be excluded from the data used to derive the standard deviation or variance, etc., the temperature fluctuation when the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source occurs will not be buried in the temperature changes during the heating period or the cooling period, and the detection accuracy related to the occurrence of depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be improved.

[0025] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to divide the single power supply cycle into a plurality of stages including a first stage and a second stage that is later than the first stage in time series, and to determine the occurrence of the depletion or the shortage based on the indicator derived from the output value of the sensor only in the second stage.

[0026] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to divide the single power supply cycle into a plurality of stages including a first stage and a second stage that is later than the first stage in time series, so that the influence of the output value of the sensor in the first stage on the derivation of the indicator is smaller than the influence of the output value of the sensor in the second stage on the derivation of the indicator.

[0027] According to this embodiment, since the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be judged by using the standard deviation or variance of the load based only on the second half of the sample obtained in the power supply cycle, it is difficult to pick up exceptional temperature fluctuations in the first half of the power supply cycle, such as when there is an excess of aerosol source in the retaining portion, and the detection accuracy related to the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be improved.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to divide the single power supply cycle into a plurality of stages including a first stage and a second stage which is later than the first stage in time series, derive the indicator derived from the output value of the sensor in the first stage, namely the first indicator, and the indicator derived from the output value of the sensor in the second stage, namely the second indicator, and judge the occurrence of the depletion or the shortage based on the difference between the second indicator and the first indicator.

[0029] According to this embodiment, since the depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source can be determined by utilizing the difference in the standard deviation or variance between the first half and the second half of the data acquired during the power supply cycle, the temperature fluctuation in the second half of the power supply cycle that occurs only when the aerosol source is depleted in the retaining portion can be emphasized, thereby improving the detection accuracy related to the depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first stage is shorter than the second stage.

[0031] According to this embodiment, since the data acquired in the power supply cycle can be divided so that the latter half becomes longer, the portion of the power supply cycle that does not include temperature fluctuations can be excluded, thereby improving the detection accuracy related to the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source.

[0032] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the occurrence of the depletion or the shortage based on the indicator derived from at least a part of the output value of the sensor after the output value of the sensor reaches a stable state within the single power supply cycle.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be determined by focusing on the temperature fluctuation that may occur after the temperature of the load reaches a stable state, such as the standard deviation or variance of the load temperature, thereby improving the detection accuracy related to the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source.

[0034] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to divide the single power supply cycle into a plurality of stages including a first stage and a second stage that is later than the first stage in time series, and to determine whether the output value of the sensor has reached a stable state based on at least one of the indicator derived from the output value of the sensor in the first stage, the output value of the sensor, and an average value of the output value of the sensor.

[0035] According to this embodiment, whether the temperature of the load has reached a stable state can be determined based on the average value, standard deviation or variance of the temperature of the load, so that whether the temperature of the load has reached a stable state can be determined by a simple method that does not require a dedicated sensor or algorithm.

[0036] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the occurrence of the dry-up or the shortage based on the index and an output value of the sensor in a single power supply cycle or an average value of the output value of the sensor.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be determined by using the average temperature in addition to the standard deviation or variance of the temperature of the load, so that the detection accuracy of the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be improved.

[0038] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to detect the occurrence of the depletion or shortage only when the output value of the sensor in a single power supply cycle or the average value of the output value of the sensor is higher than the temperature of aerosol generated from the aerosol source.

[0039] According to this embodiment, since depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be detected only when the average temperature of the load exceeds the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., it is difficult to pick up abnormal temperature fluctuations, and the detection accuracy of depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be improved.

[0040] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an operation method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source or an aerosol substrate for holding the aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source by utilizing heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a sensor for outputting a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, the method comprising: a step in which the control portion supplies power from the power source to the load and executes a power supply cycle according to an aerosol generation requirement; and a step in which the control portion determines the occurrence of depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the storage portion or the aerosol substrate based on an indicator of a deviation of an output value of the sensor in a single power supply cycle.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source or an aerosol substrate for holding the aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source by generating heat from power supplied from a power source; a sensor for outputting a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, wherein the control portion is configured to supply power from the power source to the load according to an aerosol generation requirement, execute a power supply cycle, and judge the occurrence of depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the storage portion or the aerosol substrate based on changes in the output value of the sensor after the output value of the sensor reaches a stable state in a single power supply cycle. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating an aerosol generating device is provided, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source or an aerosol substrate for holding the aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source by generating heat from power supplied from a power source; a sensor for outputting a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, wherein the method comprises: the control portion supplies power from the power source to the load according to an aerosol generation requirement and executes a power supply cycle; and the control portion determines, based on a change in an output value of the sensor after the output value of the sensor reaches a stable state in a single power supply cycle, the occurrence of depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the storage portion or the aerosol substrate.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the above-mentioned method.

[0043] According to this embodiment, since the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be determined based on the standard deviation or variance of the temperature of the load in a single power supply cycle, etc., the depletion or shortage of the aerosol source can be detected at an earlier stage.

[0044] In order to solve the above-mentioned second problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising: a storage portion storing an aerosol source; a load that atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat generated by power supply from a power source; a holding portion that holds the aerosol source supplied by the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, wherein the control portion is configured to supply power from the power source to the load in accordance with an aerosol generation request, execute a power supply cycle, and estimate or detect a state of at least one of the storage portion and the holding portion based on at least a first value and a second value, the first value being an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second value being an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value.

[0045] According to this embodiment, since the states of the storage unit and the holding unit can be estimated based on the temperature behavior in the past and present loads, the states of the storage unit and the holding unit can be determined early and accurately.

[0046] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect at least one of the relationship between the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit, the atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holding unit, and the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage unit to the holding unit, when at least one of the first value and the second value indicates that the temperature of the load becomes a stable state at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the holding unit in a saturated state.

[0047] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the temperature of the load in the past or current power supply cycle is stable at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, it is possible to determine that a problem has occurred in any of the storage unit, the holding unit, or between the storage unit and the holding unit.

[0048] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect, when the first value represents that the temperature of the load becomes stable at the second temperature, at least one of: insufficient or exhausted remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit, and an atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holding unit being greater than a supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage unit to the holding unit.

[0049] According to this embodiment, since it can be detected that the temperature of the load in the past power supply cycle is stable at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, it can be determined that a problem has occurred in the storage unit or between the storage unit and the holding unit.

[0050] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect the shortage or depletion of the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit when the first value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at the second temperature, and when the second value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at the second temperature.

[0051] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the temperature of the load in the past and present power supply cycles is stabilized at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., it is possible to determine that a problem has occurred in the storage unit.

[0052] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holding unit is greater than the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage unit to the holding unit, when the first value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at the second temperature, and when the second value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at the first temperature.

[0053] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the temperature of the load in the past power supply cycle has stabilized at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, or the temperature of the load in the current power supply cycle has stabilized at the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., it is possible to determine that a problem has occurred between the storage unit and the holding unit.

[0054] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit is insufficient or exhausted when the second value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at the second temperature.

[0055] According to this embodiment, since it can be detected that the temperature of the load in the current power supply cycle is stabilized at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., it can be determined that a problem has occurred in the storage unit.

[0056] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit is insufficient or exhausted, and the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted, when the first value indicates that the temperature of the load is in a stable state at the second temperature, and when the second value has at least one of an average value of the second value and a value based on the deviation of the second value greater than a threshold value.

[0057] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the temperature of the load in the past power supply cycle was stable at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., and the temperature of the load in the current power supply cycle is disturbed, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is depleted.

[0058] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or speculate that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when the second value represents that the temperature of the load becomes stable at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the holding unit in a saturated state.

[0059] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the temperature of the load in the current power supply cycle is stabilized at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., it is possible to detect a sign of depletion of the aerosol source in the holding unit.

[0060] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when both the first value and the second value indicate that the temperature of the load has become stable at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the aerosol source.

[0061] According to this embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the temperature of the load in the past and present power supply cycles is stabilized at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., it is possible to detect a sign of depletion of the aerosol source in the holding unit.

[0062] In one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine that the first value or the second value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable based on at least one of the continuous output values ​​of the sensor in the first power supply cycle or the second power supply cycle, the average value of the output values, and a value based on the deviation of the output values.

[0063] According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the temperature of the load has reached a stable state based on the average value, standard deviation or variance of the temperature of the load in the first half of the power supply cycle. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the temperature of the load has reached a stable state by a simple method that does not require a dedicated sensor or algorithm.

[0064] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an operation method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device including: a storage portion storing an aerosol source; a load that atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat generated by power supply from a power source; a holding portion that holds the aerosol source supplied by the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, the method including: a step in which the control portion supplies power from the power source to the load and executes a power supply cycle according to an aerosol generation requirement; and a step in which the control portion estimates or detects a state of at least one of the storage portion and the holding portion based on at least a first value and a second output value, the first value being an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second output value being an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating device, comprising: a storage portion storing an aerosol source; a load that atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat from power supplied from a power source; a holding portion that holds the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, the control portion being configured to supply power from the power source to the load in accordance with a requirement for aerosol generation, execute a power supply cycle, derive the temperature of the load in a single power supply cycle based on the output value of the sensor, and, in a plurality of power supply cycles, estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion is insufficient or exhausted, or estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when the temperature of the load is in a stable state at a temperature higher than the temperature at which aerosol is generated from the holding portion in a saturated state.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an operation method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion storing an aerosol source; a load that atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat from power supplied from a power source; a holding portion that holds the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with the temperature of the load; and a control portion, the method comprising: a step in which the control portion supplies power from the power source to the load and executes a power supply cycle according to a requirement for aerosol generation; a step in which the control portion derives the temperature of the load in a single power supply cycle based on the output value of the sensor; and a step in which, when the temperature of the load is in a stable state at a temperature higher than the temperature at which aerosol is generated from the aerosol source during a plurality of power supply cycles, the control portion estimates or detects that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion is insufficient or exhausted, or estimates or detects that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source by generating heat from power supply from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied by the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor for outputting a state of the load or the storage portion; and a control portion, the control portion being configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles, or to suppress power supply to the load after a predetermined number of power supply cycles, when an output value of the sensor indicates that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion is insufficient or exhausted but does not indicate that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is exhausted.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an operating method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source by generating heat from power supply from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied by the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor for outputting a state of the load or the storage portion; and a control portion, the method comprising: when an output value of the sensor indicates a shortage or depletion of a remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion but does not indicate a depletion of a remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion, the control portion estimates or detects that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is depleted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles, or the control portion suppresses power supply to the load after a predetermined number of power supply cycles.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the above-mentioned method.

[0070] According to this embodiment, since the states of the storage unit and the holding unit can be estimated based on the temperature behavior in the past and present loads, the states of the storage unit and the holding unit can be determined early and accurately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1A This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Figure 1B This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an exemplary circuit configuration related to a part of the aerosol generating device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 3A This is a flowchart of an exemplary process for determining the occurrence of depletion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 3B This is a flowchart of another exemplary process for determining the occurrence of depletion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Figure 4A This is a graph in which the temperature of the load in each power supply cycle is plotted.

[0077] Figure 4B is a graph plotting the temperature of a load during two power supply cycles.

[0078] Figure 4C is a graph plotting the temperature of a load during two power supply cycles.

[0079] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a first exemplary process for determining exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Figure 6 : is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the temperature of the load with respect to each power supply cycle.

[0081] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a second exemplary process for determining exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Figure 8 : is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the temperature of the load with respect to each power supply cycle.

[0083] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart of a third exemplary process for determining exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Fig.10 : is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the temperature of the load with respect to each power supply cycle.

[0085] Fig.11 This is a flowchart of a fourth exemplary process for determining exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Fig.12 This is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the temperature of the load and the average temperature for each power supply cycle.

[0087] Fig.13 This is a flowchart of a fifth exemplary process for determining exhaustion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] Fig.14 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for estimating or detecting a state related to an aerosol source according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0089] Fig.15 This is a flowchart of a first exemplary process for estimating or detecting a state related to an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Fig.16 is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the load temperature with respect to each power supply cycle.

[0091] Fig.17 Several patterns of the transition of the average temperature during the power supply cycle are shown.

[0092] Fig.18 This is a flowchart of a second exemplary process of estimating or detecting a state related to an aerosol source according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] 1Overview of aerosol generating device

[0094] Figure 1A This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device 100A according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1A The diagram schematically and conceptually shows the components included in the aerosol generating device 100A. Please note that the diagram does not show the exact arrangement, shape, size, positional relationship, etc. of the components and the aerosol generating device 100A.

[0095] like Figure 1AAs shown, the aerosol generating device 100A includes a first component 102 (hereinafter referred to as the "main body 102") and a second component 104A (hereinafter referred to as the "cartridge 104A"). As shown in the figure, as an example, the main body 102 may also include a control unit 106, a notification unit 108, a power supply 110, a sensor 112 and a memory 114. The aerosol generating device 100A may also have sensors such as flow sensors, pressure sensors, voltage sensors, and temperature sensors, which are collectively referred to as "sensors 112" in the present disclosure. The main body 102 may also include a circuit 134 described later. As an example, the cartridge 104A may also include a storage unit 116A, an atomization unit 118A, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, a mouthpiece 122, a holding unit 130 and a load 132. A portion of the components included in the main body 102 may be included in the cartridge 104A. A part of the components included in the cartridge 104A may be included in the main body 102. The cartridge 104A may be configured to be removable relative to the main body 102. Alternatively, instead of the main body 102 and the cartridge 104A, all the components included in the main body 102 and the cartridge 104A may be included in the same housing.

[0096] The storage portion 116A may also be configured as a tank for accommodating an aerosol source. In this case, the aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as a polyol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. In the case where the aerosol generating device 100A is an electronic cigarette, the aerosol source in the storage portion 116A may also contain tobacco raw materials or extracts from tobacco raw materials that release aroma and flavor components by heating. The holding portion 130 holds the aerosol source. For example, the holding portion 130 is composed of a fibrous or porous material, and the aerosol source as a liquid is held in the gaps between the fibers or in the pores of the porous material. For the aforementioned fibrous or porous material, for example, cotton, glass fiber, or tobacco raw materials may be used. In the case where the aerosol generating device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a medicament for inhalation by the patient. As another example, the storage portion 116A may also have a structure that can replenish the consumed aerosol source. Alternatively, the storage part 116A may be configured to be replaceable when the aerosol source is consumed. In addition, the aerosol source is not limited to liquid, but may be solid. When the aerosol source is solid, the storage part 116A may be a hollow container.

[0097] The atomizing section 118A is configured to atomize the aerosol source and generate an aerosol. When the suction action is detected by the sensor 112, the atomizing section 118A generates an aerosol. For example, the holding section 130 is configured to connect the storage section 116A and the atomizing section 118A. At this time, a part of the holding section 130 passes through the inside of the storage section 116A and contacts the aerosol source. Another part of the holding section 130 extends to the atomizing section 118A. In addition, another part of the holding section 130 extending to the atomizing section 118A can be accommodated in the atomizing section 118A, or it can pass through the inside of the storage section 116A again through the atomizing section 118A. The aerosol source is transported to the atomizing section 118A from the storage section 116A by the capillary effect of the holding section 130. As an example, the atomizing section 118A is equipped with a heater including a load 132 electrically connected to the power supply 110. The heater is configured to be in contact with or close to the holding portion 130. When the suction action is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of the atomization unit 118A to atomize the aerosol source by heating the aerosol source transported through the holding portion 130. The atomization unit 118A is connected to an air intake flow path 120, which leads to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100A. The aerosol generated in the atomization unit 118A is mixed with the air taken in through the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air is sent to the aerosol flow path 121 as shown by the arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for conveying the mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air generated in the atomization unit 118A to the mouthpiece 122.

[0098] The mouthpiece 122 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 121 and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100A. The user holds the mouthpiece 122 in his mouth and inhales to take air containing the aerosol into his oral cavity.

[0099] The notification unit 108 may include a light emitting element such as an LED, a display, a speaker, a vibrator, etc. The notification unit 108 may make some notification to the user by emitting light, displaying, making sounds, vibrating, etc. as necessary.

[0100] The power supply 110 supplies power to each component of the aerosol generating device 100A, such as the notification unit 108, the sensor 112, the memory 114, the load 132, and the circuit 134. The power supply 110 may be a primary battery, or a secondary battery that can be charged by connecting to an external power source via a predetermined port (not shown) of the aerosol generating device 100A. The power supply 110 may be simply removed from the main body 102 or the aerosol generating device 100A, or may be replaced with a new power supply 110. In addition, the power supply 110 may be replaced with a new power supply 110 by replacing the entire main body 102 with a new main body 102.

[0101] The sensor 112 may also include one or more sensors for obtaining the value of the voltage applied to the whole or a specific part of the circuit 134, the value related to the resistance value of the load 132, or the value related to the temperature. The sensor 112 may also be assembled in the circuit 134. The function of the sensor 112 may also be assembled in the control unit 106. The sensor 112 may also include a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure change in the air intake flow path 120 and / or the aerosol flow path 121, or a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate. The sensor 112 may also include a weight sensor for detecting the weight of components such as the storage unit 116A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to count the number of puffs of the user using the aerosol generating device 100A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to accumulate the power-on time to the atomizing unit 118A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the storage unit 116A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to obtain or detect the SOC (State of Charge), current integrated value, voltage, etc. of the power source 110. The SOC may also be obtained by a current integration method (coulomb counting method) or a SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, etc. The sensor 112 may also be an operation button that can be operated by a user.

[0102] The control unit 106 may also be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 106 may also be configured to control the action of the aerosol generating device 100A according to the computer executable commands stored in the memory 114. The memory 114 is a storage medium such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. In the memory 114, in addition to the above-mentioned computer executable commands, setting data required for the control of the aerosol generating device 100A may also be stored. For example, the memory 114 may also store various data such as the control method of the notification unit 108 (light emission, sound emission, vibration, etc.), the value obtained and / or detected by the sensor 112, and the heating history of the atomization unit 118A. The control unit 106 reads data from the memory 114 as needed for the control of the aerosol generating device 100A, and stores the data in the memory 114 as needed.

[0103] Figure 1B This is a schematic block diagram of the structure of an aerosol generating device 100B according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] As shown in the figure, the aerosol generating device 100B has Figure 1AThe structure of the aerosol generating device 100A is similar to that of the aerosol generating device 100A. However, the structure of the second component 104B (hereinafter referred to as "aerosol generating article 104B" or "stick (stick) 104B") is different from the structure of the first component 104A. As an example, the aerosol generating article 104B may also include an aerosol substrate 116B, an atomizing portion 118B, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, and a mouthpiece 122. A part of the components contained in the main body 102 may also be contained in the aerosol generating article 104B. A part of the components contained in the aerosol generating article 104B may also be contained in the main body 102. The aerosol generating article 104B may also be configured to be pluggable relative to the main body 102. Alternatively, instead of the main body 102 and the aerosol generating article 104B, all the components contained in the main body 102 and the aerosol generating article 104B may be contained in the same shell.

[0105] The aerosol substrate 116B may also be configured as a solid that carries an aerosol source. Figure 1A The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as a polyol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water, similar to the storage portion 116A of the aerosol substrate 116B. The aerosol source in the aerosol substrate 116B may also contain tobacco raw materials or extracts from tobacco raw materials that release aroma and flavor components by heating. In the case where the aerosol generating device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a medicament for inhalation by the patient. The aerosol substrate 116B may also be configured so that the aerosol substrate 116B itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. The aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, but may also be a solid.

[0106] The atomizing section 118B is configured to atomize the aerosol source and generate an aerosol. When the suction action is detected by the sensor 112, the atomizing section 118B generates an aerosol. The atomizing section 118B is equipped with a heater (not shown) including a load electrically connected to the power supply 110. When the suction action is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of the atomizing section 118B to atomize the aerosol source by heating the aerosol source carried in the aerosol substrate 116B. The atomizing section 118B is connected to an air intake flow path 120, and the air intake flow path 120 leads to the outside of the aerosol generating device 100B. The aerosol generated in the atomizing section 118B is mixed with the air taken in via the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air is sent to the aerosol flow path 121 as shown by the arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for conveying the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated in the atomizing section 118B to the mouthpiece 122 .

[0107] The control unit 106 is configured to control the aerosol generating devices 100A and 100B (hereinafter collectively referred to as “aerosol generating devices 100 ”) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure by various methods.

[0108] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing an exemplary circuit configuration related to a part of the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] Figure 2 The circuit 200 shown includes: a power supply 110, a control unit 106, sensors 112A to 112D (hereinafter collectively referred to as "sensors 112"), a load 132 (hereinafter also referred to as "heater resistor"), a first circuit 202, a second circuit 204, a switch Q1 including a first field effect transistor (FET) 206, a conversion unit 208, a switch Q2 including a second FET 210, and a resistor 212 (hereinafter also referred to as "shunt resistor"). The resistance value of the load 132 changes according to the temperature. The shunt resistor 212 is connected in series with the load 132 and has a known resistance value. The resistance value of the shunt resistor 212 may also be constant with respect to the temperature. The shunt resistor 212 has a resistance value greater than that of the load 132. Depending on the embodiment, the sensors 112C and 112D may also be omitted. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that not only FETs but also various elements such as IGBTs and contactors may be used as switches Q1 and Q2. In addition, the switches Q1 and Q2 preferably have the same characteristics, but they may not have the same characteristics. Therefore, it is preferable that the FETs, IGBTs, contactors, etc. used as the switches Q1 and Q2 have the same characteristics, but this does not necessarily have to be the case.

[0110] The conversion unit 208 is, for example, a switching converter, and may include a FET 214, a diode 216, an inductor 218, and a capacitor 220. The control unit 106 may control the conversion unit 208 so that the conversion unit 208 converts the output voltage of the power supply 110, and the converted output voltage is applied to the entire circuit. Here, the conversion unit 208 is preferably configured to output a fixed voltage at least during the period when the switch Q2 is in the on state by the control of the control unit 106. In addition, the conversion unit 208 may also be configured to output a fixed voltage during the period when the switch Q1 is in the on state by the control of the control unit 106, or always output a fixed voltage. In addition, the fixed voltage output by the conversion unit 208 by the control of the control unit 106 during the period when the switch Q1 is in the on state may be the same as or different from the fixed voltage output by the conversion unit 208 by the control of the control unit 106 during the period when the switch Q2 is in the on state. In the case where they are different, the fixed voltage output by the conversion unit 208 under the control of the control unit 106 during the period when the switch Q1 is in the on state may be higher or lower than the fixed voltage output by the conversion unit 208 under the control of the control unit 106 during the period when the switch Q2 is in the on state. According to this structure, since the voltage and the parameters when the voltage is measured are stable, the estimation accuracy of the remaining amount of the aerosol is improved. Furthermore, the conversion unit 208 may also be configured so that, under the control of the control unit 106, the output voltage of the power supply 110 is directly applied to the first circuit during the period when only the switch Q1 is in the on state. In addition, the conversion unit 208 is not an essential component and may be omitted.

[0111] Figure 1A The circuit 134 shown electrically connects the power supply 110 and the load 132, and may include a first circuit 202 and a second circuit 204. The first circuit 202 and the second circuit 204 are connected in parallel with respect to the power supply 110 and the load 132. The first circuit 202 may include a switch Q1. The second circuit 204 may include a switch Q2 and a resistor 212 (and a sensor 112D as an option). The first circuit 202 may have a smaller resistance value than the second circuit 204. In this example, the sensors 112B and 112D are voltage sensors, which are respectively configured to detect the potential difference (hereinafter also referred to as "voltage" or "voltage value") between the two ends of the load 132 and the resistor 212. However, the structure of the sensor 112 is not limited to this. For example, the sensor 112 may be a current sensor, and may also detect the value of the current flowing through the load 132 and / or the resistor 212.

[0112] like Figure 2As shown by the dotted arrow in , the control unit 106 can control the switch Q1, the switch Q2, etc., and can obtain the value detected by the sensor 112. The control unit 106 can also be configured to make the first circuit 202 function by switching the switch Q1 from the off state to the on state, and to make the second circuit 204 function by switching the switch Q2 from the off state to the on state. The control unit 106 can also be configured to make the first circuit 202 and the second circuit 204 function alternately by alternately switching the switches Q1 and Q2.

[0113] The first circuit 202 is used for atomization of the aerosol source. When the switch Q1 is switched to the on state and the first circuit 202 functions, power is supplied to the heater (i.e., the load 132 in the heater), and the load 132 is heated. The aerosol source (in the atomization section 118A) held in the holding section 130 is heated by the heating of the load 132. Figure 1B In the case of the aerosol generating device 100B, the aerosol source carried by the aerosol base material 116B is atomized to generate an aerosol.

[0114] The second circuit 204 is used to obtain the value of the voltage applied to the load 132, the value associated with the resistance value of the load 132, the voltage value applied to the resistor 212, etc. As an example, Figure 2 As shown, consider the case where the sensors 112B and 112D included in the second circuit 204 are voltage sensors. When the switch Q2 is turned on and the second circuit 204 functions, current flows through the switch Q2, the resistor 212, and the load 132. The value of the voltage applied to the load 132 and the value of the voltage applied to the resistor 212 are obtained by the sensors 112B and 112D, respectively. In addition, the value of the voltage applied to the resistor 212 obtained by the sensor 112D and the known resistance value R of the resistor 212 can be used. shunt , find the value of the current flowing through the load 132. Since it is possible to use the output voltage V of the conversion unit 208 out The total value of the resistance value of the resistor 212 and the load 132 is obtained by subtracting the known resistance value R from the total value. shunt , the resistance value R of the load 132 can be obtained HTR In the case where the load 132 has a positive or negative temperature coefficient characteristic in which the resistance value changes according to the temperature, the load 132 can be calculated based on the previously known relationship between the resistance value and the temperature of the load 132 and the resistance value R of the load 132 obtained as described above. HTR, estimating the temperature of the load 132. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the value of the current flowing through the resistor 212 can be used to estimate the resistance value or temperature of the load 132. The value associated with the resistance value of the load 132 in this example can include a voltage value, a current value, etc. of the load 132. Specific examples of the sensors 112B and 112D are not limited to voltage sensors, and can include other elements such as current sensors (e.g., Hall elements).

[0115] The sensor 112A detects the output voltage of the power source 110. The sensor 112C detects the output voltage of the conversion unit 208. Alternatively, the output voltage of the conversion unit 208 may be a predetermined target voltage. These voltages are applied to the entire circuit.

[0116] The temperature of the load 132 is T HTR When the resistance value of the load 132 is R HTR It can be expressed as follows.

[0117] R HTR (T HTR )=(V HTR ×R shunt ) / (V Batt -V HTR ) (1)

[0118] Here, V Batt is the voltage applied to the entire circuit. When the conversion unit 208 is not used, V Batt is the output voltage of the power supply 110. When the conversion unit 208 is used, V Batt Equivalent to the output voltage V of the conversion unit 208 out Or target voltage. V HTR is the voltage applied to the heater. The voltage applied to the shunt resistor 212 may be used instead of V HTR .

[0119] In addition, the circuit included in the aerosol generating device 100A may also include a temperature sensor that directly outputs a value corresponding to the temperature of the load 132 instead of at least one of the above sensors, or include a temperature sensor that directly outputs a value corresponding to the temperature of the load 132 in addition to at least one of the above sensors.

[0120] 2. Treatment for determining the occurrence of depletion or insufficiency of aerosol source

[0121] The processing described below will be described on the assumption that all steps are executed by the control unit 106. However, it should be noted that some steps may be executed by other components of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0122] 2-1 Overview of processing

[0123] Figure 3A 1 is a flow chart of an exemplary process 300 for determining the occurrence of depletion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] In addition, in the present disclosure, the remaining amount of the aerosol source being “exhausted” means a state in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source is zero or substantially zero.

[0125] In the present disclosure, the remaining amount of the aerosol source is "insufficient", which means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source is insufficient but not exhausted. Alternatively, it may mean that the remaining amount of the aerosol source is sufficient for instantaneous aerosol generation but insufficient for continuous aerosol generation.

[0126] When the aerosol source is in a saturated state in the aerosol base material 116B or the holding portion 130 (hereinafter referred to as the "holding portion, etc."), the temperature of the load 132 becomes a stable state at the boiling point of the aerosol source or the temperature at which the aerosol is generated by the evaporation of the aerosol source (hereinafter referred to as the "boiling point, etc."). Here, when the aerosol source is not in a saturated state in the holding portion, etc., but its remaining amount is more than a certain amount, the temperature of the load 132 also becomes a stable state at the boiling point, etc. In the present disclosure, the remaining amount of the aerosol source for the holding portion, etc. is "sufficient", which means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion, etc. is more than the certain amount, or the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion, etc. is a state (including a saturated state) to the extent that the temperature of the load 132 becomes a stable state at the boiling point, etc. In addition, in the latter case, it is to be noted that it is not necessary to determine the specific remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion, etc. In addition, the boiling point of the aerosol source and the temperature at which the aerosol is generated are consistent when the aerosol source is a liquid of a single composition. On the other hand, when the aerosol source is a mixed liquid, the boiling point of the theoretical mixed liquid obtained according to Raoult's law can be regarded as the temperature at which the aerosol is generated, and the temperature at which the aerosol is generated by boiling of the aerosol source can also be obtained through experiments.

[0127] Furthermore, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A is less than a certain amount, in principle, the aerosol source is no longer supplied from the storage section 116A to the holding section 130 (sometimes a small amount of aerosol source is supplied by supplying a very small amount, or by tilting or shaking the aerosol generating device 100). In the present disclosure, the remaining amount of the aerosol source for the storage section 116A is "sufficient", which means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A is greater than the certain amount, or that the aerosol source in the holding section 130 is saturated or the remaining amount of the aerosol source is supplied to a certain extent. In the latter case, it should be noted that since the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A can be estimated to be sufficient by the fact that the temperature of the load 132 becomes a stable state at the boiling point, etc., it is not necessary to determine the specific remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A.

[0128] 302 represents a step of determining whether to require the generation of aerosol. For example, based on information obtained from a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, etc., when the user's suction starts to be detected, the control unit 106 can determine that the generation of aerosol is required. In more detail, for example, the control unit 106 can determine that the user's suction starts to be detected when the output value of the pressure sensor, i.e., the pressure, is lower than a specified threshold. In addition, for example, when the output value of the flow sensor, i.e., the flow rate or the flow rate, exceeds a specified threshold, the control unit 106 can determine that the user's suction starts to be detected. In this determination method, in order to be able to generate an aerosol that meets the user's sense, a flow sensor is particularly preferred. Alternatively, the control unit 106 can also determine that the user's suction starts to be detected when the output values ​​of these sensors begin to change continuously. Alternatively, the control unit 106 can also determine that the user's suction starts to be detected based on the button for starting the generation of aerosol being pressed, etc. Alternatively, the control unit 106 can also determine that the user's suction starts to be detected based on both the information obtained from the pressure sensor or the flow sensor and the pressing of the button.

[0129] If it is determined that aerosol generation is required, the process proceeds to step 304 , and if not, the process returns to step 302 .

[0130] 304 indicates a step of turning on the switch Q1. By executing this step, a current flows through the load 132 via the switch Q1, and the load 132 generates heat.

[0131] 306 indicates a step of turning off the switch Q1 and turning on the switch Q2. By executing this step, a current flows through the shunt resistor 212 and the load 132 via the switch Q2.

[0132] 308 indicates a step of acquiring the output value of the sensor. The sensor may be any sensor as long as it outputs a value associated with the temperature of the load 132, and may be, for example, one or both of the sensors 112B and 112D.

[0133] 310 indicates a step of turning off the switch Q2.

[0134] 312 denotes a step of storing data based on the output value acquired in step 308 .

[0135] The “data based on the output value acquired in step 308” may be the output value itself acquired in step 308, or a value derived from the output value acquired in step 308. Regarding the “value derived from the output value”, for example, when the output value is a voltage value from the voltage sensor 112D, it may be the resistance value of the load 132 derived from the voltage value. Regarding the “value derived from the output value”, for example, when the output value is a voltage value from the voltage sensor 112D, it may be a plurality of voltage values ​​acquired from the voltage sensor 112D, the average value thereof, or a value derived from the average value.

[0136] In step 312, the data needs to be stored in a manner in which the order in which they are stored is known. Preferably, the data can be stored in association with the time at which the original output value is obtained. The time can be a relative time, for example, a relative time based on the time at which it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required. In addition, it is desirable to note that if the time required for a loop from step 304 through step 314 described later and returning to step 304 is known, even if the data is stored in a manner in which only the order in which they are stored is known, the relative time associated with each data can be estimated afterwards. Instead of the relative time, the time can also be an absolute time as the current time.

[0137] 314 represents a step of determining whether aerosol generation is not required. For example, based on information obtained from a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, etc., when the end of the user's suction is detected, the control unit 106 can determine that the generation of aerosol is not required. Here, for example, the control unit 106 can determine that the end of the user's suction is detected when the output value of the pressure sensor, i.e., the pressure, exceeds a specified threshold value, in other words, it can be determined that the generation of aerosol is not required. In addition, for example, the control unit 106 can determine that the end of the user's suction is detected when the output value of the flow sensor, i.e., the flow rate or flow rate, is lower than a specified threshold value that may be 0, in other words, it is determined that the generation of aerosol is not required. In addition, the threshold value can be greater than the threshold value in step 302, can be equal to the threshold value, or can be less than the threshold value. Alternatively, the control unit 106 can also determine that the end of the user's suction is detected, in other words, it is determined that the generation of aerosol is not required based on the release of the button for starting to generate aerosol. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may determine that the completion of the user's inhalation is detected, in other words, that no request for aerosol generation is made, when a predetermined condition such as a predetermined time has passed since the button for starting aerosol generation was pressed and other predetermined conditions are satisfied.

[0138] If it is determined that aerosol generation is not required, the process proceeds to step 316 ; otherwise, the process returns to step 304 .

[0139] 316 indicates a step of trimming (shaping) the data stored in step 312 by removing a predetermined portion of the data. In addition, the "predetermined portion" may be, for example, a portion corresponding to a heating period or a cooling period of the load 132. That is, according to step 316, trimmed data obtained by excluding the portion corresponding to the heating period or the cooling period can be used in step 318 described later.

[0140] Here, refer to Figure 4A The temperature change of the load 132 is described.

[0141] Figure 4A The graph 400 is a graph in which the temperature of the load 132 in each power supply cycle is plotted at each time. Hereinafter, the temperature plotted at each time, that is, the time change of the temperature is referred to as a temperature profile. The horizontal axis of the graph 400 represents the relative time based on the time when it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required, and the vertical axis represents the temperature of the load 132. In addition, the time 407 corresponds to the time when it is determined in step 314 that aerosol generation is not required. Each temperature profile corresponds to each power supply cycle.

[0142] A power supply cycle is a period from the start of substantial power supply to the load 132 continuously or intermittently in response to a request for aerosol generation until aerosol generation is no longer required or until substantial power supply to the load 132 is terminated in response to no longer requiring aerosol generation.

[0143] Therefore, one power supply cycle may be the period from when it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required until it is determined in step 314 that aerosol generation is not required. In the following description, it is assumed that one power supply cycle starts at time 405 when it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one power supply cycle may also start before it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required.

[0144] In addition, strictly speaking, the time when it is determined that aerosol generation is required in step 302 is different from the time when actual power supply to the load 132 is started. One power supply cycle may also start after the aerosol generation is required in step 302, when actual power supply to the load 132 is started, for example, when power supply greater than a predetermined threshold value (including 0) to the load 132, power supply, current supply, or voltage application is actually performed or before.

[0145] Alternatively, one power supply cycle may be a period from when it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required until it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required next time.

[0146] The lengths of the power supply cycles may be different or the same. One power supply cycle can be generated by one inhalation (puff) by the user of the aerosol generating device 100, and therefore is also referred to as one puff.

[0147] 402 represents an exemplary temperature rise period. The temperature rise period is a period from when the temperature rise of the load 132 starts until the temperature change stabilizes or reaches a predetermined temperature. Whether the temperature change of the load 132 is stable can also be determined based on the time differential value of the temperature of the load 132 or the difference between the previous temperature and the current temperature. In the graph 400, it is assumed that the temperature rise period is a period from the time 405 when it is determined in step 302 that aerosol generation is required, until the time 406 when a sufficient margin is left.

[0148] The heating period may be a period obtained manually after a curve graph such as the curve graph 400 is prepared in advance. It should be noted that in this case, the length of the heating period is fixed in each power supply cycle. Alternatively, the heating period may be a period determined by the control unit 106 in an arbitrary method to determine the moment when the temperature rise of the load 132 begins and the moment when the temperature change stabilizes. For example, the control unit 106 can determine the moment when it is determined in step 302 that the aerosol is required to be generated as the former moment, and the moment when the temperature rise rate (rising temperature per unit time) of the load 132 becomes below a prescribed threshold or the moment when it becomes below a prescribed threshold continuously for a prescribed number of times as the latter moment. Alternatively, the moment when the difference between the temperature of the load 132 obtained last time and the temperature of the load 132 obtained this time becomes below a prescribed threshold can be determined as the latter moment. Alternatively, the moment when the standard deviation or variance of multiple temperatures of the load 132 obtained recently becomes below a prescribed threshold can be determined as the latter moment. It is to be noted that in these cases, the length of the temperature rise period in each power supply cycle may vary depending on various conditions such as individual differences in the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104B or the ambient temperature.

[0149] 404 represents a portion of the illustrated cooling period. The cooling period may be a period from when the temperature of the load 132 starts to drop until the temperature change stabilizes or reaches a predetermined temperature. In addition, the cooling period may end at the start of the next power supply cycle or the heating period. In the graph 400, it is assumed that the cooling period starts at the time 407 when it is determined in step 314 that the generation of aerosol is not required.

[0150] The cooling period may be a period obtained manually after a curve such as curve 400 is made in advance. It is hoped that in this case, the length of the cooling period is fixed in each power supply cycle. Alternatively, the cooling period may be a period determined by the control unit 106 in an arbitrary method to determine the moment when the temperature drop of the load 132 begins and the moment when the temperature change reaches a specified temperature. For example, the control unit 106 may determine the moment when it is determined in step 314 that the generation of aerosol is not required as the former moment, and the moment when the temperature of the load 132 becomes below a specified threshold or continuously becomes below a specified threshold for a specified number of times as the latter moment. Alternatively, the moment when the difference between the temperature of the load 132 obtained last time and the temperature of the load 132 obtained this time becomes below a specified threshold may be determined as the latter moment. Alternatively, the moment when the standard deviation or variance of multiple temperatures of the load 132 obtained recently becomes below a specified threshold may also be determined as the latter moment. It is hoped that in these cases, in each power supply cycle, the length of the cooling period may vary according to various conditions such as individual differences of the cartridge 104A or the aerosol generating article 104B or the atmospheric temperature.

[0151] In the exemplary process 300, data is not stored after it is determined in step 314 that aerosol generation is not required, but the process for determining the exhaustion or shortage of the aerosol source in the present disclosure does not exclude other processes for acquiring the output value of the sensor and storing the data even after it is determined in the step equivalent to step 314 that aerosol generation is not required. Therefore, in such other examples, the "prescribed portion" in the step equivalent to step 316 may also include the cooling period.

[0152] In addition, the "prescribed portion" in step 316 may be a portion corresponding to one or more of the start of the power supply cycle, the end of the power supply cycle, any one or more time points in the power supply cycle, and any part of the period within the power supply cycle. Therefore, according to step 316, for example, data including data corresponding to the start of the power supply cycle but not including data immediately thereafter can be used in step 318 described later. In addition, one or more portions corresponding to any part of the period within the above-mentioned power supply cycle may also include the start of the power supply cycle or the end of the power supply cycle. In this case, the prescribed period from the start of the power supply cycle and / or the prescribed period traced back from the end of the power supply cycle may correspond to the "prescribed portion".

[0153] 318 indicates a step of determining whether the aerosol source is depleted or insufficient based on the data obtained by partially removing the data in step 316. In addition, hereinafter, "based on the data" includes based on at least a part of the data.

[0154] Figure 3BThis is a flowchart of another exemplary process 320 for determining the occurrence of depletion or shortage of an aerosol source according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Some steps included in the exemplary process 320 are the same as those included in the exemplary process 300, so the steps not included in the exemplary process 300 are described below.

[0155] 322 indicates a step of determining whether data based on the output value of the sensor acquired in step 308 should be stored. If it is determined that data should be stored, the process proceeds to step 312, and if not, the process proceeds to step 314.

[0156] In step 322, when the output value of the sensor acquired in step 308 is a value corresponding to the above-mentioned prescribed portion of step 316, it can be determined that it should not be stored as data. That is, according to step 322, it can be set that data corresponding to the heating period or the cooling period, etc. are not pre-stored in step 312. As a result, since the storage capacity of the memory 114 is small, the cost, weight, and size of the aerosol generating device 100 can be reduced. In addition, step 316 is not required in the example processing, so the determination of the exhaustion or shortage of the aerosol source in step 324 can be performed more quickly.

[0157] 324 represents the step of determining the depletion or insufficiency of the aerosol source based on the data stored in step 312 .

[0158] 2-2 First Exemplary Processing for Depletion or Insufficiency of Aerosol Source

[0159] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the first example process 500 executed in step 318 or 324 .

[0160] 502 represents a step of calculating an index based on the deviation of the output value of the sensor acquired in step 308. The “index based on the deviation” may be, for example, a standard deviation or a variance.

[0161] Step 502 is a step of calculating the above-mentioned index based on data (hereinafter referred to as "calculation data") based on the output value of the sensor obtained by removing a part in step 316 or step 322. Here, the above-mentioned index can be calculated based on the calculation data itself, or can be calculated based on a value derived from the calculation data.

[0162] Therefore, for example, when the data stored in step 308 is the output value of the sensor itself, the standard deviation of the output value, which is the calculation data, is obviously an "indicator based on the deviation of the output value of the sensor".

[0163] In addition, for example, when the sensor outputs a voltage value and the resistance value of the load 132 derived from the voltage value in step 308 is stored as data, the statistical properties of the temperature value of the load 132 derived from the calculation data, i.e., the resistance value, are the same as the voltage value output by the sensor, so the standard deviation of such a temperature value of the load 132 ultimately becomes an "indicator based on the deviation of the output value of the sensor."

[0164] Therefore, the index based on the deviation of the output value of the sensor can be an index based on the deviation of various physical quantities derived only from the output value of the sensor in each power supply cycle, in other words, it can be an index based on the deviation that can be generated from a single power supply cycle.

[0165] 504 indicates a step of determining whether the index calculated in step 502 is above a predetermined threshold value. If the index calculated in step 502 is above the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step 506, and if not, the process ends. In addition, for example, as in the case of standard deviation, when the deviation of the calculation data is larger, the index calculated in step 502 shows a larger value, it is sufficient to determine whether the index is above the threshold value in step 504. On the other hand, it is to be noted that when the deviation of the calculation data is larger, the index calculated in step 502 shows a smaller value, it is sufficient to determine whether the index is below the threshold value in step 504.

[0166] 506 represents a step of determining that the aerosol source in the storage section 116A or the aerosol base material 116B (hereinafter referred to as “storage section etc.”) is exhausted or insufficient.

[0167] Here, refer to Figure 4B and Figure 6 , the determination of exhaustion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the exemplary process 500 will be described.

[0168] Figure 4B A graph 420 is shown in which a temperature distribution 422 of a power supply cycle when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is sufficient and a temperature distribution 424 when the remaining amount of the aerosol source is insufficient are plotted in the temperature distribution included in the graph 400. In particular, the power supply cycle corresponding to the temperature distribution 424 is a power supply cycle in which discoloration due to burning or oxidation, etc., is visually confirmed to occur for the first time on the load 132, and means that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is exhausted in the middle of the power supply cycle.

[0169] In this regard, if Figure 1A, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A is sufficient, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding section 130 is also sufficient. However, if the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A is insufficient, the supply is stagnant, and the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding section 130 becomes exhausted or insufficient. In particular, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A is exhausted, the supply is completely stopped, and the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding section 130 becomes exhausted. Conversely, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding section 130 is exhausted, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A is exhausted or insufficient.

[0170] In addition, if Figure 1B If the structure of is studied, as described above, in the power supply cycle corresponding to the temperature distribution 424, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the aerosol substrate 116B is exhausted.

[0171] Therefore, in the power supply cycle corresponding to the temperature distribution 424, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion or the like is exhausted or insufficient.

[0172] Comparing the temperature distribution 422 with the temperature distribution 424, it can be seen that the fluctuation of the temperature of the load 132 on the side of the temperature distribution 424 corresponding to the power supply cycle in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part etc. is exhausted becomes larger. In the exemplary processing 500 described later, the fluctuation of the temperature of the load 132 is evaluated using the standard deviation or the like. However, if the temperature of the load 132 that is extremely low during the heating period or the cooling period is included in the sample when the standard deviation is derived, the value of the standard deviation will be greatly changed. Therefore, it can be understood that in order to correctly evaluate the temperature fluctuation of the load 132 using the standard deviation, the processing of the aforementioned step 316 or step 322 is important.

[0173] The power supply cycle may include multiple stages. Here, the lengths of the stages may be the same or different. In addition, the stages may overlap at least in part. In addition, it may be considered that a part of the multiple stages corresponds to one or both of the above-mentioned heating period and cooling period. 432 represents an example of the first stage as a stage in the multiple stages. 434 represents an example of the second stage in the multiple stages that is later than the first stage in the time series. In addition, in the curve graph 420, the first stage 432 and the second stage 434 are adjacent, but there may be more than one stage between the first stage 432 and the second stage 434. In addition, the first stage 432 and the second stage 434 may overlap at least in part. In Figure 4B In the example, it is assumed that the first stage 432 and the second stage 434 are respectively from the time 435 (in this example, Figure 4A The period from time 436 to time 437 (in this example, the same as time 406 in Figure 4A The period until the time 407 in (same as in).

[0174] Figure 6 600 is a graph in which the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 based on the calculation data for each power supply cycle is plotted. Hereinafter, the standard deviation plotted in each power supply cycle is referred to as standard deviation distribution. The horizontal axis of the graph 600 represents the number of power supply cycles, and the vertical axis of the graph 600 represents the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132. 602 and 604 respectively represent Figure 4B 612 represents the standard deviation distribution derived from the calculation data corresponding to both the first stage 432 and the second stage 434. 614 represents the standard deviation distribution derived from the calculation data corresponding to only the second stage 434 of the first stage 432 and the second stage 434.

[0175] If each standard deviation curve is studied, the standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle 604 is greater than the standard deviation of the maximum temperature in the power supply cycle before it, that is, the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 602. As mentioned above, the power supply cycle 604 is a power supply cycle in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part etc. is exhausted, and corresponds to the temperature distribution 424. In addition, the power supply cycle before the power supply cycle 604 corresponds to the temperature distribution when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part etc. is sufficient, or although insufficient but not exhausted. As mentioned above, in the state where the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part etc. is sufficient, the temperature of the load 132 becomes a stable state with the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc. Similarly, even in the state where the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part etc. is insufficient but not exhausted, the temperature of the load 132 becomes a stable state (described later in Section 3-2). Therefore, in the power supply cycle before the power supply cycle 604, the standard deviation of the temperature has a tendency to indicate a small value. On the other hand, in a power supply cycle in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like is exhausted, as in the power supply cycle 604, the aerosol source is extremely scarce in the entire or part of the holding portion or the like. That is, temperature non-uniformity occurs in the load 132 according to the distribution of the aerosol source in the holding portion or the like. It is considered that this temperature non-uniformity causes the temperature of the load 132 to fluctuate, so that the standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle 604 shows a large value. In addition, it is considered that in a power supply cycle later than the power supply cycle 604, the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 becomes larger due to the fact that the aerosol source does not function as a refrigerant for the load 132 and the fact that the discoloration of the load 132 further progresses.

[0176] This means that by setting the prescribed threshold value in step 504 to a value that is lower than the standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle when the aerosol source in the storage portion, etc. is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding portion, etc. is exhausted) (for example, the standard deviation of the temperature in power supply cycle 604), and is larger than the maximum standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle when this is not the case (for example, the standard deviation of the temperature in power supply cycle 602), it is possible to determine in step 506 that the aerosol source in the storage portion, etc. has been exhausted or insufficient.

[0177] Furthermore, when the standard deviation distributions 612 and 614 are compared, the difference 624 between the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 602 and the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 604 for the latter is greater than the difference 622 between the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 602 and the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 604 for the former. This means that the standard deviation distribution 614, that is, the standard deviation distribution derived from the calculation data corresponding to only the second stage 434 of the first stage 432 and the second stage 434, has a greater difference when the aerosol source in the storage unit or the like is exhausted or insufficient and when it is not exhausted or insufficient. Therefore, by appropriately setting the portion of the calculation data from which the standard deviation is derived, a more appropriate threshold value that is less susceptible to the influence of noise or the like can be set in step 504.

[0178] In addition, the standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle 602 shows a relatively large value, which can be explained as follows, for example, by leaving the aerosol generating device 100 for a long time, the amount of aerosol source in the holding part becomes excessive, and the temperature of the load 132 is difficult to rise in the early stage of the temperature distribution.

[0179] 2-3 Second Exemplary Processing for Determination of Exhaustion or Insufficiency of Aerosol Source

[0180] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a second example process 700 executed in step 318 or 324. Some steps included in example process 700 are the same as those included in example process 500, and therefore, steps not included in example process 500 will be described below.

[0181] 702 and 704 respectively represent steps of calculating the first index and the second index based on the deviation derived from the output value of the sensor acquired in step 308. Steps 702 and 704 are the same as step 502 except that calculation data for the index based on the deviation is derived. Figure 4B When the calculation data used to derive the first indicator in step 702 may be the calculation data equivalent to the first stage 432, and the calculation data used to derive the second indicator in step 704 may be the calculation data equivalent to the second stage 434.

[0182] 706 and 708 respectively represent a step of calculating the difference between the first indicator and the second indicator, and a step of determining whether the calculated difference is above a threshold value. In addition, in this example, the first indicator and the second indicator are indicators that indicate a larger value as the deviation of the calculation data increases, and it is assumed that the difference between the first indicator and the second indicator is calculated by subtracting the first indicator from the second indicator. It should be noted that in the case of using indicators that indicate a smaller value as the deviation of the calculation data increases as the first indicator and the second indicator, or in the case of calculating the difference between the first indicator and the second indicator by subtracting the second indicator from the first indicator, in step 708, it is sufficient to determine whether the calculated difference is less than the threshold value.

[0183] Here, refer to Figure 8 , the determination of exhaustion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the exemplary process 700 will be described.

[0184] Figure 8 Graph 800 plots the standard deviation of the temperature of load 132 derived from the calculation data for each power supply cycle, and is the same as graph 600. Reference numeral 814 represents the standard deviation distribution obtained by subtracting the first index from the second index.

[0185] When the standard deviation distributions 612 and 814 are compared, the difference 824 between the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 602 and the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 604 for the latter is greater than the difference 822 between the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 602 and the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 604 for the former. That is, by deriving the first index and the second index so that the difference between the standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle when the aerosol source in the storage unit or the like is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding unit or the like is exhausted) and the standard deviation of the maximum temperature in the power supply cycle when this is not the case becomes larger, a more appropriate threshold value that is less susceptible to the influence of noise or the like can be set in step 708.

[0186] Compared with the standard deviation distribution 612, the difference between the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 602 and the standard deviation in the power supply cycle 604 on the standard deviation distribution 814 becomes larger, which can be explained as follows. It can be considered that this is because, in the power supply cycle 602, by leaving the aerosol generating device 100 for a long time, the temperature of the load 132 is difficult to rise in the initial stage of the temperature distribution, but after the middle stage of the temperature distribution, the temperature of the load 132 is stabilized in a stable state at the boiling point or the like. That is, in the power supply cycle 602, since the standard deviation after the middle stage of the heating distribution is small, the value obtained by subtracting the first index equivalent to the former from the second index equivalent to the latter is likely to represent a small value. On the other hand, in the power supply cycle 604, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part etc. in the middle of the cycle is exhausted, so the temperature of the load 132 is likely to fluctuate. That is, in the power supply cycle 604, the standard deviation after the middle stage of the heating distribution is large. Therefore, the value obtained by subtracting the first index equivalent to the former from the second index equivalent to the latter is likely to represent a large value.

[0187] 2-4 Third Exemplary Processing for Determining the Occurrence of Exhaustion or Insufficiency of Aerosol Source

[0188] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart of the third example process 900 executed in step 318 or 324. Some steps included in example process 900 are the same as those included in example process 500 or 700, and therefore, steps not included in example process 500 or 700 will be described below.

[0189] 902 indicates a step of determining whether the first indicator is less than the first threshold value. The purpose of this step is to determine whether the deviation of the data from which the first indicator is derived is small, that is, whether the temperature of the load 132 is in a stable state. If the first indicator is less than the first threshold value, the process proceeds to step 704, and if not, the process ends.

[0190] 904 represents a step of determining whether the second indicator is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. The purpose of this step is to determine whether the deviation of the data from which the second indicator is derived is large. Here, the second threshold value is sometimes equal to the first threshold value and sometimes different from the first threshold value. When the second indicator is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step 506, and when it is not, the process ends.

[0191] In this example, it is assumed that the larger the deviation of the calculation data is, the larger the first index and the second index are. It should be noted that when using an index that indicates a smaller value as the deviation of the calculation data is larger as the first index and the second index, it is sufficient to determine whether the first index is greater than the first threshold value in step 902 and determine whether it is less than the second index in step 904.

[0192] Here, refer to Fig.10 , the determination of exhaustion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the exemplary process 900 will be described.

[0193] Fig.10 1000 is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 derived from the calculation data for each power supply cycle, which is the same as the graph 600. 1012 represents the period from time 435 to time 436 corresponding to the first stage (see Figure 4B ) is used to calculate the temperature distribution derived from the calculation data. In the following description of the exemplary process 900, it is assumed that the second stage is the period from time 436 to time 437 (see Figure 4B ). Therefore, each point of the standard deviation distribution 1012 and 614 corresponds to the first indicator and the second indicator determined in steps 702 and 704, respectively.

[0194] If the standard deviation distributions 1012 and 614 are compared, in the power supply cycle 604, the standard deviation 1022 of the former is smaller than the standard deviation 1024 of the latter. In other words, in the power supply cycle when the aerosol source in the storage unit or the like is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding unit or the like is exhausted), the deviation of the first half of the temperature of the load 132 is small, but the deviation of the second half is large. On the other hand, in the power supply cycle 602, the standard deviation 1032 of the former is greater than the standard deviation 1034 of the latter. It can be considered that this is because, in the power supply cycle 602, at the beginning of the temperature distribution, the temperature of the load 132 is difficult to rise and will not become a stable state, but after the middle of the temperature distribution, the temperature of the load 132 is stabilized at a boiling point or the like and stabilizes in a stable state, so the deviation of the first half of the temperature of the load 132 is large, but the deviation of the second half is small.

[0195] According to the exemplary process 900 , by utilizing this feature, the possibility of making an erroneous determination can be reduced by using the second index derived from at least a part of the output value of the sensor after the output value reaches a stable state.

[0196] In addition, whether the output value of the sensor reaches a stable state can also be simply determined based on whether the output value of the sensor converges within a specified range within a specified time, or whether the difference between the average value of the output value of the sensor within a specified time and the specified value is below a specified size. If this point is described in detail, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is sufficient, the temperature of the load 132 converges to the vicinity of the boiling point, etc., and microscopically represents a small up and down movement, and becomes a stable state. As described later, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is insufficient but not exhausted, the temperature of the load also becomes a stable state. Therefore, when the output of the sensor becomes a stable state, the output value of the sensor converges within a specified range, and its average value is also close to the specified value. Therefore, the determination in step 902 in the example processing 900 can be based on one or both of the output value of the sensor and its average value, or they can be combined with the determination based on the first indicator.

[0197] In addition, the first threshold value and the second threshold value in steps 902 and 904 may be the difference between the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 in the first half and the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 in the power supply cycle when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted), for example Fig.10 Values ​​between standard deviation 1022 and standard deviation 1024 in .

[0198] 2-5 Fourth Example Processing for Determining the Occurrence of Exhaustion or Insufficiency of Aerosol Source

[0199] Fig.11 This is a flowchart of the fourth example process 1100 executed in step 318 or 324. Some steps included in example process 1100 are the same as those included in example process 500, and therefore, steps not included in example process 500 will be described below.

[0200] 1102 indicates a step of calculating an average value of the temperature of the load 132 based on the calculation data.

[0201] 1104 indicates a step similar to step 504. However, the difference is that the "threshold" in step 504 is the "first threshold" in step 1104, and when the calculated index is greater than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step 1106. In addition, in this example, it is assumed that the larger the deviation of the calculation data, the larger the value of the index. It should be noted that when an index that indicates a smaller value as the deviation of the calculation data increases is used as the index, it is sufficient to determine whether the index is less than the first threshold in this step.

[0202] 1106 indicates a step of determining whether the average value calculated in step 1102 is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. If the calculated average value is greater than or equal to the second threshold value, the process proceeds to step 506, and if not, the process ends.

[0203] Here, refer to Fig.12 , the determination of exhaustion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the exemplary process 1100 will be described.

[0204] Fig.12 The graph 1200 is a graph that plots the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 derived from the calculation data and the average temperature for each power supply cycle, and is the same as the graph 600. 1216 indicates the period from time 436 to time 437 (see Figure 4B ) is the average temperature derived from the calculation data. Hereinafter, the average temperature plotted in each power supply cycle is referred to as the average temperature distribution.

[0205] If the average temperature distribution 1216 is studied, the average temperature in the power supply cycle 604 is greater than the average temperature in the power supply cycle 1206, which is the maximum average temperature in the power supply cycle before it. In other words, the average temperature in the power supply cycle when the aerosol source in the storage unit or the like is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding unit or the like is exhausted) is greater than the average temperature in the power supply cycle when this is not the case. By utilizing this feature, by additionally using the average temperature in the determination of the exhaustion or insufficiency of the aerosol source in the storage unit or the like, the possibility of making an erroneous determination can be reduced. In addition, the second threshold value in step 1106 may be a value that is less than the average temperature in the power supply cycle when the aerosol source in the storage unit or the like is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding unit or the like is exhausted) and greater than the maximum average temperature when this is not the case.

[0206] In addition, the reason why the average temperature in the power supply cycle when the aerosol source in the storage part etc. is exhausted or insufficient (the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source in the holding part etc. is exhausted) shows a relatively high value can be explained by the fact that the liquid with a low boiling point in the mixed solution constituting the aerosol source is preferentially atomized, or the cooling effect of the load 132 caused by the aerosol source is weakened.

[0207] 2-6 Fifth Exemplary Processing for Determining the Occurrence of Exhaustion or Insufficiency of Aerosol Source

[0208] Fig.13 This is a flowchart of the fifth example process 1300 executed in step 318 or 324. Some steps included in example process 1300 are the same as those included in example processes 500 and 700, so the steps not included in example processes 500 and 700 will be described below.

[0209] 1302 represents a step of initializing the index calculation condition. The index calculation condition specifies the data for deriving the first index and the second index in steps 702 and 704.

[0210] Here, refer to Figure 4C , the initialization of the indicator calculation conditions is explained. Figure 4C The graph shown is similar to Figure 4B The curve graph is the same.

[0211] In the example processing 1300, the calculation data can be divided into two parts based on a certain moment (hereinafter referred to as the "division moment"), and the first index is derived from the calculation data equivalent to the first half, and the second index is derived from the calculation data equivalent to the second half. Therefore, step 1302 can, for example, initialize the index calculation conditions so that the first index is derived from the calculation data equivalent to the first half (which can be equivalent to the first stage) 442 divided by the moment 440, and the second index is derived from the calculation data equivalent to the second half (which can be equivalent to the second stage) 444. Here, the initialized second half 444 is preferably shorter. This is because, as described later, the fluctuation of the temperature of the load 132 after the middle of the heating distribution that can be caused only in the power supply cycle of the aerosol source exhaustion in the holding part, etc., becomes easy to observe.

[0212] 1304 indicates a step of determining whether the difference calculated in step 706 is greater than or equal to a threshold value. If the calculated difference is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the process proceeds to step 506 , and if not, the process proceeds to step 1306 .

[0213] 1306 indicates a step of determining whether the index calculation condition can be updated. If it is determined that the index calculation condition can be updated, the process proceeds to step 1308 of updating the index calculation condition, and if not, the process ends.

[0214] Here, refer again Figure 4C , indicating the update of indicator calculation conditions.

[0215] The updating of the index calculation condition may be, for example, to move the split time further forward. For example, by updating, the split time is changed from time 440 to time 450, and in the next steps 702 and 704, the first index can be derived from the calculation data corresponding to the first half 452, and the second index can be derived from the calculation data corresponding to the second half 454. In this way, in the next steps 702 and 704, the first index can be calculated from the calculation data earlier in the time series, and the second index can be calculated from the calculation data later in the time series. The movement amount of the split time may be fixed or different at each update.

[0216] Whether the index calculation condition can be updated may be determined by any method such as whether step 1308 has been executed a predetermined number of times, whether the division time has reached a predetermined time, or whether the length of the first half has become less than a predetermined length.

[0217] The index based on the deviation changes according to the part of the calculation data for calculating the index. As mentioned above, in the power supply cycle in which the aerosol source is exhausted in the holding part, etc., the temperature of the load 132 after the middle stage of the heating distribution is prone to fluctuation. If the index calculation conditions are gradually updated, the temperature (sample) of the load 132 used to calculate the second index gradually increases. Therefore, it is possible to judge whether the aerosol source is exhausted or insufficient in the storage part, etc. while focusing on the fluctuation of the temperature of the load 132 after the middle stage. Therefore, according to the example processing 1300, by calculating the index based on the deviation while changing the calculation data, the possibility of making an erroneous judgment can be reduced.

[0218] 3. Processing for estimating or detecting the state of an aerosol source

[0219] The processing described below will be described on the assumption that all steps are executed by the control unit 106. However, it should be noted that some steps may be executed by other components of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0220] 3-1 Overview of Processing

[0221] Fig.14 1 is a flowchart of an example process 1400 for estimating or detecting a state of at least one of the storage unit 116A and the holding unit 130 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Since some steps included in the example process 1400 are the same as the steps included in the example process 300, the steps not included in the example process 300 will be described below.

[0222] 1402 represents a step of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of the storage unit 116A and the holding unit 130 based on the data stored in step 312 .

[0223] 3-2 First Example Process of Estimating or Detecting the State of Aerosol Source

[0224] Fig.15 This is a flowchart of the first example process 1500 executed in step 1402 .

[0225] 1502 denotes a step of calculating an index σ based on the deviation of the output value of the sensor acquired in step 308 based on the data stored in step 312 .

[0226] Note that the sensor in step 308 is a sensor that outputs a value associated with the temperature of the load 132 , and thus the index σ is an example of a value associated with the fluctuation of the temperature of the load 132 .

[0227] 1504 indicates calculating the average value T of the temperature of the load 132 based on the data stored in step 312. ave steps.

[0228] 1510 indicates whether the index σ is less than the threshold σ thre , and the average value T ave The difference from the first predetermined temperature T1 is smaller than the threshold value Δ thre steps.

[0229] If the index σ is less than the threshold σ thre To explain the determination, a small index σ means that the deviation of the output value of the sensor in step 308 is small, and therefore means that the temperature of the load 132 is stable.

[0230] Here, refer to Fig.16 , the case where the deviation of the output value of the sensor is small is explained. Fig.16 Graph 1600 is a graph plotting the standard deviation of the temperature of the load 132 derived from the calculation data for each power supply cycle, and is the same as graph 600. According to graph 1600, it is visually confirmed that the standard deviation 1612 of the temperature in power supply cycle 604, in which the load 132 first undergoes discoloration due to scorching or oxidation, is greater than the standard deviation 1602 in power supply cycle 602, which is the largest standard deviation in the previous power supply cycle. Therefore, if the threshold σ is set thre If the value is set to be larger than the standard deviation 1602 and less than the standard deviation 1612, σ<σ in the power supply cycle before the load 132 first undergoes discoloration due to burning or oxidation. thre is false, so the determination in step 1510 is false.

[0231] Back to Fig.15 The temperature T1 is the temperature reached by the load 132 when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is sufficient, that is, the boiling point of the aerosol source. Figure 4A , 411 represents such a temperature T1. For example, when the aerosol source is propylene glycol, the temperature T1 may be 200°C. In addition, the temperature T1 may be determined by experiment. Here, it is known that when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is insufficient, not all of the energy supplied from the power source 110 is used for atomization of the aerosol source, and therefore the average temperature T1 of the load 132 is ave Exceeds temperature T1.

[0232] That is, step 1510 is an example of a process for determining whether the temperature of the load 132 is in a stable state at T1, such as the boiling point of the aerosol source. In addition, whether the temperature of the load 132 is in a stable state at a certain temperature can also be determined simply based on whether the output value of the sensor converges within a specified time to a specified range corresponding to a specified range of temperatures including the certain temperature, or whether the difference between the average value of the output value of the sensor for a specified time and a specified value corresponding to the certain temperature is less than a specified size.

[0233] When the index σ is less than the threshold σ thre , and the average value T ave The difference from the first predetermined temperature T1 is smaller than the threshold value T thre If so, the process proceeds to step 1512, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1520.

[0234] 1512 indicates a step of determining whether the variable COUNT is zero. As described later, the variable COUNT is used as a flag indicating past determination information. In short, if the variable COUNT is not zero, it means that the determination in the past step 1510 was not true. In addition, the variable COUNT can be initialized to zero at any time point before the first execution of the example processing 1400. Therefore, when step 1512 is first executed, the determination is definitely true. When the variable COUNT is zero, the process proceeds to step 1514, and when it is not, the process proceeds to step 1516.

[0235] 1514 represents a step of estimating or detecting whether the remaining amount of the aerosol source in both the storage section 116A and the holding section 130 is sufficient. Fig.17 The estimation or detection in step 1514 is described.

[0236] 1700 shows several patterns 1702 to 1710 of the transition of the average temperature of the load 132 during the power supply cycle when the temperature of the load 132 is stable. In each pattern, c1 represents a single power supply cycle (hereinafter referred to as the "first power supply cycle"), and c2 represents a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle (hereinafter referred to as the "second power supply cycle").

[0237] 1702 indicates a migration pattern in which the average temperature in the first power supply cycle c1 is near the temperature T1, and the average temperature in the second power supply cycle c2 is also near the temperature T1. In other words, the migration pattern 1702 indicates that the temperature of the load 132 is stable near the temperature T1 regardless of the past or the present, which corresponds to the situation in which the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is sufficient regardless of the past or the present.

[0238] Therefore, when the transition pattern 1702 appears, it can be determined that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is sufficient both in the past and at present. This determination is estimated to be sufficient in that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion 116A is sufficient.

[0239] Return to Fig.15 , step 1514 is executed only when the variable COUNT is zero. As described later, when the temperature of the load 132 is not stable at the boiling point of the aerosol source in the past, the variable COUNT increases. In other words, reaching step 1514 means that the temperature of the load 132 is also stable at the boiling point of the aerosol source in the past, that is, the migration pattern 1702 appears. Therefore, in step 1514, it can be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in both the storage section 116A and the holding section 130 is sufficient.

[0240] 1516 indicates a step of initializing the variable COUNT to 0. Since the temperature of the load 132 was not stable at the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., in the past, the variable COUNT, which was a value greater than 0, is initialized to zero in this step.

[0241] 1518 represents a step of estimating or detecting that the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 has a nebulization speed that exceeds the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage portion 116A to the holding portion 130. Fig.17 , the estimation or detection in step 1518 is explained.

[0242] 1706 indicates a migration pattern in which the average temperature in the first power supply cycle c1 is near temperature T2 which is higher than temperature T1, but the average temperature in the second power supply cycle c2 is near temperature T1. In other words, the migration pattern 1706 indicates that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holder 130 was insufficient in the past but is sufficient at present. Such a migration pattern 1706 occurs when an imbalance occurs between the atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holder 130 and the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage portion 116A to the holder 130. For example, in the case of the aerosol generating device 100 that adjusts the power supplied from the power supply 110 to the load 132 according to the user's inhalation speed, it is assumed that the inhalation speed is large and the atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holder 130 exceeds the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage portion 116A to the holder 130. Thus, when the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is temporarily insufficient, but the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is restored by the supply of the aerosol source after the user's inhalation is temporarily stopped, the transition pattern 1706 appears. In addition, when the interval from the user's inhalation to the next inhalation is short, the transition pattern 1706 also appears.

[0243] Back to Fig.15 , step 1518 reaches the following situation: although the temperature of the load 132 becomes a stable state at the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc., the variable COUNT is not zero. The so-called variable COUNT is not zero means that in the past, the temperature of the load 132 has not become a stable state at the boiling point of the aerosol source, etc. In other words, reaching step 1518 means that the migration pattern 1706 has appeared. Therefore, in step 1518, it can be estimated or detected that the atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holding part 130 exceeds the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage part 116A to the holding part 130.

[0244] 1520 indicates whether the index σ is less than the threshold σ thre , and the average value T ave The difference from the second predetermined temperature T2 is smaller than the threshold value Δ thre In addition, the threshold Δ in step 1510 and step 1520 thre It can be the same or different.

[0245] Here, refer again Figure 4A Description of temperature T2. The applicant has found that, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the retaining portion 130 is neither sufficient nor exhausted, at a temperature 412 higher than the temperature 411, the temperature of the load 132 sometimes becomes a stable state. It is not yet completely clear why such a phenomenon occurs, but it is possible that it is caused by a combination of main reasons. For example, as a main cause of this phenomenon, it is believed that part of the aerosol source in the retaining portion 130 is exhausted or insufficient. In addition, for example, as a main cause of this phenomenon, it is believed that the composition of the aerosol source changes. Furthermore, in the case where the aerosol source is a mixed liquid, for example, as a main cause of such a phenomenon, it is believed that the boiling points of the liquids constituting the aerosol are different (atomization starts preferentially from the liquid with a low boiling point). Temperature T2 is such a temperature 412, which can be determined by experiment.

[0246] That is, step 1520 is an example of a process for determining whether the temperature of the load 132 is in a stable state at the temperature T2 as described above.

[0247] When the index σ is less than the threshold σ thre , and the average value T ave The difference from the second predetermined temperature T2 is smaller than the threshold value T thre When the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step 1522, otherwise the process proceeds to step 1530.

[0248] 1522 indicates whether the variable COUNT is the threshold COUNT thre The above steps. COUNT threIt can be a specified value greater than 1. When the variable COUNT is the threshold COUNT thre In the above case, the processing proceeds to step 1524, and in other cases, the processing proceeds to step 1526.

[0249] 1524 represents the step of estimating or detecting that the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is insufficient. Fig.17 , the judgment in step 1524 is explained.

[0250] 1708 indicates a migration pattern in which the average temperature in the first power supply cycle c1 is near the temperature T2, and the average temperature in the second power supply cycle c2 is also near the temperature T2. In other words, the migration pattern 1708 indicates that the temperature of the load 132 is in a stable state near the temperature T2 regardless of the past or the present. This means that the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is insufficient but not exhausted regardless of the past or the present.

[0251] Therefore, when the migration pattern 1708 appears, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is insufficient regardless of the past or the present, but it is not exhausted, and it can be determined that it is insufficient in design. In addition, when the migration pattern 1708 appears, there are cases where the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion 116A is insufficient and cases where it is exhausted regardless of the past or the present, but the two are not distinguished in design, and it can be determined that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion 116A is exhausted or insufficient.

[0252] return Fig.15 Step 1524 is performed only when the variable COUNT is the threshold COUNT thre When the above is executed, as described later, the variable COUNT is incremented by 1 in step 1526. In other words, reaching step 1524 means that the determination in step 1520 that the temperature of the load 132 has become stable at the temperature T2 has been performed for at least COUNT. thre That is, the temperature of the load 132 is stable around the temperature T2 in the past and present, which means that the migration pattern 1708 has appeared. Therefore, in step 1524, it can be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part 130 is insufficient. In addition, in step 1524, it can also be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part 116A is exhausted or insufficient. In addition, in step 1524, it is also possible to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part 116A and the storage part 116A in the holding part 130 is exhausted or insufficient without estimating or detecting the holding part 130.

[0253] Furthermore, the number of power supply cycles from the time when step 1524 is first reached until the aerosol source in the actual holding unit 130 is exhausted can be obtained in advance through experiments, and the number of power supply cycles can be set to a predetermined number. In step 1524, after the user of the aerosol generating device 100A takes the predetermined number of puffs, that is, after the predetermined number of power supply cycles occur, it can be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is exhausted. In other words, the migration pattern 1708 indicates a sign of exhaustion of the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130. In addition, when step 1524 is executed, the control unit 106 can be configured to suppress the power supply to the load 132 after the predetermined number of power supply cycles or less than the predetermined number of power supply cycles occur. By setting it in this way, in a state where a sufficient amount of aerosol cannot be generated or aerosol with a desired aroma cannot be generated, the power supply to the load 132 is not performed and the process ends. In other words, when the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is exhausted, the power supply to the load 132 is terminated without being performed, and therefore the load 132 does not reach a high temperature.

[0254] 1526 represents a step of increasing the variable COUNT. Through this step, the variable COUNT can be increased by only 1.

[0255] 1528 represents a step of retaining the judgment on the state of the aerosol source, or following the most recent judgment. Fig.17 , explain the judgment in step 1528.

[0256] 1704 indicates a transition pattern in which the average temperature in the first power supply cycle c1 is near the temperature T1, but the average temperature in the second power supply cycle c2 is near the temperature T2. Here, when the second power supply cycle c2 is regarded as the first power supply cycle (hereinafter also referred to as the regarded first power supply cycle) and the power supply cycle later than the regarded first power supply cycle is regarded as the second power supply cycle (hereinafter also referred to as the regarded second power supply cycle), if the average temperature of the load 132 drops to the temperature T1 in the regarded second power supply cycle, then the transition pattern 1706 actually appears, and if it is the temperature T2, then the transition pattern 1708 actually appears. In other words, when the transition pattern 1704 appears, it is difficult to distinguish whether it should be judged as an imbalance between the atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holding section 130 and the supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage section 116A to the holding section 130, as in the transition pattern 1706, or whether it should be judged as insufficient remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage section 116A, as in the transition pattern 1708. Therefore, when the transition pattern 1704 appears, it is possible to make a judgment to retain the judgment or to follow the judgment made in the past (including the judgment to retain the judgment or to follow the judgment made in the past).

[0257] return Fig.15 , only when the variable COUNT is the threshold COUNT thre Step 1528 is then executed. Here, when the variable COUNT becomes greater than the threshold COUNT thre The judgment in step 1524 becomes that when the variable COUNT becomes greater than the threshold COUNT thre When the temperature of the load 132 drops to near the first predetermined temperature T1, the judgment in step 1518 is performed. In other words, when step 1528 is reached, it can be considered that the transition pattern 1704 has appeared. Therefore, in step 1528, the judgment can be retained or the judgment performed in the past can be followed.

[0258] 1530 indicates whether the determination index σ is the threshold σ thre Above, or average temperature T ave Is it a step with a temperature higher than the third specified temperature? Fig.17 , T3 represents a third predetermined temperature. Temperature T3 may be a temperature greater than temperature T2 and less than the maximum temperature of load 132 that can be reached when the aerosol source in holding unit 130 is exhausted, and can be determined by experiments. For example, temperature T3 may be 350°C.

[0259] 1532 represents a step of estimating or detecting that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is depleted.

[0260] When the index σ is the threshold σ thre In the above case, execute step 1532. Fig.16 , when the number of power supply times exceeds the specified number, the index σ increases in principle. In particular, as mentioned above, if the threshold σ thre If the value is set to be greater than the standard deviation 1602 and less than the standard deviation 1612, it can be determined whether the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130 is in a state before the first discoloration due to burning or oxidation occurs on the load 132. Here, the discoloration due to burning or oxidation on the load 132 can be regarded as the depletion of the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion 130. Therefore, in terms of design, when the indicator σ is the threshold value σ thre In the above case, it can be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is depleted.

[0261] In addition, at the average temperature T ave When the temperature is above T3, step 1532 is also executed. Fig.16, the standard deviation 1612 of the temperature in the power supply cycle 604 tends to be smaller than the standard deviation of the temperature in the power supply cycle after the power supply cycle 604. However, the standard deviation 1622 of the temperature in the power supply cycle 1606 is smaller than the standard deviation 1612 of the temperature in the power supply cycle 604. This is considered to be because, since the aerosol source is completely exhausted, the temperature increase effect of the power supplied from the power supply 110 to the load 132 is balanced with the temperature reduction effect of the air around the load 132, and the temperature of the load 132 becomes stable at a relatively high temperature.

[0262] However, in the power supply cycle 1606, since time has passed since the power supply cycle 604, it is estimated that the average temperature of the load 132 has reached the vicinity of the maximum temperature of the load 132 that can be reached when the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is exhausted. ave When the temperature is higher than T3, it can be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit 130 is depleted. Fig.17 , when the average temperature of the load 132 in the past is near the temperature T2, it is determined that the average temperature T ave Above temperature T3, a migration pattern 1710 appears.

[0263] When the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part 130 is exhausted, it means that the aerosol source is not supplied from the storage part 116A to the holding part 130, that is, the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part 115A is exhausted or insufficient. Therefore, in step 1532, it can be estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage part 116A is exhausted or insufficient, and the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding part 130 is exhausted.

[0264] When the indicator σ is determined to be the threshold σ thre or above, or determined as the average temperature T ave If it is higher than the third predetermined temperature T3, the process proceeds to step 1532, and if not, the process proceeds to step 1534.

[0265] Step 1534 is reached when any of the determinations in steps 1510, 1520, and 1530 is false, and similar to the determination in step 1528, it may be a step of retaining the determination regarding the state of the aerosol source or following the most recent determination.

[0266] 3-3 Second Example Processing for Estimating or Detecting the State of Aerosol Source

[0267] Fig.18This is a flowchart of a second example process 1800 executed in step 1402. Some steps included in example process 1800 are the same as or similar to the steps included in example process 1500, and therefore the steps not included in example process 1800 will be described below.

[0268] 1810 is a step similar to step 1510, except that when the indicator σ is less than the threshold σ thre , and the average value T ave The difference from the first predetermined temperature T1 is smaller than the threshold value Δ thre , the process proceeds to step 1514, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step 1820. That is, according to the exemplary process 1800, when it is determined that the temperature of the load 132 is in a stable state at the boiling point T1 of the aerosol source, it is possible to directly estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in both the storage section 116A and the holding section 130 is sufficient.

[0269] 1820 is a step similar to step 1520, except that when the indicator σ is less than the threshold σ thre , and the average value T ave The difference from the second predetermined temperature T2 is smaller than the threshold value Δ thre In this case, the process proceeds to step 1524. That is, according to the exemplary process 1800, when it is determined that the temperature of the load 132 is stable at the first temperature T2, it can be directly estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in at least the holding portion 130 is insufficient.

[0270] When comparing example processing 1500 and example processing 1800, the former uses variable COUNT, while the latter does not use variable COUNT. In addition, the former can perform the first to fourth estimations or detections, while the former cannot perform the second estimation or detection. Example processing 1500 using variable COUNT makes it more complicated to estimate or detect the state of at least one of storage unit 116A and holding unit 130, but the accuracy can be guaranteed. On the other hand, example processing 1800 can easily estimate or detect the state of at least one of storage unit 116A and holding unit 130, but the accuracy is lower than that of example processing 1500.

[0271] 4 Summary

[0272] In the above description, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described as an aerosol generating device and a method for operating the aerosol generating device. However, it is understood that when the present disclosure is executed by a processor, the present disclosure can be executed as a program for causing the processor to execute the method or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program.

[0273] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that without departing from the purpose and scope of the present disclosure, changes, additions, improvements, etc. of the embodiments may be appropriately made. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above embodiments, but should only be defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0274] Description of symbols

[0275] 100A, 100B…aerosol generating device, 102…main body, 104A…smoke cartridge, 104B…aerosol generating article, 106…control unit, 108…notification unit, 110…power supply, 112A to 112D…sensor, 114…memory, 116A…storage unit, 116B…aerosol substrate, 118A, 118B…atomization unit, 120…air intake flow path, 121…aerosol flow path, 122…mouthpiece, 130…holding unit, 132…load, 134…circuit, 202…first circuit, 204…second circuit, 206, 210, 214…FE T, 208…conversion unit, 212…resistance, 216…diode, 218…inductor, 220…capacitor, 402…heating period, 404…cooling period, 411…temperature T1, 412…temperature T2, 422, 424…temperature distribution of load, 432, 442, 452…first stage 434, 444, 454…second stage, 440, 450…division time 612, 614, 814…standard deviation distribution of temperature of load, 1216…average temperature distribution of load, 1702, 1704, 1706, 1708, 1710…migration pattern.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; and Control Department, The control unit is configured as follows: According to the aerosol generation requirement, the power supply is supplied to the load from the power supply to execute a power supply cycle, The state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit is estimated or detected based on at least a first value and a second value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The control unit is configured to estimate or detect that, when the temperature of the load indicated by the first value becomes stable at a second temperature higher than a first temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the holding unit in a saturated state of the aerosol source, and when the temperature of the load indicated by the second value becomes stable at the first temperature: An atomization speed of the aerosol source in the holding portion is greater than a supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage portion to the holding portion.

2. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit is insufficient or exhausted when the temperature of the load indicated by the first value becomes stable at the second temperature and the temperature of the load indicated by the second value becomes stable at the second temperature.

3. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit is insufficient or exhausted when the temperature of the load indicated by the second value becomes a stable state at the second temperature.

4. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; and Control Department, The control unit is configured as follows: According to the aerosol generation requirement, the power supply is supplied to the load from the power supply to execute a power supply cycle, The state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit is estimated or detected based on at least a first value and a second value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage unit is insufficient or exhausted, and the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted, when the temperature of the load represented by the first value is in a stable state at a second temperature higher than the first temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the holding unit in a saturated state, and when at least one of an average value of the second value and a value based on a deviation of the second value in the second value is larger than a threshold value.

5. An aerosol generating device, comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; and Control Department, The control unit is configured as follows: According to the aerosol generation requirement, the power supply is supplied to the load from the power supply to execute a power supply cycle, The state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit is estimated or detected based on at least a first value and a second value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The control unit is configured to estimate or speculate that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when the temperature of the load represented by the second value becomes a stable state at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the holding unit in a saturated state.

6. An aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; and Control Department, The control unit is configured as follows: According to the aerosol generation requirement, the power supply is supplied to the load from the power supply to execute a power supply cycle, The state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit is estimated or detected based on at least a first value and a second value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The control unit is configured to estimate or detect that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when both the first value and the second value indicate that the temperature of the load has become stable at a temperature higher than the temperature at which aerosol is generated from the aerosol source.

7. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The control unit is configured to determine, based on at least one of continuous output values ​​of the sensor in the first power supply cycle or the second power supply cycle, an average value of the output values, and a value based on a deviation of the output values, that the first value or the second value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable.

8. An operating method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; as well as Control Department, The method comprises: The control unit supplies power to the load from the power source to execute a power supply cycle according to the aerosol generation requirement; and The control unit estimates or detects a state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit based on at least a first value and a second output value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second output value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The step of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit comprises: When the first value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at a second temperature higher than the first temperature at which the aerosol source is generated by the holding portion in a saturated state, and the second output value indicates that the temperature of the load has become stable at the first temperature, it is estimated or detected that: A step in which an aerosol source atomization speed in the holding portion is greater than a supply speed of the aerosol source from the storage portion to the holding portion.

9. An operating method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; as well as Control Department, The method comprises: The control unit supplies power to the load from the power source to execute a power supply cycle according to the aerosol generation requirement; and The control unit estimates or detects a state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit based on at least a first value and a second output value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second output value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The step of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit comprises: When the temperature of the load represented by the first value is in a stable state at a second temperature higher than the first temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the holding portion in a saturated state, and when at least one of an average value of the second output value and a value based on a deviation of the second output value is greater than a threshold value, it is estimated or detected that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the storage portion is insufficient or exhausted, and the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding portion is exhausted.

10. An operating method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; as well as Control Department, The method comprises: The control unit supplies power to the load from the power source to execute a power supply cycle according to the aerosol generation requirement; and The control unit estimates or detects a state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit based on at least a first value and a second output value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second output value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The step of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit comprises: The step of estimating or speculating that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding section is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when the second output value indicates that the temperature of the load has reached a stable state at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the aerosol source is generated from the holding section in a saturated state.

11. An operating method of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device comprising: a storage portion for storing an aerosol source; a load for atomizing the aerosol source using heat generated based on power supplied from a power source; a holding portion for holding the aerosol source supplied from the storage portion in a manner that the load can be heated; a sensor that outputs a value associated with a temperature of the load; as well as Control Department, The method comprises: The control unit supplies power to the load from the power source to execute a power supply cycle according to the aerosol generation requirement; and The control unit estimates or detects a state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit based on at least a first value and a second output value, wherein the first value is an output value of the sensor in a first power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the first power supply cycle derived from the output value, and the second output value is an output value of the sensor in a second power supply cycle that is a single power supply cycle later than the first power supply cycle or a value related to a change in the temperature of the load in the second power supply cycle derived from the output value, The step of estimating or detecting the state of at least one of the storage unit and the holding unit comprises: The step of estimating or detecting that the remaining amount of the aerosol source in the holding unit is exhausted after a predetermined number of power supply cycles when both the first value and the second output value indicate that the temperature of the load is stable at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the aerosol is generated from the aerosol source. 12 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the method according to claim 8 .

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