Cover and aerosol generating device

Abstract

A cover (10) is attached to a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate including an aerosol source, and is provided with: an external sensor (31) for detecting internal information relating to the state of the main body and external information other than the internal information relating to the state of the cover; a display unit 80 that displays information; and a display control unit (62) that causes the display unit (80) to display at least one of external information detected by the external sensor (31) and information acquired from an external device other than the cover (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cover and an aerosol generating device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there have been proposed suction devices capable of detecting biological information of a user.

[0003] For example, the suction device described in Patent Document 1 includes an operation unit for accepting an operation by a user and a biological information detection unit for detecting biological information of the user, and the biological information detection unit is disposed at or near the operation unit.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2021 / 240617 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] From the viewpoint of user convenience, it is preferred that external information other than information related to the state of the aerosol generating device, not limited to biological information, can be confirmed.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cover or the like that enables confirmation of external information.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] The cover involved in the present disclosure for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is a cover installed on a main body having a heating part for heating a substrate including an aerosol source, and comprises: a sensor for detecting internal information related to the state of the main body and external information other than the internal information related to the state of the cover; a display part for displaying information; and a display control part for causing the display part to display at least any one of the external information detected by the sensor and the information acquired from an external device other than the cover.

[0012] Here, it is also possible that there are multiple connecting parts connected to the main body, the display part is arranged between the multiple connecting parts, and the sensor is arranged at either end in the center line direction of the columnar retaining part formed on the main body in a manner to accommodate a part of the substrate.

[0013] Furthermore, the sensor may be provided on the opening side of the holding portion relative to the plurality of connection portions in the center line direction.

[0014] Furthermore, it is also possible that there is a storage unit that stores a control sequence that specifies the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit when the heating unit is heated, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display information associated with the control sequence stored in the storage unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the storage unit may store a plurality of the control sequences, and one control sequence may be selected from the plurality of control sequences displayed on the display unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the sensor may detect temperature or humidity, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display a temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate based on the temperature or humidity detected by the sensor and at least one of the temperature and humidity obtained from the external device.

[0017] Furthermore, the sensor may detect a heart rate or a pulse rate, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display a warning that requires attention when the heart rate or the pulse rate detected by the sensor is outside a predetermined range.

[0018] According to another aspect, an aerosol generating device according to the present disclosure includes: a main body having a heating unit that heats a substrate including an aerosol source; and the cover disclosed above and mounted on the main body.

[0019] Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present disclosure, a cover or the like capable of checking external information can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is an example of a diagram showing the aerosol generating device as viewed diagonally from above and from the front.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an example of a diagram of the aerosol generating device as viewed diagonally from the front and below.

[0023] Figure 3 This is an example of a diagram of the main body with the cover removed, as viewed from the front.

[0024] Figure 4 This is an example of a view of the cover viewed from the rear side.

[0025] Figure 5 This is an example of a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the main body.

[0026] Figure 6 This is an example of a diagram schematically showing the structure of a cover.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the generating device is held with the right hand.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the generating device is held with the left hand.

[0029] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit.

[0030] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit.

[0031] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit.

[0032] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing an example of the heating control process performed by the control unit.

[0033] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of a temporal change in the target temperature of the heating unit displayed on the display unit of the cover.

[0034] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of a control sequence selection screen displayed on the display unit of the cover.

[0035] Fig.15 This is a flowchart showing an example of the on / off control process performed by the control unit.

[0036] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of information that the display control unit causes the display unit to display.

[0037] Fig.17 This is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between sensors and whether or not display on the display unit is necessary. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 This is an example of a diagram showing the aerosol generating device 1 as viewed from the front and obliquely above.

[0039] Figure 2 This is an example of a diagram showing the aerosol generating device 1 as viewed obliquely from the front and below.

[0040] Figure 3 This is an example of a diagram of the main body 100 with the cover 10 removed, as viewed from the front.

[0041] Figure 4 This is an example of a diagram of the cover 10 as viewed from the rear side.

[0042] Figure 5 This is an example of a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the main body 100 .

[0043] Figure 6 This is an example of a diagram schematically showing the structure of the cover 10.

[0044] The aerosol generating device 1 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “generating device 1”) includes: a main body 100 having a heating unit 170 that heats a substrate 500 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as “substrate 500”) including an aerosol source; and a cover 10 that is removable relative to the main body 100.

[0045] The main body 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shell 101 that accommodates a heating unit 170 and the like. The cover 10 covers one side of the shell 101. Hereinafter, the side on which the cover 10 is mounted among the six faces of the shell 101 is referred to as the front surface 102, the side on the left side when viewed from the front surface 102 is referred to as the left side face 103, the side on the right side is referred to as the right side face 104, the upper side face is referred to as the upper surface 105, and the lower side face is referred to as the bottom face 106. In addition, the face connected to the left side face 103, the right side face 104, the upper surface 105, and the bottom face 106 among the six faces of the shell 101 and different from the front surface 102 is referred to as the back face 107. The cover 10 covers the front surface 102 of the shell 101, and the left side face 103, the right side face 104, the upper surface 105, the bottom face 106, and the back face 107 are exposed to the outside when the cover 10 is mounted.

[0046] (Ontology 100)

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the main body 100 includes a power supply unit 110, a sensor unit 120, a notification unit 130, a storage unit 140, a communication unit 150, a control unit 160, a heating unit 170, a heat insulating unit 180, and a holding unit 190. The power supply unit 110, the sensor unit 120, the notification unit 130, the storage unit 140, the communication unit 150, the control unit 160, the heating unit 170, and the heat insulating unit 180 are accommodated in the housing 101. In addition, the main body 100 has a shield 194 (see Figure 1 ), the shield 194 is configured on the upper surface 105 and can be slid along the upper surface 105.

[0048] Hereinafter, each component will be described in sequence.

[0049] ((Power supply unit 110))

[0050] The power supply unit 110 includes a battery 111 that stores electric power and a power supply unit 112 that supplies electric power.

[0051] The battery 111 can be exemplified by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The battery 111 can also be charged by connecting to an external power source using a cable connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal 113. In addition, the battery 111 can also be charged to a device on the power transmission side in a disconnected state using wireless power transmission technology. In addition, the battery 111 can be removed from the main body 100 or replaced with a new battery 111.

[0052] The power supply unit 112 supplies power to each component of the main body 100 based on the control of the control unit 160. In addition, the power supply unit 112 supplies power to the cover 10.

[0053] The power supply unit 112 supplies power to the cover 10 by, for example, non-contact power transmission. An example of non-contact power transmission is power transmission based on short-distance wireless communication. Thus, power can be supplied to the cover 10 with a simple structure.

[0054] ((Sensor unit 120))

[0055] The sensor unit 120 detects various information related to the main body 100. And the sensor unit 120 outputs the detected information to the control unit 160. As an example, the sensor unit 120 is composed of a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor. And, when the sensor unit 120 detects a numerical value accompanying the user's suction, it outputs information indicating that the user's suction has been performed to the control unit 160. In addition, the sensor unit 120 detects the temperature of the heating unit 170 and outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 160. As another example, the sensor unit 120 is composed of an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 120 may include a button that indicates the start / stop of the generation of aerosol. And the sensor unit 120 outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 160.

[0056] As a button, the sensor unit 120 has an operation button 121 for instructing the start of aerosol generation. Figure 3 As shown, the operation button 121 is provided so as to be exposed from the front surface 102 of the housing 101 .

[0057] (Notification unit 130)

[0058] The notification unit 130 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 130 is composed of a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, when the battery 111 of the power supply unit 110 is in the state of being charged, when the battery 111 is being charged, and when an abnormality occurs in the main body 100, etc., the notification unit 130 emits light in different light-emitting modes. The light-emitting mode here is a concept including color, and timing of lighting / extinguishing. The notification unit 130 can also be composed of a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, and a vibration device that vibrates together with or instead of the light-emitting device.

[0059] A display window 108 is formed on the front surface 102 of the housing 101 . The display window 108 transmits light emitted by a light emitting device such as an LED as an example of the notification unit 130 . The light emitting device is provided behind the display window 108 .

[0060] ((Storage unit 140))

[0061] The storage unit 140 stores various information used for the operation of the generation device 1. The storage unit 140 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. An example of the information stored in the storage unit 140 is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the generation device 1, such as the control content of the various components of the control unit 160. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 140 is information related to the suction performed by the user, such as the number of suctions, the suction time, and the cumulative suction time. In addition, another example of the information stored in the storage unit 140 is information about a control sequence that specifies the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit 170 when the heating unit 170 is heated. The storage unit 140 can also store information about a plurality of control sequences in which the target temperature of the heating unit 170 changes differently over time.

[0062] ((Department of Communications 150))

[0063] The communication unit 150 is a communication interface for sending and receiving information between the generation device 1 and other devices. The communication unit 150 performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. As the communication standard, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used. As an example, the communication unit 150 sends information related to the attraction of the user to other devices (such as a mobile terminal described later) in order to display the information related to the attraction of the user. As another example, the communication unit 150 receives new OS information from the server in order to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 140.

[0064] ((Control unit 160))

[0065] The control unit 160 functions as a calculation processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation in the generation device 1 according to various programs. The control unit 160 is implemented by an electronic circuit of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 160 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing the used programs and calculation parameters, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing the parameters that change appropriately. The generation device 1 performs various processes based on the control of the control unit 160. Power supply from the power supply unit 110 to other components, charging of the power supply unit 110, detection of the sensor unit 120, notification of information from the notification unit 130, storage and reading of information from the storage unit 140, and transmission and reception of information from the communication unit 150 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 160. Other processes performed by the generation device 1, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 160.

[0066] ((Heating unit 170))

[0067] The heating unit 170 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source, thereby atomizing the aerosol source. The heating unit 170 is made of any raw material such as metal or polyimide. For example, the heating unit 170 is formed in a thin film shape and is configured to cover the outer periphery of the retaining unit 190. Moreover, when the heating unit 170 generates heat, the aerosol source contained in the substrate 500 is heated and atomized from the outer periphery of the substrate 500 to generate aerosol. The heating unit 170 generates heat after being powered by the power supply unit 110, thereby heating the substrate 500. When the temperature of the substrate 500 heated by the heating unit 170 reaches a specified temperature, the user can be attracted. Thereafter, when a specified user input is detected by the sensor unit 120, the power supply may be stopped.

[0068] ((Thermal insulation part 180))

[0069] The heat insulating part 180 prevents heat transfer from the heating part 170 to other components of the generating device 1. The heat insulating part 180 is configured to cover at least the outer periphery of the heating part 170. For example, the heat insulating part 180 is composed of a vacuum insulation material and an aerogel insulation material. In addition, the vacuum insulation material refers to an insulation material that is made into a high vacuum state by surrounding glass wool and silicon dioxide (silicon powder) with a resin film, thereby infinitely making the heat conduction caused by the gas close to zero.

[0070] ((Holding unit 190))

[0071] The holding portion 190 has a columnar internal space 191 provided inside the housing 101, and an opening 192 formed on the upper surface 105 of the housing 101 in order to connect the internal space 191 with the outside. The internal space 191 is a cylindrical body with a bottom 193 as the bottom surface. The holding portion 190 is configured so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the substrate 500 in at least a part of the height direction of the cylindrical body, and the substrate 500 inserted from the opening 192 into the internal space 191 is pressed from the periphery, and the substrate 500 can be held. The holding portion 190 also has a function of defining a flow path of air passing through the substrate 500. The inlet of the air in the flow path, i.e., the air inflow hole, is arranged, for example, at the bottom 193. On the other hand, the outlet of the air from the flow path, i.e., the air outflow hole, is the opening 192. The opening 192 is exposed by sliding the shutter 194 to the open position, and is shielded by sliding the shutter 194 to the closed position.

[0072] ((Shutter 194))

[0073] The shield 194 has a magnet on the back. On the other hand, a magnetic sensor (not shown) provided in the sensor unit 120 is installed on the upper surface 105 of the housing 101 within the movable range of the shield 194. The magnetic sensor is a Hall IC composed of a Hall element and an operational amplifier, etc., and outputs a voltage corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field across the Hall element. In this embodiment, the control unit 160 detects the opening and closing of the shield 194 based on the change in the voltage output from the magnetic sensor accompanying the sliding of the shield 194.

[0074] ((Substrate 500))

[0075] The base material 500 is a rod-shaped member and includes a base material portion 501 and a mouthpiece portion 502 .

[0076] The substrate portion 501 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is heated and atomized to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source may also be other tobacco-derived substances such as tobacco shreds or tobacco raw materials formed into granular, flaky or powdered processed products. In addition, the aerosol source may also include substances not derived from tobacco made from plants other than tobacco (such as mint and vanilla). As an example, the aerosol source may also include flavoring ingredients such as menthol. In the case where the generating device 1 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may also include a medicament for inhalation by the patient. In addition, the aerosol source is not limited to solids, and may also be, for example, polyols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. At least a portion of the substrate portion 501 is accommodated in the internal space 191 of the retaining portion 190 when the substrate 500 is retained in the retaining portion 190.

[0077] The mouthpiece 502 is a part for the user to hold when sucking. At least a part of the mouthpiece 502 protrudes from the opening 192 when the substrate 500 is held by the holding portion 190. Then, when the user holds and sucks the mouthpiece 502 protruding from the opening 192, air flows into the interior of the holding portion 190 from the air inflow hole not shown. The inflowing air passes through the internal space 191 of the holding portion 190, that is, through the substrate portion 501, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 501.

[0078] (Example of the external structure of the main body 100)

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, the main body 100 has two magnets, namely, an upper magnet 195 and a lower magnet 196, which are provided in a manner exposed from the front surface 102 of the housing 101 and are used to connect to the cover 10. The upper magnet 195 and the lower magnet 196 are cylindrical in shape when viewed from the front. In addition, the centers of the circles of the upper magnet 195 and the lower magnet 196 are arranged in the center line direction of the substrate 500 of the holding portion 190 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the "center line direction"), and the upper magnet 195 is provided at the upper part of the main body 100, and the lower magnet 196 is provided at the lower part of the main body 100.

[0080] The main body 100 has an operation button 121 provided in the center portion in the center line direction so as to be exposed from the front surface 102 of the housing 101. In other words, the operation button 121 is arranged between the upper magnet 195 and the lower magnet 196.

[0081] The main body 100 has a display window 108 above the operation button 121 and between the upper magnet 195 and the operation button 121, and the display window 108 allows light from a light-emitting device such as an LED to pass through. The display window 108 is a window provided at a position corresponding to the position of the light-emitting device disposed in the housing 101 of the main body 100, and allows light from the light-emitting device to pass through. Thus, the user can visually confirm the light from the outside of the main body 100.

[0082] The main body 100 has a magnetic sensor 122. The magnetic sensor 122 detects a magnetic force based on a magnetic field applied from a magnet 75 described later of the cover 10. For example, the magnetic sensor 122 may be a Hall sensor formed using a Hall element. Thus, attachment of the cover 10 to the main body 100 can be detected.

[0083] (Hood 10)

[0084] Hereinafter, the cover 10 will be described in detail.

[0085] like Figure 6As shown, the cover 10 includes a cover body 11 , a power supply unit 20 , a sensor unit 30 , a storage unit 40 , a communication unit 50 , a control unit 60 , and a display unit 80 .

[0086] ((Hood body 11))

[0087] The cover body 11 is formed into a plate shape by a light-transmitting component, covers the front surface 102 of the shell 101 of the main body 100, and is formed so as not to have a step difference with the left side 103, the right side 104, the upper surface 105 and the bottom surface 106 of the shell 101. As a result, the cover 10 forms an integrated appearance with the left side 103, the right side 104, the upper surface 105 and the bottom surface 106 of the shell 101, and has a decorative function. In addition, the cover 10 has a function of suppressing the transmission of heat released from the main body 100. The power supply unit 20, the sensor unit 30, the storage unit 40, the communication unit 50, the control unit 60 and the display unit 80 are installed on the cover body 11.

[0088] ((Power supply unit 20))

[0089] The power supply unit 20 includes a battery 21 for storing power, a power supply unit 22 for supplying power to each component of the cover 10 , and a power receiving unit 23 for receiving power from a power supply unit 112 of the power supply unit 110 of the main body 100 .

[0090] The battery 21 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery formed in a thin film shape. The battery 21 is charged by power supplied from the power supply unit 112 of the power supply unit 110 of the main body 100 to the cover 10 .

[0091] The power supply unit 22 supplies power from the battery 21 to each component of the cover 10. In addition, the power supply unit 22 supplies power received by the power receiving unit 23 to each component of the cover 10. Thus, the power supplied from the main body 100 to the cover 10 can operate each component of the cover 10 including the sensor unit 30.

[0092] When the power supply unit 112 of the main body 100 supplies power to the cover 10 by non-contact power transmission such as near field wireless communication, the power receiving unit 23 includes an NFC (Near Field Communication) reader / writer module and an NFC antenna.

[0093] ((Sensor unit 30))

[0094] The sensor unit 30 includes an ambient air sensor that detects information about the air around the generating device 1. The air information can be exemplified by temperature and humidity. That is, as an example of the ambient air sensor, the sensor unit 30 includes a temperature sensor that can detect the temperature (e.g., room temperature) around the generating device 1, and a humidity sensor that can detect the humidity around the generating device 1. In addition, the air information can also be air pressure, and as an example of the ambient air sensor, the sensor unit 30 can also include an air pressure sensor that can detect the air pressure around the generating device 1.

[0095] In addition, the sensor unit 30 may also have a biosensor that detects the user's biological information. The biosensor can be exemplified by a sensor that can detect any one of the user's body temperature, heart rate, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood flow, and COHb (carbon monoxide hemoglobin). The sensor that detects the user's body temperature can be exemplified by a sensor that converts infrared rays emitted from the forehead, etc. into body temperature. The sensor that detects at least any one of the heart rate, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood flow, and COHb can be exemplified by the following optical sensor: a light-emitting element that irradiates light to the human body, and a light-receiving element that receives the light irradiated by the light-emitting element through the user's human body, and the sensor outputs information related to the light received by the light-receiving element. In addition, the light-emitting element is a light source, for example, implemented by an LED, etc. In addition, the light-receiving element is implemented by a photodiode, etc. The light received by the light-receiving element is, for example, reflected light from the human body. The reflected light includes light scattered and reflected in the human body (i.e., scattered light).

[0096] The biosensor may be a sensor capable of detecting the alcohol concentration in the user's breath. The sensor unit 30 may also include a distance sensor capable of detecting the distance between the generator 1 and the object, or a color sensor capable of detecting the color of the object.

[0097] In addition, the sensor unit 30 has a touch sensor 35 that detects a user touching the cover 10. The touch sensor 35 is implemented by a function of detecting a user touch of the display unit 80. In the following, in order to distinguish from the touch sensor 35, a sensor that detects external information other than information related to the state of the main body 100 and external information other than information related to the state of the cover 10, in other words, external information other than information related to the state of the generating device 1 is sometimes referred to as an "external sensor 31". The external sensor 31 is a general term for sensors that detect external environmental information of the generating device 1, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and air pressure sensors, and biosensors that detect biological information of the user, distance sensors, and color sensors. The external information is biological information such as body temperature, heart rate, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood flow, COHb, and external environmental information such as temperature and humidity.

[0098] ((Storage unit 40))

[0099] The storage unit 40 stores various information used for the operation of the cover 10. The storage unit 40 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. An example of the information stored in the storage unit 40 is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the cover 10, such as the control content of the various components of the control unit 60. In addition, the storage unit 40 stores information acquired from the sensor unit 30. In addition, the storage unit 40 stores a specified temperature range, a specified humidity range, and a specified allowable range described later. In addition, the storage unit 40 stores information related to a control sequence that specifies the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit 170 when the control unit 160 of the main body 100 heats the heating unit 170. The storage unit 40 may also store information related to a plurality of control sequences that are different from the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit 170.

[0100] ((Communication Department 50))

[0101] The communication unit 50 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the cover 10 and an external device outside the cover 10. The communication unit 50 performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. As the communication standard, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used.

[0102] The external device is a device other than the main body 100 and the generating device 1. As a device other than the generating device 1, a portable terminal such as a multifunctional portable phone (so-called "smartphone". Hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "portable phone") owned by a user, and a server (not shown) can be exemplified. As a portable terminal, in addition to these, it can also be a tablet terminal, a tablet PC, a portable information terminal (PDA), and a notebook PC. For example, the communication unit 50 sends information detected by the sensor unit 30 to the portable phone. In addition, the communication unit 50 receives new OS information from the server in order to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 40.

[0103] In addition, the communication unit 50 may also communicate with the main body 100 through, for example, near-field wireless communication. As described above, power is supplied from the main body 100 to the cover 10 through near-field wireless communication, and the communication unit 50 communicates with the main body 100 through near-field wireless communication, thereby enabling efficient communication and power transmission between the main body 100 and the cover 10, and simplifying the structures of the main body 100 and the cover 10. In addition, when power is supplied from the main body 100 to the cover 10 through near-field wireless communication and the communication unit 50 communicates with the main body 100 through near-field wireless communication, the communication unit 50 can be implemented by the same NFC reader / writer module and NFC antenna as the power receiving unit 23.

[0104] In addition, when the main body 100 and the cover 10 are connected via a physical power supply interface, the communication unit 50 may communicate with the main body 100 via the power supply interface.

[0105] ((Control unit 60))

[0106] The control unit 60 functions as a calculation processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation in the cover 10 according to various programs. The control unit 60 is implemented by an electronic circuit such as a CPU and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 60 may also include a ROM for storing the programs and calculation parameters used, and a RAM for temporarily storing the parameters that change appropriately. The cover 10 performs various processes based on the control of the control unit 60. Power supply from the power supply unit 20 to other components, charging of the power supply unit 20, detection of the sensor unit 30, storage and reading of information in the storage unit 40, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 50 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 60. Other processes performed by the cover 10, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 60.

[0107] In addition, the control unit 60 transmits and receives data with the control unit 160 of the main body 100 via the communication unit 50. The control unit 60 transmits, for example, the detection value of the sensor unit 30 to the control unit 160 of the main body 100. In addition, the control unit 60 receives, for example, the start and stop of heating of the heating unit 170 from the control unit 160 of the main body 100.

[0108] ((Display unit 80))

[0109] The display unit 80 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or electronic paper that has a display function and a function of detecting a user's touch. The function of detecting a user's touch of the display unit 80 may be captured as the touch sensor 35 .

[0110] ((magnet))

[0111] like Figure 4 As shown, the cover 10 has an upper magnet 71 and a lower magnet 72 on the surface on the side of the body 100, that is, the back surface 13 of the cover body 11. The upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72 are cylindrical in shape when viewed from the rear side, and are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the upper magnet 195 and the lower magnet 196 arranged on the body 100. That is, the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72 are arranged in the center line direction, the upper magnet 71 is arranged at the upper part of the cover 10, and the lower magnet 72 is arranged at the lower part of the cover 10.

[0112] For example, if the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72 of the cover 10 are N poles, the upper magnet 195 and the lower magnet 196 of the main body 100 are S poles. The cover 10 is attached to the main body 100 by the attraction between the magnets.

[0113] In addition, any one of the magnets (upper magnet 71 and lower magnet 72 ) provided in cover 10 and the magnets (upper magnet 195 and lower magnet 196 ) provided in main body 100 may be a metal piece having iron or other magnetic properties.

[0114] In addition, the cover 10 is not limited to being mounted on the main body 100 by the attraction between the magnets. For example, the cover 10 and the main body 100 may also be physically engaged. As a physically engaged structure, a structure in which an engagement claw provided on one of the cover 10 and the main body 100 (for example, the cover 10) is engaged with a hole or a recess formed on the other part (for example, the main body 100) can be exemplified.

[0115] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the display unit 80 is disposed between the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72, in other words, in the center of the center line direction of the cover 10. Since the user can start the attraction by touching the display unit 80 (for example, the touch sensor 35), Figure 4 2 shows an example in which the display unit 80 is arranged in the center of the center line direction of the generating device 1. The position of the display unit 80 is not limited to Figure 4 Position shown.

[0116] The cover 10 is closer to the line connecting the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72. Figure 4 The magnet 75 is provided at the left side of the cover 10. The magnet 75 is provided at a position corresponding to the magnetic sensor 122 provided on the main body 100, and the attachment of the cover 10 to the main body 100 is detected by the magnetic sensor 122 provided on the main body 100.

[0117] ((Configuration of external sensor 31))

[0118] The external sensors 31 of the sensor unit 30 are preferably provided at both ends of the cover 10 in the direction of the center line. Figure 4 The illustrated first region R1 is located above the upper magnet 71 and the illustrated second region R2 is located below the lower magnet 72 .

[0119] For example, in the case where the external sensor 31 is a light sensor, it is constructed to have a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element irradiates light to a finger or the like placed on the front side more forward than the front surface 12 of the cover body 11, and the light-receiving element receives the light irradiated by the light-emitting element via the finger or the like. Therefore, if dirt adheres to the part through which the light passes, it is difficult to detect it with high precision.

[0120] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the generating device 1 is held with the right hand. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the generating device 1 is held with the left hand.

[0121] For example, in Figure 4 2 shows an example in which the external sensor 31 is disposed in the first region R1. The external sensor 31 is disposed in the first region R1, so that it is difficult for the user to contact the external sensor 31. Figure 7 or Figure 8 As shown, when the generating device 1 is used for attraction, that is, the generating device 1 is held with the right hand or the left hand, the opening 192 side (upper side) of the holding portion 190 is more difficult to be covered by the hand than the upper magnet 71, so the area where the external sensor 31 is configured is difficult to be touched by the hand.

[0122] In the cover 10 according to the present embodiment, since the external sensor 31 is disposed in a region that is difficult for a user to touch, dirt is difficult to adhere to the front surface 12 of the cover 10, and thus detection can be performed with high accuracy.

[0123] In addition, by setting the external sensor 31 in the first region R1, it is possible to make it difficult for the user to apply a load to the external sensor 31. Furthermore, the external sensor 31 may be set in the second region R2 below the lower magnet 72. This is because even in the second region R2, when the generating device 1 is attracted, even if the generating device 1 is held with the right hand or the left hand, it is a position corresponding to the little finger, and it is difficult for the user to apply a load.

[0124] Even if the external sensor 31 is a sensor other than an optical sensor (eg, a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor), by being disposed in the first region R1 or the second region R2 , it is less likely to be loaded by a user, and thus the external sensor 31 is less likely to fail.

[0125] ((Display of detection value of external sensor 31, etc.))

[0126] The control unit 60 includes an output unit 61 (see FIG. 1 ) that outputs information detected by the external sensor 31 of the sensor unit 30 to an external device via the communication unit 50. Figure 6 ). In addition, the control unit 60 includes a display control unit 62 for displaying information detected by the external sensor 31 of the sensor unit 30 on the display unit 80 (see Figure 6 ).

[0127] The output unit 61 outputs biological information detected by, for example, a biosensor as an example of the external sensor 31 to the control unit 160 of the main body 100 .

[0128] The display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display, for example, the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor as examples of the external sensor 31. Thus, the user can check the information of the surrounding air using the display unit 80.

[0129] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 40 .

[0130] Fig.10 , Fig.11 It is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on the display unit 80 .

[0131] The display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display a temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate 500 based on the temperature or humidity detected by the temperature sensor or the humidity sensor.

[0132] For example, Fig. 9 As shown, the storage unit 40 stores a predetermined temperature range (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "predetermined temperature range") as a temperature range suitable for storage of the substrate 500. Furthermore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the predetermined temperature range, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display the temperature detected by the temperature sensor together with the fact that the temperature is suitable for storage. Fig.10 As shown, a temperature suitable for storage is displayed on the display unit 80. The predetermined temperature range can be 10°C to 28°C, preferably 17°C to 21°C.

[0133] In addition, if Fig. 9 As shown, the storage unit 40 stores a predetermined humidity range (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "predetermined humidity range") as a humidity range suitable for storage of the substrate 500. Furthermore, when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is within the predetermined humidity range, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display the humidity suitable for storage together with the humidity detected by the humidity sensor. Fig.10As shown, the humidity suitable for storage is displayed on the display unit 80. The predetermined humidity range can be 66% to 74%, preferably 68% to 72%.

[0134] In addition, the storage unit 40 stores the prescribed temperature range as the temperature range suitable for storage of the substrate 500, and stores the prescribed humidity range as the humidity range suitable for storage. Furthermore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the prescribed temperature range and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is within the prescribed humidity range, the display control unit 62 may cause the display unit 80 to display the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor, as well as the temperature and humidity suitable for storage.

[0135] In addition, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display information detected by the biosensor of the sensor unit 30. For example, when the biosensor detects at least one of the user's body temperature, heart rate, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood flow, COHb, and alcohol concentration, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display at least one of the user's body temperature, heart rate, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood flow, COHb, and alcohol concentration detected by the biosensor. In addition, the display control unit 62 may cause a warning message to be displayed on the display unit 80 when the value detected by the biosensor is outside the prescribed allowable range described later.

[0136] exist Fig.11 The sensor unit 30 includes a biosensor for detecting the user's body temperature and heart rate, and the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display the body temperature and heart rate detected by the heart rate sensor, and displays the body temperature and heart rate on the display unit 80. Fig.11 In the example of the heart rate detected by the biosensor is 95 bpm (beats / minute), which is outside the prescribed allowable range (65 to 85 bpm) described later, an example of a warning sentence is displayed together with a warning icon on the display unit 80. By displaying in this way, the user can confirm information related to his or her own body through the display unit 80 of the mask 10.

[0137] In addition, the display control unit 62 may also display information detected by the sensor unit 120 of the main body 100, which is obtained from the main body 100, on the display unit 80 via the communication unit 50. For example, the display control unit 62 may display the temperature detected by the temperature sensor of the sensor unit 120 of the main body 100 on the display unit 80. In addition, when the sensor unit 120 of the main body 100 includes a biosensor, the biological information detected by the biosensor may also be displayed on the display unit 80.

[0138] The display control unit 62 may also display information obtained from a portable terminal such as a mobile phone on the display unit 80 via the communication unit 50. For example, the display control unit 62 may display an email or message received by the mobile phone on the display unit 80.

[0139] (Heating control)

[0140] The control unit 160 of the main body 100 allows the generation of aerosol when the cover 10 is installed. That is, when the cover 10 is installed on the main body 100, the control unit 160 allows the heating of the heating unit 170. In other words, the cover 10 is installed on the main body 100, thereby allowing the main body 100 to heat the heating unit 170. As described above, the control unit 160 can grasp that the cover 10 is installed on the main body 100 using the output value of the Hall sensor.

[0141] Furthermore, the control unit 160 of the main body 100 may control the heating of the heating unit 170 based on the output of the sensor unit 30 of the cover 10. In this way, the generating device 1 can be operated appropriately according to the state of the user.

[0142] Here, the quality of the suction experience (e.g., smoking experience) that the user can experience by using the generating device 1 may be affected by the user's own physical condition. Therefore, even if the aerosol source and the fragrance source are in accordance with the user's preferences, if the user's physical condition is poor, there is a case where the user cannot obtain a high-quality suction experience. In this way, regardless of whether the user cannot obtain a high-quality suction experience, generating aerosol in the generating device 1 will lead to a waste of aerosol sources and fragrance sources, and is therefore not preferred.

[0143] In view of the above, the generator 1 may not allow the heating of the heating unit 170 when the value detected by the biosensor included in the sensor unit 30 is outside the predetermined range even if the cover 10 is mounted on the main body 100. Hereinafter, the predetermined range of the detection value of the biosensor in which the heating of the heating unit 170 is allowed is sometimes referred to as a "prescribed allowable range".

[0144] For example, when the biosensor is a sensor capable of detecting the user's body temperature, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as 38°C or less. In addition, when the biosensor is a sensor capable of detecting the user's heart rate, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as 65 to 85 bpm (beats / minute). In addition, when the biosensor is a sensor capable of detecting the user's pulse rate, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as 65 to 100 bpm (beats / minute). In addition, when the biosensor is a sensor capable of detecting blood oxygen saturation, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as 96% or more. In addition, when the biosensor is a sensor capable of detecting blood flow, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as 20 to 60 ml / minute / 100 g. In addition, when the biosensor is a sensor capable of detecting COHb, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as less than 2%. In addition, when the biosensor is an alcohol sensor capable of detecting the alcohol concentration in the breath, the prescribed allowable range can be exemplified as less than 0.20 mg.

[0145] In the generating device 1, the storage unit 140 stores the predetermined permissible range for each biological information. Furthermore, the control unit 160 of the main body 100 may obtain the detection value of the biosensor from the cover 10, and may not allow the heating unit 170 to heat when the detection value is outside the predetermined permissible range.

[0146] Hereinafter, an example of the heating control process performed by the control unit 160 of the main body 100, that is, the heating control process when the detection value of the biosensor is within a predetermined allowable range and the heating of the heating unit 170 is permitted, will be described using a flowchart.

[0147] Fig.12 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the heating control process performed by the control unit 160. The control unit 160 repeatedly executes this process every predetermined fixed time (for example, 1 millisecond).

[0148] The control unit 160 can exemplify the determination of whether there is a heating instruction (S1201). For example, it can exemplify the case where a predetermined operation is performed on the display unit 80. The predetermined operation can be exemplified by the case where the icon displayed on the display unit 80 is continuously touched for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). In addition, when there is a heating instruction (Yes in S1201), the control unit 160 determines whether the cover 10 is installed (S1202). This process is a process for determining whether the magnetic sensor 122 detects magnetic force.

[0149] When the cover 10 is installed (Yes in S1202), the control unit 160 determines whether the value detected by the biosensor is within a prescribed allowable range (S1203). Then, if it is within the prescribed allowable range (Yes in S1203), the control unit 160 starts heating the heating unit 170 (S1204). In addition, the control unit 160 sends the fact that the heating of the heating unit 170 has started to the control unit 60 of the cover 10. Then, the control unit 160 stops heating after heating the heating unit 170 according to the control sequence stored in the storage unit 140 of the main body 100, which specifies the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit 170 when heating the heating unit 170. After stopping the heating of the heating unit 170, the control unit 160 sends the fact that the heating of the heating unit 170 has stopped to the control unit 60 of the cover 10.

[0150] On the other hand, when there is no heating instruction (No in S1201), when the cover 10 is not installed (No in S1202), and when the value detected by the biosensor is not within the prescribed allowable range (No in S1203), the control unit 160 does not start heating the heating unit 170 (S1205).

[0151] In this way, the control unit 160 of the main body 100 allows the heating unit 170 to heat when the detection value of the biosensor is within the prescribed allowable range, so that the user can get a high-quality suction experience without causing waste of aerosol sources.

[0152] However, the control unit 160 may allow the heating unit 170 to perform heating not based on the detection value of the biosensor. As an example of the heating control process not based on the detection value of the biosensor, the control unit 160 may not perform heating. Fig.12 In the determination of S1203 , when the cover 10 is mounted (Yes in S1202 ), the heating of the heating unit 170 may be started.

[0153] In addition, even if the cover 10 is not installed, the control unit 160 may allow the heating of the heating unit 170. As an example of the heating control process of allowing the heating of the heating unit 170 even if the cover 10 is not installed, the control unit 160 does not perform Fig.12 In the case where the detection value of the biosensor is within the predetermined allowable range (Yes in S1203 ), heating of the heating unit 170 may be started.

[0154] ((Display of control order))

[0155] Fig.13 1 is a diagram showing an example of a temporal change in the target temperature of the heating unit 170 displayed on the display unit 80 of the cover 10 .

[0156] like Fig.13 As shown, after the main body 100 starts heating the heating unit 170 (S1204), the display control unit 62 of the cover 10 causes the display unit 80 of the cover 10 to display the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit 170, and causes the current temperature detected by the temperature sensor of the sensor unit 120 to be displayed on the display unit 80 of the cover 10. Thus, the user can understand, for example, the time required until the aerosol reaches a temperature that allows inhalation, the time when inhalation is possible, and the time until the period when inhalation is complete.

[0157] Furthermore, when a plurality of control sequences are stored in the storage unit of the generating device 1 (the storage unit 140 of the main body 100 and the storage unit 40 of the cover 10 ), the control unit 160 of the main body 100 may select one control sequence from among the plurality of control sequences stored in these storage units for the user.

[0158] Fig.14 1 is a diagram showing an example of a control sequence selection screen displayed on the display unit 80 of the cover 10 .

[0159] For example, when using Fig.12 In the heating control process described in the flowchart of FIG. 1 , after the control unit 160 determines that the temperature is within the predetermined allowable range (Yes in S1203 ), before starting the heating of the heating unit 170 ( S1204 ), the control unit 160 makes the following Fig.14 The selection screen shown is displayed on the display unit 80 of the cover 10. This is a process of causing the display control unit 62 of the control unit 60 to display on the display unit 80 according to the instruction of the control unit 160. For example, Fig.14 As shown, the display control unit 62 displays the time changes of the target temperatures of the heating unit 170 of the first sequence Se1 and the second sequence Se2 stored in the storage unit 140 of the main body 100, and the third sequence Se3 stored in the storage unit 40 of the cover 10. Then, the control unit 160 determines the control sequence touched by the user from the control sequences (first sequence Sel, second sequence Se2, third sequence Se3) displayed on the display unit 80 as the control sequence selected by the user. Moreover, the control unit 160 can also control the heating of the heating unit 170 according to the time changes of the target temperature in the determined control sequence. In this way, when the user can select the control sequence via the display unit 80, the function of detecting the user touch of the display unit 80 can be captured as an operation unit for selecting a control sequence from a plurality of control sequences displayed on the display unit 80.

[0160] Furthermore, when a control sequence (e.g., the third sequence Se3) stored in the storage unit 40 of the cover 10 is selected, the control unit 60 of the cover 10 transmits information related to the control sequence to the control unit 160 of the main body 100 via the communication unit 50. Furthermore, the control unit 160 of the main body 100 may also heat the heating unit 170 using the information received from the cover 10.

[0161] (On / Off Control of Sensor of Sensor Unit 30)

[0162] Next, the timing when the sensor switch of the sensor unit 30 is turned on and the timing when it is turned off are described. Hereinafter, the turning on of the sensor switch may be referred to as sensor on (ON), and the turning off of the sensor switch may be referred to as sensor off (OFF).

[0163] The switch of the touch sensor 35 is always on, and when the user touches the cover 10, an on signal is output to the control unit 60. When the on signal is output from the touch sensor 35, in other words, when the user touches the cover 10, the switch of the external sensor 31 is turned on. Then, when the external sensor 31 is turned on, it detects at regular intervals (for example, 1 second).

[0164] However, the switch of the external sensor 31 may be turned off when the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 is heating. Thus, by turning off the external sensor 31 when the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 is heating, energy saving can be achieved.

[0165] Hereinafter, an example of the on / off control process of the sensor of the sensor unit 30 performed by the control unit 60 of the cover 10 will be described using a flowchart.

[0166] Fig.15 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the on / off control process performed by the control unit 60. For example, when the touch sensor 35 detects that the user touches the cover 10, the control unit 60 is activated and repeatedly executes the following process every fixed time (for example, one millisecond). Fig.15 Example processing.

[0167] The control unit 60 first sends a message to the control unit 160 of the main body 100 that the control unit 60 has been activated (S1501). Then, the control unit 60 turns on the switch of the external sensor 31 (S1502) and sends the detection value of the external sensor 31 to the control unit 160 of the main body 100 (S1503). After that, the control unit 60 determines whether the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 has started heating (S1504). This is a process in which the control unit 60 determines whether a notification that the heating unit 170 has started heating has been received from the control unit 160 of the main body 100.

[0168] When heating has started (Yes in S1504), the control unit 60 turns off the switch of the external sensor 31 (S1505). Then, the control unit 60 determines whether the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 has stopped heating (S1506). When heating has not stopped (No in S1506), the control unit 60 waits until heating stops.

[0169] When heating is stopped (Yes in S1506), the control unit 60 determines whether the touch sensor 35 detects that the user has touched the cover 10 (S1507). When the touch sensor 35 detects (Yes in S1507), the control unit 60 performs the processing of S1502 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, when the touch sensor 35 does not detect (No in S1507), the control unit 60 sends a message to the control unit 160 of the main body 100 that the control unit 60 has turned off the power (S1508), and the power is turned off (S1509).

[0170] On the other hand, when heating has not started (No in S1504 ), the control unit 60 performs the processes in and after S1507 .

[0171] (Notification when the sensor of the sensor unit 30 fails)

[0172] Next, a description will be given of a process to be performed when a sensor of the sensor unit 30 fails.

[0173] Fig.16 1 is a diagram showing an example of information that the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display.

[0174] When the external sensor 31 of the sensor unit 30 fails, the display control unit 62 of the control unit 60 causes the display unit 80 to display that the external sensor 31 has failed. For example, when the humidity sensor fails, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display that the humidity sensor has failed. Fig.16 As shown, the fact that the humidity sensor is faulty is displayed on the display unit 80. A disconnection or a short circuit can be exemplified as a fault of the external sensor 31. When the control unit 60 cannot obtain an output value from the external sensor 31, it can understand that the external sensor 31 is faulty.

[0175] The display control unit 62 may also control the display unit 80 to display information according to the type of the external sensor 31. For example, the display control unit 62 may control the display unit 80 to display information when the biosensor, temperature sensor, and humidity sensor are faulty, and may not control the display unit 80 to display information when the air pressure sensor, distance sensor, and color sensor are faulty.

[0176] The reason why the display unit 80 displays that the biosensor is faulty is that if the detection value of the biosensor is not within a predetermined allowable range, heating by the heating unit 170 is not permitted, and the user may not be able to inhale the aerosol when the biosensor is faulty.

[0177] Furthermore, when the temperature sensor or the humidity sensor fails, the display unit 80 displays the error because the predetermined temperature range or the predetermined humidity range cannot be notified to the user.

[0178] However, the type of the external sensor 31 that is displayed on the display unit 80 when a malfunction occurs and the type of the external sensor 31 that is not displayed on the display unit 80 even when a malfunction occurs are not particularly limited and can be set arbitrarily.

[0179] Fig.17 This is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between sensors and whether or not display on the display unit 80 is necessary.

[0180] The storage unit 40 stores, for each external sensor 31 included in the sensor unit 30, whether to display on the display unit 80 that the external sensor 31 is faulty. Fig.17 In the example shown, the storage unit 40 stores the following situations: when the biosensor, temperature sensor, and humidity sensor fail, the storage unit 40 needs to cause the display unit 80 to display; when the pressure sensor, distance sensor, and color sensor fail, the storage unit 40 does not need to cause the display unit 80 to display.

[0181] Moreover, the display control unit 62 may also cause the display unit 80 to display when any one of the multiple sensors fails and the storage unit 40 stores a message indicating that the display unit 80 needs to display the sensor, or not cause the display unit 80 to display the sensor when the storage unit 40 stores a message indicating that the display unit 80 does not need to display the sensor.

[0182] like Fig.17 As shown, for example, when the biosensor fails, if it is stored that the display unit 80 needs to display that the biosensor fails, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display that the biosensor fails. Fig.17 As shown, for example, when it is stored that it is not necessary to display on the display unit 80 that the air pressure sensor is faulty, the display control unit 62 does not display on the display unit 80 that the air pressure sensor is faulty.

[0183] As described above, the cover 10 is a cover 10 mounted on the main body 100 having the heating unit 170 for heating the substrate 500 including the aerosol source. Furthermore, the cover 10 includes: an external sensor 31 as an example of a sensor for detecting internal information related to the state of the main body 100 (for example, the temperature of the heating unit 170) and external information other than the internal information related to the state of the cover 10; and a display unit 80 for displaying information. Furthermore, the cover 10 includes a display control unit 62, which causes the display unit 80 to display at least one of the external information detected by the external sensor 31 and the information acquired from an external device other than the cover 10 (for example, the main body 100 or a mobile terminal). According to the cover 10 configured in this way, the user can confirm biological information such as body temperature, heart rate, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation, blood flow, COHb, alcohol concentration, and external environmental information such as temperature and humidity through the display unit 80, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

[0184] The cover 10 also has an upper magnet 71 and a lower magnet 72 as an example of a plurality of connection parts connected to the main body 100, and the display unit 80 is provided between the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72. In addition, the external sensor 31 may be provided at either end of the central line direction of the columnar holding portion 190 formed on the main body 100 in a manner to accommodate a part of the substrate 500. Thus, the display unit 80 can be easily observed, and since it is difficult for the user to apply a load to the external sensor 31, it is difficult for the external sensor 31 to fail. In addition, when the external sensor 31 is a light sensor, interference between the light sensor and other light sources (such as LEDs and liquid crystals) used in the display unit 80 can be suppressed.

[0185] Furthermore, in the centerline direction, the external sensor 31 may be disposed on the side of the opening 192 of the holding portion 190 that is closer to the upper magnet 71. The side of the opening 192 (upper side) than the upper magnet 71 is an area that is difficult for the user to touch even when the generating device 1 is held with the right hand or the left hand during attraction, so that dirt is difficult to adhere to the front surface 12 of the cover 10, and thus detection can be performed with high accuracy.

[0186] In addition, the cover 10 includes a storage unit 40 storing a control sequence that specifies a time change in the target temperature of the heating unit 170 when the heating unit 170 is heated, and the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display the time change in the target temperature of the heating unit 170 in the control sequence stored in the storage unit 40 (an example of information associated with the control sequence). Thus, the user can understand the control sequence stored in the storage unit 40 of the cover 10. In addition, by using the generation device 1, it becomes easy for the user to imagine the attraction experience that can be experienced.

[0187] Furthermore, the storage unit 40 may store a plurality of control sequences, and the mask 10 may select one control sequence from the plurality of control sequences displayed on the display unit 80. Thus, the user can easily select an attraction experience that can be experienced by using the generation device 1 according to, for example, the user's physical condition or mood at the time.

[0188] In addition, the external sensor 31 may detect temperature or humidity, and the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display a temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate 500 based on at least one of the temperature or humidity detected by the external sensor 31 and the temperature or humidity acquired from the external device. According to the cover 10 configured in this way, the user can confirm a place suitable for storage of the substrate 500 through the cover 10, for example, so that the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, the substrate 500 can be stored in an appropriate place.

[0189] Furthermore, the external sensor 31 may detect the heart rate or the pulse rate, and the display control unit 62 may cause the display unit 80 to display a warning that attention should be paid when the heart rate or the pulse rate detected by the external sensor 31 is outside a predetermined range.

[0190] Furthermore, when the external sensor 31 fails, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display that the external sensor 31 fails. This allows the user to be notified that the external sensor 31 fails.

[0191] The cover 10 has a plurality of sensors (such as a temperature sensor, a biosensor, etc.), and also has a storage unit 40 for each sensor, and the storage unit 40 stores whether notification is required when the sensor fails. Furthermore, when any one of the plurality of sensors fails, the display control unit 62 causes the display unit 80 to display if the storage unit 40 stores that notification is required when the sensor fails, and does not cause the display unit 80 to display if the storage unit 40 stores that notification is not required when the sensor fails. Thus, it is possible to notify or not notify the failure according to the type of sensor, so that only the information that is really needed can be notified to the user, thereby improving convenience. In addition, compared with a structure in which the failures of all sensors are output to an external device, energy saving can be achieved.

[0192] Furthermore, since the cover 10 configured as described above has the battery 21, even if the cover 10 is not attached to the main body 100, the external sensor 31 can detect temperature, humidity, biological information, etc., and display them on the display unit 80. Therefore, when the user searches for a suitable place to store the substrate 500, there is no need to hold the main body 100.

[0193] Furthermore, by providing the battery 21 in the cover 10 , even if the power supply from the main body 100 to the cover 10 becomes unstable for some reason, stable power can be supplied from the battery 21 to the components of the cover 10 , thereby stabilizing the operations thereof.

[0194] In addition, through non-contact power transmission such as short-range wireless communication, the amount of electricity per unit time that can be supplied from the power supply part 112 of the main body 100 to the cover 10 is small. Therefore, only through non-contact power transmission, the components that can be installed on the cover 10 (such as the external sensor 31) are limited. However, by providing a battery 21, the freedom of the components that can be installed on the cover 10 can be increased.

[0195] However, the battery 21 may not be provided on the cover 10 , and when the cover 10 is attached to the body 100 or exists near the body 100 , the cover 10 may operate only with power supplied from the body 100 by non-contact power transmission.

[0196] In addition, in the cover 10 configured as described above, the types of sensors included in the external sensor 31 may be different for each type of cover 10. For example, one cover 10 may only have a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an air pressure sensor, and the other cover 10 may only have a biosensor. Thus, the user can change the function provided by the generator 1 by replacing the cover 10. In addition, by being able to replace the cover 10, the appearance of the generator 1 can be changed by replacing the cover 10. Therefore, the user can customize the appearance and function of the generator 1 according to, for example, his or her own preferences. As a result, the commercial quality of the generator 1 can be improved.

[0197] In addition, since the cover 10 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body 100, for example, when the main body 100 fails, only the main body 100 can be replaced and the cover 10 can be used as it is. Furthermore, the cover 10 has the storage unit 40, so when only the main body 100 is replaced, the information stored in the storage unit 140 of the main body 100 can be transferred to the storage unit 40 of the cover 10. As the information stored in the storage unit 140 of the main body 100, for example, Fig.12 The described heating control process specifies a control sequence for changing the target temperature of the heating unit 170 over time when heating the heating unit 170. As a method for transferring information, non-contact power transmission such as short-range wireless communication may be used, or a USB terminal may be provided in the cover 10 and a cable may be connected between the USB terminal and the USB terminal 113 of the main body 100 for transmission.

[0198] In addition, in the cover 10, whether or not there is a heating instruction of the heating unit 170 is determined by contacting the display unit 80 provided in the center, but the method is not particularly limited to this method. For example, a protrusion protruding from the back surface 13 toward the main body 100 side may be provided at a position between the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72 corresponding to the operation button 121 of the main body 100, and the cover 10 may be elastically deformed so that the operation button 121 can be pressed by the protrusion, and when the operation button 121 is operated in a predetermined manner (for example, a method of continuously pressing for 3 seconds), whether or not there is a heating instruction is determined.

[0199] <Conclusion>

[0200] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0201] (1) A cover mounted on a main body having a heating portion for heating a substrate including an aerosol source, comprising: a sensor for detecting internal information related to a state of the main body and external information other than the internal information related to a state of the cover; a display portion for displaying information; and a display control portion for causing the display portion to display at least any one of the external information detected by the sensor and information acquired from an external device other than the cover.

[0202] (2) The cover as described in (1), further comprising a plurality of connection portions connected to the main body, the display portion being disposed between the plurality of connection portions, and the sensor being disposed at either end portion in a center line direction of a columnar retaining portion formed on the main body in a manner to accommodate a portion of the substrate.

[0203] (3) In the cover described in (2), the sensor is provided on the opening side of the holding portion relative to the plurality of connection portions in the center line direction.

[0204] (4) The cover as described in any one of (1) to (3) further includes a storage unit that stores a control sequence that specifies the time change of the target temperature of the heating unit when the heating unit is heated, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display information associated with the control sequence stored in the storage unit.

[0205] (5) In the cover described in (4), the storage unit stores a plurality of the control sequences, and one control sequence can be selected from the plurality of control sequences displayed on the display unit.

[0206] (6) In the cover described in any one of (1) to (5), the sensor detects temperature or humidity, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display a temperature or humidity suitable for storing the substrate based on the temperature or humidity detected by the sensor and at least one of the temperature and humidity obtained from the external device.

[0207] (7) The mask described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the sensor detects a heart rate or a pulse rate, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display a warning that requires attention when the heart rate or pulse rate detected by the sensor is outside a predetermined range.

[0208] (8) An aerosol generating device comprising:

[0209] a main body having a heating portion for heating a substrate including an aerosol source; and

[0210] A cover as described in any one of (1) to (7) mounted on the main body.

[0211] Description of Reference Numerals

[0212] 1…aerosol generating device; 10…cover; 30…sensor unit; 31…external sensor (an example of a sensor); 35…touch sensor; 40…storage unit; 50…communication unit; 60…control unit; 62…display control unit; 71…upper magnet (an example of a connecting unit); 72…lower magnet (an example of a connecting unit); 80…display unit; 100…main body (an example of an external device); 170…heating unit; 190…holding unit; 192…opening; 500…substrate.

Claims

1. A cover mounted on a body having a heating portion for heating a substrate including an aerosol source, comprising: a sensor that detects internal information associated with the state of the body and external information other than the internal information associated with the state of the cover; A display unit for displaying information; and The display control unit causes the display unit to display at least any one of the external information detected by the sensor and the information acquired from an external device other than the cover.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein It also has a plurality of connection parts connected to the body, The display unit is disposed between the plurality of connection units. The sensor is provided at one of both ends in the center line direction of a columnar holding portion formed on the main body so as to accommodate a part of the substrate.

3. The cover according to claim 2, wherein: The sensor is provided on the opening side of the holding portion relative to the plurality of connection portions in the center line direction.

4. The cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The device further comprises a storage unit storing a control sequence that specifies a time change of a target temperature of the heating unit when the heating unit is heated. The display control unit causes the display unit to display information associated with the control sequence stored in the storage unit.

5. The cover according to claim 4, wherein: The storage unit stores a plurality of the control sequences. One control sequence can be selected from the plurality of control sequences displayed on the display unit.

6. The cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The sensor detects temperature or humidity, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate based on at least one of the temperature or humidity detected by the sensor and the temperature and humidity acquired from the external device.

7. The cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The sensor detects the heart rate or pulse rate, The display control unit causes the display unit to display a warning that requires attention when the heart rate or pulse rate detected by the sensor is outside a predetermined range.

8. An aerosol generating device comprising: a main body having a heating portion for heating a substrate including an aerosol source; and A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 7, mounted on the main body.

Images