Cover and aerosol generating device

Abstract

The cover is attached to a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate including an aerosol source, and is provided with: a sensor 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 communication unit that performs communication; and an output unit that outputs the external information detected by the sensor to an external device other than the cover via the communication unit.

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 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 communication part for communicating; and an output part for outputting the external information detected by the sensor to an external device other than the cover via the communication part.

[0012] Here, the sensor may be provided at either end portion of a columnar holding portion of the main body formed in a center line direction so as to accommodate a part of the substrate.

[0013] Furthermore, it is also possible that the sensor is arranged on the opening side of a columnar retaining portion that is formed on the main body in a manner that accommodates a portion of the substrate, and further includes a plurality of connecting portions connected to the main body.

[0014] Furthermore, the sensor may detect temperature or humidity, and the output unit may output to the external device that the temperature or humidity is suitable for storage of the substrate based on the temperature or humidity detected by the sensor.

[0015] Furthermore, when the sensor fails, the output unit may output the fact that the sensor fails to the external device.

[0016] Furthermore, it is also possible that there are multiple sensors, and each sensor also has a storage unit, the storage unit stores whether notification is required when the sensor fails, and when any one of the multiple sensors fails, the output unit outputs to the external device if the storage unit stores that notification is required when the sensor fails, and does not output to the external device if the storage unit stores that notification is not required when the sensor fails.

[0017] Furthermore, it may be that the communication unit is capable of communicating in a plurality of wireless communications having different communication distances, and one of a plurality of antennas respectively used for the plurality of wireless communications is disposed at any one of the two end portions in the center line direction of a columnar holding portion, the columnar holding portion being formed on the main body in a manner of accommodating a portion of a substrate for holding an aerosol source, and another antenna is disposed at the other end portion.

[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 output by the output unit to the mobile terminal.

[0031] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of information output by the output unit to the mobile terminal.

[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 flowchart showing an example of the on / off control process performed by the control unit.

[0034] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing an example of information output by the output unit to the mobile terminal.

[0035] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between sensors and whether or not output to a mobile terminal is necessary. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 This is an example of a diagram showing the aerosol generating device 1 as viewed from the front and obliquely above.

[0037] Figure 2 This is an example of a diagram showing the aerosol generating device 1 as viewed obliquely from the front and below.

[0038] Figure 3 This is an example of a diagram of the main body 100 with the cover 10 removed, as viewed from the front.

[0039] Figure 4 This is an example of a diagram of the cover 10 as viewed from the rear side.

[0040] Figure 5 This is an example of a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the main body 100 .

[0041] Figure 6 This is an example of a diagram schematically showing the structure of the cover 10.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] (Ontology 100)

[0045] 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.

[0046] Hereinafter, each component will be described in sequence.

[0047] ((Power supply unit 110))

[0048] The power supply unit 110 includes a battery 111 that stores electric power and a power supply unit 112 that supplies electric power.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] ((Sensor unit 120))

[0053] 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, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor such as a microphone capacitor. 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. 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.

[0054] 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 .

[0055] (Notification unit 130)

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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 .

[0058] ((Storage unit 140))

[0059] 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 various components of the control unit 160. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 140 is information related to the attraction performed by the user, such as the number of attraction times, attraction time, and accumulated attraction time.

[0060] ((Department of Communications 150))

[0061] 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 the portable terminal 600 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.

[0062] ((Control unit 160))

[0063] 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.

[0064] ((Heating unit 170))

[0065] 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.

[0066] ((Thermal insulation part 180))

[0067] 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.

[0068] ((Holding unit 190))

[0069] 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.

[0070] ((Shutter 194))

[0071] 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.

[0072] ((Substrate 500))

[0073] The base material 500 is a rod-shaped member and includes a base material portion 501 and a mouthpiece portion 502 .

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] (Example of the external structure of the main body 100)

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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 to a display window 74 of the cover 10 described later. 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 to the display window 74 of the cover 10. Thus, the user can visually confirm the light from the outer surface of the cover 10.

[0080] 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.

[0081] (Hood 10)

[0082] Hereinafter, the cover 10 will be described in detail.

[0083] 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 , and a control unit 60 .

[0084] ((Hood body 11))

[0085] The cover body 11 is formed into a plate shape by a light-transmitting member, 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. Thus, 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, and the control unit 60 are installed on the cover body 11.

[0086] ((Power supply unit 20))

[0087] 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 .

[0088] 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 .

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] ((Sensor unit 30))

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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).

[0094] 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.

[0095] In addition, the sensor unit 30 has a touch sensor 35 for detecting that a user touches the cover 10. Since the user can start sucking by touching the touch sensor 35, Figure 1 The example in which the touch sensor 35 is arranged in the center of the center line direction of the generating device 1 is shown in FIG. However, the position of the touch sensor 35 is not limited to the example in FIG. Figure 1 etc. as shown.

[0096] Hereinafter, 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 alcohol concentration, and external environmental information such as temperature and humidity.

[0097] ((Storage unit 40))

[0098] 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 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 and a specified humidity range described later.

[0099] ((Communication Department 50))

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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 600 such as a multifunctional portable phone owned by a user (so-called "smartphone". Hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "portable phone") and a server (not shown) can be exemplified. As the portable terminal 600, in addition to the above, 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 the 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] ((Control unit 60))

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] ((magnet))

[0108] like Figure 4As 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] like Figure 1 or Figure 4 As shown, the touch sensor 35 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. However, the position of the touch sensor 35 is not limited. In addition, the touch sensor 35 may also be disposed in multiple locations.

[0113] On the cover body 11, a display window 74 is formed between the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72 and on the upper side of the touch sensor 35. The display window 74 is provided at a position corresponding to the display window 108 provided on the main body 100. In addition, the cover body 11 is made of a material that transmits light. Thus, the cover 10 allows the light emitted from the light-emitting element provided on the main body 100 to pass through the front surface 12 of the cover body 11.

[0114] 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.

[0115] ((Configuration of external sensor 31))

[0116] 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 .

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] For example, in Figure 4 FIG. 4 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] ((Output of external sensor 31))

[0124] 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 ).

[0125] The output unit 61 outputs, for example, the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor as examples of the external sensor 31 to the mobile terminal 600. Thus, the user can check the information of the surrounding air using the mobile terminal 600.

[0126] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 40 .

[0127] Fig.10 , Fig.11 1 is a diagram showing an example of information output by the output unit 61 to the mobile terminal 600 .

[0128] The output unit 61 outputs the temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate 500 to the mobile terminal 600 based on the temperature or humidity detected by the temperature sensor or the humidity sensor.

[0129] For example, Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , 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 output unit 61 outputs the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to the mobile terminal 600, indicating that the temperature is at a temperature suitable for storage. Fig.10 As shown, the temperature suitable for storage is displayed on the display unit 601 of the mobile terminal 600. The predetermined temperature range can be 10°C to 28°C, preferably 17°C to 21°C.

[0130] In addition, if Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , 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 output unit 61 outputs the humidity suitable for storage to the mobile terminal 600 together with the humidity detected by the humidity sensor. Fig.10 As shown, the humidity suitable for storage is displayed on the display unit 601 of the mobile terminal 600. The predetermined humidity range can be 66% to 74%, preferably 68% to 72%.

[0131] In addition, the storage unit 40 stores the specified temperature range as the temperature range suitable for storage of the substrate 500, and stores the specified humidity range as the humidity range suitable for storage. Furthermore, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within the specified temperature range and the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is within the specified humidity range, the output unit 61 may output 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, to the mobile terminal 600.

[0132] In addition, the output unit 61 outputs the information detected by the biosensor of the sensor unit 30 to the mobile terminal 600. 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 output unit 61 outputs 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 to the mobile terminal 600. Fig.11 6 shows that the sensor unit 30 has a biosensor for detecting the body temperature and heart rate of the user, the output unit 61 outputs the body temperature and heart rate detected by the biosensor to the mobile terminal 600, and displays the body temperature and heart rate on the display unit 601 of the mobile terminal 600. Through such a display, the user can confirm information related to his own body through the mobile terminal 600.

[0133] (Heating control)

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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".

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] Fig.122 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).

[0142] The control unit 160 can exemplify the process of determining whether there is a heating instruction (S1201). The heating instruction is, for example, a case where the touch sensor 35 is continuously touched for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds). Furthermore, 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 of determining whether the magnetic sensor 122 detects magnetic force.

[0143] 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 change of the target temperature of the heating unit 170 with time when the heating unit 170 is heated. 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.

[0144] 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).

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] (On / Off Control of Sensor of Sensor Unit 30)

[0149] 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).

[0150] 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).

[0151] However, the switch of the touch sensor 35 may be turned off when the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 is heating. Furthermore, the touch sensor 35 may be turned off when the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 is heating, and no on signal is output from the touch sensor 35, so that the external sensor 31 is turned off. In this way, the touch sensor 35 and the external sensor 31 are turned off when the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 is heating, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0152] 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.

[0153] Fig.13 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.13 Example processing.

[0154] 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 (S1301). Then, the control unit 60 turns on the switch of the external sensor 31 (S1302) and sends the detection value of the external sensor 31 to the control unit 160 of the main body 100 (S1303). After that, the control unit 60 determines whether the heating unit 170 of the main body 100 has started heating (S1304). 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.

[0155] When heating has started (Yes in S1304), the control unit 60 turns off the switch of the touch sensor 35 (S1305). When the touch sensor 35 is off, no on signal is output from the touch sensor 35, so the control unit 60 turns off the external sensor 31 (S1306). Thereafter, the control unit 60 determines whether the heating unit 170 of the body 100 has stopped heating (S1307). When heating has not stopped (No in S1307), the control unit 60 waits until heating stops.

[0156] When heating is stopped (Yes in S1307), the control unit 60 turns on the switch of the touch sensor 35 (S1308). Thereafter, the control unit 60 determines whether the touch sensor 35 detects that the user has touched the cover 10 (S1309). When the touch sensor 35 detects (Yes in S1309), the control unit 60 performs the processing in and after S1302. On the other hand, when the touch sensor 35 does not detect (No in S1309), 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 supply (S1310), and turns off the power supply (S1311).

[0157] On the other hand, when heating has not started (No in S1304 ), the control unit 60 performs the processes in and after S1309 .

[0158] (Notification when the sensor of the sensor unit 30 fails)

[0159] Next, a description will be given of a process to be performed when a sensor of the sensor unit 30 fails.

[0160] Fig.14 1 is a diagram showing an example of information output by the output unit 61 to the mobile terminal 600 .

[0161] When the external sensor 31 of the sensor unit 30 fails, the output unit 61 of the control unit 60 outputs the failure of the external sensor 31 to the mobile terminal 600. For example, when the humidity sensor fails, the output unit 61 outputs the failure of the humidity sensor to the mobile terminal 600. Fig.14 As shown, the display unit 601 of the mobile terminal 600 displays that the humidity sensor is faulty. 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 be understood that the external sensor 31 is faulty.

[0162] The output unit 61 may also output to the mobile terminal 600 according to the type of the external sensor 31. For example, the output unit 61 may output to the mobile terminal 600 when the biosensor, temperature sensor, and humidity sensor fail, and may not output to the mobile terminal 600 when the air pressure sensor, distance sensor, and color sensor fail.

[0163] The reason why the biosensor malfunction is output to the mobile terminal 600 is that if the detection value of the biosensor is not within the predetermined allowable range, heating by the heating unit 170 is not allowed, and the user may not be able to inhale the aerosol when the biosensor malfunctions.

[0164] Furthermore, when the temperature sensor or the humidity sensor fails, the reason why the output is sent to the mobile terminal 600 is that the user cannot be informed of the predetermined temperature range or the predetermined humidity range.

[0165] However, the type of the external sensor 31 that outputs to the mobile terminal 600 when it fails and the type of the external sensor 31 that does not output to the mobile terminal 600 even when it fails are not particularly limited and can be set arbitrarily.

[0166] Fig.15 1 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between sensors and whether or not output to the mobile terminal 600 is necessary.

[0167] The storage unit 40 stores, for each external sensor 31 included in the sensor unit 30, whether or not the external sensor 31 is faulty, output to the mobile terminal 600. Fig.15 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 output to the portable terminal 600, and when the pressure sensor, distance sensor and color sensor fail, the storage unit 40 does not need to output to the portable terminal 600.

[0168] Moreover, when any one of the multiple sensors fails, the output unit 61 may output to the portable terminal 600 if the storage unit 40 stores a message indicating that the sensor fails and notification is required, and may not output to the portable terminal 600 if the storage unit 40 stores a message indicating that the sensor fails and notification is not required.

[0169] like Fig.15 As shown, for example, when the biosensor fails, if it is stored that the biosensor fails, the output unit 61 outputs the biosensor failure to the mobile terminal 600. Fig.15 As shown, for example, when it is stored that there is no need to notify that the air pressure sensor has failed, the output unit 61 does not output the fact that the air pressure sensor has failed to the mobile terminal 600 .

[0170] 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. In addition, 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; a communication unit 50 for performing communication; and an output unit 61 for outputting the external information detected by the external sensor 31 to an external device (for example, a portable terminal 600) other than the cover 10 via the communication unit 50. 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 portable terminal 600, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

[0171] Furthermore, the external sensor 31 may be provided at either end of the central line direction of the columnar holding portion 190 of the main body 100 formed so as to accommodate a part of the base 500. Thus, the user is unlikely to apply a load, so that the external sensor 31 is unlikely to occur.

[0172] In addition, the cover 10 further includes 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 external sensor 31 may be provided on the side of the opening 192 of the holding part 190 that is closer to the upper magnet 71 and the lower magnet 72 in the center line direction of the columnar holding part 190 formed on the main body 100 so as to accommodate a part of the base material 500. The side closer to the opening 192 than the upper magnet 71 (upper side) 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 suction, 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.

[0173] In addition, the external sensor 31 detects temperature or humidity, and the output unit 61 outputs the temperature or humidity suitable for the storage of the substrate 500 to an external device (for example, the mobile terminal 600) based on the temperature or humidity detected by the external sensor 31. According to the cover 10 configured in this way, the user can confirm the location suitable for the storage of the substrate 500 through the mobile terminal 600, for example, so that the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, the substrate 500 can be stored in an appropriate location.

[0174] Furthermore, when the external sensor 31 fails, the output unit 61 outputs the failure of the external sensor 31 to an external device (eg, the mobile terminal 600 ). This allows the user to be informed of the failure of the external sensor 31 .

[0175] 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. Moreover, when any one of the plurality of sensors fails, the output unit 61 outputs to an external device (such as a portable terminal 600) if the storage unit 40 stores that notification is required when the sensor fails, and does not output to the external device 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.

[0176] (Antenna Configuration)

[0177] Next, the arrangement of the antenna of the communication unit 50 of the cover 10 will be described.

[0178] The cover 10 is installed at a position where the first antenna 51 of Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and the second antenna 52 of Bluetooth (registered trademark) used for communication with an external device are separated. This is because the frequency bands used by Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) overlap, so when Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used simultaneously, the mutual radio waves interfere with each other, thereby suppressing a decrease in communication speed or disconnection.

[0179] For example, one of the two antennas is disposed at one of the two ends in the center line direction, and the other antenna is disposed at the other end of the two ends in the center line direction. Figure 4As shown, the first Wi-Fi (registered trademark) antenna 51 is provided in the first region R1 above the upper magnet 71 , and the second Bluetooth (registered trademark) antenna 52 is provided in the second region R2 below the lower magnet 72 .

[0180] In this way, the communication unit 50 of the cover 10 can communicate through multiple wireless communications (Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark)) with different communicable distances. In addition, the first antenna 51 (an example of an antenna) among the multiple antennas used for the multiple wireless communications is provided at either end of the two ends in the center line direction of the columnar holding portion 190, and the columnar holding portion 190 is formed on the main body 100 in a manner to accommodate a part of the substrate 500 that holds the aerosol source, and the second antenna 52 (an example of another antenna) is provided at the other end. In this way, multiple wireless communications can be used simultaneously to suppress mutual radio wave interference, communication speed reduction, or disconnection.

[0181] As described above, the cover 10 configured as described above has the battery 21, so even if the cover 10 is not mounted on the main body 100, the external sensor 31 can detect temperature, humidity, biological information, etc., and output it to the portable terminal 600. Therefore, when the user searches for a suitable place for storing the substrate 500, there is no need to hold the main body 100.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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 heating control process described above 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 provided on the cover 10 and a cable may be connected between the USB terminal and the USB terminal 113 of the main body 100 to transmit the information.

[0187] In addition, in the cover 10, whether there is a heating instruction of the heating unit 170 is determined by contacting the touch sensor 35 provided in the central portion, 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), it is determined whether there is a heating instruction. In this structure, the touch sensor 35 may be provided on the cover 10 to detect that the user touches the cover 10, and when the user touches the cover 10, the switch of the external sensor 31 is turned on.

[0188] <Conclusion>

[0189] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0190] (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 the state of the cover; a communication portion for performing communication; and an output portion for outputting the external information detected by the sensor to an external device other than the cover via the communication portion.

[0191] (2) The cover as described in (1), wherein 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 base.

[0192] (3) The cover as described in (1), further comprising a plurality of connection portions connected to the main body, wherein the sensor is disposed on an opening side of a columnar holding portion formed on the main body so as to accommodate a portion of the substrate, in a center line direction of the columnar holding portion.

[0193] (4) The cover according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the sensor detects temperature or humidity, and the output unit outputs to the external device a temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate based on the temperature or humidity detected by the sensor.

[0194] (5) In the cover described in any one of (1) to (4), when the sensor fails, the output unit outputs the fact that the sensor fails to the external device.

[0195] (6) The cover as described in (5) has a plurality of the sensors, and each of the sensors also has a storage unit, the storage unit storing whether notification is required when the sensor fails, and when any one of the plurality of sensors fails, the output unit outputs to the external device if the storage unit stores that notification is required when the sensor fails, and does not output to the external device if the storage unit stores that notification is not required when the sensor fails.

[0196] (7) A cover as described in any one of (1) to (6), wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating in a plurality of wireless communications having different communication distances, and one of a plurality of antennas used in the plurality of wireless communications is disposed at any one of the two end portions in the center line direction of a columnar retaining unit, the columnar retaining unit being formed on the main body in a manner so as to accommodate a portion of a substrate for retaining an aerosol source, and another antenna is disposed at the other end portion.

[0197] (8) An aerosol generating device comprising: a main body having a heating unit for heating a substrate including an aerosol source; and the cover according to any one of (1) to (7) attached to the main body.

[0198] Description of Reference Numerals

[0199] 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; 51…first antenna (an example of one antenna); 52…second antenna (an example of another antenna); 60…control unit; 61…output unit; 71…upper magnet (an example of a connecting unit); 72…lower magnet (an example of a connecting unit); 100…main body (an example of an external device); 170…heating unit; 190…holding unit; 192…opening; 500…substrate; 600…portable terminal (an example of an external device).

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; The Communications Department, for communications; and The output unit outputs the external information detected by the sensor to an external device other than the cover via the communication unit.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein 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 1, wherein: It also has a plurality of connection parts connected to the body, The sensor is provided on an opening side of a columnar holding portion formed on the main body so as to accommodate a part of the substrate, with respect to a center line direction of the holding portion, rather than the plurality of connecting portions.

4. The cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The sensor detects temperature or humidity, The output unit outputs the temperature or humidity suitable for storage of the substrate to the external device based on the temperature or humidity detected by the sensor.

5. The cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein When the sensor fails, the output unit outputs the fact that the sensor fails to the external device.

6. The cover according to claim 5, wherein: having a plurality of said sensors, A storage unit is further provided for each of the sensors, the storage unit storing whether notification is required when the sensor fails. When any one of the multiple sensors fails, the output unit outputs to the external device if the storage unit stores that notification is required when the sensor fails, and does not output to the external device if the storage unit stores that notification is not required when the sensor fails.

7. The cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The communication unit is capable of communicating in a plurality of wireless communications having different communication distances. One of the multiple antennas used for the multiple wireless communications is arranged at any one of the two end portions in the center line direction of the columnar holding portion, and the columnar holding portion is formed on the main body in a manner to accommodate a portion of the substrate that holds the aerosol source, and the other antenna is arranged at the other end portion.

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.

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