Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

The server (300) performs a process to: acquire smoking characteristic information indicating smoking characteristics of respective users of a plurality of inhalation devices (100) each configured to be capable of generating an aerosol; calculating, on the basis of the smoking characteristic information, a degree of similarity relating to smoking characteristics between a user of one of the plurality of inhalation devices (100) and a user of another inhalation device (100); and grouping the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device together based on the similarity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program. Background Technology

[0002] For example, inhalers that generate aerosols with added flavor components and allow users to inhale the generated aerosols are conventionally known. Furthermore, inhalers that communicate with external devices have emerged in recent years. For example, in the technology disclosed in PTL 1 below, information indicating whether smoking is in progress or indicating the status before / after smoking begins is transmitted from the electronic cigarette to the user terminal.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] PTL 1: WO 2015 / 161402 A1 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] For example, to facilitate communication among users of inhalation devices and to implement effective promotional activities that take into account users' smoking characteristics, it is necessary to group users with similar smoking characteristics together (in other words, match them). However, a problem with conventional techniques is that it is difficult to group users with similar smoking characteristics together.

[0008] This disclosure provides an information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program that enable users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure is an information processing apparatus, which includes a control unit for performing processing to perform the following operations:

[0011] Acquire smoking characteristic information, which indicates the smoking characteristics of the respective users of multiple inhalation devices, each configured to generate aerosols.

[0012] Based on this smoking characteristic information, calculate the smoking characteristic-related similarity between a user of one inhalation device and a user of another inhalation device from among the multiple inhalation devices, and

[0013] Based on this similarity, users of one inhalation device and users of the other inhalation device are grouped together.

[0014] In addition, another aspect of this disclosure is

[0015] An information processing method in which a computer performs processing to perform the following operations:

[0016] Acquire smoking characteristic information, which indicates the smoking characteristics of the respective users of multiple inhalation devices, each configured to generate aerosols.

[0017] Based on this smoking characteristic information, calculate the smoking characteristic-related similarity between a user of one inhalation device and a user of another inhalation device from among the multiple inhalation devices, and

[0018] Based on this similarity, users of one inhalation device and users of the other inhalation device are grouped together.

[0019] In addition, another aspect of this disclosure is

[0020] An information processing program that causes a computer to perform processing to perform the following operations:

[0021] Acquire smoking characteristic information, which indicates the smoking characteristics of the respective users of multiple inhalation devices, each configured to generate aerosols.

[0022] Based on this smoking characteristic information, calculate the smoking characteristic-related similarity between a user of one inhalation device and a user of another inhalation device from among the multiple inhalation devices, and

[0023] Based on this similarity, users of one inhalation device and users of the other inhalation device are grouped together.

[0024] Advantages of the present invention

[0025] This disclosure may provide an information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program that enable users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 Matching system 10 is shown.

[0027] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of an inhalation device 100A, which is an example of a first configuration of the inhalation device 100.

[0028] Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of an inhalation device 100B, which is an example of a second configuration of the inhalation device 100.

[0029] Figure 3 The log information table 30 in memory unit 114 is shown.

[0030] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of the terminal device 200.

[0031] Figure 5 Smoking characteristics information 50 is displayed.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of server 300.

[0033] Figure 7 The user information table 70 in the memory unit 310 of the server 300 is shown.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the matching system 10.

[0035] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of grouping processing.

[0036] Figure 10 An example of similarity is shown.

[0037] Figure 11 An example of the use of matching system 10 is shown.

[0038] Figure 12 Another example of smoking characteristic information is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be viewed in accordance with the orientation of the reference numerals. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Furthermore, two or more of the multiple features described in the embodiments can be combined in any manner. Additionally, in the following text, the same or similar elements may be assigned the same or similar reference numerals, and their description may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0040] 1. Matching System

[0041] First, an example of a matching system will be described, which includes a server that constitutes an example of an information processing apparatus for this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 1 Matching system 10 is shown. (For example...) Figure 1 As shown, the matching system 10 includes: a plurality of inhalation devices 100, each used by a different user; terminal devices 200, each corresponding to one of the plurality of inhalation devices 100; and a server 300, which constitutes an example of an information processing apparatus for the present disclosure.

[0043] The corresponding inhalation device 100 and terminal device 200 in the matching system 10 are configured to communicate with each other. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Near Field Communication (NFC), Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), etc., can be used for communication between the inhalation device 100 and the terminal device 200. In addition, the inhalation device 100 and the terminal device 200 can be connected by a wire.

[0044] Furthermore, each of the terminal device 200 and the server 300 is configured to communicate with each other via the network NET in the matching system 10. The network NET can be, for example, a mobile communication network, but is not limited to it, and can also be the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a LAN (local area network) including Wi-Fi, etc.

[0045] The inhalation device 100 is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user and delivers the generated substance to the user in an inhalable manner. Hereinafter, the substance generated by the inhalation device 100 will be described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device 100 may be a gas. This will be discussed later by means of… Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example of the configuration of the inhalation device 100 is described.

[0046] Terminal device 200 is a computer including a display unit 210 capable of displaying information, and is used by a user corresponding to inhalation device 100. Smartphones, tablets, PCs (personal computers), or wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches) can be used as terminal device 200. Hereinafter, terminal device 200 will be described as a smartphone. (The text will then refer to...) Figure 4 Describe an example configuration of terminal device 200.

[0047] Server 300 is, for example, a computer managed by the manufacturer of inhalation device 100, and is configured to send and receive predetermined information from each of the terminal devices 200 via a network NET. It should be noted that server 300 may be a virtual server (cloud server) implemented in a cloud computing service, or it may be a physical server implemented as a single device. This will be discussed later using… Figure 6 Describe a configuration example for server 300.

[0048] 2. Inhalation device

[0049] 2-1. Example of a first configuration of an inhalation device

[0050] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram illustrating an inhalation device 100A, representing a first configuration example of the inhalation device 100. (See attached diagram.) Figure 2AAs shown, the inhalation device 100A of this example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavored cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a memory unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid guiding section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. The flavored cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An airflow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavored cartridge 130.

[0051] Power supply unit 111A stores electricity. Power supply unit 111A then supplies power to each component of inhalation device 100A according to control executed by control unit 116A. Power supply unit 111A may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery (such as a lithium-ion secondary battery).

[0052] Sensor unit 112A acquires various types of information related to inhalation device 100A. Sensor unit 112A is configured with, for example, a pressure sensor (such as a capacitive microphone, flow sensor, or temperature sensor) and acquires values ​​associated with inhalation by the user.

[0053] As an example, sensor unit 112A may include a pressure sensor (also referred to as a "suction sensor") for detecting changes in pressure (hereinafter also referred to as "internal pressure") caused by the user's inhalation within the suction device 100. As another example, sensor unit 112A may include a flow sensor for detecting the flow rate (hereinafter simply referred to as "flow rate") caused by the user's inhalation. Additionally, as yet another example, sensor unit 112A may include a temperature sensor (also referred to as a "suction thermistor") for detecting the temperature of heating unit 121A or the temperature surrounding heating unit 121A.

[0054] Furthermore, sensor unit 112A may include an input device (such as an operation button or switch) for receiving information input from a user. As an example, sensor unit 112A may include an operation button that acts as an input device for receiving heating start operation, which will be described later.

[0055] The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. For example, the notification unit 113A may be configured as a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays images, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that can vibrate.

[0056] Memory unit 114A stores various information (e.g., programs and data) for the operation of the inhalation device 100A. Memory unit 114A may be configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium (such as flash memory). As an example, memory unit 114A stores usage history information indicating the user's usage history of the inhalation device 100A. This will be discussed later using… Figure 3 Describe an example of using historical information.

[0057] Communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communications conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards that can be used include those employing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, or LPWA. For example, communication unit 115A communicates with communication unit 240 of terminal device 200 (described below). In addition to terminal device 200, communication unit 115A can also communicate with other devices (e.g., server 300).

[0058] The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation within the inhalation device 100A according to various programs stored in the memory unit 114A. For example, the control unit 116A may be implemented by a CPU (central processing unit) or electronic circuitry (such as a microprocessor).

[0059] The liquid storage section 123 stores an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol. For example, the aerosol source is a polyol (such as glycerol or propylene glycol) or a liquid (such as water). The aerosol source may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. If the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler (such as a nebulizer), the aerosol source may include a drug.

[0060] The liquid guiding section 122 guides and retains the aerosol source from the liquid storage section 123, which is liquid stored in the liquid storage section 123. The liquid guiding section 122 is a wicking element formed, for example, by twisted fiber material (such as glass fiber) or porous material (such as porous ceramic). In this case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage section 123 is guided by the capillary action of the wicking element.

[0061] Heating unit 121A heats the aerosol source to atomize it, thereby generating an aerosol. Heating unit 121A is formed from any material (such as metal or polyimide) in any shape (such as coiled, film-like, or leaf-like). Figure 2AIn the example shown, heating unit 121A is configured as a coil wound around liquid guiding portion 122. When heating unit 121A generates heat, an aerosol source held in liquid guiding portion 122 is heated and atomized, thereby generating an aerosol. Heating unit 121A generates heat when supplied with electricity from power supply unit 111A.

[0062] As an example, when sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and / or has entered predetermined information, power can be supplied to heating unit 121A. Then, when sensor unit 112A detects that the user has finished inhaling and / or has entered predetermined information, power supply to heating unit 121A can be stopped.

[0063] Furthermore, the heating unit 121A can be configured to generate an aerosol by means of vibration or induction heating. When generating an aerosol by means of vibration, the inhalation device 100A includes a vibrating unit as the heating unit 121A. For example, the vibrating unit is configured as a plate-like member comprising piezoelectric ceramics used as an ultrasonic vibrator. When the vibrating unit vibrates, an aerosol source that has been guided to the surface of the vibrating unit by means of a liquid guiding portion 122 is then atomized by means of the ultrasonic waves generated during the vibration of the vibrating unit, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0064] Furthermore, when an aerosol is generated by induction heating, the inhalation device 100A includes a sensor and an electromagnetic induction source as a heating unit 121A. The sensor generates heat through electromagnetic induction. The sensor is made of a conductive material (e.g., metal). The sensor is positioned adjacent to the liquid guiding portion 122. For example, the sensor is formed of a metal wire and wound around the liquid guiding portion 122. The electromagnetic induction source causes the sensor to generate heat through electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source is formed, for example, of a coiled wire. The electromagnetic induction source generates a magnetic field when AC current is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. The electromagnetic induction source is positioned such that the sensor is located above the generated magnetic field. Therefore, when the magnetic field is generated, eddy currents are generated in the sensor, and Joule heating is generated. The aerosol source contained in the liquid guiding portion 122 is then heated by this Joule heating and atomized, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0065] Flavor source 131 is a component used to impart flavor components to an aerosol. Flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. Flavor source 131 may be, for example, a tobacco-derived substance (such as shredded tobacco), or a processed product obtained by molding tobacco raw materials into granular, flake, or powder form. Furthermore, flavor source 131 may also contain non-tobacco-derived materials made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and vanilla). As an example, flavor source 131 may contain a flavoring component, such as menthol. Additionally, flavor source 131 may be a stick-shaped component. When the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler, flavor source 131 may contain a medication to be inhaled by the patient. It should be noted that aerosol source 131 is not limited to a solid, and may also be, for example, a liquid containing flavor components, such as polyols (e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol) or water. For example, flavor source 131 may also contain an alkali. For example, flavor source 131 may contain nicotine as an alkali. Furthermore, the flavor source may be disposed inside a container such as a capsule.

[0066] The flavored tobacco cartridge 130 contains a flavor source 131. An airflow path is formed within the flavored tobacco cartridge 130. The flavor source 131 is then further positioned along the airflow path. Therefore, as the aerosol-air mixture passes through the flavor source in the airflow path, the flavor components contained in the flavor source are added to the aerosol.

[0067] Airflow path 180 is the flow path of air to be inhaled by the user. Airflow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet 181 and an air outlet 182 at both ends. The air inlet is the entrance for air into airflow path 180, and the air outlet is the exit for air leaving airflow path 180. Midway through airflow path 180, a liquid guide portion 122 is located on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet 181), while a flavor source 131 is located on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet 182). When inhaled by the user, air flowing in through the air inlet 181 mixes with the aerosol generated by heating unit 121A and is conveyed through flavor source 131 to air outlet 182, as indicated by arrow 190. As the aerosol-air mixture passes through flavor source 131, flavor components contained in flavor source 131 are added to the aerosol.

[0068] The mouthpiece 124 is a component that is held in the user's mouth during inhalation. An air outlet 182 is provided in the mouthpiece 124. The user holds the mouthpiece 124 in their mouth and inhales, making it possible to draw a mixture of aerosol and air into the oral cavity.

[0069] The above has described an example configuration of the inhalation device 100A. Of course, the inhalation device 100A is not limited to the configuration described above, and can adopt various configurations, such as those shown below by way of example.

[0070] As an example, the inhalation device 100A does not need to include a flavored tobacco cartridge 130. In this case, the tobacco cartridge 120 is provided with a mouthpiece 124.

[0071] As another example, the inhalation device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from these sources can mix within the airflow path 180 to induce a chemical reaction, thereby generating even more other types of aerosols.

[0072] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating performed by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

[0073] 2-2. Example of a second configuration of the inhalation device

[0074] Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a second configuration of the inhalation device 100, specifically an inhalation device 100B. Figure 2B As shown, the inhalation device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a memory unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a receiving portion 140, and a heat insulation portion 144.

[0075] The power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, memory unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B are each substantially the same as the corresponding components included in the inhalation device 100A described above.

[0076] The receiving portion 140 has an internal space 141 and holds a rod-shaped substrate 150, while a portion of the rod-shaped substrate 150 is housed within the internal space 141. The receiving portion 140 has an opening 142, thereby allowing communication between the internal space 141 and the outside, and the receiving portion accommodates the rod-shaped substrate 150 that has been inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the receiving portion 140 is a cylindrical body that includes the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines a cylindrical internal space 141. An airflow path for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the receiving portion 140. For example, an air inlet hole is provided in the side surface of the suction device 100, which is an inlet for air to enter the airflow path. For example, an air outlet hole is provided in the bottom portion 143, which is an outlet for air to exit from the airflow path to the internal space 141.

[0077] The stick-shaped matrix 150 includes a matrix portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The matrix portion 151 contains an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. If the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler (such as a nebulizer), the aerosol source may include a drug. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid containing tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components, such as water or polyols (e.g., glycerol or propylene glycol), or it may be a solid containing tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. With the stick-shaped matrix 150 held in the receiving portion 140, at least a portion of the matrix portion 151 is received in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Thus, when a user takes the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 into their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an airflow path not shown in the figures and reaches the user's mouth along with the aerosol generated from the matrix portion 151.

[0078] exist Figure 2B In the example shown, the heating unit 121B has a membrane-like form and is arranged to cover the outer circumference of the receiving portion 140. Thus, when the heating unit 121B generates heat, the matrix portion 151 of the rod-shaped matrix 150 is heated from the outer periphery, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0079] The heat insulation portion 144 prevents heat from being transferred from the heating unit 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulation portion 144 is made of vacuum insulation material or aerogel insulation material.

[0080] The above has described an example configuration of the inhalation device 100B. Of course, the inhalation device 100B is not limited to the configuration described above, and can adopt various configurations, such as those shown below by way of example.

[0081] As an example, the heating unit 121B may be in the form of a blade and may be arranged to protrude from the bottom portion 143 of the receiving portion 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121B is inserted into the matrix portion 151 of the rod-shaped matrix 150 and heated from the interior of the matrix portion 151 of the rod-shaped matrix 150. As another example, the heating unit 121B may be arranged to cover the bottom portion 143 of the receiving portion 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of the following: a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the receiving portion 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 143 of the receiving portion 140.

[0082] As another example, the receiving portion 140 may include an opening / closing mechanism (such as a hinge) for opening / closing a portion of the housing forming the internal space 141. By opening / closing the housing, the receiving portion 140 can then receive and hold the rod-shaped substrate 150 that has been inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, a heating unit 121B may be provided on the holding portion of the receiving portion 140, and the rod-shaped substrate 150 can be heated while being pressed.

[0083] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source can be induction heating. In this case, the inhalation device 100B includes at least an electromagnetic induction source (e.g., a coil) for generating a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A sensor for generating heat by means of induction heating can be provided in the inhalation device 100B or can be included in the rod matrix 150.

[0084] Furthermore, the inhalation device 100B may additionally include a heating unit 121A, a liquid guiding portion 122, a liquid storage portion 123, and an airflow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the airflow path 180 may supply air to the interior space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the interior space 141 and further mixes with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the user's mouth.

[0085] 2-3. Operating Example of the Inhalation Device

[0086] The following describes an operational example of the inhalation device 100 (e.g., inhalation device 100A or inhalation device 100B) of this embodiment. For example, the control unit 116 (e.g., control unit 116A or control unit 116B) of the inhalation device 100 supplies power to the heating unit 121 in response to an aerosol generation request from a user, thereby causing the heating unit 121 (e.g., heating unit 121A or heating unit 121B) to generate aerosol.

[0087] For example, an aerosol generation request could be an operation to indicate the start of heating (hereinafter also referred to as "heating start operation"). As an example, the heating start operation could be pressing a predetermined operation button (not depicted) provided on the inhalation device 100. As another example, the heating start operation could be inserting the rod-shaped matrix 150 into the inhalation device 100, or aspirating onto the inhalation device 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "aspiration").

[0088] Furthermore, the aerosol generation request is not limited to direct operation of the inhalation device 100, but can be received from, for example, another device capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100 (such as the terminal device 200). For example, the control unit 116 can detect the aerosol generation request based on information obtained by means of sensor unit 112 (e.g., sensor unit 112A or sensor unit 112B) or communication unit 115 (e.g., communication unit 115A or communication unit 115B).

[0089] Then, the control unit 116 enables the aerosol to be generated by appropriately supplying power to the heating unit 121 for a period of time until a predetermined time (e.g., 300 [seconds]) has elapsed since the aerosol generation request was detected, or until a predetermined number of aspirations (e.g., 15 aspirations) have been performed.

[0090] The time period during which aerosol is generated in the inhalation device 100 (i.e., the time period until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time the aerosol generation request is detected or until a predetermined number of inhalations has been performed) will also be referred to hereinafter as the “smoking period”. Then, the number of times that is considered a smoking period will also be referred to as the “number of inhalations”.

[0091] Furthermore, the control unit 116 appropriately stores log information representing the usage history of the inhalation device 100 when the user uses it in a memory unit 114 (e.g., memory unit 114A or memory unit 114B). For example, the log information is information that enables the identification of the number of times a user smokes within a predetermined time period. An example of the log information will be described below.

[0092] Figure 3 The log information table 30 in memory unit 114 is shown. For example... Figure 3As shown, log information table 30 stores records of log information (e.g., log information 31, 32) obtained by associating event numbers (displayed by "No.") with, for example, the date and time of each event and details of the event. These event numbers indicate the sequence of events occurring in the inhalation device 100. In this embodiment, the start of a smoking period, the end of a smoking period, and inhalation are preset as events in the log information.

[0093] For example, Figure 3 The log information 31 shown indicates that the event with event number "001" was a "smoking period start" event that occurred on the date and time of "January 1, 2023 (Sunday) 06:30:00". Furthermore, log information 32 indicates that the event with event number "002" was a "smoking" event that occurred on the date and time of "January 1, 2023 (Sunday) 06:30:30". For example, the control unit 116 can appropriately store the log information (such as this log information) in the log information table 30 in the memory unit 114 based on information acquired by the sensor unit 112 or the communication unit 115.

[0094] Then, the control unit 116 sends the log information stored in the memory unit 114 to the terminal device 200 via the communication unit 115 at a predetermined time. Here, for example, the control unit 116 sends the inhalation device ID attached to the log information to the terminal device 200, which is used as an identifier to identify the inhalation device 100 (i.e., the host device).

[0095] There are no particular restrictions on the timing for sending log information, but as an example, in this embodiment, it is assumed to be 00:00 every Sunday. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 116 may send log information when the user has performed a predetermined operation. Furthermore, the control unit 116 can delete log information that has already been sent to the terminal device 200 from the log information table 30 (i.e., memory unit 114). This prevents the limited storage area of ​​memory unit 114 from being compressed by log information.

[0096] In addition to the information mentioned above, other information can also be stored as log information. For example, information indicating the number of puffs in each smoking session, the smoking time as the length of each smoking session, or the interval between smoking sessions can also be stored as log information.

[0097] Furthermore, if the inhalation device 100 is Figure 2A The inhalation device 100A shown can also store the date and time information indicating the replacement of the tobacco cartridge 120 or flavored tobacco cartridge 130 as log information. Additionally, if the inhalation device 100 is... Figure 2BThe inhalation device 100B shown can also store information such as the date and time of insertion or removal of the rod matrix 150 as log information.

[0098] 3. Terminal device

[0099] 3-1. Example of terminal device configuration

[0100] The following describes a configuration example of the terminal device 200. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of the terminal device 200. (As shown...) Figure 4 As shown, the terminal device 200 includes a display unit 210, an input unit 220, a memory unit 230, a communication unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0101] Display unit 210 displays various information (e.g., images and / or text) based on control executed by control unit 250. Display unit 210 is configured with a liquid crystal display or an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display.

[0102] The input unit 220 is configured with an input device such as a touch panel, keyboard, or mouse, and accepts information input (operation input) from the user. In this embodiment, the input unit 220 includes a touch panel integrally disposed with the display used as the display unit 210.

[0103] Memory unit 230 stores various information (e.g., programs and data) for the operation of terminal device 200. For example, memory unit 230 is configured with a non-volatile storage medium (such as flash memory). As an example, log information received by terminal device 200 from inhalation device 100 can be stored in memory unit 230. As another example, smoking characteristic information generated by terminal device 200 based on log information can be stored in memory unit 230. This will be discussed later using... Figure 5 Example of describing smoking characteristics.

[0104] Communication unit 240 is a communication interface capable of performing communications conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards that can be used include those employing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, or LPWA. For example, communication unit 240 communicates with communication unit 115 of inhalation device 100. Furthermore, communication unit 240 communicates with communication unit 320 of server 300 via network NET.

[0105] The control unit 250 serves as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation within the terminal device 200 according to various programs stored in the memory unit 230. For example, the control unit 250 is implemented by a CPU or electronic circuitry (such as a microprocessor).

[0106] 3-2. Operation example of terminal device

[0107] The following describes an operational example of the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 acquires log information sent from the inhalation device 100 via the communication unit 240. After acquiring the log information, the terminal device 200 generates smoking characteristic information indicating the user's smoking characteristics based on the log information. Examples of smoking characteristics that may be cited here include: smoking frequency, smoking method (e.g., deep inhalation, slow inhalation, or multiple shallow inhalations), the model of the inhalation device 100, and the brand of the flavored tobacco cartridge 130 or the stick base 150 (i.e., flavor preference) or the like.

[0108] In this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the smoking characteristic information includes information indicating the number of times a user smokes within a predetermined time period (i.e., smoking frequency). Smoking characteristic information 50 will be described below as an example of the smoking characteristic information in this embodiment.

[0109] Figure 5 Smoking characteristics information 50 is displayed. (For example...) Figure 5 As shown, terminal device 200 generates smoking characteristic information 50, indicating the number of times a person smokes per day in the past week (in other words, the most recent week), for example, based on log information received from inhalation device 100. Terminal device 200 may generate smoking characteristic information 50 (such as this smoking characteristic information) by, for example, referring to information in the log information received from inhalation device 100 indicating the start date / time or end date / time of each smoking period.

[0110] For example, Figure 5 The smoking characteristics information 50 shown in the figure indicates that the number of times smoked was 15 on Sunday, January 1, 2023; 5 on Monday, January 2, 2023; 6 on Tuesday, January 3, 2023; 7 on Wednesday, January 4, 2023; 5 on Thursday, January 5, 2023; 6 on Friday, January 6, 2023; and 16 on Saturday, January 7, 2023.

[0111] It should be noted that the smoking characteristic information in this embodiment indicates the number of times a user smokes each day over the past week, but is not limited to this. For example, the smoking characteristic information could indicate the number of times a user smokes each day over the past week during a predetermined time slot (e.g., every hour starting at 00:00). In this way, the smoking characteristic information could be information that more comprehensively illustrates the user's smoking characteristics (e.g., lifestyle rhythm).

[0112] Furthermore, the time period covered by smoking characteristics information is not limited to the past week, but can be a longer period such as the past month or the past year. Therefore, smoking characteristics information can be information indicating the average smoking characteristics of users over a longer period of time.

[0113] 4. Server

[0114] 4-1. Server Configuration Example

[0115] The following section will describe a configuration example for server 300. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of server 300. (For example...) Figure 6 As shown, server 300 includes a memory unit 310, a communication unit 320, and a control unit 350.

[0116] Memory unit 310 stores various information (e.g., programs and data) for the operation of server 300. For example, memory unit 310 is configured with a non-volatile storage medium (such as flash memory). As an example, user information related to the corresponding users of the plurality of inhalation devices 100 included in the matching system 10 can be stored in memory unit 310. This will be discussed later using... Figure 7 Example of describing user information. As another example, memory unit 310 may store smoking characteristic information received by server 300 from each of the terminal devices in terminal device 200.

[0117] Communication unit 320 is a communication interface capable of performing communications conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of usable communication standards include those employing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, NFC, or LPWA. Communication unit 320 communicates with communication unit 240 of terminal device 200 via a network NET.

[0118] The control unit 350 serves as an arithmetic processing and control device, and controls the overall operation within the server 300 according to various programs stored in the memory unit 310. For example, the control unit 350 is implemented by a CPU or electronic circuitry (such as a microprocessor). For example, the operation of the server 300 (described later) is achieved by means of the control unit 350 implementing various programs stored in the memory unit 310.

[0119] 4-2. User Information Form

[0120] Figure 7 The user information table 70 in the memory unit 310 of server 300 is shown. For example... Figure 7As shown, the user information table 70 stores records of user information (e.g., user information 71, 72), wherein the user ID, used as an identifier for identifying the user of each of the plurality of inhalation devices 100 included in the matching system 10, is associated with the inhalation device ID, used as an identifier for identifying the inhalation device 100 used by the user, and attribute information representing the user's attributes.

[0121] Here, the attribute information includes information such as group ID, nickname, gender, age, and residential area for each item. Here, the group ID is an identifier used to identify the group to which the user belongs in the matching system 10. The nickname is any string preset by the user. Gender indicates whether the user is male or female. Age indicates the user's age (e.g., broad age group). Residential area indicates the region where the user resides (e.g., county).

[0122] For example, Figure 7 User information 71 shows that the inhalation device ID of the inhalation device 100 used by the user with user ID "U01" is "D01", the group ID of the user's group is "G01", the user's nickname is "OO", the user's gender is "male", the user's age is "30+ years old", and the user's residential area is "Tokyo". Furthermore, user information 72 shows that the inhalation device ID of the inhalation device 100 used by the user with user ID "U02" is "D02", the group ID of the user's group is "G01", the user's nickname is "ΔΔ", the user's gender is "male", the user's age is "30+ years old", and the user's residential area is "Tokyo".

[0123] 5. Example of matching system operation

[0124] The following describes an operational example of the matching system 10. For simplicity, the following description will refer to an example of one inhalation device 100 and its corresponding terminal device 200 included in the matching system 10, but this can also be applied to other inhalation devices 100 and their corresponding terminal devices 200. That is, "one inhalation device 100" can be any inhalation device 100 included in the matching system 10. Furthermore, the user of the one inhalation device 100 will be simply referred to as "one user" in the following text. And the user of another inhalation device 100 will be simply referred to as "another user".

[0125] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of matching system 10. (e.g.) Figure 8As shown, the inhalation device 100 sends log information to the terminal device 200 corresponding to the inhalation device 100 at a predetermined time (step S1). Here, the inhalation device 100 attaches its own inhalation device ID to the log information, for example, sent to the terminal device 200.

[0126] The terminal device 200, which receives the log information, generates smoking characteristic information based on the log information (step S2). Then, the terminal device 200 sends the generated smoking characteristic information to the server 300 via the network NET (step S3). Here, similarly, the inhalation device ID, which is attached to the log information on which the smoking characteristic information is based, is attached to the smoking characteristic information sent by the terminal device 200 to the server 300.

[0127] Server 300 receives smoking history information sent from terminal device 200 and thereby acquires the smoking history information (step S4). Based on the acquired smoking history information, server 300 then performs grouping processing to group one user with another user (step S5). In the grouping processing, server 300 calculates the similarity related to the smoking characteristics of one user and another user, and groups the one user and the other user together based on the similarity; this will be used later by means of... Figure 9 and Figure 10 Provide a detailed description.

[0128] For example, when one user and another user have been grouped together through grouping, the server 300 then presents group information related to the group to which the one user and the other user belong to to the one user.

[0129] As an example, server 300 sends group information to terminal device 200 corresponding to the inhalation device 100 (step S6). Terminal device 200, having received the group information from server 300, causes display unit 210 to display the screen based on the received group information (e.g., ...). Figure 11 The display screen DS shown (step S7). This enables the presentation of group information related to the group to which the user belongs to the user.

[0130] Here, for example, group information includes information related to another user belonging to the same group as the user in question. This makes it possible to present information related to another user with similar smoking habits to the user in question.

[0131] Furthermore, the information related to the other user includes, for example, attribute information representing the other user's attributes. This makes it possible to present the attribute information of another user with similar smoking characteristics to the first user.

[0132] Furthermore, the information related to the other user may include information for the one user to accept a request to send a message or image to the other user. In this way, the one user can accept a request to send a message or image to the other user.

[0133] Furthermore, group information may include information related to advertisements or coupons corresponding to the group to which the user belongs. In this way, advertisements or coupons corresponding to the group to which the user belongs can be presented to the user. It should be noted that the advertisements or coupons corresponding to each group are preset by the administrator of server 300 (i.e., the manufacturer of inhalation device 100), etc.

[0134] 6. Group processing

[0135] The following will describe an example of the grouping process in step S5. Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of grouping processing.

[0136] like Figure 9 As shown, in the group processing, server 300 (e.g., control unit 350) first obtains the attribute information of the user by referring to user information table 70 (step S41). As an example, when smoking characteristic information with inhalation device ID "D01" has been obtained, server 300 obtains the attribute information of user ID "U01" corresponding to inhalation device ID "D01" in user information table 70 as the attribute information of the user.

[0137] Next, server 300 identifies another user who shares attribute information with the stated user by referring to user information table 70 (step S42). For example, server 300 identifies another user who shares gender, age, or residential area with the stated user. More specifically, if the stated user has user ID "U01", then server 300 identifies the user with user ID "U02" as another user who shares gender (i.e., male), age (i.e., 30+ years old), or residential area (i.e., Tokyo) with the stated user. Furthermore, if multiple other users share attribute information with the stated user, server 300 can identify these multiple other users.

[0138] Note that, for example, the criteria used to identify other users (e.g., gender, age, or residential area) are preset by the administrator of server 300. Additionally, a user can specify the criteria used to identify other users.

[0139] Next, server 300 sets one of the other users identified through the processing in step S42 as another user for similarity calculation (step S43), and calculates the smoking characteristic similarity between said one user and said other user set for similarity calculation (step S44).

[0140] Here, similarity is an assessment value representing the proximity of smoking characteristics (e.g., smoking frequency) between users, and in this embodiment, a higher similarity value indicates greater similarity in smoking characteristics. This will be discussed later using... Figure 10 Examples of similarity in this embodiment are described below. It should be noted that a smaller similarity value can also indicate a greater similarity in smoking characteristics (in other words, a smaller deviation in smoking characteristics between users). In such cases, for example, in the following description, "equal to or greater than the threshold" should be interpreted as "equal to or less than the threshold".

[0141] Next, server 300 determines whether the similarity calculated through step S42 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S45). For example, the threshold used for the processing in step S45 is preset by the administrator of server 300, etc.

[0142] If the similarity is determined to be not equal to or greater than the threshold (step S45: No), then server 300 proceeds to step S47 without any further processing. Meanwhile, if the similarity is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold (step S45: Yes), then server 300 groups the user and another user set up for similarity calculation together (step S46).

[0143] As another example, server 300 should set the same group ID as the other user as the attribute information of the user in user information table 70. More specifically, if a user with user ID "U01" and a user with user ID "U02" are grouped together, server 300 should set a common group ID (e.g., group ID "G01") in the attribute information corresponding to each of user IDs "U01" and "U02".

[0144] Furthermore, if only the user with user ID "U02" is found as another user with the same attribute information as the user with user ID "U01", then the server 300 can group the user with user ID "U01" and the user with user ID "U02" together by directly associating user ID "U02" with user ID "U01".

[0145] Next, server 300 determines whether there are other users among the users identified in step S42 whose similarity scores have not yet been calculated (step S47). If it is determined that there are other users whose similarity scores have not yet been calculated (step S47: Yes), server 300 proceeds to step S43, sets one of the other users whose similarity scores have not yet been calculated as the user for similarity calculation, and repeats the above process. If it is determined that there are no other users whose similarity scores have not yet been calculated (step S47: No), server 300 terminates. Figure 9 The processing sequence is shown.

[0146] As described above, server 300 includes control unit 350, which performs processing to: acquire smoking characteristic information indicating the smoking characteristics of a respective user of a plurality of inhalation devices 100 each configured to generate aerosols; calculate a smoking characteristic-related similarity between one user and another user based on the smoking characteristic information; and group the one user and the other user together based on the similarity. This allows users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together.

[0147] Furthermore, the control unit 350 identifies another user who shares attribute information with a given user by referring to a memory unit 310 (e.g., user information table 70) that stores attribute information of the respective users of multiple inhalation devices 100, and calculates the similarity between the given user and the identified other user. This allows users with shared attribute information and similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together. Moreover, in this way, the range of other users for whom similarity is to be calculated can be narrowed down to some extent by attribute information, and thus the processing load on the control unit 350 can be reduced compared to calculating similarity for all other users.

[0148] In addition, attribute information includes, for example, information indicating a user's gender, age, or place of residence. This allows grouping to take gender, age, or place of residence into account, meaning that users who may not only have similar smoking habits but also similar interests, preferences, or values ​​can be grouped together.

[0149] 7. Similarity

[0150] The following describes an example of similarity. In this embodiment, similarity is an assessment value representing how close one user's smoking frequency within a predetermined time period is to another user's smoking frequency within the same predetermined time period. In this way, users with similar smoking frequencies within the predetermined time period can be grouped together. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the time period for calculating similarity is the past week. In this way, users with similar smoking frequencies (in other words, recent smoking frequencies) within the past week can be grouped together.

[0151] Figure 10 An example of similarity is shown. Figure 10 The example shown is an exemplary case for calculating the similarity between a user with user ID "U01" and a user with user ID "U02".

[0152] When in Figure 10 In the example shown, when calculating similarity, server 300 first calculates the absolute value of the difference between the number of times the user with user ID "U01" and the user with user ID "U02" smoked per day over the past week (see example). Figure 10 (a) in the middle.

[0153] Then, server 300 calculates the reciprocal of the average of the absolute values ​​of the differences in the number of cigarettes smoked per day as the similarity (see [link]). Figure 10 (b)). In this way, similarity can be obtained as an assessment of how close one user (in this example, the user with user ID "U01") is to the number of times another user (in this example, the user with user ID "U02") has smoked in the past week. Note, for example, if one user smokes exactly the same number of times the other user smokes every day, such that the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences in the number of times they smoke each day is 0, then server 300 can set a predetermined upper limit for the similarity between the two users.

[0154] Furthermore, the reciprocal of the average of the absolute values ​​of the differences in the number of cigarettes smoked per day is used for similarity in the example described here, but this is not limiting. For example, the average of the absolute values ​​of the differences in the number of cigarettes smoked per day can be used as a similarity, in which case a smaller similarity value indicates a greater similarity in smoking characteristics. Additionally, in this embodiment, the time period for calculating similarity is the past week, but it is not limited to this. The time period for calculating similarity can be set as appropriate by the administrator of server 300, etc.

[0155] 8. Examples of using the matching system

[0156] The following section will describe a usage example of matching system 10. Figure 11 An example of the use of matching system 10 is shown. The example described here involves a case where a user with user ID "U01" and a user with user ID "U02" have been grouped together in a group with group ID "G01" through group processing.

[0157] exist Figure 11In this configuration, terminal device 200a corresponds to inhalation device 100 with inhalation device ID "D01" used by a user with user ID "U01". Display unit 210a then constitutes display unit 210 of terminal device 200a. Furthermore, terminal device 200b corresponds to inhalation device 100 with inhalation device ID "D02" used by a user with user ID "U02". Display unit 210b then constitutes display unit 210 of terminal device 200b.

[0158] For example, when a user with user ID "U01" and a user with user ID "U02" are already grouped together in a group with group ID "G01", server 300 sends group information to terminal device 200a. This group information includes information related to the user with user ID "U02" and information related to advertisements or coupons corresponding to the group with group ID "G01" (see [link]). Figure 11 Arrow S11 in the image.

[0159] Here, the information related to the user with user ID "U02" includes, for example, the attribute information of the user with user ID "U02", as well as information for accepting a request to send a message or image (e.g., a communication image referred to as a "patch") to the user with user ID "U02".

[0160] Terminal 200a, having received group information sent from server 300, displays display screen DS on display unit 210 based on the group information. Display screen DS displays the attribute information (e.g., nickname, gender, age, or residential area) of the user with user ID "U02" as a user whose smoking characteristics are similar to those of the user with user ID "U01".

[0161] In addition, the display screen DS shows a message sending button Bn1 for accepting a sending request to send a message to a user with user ID "U02" and a sticker sending button Bn2 for accepting a sending request to send an image to a user with user ID "U02".

[0162] For example, a user of terminal device 200a (i.e., a user with user ID "U01") can consider whether to send a message or image to the user with user ID "U02" by referring to the attribute information of the user with user ID "U02" displayed on the display screen DS.

[0163] If a user of terminal device 200a then wishes to send a message to a user with user ID "U02", the user of terminal device 200a can send the desired message to terminal device 200b via server 300 by operating (e.g., clicking) the message send button Bn1 (see...). Figure 11 (See arrow S12 in the image). Similarly, if a user of terminal device 200a wishes to send an image to a user with user ID "U02", the user of terminal device 200a can send the desired image to terminal device 200b via server 300 by operating the image sending button Bn2.

[0164] In addition, the display screen DS displays a display button Bn3, which is used to accept a request to display an advertisement or coupon corresponding to the group with group ID "G01". The user of the terminal device 200a can cause the display unit 210a to display the advertisement or coupon corresponding to the group with group ID "G01", so that the user can view the advertisement or coupon by operating (e.g., clicking) the display button Bn3.

[0165] Furthermore, server 300 also sends this group information to terminal 200b, although this is not described in detail. For example, the group information sent to terminal device 200b includes information related to the user with user ID "U01" and information related to advertisements or coupons corresponding to the group with group ID "G01". Here, the information related to the user with user ID "U01" includes attribute information of the user with user ID "U01" and information for accepting sending requests to send messages or images to the user with user ID "U01".

[0166] Therefore, terminal device 200b displays a screen on display unit 210b, which specifically includes: attribute information of a user with user ID "U01"; a message sending button Bn1 for accepting a message sending request to the user with user ID "U01"; an image sending button Bn2 for accepting a message sending request to the user with user ID "U01"; and a display button Bn3 for accepting a display request to display an advertisement or coupon corresponding to the group with group ID "G01". Therefore, a user of terminal device 200b can send desired messages or images to a user of terminal device 200a via server 300 in the same manner as a user of terminal device 200a. Furthermore, a user of terminal device 200b can appropriately view advertisements or coupons corresponding to the group with group ID "G01".

[0167] As described above, the matching system 10 enables users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together, and facilitates communication between grouped users. This can promote communication among users of the inhalation device 100.

[0168] For example, smokers have had fewer and fewer opportunities to communicate with each other in recent years because there are fewer and fewer places in public where smoking is permitted. In contrast, the matching system 10 enables communication between users of the inhalation device 100 and can provide users with a pleasant experience in communicating. Therefore, it can provide users with a high-quality experience, thereby increasing user satisfaction with the inhalation device 100.

[0169] Furthermore, the matching system 10 can distribute advertisements or coupons that take into account the smoking characteristics of each user group with similar smoking characteristics, thereby enabling the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100 and the like to implement effective promotional activities that take into account the smoking characteristics of each user.

[0170] It should be noted that the information processing method described in this embodiment can be implemented by a pre-prepared program (information processing program) running on a computer. This information processing program is stored on a computer-readable storage medium and is executed by reading it from the storage medium. The information processing program can also be provided in the form of storage in a non-volatile (non-transitory) storage medium (such as flash memory) or via a network (such as the Internet). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the computer running the information processing program is terminal device 300 (e.g., the CPU constituting control unit 350), but is not limited thereto. For example, the computer running the information processing program can also be included in inhalation device 100 (e.g., the CPU constituting control unit 116) or terminal device 200 (e.g., the CPU constituting control unit 250).

[0171] The foregoing has described embodiments of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information presentation program according to this disclosure; however, it is self-evident that this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to conceive of several variations or modifications within the scope disclosed in the claims, and any such variations or modifications are naturally understood to fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner without departing from the essential points of the invention.

[0172] For example, in the above embodiments, the inhalation device 100 sends log information to the corresponding terminal device 200, and the terminal device 200 generates smoking characteristic information, but this is not limiting. For example, the inhalation device 100 may send log information to the server 300 via the terminal device 200, and the server 300 may generate smoking characteristic information. Furthermore, the inhalation device 100 may be configured to send log information directly to the server 300.

[0173] Furthermore, when one user and another user have been grouped in the above embodiments, those users can communicate via server 300, but this is not limiting. For example, when one user and another user have been grouped, server 300 can notify the other user of each user's social networking service (SNS) account based on each user's consent, enabling the one user and the other user to communicate without the intermediary of server 300.

[0174] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, advertisements or coupons that take into account users' smoking characteristics can be distributed to each group of users with similar smoking characteristics, but this is not limiting. For example, server 300 can group a specific user (such as an influencer) with other users whose smoking characteristics are similar to that specific user, and distribute or offer advertisements and coupons, points, or reserved items to said other users. It should be noted that in this case, there may or may not be communication between the specific user and other users via server 300.

[0175] In addition, information on smoking characteristics is not limited to Figure 5 The information shown. For example, smoking characteristic information could be obtained by using color or shading to make a user's smoking characteristics more visible.

[0176] Figure 12 Another example of smoking characteristic information is shown. Smoking characteristic information could be information displayed as an image, where each day's column on a calendar is colored by a color or shade corresponding to the number of cigarettes smoked that day, such as... Figure 12 The smoking characteristic information 51 and 52 are shown. In this case, server 300 can use image processing to display a user's smoking characteristic information (e.g., Figure 12 The image showing user A's smoking characteristics information 51) and the image showing another user's smoking characteristics information (e.g., Figure 12 The image showing user B's smoking characteristics information (52) is compared, and the similarity between the images is calculated. Furthermore, in this case, server 300 can present another user's smoking characteristics information to one user, for example, as information related to another user.

[0177] Furthermore, the above embodiments describe an example of an information processing apparatus for implementing the content of this disclosure by means of a server 300, but this is not limiting. For example, the information processing apparatus for the content of this disclosure can also be implemented by means of a terminal device 200 capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100 and the server 300. In this case, the control unit 250 of the terminal device 200 can calculate the similarity by appropriately obtaining the necessary information from the inhalation device 100 and the server 300, and transmit the processing result to the server 300.

[0178] This specification and other materials describe at least the following features. Corresponding components in the above embodiments are shown in parentheses by way of example, but there are no limitations on such components.

[0179] (1) An information processing apparatus (server 300) comprising a control unit (350) for performing processing to perform the following operations: acquiring smoking characteristic information indicating the smoking characteristics of a respective user of a plurality of inhalation devices (inhalation devices 100, 100A, 100B) respectively configured to generate aerosols.

[0180] Based on this smoking characteristic information, calculate the smoking characteristic-related similarity between a user of one inhalation device and a user of another inhalation device from among the multiple inhalation devices, and

[0181] Based on this similarity, users of one inhalation device and users of the other inhalation device are grouped together.

[0182] According to (1), users of one inhalation device and users of another inhalation device can be grouped together based on the similarity related to the smoking characteristics of the users of the one inhalation device and the other inhalation device. This allows users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together.

[0183] (2) The information processing apparatus as disclosed in (1), wherein,

[0184] The control unit performs further processing to present group information related to the group to which the user of one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device belong, when the user of one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device have already been grouped together.

[0185] According to (2), group information related to the group to which the user belongs can be presented to a user of an inhalation device.

[0186] (3) The information processing apparatus as disclosed in (2), wherein,

[0187] This set of information includes information related to the user of the other inhalation device.

[0188] According to (3), information related to a user of another inhalation device with similar smoking characteristics can be presented to a user of one inhalation device.

[0189] (4) The information processing apparatus as disclosed in (3), wherein,

[0190] Information relating to the user of the other inhalation device includes attribute information representing the attributes of the user of the other inhalation device.

[0191] According to (4), the attribute information of a user of another inhalation device with similar smoking characteristics can be presented to a user of one inhalation device.

[0192] (5) The information processing apparatus as disclosed in (3) or (4), wherein,

[0193] Information relating to the user of the other inhalation device includes information for the user of the one inhalation device to accept a request to send a message or image to the user of the other inhalation device.

[0194] According to (5), a user of one inhalation device may accept a request to send a message or image to a user of the other inhalation device.

[0195] (6) The information processing apparatus disclosed in any one of (2) to (5), wherein,

[0196] This group of information includes information related to the advertisements or coupons corresponding to this group.

[0197] According to (6), an advertisement or coupon corresponding to the group to which the user belongs can be presented to a user of an inhalation device.

[0198] (7) The information processing apparatus disclosed in any one of (1) to (6), wherein,

[0199] This smoking characteristic information includes information indicating the number of times a person smokes within a predetermined time period.

[0200] According to (7), users of one inhalation device and users of another inhalation device can be grouped together based on the similarity between the number of times the user of one inhalation device smokes during a predetermined time period and the number of times the user of the other inhalation device smokes during the predetermined time period.

[0201] (8) The information processing apparatus as disclosed in (7), wherein,

[0202] The similarity is an assessment value representing how close the number of times a user of one inhalation device smokes during a predetermined time period is to the number of times a user of another inhalation device smokes during the same predetermined time period.

[0203] According to (8), users who smoke a similar number of times within a predetermined time period can be grouped together.

[0204] (9) The information processing apparatus disclosed in any one of (1) to (8), wherein,

[0205] The control unit:

[0206] By referring to a memory unit used to store attribute information of corresponding users of the multiple inhalation devices, the user of another inhalation device who shares attribute information with the user of the first inhalation device is identified, and

[0207] Calculate the similarity between the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device who has been identified.

[0208] According to (9), users with common attribute information and similar smoking characteristics can be grouped together.

[0209] (10) The information processing apparatus as disclosed in (9), wherein,

[0210] This attribute information includes information indicating the user's gender, age, or place of residence.

[0211] According to (10), groups can be formed that also take into account gender, age or place of residence.

[0212] (11) An information processing method in which a computer (server 300) performs processing to perform the following operations:

[0213] Obtain smoking characteristic information (step S4) indicating the smoking characteristics of the respective users of multiple inhalation devices that are each configured to generate aerosols.

[0214] Based on this smoking characteristic information, calculate the smoking characteristic-related similarity between a user of one inhalation device and a user of another inhalation device (step S44), and

[0215] Based on this similarity, the user of one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device are grouped together (steps S45 and S46).

[0216] According to (11), users of one inhalation device and users of another inhalation device can be grouped together based on the similarity in relation to the smoking characteristics of the users of the one inhalation device and the other inhalation device. This allows users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together.

[0217] (12) An information processing program that causes a computer (server 300) to perform processing to perform the following operations:

[0218] Obtain smoking characteristic information (step S4) indicating the smoking characteristics of the respective users of multiple inhalation devices that are each configured to generate aerosols.

[0219] Based on this smoking characteristic information, calculate the smoking characteristic-related similarity between a user of one inhalation device and a user of another inhalation device (step S44), and

[0220] Based on this similarity, the user of one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device are grouped together (steps S45 and S46).

[0221] According to (12), users of one inhalation device and users of another inhalation device can be grouped together based on the similarity in relation to the smoking characteristics of the users of the one inhalation device and the users of the other inhalation device. This allows users with similar smoking characteristics to be grouped together.

[0222] (13) A computer-readable storage medium (memory unit 310) for storing an information processing program as disclosed in (12).

[0223] According to (13), a computer can be made to perform information processing programs as disclosed in (12).

[0224] List of reference numerals

[0225] 100, 100A, 100B Inhalation Devices

[0226] 300 Server (Information Processing Device)

[0227] 350 Control Unit.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit configured to execute processing to: acquire smoking characteristic information indicating smoking characteristics of respective users of a plurality of inhalation devices each configured to be capable of generating an aerosol, based on the smoking characteristic information, calculate a similarity with respect to a smoking characteristic between a user of one of the plurality of inhalation devices and a user of another of the inhalation devices, and based on the similarity, group the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the another inhalation device together. 2.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes further processing to present, to the user of the one inhalation device, group information related to a group to which the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the another inhalation device belong when the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the another inhalation device have been grouped together. 3.The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the group information includes information related to the user of the another inhalation device. 4.The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information related to the user of the another inhalation device includes attribute information representing an attribute of the user of the another inhalation device. 5.The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the information related to the user of the another inhalation device includes information for the user of the one inhalation device to accept a transmission request of a message or an image to the user of the another inhalation device. 6.The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the group information includes information related to an advertisement or a coupon corresponding to the group. 7.The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the smoking characteristic information includes information indicating a number of times of smoking in a predetermined period of time. 8.The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the similarity is an evaluation value representing a closeness of a number of times of smoking of the user of the one inhalation device in the predetermined period of time to a number of times of smoking of the user of the another inhalation device in the predetermined period of time. 9.The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit: identifies, by referring to a memory unit storing attribute information of respective users of the plurality of inhalation devices, the user of the another inhalation device having common attribute information with the user of the one inhalation device, and calculates the similarity between the user of the one inhalation device and the identified user of the another inhalation device. 10.The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the attribute information includes information indicating a gender, an age, or a residential area of the user. 11.An information processing method in which a computer executes processing to: acquire smoking characteristic information indicating smoking characteristics of respective users of a plurality of inhalation devices each configured to be capable of generating an aerosol, based on the smoking characteristic information, calculate a similarity with respect to a smoking characteristic between a user of one of the plurality of inhalation devices and a user of another of the inhalation devices, and based on the similarity, group the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the another inhalation device together. based on the similarity, group the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device together.

12. An information processing program that causes a computer to implement a process to: obtain smoking characteristic information indicating smoking characteristics of respective users of a plurality of inhalation devices each configured to be capable of generating an aerosol, based on the similarity, group the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device together.

12. An information processing program that causes a computer to implement a process to: obtain smoking characteristic information indicating smoking characteristics of respective users of a plurality of inhalation devices each configured to be capable of generating an aerosol, based on the similarity, group the user of the one inhalation device and the user of the other inhalation device together.

Images