Information display device

Abstract

When a user performs an operation of continuously pressing an operation unit for a predetermined time, the user can be made aware of the remaining time during which the operation unit should be continuously pressed within the predetermined time. [Solution] An information display device comprising: a display unit for displaying information about the device; an operation unit that is pressed by the user; and a control unit that controls the display unit to display a first display element indicating that the operation unit should be pressed continuously for a predetermined period of time after replacing a consumable item used in the device, the first display element including the predetermined period of time, and when the user is performing the operation of continuously pressing the operation unit, controls the display unit to display the first display element while decreasing the predetermined period of time included in the first display element in accordance with the duration of the pressing operation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an information processing device and information processing method in which, when the button pressed by the user is a controlled button, the overall control unit reads the initial remaining cancellation time from a memory unit, notifies a GUI display switching unit that the controlled button has been pressed and the initial remaining cancellation time, starts a timer in a timing unit, and the GUI display switching unit switches the display of the ``Execute process'' button notified by the overall control unit to ``Cancel'' and displays the remaining cancellation time, and when the overall control unit confirms that the ``Cancel'' button has been pressed within a specified time, notifies the GUI display switching unit to return the display of the ``Cancel'' button to the original display of the ``Execute process'' button. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-284404 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] After a user performs a predetermined task on a device, the user may be required to continuously press the operation unit for a predetermined time to resume use of the device. In such a case, if the user is not made aware of the remaining time during which the operation unit must be continuously pressed, a problem may arise. For example, if the user stops continuously pressing the operation unit before the predetermined time has elapsed, the user may not be able to immediately resume use of the device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable a user, when performing an operation of continuously pressing an operating unit for a predetermined period of time, to recognize the remaining time within the predetermined period for which the operating unit must be continuously pressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] With this objective in mind, the present invention provides an information display device comprising: a display unit for displaying information relating to the device; an operation unit that is pressed by a user; and a control unit that controls the display unit to display a first display element indicating that the operation unit should be pressed continuously for a predetermined period of time after replacing a consumable item used in the device, the first display element including the predetermined period of time, and that controls the display unit to display the first display element while decreasing the predetermined period of time included in the first display element in accordance with the duration of the pressing operation when the user is performing the operation of continuously pressing the operation unit. The control unit may be configured to control the display unit to further display a second display element indicating that the consumable should be replaced when the remaining amount of the consumable falls below a threshold value. The control unit may be configured to control the display unit to display the first display element on the display unit while decreasing the predetermined time included in the first display element every time a predetermined time elapses, when the user continuously presses the operation unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when a user performs an operation of continuously pressing an operation unit for a predetermined time, it is possible to make the user aware of the remaining time within the predetermined time for which the operation unit should be continuously pressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram for explaining how to attach an aerosol source and the like to the device body assumed in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a normal mode and a high mode, in which (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the normal mode, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the high mode. [Figure 5] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams showing capsule exchange screens in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing display control of the display of the aerosol generation device when notifying that the capsule needs to be replaced in embodiment 1. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the display control of the display of the aerosol generation device after the replacement of the capsule in embodiment 1 is completed. [Figure 8] 10(A) to 10(C) are diagrams showing cartridge replacement screens in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] (overview) The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment is a form of electronic cigarette. In the following description, the substance generated by the aerosol generating device is called an aerosol. An aerosol is a mixture of tiny liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas and air or other gas. The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment is capable of generating aerosol without combustion. In the first embodiment, the act of a user inhaling the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation device is simply referred to as "inhaling" or "puffing."

[0011] In the first embodiment, the aerosol generating device is assumed to be a device to which both a liquid aerosol source and a solid aerosol source can be attached. Hereinafter, a container that stores a liquid aerosol source will be referred to as a "cartridge," and a container that stores a solid aerosol source will be referred to as a "capsule." Both cartridges and capsules are consumables. For this reason, replacement guidelines are set for each cartridge and capsule. The replacement guidelines differ depending on the heating mode, which will be described later.

[0012] The aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment has a heater for heating a liquid aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a heater for heating a solid aerosol source to generate an aerosol. A liquid aerosol source is an example of a first aerosol source, and a solid aerosol source is an example of a second aerosol source.

[0013] (Example of appearance) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment. The external appearance example shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained by observing the front of the aerosol generation device 10 from diagonally above. The aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment has a size that can be held in one hand by a user. For example, the aerosol generation device 10 has a width of approximately 32 mm, a height of approximately 60 mm, and a depth of approximately 23 mm. These sizes are merely examples. Furthermore, the width, height, and depth dimensions will vary depending on the design of the aerosol generation device 10.

[0014] 1 shows a state in which a capsule holder 12 is attached to a device main body 11 of the aerosol generation device 10. As will be described later, the capsule holder 12 is detachable from the device main body 11. A display 11A and operation buttons 11B are arranged on the top surface of the device main body 11. For example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display is used for the display 11A. The operation buttons 11B are used for, for example, turning the power on or off, checking the remaining amount of the solid aerosol source, checking the remaining battery level, and other operations. The display 11A is an example of a display unit, and the operation buttons 11B are an example of an operation unit.

[0015] (Example of attaching an aerosol source, etc.) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how to attach the aerosol source and the like to the device body 11 assumed in the first embodiment. An opening (not shown) is provided in the upper part of the device body 11. This opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the device body 11. The cartridge 20 is first inserted into the opening of the device body 11, and then the capsule holder 12 is attached.

[0016] When attaching or detaching the capsule holder 12 to or from the opening of the device body 11, the user rotates the capsule holder 12 by, for example, 120° relative to the opening. The capsule holder 12 attached to the device body 11 functions as a retainer to prevent the cartridge 20 inserted into the device body 11 from jumping out. An opening is also provided in the capsule holder 12. The opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the capsule holder 12. The capsule 30 is attached to this opening. The capsule 30 can be attached by pushing it into the opening of the capsule holder 12, and can be removed by pulling it out of the opening of the capsule holder 12. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 is attached through an opening provided on the top surface of the apparatus main body 11, but a configuration in which it is attached from the bottom surface side of the apparatus main body 11 may also be adopted.

[0017] (Internal configuration of the device) 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in embodiment 1. The internal configuration here includes a cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) and a capsule 30 (see FIG. 2) attached to a device main body 11. The internal configuration shown in Fig. 3 is intended to explain the components provided inside the device main body 11 and their positional relationships. Therefore, the appearance of the components, etc. shown in Fig. 3 does not necessarily match the appearance diagram described above.

[0018] The aerosol generating device 10 shown in Figure 3 has a power supply unit 111L, a sensor unit 112L, a notification unit 113L, a memory unit 114L, a communication unit 115L, a control unit 116L, a liquid guide unit 122L, a liquid storage unit 123L, a heating unit 121L-1, a heating unit 121L-2, a holding unit 140L, and an insulating unit 144L. An air flow path 180L is formed inside the device body 11. The air flow path 180L functions as a passage for transporting the aerosol generated from the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123L to the capsule-type container 130L filled with the solid aerosol source.

[0019] The liquid storage section 123L corresponds to the cartridge 20 described above, and the capsule-type container 130L corresponds to the capsule 30 described above. In this embodiment, the user inhales with the capsule-type container 130L attached to the holder 140L. The holder 140L corresponds to the capsule holder 12 (see FIG. 2) and the cylindrical body on the device main body 11 side to which the capsule holder 12 is attached.

[0020] Each part constituting the device main body 11 will be described below. The power supply unit 111L is a device that stores power and supplies power to each component that constitutes the device main body 11. A rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery is used as the power supply unit 111L. If the power supply unit 111L is a rechargeable battery, it can be charged any number of times via an external power supply connected via a cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

[0021] However, if the apparatus main body 11 is compatible with wireless power transmission, it is possible to charge the power supply unit 111L in a state where it is not in contact with an external device that is the power transmitting side. If the power supply unit 111L is removable from the device main body 11, it is possible to replace a worn-out power supply unit 111L with a new power supply unit 111L.

[0022] The sensor unit 112L is a device that detects information relating to each part of the apparatus main body 11. The sensor unit 112L outputs the detected information to the control unit 116L. The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes, for example, a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, and a temperature sensor. This type of sensor unit 112L is used, for example, to detect inhalation by the user.

[0023] The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes an input device that accepts user operations on, for example, buttons, switches, etc. The buttons here include the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) described above. This type of sensor unit 112L is used, for example, to accept user operations.

[0024] The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes, for example, a voltmeter that measures the voltage between both terminals of a battery. The battery here is an example of the power supply unit 111L. In this embodiment, the voltmeter is used to calculate the remaining capacity and charge level of the battery.

[0025] The notification unit 113L is a device that notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113L provided in the device main body 11 is, for example, a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). When the notification unit 113L is a light-emitting device, the light-emitting device is controlled to emit light in a pattern according to the content of the information to be notified. For example, the light-emitting device is controlled to emit light in different patterns when notifying the user that the power supply unit 111L needs to be charged, when notifying the user that the power supply unit 111L is being charged, and when notifying the user that an abnormality has occurred.

[0026] The different light emission patterns are a concept that includes differences in color, differences in timing of turning on and off the light, differences in brightness when turned on, and the like. In addition, the notification unit 113L provided in the device main body 11 may include, for example, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, and a vibration device that vibrates. These devices may be used alone or in combination, and may be used together with the light-emitting device described above or in place of the light-emitting device. An example of the display device here is the display 11A (see FIG. 1).

[0027] The storage unit 114L stores various types of information relating to the operation of the device main body 11. The storage unit 114L is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The information stored in the storage unit 114L includes, for example, programs executed by the control unit 116L. The programs include an OS (Operating System), firmware, and application programs.

[0028] In addition, the information stored in the storage unit 114L includes, for example, information required by the control unit 116L to control each unit. The information here includes information on each component detected by the sensor 112L. For example, it also includes information on the heating mode currently being executed, information on the remaining amount of the solid aerosol source, and the remaining amount and charge of the battery. The information on the remaining amount of the solid aerosol source includes, in addition to the remaining amount itself, information for calculating the remaining amount, such as the number of suctions and the cumulative suction time.

[0029] The communication unit 115L is a communication interface used to send and receive information to and from other devices, and conforms to wired or wireless communication standards. Communication standards include, for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), wired LAN, and mobile communication systems such as 4G and 5G. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used.

[0030] The communication unit 115L is used to display, for example, information relating to the user's suction on a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. In addition, the communication unit 115L is used to receive, for example, update data for a program stored in the storage unit 114L from a server.

[0031] The control unit 116L functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the operation of each unit constituting the device main body 11 through the execution of a program. The control unit 116L is provided with electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. Additionally, the control unit 116L may be provided with a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as appropriate.

[0032] The control unit 116L controls, for example, power supply from the power supply unit 111L to each unit, charging of the power supply unit 111L, detection of information by the sensor unit 112L, notification of information by the notification unit 113L, storage and reading of information by the memory unit 114L, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115L. The control unit 116L also performs processing such as accepting information from user operations and processing based on information output from each unit. In particular, the control unit 116L controls the display 11A to display a screen.

[0033] Liquid storage unit 123L is a container that stores a liquid aerosol source, such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The liquid aerosol source may include a tobacco material or an extract derived from a tobacco material that releases a flavor component when heated, and may also include a nicotine component.

[0034] The liquid guide 122L is a component that guides and holds the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage 123L from the liquid storage 123L. The liquid guide 122L has a structure in which a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic is twisted. This type of component is also called a wick. Both ends of the liquid guide portion 122L are connected to the inside of the liquid storage portion 123L. Therefore, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123L spreads throughout the entire liquid guide portion 122L due to the capillary effect.

[0035] The heating section 121L-1 is a component that heats and atomizes the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding section 122L to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 121L-1 is not limited to a coil shape as shown in Fig. 3, but may be a film shape, a blade shape, or other shapes. The shape of the heating unit 121L-1 varies depending on the heating method, etc. The heating unit 121L-1 is made of any material such as metal or polyimide.

[0036] The heating unit 121L-1 is disposed adjacent to the liquid guiding unit 122L. In the present embodiment, the heating unit 121L-1 is a metal coil wound around the outer circumferential surface of the liquid guiding unit 122L. Heating unit 121L-1 generates heat when power is supplied from power supply unit 111L, and heats the aerosol source held in liquid guiding unit 122L to a vaporization temperature. The aerosol source that has reached the vaporization temperature is released as a gas from liquid guiding unit 122L into the air, but is cooled by the surrounding air and atomized, becoming an aerosol.

[0037] In this embodiment, power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the liquid aerosol source is linked to the user's inhalation. That is, power is supplied to the heating unit 121L-1 from the start of inhalation by the user to the end of inhalation, and when the user's inhalation ends, power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 is stopped.

[0038] In addition, power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the liquid aerosol source may start, for example, when a specific button is pressed when no aerosol is being generated, and may stop when a specific button is pressed when aerosol is being generated. The button for instructing the start of aerosol generation and the button for instructing the stop of aerosol generation may be the same physical button or may be different buttons.

[0039] The capsule-type container 130L is a container filled with a solid aerosol source. The solid aerosol source may include a processed product, such as cut tobacco or a tobacco raw material formed into granules, sheets, or powder, which releases a flavor component when heated. That is, the solid aerosol source may include a tobacco-derived substance. The solid aerosol source may also include, for example, a nicotine component. However, the solid aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived substances extracted from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). Additionally, the solid aerosol source may include flavoring ingredients such as menthol.

[0040] The holding part 140L corresponds to, for example, the capsule holder 12 (see FIG. 2), and has an internal space 141L in which the capsule-type container 130L is attached. The holding part 140L is a cylindrical body having a bottom 143L, and defines the columnar internal space 141L. A part of the capsule-type container 130L is held in the holding portion 140L, and the rest is exposed to the outside of the holding portion 140L. The part of the capsule-type container 130L that is exposed from the holding portion 140L is used as a mouthpiece 124L. The mouthpiece 124L is held in the mouth by a user who inhales the aerosol.

[0041] An air inlet (i.e., an air inlet hole) for the holding part 140L is provided, for example, in the bottom part 143L. A hole through which air can flow is formed in the bottom part of the capsule-type container 130L. Therefore, the air flowing in from the bottom part 143L passes through the inside of the capsule-type container 130L and reaches the mouthpiece 124L. In other words, the mouthpiece 124L serves as an air outlet (i.e., an air outlet hole). Incidentally, the bottom 143L is in communication with an air outlet hole 182L of an air flow path 180L formed inside the device body 11. Through this air outlet hole 182L, the internal space 141L of the holder 140L and the air flow path 180L are in communication with each other.

[0042] The heating unit 121L-2 heats the solid aerosol source filled in the capsule-type container 130L. The heating part 121L-2 is made of metal, polyimide, etc. The heating part 121L-2 is provided at a position where it comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the metal part of the holding part 140L. The heating unit 121L-2 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111L, and heats the outer circumferential surface of the capsule-type container 130L that is in contact with the metal portion of the holding unit 140L.

[0043] Therefore, the position close to the outer circumferential surface of the capsule-shaped container 130L is heated first, and then the heated area spreads toward the center. When the aerosol source reaches the vaporization temperature, it is vaporized, but when cooled by the surrounding air, it atomizes and becomes an aerosol. The power supply to the heating unit 121L-2 and the heating that accompanies the power supply are controlled by the control unit 116L.

[0044] The heat insulating portion 144L is a member that prevents heat from being transmitted from the heating portion 121L-2 to other components of the apparatus body 11. The heat insulating portion 144L covers at least the outer peripheral surface of the heating portion 121L-2. The heat insulating section 144L is made of, for example, a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material. A vacuum insulating material is an insulating material in which glass wool, silica (silicon powder), or the like is wrapped in a resin film and placed in a high vacuum state, thereby reducing the thermal conduction of gas to as close to zero as possible.

[0045] As described above, the air flow path 180L is an air flow path provided inside the device body 11. The air flow path 180L has a tubular structure having, at both ends, an air inlet hole 181L which is an air inlet to the air flow path 180L and an air outlet hole 182L which is an air outlet from the air flow path 180L. When the user inhales, air flows into the air flow path 180L from the air inlet hole 181L, and the air flows out to the bottom 143L of the holder 140L from the air outlet hole 182L.

[0046] A liquid guide section 122L is disposed midway along the air flow path 180L. The liquid-derived aerosol generated by heating in the heating section 121L-1 is mixed with air flowing in through the air inlet hole 181L. The mixture of the liquid-derived aerosol and air then passes through the inside of the capsule-type container 130L and is output from the mouthpiece 124L into the user's oral cavity. In FIG. 3, this flow path is indicated by an arrow 190L.

[0047] Aerosol derived from solid matter is added to the mixed gas of the liquid-derived aerosol and air as it passes through the capsule-type container 130L. The concentration of the aerosol derived from the solid matter increases by combining the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2. However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, a heating mode that is not combined with the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2 is also provided.

[0048] When the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2 is not combined, the aerosol derived from the liquid is generated by heating the aerosol source of the solid material when the aerosol derived from the liquid passes through the capsule container 130L. However, the amount of solid-derived aerosol generated by heating the liquid-derived aerosol is smaller than when combined with heating control of the heating unit 121L-2.

[0049] (heating mode) The aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment is provided with two types of heating modes. The first heating mode is a first mode in which only the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the aerosol source stored in the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) is used. That is, this is a heating mode in which only the cartridge 20 is heated. Hereinafter, this heating mode will be referred to as the “normal mode.” In the normal mode, the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the solid aerosol source is always controlled to be off.

[0050] The second heating mode is a second mode that uses both the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the aerosol source stored in the cartridge 20 and the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the aerosol source filled in the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). That is, this is a heating mode that heats both the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30. Hereinafter, this heating mode will be referred to as the “high mode.” In the high mode, heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 and heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2 are alternately performed.

[0051] The heating mode can be switched by, for example, pressing and holding the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) for two seconds or more. For example, if operation button 11B is pressed for two seconds or more in high mode, the heating mode switches to normal mode. On the other hand, if operation button 11B is pressed for two seconds or more in normal mode, the heating mode switches to high mode.

[0052] In the high mode, the heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 takes priority over the heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2. That is, while heating is being performed by the heating unit 121L-1, heating by the heating unit 121L-2 is controlled to stop. Also, if an event occurs that starts heating the cartridge 20 while heating the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2, heating by the heating unit 121L-2 is controlled to stop.

[0053] In the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment, the heating units 121L-1 and 121L-2 are controlled not to heat simultaneously so as not to exceed the upper limit of the output current of the battery used as the power supply unit 111L. In other words, the heating period of the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period of the heating unit 121L-2 are separated. The term "simultaneous" here does not mean that the heating timings do not overlap at all, so overlaps caused by errors in operation timing, for example, are allowed.

[0054] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the normal mode and the high mode, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the normal mode, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating in the high mode. FIG. 4(A1) shows the heating timing of the cartridge 20 in the normal mode, and FIG. 4(A2) shows the heating timing of the capsule 30 in the normal mode. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 4(A1) and (A2) represents time, and the vertical axis represents the presence or absence of heating. During periods when heating is present, power is supplied to the corresponding heating section, and during periods when heating is not present, power is not supplied to the corresponding heating section.

[0055] Heating control in normal mode is started when the locked state is released. The locked state is a state in which control by control unit 116L is stopped, and therefore, even if the user holds mouthpiece 124L (see FIG. 3) between their mouths and inhales, no aerosol is generated. The locked state can be released, for example, by pressing the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) three times in succession within two seconds. The number of presses, the button to be operated, and the time required for the operation are all examples. When the heating control in the normal mode starts, as shown in FIG. 4(A1), the cartridge 20 is heated in conjunction with the suction period. "Linked to the period of suction" means linked to the detection of suction by sensor unit 112L.

[0056] Thus, if suction for one second is detected, cartridge 20 is heated for one second, and if suction for two seconds is detected, cartridge 20 is heated for two seconds. As shown in FIG. 4(A2), in the normal mode, the capsule 30 is not heated regardless of whether or not inhalation is performed. In the present embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last detection of suction, control unit 116L transitions to the locked state. The heating mode will not change even if the device is locked. The heating mode will not change even when the device is released from the locked state.

[0057] In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 6 minutes (i.e., 360 seconds). This time is an example. If 6 minutes have passed since the last inhalation, it is highly likely that the user has stopped inhaling aerosol. Therefore, in this embodiment, the device main body 11 (see FIG. 2) is shifted to a locked state in order to reduce the power consumed by the device main body 11. The same applies to the high mode. That is, when six minutes have passed since the last suction, the aerosol generation device 10 is controlled to a locked state.

[0058] The device also transitions to the locked state when the user instructs it to do so. The user can manually transition to the locked state by, for example, pressing operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) three times in succession within two seconds before six minutes have elapsed since the last suction. The number of presses, the buttons to be operated, and the time required for the operation are all examples.

[0059] FIG. 4(B1) shows the heating timing of the cartridge 20 in the high mode, and FIG. 4(B2) shows the heating timing of the capsule 30 in the high mode. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 4(B1) and (B2) represents time, and the vertical axis represents the presence or absence of heating. As described above, in this embodiment, simultaneous heating of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 is prohibited. Therefore, the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the heating timing of the capsule 30 do not overlap. During a period indicating heating, power is supplied to the corresponding heating unit, and during a period indicating no heating, power is not supplied to the corresponding heating unit.

[0060] The heating control in the high mode is started when the locked state is released or when the normal mode is switched to the high mode. When the high mode heating control starts, as shown in Fig. 4(B2), heating of the capsule 30 starts. This heating basically continues until inhalation is detected, and heating of the capsule 30 is stopped during the period in which inhalation is detected. 4(B1) and 4(B2), heating of the capsule 30 is stopped at the timing when heating of the cartridge 20 is started. The initial temperature of the capsule 30 is, for example, the air temperature of the environment in which the aerosol generation device 10 is used, for example, room temperature.

[0061] In the case of the aerosol generation device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 (B1) and (B2), when 30 seconds have passed since the last detection of inhalation, heating of the capsule 30 is forcibly stopped to reduce power consumption. That is, the device enters a sleep state. In the sleep state, the temperature of the capsule 30 gradually decreases.

[0062] In the sleep state, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped, but the sensor unit 112L that detects inhalation is operating. Therefore, when inhalation by the user is detected in the sleep state, heating of the cartridge 20 is performed as shown in Fig. 4(B1). Furthermore, when heating of the cartridge 20 is completed, heating of the capsule 30 is started as shown in Fig. 4(B2).

[0063] In the present embodiment, the user is not notified of the transition to the sleep state, but the user may be notified. If the device remains in sleep mode for another 5 minutes and 30 seconds, it will transition to the locked state described above.

[0064] (Display contents) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the capsule exchange screen 200 displayed on the display 11A in the first embodiment. The capsule replacement screen 200 is a screen that displays the operations required for replacing the capsule 30, and is displayed when the solid aerosol source inside the capsule 30 runs out. The capsule replacement screen 200 is displayed while flashing, for example, for a maximum of 40 seconds, until the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) is pressed.

[0065] The capsule exchange screen 200 shown in FIG. 5 has a capsule exchange icon 201, a long press icon 202, and an arrow icon 203 arranged thereon. The capsule exchange icon 201 is an icon indicating that the capsule 30 should be exchanged. The long press icon 202 is an icon indicating that the operation button 11B should be pressed and held, that is, pressed continuously for a predetermined time. The operation of pressing and holding the operation button 11B is performed to instruct a preparation process for use after the capsule 30 has been exchanged. The preparation process for use of the capsule 30 includes, for example, a process of resetting the number of puffs counted for the capsule 30 before exchange. The arrow icon 203 is an icon indicating the order in which the operation button 11B should be pressed and held after the capsule 30 has been exchanged. The capsule exchange icon 201 is an example of a second display element, and the long press icon 202 is an example of a first display element.

[0066] The long press icon 202 shown in Fig. 5 changes depending on the time the long press continues. Specifically, the long press icon 202 includes a character string indicating the remaining time for which the operation button 11B should be long pressed. For example, when the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed, the long press icon 202 includes the character strings "PUSH" and "2SEC" as shown in Fig. 5(A). This indicates that the remaining time for long pressing the operation button 11B is 2 seconds. If the user continues to press and hold the operation button 11B while viewing this capsule exchange screen 200 and one second has passed, the character string "2SEC" on the long press icon 202 will change to the character string "1SEC" as shown in Fig. 5(B). As a result, the capsule exchange screen 200 will indicate that the remaining time for which the operation button 11B must be pressed and held is one second. If the user continues to press and hold the operation button 11B while viewing this capsule exchange screen 200 and another 1 second has passed, the character string "1 SEC" on the long press icon 202 will change to the character string "0 SEC" as shown in Fig. 5(C). As a result, the capsule exchange screen 200 will indicate that the remaining time for long pressing the operation button 11B is 0 seconds, that is, the initially notified time for long pressing the operation button 11B has passed.

[0067] In the above description, the time for which the long press icon 202 must be pressed and held is set to 2 seconds, the time until the character string in the long press icon 202 switches is set to 1 second, and the number of times the long press icon 202 switches is set to 2 times, so the following description will use these times and numbers. However, these are merely examples, and the time and number may be predetermined.

[0068] (Display control) 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating the display control of the display 11A of the aerosol generation device 10 according to the first embodiment. The symbol S in the figure means step. 6 and 7 are realized through the execution of a program. The program here is stored in the storage unit 114L (see FIG. 3) and executed by the control unit 116L (see FIG. 3).

[0069] FIG. 6 shows the display control of the display 11A of the aerosol generation device 10 when notifying that the capsule 30 needs to be replaced.

[0070] First, the control unit 116L acquires the remaining amount of the capsule 30 (step 301). The remaining amount of the capsule 30 is a value calculated based on the number of suctions, the cumulative suction time, etc., and is stored in the memory unit 114L, so the control unit 116L acquires this value.

[0071] Next, the control unit 116L determines whether or not there is any remaining amount of capsules 30 based on the remaining amount of capsules 30 acquired in step 301 (step 302). For example, if the remaining amount of the capsule 30 exceeds the threshold, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 302. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of the capsule 30 is equal to or less than the threshold value, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 302.

[0072] As long as a positive result is obtained in step 302, control unit 116L repeats the process of step 301 and the determination of step 302.

[0073] If a negative result is obtained in step 302, the control unit 116L sets a capsule exchange icon 201, which indicates that the capsule 30 should be exchanged, in the screen data prepared in the RAM (step 303). For example, the control unit 116L sets a capsule exchange icon 201 including the character string "CHANGE" and a capsule 30 mark. Next, control unit 116L sets arrow icon 203 in the screen data prepared in RAM (step 304). Next, control unit 116L sets long press icon 202, which indicates that the remaining time for long press is 2 seconds, in the screen data prepared in RAM (step 305). For example, the control unit 116L sets the long press icon 202 including the character strings "PUSH" and "2SEC."

[0074] Thereafter, the control unit 116L displays on the display 11A the capsule exchange screen 200 obtained by setting the capsule exchange icon 201, the arrow icon 203, and the long press icon 202 in the screen data in steps 303 to 305 (step 306). For example, the control unit 116L outputs the data of the capsule exchange screen 200 to the notification unit 113L, and the notification unit 113L outputs this data to the display 11A, whereby the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed on the display 11A. When the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed on the display 11A in this way, the user recognizes that the capsule 30 needs to be exchanged and performs the capsule 30 exchange operation.

[0075] In the above description, the capsule exchange icon 201, the arrow icon 203, and the long press icon 202 are set in this order, but the order in which these icons are set may be reversed. In the above description, the capsule exchange icon 201, the arrow icon 203, and the long press icon 202 are set as separate display elements, but they do not have to be set as separate display elements. For example, the capsule exchange icon 201, the arrow icon 203, and the long press icon 202 may be set as a single integrated display element.

[0076] FIG. 7 shows the display control of the display 11A of the aerosol generation device 10 after the replacement of the capsule 30 is completed.

[0077] First, the control unit 116L determines whether or not an operation of pressing the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) has been detected (step 321). For example, if the sensor unit 112L (see FIG. 3) detects an operation of pressing the operation button 11B, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 321. On the other hand, if the sensor unit 112L does not detect the operation of pressing the operation button 11B, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 321.

[0078] As long as a negative result is obtained in step 321, control unit 116L repeats the determination in step 321. If a positive result is obtained in step 321, control unit 116L starts a timer (step 322).

[0079] Next, the control unit 116L determines whether the operation button 11B has been released from being pressed (step 323). For example, if the sensor unit 112L detects an operation to release the pressing of the operation button 11B, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 323. On the other hand, if the sensor unit 112L does not detect an operation to release the pressing of the operation button 11B, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 323.

[0080] If a positive result is obtained in step 323, control unit 116L stops the timer (step 324). Then, control unit 116L returns the process to step 321.

[0081] If a negative result is obtained in step 323, control unit 116L determines whether one second has elapsed on the timer (step 325). For example, if the control unit 116L detects in step 322 that one second has elapsed since the timer started, then the result in step 325 is affirmative. On the other hand, if control unit 116L does not detect in step 322 that one second has elapsed since the timer started, then in step 325 it obtains a negative result.

[0082] If a negative result is obtained in step 325 , the control unit 116 L returns the process to step 323 . If a positive result is obtained in step 325, control unit 116L sets long press icon 202, which indicates that the remaining time for long press is one second, in the screen data prepared in RAM (step 326). For example, the control unit 116L sets the long press icon 202 including the character strings "PUSH" and "1SEC." At this time, it is assumed that the capsule exchange icon 201 and the arrow icon 203 set in steps 303 and 304 of FIG. 6 remain set in the screen data prepared in the RAM.

[0083] Thereafter, the control unit 116L displays on the display 11A the capsule exchange screen 200 that has been changed by setting the long press icon 202 in the screen data in step 326 (step 327). For example, the control unit 116L outputs the data of the capsule exchange screen 200 to the notification unit 113L, and the notification unit 113L outputs this data to the display 11A, whereby the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed on the display 11A.

[0084] Next, the control unit 116L determines whether the operation button 11B has been released from being pressed (step 328). For example, if the sensor unit 112L detects an operation to release the pressing of the operation button 11B, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 328. On the other hand, if the sensor unit 112L does not detect an operation to release the pressing of the operation button 11B, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 328.

[0085] If a positive result is obtained in step 328, control unit 116L stops the timer (step 329). Next, the control unit 116L sets the long press icon 202 indicating that the remaining time for long press is 2 seconds in the screen data prepared in the RAM (step 330). That is, the long press icon 202 is returned to its initial state. For example, the control unit 116L sets the long press icon 202 including the character strings "PUSH" and "2SEC." At this time, it is assumed that the capsule exchange icon 201 and the arrow icon 203 set in steps 303 and 304 of FIG. 6 remain set in the screen data prepared in the RAM. Thereafter, the control unit 116L displays on the display 11A the capsule exchange screen 200, which has been returned to its initial state by setting the long press icon 202 in the screen data in step 330 (step 331). For example, the control unit 116L outputs the data of the capsule exchange screen 200 to the notification unit 113L, and the notification unit 113L outputs this data to the display 11A, whereby the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed on the display 11A. Then, control unit 116L returns the process to step 321.

[0086] If a negative result is obtained in step 328, control unit 116L determines whether or not two seconds have elapsed on the timer (step 332). For example, if the control unit 116L detects in step 325 that the timer has elapsed one second and then detects that another second has elapsed, the result in step 332 is affirmative. On the other hand, if the control unit 116L has not detected that one second has elapsed since detecting in step 325 that the timer has elapsed one second, then the result in step 332 is negative.

[0087] If a negative result is obtained in step 332 , the control unit 116 L returns the process to step 328 . If a positive result is obtained in step 332, control unit 116L sets long press icon 202, which indicates that the remaining time for long press is 0 seconds, in the screen data prepared in RAM (step 333). For example, the control unit 116L sets the long press icon 202 including the character strings "PUSH" and "0SEC." At this time, it is assumed that the capsule exchange icon 201 and the arrow icon 203 set in steps 303 and 304 of FIG. 6 remain set in the screen data prepared in the RAM.

[0088] Thereafter, the control unit 116L displays on the display 11A the capsule exchange screen 200 that has been changed by setting the long press icon 202 in the screen data in step 333 (step 334). For example, the control unit 116L outputs the data of the capsule exchange screen 200 to the notification unit 113L, and the notification unit 113L outputs this data to the display 11A, whereby the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed on the display 11A. When the capsule exchange screen 200 is displayed on the display 11A in this manner, the long press icon 202 on the capsule exchange screen 200 indicates that the remaining time for long pressing is 0 seconds, so the user can recognize that the time for long pressing has expired.

[0089] Then, the control unit 116L performs a process for preparing the capsule 30 for use (step 335). For example, the control unit 116L performs a process for resetting the number of puffs counted for the capsule 30 before replacement. When the preparation process for use of the capsule 30 is completed, the control unit 116L may erase the capsule exchange screen 200 from the display 11A.

[0090] (summary) In the aerosol generation device 10 according to the first embodiment, a long press icon 202 is displayed, indicating that the operation button 11B should be pressed and held after the capsule 30 has been replaced, and when the user presses and holds the operation button 11B, the long press icon 202 is displayed while changing depending on the duration of the long press. This allows the user to recognize the remaining time for which the operation button 11B should be pressed and held when the user presses and holds the operation button 11B.

[0091] [Embodiment 2] (Overview, etc.) In this embodiment, an example in which the cartridge 20 is replaced instead of the capsule 30 will be described. The external appearance and internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment are the same as those of the aerosol generation device 10 described in the first embodiment. However, the sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 also includes a liquid level sensor that detects the remaining amount of the liquid aerosol source in the cartridge 20. The liquid level sensor may be one that optically detects the liquid level, such as one that detects the liquid level position using reflected light from the liquid surface. In addition, the memory unit 114L provided in the device main body 11 also stores information on the remaining amount of the liquid aerosol source in the cartridge 20 as information detected by the sensor unit 112L.

[0092] (Display contents) FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a cartridge replacement screen 400 displayed on the display 11A in the second embodiment. Cartridge replacement screen 400 is a screen that displays the operations required for replacing cartridge 20, and is displayed when the remaining amount of liquid aerosol source in cartridge 20 runs out. Cartridge replacement screen 400 is displayed while flashing, for example, for a maximum of 40 seconds, until operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) is pressed.

[0093] 8 has a cartridge replacement icon 401, a long press icon 402, and an arrow icon 403 arranged thereon. The cartridge replacement icon 401 is an icon indicating that the cartridge 20 should be replaced. The long press icon 402 is an icon indicating that the operation button 11B should be pressed and held, that is, pressed continuously for a predetermined period of time. The operation of pressing and holding the operation button 11B is performed to instruct a preparation process for use after the cartridge 20 has been replaced. The arrow icon 403 is an icon indicating the order in which the operation button 11B should be pressed and held after the cartridge 20 has been replaced. The cartridge replacement icon 401 is an example of a second display element, and the long press icon 402 is an example of a first display element.

[0094] The long press icon 402 shown in Fig. 8 changes depending on the time the long press continues. Specifically, the long press icon 402 includes a character string indicating the remaining time for which the operation button 11B should be long pressed. For example, when the cartridge replacement screen 400 is displayed, the long press icon 402 includes the character strings "PUSH" and "2SEC," as shown in Fig. 8(A). This indicates that the remaining time for long pressing the operation button 11B is 2 seconds. Looking at this cartridge replacement screen 400, if the user continues to press and hold the operation button 11B and one second has passed, the character string "2SEC" on the long press icon 402 will change to the character string "1SEC" as shown in Fig. 8(B). As a result, the cartridge replacement screen 400 will indicate that the remaining time for which the operation button 11B must be pressed and held is one second. If the user continues to press and hold the operation button 11B while viewing this cartridge replacement screen 400, and another second passes, the character string "1 SEC" on the long press icon 402 will change to the character string "0 SEC," as shown in Fig. 8(C). As a result, the cartridge replacement screen 400 will indicate that the remaining time for long pressing the operation button 11B is 0 seconds, that is, the initially notified time for long pressing the operation button 11B has passed.

[0095] In the above description, the time for which the long press icon 402 should be pressed and held is set to 2 seconds, the time until the character string in the long press icon 402 switches is set to 1 second, and the number of times the long press icon 402 switches is set to 2 times, so the following description will use these times and numbers. However, these are merely examples, and the time and number may be predetermined.

[0096] (Display control) The display control of the display 11A of the aerosol generation device 10 in the second embodiment is achieved by replacing the processing related to the capsule 30 in the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0097] (summary) In the aerosol generation device 10 according to the second embodiment, a long press icon 402 is displayed, indicating that the operation button 11B should be pressed and held after the cartridge 20 has been replaced, and when the user presses and holds the operation button 11B, the long press icon 402 is displayed while changing in accordance with the duration of the long press. This allows the user to recognize the remaining time for which the operation button 11B should be pressed and held when the user presses and holds the operation button 11B.

[0098] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above-described embodiments. It is clear from the claims that various modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, the aerosol is generated by heating the liquid aerosol source with the heating unit 121L-1, but the aerosol may be generated by vibrating the liquid aerosol source with an oscillator. Alternatively, the heating unit 121L-1 may be configured as a susceptor made of a conductive material such as metal, and the susceptor may be induction-heated with an electromagnetic induction source to generate the aerosol.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the aerosol generation device 10 (see FIG. 1) is an electronic cigarette, but it may also be a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer. When the aerosol generation device 10 is a nebulizer, the liquid aerosol source or solid aerosol source may contain a drug for inhalation by a patient.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the aerosol generation device 10, but this is not limiting. The present invention can be applied to any device that has a user-depressible operation button and a display that can display information about the device itself. In particular, the present invention can be applied to a device that, when a predetermined cause occurs, displays a message on the display indicating that a predetermined operation should be performed to resolve the predetermined cause. Here, the predetermined cause may be that the remaining amount of a consumable used in the device falls below a threshold, and the predetermined operation may be replacing the consumable. The capsule 30 of Embodiment 1 and the cartridge 20 of Embodiment 2 are examples of such consumables. Alternatively, the predetermined cause may be that a component of the device has failed, and the predetermined operation may be replacing the component. Note that this device is an example of an information display device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10...aerosol generating device, 11A...display, 11B...operation button, 20...cartridge, 30...capsule, 116L...control unit, 121L-1, 121L-2...heating unit, 200...capsule replacement screen, 201...capsule replacement icon, 202, 402...long press icon, 203, 403...arrow icon, 400...cartridge replacement screen, 401...cartridge replacement icon

Claims

1. a display unit for displaying information about the device itself; an operation unit that is pressed by a user; a control unit that controls the display unit to display a first display element indicating that an operation of continuously pressing the operation unit for a predetermined time should be performed after replacing a consumable item used in the device, the first display element including the predetermined time, and that, when a user is performing an operation of continuously pressing the operation unit, controls the display unit to display the first display element while decreasing the predetermined time included in the first display element in accordance with the time the pressing operation is continuing; An information display device comprising:

2. 2. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to further display a second display element indicating that the consumable should be replaced when the remaining amount of the consumable falls below a threshold value.

3. 2. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display the first display element while decreasing the specified time included in the first display element every time a predetermined time elapses, when the user continuously presses the operation unit.

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