Suction device, terminal device, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism with which it is possible to improve the quality of an experience using an inhalation device. [Solution] This inhalation device is provided with: a communication unit that communicates with another device; a heating unit that heats an aerosol source-containing substrate to generate an aerosol; a storage unit that stores information; and a control unit that controls the operation of the inhalation device. The storage unit stores one or more operation settings which are information for setting the operation of the inhalation device. The control unit controls the operation of the inhalation device on the basis of an operation setting to be used among the operation settings stored by the storage unit. The communication unit transmits information indicating the operation settings stored by the storage unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction device, a terminal device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Inhalation devices that generate a substance to be inhaled by a user, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, are widely used. For example, the inhalation device generates an aerosol imparted with a flavor component using a substrate that includes an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol. A user can taste the flavor by inhaling the aerosol imparted with the flavor component generated by the inhalation device.

[0003] The quality of the flavor experienced by the user is affected by how the base material is heated. In this regard, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for switchably setting a temperature setting that specifies the time series transition of the temperature of a heating device that heats the base material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 019122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1 has only recently been developed, and there is still room for improvement in various respects.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the experience using an suction device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an suction device comprising a communication unit that communicates with other devices, a heating unit that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, a memory unit that stores information, and a control unit that controls the operation of the suction device, wherein the memory unit stores one or more operation settings which are information for setting the operation of the suction device, the control unit controls the operation of the suction device based on the operation setting to be used among the operation settings stored in the memory unit, and the communication unit transmits information indicating the operation setting stored in the memory unit.

[0008] The communication unit may receive information requesting transmission of information indicating the operation settings, and transmit the information indicating the operation settings requested to be transmitted in the received information.

[0009] The communication unit may transmit information indicating an operation setting to be used.

[0010] The communication unit may transmit information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the storage unit.

[0011] The communication unit may transmit, as the information indicating the operation setting, identification information corresponding to the operation setting.

[0012] The control unit may be capable of switching the operation setting to be used from among the operation settings stored in the storage unit.

[0013] The communication unit may receive information instructing the device to switch operation settings of the object to be used, and the control unit may switch the operation settings of the object to the operation settings to be switched to as instructed by the information received by the communication unit.

[0014] The communication unit may transmit information indicating that switching of the operation settings of the target device has been completed.

[0015] The appropriate operational settings may vary depending on the type of substrate.

[0016] The operation settings may include a heating profile in which a time series transition of a target value of an actual measurement value measured for the heating section is defined.

[0017] The heating profile may initially include an initial heating section, then an intermediate heating section, and then a re-heating section, wherein a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the initial heating section is higher than an initial temperature, a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the intermediate heating section is lower than a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the initial heating section, and a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the re-heating section is higher than a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the intermediate heating section.

[0018] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a terminal device is provided which includes a communication unit that receives information indicating an operation setting, which is information for setting the operation of an suction device, stored in the suction device having a heating unit that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and an output unit that outputs the information indicating the operation setting received by the communication unit.

[0019] The suction device may operate based on an operation setting that is to be used among one or more of the operation settings stored, and the communication unit may transmit information requesting the transmission of information indicating the operation setting of the object to be used.

[0020] The output unit may output information indicating an operation setting of the target device, the information being received by the communication unit.

[0021] The suction device may operate based on the operation setting to be used among one or more of the operation settings stored therein, and the output unit may output information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device can use as the operation setting to be used.

[0022] The suction device may further include a memory unit that stores information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device can use as operation settings for the object of use, and the output unit may output the information stored in the memory unit that indicates one or more operation settings that the suction device can use as operation settings for the object of use.

[0023] The communication unit may send information requesting the transmission of information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device, and receive information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device, and the output unit may output information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device received by the communication unit as information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device can use as the operation setting of the target device.

[0024] The suction device operates based on the operation setting to be used from among one or more of the operation settings stored, and the terminal device further includes an input unit that accepts an operation to select the operation setting to switch to, and the communication unit may transmit information instructing the operation setting to be used to be switched to the selected operation setting to switch to.

[0025] The output unit may output information indicating the operation settings of the object of use after the switching when information indicating that the switching of the operation settings of the object of use in the suction device has been completed is received by the communication unit.

[0026] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to execute the following: when receiving information indicating operation settings, which is information for setting the operation of an suction device stored in the suction device having a heating unit that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, control a terminal device to output the received information indicating the operation settings. Effect of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that can further improve the quality of the experience when using a suction device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of a suction device. [Diagram 2] 1 is an overall perspective view of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a stick-shaped substrate is held. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 13 is a graph showing an example of a time series transition of an actual temperature of a heating part operated based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a switching process for operation settings to be used, which is executed in the system according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a download process of an operation setting executed in the system according to the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0030] <<1. Example of suction device configuration>> The inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

[0031] (1) Internal configuration example Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration example of a suction device. As shown in Fig. 1, a suction device 100 according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a holding unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0032] The power supply unit 111 accumulates power. Then, the power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the suction device 100 based on the control of the control unit 116. The power supply unit 111 can be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0033] The sensor unit 112 acquires various information related to the suction device 100. As one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0034] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured, for example, by a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0035] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0036] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in compliance with any wired or wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0037] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation within the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor.

[0038] The holding part 140 has an internal space 141, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the holding part 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and the bottom part 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. The holding part 140 also has a function of defining a flow path for air to be supplied to the stick-shaped substrate 150. An air inlet hole that is an entrance of air to such a flow path is arranged in the bottom part 143, for example. On the other hand, an air outlet hole that is an exit of air from such a flow path is the opening 142.

[0039] The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a suction mouth portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. In this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holder 140, at least a part of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the suction mouth portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the suction mouth portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his / her mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 from an air inlet hole (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0040] The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. When the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input, power supply may be stopped.

[0041] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121 to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0042] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0043] As one example, the heating unit 121 may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140.

[0044] As another example, the holding unit 140 may include an opening and closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a part of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The holding unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to clamp the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, the heating unit 121 may be provided at the clamping location in the holding unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0045] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.

[0046] (2) External configuration example Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the suction device according to this embodiment holding a stick-shaped substrate 150. 100 FIG.

[0047] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inhalation device 100 has a top housing 11A, a bottom housing 11B, a cover 12, a switch 13, a lid portion 14, a vent hole 15, and a cap 16. The top housing 11A and the bottom housing 11B are connected to each other to form the outermost outer housing 11 of the inhalation device 100. The outer housing 11 is sized to fit in the user's hand. When the user uses the inhalation device 100, the user can hold the inhalation device 100 in his or her hand and inhale the flavor.

[0048] The top housing 11A has an opening (not shown), and the cover 12 is coupled to the top housing 11A so as to close the opening. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 12 has an opening 142 into which the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be inserted. The lid 14 is configured to open and close the opening 142 of the cover 12. Specifically, the lid 14 is attached to the cover 12 and configured to be movable along the surface of the cover 12 between a first position in which the opening 142 is closed and a second position in which the opening 142 is opened. This allows the lid 14 to permit or restrict access of the stick-shaped substrate 150 to the inside of the suction device 100 (the internal space 141 shown in FIG. 1). A state in which the lid 14 is in the second position and the lid 14 opens the opening 142 is also referred to as an open state below. A state in which the lid 14 is in the first position and the lid 14 closes the opening 142 is also referred to as a closed state below.

[0049] The switch 13 is used to switch the operation of the inhalation device 100 on and off. For example, by operating the switch 13 while the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142 as shown in FIG. 3, the user can supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 and heat the stick-type substrate 150 without burning it. When the stick-type substrate 150 is heated, an aerosol is generated from the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150, and the flavor of the flavor source is taken in by the aerosol. The user can inhale the aerosol containing the flavor by inhaling the part of the stick-type substrate 150 protruding from the inhalation device 100 (the part shown in FIG. 3, i.e., the mouthpiece part 152).

[0050] The vent 15 is a vent for introducing air into the internal space 141. The air taken into the inside of the suction device 100 from the vent 15 is introduced into the internal space 141 from an air inlet hole formed in, for example, the bottom 143 of the holding part 140. The cap 16 is configured to be detachable from the bottom housing 11B. The cap 16 is attached to the bottom housing 11B to form the vent 15 between the bottom housing 11B and the cap 16. The cap 16 may have, for example, a through hole or a notch not shown. In this specification, the longitudinal direction of the suction device 100 refers to the direction in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the opening 142. In addition, in the suction device 100 of this specification, the side into which a fluid such as air flows in (for example, the vent 15 side) is the upstream side, and the side into which the fluid flows out (for example, the opening 142 side) is the downstream side.

[0051] <<2. Technical features>> (1) System configuration example 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.

[0052] Configuration of the suction device 100 The configuration of the inhalation device 100 is as described above. Hereinafter, the inhalation of the aerosol generated by the inhalation device 100 by the user is also simply referred to as "inhalation" or "puffing." In addition, the inhalation action of the user is also referred to as a puffing action below.

[0053] The inhalation device 100 according to this embodiment generates an aerosol to be inhaled by a user using a substrate containing an aerosol source. The heating unit 121 heats the substrate containing the aerosol source to generate an aerosol. The stick-shaped substrate 150 is an example of the substrate in this embodiment.

[0054] Configuration of Terminal Device 200 The terminal device 200 is a device used by a user of the suction device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 is configured with any information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable device. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 200 includes an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a communication unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0055] The input unit 210 has a function of accepting input of various information. The input unit 210 may include an input device that accepts input of information from a user. Examples of the input device include a button, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a microphone. In addition, the input unit 210 may include various sensors such as an image sensor.

[0056] The output unit 220 has a function of outputting information. The output unit 220 may include an output device that outputs information to a user. Examples of the output device include a display device that displays information, a light-emitting device that emits light, a vibration device that vibrates, and a sound output device that outputs sound. An example of a display device is a display. An example of a light-emitting device is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). An example of a vibration device is an eccentric motor. An example of a sound output device is a speaker. The output unit 220 notifies the user of the information by outputting the information input from the control unit 250.

[0057] The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and other devices. The communication unit 230 performs communication in compliance with any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like may be adopted.

[0058] The storage unit 240 stores various types of information for the operation of the terminal device 200. The storage unit 240 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0059] The control unit 250 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or control unit, and controls the overall operation of the terminal device 200 according to various programs. The control unit 250 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 250 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs to be used and arithmetic parameters, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. The terminal device 200 executes various processes based on the control of the control unit 250. The processing of information input by the input unit 210, the output of information by the output unit 220, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 230, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 240 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 250. Other processes executed by the terminal device 200, such as the input of information to each component and the processing based on the information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 250.

[0060] The functions of the control unit 250 may be realized by using an application. The application may be pre-installed or may be downloaded. The functions of the control unit 250 may be realized by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

[0061] -Communication between devices The suction device 100 is capable of communicating with other devices. The communication link used for communication between the suction device 100 and the other devices may be wireless or wired. In this specification, the communication link will be described as being wireless.

[0062] In particular, the suction device 100 establishes a connection with another paired device and transmits and receives information. Pairing is a process in which two devices exchange and store information with each other. Examples of the information exchanged include identification information of the other device, such as a service set identifier (SSID), and information about an encryption key used to encrypt the information to be transmitted and received.

[0063] The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 first perform pairing, and then transmit and receive information. The wireless communication standard used for wireless communication between the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 is preferably a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth. In this case, when the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are located within a range where short-range wireless communication is possible, they can establish a connection and communicate with each other. In the following, it is assumed that the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 perform communication in accordance with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)).

[0064] The connection between the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 may be established when a predetermined condition is satisfied. One example of the predetermined condition is that the state of the lid portion 14 has changed to an open state. Another example of the predetermined condition is that charging of the power supply unit 111 has started. When the suction device 100 is connected to an external power source via, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or the like, the suction device 100 starts charging the power supply unit 111. When any of these predetermined conditions is satisfied, the suction device 100 starts transmitting an advertisement, establishes a connection with the terminal device 200 that has received the advertisement, and starts transmitting and receiving information.

[0065] The connection between the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 may be cut off when a predetermined condition is satisfied. One example of the predetermined condition is when the state of the lid unit 14 has changed to the closed state. Another example of the predetermined condition is when charging of the power supply unit 111 has ended. The suction device 100 ends charging of the power supply unit 111 when, for example, the connection to the external power source is released. The suction device 100 cuts off the connection with the terminal device 200 when, for example, any of these predetermined conditions is satisfied, and no operation by the user has been detected for a predetermined time or longer, and no information has been transmitted or received.

[0066] (2) Operation settings The suction device 100 operates based on an operation setting. The operation setting is information for setting the operation of the suction device 100. The suction device 100 may store one or more operation settings. Of the one or more operation settings stored in the suction device 100, the operation setting used by the suction device 100 is also referred to as the operation setting of the target of use. That is, the suction device 100 operates based on the operation setting of the target of use. More specifically, the control unit 116 controls the operation of each component of the suction device 100, including the heating unit 121, based on the operation setting of the target of use. An example of the operation setting will be described below.

[0067] (2.1) Heating profile The operation setting may include a heating profile. The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. The heating profile is information indicating the time series transition of the target value of the value (hereinafter also referred to as the actual measurement value) measured for the heating unit 121. The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the time series transition of the actual measurement value measured for the heating unit 121 is similar to the time series transition of the target value defined in the heating profile. In this way, the aerosol is generated as planned by the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed so that the flavor tasted by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type substrate 150 is optimized. Therefore, the flavor tasted by the user can be optimized by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.

[0068] -Heating profile in terms of temperature The actual measurement value may be the temperature of the heating section 121. In this case, the heating profile is information that specifies the time series transition of the target temperature, which is the target value of the temperature of the heating section 121. The control section 116 controls the temperature of the heating section 121 so that the time series transition of the actual temperature of the heating section 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) becomes similar to the time series transition of the target temperature specified in the heating profile. This makes it possible to optimize the flavor that the user tastes.

[0069] The heating profile includes one or more combinations of the elapsed time from the start of heating and the target temperature to be reached at the elapsed time. Then, the control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between the target temperature in the heating profile corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of the current heating and the current actual temperature. The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be realized, for example, by known feedback control. Specifically, the control unit 116 causes the power supply unit 111 to supply power to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulse.

[0070] In the feedback control, the control unit 116 may control the power supplied to the heating unit 121, for example, the above-mentioned duty ratio, based on the difference between the actual temperature and the target temperature, etc. The feedback control may be, for example, a proportional-integral-differential controller (PID) control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple ON-OFF control. For example, the control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, stop heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and perform heating by the heating unit 121 again when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature.

[0071] The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or estimating the resistance value (more precisely, the electrical resistance value) of the heating unit 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor constituting the heating unit 121). This is because the resistance value of the heating resistor changes depending on the temperature. The resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor. The amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In another example, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor installed near the heating unit 121.

[0072] The time period from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150, more specifically, the time period during which the heating unit 121 operates based on the heating profile, is also referred to as a heating session below. The start of a heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile starts. The end of a heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. A heating session consists of a pre-heating period in the first half and a puffable period in the second half. The puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The pre-heating period is a period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed in the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating.

[0073] An example of a heating profile is shown in Table 1 below.

[0074] [Table 1]

[0075] The time series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 when the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 according to the heating profile shown in Table 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a graph showing an example of the time series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 operated based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. The horizontal axis of this graph is time (seconds). The vertical axis of this graph is the temperature of the heating unit 121. Line 21 in this graph indicates the time series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121. Furthermore, points 22 (22A to 22F) in this graph indicate the target temperatures defined in the heating profile. As shown in FIG. 5, the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 transitions in the same way as the time series transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0076] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes an initial heating section at the beginning. The initial heating section is a time section included at the beginning of the heating profile, and is a section in which the target temperature set at the end is higher than the initial temperature. The initial temperature is a temperature assumed as the temperature of the heating section 121 before the start of heating. An example of the initial temperature is an arbitrary temperature such as 0°C. Another example of the initial temperature is a temperature corresponding to the air temperature. As shown in FIG. 5, according to the target temperature set in the initial heating section, the actual temperature of the heating section 121 reaches 295°C 25 seconds after the start of heating and is maintained at 295°C until 35 seconds after the start of heating. This allows the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 to reach a temperature at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated. By raising the temperature to 295°C at once immediately after the start of heating, it is possible to end the preheating early and start the puffable period early. Note that, although an example in which the initial heating section and the preheating period coincide with each other is shown in FIG. 5, they may be different.

[0077] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile next includes an intermediate temperature drop section. The intermediate temperature drop section is a time section following the initial temperature rise section, in which the target temperature set at the end is lower than the target temperature set at the end of the initial temperature rise section. As shown in FIG. 5, the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 drops from 295°C to 230°C from 35 seconds to 45 seconds after the start of heating according to the target temperature set in the intermediate temperature drop section. In this section, power supply to the heating unit 121 may be stopped. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated by the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the stick-type substrate 150. Here, if the heating unit 121 is maintained at a high temperature, the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 is rapidly consumed, which may cause inconveniences such as the user tasting an excessively strong flavor. In this regard, by providing an intermediate temperature drop section, such inconveniences can be avoided and the quality of the user's puff experience can be improved.

[0078] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile next includes a re-heating section. The re-heating section is a time section following the intermediate temperature drop section, in which the target temperature set at the end is higher than the target temperature set at the end of the intermediate temperature drop section. As shown in FIG. 5, the actual temperature of the heating section 121 rises stepwise from 230°C to 260°C from 45 seconds to 355 seconds after the start of heating, according to the target temperature set in the re-heating section. If the temperature of the heating section 121 is continued to be lowered, the stick-shaped substrate 150 also drops in temperature, so the amount of aerosol generated decreases, and the flavor tasted by the user may deteriorate. In this regard, by raising the temperature again after lowering the temperature, it is possible to prevent the flavor tasted by the user from deteriorating even in the latter half of the heating session.

[0079] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes a heating end section at the end. The heating end section is a time section following the reheating section, in which heating is not performed. A target temperature does not need to be set. As shown in FIG. 5, the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 drops after 355 seconds from the start of heating. Power supply to the heating unit 121 may be terminated 355 seconds after the start of heating. Even in that case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated for a while due to the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the stick-shaped substrate 150. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the puffable period, i.e., the heating session, ends 365 seconds after the start of heating.

[0080] The user may be notified of the start and end timings of the puff-enabled period. Furthermore, the user may be notified of the timing a predetermined time before the end of the puff-enabled period (for example, the timing when the power supply to the heating unit 121 ends). In this case, the user can puff during the puff-enabled period by referring to such notification.

[0081] - Heating profile in terms of resistance The actual measured value may be the resistance value of the heating unit 121. This point will be described below.

[0082] As described above, when the resistance value of the heating unit 121 changes depending on the temperature of the heating unit 121, it can be said that the temperature of the heating unit 121 is synonymous with the resistance value of the heating unit 121. Therefore, the target temperature of the heating unit 121 can also be indicated by the resistance value of the heating unit 121. That is, the parameter in the heating profile may be the resistance value of the heating unit 121 corresponding to the target temperature. In this case, the heating profile is information in which a time series transition of a target resistance value, which is a target value of the resistance value of the heating unit 121, is specified. The suction device 100 controls the resistance value of the heating unit 121 so that the time series transition of the actual resistance value of the heating unit 121 becomes similar to the time series transition of the target resistance value specified in the heating profile. The control of the resistance value of the heating unit 121 can be realized by, for example, a known feedback control. Specifically, the control unit 116 supplies power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 116 can adjust the duty ratio of the power pulse to control the resistance value of the heating unit 121. With this configuration, it is possible to change the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 in the same way as in the case where the heating profile specifies the time series change of the target temperature.

[0083] Note that the temperature of the heating unit 121 corresponds to the resistance value of the heating unit 121, but the resistance value corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 depends on the characteristics of the heating unit 121 and the environmental temperature. Therefore, if the characteristics of the heating unit 121 or the environmental temperature differ, the target resistance value corresponding to the target temperature will be different even if the target temperature is the same.

[0084] In the following, an example will be mainly described in which the actual measurement value is the resistance value of the heating unit 121 and the target value in the heating profile is the target resistance value.

[0085] (2.2) High temperature protection threshold The operation settings may include a high temperature protection threshold. The high temperature protection threshold is a threshold used to prevent problems caused by high temperatures, which will be described later. The high temperature protection threshold will be described below.

[0086] The inhalation device 100 includes a first temperature detection unit that detects temperature as the sensor unit 112. An example of the first temperature detection unit is a thermistor. A thermistor is a resistor whose electrical resistance value changes according to a change in temperature, and is capable of detecting temperature based on the electrical resistance value. The first temperature detection unit detects the temperature of a portion of the inhalation device 100 that is expected to be touched by the user when inhaling the aerosol. As an example, the first temperature detection unit is provided near the outer housing 11 and detects the temperature of the outer housing 11. In that case, it is possible to detect the temperature felt by the user when the user holds the inhalation device 100 in his / her hand and uses it.

[0087] Then, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 depending on whether the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit exceeds the high temperature protection threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to realize heating according to the temperature felt by the user's hand.

[0088] Specifically, the control unit 116 prohibits power supply to the heating unit 121 when the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit exceeds the high temperature protection threshold. Therefore, if heating by the heating unit 121 is in progress, the heating is interrupted. Also, if heating by the heating unit 121 has not yet been started, heating is not started. With this configuration, for example, heating can be interrupted before the outer housing 11 becomes excessively hot, or heating is not started when it is expected that the outer housing 11 will become excessively hot. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconveniences caused by high temperatures, such as burns to the user.

[0089] On the other hand, when the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit is equal to or lower than the high temperature protection threshold, the control unit 116 permits the supply of power to the heating unit 121. Therefore, if heating by the heating unit 121 is being performed, the heating continues. Also, before heating by the heating unit 121 is performed, heating is started in response to pressing of the switch 13. With this configuration, it is possible to deliver the aerosol to the user by performing heating within a range that can prevent inconveniences caused by high temperatures.

[0090] The operation settings may include a plurality of high temperature protection thresholds that are set for each elapsed time from the start of heating. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 depending on whether the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit exceeds a high temperature protection threshold corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of heating among the plurality of high temperature protection thresholds. As an example, the operation settings may include a setting for the temperature detection unit 121 to exceed a high temperature protection threshold corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of heating based on the heating profile. A The high temperature protection threshold TH to be used after seconds have elapsed. A , T B The high temperature protection threshold TH to be used after seconds have elapsed. B In this case, the control unit 116 includes T A After 2 seconds have elapsed, the high temperature protection threshold TH A Based on T B After 2 seconds have elapsed, the high temperature protection threshold TH B Based on this, the operation of the heating unit 121 is controlled. The temperature of the heating unit 121 changes according to the elapsed time from the start of heating based on the heating profile, and accordingly, the temperature expected to be detected by the first temperature detection unit may also change. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems caused by high temperatures.

[0091] The high temperature protection threshold may be different for each heating profile. That is, the high temperature protection threshold may be set for each heating profile. The temperature expected to be detected by the first temperature detection unit may be different for each heating profile. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems caused by high temperatures.

[0092] (2.3) Puff detection criteria The operational settings may include puff detection criteria, which are detection criteria used to detect when the aerosol is inhaled by the user. The puff detection criteria will be described below.

[0093] The inhalation device 100 includes a second temperature detection unit as the sensor unit 112, which detects a temperature change when the aerosol is inhaled by the user. An example of the second temperature detection unit is a thermistor. The second temperature detection unit is disposed near the aerosol flow path, for example, near the holding unit 140. When the user puffs, in exchange for the aerosol being inhaled by the user, outside air that is not affected by heating by the heating unit 121 flows into the aerosol flow path, and the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit decreases. The puff detection criterion is a criterion for detecting that the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit has decreased due to a puff.

[0094] The puff detection criterion includes a puff detection threshold. The puff detection threshold is a threshold used for puff detection. The control unit 116 detects that the aerosol has been inhaled by the user by comparing a value corresponding to the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit with the puff detection threshold. An example of the value corresponding to the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit is an output value obtained by inputting the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit into a filter. Such an output value corresponds to the decrease in temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit. An example of the filter is a digital filter such as an FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter and an IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filter. For example, the control unit 116 may detect that a puff has been performed when an output value obtained by inputting the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit into a filter exceeds the puff detection threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to detect a puff based on the decrease in temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit accompanying a puff.

[0095] The puff detection criteria may further include a puff detection filter coefficient in addition to the puff detection threshold. The puff detection filter coefficient is a coefficient of a filter used for puff detection. The control unit 116 detects that the aerosol has been inhaled by the user by comparing an output value obtained by inputting the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit into a filter to which the puff detection filter coefficient has been applied with the puff detection threshold. For example, the control unit 116 detects that a puff has been performed when an output value obtained by inputting the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit into a filter to which the puff detection filter coefficient has been applied exceeds the puff detection threshold. By using a filter to which an appropriate puff detection filter coefficient has been applied, it is possible to improve the accuracy of puff detection.

[0096] The puff detection criterion may include a plurality of puff detection thresholds set for each elapsed time from the start of heating. In this case, the control unit 116 detects that the aerosol has been inhaled by the user based on a puff detection threshold corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of heating among the plurality of puff detection thresholds. As an example, the puff detection criterion may be set to T A The puff detection threshold TH to be used after seconds have elapsed. A , T B The puff detection threshold TH to be used after seconds have elapsed. B In this case, the suction device 100 is configured to A After seconds have elapsed, the puff detection threshold TH A Based on T B After seconds have elapsed, the puff detection threshold TH B The puff is detected based on the heating profile. The temperature of the heating unit 121 changes according to the time elapsed since heating based on the heating profile started, and the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit may change accordingly. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of puff detection.

[0097] The puff detection criterion may be different for each heating profile. That is, the puff detection criterion may be set for each heating profile. Considering that the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit may differ for each heating profile, this configuration makes it possible to improve the puff detection accuracy.

[0098] (2.4) Threshold for determining low battery level The operation settings may include a threshold value for determining whether the remaining battery power is low. The threshold value for determining whether the remaining battery power is low is a threshold value used to detect a decrease in the remaining power stored in the power supply unit 111. The threshold value for determining whether the remaining battery power is low will be described below.

[0099] As an example, the threshold value for determining a decrease in the remaining battery level is set as a value equal to or greater than the amount of power used for the heating unit 121 to execute a process of heating the stick-type substrate 150 to generate an aerosol a specified number of times. The process of heating the stick-type substrate 150 to generate an aerosol is executed once for each stick-type substrate 150, and the specified number of times corresponds to the number of stick-type substrates 150 consumed. Consumption here refers to heating the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile from start to finish without interruption. In other words, the threshold value for determining a decrease in the remaining battery level is a value equal to or greater than the amount of power used to consume a specified number of stick-type substrates 150. With this configuration, the suction device 100 can determine whether the power source unit 111 has sufficient remaining power to consume a specified number of stick-type substrates 150.

[0100] The specified number may be 1. In this case, the suction device 100 can determine whether or not it has enough remaining power to consume one stick-type substrate 150.

[0101] The control unit 116 compares the remaining power of the power supply unit 111 with a threshold for judging a decrease in the remaining battery power, and controls the operation of the suction device 100 based on the comparison result. As an example, the control unit 116 may prohibit heating by the heating unit 121 when the remaining power of the power supply unit 111 falls below the threshold for judging a decrease in the remaining battery power. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the stick-type substrate 150 is partially consumed due to insufficient remaining power. As another example, the control unit 116 may prohibit the execution of a procedure for establishing a connection between the suction device 100 and another device (e.g., the terminal device 200) when the remaining power of the power supply unit 111 falls below the threshold for judging a decrease in the remaining battery power. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a specified number of stick-type substrates 150 cannot be consumed due to insufficient remaining power even after the connection procedure is executed.

[0102] The remaining power of power supply unit 111 is measured by any method. As one example, control unit 116 may measure the remaining power of power supply unit 111 based on the voltage of power supply unit 111. As another example, control unit 116 may measure the remaining power of power supply unit 111 based on the SOC (State of Charge) or RC (Residual charge) of a battery fuel gauge.

[0103] The threshold value for determining the decrease in the remaining battery level may be different for each heating profile. That is, a threshold value for determining the decrease in the remaining battery level may be set for each heating profile. The amount of power consumed to consume one stick-shaped substrate 150 may differ for each heating profile. Therefore, with this configuration, it becomes possible to more accurately determine the decrease in the remaining power level of the power source unit 111.

[0104] (3) Switching operation settings The suction device 100 is capable of switching between different operating settings depending on the application.

[0105] The appropriate operation settings may differ depending on the type of stick-type substrate 150. For example, the appropriate operation settings may differ depending on the type and composition of the aerosol source and flavor source contained in the stick-type substrate 150. In this regard, by switching the operation settings to be used depending on the type of stick-type substrate 150, it is possible to improve the quality of the user experience.

[0106] An operation setting according to a user's preference may be used as the operation setting to be used. For example, between an operation setting that generates a large amount of aerosol per unit time and an operation setting that generates a small amount of aerosol per unit time, which operation setting is preferred may differ from user to user. In this regard, by switching the operation setting to be used according to the user's preference, the quality of the user experience can be improved.

[0107] The switching method is arbitrary. As one example, the suction device 100 may switch the operation setting of the target to be used based on a user operation on the suction device 100. As another example, the suction device 100 may switch the operation setting of the target to be used based on a signal received from the terminal device 200. As another example, the suction device 100 may identify the inserted stick-type substrate 150 and switch the operation setting of the target to be used based on the identification result. The stick-type substrate 150 is identified, for example, by image recognition of a two-dimensional code or the like provided on the stick-type substrate 150.

[0108] An example in which the suction device 100 switches the operation settings of the target device based on a signal received from the terminal device 200 will be described in detail below.

[0109] - transmitting information indicative of the operational settings stored in the suction device 100; The suction device 100 transmits information indicating the operation settings stored in the storage unit 114. The information is received by the terminal device 200. This allows the terminal device 200 to grasp the operation settings stored in the suction device 100.

[0110] The terminal device 200 may transmit information requesting transmission of information indicating operation settings. When the suction device 100 receives information requesting transmission of information indicating operation settings, the suction device 100 transmits the information indicating the operation settings requested to be transmitted in the received information. With this configuration, the terminal device 200 can obtain information indicating the operation settings from the suction device 100 as necessary.

[0111] The suction device 100 may transmit identification information corresponding to the operation setting as information indicating the operation setting. An example of the identification information is a number corresponding to the operation setting. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication compared to the case where the operation setting itself is transmitted.

[0112] When the terminal device 200 receives the information indicating the operation settings stored in the suction device 100, the terminal device 200 performs processing based on the received information. As an example, the terminal device 200 outputs the information indicating the received operation settings. With this configuration, the user can easily understand the operation settings stored in the suction device 100.

[0113] -View available behavior settings The terminal device 200 outputs information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used. One example of the information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used is information indicating operation settings that have already been stored in the suction device 100. Another example of the information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used is information indicating operation settings that can be downloaded to the suction device 100 (for example, transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the suction device 100). An example of a UI (User Interface) will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0114] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. The suction device 100 is assumed to be capable of using "operation setting 1", "operation setting 2", and "operation setting 3" as operation settings to be used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the display screen 30A displays icons 31A to 31C indicating three operation settings as information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation settings to be used. With this configuration, the user can easily understand that the suction device 100 can use "operation setting 1", "operation setting 2", and "operation setting 3".

[0115] The terminal device 200 may store information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used in the storage unit 240. In this case, the terminal device 200 outputs the information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used, stored in the storage unit 240. For example, every time the terminal device 200 downloads an operation setting to the suction device 100, the terminal device 200 stores which operation setting has been downloaded to the suction device 100 and outputs information indicating the downloaded operation setting. With this configuration, even if the terminal device 200 is not communicating with the suction device 100, it is possible to output information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used.

[0116] Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may obtain information indicating all operation settings stored in the suction device 100 from the suction device 100 and output the information. 100The terminal device 200 transmits information requesting the terminal device 200 to transmit information indicating all operation settings stored in the storage unit 114. Upon receiving such information, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating all operation settings stored in the storage unit 114. The terminal device 200 then outputs the received information indicating all operation settings stored in the suction device 100 as information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used. Considering that the suction device 100 can download operation settings from a device other than the terminal device 200, such a configuration enables the terminal device 200 to output accurate information.

[0117] -Display the behavior settings to be used The terminal device 200 outputs information indicating the operation settings currently being used by the suction device 100, that is, the operation settings of the object being used. An example of the UI will be described with reference to FIG.

[0118] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. The suction device 100 is assumed to be capable of using "operation setting 1", "operation setting 2", or "operation setting 3" as the operation setting to be used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the display screen 30B displays icons 31A to 31C indicating three operation settings as information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used. Furthermore, when the operation setting to be used by the suction device 100 is "operation setting 1", the terminal device 200 focuses on the icon 31A corresponding to "operation setting 1" as shown in FIG. 7. With this configuration, the user can easily understand that the suction device 100 operates based on "operation setting 1".

[0119] The terminal device 200 may store information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 in the storage unit 240. In this case, the terminal device 200 outputs the information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 stored in the storage unit 240. For example, as described below, the terminal device 200 may transmit a request to switch the operation settings of the target of use to the suction device 100, and may output information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 based on the transmission history. With this configuration, the terminal device 200 can output information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 even when not communicating with the suction device 100.

[0120] Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may obtain and output information indicating operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 from the suction device 100. In this case, the terminal device 200 transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100. Upon receiving such information, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the operation settings of the target of use. Then, the terminal device 200 outputs the received information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100. Considering that the suction device 100 may switch the operation settings of the target of use due to factors other than an instruction from the terminal device 200, such a configuration enables the terminal device 200 to output accurate information.

[0121] -Switching the behavior settings used The suction device 100 can switch the operation settings of the target to be used from among the operation settings stored in the storage unit 114. For example, the suction device 100 can switch the operation settings of the target to an operation setting suitable for the type of the stick-type base material 150, an operation setting according to the user's preference, or the like, based on an instruction from the terminal device 200. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the quality of the user experience.

[0122] The terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to select a destination operation setting. For example, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to select an operation setting other than the currently used operation setting as a destination operation setting on a display screen that displays information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used as a destination operation setting. On the display screen 30B shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to select the icon 31B or 31C. The display screen 30B may be displayed on a touch panel that also serves as the input unit 210 and the output unit 220. In this case, the user can select the destination operation setting by touching the icon 31B or 31C.

[0123] When the terminal device 200 receives a user operation to select a destination operation setting, it transmits information instructing the user to switch the operation setting of the target to the selected destination operation setting. For example, identification information indicating the destination operation setting may be transmitted as the information indicating the destination operation setting. When the suction device 100 receives such information, it switches the operation setting of the target to the destination operation setting instructed by the received information. Thereafter, the suction device 100 operates based on the operation setting of the target after switching. With this configuration, the user can switch to a desired operation setting via the terminal device 200.

[0124] When the switching of the operation setting of the target to be used is completed, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the switching of the operation setting of the target to be used is completed. When the terminal device 200 receives such information, it outputs information indicating the operation setting of the target to be used after the switching. For example, the terminal device 200 displays information indicating the operation setting of the target to be used after the switching on a display screen that displays information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used as the operation setting of the target to be used. For example, a UI example in the case where a user operation is performed to select the icon 31B corresponding to "operation setting 2" on the display screen 30B shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0125] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. The suction device 100 is assumed to be capable of using "operation setting 1", "operation setting 2" and "operation setting 3" as operation settings to be used. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the display screen 30C displays icons 31A to 31C indicating three operation settings as information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used. Furthermore, since the operation setting to be used after the switching is "operation setting 2", the terminal device 200 focuses on the icon 31B corresponding to "operation setting 2" as shown in FIG. 8. With this configuration, the user can easily understand that the operation setting to be used has been switched from "operation setting 1" to "operation setting 2".

[0126] -Processing flow 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a process for switching operation settings of a use target executed in the system 1 according to this embodiment. The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are involved in this sequence.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 9, first, the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 establish a connection (step S102).

[0128] Next, the terminal device 200 outputs information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used by the suction device 100 as the operation setting to be used (step S104). For example, the terminal device 200 outputs the display screen 30A shown in FIG.

[0129] Next, the terminal device 200 transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 (step S106). Upon receiving such information, the suction device 100 transmits the information indicating the operation settings of the target of use (step S108). Then, upon receiving such information, the terminal device 200 outputs the received information indicating the operation settings of the target of use in the suction device 100 (step S110). For example, the terminal device 200 outputs the display screen 30B shown in FIG. 7.

[0130] Next, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to select a destination operation setting (step S112). Then, the terminal device 200 transmits information instructing to switch the operation setting to be used to the selected destination operation setting (step S114). Upon receiving such information, the suction device 100 switches the operation setting to be used to the operation setting instructed by the received information (step S116).

[0131] Thereafter, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the switching of the operation settings of the target to be used has been completed (step S118). Upon receiving such information, the terminal device 200 outputs information indicating the operation settings of the target to be used after the switching (step S120). For example, the terminal device 200 outputs the display screen 30C shown in FIG. 8.

[0132] (4) Downloading operation settings The terminal device 200 may transmit information indicating the operation settings to download new operation settings to the suction device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the operation settings downloaded from a server to the suction device 100. The suction device 100 then stores the operation settings indicated by the received information in the storage unit 114. Thereafter, when the newly stored operation settings are selected as the operation settings to be used, the suction device 100 operates based on the newly stored operation settings. With this configuration, the user can download a desired operation setting to the suction device 100 via the terminal device 200.

[0133] (4.1) Content of information indicating operation settings An example of information indicating the operation settings transmitted and received for downloading is shown in Table 2 below.

[0134] [Table 2]

[0135] As shown in Table 2 above, the information indicating the operation setting includes the target resistance value, time, first correction information, and puff detection threshold as information for each step. A step is a time section obtained by dividing a heating profile in the time direction. Information for a certain step is used when the time elapsed since heating based on the heating profile was started is included in the step. For example, a step is a time section of a predetermined time length, such as 10 seconds. In this case, step 00 is a time section from the start of heating based on the heating profile to the time 10 seconds have elapsed. Therefore, the information of step 00 is used from the start of heating based on the heating profile to the time 10 seconds have elapsed. Step 19 is a time section of 10 seconds immediately before heating based on the heating profile ends. Therefore, the information of step 19 is used for the 10 seconds immediately before heating based on the heating profile ends. Note that the time length of each step may be different for each step. Also, the number of steps is not limited to 20, from 00 to 19, shown in Table 2.

[0136] As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings further includes the second correction information, the high temperature protection threshold, the puff detection filter coefficient, and the threshold for determining low battery level, which are used throughout the time period during which heating is performed based on the heating profile.

[0137] The information indicating the operation setting may be divided into a plurality of pieces, each of which may be transmitted and received at a different timing. As an example, information for each step, which is a combination of a target resistance value, time, first correction information, and a puff detection threshold, may be transmitted and received at a different timing. As another example, the information for each step and other information may be transmitted and received at a different timing. With this configuration, it is possible to improve communication efficiency, such as by facilitating retries when a transmission / reception error occurs.

[0138] - Default heating profile As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings includes the target resistance value and time for each step. The time here is the elapsed time from the start of heating until the target resistance value is reached. The combination of the elapsed time from the start of heating and the target resistance value set for that elapsed time for all steps corresponds to the heating profile.

[0139] As described above, the information indicating the operation settings may be divided and transmitted / received. In particular, the information indicating the heating profile may be divided in the time direction, such as by steps, and transmitted / received. In this case, the information indicating the heating profile divided in the time direction includes at least one combination of the elapsed time from the start of heating and the target resistance value set for that elapsed time. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the communication efficiency regarding the transmission and reception of the heating profile.

[0140] However, the heating profile shown in Table 2, which is formed by the combination of the target resistance value and time for each step, is the heating profile before correction (hereinafter also referred to as the default heating profile). The default heating profile is corrected based on the first correction information, as will be described later. Also, the default heating profile can be corrected based on the second correction information, as will be described later.

[0141] -First correction information As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings includes first correction information. The first correction information is an example of correction information for correcting the operation settings according to the individual differences of the heating unit 121. An example of the individual differences of the heating unit 121 is the correspondence between temperature and resistance value. When the control unit 116 receives the first correction information, the control unit 116 may correct the operation settings based on the received first correction information. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the inhalation device 100 based on the corrected operation settings. According to this configuration, the inhalation device 100 can perform an operation according to the individual differences of the heating unit 121. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of the user's puff experience.

[0142] Specifically, the control unit 116 corrects the heating profile based on the first correction information. More specifically, the control unit 116 corrects the default heating profile based on the first correction information. Then, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the corrected heating profile. With this configuration, heating can be performed based on a heating profile corrected to match the individual differences of the heating unit 121, so that it is possible to prevent inconveniences caused by the individual differences of the heating unit 121. One example of an inconvenience caused by the individual differences of the heating unit 121 is the deviation of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 from the target temperature.

[0143] As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation setting includes a plurality of pieces of first correction information associated with each of a plurality of target resistance values ​​included in the heating profile. Mark Each of the resistance values ​​is corrected based on the corresponding first correction information. For example, the control unit 116 corrects the target resistance value included in the information of step 00 based on the first correction information included in the information of step 00. As an example, the first correction information may include an offset correction value that is a value used for offset correction. In that case, the control unit 116 adds the offset correction value to the target resistance value. As another example, the first correction information may include a gain correction value that is a value used for gain correction. In that case, the control unit 116 multiplies the target resistance value by the gain correction value. Note that the first correction information may include both the offset correction value and the gain correction value. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the target resistance value for each step.

[0144] The first correction information may be different for each heating profile. The degree of occurrence of problems caused by individual differences in the heating unit 121 may differ for each heating profile. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems caused by individual differences in the heating unit 121.

[0145] In order to enable the terminal device 200 to generate the first correction information, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the individual differences of the heating unit 121 to the terminal device 200. For example, the suction device 100 stores information indicating the individual differences of the heating unit 121 during manufacturing in a factory, and transmits the stored information to the terminal device 200. With this configuration, the terminal device 200 can grasp the individual differences of the heating unit 121.

[0146] The terminal device 200 may transmit information requesting transmission of information indicating individual differences in the heating unit 121. When the suction device 100 receives information requesting transmission of information indicating individual differences in the heating unit 121, the suction device 100 transmits the information indicating individual differences in the heating unit 121. With this configuration, the terminal device 200 can inquire of the suction device 100 about the individual differences in the heating unit 121 as a preliminary step to generating the first correction information. Note that the terminal device 200 may store the information indicating individual differences in the heating unit 121 received from the suction device 100, and thereafter reuse the stored information.

[0147] When the terminal device 200 receives the information indicating the individual difference of the heating unit 121, it generates first correction information based on the received information indicating the individual difference of the heating unit 121. Then, the terminal device 200 transmits the generated first correction information. The suction device 100 receives the first correction information transmitted from the terminal device 200 in this manner, and corrects the heating profile based on the received first correction information. With this configuration, it is possible to correct the heating profile based on the first correction information that is suitable for the individual difference of the heating unit 121.

[0148] -Second correction information As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation setting includes the second correction information. The second correction information is an example of correction information for correcting the operation setting according to the deterioration of the heating unit 121. The deterioration of the heating unit 121 is oxidation of the heating unit 121, which progresses each time heating by the heating unit 121 is repeated. When the control unit 116 receives the second correction information, the control unit 116 may correct the operation setting based on the received second correction information. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the inhalation device 100 based on the corrected operation setting. According to this configuration, the inhalation device 100 can perform an operation according to the deterioration of the heating unit 121. Therefore, it is possible to improve the quality of the user's puff experience.

[0149] Specifically, the control unit 116 may correct the heating profile based on the second correction information. More specifically, the control unit 116 may further correct the heating profile after correction based on the first correction information based on the second correction information. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the corrected heating profile. With this configuration, it is possible to perform heating based on a heating profile that matches the degree of deterioration of the heating unit 121. This makes it possible to prevent inconveniences caused by deterioration of the heating unit 121.

[0150] The correction of the heating profile based on the second correction information will be described in detail below.

[0151] The control unit 116 accumulates a history value indicating the history of heating performed by the heating unit 121 based on the execution of heating by the heating unit 121. As an example, the control unit 116 accumulates a history value indicating the history of heating performed by the heating unit 121 each time heating is performed by the heating unit 121. As another example, the control unit 116 accumulates a history value indicating the history of heating performed by the heating unit 121 each time heating is performed by the heating unit 121 multiple times (for example, twice). As the number of heating times increases, the heating unit 121 oxidizes, and the resistance value of the heating unit 121 increases. In this case, even if the resistance value of the heating unit 121 reaches the target resistance value, the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 does not reach the target temperature by the amount of the increase in the resistance value of the heating unit 121 due to oxidation. Therefore, even if the operation of the heating unit 121 is controlled according to the heating profile, it may be difficult to deliver an appropriate flavor to the user. In this regard, according to this configuration, it is possible to grasp the degree of oxidation of the heating unit 121 from the history value.

[0152] As an example, the history value may be an integrated value of the number of times that the heating unit 121 has performed heating (hereinafter also referred to as the number of heating times). Each time heating based on the heating profile is performed once, 1 may be added to the history value. That is, the history value may be an integrated value of the number of times that the heating unit 121 has performed heating based on the heating profile. During one heating based on the heating profile, heating may be started and stopped multiple times for a short period of time, and 1 may be added to the history value each time the short period of heating is performed once. In any case, it is possible to grasp the degree of oxidation of the heating unit 121 from the number of heating times.

[0153] As another example, the history value may be an integrated value of the time for which the heating unit 121 has heated (hereinafter also referred to as the heating time). Each time heating based on the heating profile is performed once, the time for one heating based on the heating profile may be integrated into the history value. During one heating based on the heating profile, heating may be started and stopped multiple times for a short period of time, and the time required for the short heating may be integrated into the history value. In any case, the degree of oxidation of the heating unit 121 can be grasped from the heating time.

[0154] The control unit 116 corrects the heating profile based on the accumulated history value and the second correction information. With this configuration, the heating profile is corrected according to the degree of oxidation of the heating unit 121 indicated by the history value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems caused by oxidation of the heating unit 121.

[0155] Specifically, the control unit 116 corrects the target resistance value to be corrected, which is at least a part of the target resistance values ​​among the multiple target resistance values ​​defined in the heating profile, to a value corresponding to a higher temperature. If the resistance value of the heating unit 121 increases as the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases, the control unit 116 corrects the target resistance value to be corrected to a higher value. As described above, when the heating unit 121 is oxidized and the resistance of the heating unit 121 increases, even if the resistance value of the heating unit 121 reaches the target resistance value, the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 becomes lower than the target temperature. In this regard, by correcting the target resistance value to a value corresponding to a higher temperature, the temperature drop caused by the oxidation of the heating unit 121 can be offset by the correction of the target resistance value, and it becomes possible to realize temperature control that does not change before and after the oxidation. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience caused by the oxidation of the heating unit 121.

[0156] The second correction information may include information indicating the target resistance value to be corrected. In this case, the control unit 116 corrects the target resistance value to be corrected indicated by the second correction information. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience described below by limiting the target resistance value to be corrected.

[0157] The target resistance value to be corrected preferably includes a target resistance value corresponding to the lowest target temperature among the multiple target resistance values ​​defined in the heating profile. One of the problems caused by oxidation of the heating unit 121 is that the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 drops too much even during heating, and aerosol is no longer generated. The stage at which such a problem is most likely to occur is the stage at which the target temperature corresponding to the target resistance value in the heating profile is the lowest. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent such problems from occurring.

[0158] It is desirable that the target resistance value to be corrected does not include the target resistance value corresponding to the highest target temperature among the multiple target resistance values ​​defined in the heating profile. If the heating profile is corrected in a state in which the oxidation of the heating unit 121 is not as advanced as expected, the actual temperature may exceed the target temperature before correction and become excessively high, which may damage the function of the suction device 100. The stage at which such a problem is most likely to occur is the stage at which the target temperature corresponding to the target resistance value in the heating profile is the highest. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent such a problem.

[0159] The second correction information may include information indicating a threshold value. In this case, the control unit 116 corrects the heating profile when the history value exceeds the threshold value indicated by the second correction information. As an example, the control unit 116 may correct the heating profile when the number of heating times exceeds 1000 times. As another example, the control unit 116 may correct the heating profile every time the heating time exceeds 100,000 seconds. With this configuration, the frequency of correction of the heating profile is suppressed, so that the processing load of the control unit 116 can be reduced.

[0160] The second correction information may include information indicating a correction method for the heating profile. In this case, the control unit 116 corrects the heating profile based on the correction method indicated by the second correction information. As an example, the second correction information may include a value to be added to the target resistance value. In this case, the control unit 116 adds the value to be added to the target resistance value included in the second correction information to the target resistance value before correction. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately correct the target resistance value.

[0161] The second correction information may be different for each heating profile. The temperature change of the heating unit 121 may differ for each heating profile, and the degree of oxidation of the heating unit 121 may differ. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems caused by oxidation of the heating unit 121.

[0162] Here, the history value may be accumulated for each heating profile. Then, the suction device 100 may store the history value and the second correction information for each heating profile and use them to correct the heating profile. In detail, the suction device 100 may accumulate the corrections based on the history values ​​and the second correction information for all heating profiles used up to now, and apply them to the heating profile. It is considered that the oxidation of the heating unit 121 starts at the time of manufacture and progresses according to the heating profile used. In this regard, according to this configuration, it is possible to perform correction according to the usage history of the suction device 100 up to now.

[0163] -High temperature protection threshold As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings includes information indicating the high temperature protection threshold. When the control unit 116 receives the information indicating the operation settings including the high temperature protection threshold, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 depending on whether the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit exceeds the received high temperature protection threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent inconvenience caused by high temperatures depending on the newly downloaded operation settings.

[0164] In Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings includes one high temperature protection threshold, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The information indicating the operation settings may include information indicating multiple high temperature protection thresholds set for each elapsed time from the start of heating. With respect to Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings may include a high temperature protection threshold for each step. In this case, the suction device 100 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 depending on whether the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit exceeds the high temperature protection threshold of the step corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of heating based on the heating profile. With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent inconveniences caused by high temperatures.

[0165] -Puff detection criteria As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings includes information indicating the puff detection criteria. That is, the information indicating the operation settings includes a puff detection threshold. In particular, the information indicating the operation settings includes a puff detection threshold for each step as information indicating a plurality of puff detection thresholds set for each elapsed time from the start of heating. Furthermore, the information indicating the operation settings includes a puff detection filter coefficient. When the control unit 116 receives the information indicating the operation settings including the information indicating the puff detection criteria, the control unit 116 may detect that the aerosol has been inhaled by the user based on the received detection criteria. With this configuration, it is possible to detect a puff according to the newly downloaded operation settings.

[0166] - Threshold for determining low battery level As shown in Table 2, the information indicating the operation settings includes information indicating a threshold value for determining a low battery level. When the control unit 116 receives the information indicating the operation settings including the threshold value for determining a low battery level, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the suction device 100 based on the received threshold value for determining a low battery level. With this configuration, it becomes possible to perform control when the remaining power level of the power supply unit 111 is low, according to the newly downloaded operation settings.

[0167] (4.2) UI for downloading operation settings The terminal device 200 may output a UI related to downloading of the operation settings. Then, the terminal device 200 may download the operation settings to the suction device 100 in response to a user operation on the UI. An example of such a UI will be described with reference to FIG.

[0168] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. It is assumed that the suction device 100 can use "operation setting 1", "operation setting 2", and "operation setting 3" as operation settings to be used. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the display screen 30D displays icons 31A to 31C indicating three operation settings as information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used.

[0169] However, it is assumed that "operation setting 1" and "operation setting 2" have already been downloaded to the suction device 100, whereas "operation setting 3" has not yet been downloaded to the suction device 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, icons 31A and 31B are outlined with a solid line indicating that they have been downloaded. On the other hand, icon 31C is outlined with a dashed line indicating that it has not yet been downloaded. As in this example, it is desirable that information indicating downloaded operation settings and information indicating not yet downloaded operation settings are displayed in different manners.

[0170] Also, it is assumed that the operation setting for use of the suction device 100 is "operation setting 1." Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the focus is on the icon 31A corresponding to "operation setting 1."

[0171] The terminal device 200 accepts an operation for selecting an operation setting to be transmitted to the suction device 100. Then, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the selected operation setting. For example, when the icon 31C is touched by the user, the terminal device 200 transmits the information shown in Table 2 regarding "operation setting 3." With this configuration, the user can download a desired operation setting to the suction device 100 via the terminal device 200.

[0172] When the download of the operation settings is completed, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the download of the operation settings is completed. As an example, when the suction device 100 successfully receives the information shown in Table 2 regarding "operation setting 3", the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the download of the operation settings is completed. The terminal device 200 can control the retransmission of the information indicating the operation settings depending on whether or not the information is received. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the download of the operation settings is successful.

[0173] In particular, when the correction of the heating profile based on the first correction information is completed, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the download of the operation settings is completed. That is, the information indicating that the download of the operation settings is completed may also serve as information indicating that the correction of the heating profile based on the first correction information is completed. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user via the terminal device 200 that the suction device 100 can use the corrected heating profile.

[0174] The terminal device 200 receives information indicating that the download of the operation settings in the suction device 100 has been completed. This allows the terminal device 200 to understand that the newly downloaded operation settings can be used as the operation settings to be used.

[0175] When the terminal device 200 receives information indicating that the download of the operation settings of the suction device 100 has been completed, the terminal device 200 NewsThis allows the user to understand that the newly downloaded operation setting can be used as the operation setting to be used. For example, a user operation is performed to select the icon 31C corresponding to "operation setting 3" on the display screen 30D shown in FIG. 10, and an example of a UI that is displayed when the download of "operation setting 3" is completed will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0176] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the display screen 30E displays icons 31A to 31C showing three operation settings as information showing one or more operation settings that the suction device 100 can use as the operation setting to be used. In particular, since the download of the "operation setting 3" has been completed, the icon 31C showing the "operation setting 3" is outlined with a solid line indicating that the download has been completed. In the display screen 30D shown in FIG. 10, the user's operation of selecting the icon 31C corresponding to the "operation setting 3" may also serve as an operation of instructing to switch the "operation setting 3" to the operation setting to be used. In that case, the suction device 100 switches the operation setting to be used to the "operation setting 3" after the download is completed. Then, the terminal device 200 focuses on the icon 31C corresponding to the "operation setting 3" as shown in FIG. 11. With this configuration, the user can easily grasp that the download of the "operation setting 3" has been completed and that the operation setting to be used has been switched from the "operation setting 1" to the "operation setting 3".

[0177] (4.3) Processing flow 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of the download process of the operation settings executed in the system 1 according to this embodiment. The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are involved in this sequence.

[0178] As shown in FIG. 12, first, the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 establish a connection (step S202).

[0179] Next, the terminal device 200 outputs information indicating operation settings that can be downloaded to the suction device 100 (step S204). For example, the terminal device 200 outputs a display screen 30D shown in FIG.

[0180] Next, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to select an operation setting to be downloaded (step S206). For example, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to touch the icon 31C corresponding to “operation setting 3” on the display screen 30D shown in FIG.

[0181] Next, the terminal device 200 transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating individual differences of the heating unit 121 (step S208). When the suction device 100 receives such information, it transmits the information indicating individual differences of the heating unit 121 (step S210). Note that, if the terminal device 200 has already stored the information indicating individual differences of the heating unit 121, the processes related to steps S208 and S210 may be omitted.

[0182] Next, the terminal device 200 generates information indicating the operation settings (step S212). For example, the terminal device 200 generates the information shown in Table 2. Specifically, the terminal device 200 generates first correction information based on the default heating profile in the selected "operation setting 3" and information indicating individual differences of the heating unit 121. In addition, the terminal device 200 generates second correction information, a high temperature protection threshold, a puff detection threshold, a puff detection filter coefficient, and a threshold for determining low battery level based on the default heating profile in the selected "operation setting 3".

[0183] Next, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the divided operation settings at different times (step S214). For example, the terminal device 200 transmits information for each step shown in Table 2 at different times, and then transmits other information.

[0184] Next, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the download of the operation settings is complete (step S216). For example, when the suction device 100 has successfully received all of the information indicating the divided operation settings and has completed the correction of the default heating profile based on the first correction information, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating that the download of the operation settings is complete.

[0185] Then, when the terminal device 200 receives the information indicating that the download of the operation settings is completed, the terminal device 200 outputs the information indicating that the download of the operation settings is completed (step S218). For example, the terminal device 200 outputs the display screen 30E shown in FIG.

[0186] <<3. Supplementary Information>> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0187] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the information shown in Table 2 is transmitted and received to download the operation settings to the inhalation device 100, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The terminal device 200 may transmit information including at least one of the target resistance value, time, first correction information, second correction information, puff detection threshold, puff detection filter coefficient, high temperature protection threshold, and threshold for determining low battery level as information indicating the operation settings. That is, part of the information shown in Table 2 may be omitted. The inhalation device 100 uses default settings for the omitted information. For example, when the received information does not include the puff detection filter coefficient, the inhalation device 100 detects puffs using the default puff detection filter coefficient.

[0188] In the above embodiment, an example in which the first temperature detection unit detects the temperature of the outer housing 11 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. As an example, the first temperature detection unit may be provided near a processor such as the control unit 116 to detect the temperature of the processor. In that case, the suction device 100 prohibits power supply to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the processor exceeds the high temperature protection threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent inconveniences caused by high temperatures, such as thermal runaway of the processor. As another example, the first temperature detection unit may be provided near the power supply unit 111 to detect the temperature of the power supply unit 111. In that case, the suction device 100 prohibits power supply to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the power supply unit 111 exceeds the high temperature protection threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent inconveniences caused by high temperatures, such as battery deterioration.

[0189] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a puff is detected by comparing an output value obtained by inputting the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit to the filter with a puff detection threshold, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. As an example, the inhalation device 100 may detect that a puff has been performed when the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit falls below the puff detection threshold. As another example, the inhalation device 100 may detect that a puff has been performed when the deviation width between the reference temperature and the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit exceeds the puff detection threshold. An example of the reference temperature is the temperature of the second temperature detection unit a predetermined time ago (for example, immediately before). In this case, the deviation width corresponds to the decrease width of the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit.

[0190] In the above embodiment, an example in which the second temperature detection unit is a thermistor has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The second temperature detection unit may be heating unit 121. In that case, inhalation device 100 detects a puff based on a change in temperature indicated by the resistance value of heating unit 121 or a change in the resistance value of heating unit 121.

[0191] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the information indicating the heating profile is divided in the time direction and transmitted and received, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the information indicating the heating profile may be divided in the direction of the target resistance value and transmitted and received. Specifically, information regarding a relatively high target resistance value and information regarding a relatively low target resistance value may be divided and transmitted and received. Even in this case, the divided information indicating the heating profile includes at least one combination of the elapsed time from the start of heating and the target resistance value set for the elapsed time. With this configuration, it is possible to restore the heating profile on the receiving side no matter how it is divided.

[0192] The timing for correcting the heating profile described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the heating profile may be corrected at any other timing. As an example, the suction device 100 may correct the heating profile based on the first correction information when the control unit 116 is started. As another example, the suction device 100 may correct the heating profile based on the second correction information when the control unit 116 is started.

[0193] In the above embodiment, the inhalation device 100 generates an aerosol by heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 as a substrate containing an aerosol source, but the shape of the substrate is not limited to a stick shape. Another example of the substrate shape is a card shape. Another example of the substrate shape is a cube shape. The inhalation device 100 may generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user using a capsule-shaped substrate that does not contain an aerosol source and contains, for example, only a flavor source. As an example, a capsule-shaped second substrate containing a flavor source is disposed downstream of a first substrate containing an aerosol source. Then, when the aerosol generated by heating the first substrate passes through the second substrate, the flavor is imparted to the aerosol from the flavor source contained in the second substrate and delivered to the user.

[0194] The series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance, for example, in a recording medium (non-transitory medium) provided inside or outside each device. Each program is read into a RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and is executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. The computer program may also be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a recording medium.

[0195] In addition, the processes described in this specification using flowcharts and sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown in the drawings. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. In addition, additional processing steps may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

[0196] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) 1. A suction device comprising: A communication unit for communicating with other devices; a heating section for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol; A storage unit that stores information; A control unit for controlling the operation of the suction device; Equipped with The storage unit stores one or more operation settings which are information for setting an operation of the suction device; The control unit controls the operation of the suction device based on the operation settings of a target device among the operation settings stored in the storage unit, The communication unit transmits information indicating the operation settings stored in the storage unit. Suction device. (2) the communication unit receives information requesting transmission of information indicating the operation setting, and transmits the information indicating the operation setting requested to be transmitted in the received information. The suction device described in (1) above. (3) The communication unit transmits information indicating the operation setting of the target to be used. The suction device described in (2) above. (4) The communication unit transmits information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the storage unit. The suction device described in (2) above. (5) The communication unit transmits, as the information indicating the operation setting, identification information corresponding to the operation setting. The suction device according to any one of (2) to (4) above. (6) The control unit is capable of switching the operation setting to be used from among the operation settings stored in the storage unit. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (5) above. (7) The communication unit receives information instructing the user to switch an operation setting of the target device, The control unit switches the operation setting to be used to the operation setting of a switching destination instructed by the information received by the communication unit. The suction device described in (6) above. (8) The communication unit transmits information indicating that switching of the operation setting of the target to be used has been completed. The suction device according to (6) or (7) above. (9) The suitable operation settings differ depending on the type of the substrate. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (8) above. (10) The operation setting includes a heating profile in which a time series transition of a target value of an actual measurement value measured for the heating unit is defined. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (9) above. (11) The heating profile first includes an initial heating section, then includes an intermediate temperature decreasing section, and then includes a re-heating section, a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the initial temperature rise section is higher than an initial temperature; a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the intermediate temperature-dropping section is lower than a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the initial temperature-rise section, a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the re-heating section is higher than a temperature corresponding to the target value set at the end of the intermediate cooling section; The suction device according to (10) above. (12) A communication unit that receives information indicating operation settings, which is information for setting the operation of an aspirator, the information being stored in the aspirator having a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and an output unit that outputs information indicating the operation setting received by the communication unit; A terminal device comprising: (13) The suction device operates based on the operation setting to be used among the one or more operation settings stored therein; The communication unit transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating the operation setting of the target to be used. The terminal device according to (12) above. (14) The output unit outputs information indicating the operation setting of the target device received by the communication unit. The terminal device according to (13) above. (15) The suction device operates based on the operation setting to be used among the one or more operation settings stored therein; The output unit outputs information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used by the suction device as the operation setting of the target. The terminal device according to any one of (12) to (14). (16) The suction device further includes a storage unit configured to store information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device can use as the operation setting of the target of use, The output unit outputs information indicating one or more operation settings that are stored in the storage unit and that can be used by the suction device as the operation setting of the target of use. The terminal device according to (15) above. (17) the communication unit transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device, and receives the information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device; The output unit outputs information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device received by the communication unit as information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used by the suction device as the operation setting of the target. The terminal device according to (15) above. (18) The suction device operates based on a target operation setting among one or more of the stored operation settings; the terminal device further includes an input unit that accepts an operation to select the operation setting to be changed to, The communication unit transmits information instructing the user to switch the operation setting to be used to the selected operation setting of the switching destination. The terminal device according to any one of (12) to (17). (19) The output unit outputs information indicating the operation setting of the target of use after the switching when information indicating that the switching of the operation setting of the target of use in the suction device has been completed is received by the communication unit. The terminal device according to (18). (20) On the computer, When receiving information indicating operation settings, which is information for setting the operation of a suction device having a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, the information being stored in the suction device, controlling the terminal device to output the received information indicating the operation settings; A program for executing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0197] 1 System 100 Suction device 111 Power supply section 112 Sensor section 113 Notification Department 114 Storage section 115 Communications Department 116 Control Unit 140 Holding part 141 Interior Space 142 Aperture 143 Bottom 144 Insulation section 150 Stick-type substrate 151 Base material part 152 Mouthpiece 11 Outer housing 11A Top Housing 11B Bottom housing 12 Cover 13. Switch 14 Lid 15 Ventilation hole 16 Cap 200 Terminal Equipment 210 Input section 220 Output section 230 Communications Department 240 Storage section 250 Control section

Claims

1. 1. A suction device comprising: A power supply unit; A communication unit for communicating with other devices; a heating section for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol; A storage unit that stores information; A control unit for controlling the operation of the suction device; Equipped with The storage unit stores one or more operation settings which are information for setting an operation of the suction device; the operation setting includes a threshold value for determining a decrease in a remaining battery charge used to detect a decrease in a remaining amount of power stored in the power supply unit, and a heating profile in which a time series transition of a target value of an actual measurement value measured with respect to the heating unit is defined; the threshold value for determining a decrease in the remaining battery charge differs for each of the heating profiles, The control unit controls the operation of the suction device based on the operation settings of a target device among the operation settings stored in the storage unit, The communication unit transmits information indicating the operation settings stored in the storage unit. Suction device.

2. the communication unit receives information requesting transmission of information indicating the operation setting, and transmits the information indicating the operation setting requested to be transmitted in the received information.

2. The suction device of claim 1.

3. The communication unit transmits information indicating the operation setting of the target to be used.

3. A suction device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The communication unit transmits information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the storage unit.

3. A suction device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The communication unit transmits, as the information indicating the operation setting, identification information corresponding to the operation setting. The suction device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The control unit is capable of switching the operation setting to be used from among the operation settings stored in the storage unit. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The communication unit receives information instructing the user to switch an operation setting of the target device, The control unit switches the operation setting to be used to the operation setting of a switching destination instructed by the information received by the communication unit.

7. The suction device according to claim 6.

8. The communication unit transmits information indicating that switching of the operation setting of the target to be used has been completed.

8. A suction device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The suitable operation settings differ depending on the type of the substrate. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A communication unit that receives information indicating operation settings, which is information for setting the operation of an aspirator, the information being stored in the aspirator having a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and an output unit that outputs information indicating the operation setting received by the communication unit; Equipped with the operation setting includes a threshold value for determining a decrease in a remaining battery charge used to detect a decrease in a remaining amount of power stored in a power supply unit of the suction device, and a heating profile in which a time series transition of a target value of an actual measurement value measured with respect to the heating unit is defined; The threshold value for determining a decrease in the remaining battery charge differs for each heating profile. Terminal device.

11. The suction device operates based on the operation setting to be used among the one or more operation settings stored therein; The communication unit transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating the operation setting of the target to be used. The terminal device according to claim 10.

12. The output unit outputs information indicating the operation setting of the target device received by the communication unit. The terminal device according to claim 11.

13. The suction device operates based on the operation setting to be used among the one or more operation settings stored therein; The output unit outputs information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used by the suction device as the operation setting of the target. A terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. The suction device further includes a storage unit configured to store information indicating one or more operation settings that the suction device can use as the operation setting of the target of use, The output unit outputs information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used by the suction device as the operation setting of the target, the information being stored in the storage unit. The terminal device according to claim 13.

15. the communication unit transmits information requesting transmission of information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device, and receives the information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device; The output unit outputs information indicating all of the operation settings stored in the suction device received by the communication unit as information indicating one or more operation settings that can be used by the suction device as the operation setting of the target. The terminal device according to claim 13.

16. The terminal device further includes an input unit, the output unit displays, in different forms, the operation settings that have been downloaded and the operation settings that have not been downloaded, among the operation settings that can be downloaded by the suction device; the input unit accepts an operation to select the operation setting that has not been downloaded, the communication unit transmits information indicating the selected undownloaded operation setting. A terminal device according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

17. The output unit outputs information indicating the operation setting of the target of use after the switching when information indicating that the switching of the operation setting of the target of use in the suction device has been completed is received by the communication unit. The terminal device according to claim 16.

18. On the computer, When receiving information indicating operation settings, which is information for setting the operation of a suction device having a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, the information being stored in the suction device, controlling the terminal device to output the received information indicating the operation settings; Run the command, the operation setting includes a threshold value for determining a decrease in a remaining battery charge used to detect a decrease in a remaining amount of power stored in a power supply unit of the suction device, and a heating profile in which a time series transition of a target value of an actual measurement value measured with respect to the heating unit is defined; The threshold value for determining a decrease in the remaining battery charge differs for each heating profile. program.

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