Suction device operation method, program, and suction device

Abstract

The present invention provides an operation method for an inhalation device by which it is possible to suitably ascertain the state of consumption of an inhalation component source in the inhalation device during use, while taking into consideration tendencies regarding inhalation actions by a user. Said method includes: a step for causing a sensor to detect a series of puff actions by the user; a step for measuring the time interval between a first puff action and an immediately preceding second puff action in order to acquire the value of a puff action interval pertaining to the first puff action; a step for measuring a detection time, which is a puff action period during which the first puff action continues; a step for using a time correction model associated with the puff action interval and the puff action period to correct the detection time; a step for cumulatively adding the corrected detection time and calculating a cumulative detection time; and a step for estimating the residual amount level of the inhalation component source on the basis of the cumulative detection time. The value of the puff action interval pertaining to the first puff action is acquired by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in accordance with the value of the puff action period that has been acquired pertaining to the second puff action.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operation method for a suction device, a program, and a suction device. [Background technology]

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

[0003] When a user uses the inhalation device to perform inhalation, the inhalation device controls a heating operation to atomize the inhalation component source by supplying power to a heater to increase the temperature of the heater. A method is known in which the consumption of the inhalation component source or the depletion of the inhalation component source is determined using various data such as the heater temperature, power supply amount, and electrical resistance acquired in relation to such a heating operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2014-501105 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2015-531600 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2017-538410 [Patent Document 4] Special Publication No. 2016-525367 [Patent Document 5] Special Publication No. 2019-500896 [Patent Document 6] Special Publication No. 2014-501107 [Patent Document 7] International Publication No. 2021 / 002392 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It would be desirable to further improve the quality of experience provided to a user using an aspiration device.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and has an objective to provide a mechanism that can improve the quality of the experience of using an inhalation device (hereinafter, also referred to as "inhalation experience"). To this end, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that can appropriately grasp the consumption status of an inhalation component source in an inhalation device in use, while taking into account the tendency of the inhalation operation by a user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating an inhalation device is provided, the method includes the steps of: detecting a series of puffs by a user with a sensor; measuring a time interval between the first puff and a second puff immediately preceding the first puff to obtain a value of a puff interval for the first puff; measuring a detection time of the first puff to obtain a value of a puff duration during which the first puff continues; correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puff interval and the puff duration; accumulating the corrected detection times to calculate an accumulated detection time; and estimating a remaining level of an inhalation component source based on the accumulated detection time, wherein the value of the puff interval for the first puff is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to a previously obtained value of the puff duration for the second puff.

[0008] According to this method, it is possible to estimate an appropriate cumulative detection time, improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source, and realize appropriate remaining level grasping and notification.

[0009] If the puff duration value for the second puff is less than a first predetermined time, the time interval measurement may be adjusted to restart from the puff interval value obtained for the second puff, thereby providing a more accurate cumulative detection time estimate and further improving the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and / or aerosol source.

[0010] The first time period may be 0.5 seconds, which allows for efficient estimation of the remaining charge level.

[0011] The step of estimating the remaining level of the aspirated component source may include determining that the aspirated component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a predetermined second time, thereby achieving proper end-of-life detection.

[0012] The method may further include a step of causing the aspirator to notify the aspirator of the shortage of the aspirated component source in response to the determination that the aspirated component source is low in amount. This allows for proper notification of the end of life of the aspirated component source.

[0013] The time correction model may be defined to include maintaining the corrected detection time at a predetermined third time when the value of the detection time is the third time, thereby generating a more appropriate time correction model to further improve accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the aspirated component source.

[0014] The time correction model may be defined to include decreasing the detection time if the value of the detection time is less than the third time, thereby generating a more appropriate time correction model to further improve accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the aspirated component source.

[0015] The third time period may be 2.4 seconds, which may generate a more appropriate time correction model to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the inhaled component source.

[0016] The time correction model may be defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a fourth time, thereby generating a more appropriate time correction model to further improve accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the inhaled component source.

[0017] The method may further include initially setting a value of a puff interval for the second puff to the fourth time if the second puff is an initial puff, thereby making it possible to more effectively apply an appropriate time correction model.

[0018] The fourth time period may be 10 seconds, which may generate a more appropriate time correction model to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the inhaled component source.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing the suction device to execute the above-mentioned method.

[0020] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an inhalation device, comprising: a sensor for detecting a series of puffing operations by a user; and a control unit for operating the inhalation device, the control unit being configured to measure a time interval between a first puffing operation and a second puffing operation immediately preceding the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing interval for a first puffing operation detected by the sensor, measure a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing period during which the first puffing operation continues, correct the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing period, accumulate the corrected detection time to calculate an accumulated detection time, and estimate a remaining level of an inhalation component source based on the accumulated detection time, wherein the value of the puffing interval for the first puffing operation is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to a value of the puffing period already obtained for the second puffing operation.

[0021] According to the inhalation device, it is possible to estimate an appropriate cumulative detection time, improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source, and realize appropriate remaining level grasping and notification.

[0022] As described above, the present disclosure provides a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the experience when using a suction device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of a suction device. [Figure 1B] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of a suction device. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of the relationship between the number of puffs and the puffing duration. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of atomization characteristics 1 of an aerosol source. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of atomization characteristics 2 of an aerosol source. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of the atomization characteristic 1a of an aerosol source. [Figure 6A] 11 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model 1AID corresponding to the atomization characteristic 1a. [Figure 6B] 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model 1A based on atomization characteristics 1a. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic graph showing an example of the atomization characteristic 2a of an aerosol source. [Figure 8] 11 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model 2A corresponding to the atomization characteristic 2a. [Figure 9] 11 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model MD based on atomization characteristics 1a and 2a. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of the configuration of a suction device according to an embodiment; [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic flow diagram of an example method of operation of a suction device according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] 11 is a schematic flow diagram of an example of a process for estimating a remaining level based on an accumulation of detection times of puffing operations. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram of an example process for correcting the detection time of a puffing motion. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram of an example process for initializing the puff interval value. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic conceptual diagram showing an example of a series of detected puffing actions. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram of an example of a process for adjusting a timer according to a modified example. [Figure 17] 13 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model MD' according to a modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram relating to an example of a correction process for the detection time of a puffing operation according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, electronic cigarettes and nebulizers. The embodiments of the present disclosure may include various inhalation devices for generating aerosols or flavored aerosols to be inhaled by a user. The inhaled components generated may include invisible vapors in addition to aerosols. In the following, the inhalation action by a user will be referred to as a "puffing action" or simply a "puff", and one or both of the aerosol source and the flavor source will be referred to as an "inhaled component source".

[0025] <<1. Example of suction device configuration>> Fig. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a suction device 100A according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 1A shows each component of the suction device 100A in a schematic and conceptual manner, and does not show the strict arrangement, shape, size, positional relationship, etc. of each component and the suction device 100A.

[0026] 1A, the inhalation device 100A includes a first member 102 and a second member 104. As shown in the figure, in one example, the first member 102 may be a power supply unit and may include a control unit 106, a notification unit 108, a battery 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114. In addition, in one example, the second member 104 may be a cartridge and may include a reservoir 116, an atomizing unit 118, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, and a mouthpiece unit 122.

[0027] Some of the components included in the first member 102 may be included in the second member 104. Some of the components included in the second member 104 may be included in the first member 102. The second member 104 may be configured to be detachable from the first member 102. Alternatively, all of the components included in the first member 102 and the second member 104 may be included in the same housing instead of the first member 102 and the second member 104.

[0028] The power supply unit, which is the first member 102, includes a notification section 108, a battery 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114, and is electrically connected to the control section 106. Among these, the notification section 108 may include a light-emitting element such as an LED, a display, a speaker, a vibrator, etc. The notification section 108 may notify the user in various ways by light emission, display, voice output, vibration, etc., or a combination of these, as necessary. In one example, it may notify the user in various ways of the remaining level and / or replacement time of the suction component source contained in the reservoir 116 of the second member 104.

[0029] The battery 110 supplies power to each component of the inhalation device 100A, such as the notification unit 108, the sensor 112, the memory 114, and the atomization unit 118. In particular, the battery 110 supplies power to the atomization unit 118 so as to atomize the aerosol source in response to a puffing operation by the user. The battery 110 can be connected to an external power source (e.g., a charger that can be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB)) via a predetermined port (not shown) provided in the first member 102.

[0030] Only the battery 110 may be removable from the power supply unit 102 or the suction device 100A, and may be replaced with a new battery 110. Also, the battery 110 may be replaced with a new battery 110 by replacing the entire power supply unit with a new power supply unit.

[0031] The sensor 112 may be composed of various sensors. For example, the sensor 112 may include a suction sensor, such as a microphone condenser, to accurately detect a puffing action by a user. The sensor 112 may also include a pressure sensor to detect pressure fluctuations in the air intake channel 120 and / or the aerosol channel 121, or a flow sensor to detect a flow rate. The sensor 112 may also include a weight sensor to detect the weight of a component, such as the reservoir 116.

[0032] The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the reservoir 116. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the SOC (State of Charge) of the battery 110, the discharge state of the battery 110, a current integration value, a voltage, etc. The current integration value may be obtained by a current integration method, a SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, etc. The sensor 112 may also include a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the control unit 106. The sensor 112 may also be an operation button or the like that can be operated by a user.

[0033] The control unit 106 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 106 may be configured to control the operation of the inhalation device 100A according to computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 114. The control unit 106 may also be configured to include a timer and to timer measure (i.e., count) a desired period based on the clock. In one example, the control unit 106 may timer measure an operation period during which a puffing operation is detected by the inhalation sensor and an operation interval between successive puffing operations.

[0034] The control unit 106 reads data from the memory 114 as necessary, uses the data for controlling the aspirator 100A, and stores the data in the memory 114 as necessary. The control unit 106 also reads data from the memory 114 as necessary, uses the data for controlling the aspirator 100A, and stores the data in the memory 114 as necessary.

[0035] The memory 114 is a storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, etc. In addition to the above-mentioned computer-executable instructions, the memory 114 may store setting data and the like necessary for controlling the inhalation device 100A and / or the power supply unit 102, and may be used mainly by the control unit 106. For example, the memory 114 may store various data such as a control method of the notification unit 108 (such as the mode of light emission, vocalization, vibration, etc.), a value detected by the sensor 112, information on the attached cartridge, and a heating history of the atomization unit 118.

[0036] With respect to the cartridge, which is the second member 104, the reservoir 116 holds an aerosol source, which is a source of inhalation components. For example, the reservoir 116 is made of a fibrous or porous material, and holds the aerosol source as a liquid in the gaps between the fibers or in the pores of the porous material. For example, cotton, glass fiber, or tobacco raw material can be used as the fibrous or porous material. The reservoir 116 may be configured as a tank that contains a liquid. The aerosol source is a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water.

[0037] When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also include a drug for the patient to inhale. As another example, the aerosol source may include a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from a tobacco raw material that releases a flavor component when heated. The reservoir 116 may have a configuration that allows the aerosol source to be replenished when consumed. Alternatively, the reservoir 116 may be configured so that the reservoir 116 itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. In addition, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the aerosol source is a solid, the reservoir 116 may be, for example, a hollow container that does not use a fibrous or porous material.

[0038] The atomizing unit 118 is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol source. More specifically, the atomizing unit 118 generates an aerosol by atomizing or vaporizing the aerosol source. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the atomizing unit 118 generates an aerosol by atomizing or vaporizing the aerosol source containing a medicine.

[0039] When the puffing action is detected by the sensor 112, the atomizing unit 118 receives power from the battery 110 and generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source. For example, a wick (not shown) may be provided to connect the reservoir 116 and the atomizing unit 118. In this case, a part of the wick communicates with the inside of the reservoir 116 and contacts the aerosol source. Another part of the wick extends to the atomizing unit 118. The aerosol source is transported from the reservoir 116 to the atomizing unit 118 by the capillary effect of the wick.

[0040] In one example, the atomizing unit 118 includes a heater electrically connected to the battery 110. The heater is disposed so as to be in contact with or in close proximity to the wick. When the puffing operation is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of the atomizing unit 118 to atomize the aerosol source carried through the wick by heating the aerosol source. Another example of the atomizing unit 118 may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source by ultrasonic vibration.

[0041] An air intake flow path 120 is connected to the atomizing unit 118, and the air intake flow path 120 leads to the outside of the inhalation device 100A. The aerosol generated in the atomizing unit 118 is mixed with air taken in through the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and air is sent to the aerosol flow path 121 as shown by the arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for transporting the mixed fluid of the aerosol generated in the atomizing unit 118 and the air to the suction port unit 122.

[0042] The suction mouth part 122 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 121, and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to the outside of the inhalation device 100A. The user holds the suction mouth part 122 in his / her mouth and inhales to take in air containing the aerosol into the oral cavity.

[0043] FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of an inhalation device 100B according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1B, the inhalation device 100B includes a third member 126 in addition to the configuration of the inhalation device 100A of FIG. 1A. The third member 126 may be a capsule and may include a flavor source 128. In one example, when the inhalation device 100B is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 128 may include a flavor component contained in tobacco. As shown in the figure, the aerosol flow path 121 extends through the second member 104 and the third member 126. The mouthpiece 122 is provided in the third member 126.

[0044] Flavor source 128 is a component for imparting flavor to the aerosol. Flavor source 128 is disposed midway through aerosol flow path 121. A mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated by atomization section 118 (hereinafter, the mixed fluid may be simply referred to as aerosol) flows through aerosol flow path 121 to mouthpiece section 122. In this manner, flavor source 128 is disposed downstream of atomization section 118 with respect to the flow of aerosol. In other words, flavor source 128 is positioned closer to mouthpiece section 122 in aerosol flow path 121 than atomization section 118.

[0045] Therefore, the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 118 passes through the flavor source 128 before reaching the mouthpiece unit 122. When the aerosol passes through the flavor source 128, the flavor components contained in the flavor source 128 are imparted to the aerosol. In one example, when the inhalation device 100B is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 128 may be derived from tobacco, such as shredded tobacco or a processed product obtained by forming tobacco raw material into a granular, sheet, or powder form.

[0046] The flavor source 128 may also be non-tobacco derived, such as made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). In one example, the flavor source 128 includes a nicotine component. The flavor source 128 may also include a flavor component, such as menthol. In addition to the flavor source 128, the reservoir 116 may also include a substance that includes a flavor component. For example, the inhalation device 100B may be configured to hold a tobacco-derived flavor substance in the flavor source 128 and to include a non-tobacco-derived flavor substance in the reservoir 116.

[0047] In this way, the user can take in air containing the flavored aerosol into the oral cavity by holding mouthpiece 122 in the mouth and inhaling.

[0048] <<2. Technical features>> The operation of the suction devices 100A and 100B (hereinafter, sometimes collectively referred to as "suction device 100") according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is controlled in various ways by the control unit 106. A method for operating the suction device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and the suction device will be described in detail below.

[0049] (1) Basic estimation method for the remaining level of the suction component source In order to provide the user with a comfortable inhalation experience and continuously provide the user with an aerosol with sufficient flavoring ingredients, it is preferable to properly grasp the remaining level (or consumption level) of the aerosol source and / or flavor source 128 stored in the reservoir 116 and / or capsule. In this case, it is preferable to further properly grasp the remaining level (or consumption level) by taking into consideration the tendency and characteristics of the puffing operation by the user in particular. Furthermore, it is preferable to prompt the user to replace the cartridge and / or capsule when it is determined that the remaining amount is exhausted. As an example of properly grasping the remaining level, it is preferable that the control unit 106 uses the accumulated time required for the user to perform the puffing operation and determines whether the accumulated time has reached a predetermined threshold.

[0050] For example, the control unit 106 may determine that the aerosol source in the reservoir 116 held in the cartridge is exhausted when the cumulative time of the puffing operation reaches a predetermined upper limit after the cartridge is attached (the memory is reset to 0 seconds). For the cartridge, the predetermined upper limit is, for example, 1,000 seconds. Similarly, in the inhalation device 100B, the flavor source held in the capsule may be determined to be exhausted when the cumulative time of the puffing operation reaches a predetermined upper limit after the capsule is attached (the memory is reset to 0 seconds). For the capsule, the predetermined upper limit is, for example, 100 seconds. Then, when it is determined that the aerosol source and / or the flavor source are exhausted, it is preferable to notify the user to replace the cartridge and / or the capsule holding them.

[0051] These are based on the idea that while the inhalation device 100 is steadily accepting a series of puffing operations by the user, the consumption amount of the cartridge and / or capsule is substantially proportional to the cumulative value of the puffing period. Based on this premise, the consumption amount of the aerosol source and / or the flavor source can be specified with the cumulative time as a parameter, and can be easily measured.

[0052] 2 is a schematic graph showing an example of the relationship between the number of puffs, the puff duration, and the cumulative puff duration with respect to the consumption of the flavor source held in the capsule. The horizontal axis shows the number of puffs (times) after a new capsule is attached. The left vertical axis shows the puff duration (seconds) per puff, and the right vertical axis shows the cumulative puff duration (seconds). Furthermore, a bar graph shows the puff duration (seconds) measured for each puff, and a line graph shows the cumulative puff duration (seconds).

[0053] In the illustrated example, the puffing period per puffing operation is generally in the range of 0.3 seconds to 2.4 seconds, and 65 puffing operations are required until the cumulative puffing period (seconds) reaches 100 seconds. In other words, if the predetermined upper threshold value for the cumulative puffing time of the capsule is 100 seconds, it is preferable to determine that the flavor source is exhausted in response to the 65th puffing operation. In addition, the consumption level is preferably calculated based on the value of the cumulative puffing period. For example, if the value of the cumulative puffing period up to the 32nd puffing operation is 50 seconds, the consumption level is preferably estimated to be 50% (50 seconds / 100 seconds x 100). In the case of the inhalation device 100B, the upper threshold value for the cumulative puffing time of 100 seconds means that the total amount of aerosol that has been atomized from the aerosol source and passed through the flavor source by the cumulative 100 seconds of puffing operations is sufficient for the flavor source to reach its lifespan. Here, the end of the flavor source life means that the aerosol source has been consumed and is no longer able to impart sufficient flavor to the atomized aerosol.

[0054] In the following, based on the deep knowledge of the inventor, a more accurate method for estimating the remaining level is proposed than the basic method described above. Experiments by the inventor have shown that when using a method for estimating the cumulative puffing duration in relation to the remaining level, the estimation accuracy can be further improved by incorporating a control method for correcting the puffing duration value based on the atomization characteristics of the aerosol source.

[0055] (2) Atomization characteristics of the aerosol source 3 and 4 are schematic graphs showing the atomization characteristics of the aerosol source with respect to the puffing action of the user using the inhalation device 100. Based on these graphs, the basic atomization characteristics of the aerosol source in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100 can be identified.

[0056] The graph shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of the relationship between the puff duration per puff and the amount of atomization in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100 using a sample flavor source. The horizontal axis shows the puff duration (seconds) per puff. Specifically, the puff duration is the period from the start to the end of the puff. The vertical axis shows the amount of atomization per puff, that is, the consumption amount of the aerosol source (mg / puff). Specifically, the amount of atomization is the weight of the aerosol source at the start of the puff minus the weight of the aerosol source at the end of the puff.

[0057] More specifically, the data for the puffing period on the horizontal axis can be obtained by detecting the start and end of the puffing operation with a suction sensor and measuring the continuous period between the start and end of the puffing operation with a timer, while the data for the atomization amount on the vertical axis can be obtained by measuring the weight of the aerosol source at the start and end of the puffing operation with, for example, a weight sensor and calculating the difference therebetween.

[0058] In Figure 3, 13 sample points measured during the atomization phenomenon are plotted. Also shown are the actual atomization curve (solid line) based on these 13 sample points and the theoretical atomization line (dashed line). The theoretical atomization line is created by connecting the origin and the sample point furthest from the origin (2.4 seconds, the longest puffing period). This is based on the idea that the amount of atomization increases in proportion to the inhalation time during puffing.

[0059] As shown in the figure, when comparing the actual atomization curve and the theoretical atomization straight line, there is a discrepancy between the two. Specifically, the actual atomization curve is different from the theoretical atomization straight line, and the puff operation period and the actual amount of atomization are not proportional. In particular, for a puff operation period up to about 2.4 seconds, at least, the actual amount of atomization is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. More specifically, the difference between the two increases with time until the puff operation period is about 1 second (difference 1), and thereafter decreases with time (difference 2). This is due to the fact that in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100, a certain rise time is required from the start of heating the heater at the start of the puff operation until the temperature reaches a suitable temperature for atomization.

[0060] The graph shown in FIG. 4 shows an example of the relationship between the interval between two successive puffing actions and the amount of atomization through two successive puffing actions, regarding the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100 using a sample flavor source. The horizontal axis shows the puffing action interval (seconds) between two successive puffing actions. Specifically, the puffing action interval is the period from the end of the first puffing action to the start of the next second puffing action. The vertical axis shows the amount of atomization of the aerosol source that is atomized through two successive puffing actions, that is, the consumption amount (mg / 2 puffing actions). Specifically, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source is the weight of the aerosol source at the start of the first puffing action minus the weight of the aerosol source at the end of the second puffing action.

[0061] More specifically, the puff interval data can be obtained by detecting the start and end of the puff with a suction sensor and measuring the time between the end of the first puff and the start of the second puff with a timer. The atomization amount data can be obtained by measuring the weight of the aerosol source at the start of the first puff and the end of the second puff with, for example, a weight sensor and calculating the difference therebetween.

[0062] In FIG. 4, nine sample points measured in the atomization phenomenon are plotted. For seven data items with a puffing interval of about 10 seconds or less, a regression line is shown by linear regression with the puffing interval as the explanatory variable and the atomization amount as the objective variable. As shown in the figure, it is understood that a negative correlation occurs here. That is, in the actual atomization phenomenon, the shorter the puffing interval, the larger the atomization amount of the aerosol source (about 8.8 mg to about 9.3 mg). On the other hand, when the puffing interval is longer than about 10 seconds, the atomization amount of the aerosol source is generally constant and stable (about 8.1 mg: dotted line). This is because, in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100, when the puffing interval is short, such as 10 seconds or less, the heater heated by the immediately preceding puffing operation is not sufficiently cooled and residual heat remains, so that the heater rise time is faster than usual at the start of the immediately following puffing operation. This results in a larger amount of atomization compared to the stable state in which the puffing interval is 10 seconds or longer.

[0063] In this way, it is preferable to specify two atomization characteristics of the aerosol source in advance regarding the atomization phenomenon of the aerosol source and reflect them in the control of the estimation of the remaining amount level. Specifically, by incorporating a control method for correcting the value of the puff operation period based on the two atomization characteristics, the estimation accuracy of the remaining amount of the aerosol source and / or the remaining amount of the flavor source can be further improved. The two atomization characteristics of the aerosol source (atomization characteristics 1 and 2) are summarized below.

[0064] [Atomization characteristic 1] Atomization characteristic 1 is identified based on the relationship between the sample operation period of the puff operation and the amount of atomization (Figure 3). Here, the actual amount of atomization of the aerosol source is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. In addition, when the puff operation period is about 1 second or less, the difference between the theoretical value and the measured value increases with the length of the puff operation period. On the other hand, when the puff operation period is about 1 second or more, the difference between the theoretical value and the measured value decreases with the length of the puff operation period. In either case, if the actual puff operation period value is applied directly to the estimation of the remaining amount level, the amount of atomization estimated may be larger than the actual amount, so it is better to estimate the remaining amount level of the aerosol source by slightly decreasing the value of the puff operation period.

[0065] Similarly, as described above, the actual amount of atomization of the aerosol source is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. That is, in the case of the inhalation device 100B in which the cartridge 104 and the capsule 126 are separate elements, the actual amount of aerosol passing through the flavor source held in the capsule 126 is smaller than the theoretical amount of aerosol. That is, by adopting a configuration in which the remaining level of the flavor source is estimated by slightly correcting the value of the puff operation period to be smaller, the remaining amount of the aerosol source and the remaining amount of the flavor source can be further improved.

[0066] [Atomization characteristic 2] Atomization characteristic 2 is determined based on the relationship between the sample interval between two successive puffing operations and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (Figure 4). Here, when the puffing interval is approximately 10 seconds or less, a negative correlation occurs between the puffing interval and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source, so that as the puffing interval increases, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source decreases. In other words, when the puffing interval is 10 seconds or less, if the actual puffing duration value is applied as is to estimate the remaining level, the amount of atomization estimated may be smaller than the actual amount. In other words, it is better to estimate the remaining level of the aerosol source by slightly increasing the value of the puffing duration.

[0067] Similarly, as described above, when the puffing interval is 10 seconds or less (or less than 10 seconds), if the actual puffing duration value is applied to the estimation of the remaining amount level, the estimated amount of atomization may be smaller than the actual amount. In other words, when the cartridge 104 and the capsule 126 of the inhalation device 100B are separate elements, the amount of aerosol passing through the flavor source held in the capsule 126 may be estimated to be smaller than the actual amount. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the remaining amount level of the flavor source is estimated by correcting the puffing duration value somewhat larger, the accuracy of estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol source and the remaining amount of the flavor source can be further improved.

[0068] Based on the atomization characteristics 1 and 2 of the aerosol source during puffing, the inhalation device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to accurately estimate the remaining level by dynamically correcting the detection time, which is the duration of the detected puffing. In other words, compared with the detection time of the actually detected puffing, a more accurate puffing period or cumulative puffing period can be estimated, thereby realizing an appropriate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source. This allows for appropriate estimation of the consumption level of the cartridge and / or capsule, replacement decision, and notification.

[0069] (3) Time correction model defined based on atomization characteristics With reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 9, a method for generating each of the time correction models 1A, 2A, MD that correct the detection time of the detected puffing operation according to the atomization characteristics 1a, 2a of the aerosol source will be described. The atomization characteristics 1a, 2a of the aerosol source are defined by adding further consideration to the above-mentioned atomization characteristics 1, 2. Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining the atomization characteristics 1a, 2a of the aerosol source, respectively. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining the time correction model 1A based on the atomization characteristics 1a of the aerosol source. ID 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a of the aerosol source. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source.

[0070] [Time correction model 1A based on atomization characteristics 1a] Based on the above-mentioned atomization characteristic 1 of the aerosol source, the atomization characteristic 1a is further defined. Fig. 5 is a graph showing an actual atomization line using 13 sample points of the puffing operation period and the atomization amount of the aerosol source (and / or flavor source) in a broken line, similar to the atomization characteristic 1 of the aerosol source shown in Fig. 3, which constitutes the atomization characteristic 1a. The value of the atomization amount at the sample points is calculated by measuring the atomization amount of the aerosol source multiple times for each predetermined puffing operation period through experiments and calculating the average.

[0071] As discussed in the above atomization characteristic 1, the actual amount of atomization of the aerosol source is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. In other words, if the actual puffing period value is directly applied to the estimation of the remaining level and calculated with an ideal value, the amount of atomization may be estimated to be larger than the actual amount, and a large amount of the aerosol source may be left over compared to the estimate. In other words, it is preferable to use the puffing period value after correcting it to be somewhat smaller in order to estimate the remaining level. In addition, according to the atomization characteristic 1 of the aerosol source (FIG. 3), the maximum value of the puffing period is set to 2.4 seconds here as well. 2.4 seconds is the value at which the consumption efficiency of the aerosol source is the highest in the inhalation device. However, this value is only one example, and it is preferable to set an ideal value at which the consumption efficiency of the aerosol source is the highest according to the device characteristics and / or design of the inhalation device.

[0072] FIG. 6A shows a time-corrected model 1A based on the atomization characteristics of the aerosol source 1a. ID The following shows an example of time correction model 1A. ID corresponds to the experimental nebulization characteristic 1a shown in Fig. 5, i.e., the ideal time correction model. In the graph of Fig. 6A, the horizontal axis (x-axis) represents the puffing duration (seconds) and the vertical axis (y-axis) represents the corrected puffing duration (seconds) relative to the puffing duration.

[0073] Specifically, the corrected puffing period is preferably determined according to the ratio of the relative amount of atomization for each predetermined puffing period, based on 2.4 seconds, which is the ideal value with the highest consumption efficiency of the aerosol source, according to the atomization characteristics 1a in Fig. 5. For example, in the atomization characteristics 1a in Fig. 5, the amount of atomization when the puffing period is 2.4 seconds is A 2.4 mg, and the amount of atomization when the puff operation period is 1.2 seconds is A 1.2 In this case, in FIG. 6A, for example, when the puffing period (x) is 1.2 seconds, the corrected puffing period (y) is 2.4×A 1.2 / A 2.4 It is preferable to calculate it as follows.

[0074] FIG. 6B shows an example of the time correction model 1A based on the atomization characteristic 1a. The time correction model 1A is theoretically defined by a mathematical formula, while FIG. 6A is the ideal time correction model 1A ID In the graph of FIG. 6B, similar to FIG. 6A, the horizontal axis (x-axis) represents the puff operation period (seconds), and the vertical axis (y-axis) represents the corrected puff operation period (seconds) with respect to the puff operation period. That is, the time correction model 1A in FIG. 6B is a model based on the puff operation period. And when the puff operation period (x) is 2.4 seconds, in the range of 0 < x ≤ 2.4, a function correlated with the time correction model 1A in FIG. 6A is defined so that the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is maintained at 2.4 seconds ID

[0075] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, a constant T is introduced such that y = 0 when x = T 10 10 Thereby, the function y = C(x) of the time correction model 1A is 10 ·When 0 < x ≤ T 10 y = 0 ·When T < x ≤ 2.4 10 y = m(x - T 10 )(where m > 1) That is, it is represented by two linear functions based on the puff operation period (x) (Equation 1). Here, the slope m (>1) is determined in advance by the formula m = 2.4 / (2.4 - T 10 ) and is set in the memory 114

[0076] By applying the time correction model 1A based on the puff operation period in this way, the correction is performed so that the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) decreases with respect to the value of the puff operation period (x). That is, the value of the puff operation period (x) can be appropriately corrected to approach the ideal time correction model 1A ID (dashed line). Note that the constant T 10 ​​​​​is preferably set to a value less than 1.0. Specifically, it is preferably experimentally obtained while taking into consideration the device characteristics of the inhalation device 100, and set in the memory 114. The device characteristics here are preferably, but are not limited to, cartridge characteristics, heater heating characteristics, and loss characteristics due to attachment of the aerosol source to the mouthpiece and / or capsule.

[0077] Here, the value of the puff operation period (x) is T 10 In the vicinity of ID However, according to an experiment by the inventor, it has been found that a puffing period of less than 1.0 seconds is rare and difficult to imagine in a puffing operation by a user. 10 If is set to a value less than 1.0, there is no need to consider the effects of correction in the first place (see below).

[0078] [Time correction model 2A based on atomization characteristics 2a] Based on the above-mentioned atomization characteristic 2 of the aerosol source, the atomization characteristic 2a is further defined. FIG. 7 is a graph showing an actual atomization line using five sample points of the interval between two consecutive puffing operations and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (and / or flavor source), similar to the atomization characteristic 2 of the aerosol source shown in FIG. 4, which constitutes the atomization characteristic 2a. The value of the amount of atomization at the sample points is an experimental measurement of the amount of atomization of the aerosol source at every 2-second puffing interval. The puffing interval is measured by a sensor and a timer. In FIG. 7, the puffing period is fixed at 2.4 seconds for measurement.

[0079] Here, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source with respect to the puffing interval depends largely on the device characteristics and has large individual differences. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, measurements using three individuals (individuals 1 to 3) are plotted individually. Also, in accordance with the atomization characteristics 2 of the aerosol source (FIG. 4), the reference value of the puffing interval between two consecutive puffing operations is set to 10 seconds. 10 seconds is a value at which the amount of atomization of the consumed aerosol source is stable with respect to the puffing interval. However, this is only an example, and it is preferable to set a suitable value determined by experiment according to the device characteristics and / or settings of the inhalation device.

[0080] As discussed in the atomization characteristic 2 above, when the puffing interval is less than about 10 seconds, there is a negative correlation between the puffing interval and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (and / or flavor source). In other words, as the puffing interval increases, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source decreases. Specifically, when the puffing interval is less than 10 seconds, if the actual puffing duration is applied as is to the estimation of the remaining amount level, the amount of atomization may be estimated to be smaller than the actual amount, and the aerosol source may be insufficient for the estimation. In other words, it is better to use the puffing duration value after slightly increasing it to estimate the remaining amount level.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows an example of a time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a of the aerosol source in FIG. 7. In the graph of FIG. 8, the horizontal axis (v axis) shows the puffing interval (seconds) between two consecutive puffing operations, and the vertical axis (w axis) shows the corrected differential puffing period (seconds) relative to the puffing period. For simplicity, FIG. 8 shows only two data groups of individuals 1 and 2 shown in the atomization characteristics 2a in FIG. 7 (dotted and dashed lines), and the data group of individual 3 is omitted. A time correction model 2A is defined for each of these data groups of individuals (solid lines).

[0082] Specifically, the corrected differential puff operation period (seconds) of each individual, which is a sample point, should be determined according to the ratio of the relative atomization amount for each predetermined puff operation interval as shown in FIG. 7, based on the value of the puff operation interval being 10 seconds. For example, in the atomization characteristic 2a of individual 2 in FIG. 7, let the atomization amount when the puff operation period is 10 seconds be B 10 mg, and the atomization amount when the puff operation period is 2 seconds be B2 mg. In this case, in FIG. 8, the corrected differential puff operation period for a puff operation interval of 2 seconds should be calculated as 10×(B 10 -B2) / B 10 . When the value of the puff operation interval is greater than 10 seconds, the corrected differential puff operation period should be set to 0.

[0083] The time correction model 2A in FIG. 8 is for calculating, based on the value of the puff operation interval between two consecutive puff operations, the corrected differential puff operation period calculated based on the puff operation interval as the adjustment time. More specifically, the time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristic 2a should be defined as a linear function that classifies, in the vw plane (the first quadrant) of FIG. 8, the region that includes all sample points (data group) of a plurality of individuals and the region other than that. Specifically, the function w = C 20 (v) of the time correction model 2A is defined such that w = 0 when v = 10, ·When 0 < v ≤ 10, w = p(v - 10) (where p < 0) ·When 10 < v, w = 0 , and is represented by two linear functions based on the puff operation interval (Formula 2). Here, the slope p (<0) is a constant determined in advance by an arbitrary method based on the data group of a plurality of individuals and is set in the memory 114.

[0084] By applying the time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristic 2a in this way, for the value of the puff operation interval (v), the adjustment time, which is the corrected differential puff operation period (w), can be determined. Then, by combining the time correction model 2A with the aforementioned time correction model 1A, the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a, which will be described next, is defined.

[0085] 〔Time correction model MD based on atomization characteristics 1a and 2a〕 FIG. 9 shows an example of the time correction model MD based on such atomization characteristics 1a and 2a. The time correction model MD is defined by combining the time correction model 2A with the aforementioned time correction model 1A. That is, for the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) in the time correction model 1A, further, the corrected differential puff operation period in the time correction model 2A is added, and thus the time correction model MD is defined.

[0086] Similar to FIG. 6B, in the graph of FIG. 9, the horizontal axis (x-axis) represents the puff operation period (seconds), and the vertical axis (y-axis) represents the corrected puff operation period (seconds) with respect to the puff operation period. Here, when the value of the puff operation period (x) is 2.4 seconds, the value of the corrected differential puff operation period (w) calculated based on the puff operation interval (v) according to the time correction model 2A is added as the adjustment time b to the 2.4-second puff operation period. Thereby, the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) can be corrected to increase. In this way, the function of the time correction model 2A for calculating the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is defined. Hereinafter, the puff operation interval (v) is represented by t int and is represented as follows.

[0087] Specifically, the function C 30 (x, t int ) of the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a is · When 0 < x ≤ T 10 , y = 0 · When T 10 < x ≤ 2.4, y = n(x - T 10 ) It is represented by two linear functions (Equation 3) based on the puff operation period.

[0088] Here, since y = 2.4 + b when x = 2.4, the slope n is based on Equation 2 and Equation 3, n=(2.4 + b) / (2.4 - T 10 ) =(2.4 + p(t int - 10)) / (2.4 - T 10 ) and is represented by the formula (Equation 4).

[0089] Then, substituting Equation 4 into Equation 3, the function C 30 (x, t int ) of the time correction model MD is ·When 0 < x ≤ T 10 in the case of y = 0 ·When T 10 < x ≤ 2.4, y = ((2.4 + p(t int - 10)) / (2.4 - T 10 )) × (x - T 10 ) and becomes (Equation 5). As described above, since p and T 10 are preset constants, finally, the function C 30 (x, t int ) of the time correction model MD can be expressed as a function of the puff operation period x and the puff operation interval t int .

[0090] In this way, the time correction model MD is defined based on the atomization characteristics 1a, 2a of the aerosol source. As a result, finally, as shown in Equation 5, the corrected puff operation period y is related to the puff operation period x and the puff operation interval t int and the constants p and T 10In other words, when the sensor 212 detects a puffing operation of the inhalation device 100 by the user, the detection time is measured, which is the puffing period during which the detected puffing operation continues, and the time interval between two consecutive puffing operations is measured to obtain the puffing interval. These values ​​are then used to calculate the puffing period x and the puffing interval t in Equation 5. int The corrected puff operation period can be obtained by substituting the constants p and T 10 It is preferable that the value be appropriately set according to the device characteristics and / or design of the suction device 100, for example, at the time of design.

[0091] (4) Functional block diagram for estimating the remaining level of the suction component source by the suction device FIG. 10 shows an example of main functional blocks implemented by the control unit 106 (206) and the sensor 212 for the suction device 100 of this embodiment (particularly the power supply unit 202 provided therein), as well as an example of main information stored in the memory 114 (214).

[0092] The control unit 206 cooperates with the sensor 212 and the memory 214 to control various operations related to the estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source. Examples of the functional blocks of the control unit 206 include a puff detection time measurement unit 206a, a puff operation interval measurement unit 206b, a detection time correction unit 206c, a detection time accumulation unit 206d, an inhalation component source remaining level estimation unit 206e, and a notification instruction unit 206f. Examples of the functional blocks of the sensor 212 include a puff detection unit 212a and an output unit 212b. Examples of information stored in the memory 214 include time information such as cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a, capsule maximum consumption time information 214b, time correction model information 214c, and accumulated detection time information 214d.

[0093] The puff detection time measurement unit 206a measures the detection time (period) of the puffing operation detected by the puff detection unit 212a. Specifically, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a may continuously measure the period from the start to the end of the puffing operation detected by the puff detection unit 212a using a timer. Based on the measured detection time, a value of the puffing operation period is acquired. Particularly in this embodiment, the detection time is further corrected.

[0094] The puffing interval measuring unit 206b measures the time interval between two successive puffing operations. Specifically, the puffing interval measuring unit 206b may continuously measure the time between the end of the first puffing operation of two successive puffing operations detected by the puff detection unit 212a and the start of the second puffing operation using a timer. The puffing interval is acquired based on the measured time interval.

[0095] The detection time correction unit 206c corrects the detection time of the puffing operation according to a time correction model MD defined based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source in the puffing operation. As described above, the time correction model MD is associated with the puffing operation interval and the puffing operation period.

[0096] The detection time accumulator 206d accumulates the corrected detection times of the puffing operations to calculate an accumulated detection time.

[0097] The inhalation component source remaining level estimation unit 206e estimates the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source based on the accumulated detection time, and determines that the flavor source and / or the aerosol source is low in remaining amount when the accumulated detection time reaches a predetermined threshold time.

[0098] The notification instruction unit 206f instructs the notification unit 108 to perform a notification operation depending on the result of estimating the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source. In particular, when the inhalation component source remaining level estimation unit 206e determines that the remaining amount is insufficient, the notification instruction unit 206f causes the notification unit 108 to notify the remaining amount insufficiency in response to the determination.

[0099] The puff detector 212a detects a series of puffing and / or non-puffing actions by the user using a suction sensor such as a microphone-condenser, and the output unit 212b outputs various information detected by the sensor 212 to the control unit 206 or stores it in the memory 214.

[0100] With regard to the information stored in memory 214, cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a is time information (eg, 1,000 seconds) corresponding to the maximum consumption of the aerosol source and / or flavor source held in the reservoir 116 of the cartridge.

[0101] The capsule maximum consumption time information 214b is time information (e.g., 100 seconds) corresponding to the maximum consumption of the flavor source 128 held in the capsule of the inhalation device 100B. These may be set in advance, for example, when the cartridge and capsule are designed. Also, for the flavor source 128 held in the capsule, different values ​​may be set for each type of flavor source 128.

[0102] The time correction model information 214c includes information on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source described above, and information on the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source. For example, the time correction model information 214c includes a function C 30 (x,t int ) and the constants p and T used in the calculation 10 Includes information on:

[0103] The accumulated detection time information 214d is information on the accumulated detection time accumulated by the detection time accumulator 206d, and is updated every time the user performs a puffing action.

[0104] The puffing period measured in a series of puffing operations and the interval between two successive puffing operations may be stored in sequence in association with each puffing operation.

[0105] (5) Processing flow for controlling the operation of the control device 11 to 14 are examples of process flows in which the control unit 206 controls the operation of the inhalation device 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is an example of an overall process flow relating to the control operation by the control unit 206. FIG. 12 is an example of a process flow of the process flow shown in FIG. 11 relating to the process of estimating the remaining level based on the accumulation of the detection time of the puffing operation. FIG. 13 is an example of a process flow of the process flow shown in FIG. 12 relating to the process of correcting the detection time of the puffing operation. FIG. 14 is an example of a process flow of the process of initially setting the value of the puffing operation interval.

[0106] Note that the process steps shown here are merely examples, and are not limited to these, and may include any other process steps, or some process steps may be omitted. Furthermore, the order of the process steps shown here is also merely examples, and is not limited to these, and may be in any order, or may be performed in parallel.

[0107] When the process flow of FIG. 11 starts, the inhalation device 100 is powered on, and the user performs a series of puffing operations using the inhalation device 100. Alternatively, the inhalation device 100 returns from a sleep state, and the user performs a series of puffing operations using the inhalation device 100. First, in step S10, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b starts measuring the time until the user performs the "first" puffing operation. Note that the "first" puffing operation refers to the first puffing operation performed after the inhalation device 100 is powered on or after the inhalation device 100 returns from a sleep state.

[0108] In step S11, control unit 206 causes puff detection unit 212a of the sensor to detect a series of puffing operations by the user (including the first puffing operation). Specifically, here, it is determined whether the puffing operation is detected by puff detection unit 212a.

[0109] If a puffing operation is detected in step S11 (step S11: Yes), in step S12, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b stops measuring the time interval between puffing operations that are being performed. That is, the time interval between the detected puffing operation and the puffing operation immediately before it (i.e., two consecutive puffing operations) is measured, and the value of the puffing interval is obtained. Note that, in one example, the value of the puffing interval associated with the first puffing operation may be set to the measurement time between the above-mentioned steps S10 and S12 (described later in FIG. 14).

[0110] Next, puff detection time measurement unit 206a measures the detection time of the detected puffing operation. Specifically, in step S13, puff detection time measurement unit 206a starts measuring the detection time of the puffing operation. Then, in step S14, in response to puff detection unit 212a detecting the end of the puffing operation, puff detection time measurement unit 206a stops measuring the detection time of the puffing operation in step S15. That is, the detection time is measured, and thereby the value of the puffing operation period during which the puffing operation continues is obtained.

[0111] In this embodiment, the control unit 200 preferably executes a heating operation by the heater while the puffing operation by the user is being detected. That is, the control of the heating operation is linked to the measurement of the detection time of the puffing operation. Specifically, when the start of the puffing operation is detected, the heating operation by the heater is started and the measurement of the detection time of the puffing operation is started (step S13). Then, when the end of the puffing operation is detected, the heating operation by the heater is ended and the measurement of the detection time of the puffing operation is stopped (step S15).

[0112] Next, in step S16, the control unit 206 executes a process of estimating the remaining level based on accumulating the detection time (described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13).

[0113] In step S17, the timers of puff detection time measurement unit 206a and puff interval measurement unit 206b are adjusted for the next puff to be detected. For example, the detection time counted by puff detection time measurement unit 206a and the puff interval counted by puff interval measurement unit 206b may both be reset to 0.

[0114] Subsequently, in step S18, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b starts measurement, and the process returns to step S11. Here, the time interval between puffing operations is measured until the next puffing operation is detected. In detail, the measurement of the time interval between puffing operations is preferably started in step S18, triggered by the detection of the end of the puffing operation in step S14. Then, the measurement is preferably stopped in step S12, triggered by the detection of the start of the puffing operation in step S11. In other words, the time interval between puffing operations can be called a non-puffing period.

[0115] The cycle of steps S11 to S18 is repeated at least during a series of puffing operations by the user, or may be repeated until the inhalation device 100 is powered off or until the inhalation device 100 transitions to a sleep state.

[0116] With regard to the above-mentioned step S16, the process flow for estimating the remaining level based on accumulating the detection time will be further described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. In step S16, first, in step S161, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b acquires the value of the puffing interval. The value of the puffing interval is acquired through the above-mentioned step S18 (or step S10) and step S12. In addition, in step S162, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a acquires the value of the puffing period. The value of the puffing period is the detection time of the puffing measured through the above-mentioned steps S13 to S15.

[0117] Next, in step S163, the detection time correction unit 206c corrects the detection time of the puffing operation using the above-mentioned time correction model MD (FIG. 9) associated with the puffing operation period and the puffing operation interval. The time correction model MD is defined based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source in the inhalation device 100, and is stored in the memory 214 as time correction model information 214c.

[0118] In detail, as shown in the process flow of FIG. 13, the detection time of the puffing operation is corrected by first correcting the puffing interval t int It is determined whether the time t1 is less than 10 seconds. The determination process is associated with the atomization characteristics 2, 2a of the aerosol source shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, and is associated with a time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a shown in Fig. 8.

[0119] Here, the corrected detection time for the actual puffing motion detection time t is t 10_crt The puff interval is t int If is less than 10 seconds (S163a: Yes), the corrected detection time is calculated in step S163c based on the above-mentioned Equation 5 defined as the time correction model MD as follows: t 10_crt =C 30 (t,t int ) =((2.4+p(t int -10)) / (2.4-T 10 ))×(tT 10 ) and is output for the next step S164.

[0120] On the other hand, the puff interval t int If the puff interval t int In step S163b, t is calculated based on Equation 2. int = 10. Then, in the next step S163c, the corrected detection time is calculated by adding t int = 10, t 10_crt =C30 (t,10) =(2.4 / (2.4-T 10 ))×(tT 10 ) and is output for the next step S164.

[0121] 12, following step S163, in step S164, the detection time accumulator 206d calculates an accumulated detection time by accumulating the detection times corrected in step S163. The accumulated detection time is stored in the memory 214 as a part of the accumulated detection time information 214d related to the flavor source and / or the aerosol source each time it is updated.

[0122] Next, in step S165, the inhaled component remaining level estimation unit 206e estimates the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source based on the accumulated detection time calculated in step S164. The remaining level may be calculated as a puff time (seconds) during which a puff operation is permitted in the future, or as a percentage (%) of the puff time, in any manner. In addition, when the accumulated detection time reaches a predetermined threshold time, it may be determined that the flavor source and / or the aerosol source is insufficient. The predetermined threshold time is stored in advance in the memory 214 as a part of the capsule maximum consumption time information 214b (e.g., 100 seconds) and / or a part of the cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a (e.g., 1,000 seconds).

[0123] Finally, in step S166, the notification instruction unit 206f instructs the notification unit 108 to notify the remaining amount level estimated in step S165. For example, various types of notification may be given to the user by turning on an LED, displaying on a display, emitting a sound from a speaker, vibrating with a vibrator, or any combination of these. In particular, when it is determined in step S165 that the flavor source and / or the aerosol source is insufficient, the notification unit 108 may be caused to notify that the remaining amount is insufficient.

[0124] In this embodiment, the target of the estimation of the remaining amount level can be flexibly set according to the structure of the inhalation device 100A, B. Specifically, whether it is the capsule 126 or the cartridge 104, the amount of the inhalation component source is converted into time information and stored as the capsule maximum consumption time information 214b and / or the cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a. During the estimation operation of the remaining amount level, the control unit 206 only needs to handle such time information, which is efficient.

[0125] In this way, according to the present embodiment, the detection time value of the puffing operation is appropriately corrected through the time correction model MD. In other words, a detection time that is more in line with the actual situation, that is, the actual consumption amount of the aerosol source and the amount of aerosol that actually passed through the flavor source (in other words, the amount of flavor actually imparted by the flavor source) can be calculated. This can further improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining level.

[0126] The example of the process flow according to this embodiment will be further explained with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 shows an example of the process flow relating to the initial setting of the value of the puffing interval.

[0127] In the above description, the value of the puff interval associated with the first puff action may be set to the time from when measurement of the time of the first puff action is started in step S10 at the start of the processing flow of FIG. 11 until the measurement is stopped in step S12.

[0128] As described above, examples of the initial puffing operation may include a puffing operation performed immediately after the power of the inhalation device 100 is turned on, and a puffing operation performed immediately after the inhalation device 100 is restored from a sleep state. The sleep state is a state to which the device is transitioned to in order to save power when a puffing operation by the user is not detected for a predetermined period of time even when the power is on. In this case, the inhalation device 100 needs to be restored from the sleep state in order for the user to perform a puffing operation.

[0129] The value of the puffing interval associated with such a first puffing operation may be initialized using a predetermined initial value in addition to or instead of the above. As an example, Fig. 14 shows a process flow assuming an example of the initialization performed immediately after the power is turned on. The initialization is performed by the puffing interval measurement unit 206b.

[0130] First, in step S101, the control unit 206 determines whether the inhalation device 100 has been turned on from an off state. If it is determined that the inhalation device 100 has been turned on, it may optionally be confirmed that the puffing interval value is not yet present in memory. Next, in step S102, for a puffing operation that will soon be performed by the user (step S11), the value of the puffing interval is set to a predetermined initial value, thereby associating it with the first puffing operation.

[0131] After the initial value is set for the value of the initial puff interval in step S102, the process may proceed to step S10 described above to start measuring the puff interval. In this case, the initial value already set in step S102 in the memory may be updated with the measured value acquired in steps S10 to S12. Alternatively, the initial value may not be updated with the measured value, or either the initial value or the measured value may be selected (e.g., the larger value may be selected). Furthermore, if the initial value is set for the value of the initial puff interval in step S102, the process may be skipped so as not to start step S10 described above.

[0132] Here, the initial value is preferably set to 10 seconds. As explained with reference to Fig. 8, if the value of the puffing interval is set to 10 seconds, the corrected differential puffing period (adjustment time) becomes 0 (Equation 2). In other words, by initially setting the value of the puffing interval to 10 seconds in accordance with the value explained with reference to Fig. 8, the adjustment time calculated in relation to the portion of the time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a of the time correction model MD can be set to 0 for the first puffing interval.

[0133] <<3. Change example>> (1) First change example In the above embodiment, in step S18, steps S10 to S12 in FIG. 11, and step S161 in FIG. 12, the puff interval measurement unit 206b measures the time interval between a puff operation and the puff operation immediately before it (two consecutive puff operations), and sets the value (as is) as the puff operation interval. The above embodiment is particularly advantageous when the puff operation is accurately detected by the puff detection unit 212a. In addition to or instead of this, this modified example further makes it possible to perform appropriate correction of the detection time based on the time correction model MD by appropriately adjusting the time interval measured for the puff operation to flexibly set the value of the puff operation interval. In particular, the value of the puff operation interval set for the puff operation is acquired by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to the value of the puff operation period already acquired for the immediately preceding puff operation.

[0134] For example, when a user performs a series of puffing operations, the user's suction power may tend to be weak due to the user's preferences or habits in puffing operations. In this case, the puff detection unit 212a needs to detect puffing operations with weak suction power, but depending on its detection performance, it may not be able to properly detect it. Even if the puff detection unit 212a can detect a puffing operation with weak suction power, the puff detection unit 212a may only partially detect the puffing operation and detect it as an intermittent puffing operation. As a result, one puffing operation may be divided into extremely short puffing operation periods and detected as a puffing operation. In other words, in the case of a puffing operation with weak suction power, even though a single puffing operation was originally performed, it may be detected as multiple puffing operations separated into puffing operations with extremely short puffing operation periods.

[0135] Therefore, this modified example takes into consideration the case where the puff detector 212a cannot properly detect a puffing operation due to reasons such as the user's weak suction power. A specific example is shown below. In the following explanation, for a certain puffing operation, a set of values ​​including the time interval between the puffing operation and the immediately preceding puffing operation and the detection time of the puffing operation is expressed as [time interval between the immediately preceding puffing operation, detection time of the puffing operation].

[0136] Fig. 15 is an exemplary conceptual diagram showing puffing operations by a user with weak suction power detected by puff detection unit 212a, together with their time intervals and detection times. Fig. 15 shows that after puffing operation #n-1 is detected by puff detection unit 212a, puffing operation #n at [5.42, 0.16] is detected, and further, immediately thereafter, puffing operation #n+1 at [0.21, 1.18] is detected.

[0137] As shown in the figure, the detection time of puffing #n is 0.16 seconds, which is an extremely short puffing period. Note that a user's puffing operation usually lasts for a period longer than about 1 second, and the value of 0.16 seconds is the T 10 In this case, based on the time correction model MD in the above embodiment, the corrected puffing period of the puffing operation #n is set to 0 (y=0). That is, as a result of the correction process using the time correction model MD, the puffing operation #n is considered to have not been performed substantially, and is not included in the cumulative detection time of the puffing operation.

[0138] On the other hand, the detection time of the puff action #n+1 following the puff action #n is 1.18 seconds, and the time interval between the puff action #n and the puff action #n+1 is 0.21 seconds. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the corrected puff action period (y) of the puff action #n+1 based on the time correction model MD is calculated as follows using Equation 5. y=((2.4+p×(t int -10)) / (2.4-T 10 ))×(xT 10 ) =((2.4+(-0.1)×(0.21-10) / (2.4-0.2))×(1.18-0.2) =1.57 (Note that here, the constant p = -0.1 and the constant T 10 = 0.2, but the constant p and constant T 10 It is understood that the values ​​are merely examples and are not limited to these.)

[0139] According to the above calculation, it can be seen that the detection time of puffing operation #n+1, 1.18 seconds, is corrected to 1.57 seconds in accordance with the time correction model MD.

[0140] In the above calculation, in accordance with the description of the embodiment described above, the puff interval value is 0.21 seconds, which is the time interval between the current puff action #n+1 and the immediately preceding puff action #n. On the other hand, in this example, since the detection time of puff action #n is extremely short at 0.16 seconds, it is assumed that what was originally a single puff action was split into two puff actions, puff action #n and puff action #n+1, and detected by puff detection unit 212a.

[0141] Therefore, in this modification, the time interval between puff action #n+1 and the immediately preceding puff action #n is not taken as the measured 0.21 seconds itself, but is acquired as the sum of the measured 0.21 seconds and the time interval between puff action #n and puff action #n-1, 5.42 seconds. In other words, in this modification, the total value of 5.63 seconds (0.21 + 5.42 seconds) is adopted as the value of the puff action interval of puff action #n+1, and this total value is used in Equation 5.

[0142] Specifically, in this modification, the corrected puffing period (y) of the puffing operation #n+1 based on the time correction model MD is calculated as follows. y=((2.4+p×(t int -10)) / (2.4-T 10 ))×(xT 10 ) =((2.4+(-0.1)×(5.63-10) / (2.4-0.2))×(1.18-0.2) =1.32

[0143] According to the above calculation, by obtaining the value of the puff interval as 5.63 seconds, the detection time of puff #n+1, 1.18 seconds, is corrected to 1.32 seconds according to the time correction model MD.

[0144] As shown in Fig. 8, the time correction model 2A constituting a part of the time correction model MD is stipulated so that the corrected puff operation period becomes shorter as the puff operation interval value increases. In other words, the value of 1.32 seconds is a more relaxed correction of the puff operation period than the value of 1.57 seconds when the puff operation interval value is 0.21 seconds. Considering the fact that puff operation #n and puff operation #n+1 were originally a single puff operation but were detected as separate puffs by the puff detection unit 212a, this relaxation of the correction degree is an appropriate measure.

[0145] That is, by applying this modification, even when the puff detector 212a does not accurately detect a puff with a weak suction force, the detection time of the puff operation can be more appropriately corrected, and thus a more accurate corrected puff operation period can be calculated. That is, according to this modification, it is possible to realize an appropriate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source.

[0146] The acquisition of the puffing interval value in this modified example will be described in detail below based on a process flow. Figure 16 shows an example of a process flow for adjusting the measurement of the time interval depending on the acquired puffing period value for the immediately preceding puffing.

[0147] In this modification, the time interval between puff action #n+1 and the immediately preceding puff action #n is measured, and the value of the puff action interval for puff action #n+1 is obtained based on at least the time interval. In particular, as described in the specific example of Fig. 15, the value of the puff action interval for puff action #n+1 is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to the puff action period value already obtained for the immediately preceding puff action #n (0.16 seconds in the example of Fig. 13).

[0148] The process flow of Fig. 16 is applied to the timer adjustment process of step S17 of Fig. 11 in order to adjust the measurement of the time interval. Here, it is assumed that the end of puffing #n is detected in step S14 and the measurement of the detection time of puffing #n is stopped in step S15 before reaching step S17 of Fig. 11. As a result, in step S16, particularly in step S161 of Fig. 12, the puffing interval value is acquired as 5.42 seconds as in the example of Fig. 15, and similarly, in step S162, the puffing period value is acquired as 0.16 seconds (the puffing detection time value is also 0.16 seconds).

[0149] First, in step S21, puff detection time measurement unit 206a resets the count of a timer. That is, puff detection time measurement unit 206a resets the value of the detection time of a puffing operation to prepare for counting the next time a puffing operation occurs.

[0150] Next, in step S22, it is determined whether the puffing period value already acquired for puffing action #n is smaller than 0.5 seconds. Note that the value of 0.5 seconds is an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that the value is not limited to this. If the puffing period value for puffing action #n is smaller than 0.5 seconds (step S22: Yes), measurement of the time interval between puffing action #n and the next puffing action #n+1 is resumed from the puffing interval value already acquired for puffing action #n (step S18). In other words, the timer count for the measurement of puffing action #n is not reset, and the measurement of the interrupted time interval is resumed and continues.

[0151] On the other hand, if the value of the puffing period of puffing action #n is 0.5 seconds or more (step S22: No), the timer count for the measurement of puffing action #n is reset in step S23. Then, measurement of the time interval between puffing action #n and the next puffing action #n+1 starts from 0 seconds (step S18).

[0152] In the example of FIG. 15, the value of the puffing period of puffing action #n is 0.16 seconds, which is smaller than 0.5 seconds (step S22: Yes). That is, the measurement of the time interval between puffing action #n and the next puffing action #n+1 is restarted from 5.42 seconds (step S18) without resetting (to 0 seconds) the previous 5.42 seconds, which is the value of the time interval between puffing action #n-1 and puffing action #n. As a result, when the start of the next puffing action #n+1 is detected (step S11) and the measurement of the time interval is stopped (S12), the measured time interval indicates 5.63 seconds, which is advanced by 0.21 seconds, which is the actual time interval, from the above 5.42 seconds. That is, the time interval t int is obtained as 5.63 seconds (=5.42 seconds + 0.21 seconds).

[0153] That is, by applying this modification, even if the puff detector 212a does not always accurately detect a puff operation with a weak suction force, it is possible to obtain an appropriate value as the puff operation interval by adjusting the measurement of the time interval. This makes it possible to more appropriately correct the detection time of the puff operation, that is, to calculate a more accurate corrected puff operation period. That is, this modification is particularly useful for puff operations with a weak suction force.

[0154] In addition, in this modified example, when a puff operation with a weak suction power is detected in an extremely short divided detection time, it is possible to determine that the time interval measured between puff operation #n+1 and puff operation #n is inappropriate. If this determination is made, an appropriate value may be obtained as the puff operation interval so as to adjust the measurement of the time interval and not reset the timer count. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the time interval measured between puff operation #n+1 and puff operation #n is inappropriate, it is sufficient to reset the timer count and measure the time from 0. In other words, the acquisition of the puff operation interval is efficient because it only requires control of resetting the timer count and does not require additional processing load.

[0155] (2) Second Change Example In the above embodiment, the constant T 10 The puff operation period (x) is introduced and the value of T 10 The corrected puff operation period (y) is set to 0 in the following cases (Equation 3 and FIG. 9). 10 is preferably set to an arbitrary value up to about 1.0 second, for example. This is based on the inventor's consideration that, in a normal puffing operation by a user, a puffing operation period of, for example, less than 1.0 second is rare and difficult to imagine, and therefore, time correction is not required for a puffing operation period of less than 1.0 second. Specifically, it is as follows.

[0156] If calculation processing for time correction is performed each time for a puffing period of less than 1.0 second, it is assumed that the cost for the calculation processing in the control unit 206 is not worth it. More specifically, in order to implement such a process for time correction, it is necessary to secure the capacity of the memory 214 in order to store an algorithm for time correction. On the other hand, since it is difficult to imagine a puffing period of less than 1.0 second, it is assumed that such implementation would be too expensive for the calculation processing and would not be worth it. In addition, in a puffing period of less than 1.0 second, it is assumed that the consumption of the inhalation component source is sufficiently small in the first place, and there is no need to consider this.

[0157] T 10 Whereas in the above embodiment, when the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is less than 1.0, in this modified example, the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is not uniformly set to 0, but is set to a predetermined constant somewhat greater than 0. As a result, even if a device failure occurs and the puff operation period can only be accepted as less than 1.0 seconds, the value of the accumulated detection time calculated by the detection time accumulation unit 206d is accumulated. In other words, such a value of the accumulated detection time can be appropriately used to detect a device failure, and the life of the device can be extended.

[0158] Therefore, in this modified example, for the puff operation period (detection time) corrected by the time correction model MD of the above embodiment, when the value is equal to or less than a predetermined constant, it is preferable to uniformly update the value of the corrected detection time to the value of the constant.

[0159] FIG. 17 shows an example of a further time correction model MD' based on the atomization characteristics 1a, 2a of the aerosol source according to this modified example. In the graph of FIG. 17, similar to FIG. 9, the horizontal axis (x-axis) represents the puff operation period (seconds), and the vertical axis (y-axis) represents the corrected puff operation period (seconds) with respect to the puff operation period. The time correction model MD' further defines a function such that when the corrected puff operation period is 0 < y ≦ q in the time correction model MD shown in FIG. 9, the value is uniformly updated to q. Note that the constant q is preferably obtained experimentally in consideration of the device characteristics of the suction device 100 and set in the memory 214.

[0160] FIG. 18 is an example of a detailed processing flow regarding the correction process S163' of the detection time of the puff operation according to this modified example, and is applied to step S16 of FIG. 11 in the above embodiment. This processing flow is executed by the detection time correction unit 206c. Note that, since the processing contents of steps S163a, S163b, and S163c in the correction process S163' of the detection time of the puff operation are the same as those denoted by the same reference numerals shown in FIG. 13, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0161] In this modified example, further, in step S163d, for the output t 10_crt = C 30 (t, t int ), it is further determined whether the value of the t 10_crt is equal to or less than the constant q. If the value of the t 10_crt is equal to or less than the constant q (S163d: Yes), then in step S163e, the value of the t 10_crt is updated to q and output for the next calculation process of the cumulative detection time (step S164). On the other hand, if the value of the t 10_crt is greater than the constant q (S163d: No), the t 10_crt is output as it is.The value is set as the corrected puffing operation period and is output for the next process of calculating the accumulated detection time (step S164).

[0162] In this manner, according to this modified example, if the calculated corrected puff operation period is equal to or less than a predetermined constant, the value is uniformly updated to q, thereby reducing the computational load on the control unit 206 in the inhalation device 100 and further enabling device abnormalities to be detected.

[0163] <<4. Supplementary Information>> The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above in detail with some modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inhalation device 100 according to the present disclosure is configured to accurately estimate the remaining level by dynamically correcting the detection time, which is the duration of the detected puffing operation. In other words, it is possible to estimate the puffing operation period and the cumulative puffing operation period more accurately compared with the detection time of the actually detected puffing operation, thereby realizing an appropriate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source. This allows for an appropriate estimation of the consumption level of the cartridge and / or capsule, a replacement decision, and a notification.

[0164] In particular, even when the sensor does not accurately detect a puffing operation with a weak suction force, the detection time of the puffing operation can be appropriately corrected and a more accurate corrected puffing period can be calculated, thereby enabling a more accurate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and / or the aerosol source.

[0165] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that modifications, additions, improvements, etc. of the embodiments can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0166] The series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using any of software, hardware, and a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance in, for example, a computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory medium) provided inside or outside each device. Each program is read into a RAM when executed by, for example, a computer that controls each suction 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. Also, the computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a recording medium.

[0167] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) 1. A method of operating a suction device, comprising: causing a sensor to detect a series of puffs by a user; measuring a time interval between a first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff (S10, S18 to S12, S161); measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing period during which the first puffing operation is continued (S13 to S15, S162); correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration (S16, S163); A step of accumulating the corrected detection time to calculate an accumulated detection time (S16, S164); and estimating a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time (S16, S165). A method, wherein the puff interval value for the first puff is obtained by adjusting the time interval measurement in response to a previously obtained puff duration value for the second puff (S17, S161, S21-S23). (2) In the method (1), when the value of the puff duration for the second puff operation is smaller than a predetermined first time (S22: Yes), the measurement of the time interval is adjusted to resume from the value of the puff interval already obtained for the second puff operation. (3) The method according to (2) above, wherein the first time is 0.5 seconds (S22). (4) In any one of the methods (1) to (3), The method, wherein the step of estimating a remaining level of the aspirating component source includes determining that the aspirating component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a predetermined second period. (5) The method according to (4), further comprising: In response to determining that the aspirated component source is low, the method includes causing the aspirator to notify the low level (S166). (6) In any one of the methods (1) to (5), The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include maintaining the corrected sensed time at a predetermined third time when the value of the sensed time is the third time. (7) In the method (6), The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include decreasing the detection time if the value of the detection time is less than the third time. (8) The method according to (6) or (7), wherein the third time period is 2.4 seconds. (9) In any one of the methods (1) to (8), the time correction model is defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a fourth time. (10) The method according to (9), further comprising: The method includes the steps of initially setting a value of a puff interval for the second puff to the fourth time (S101, S102) if the second puff is an initial puff. (11) The method according to (9) or (10), wherein the fourth time period is 10 seconds. (12) A program for causing the suction device to execute any one of the methods (1) to (11) above. (13) 1. A suction device comprising: A sensor that detects a series of puffs by a user; A control unit (206) for operating the suction device, measuring (206b) a time interval between the first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff detected by the sensor; measuring (206a) a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing duration during which the first puffing operation continues; correcting (206c) the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration; The corrected detection times are accumulated to calculate an accumulated detection time (206d); estimating (206e) a remaining level of the source of aspirated component based on the cumulative detection time; A control unit, The inhalation device, wherein the puffing interval value for the first puffing is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puffing duration value for the second puffing (S17, S161, S21-S23). (14) In the suction device according to (13), When the value of the puffing period for the second puffing operation is smaller than a predetermined first time (S22: Yes), the measurement of the time interval is adjusted to resume from the puffing interval value already obtained for the second puffing operation. (15) In the suction device according to (14) above, the first time period is 0.5 seconds (S22). (16) In any one of the suction devices according to (13) to (15), The aspiration device, wherein estimating a remaining level of the aspiration component source includes determining that the aspiration component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a predetermined second period. (17) The suction device according to (16), further comprising a notification unit, In response to determining that the aspirated component source is low in amount, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the low amount (206f). (18) In any one of the suction devices according to (13) to (17), The inhalation device, wherein the time correction model is defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a third time. (19) In the suction device according to (18), the control unit further The inhalation device is configured to set a value of a puffing interval for the second puffing to the third time when the second puffing is an initial puffing (S101, S102). (20) The suction device according to (18) or (19) above, wherein the third time period is 10 seconds. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 100A, 100B, 100... inhalation device, 102... first member (power supply unit), 104... second member (cartridge), 106, 206... control unit, 108... notification unit, 110... battery, 112, 212... sensor, 114, 214... memory, 116... reservoir, 118... atomization unit, 120... air intake flow path, 121... aerosol flow path, 122... mouthpiece, 126... third member (capsule), 128... flavor source, 206a...puff detection time measurement unit, 206b...puff operation interval measurement unit, 206c...detection time correction unit, 206d...detection time accumulation unit, 206e...inhalation component source remaining amount level estimation unit, 206f...notification instruction unit, 212a: puff detection unit; 212b: output unit; 214a: Cartridge maximum consumption time information, 214b: Capsule maximum consumption time information, 214c: Time correction model information, 214d: Accumulative detection time information

Claims

1. 1. A method of operating a suction device, comprising: causing a sensor to detect a series of puffs by a user; measuring a time interval between a first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff; measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing duration during which the first puffing operation continues; correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration; accumulating the corrected detection times to calculate an accumulated detection time; and estimating a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time. A method according to claim 1, wherein the puff interval value for the first puff is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puff duration value for the second puff.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the puff duration value for the second puff is less than a predetermined first time, the time interval measurement is adjusted to resume from the puff interval value previously obtained for the second puff.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first time period is 0.5 seconds.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The method, wherein the step of estimating a remaining level of the aspirating component source includes determining that the aspirating component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a second predetermined time.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: In response to determining that the aspirating component source is low, the method includes causing the aspirating device to indicate the low level.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include maintaining the corrected sensed time at a predetermined third time when the value of the sensed time is the third time.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include decreasing the detection time if the value of the detection time is less than the third time.

8. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the third time period is 2.4 seconds.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a fourth time.

10. 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising: If the second puff is an initial puff, initially setting a value of the puff interval for the second puff to the fourth time.

11. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the fourth period of time is 10 seconds.

12. A program for causing the suction device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. 1. A suction device comprising: A sensor that detects a series of puffs by a user; A control unit for operating the suction device, measuring a time interval between a first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff detected by the sensor; measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing duration during which the first puffing operation continues; correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration; The corrected detection times are accumulated to calculate an accumulated detection time. estimating a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time; A control unit, The puffing interval value for the first puffing is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puffing duration value for the second puffing.

Images