Systems and methods

Abstract

Provided is a mechanism with which it is possible to optimize a generated aerosol.　This system comprises: an aerosol generation device that heats an aerosol source-containing base material on the basis of a heat setting; and a terminal device that transmits information indicating the heat setting on the basis of the type of the base material heated by the aerosol generation device and a prescribed condition relating to a component amount of the aerosol generated when the aerosol generation device heats the base material. The aerosol generation device heats the base material on the basis of the heat setting indicated by the information received from the terminal device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method. [Background technology]

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

[0003] Various technologies have been considered for improving the quality of user experience when using a suction device. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology for determining the type of substrate, selecting a heating profile that is associated with the determined type of substrate, and heating the substrate using the selected heating profile. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-526208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to what type of aerosol will be generated when a substrate is heated using a selected heating profile.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that makes it possible to optimize the generated aerosol for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided, comprising: an aerosol generating device that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source based on a heating setting; and a terminal device that transmits information indicating the heating setting based on predetermined conditions related to the type of the substrate heated by the aerosol generating device and the amount of components of the aerosol generated when the aerosol generating device heats the substrate, wherein the aerosol generating device heats the substrate based on the heating setting indicated by the information received from the terminal device.

[0008] The predetermined condition may relate to the amounts of components of the aerosol.

[0009] The terminal device may further transmit information indicating the heating setting that satisfies the specified condition based on one or more combinations of the heating setting, the type of substrate, and the amount of components of the aerosol when the substrate of that type is heated based on the heating setting.

[0010] The predetermined condition may relate to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per one of the substrates.

[0011] The predetermined condition may relate to the amount of a component of the aerosol ingested by the user per inhalation.

[0012] The predetermined condition may relate to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per unit time.

[0013] The terminal device may transmit information indicating the heating setting further based on a cumulative value of the amount of the aerosol components already ingested by the user within the unit time.

[0014] The predetermined condition may relate to the amount of a component of the aerosol discharged into the environment per one of the substrates, per aspiration, or per unit time.

[0015] The predetermined condition may be set by a user.

[0016] The predetermined condition may be set depending on the location where the aerosol generating device is used.

[0017] The terminal device may display one or more of the heating settings that satisfy the predetermined condition, and transmit information indicating the heating setting selected by a user from the displayed one or more heating settings.

[0018] When there is no heating setting that satisfies the predetermined condition, the terminal device may transmit information instructing to prohibit heating.

[0019] The aerosol generating device may transmit information indicating the type of substrate to be heated, and the terminal device may transmit information indicating the heating setting based on the type of substrate to be heated by the aerosol generating device, as indicated by the information received from the aerosol generating device.

[0020] The system may further comprise the substrate.

[0021] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided that includes transmitting information indicating a heating setting by a terminal device based on a heating setting of an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device heating a substrate containing an aerosol source based on the heating setting, based on predetermined conditions related to the type of the substrate to be heated by the aerosol generating device and the amount of components of the aerosol generated when the aerosol generating device heats the substrate, and heating the substrate by the aerosol generating device based on the heating setting indicated by the information received from the terminal device. Effect of the Invention

[0022] As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that makes it possible to optimize the generated aerosol for a user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Diagram 3] 11 is a graph showing an example of a change in temperature of a heating part when temperature control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processes executed in the system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a terminal device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processes executed in the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0025] <1. Example of suction device configuration> The inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device. As shown in Fig. 1, a suction device 100 according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a holding unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0027] The power supply unit 111 accumulates power. Then, the power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the suction device 100 based on the control of the control unit 116. The power supply unit 111 can be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0028] The sensor unit 112 acquires various information related to the suction device 100. As one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device that accepts information input from the user, such as a button or a switch.

[0029] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured, for example, by a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0030] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0031] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any communication standard, whether wired or wireless. Examples of such communication standards include standards using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). etc. may be adopted.

[0032] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation within the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor.

[0033] The holding part 140 has an internal space 141, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that communicates the internal space 141 with the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted from the opening 142 into the internal space 141. For example, the holding part 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and the bottom part 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the holding part 140. An air inlet hole that is an air inlet to the air flow path is arranged, for example, on a side surface of the suction device 100. An air outlet hole that is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141 is arranged, for example, on the bottom part 143.

[0034] The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water. The aerosol source may include a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicine. In this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holding portion 140, at least a part of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Then, when a user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his / her mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0035] The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. When the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input, power supply may be stopped.

[0036] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121 to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0037] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0038] As one example, the heating unit 121 may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140.

[0039] As another example, the holding unit 140 may include an opening and closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a part of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The holding unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to clamp the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, the heating unit 121 may be provided at the clamping location in the holding unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0040] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100 has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0041] The stick-type substrate 150 is an example of a substrate that contains an aerosol source and contributes to the generation of an aerosol. The inhalation device 100 is an example of an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150. The aerosol is generated by the combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150. Therefore, the combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generating system.

[0042] <2. System configuration> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the system 1 includes a suction device 100 and a terminal device 200. The configuration of the suction device 100 is as described above.

[0043] The terminal device 200 is a device used by a user of the suction device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 is configured with any information processing device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable device. Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may be a charger that houses the suction device 100 and charges the housed suction device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 200 includes an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a communication unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0044] The input unit 210 has a function of accepting input of various information. The input unit 210 may include an input device that accepts input of information from a user. Examples of the input device include a button, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a microphone. In addition, the input unit 210 may include various sensors such as an image sensor and an inertial sensor, and may accept a user's action as an input.

[0045] The output unit 220 has a function of outputting information. The output unit 220 may include an output device that outputs information to a user. Examples of the output device include a display device that displays information, a light-emitting device that emits light, a vibration device that vibrates, and a sound output device that outputs sound. An example of a display device is a display. An example of a light-emitting device is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). An example of a vibration device is an eccentric motor. An example of a sound output device is a speaker. The output unit 220 notifies the user of the information by outputting the information input from the control unit 250.

[0046] The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and other devices. The communication unit 230 performs communication in compliance with any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like may be adopted.

[0047] The storage unit 240 stores various types of information for the operation of the terminal device 200. The storage unit 240 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0048] The control unit 250 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the terminal device 200 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 250 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. The unit 250 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs to be used, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as appropriate. The terminal device 200 executes various processes under the control of the control unit 250. The processing of information input by the input unit 210, the output of information by the output unit 220, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 230, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 240 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 250. Other processes executed by the terminal device 200, such as the input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 250.

[0049] The functions of the control unit 250 may be realized by using an application. The application may be pre-installed or may be downloaded. The functions of the control unit 250 may be realized by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

[0050] 3. First embodiment <3.1. Technical features> (1) Heating profile The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. The control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is realized by controlling the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 using the power supplied from the power supply unit 111. The heating profile is a control sequence including target temperature control of the heating unit 121, and includes information that specifies the time series transition of the target temperature value. The heating profile is an example of a heating setting in this embodiment.

[0051] The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the temperature (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) of the heating unit 121 changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type substrate 150. Thus, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.

[0052] The heating profile includes one or more combinations of a target temperature and information indicating the timing at which the target temperature should be reached. The control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 while switching the target temperature according to the elapsed time from the start of heating based on the heating profile. In detail, the control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the deviation between the current actual temperature and the target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of heating based on the heating profile. The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be realized, for example, by a known feedback control. The feedback control may be, for example, a proportional-integral-differential controller (PID) control. The control unit 116 may supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of a pulse by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In that case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio or frequency of the power pulse in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform a simple on / off control in the feedback control. For example, the control unit 116 may execute heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, stop heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and execute heating again by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature. Additionally, the control unit 116 may adjust the voltage in a feedback control.

[0053] The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor that constitutes the heating unit 121). This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor changes depending on the temperature. The electrical resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor. The amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In another example, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating unit 121.

[0054] The period from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 is also referred to as a heating session below. In other words, a heating session is a period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled based on a heating profile. The start of a heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile is started. The end of a heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. A heating session includes a pre-heating period in the first half and a puffable period in the second half. The puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The pre-heating period is a period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed in the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating.

[0055] The heating profile may include multiple periods in which different target temperatures are set. The temperature may be controlled so that the target temperature set for a certain period is reached at any timing during the period, or may be controlled so that the temperature is reached at the end of the period. In either case, it is possible to transition the temperature of the heating unit 121 in the same manner as the transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0056] An example of a heating profile is shown in Table 1 below.

[0057] [Table 1]

[0058] The heating profile shown in Table 1 includes three periods, broadly divided into an early stage, a middle stage, and an end stage. The early stage, middle stage, and end stage may be further divided into STEP0 to STEP7. A STEP is the smallest unit period that constitutes a heating profile. In each STEP, temperature control may be performed so that a target temperature is reached at the end of the duration. In this case, the rate of temperature change in a certain STEP is determined by the duration of the STEP and the difference in target temperature between the STEP and the previous STEP.

[0059] The temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the control unit 116 performs temperature control according to the heating profile shown in Table 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of the temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the temperature control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. The horizontal axis of this graph is time (seconds). The vertical axis of this graph is the temperature of the heating unit 121. Line 21 in this graph shows the temperature change of the heating unit 121. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 changes in the same way as the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0060] In the example shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, the early stage is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises from the initial temperature. The initial temperature is the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of heating. In the early stage, the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be maintained after it has risen. As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaches 295° C. 20 seconds after the start of the early stage, and is maintained at 295° C. for 40 seconds thereafter. This allows the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 to reach a temperature at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated. By raising the temperature to 295° C. in one go immediately after the start of heating, it is possible to end the preheating early and start the puffable period early. In FIG. 3, the preheating period ends 60 seconds after the start of heating.

[0061] In the example shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, the middle stage is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops. In the middle stage, the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be maintained after the temperature has dropped. As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops to 230° C. 20 seconds after the start of the middle stage, and is maintained at 230° C. for 60 seconds thereafter. In the period from the start of the middle stage to the drop to 230° C., power supply to the heating unit 121 may be stopped, and heating may be stopped. Even in that case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated by the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the stick-type substrate 150. Here, if the heating unit 121 is maintained at a high temperature, the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 may be rapidly consumed, and the flavor may deteriorate, such as the flavor being too strong for the user to taste. In this regard, by lowering the temperature in the middle stage, it is possible to avoid such flavor deterioration and improve the quality of the user's puff experience.

[0062] In the example shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, the final stage is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises again. In the final stage, the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be maintained after rising again. As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises to 260° C. 60 seconds after the start of the final stage, and is maintained for 60 seconds thereafter. If the temperature of the heating unit 121 continues to fall, the temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 also falls, so the amount of aerosol generated decreases, and the flavor tasted by the user may deteriorate. In addition, the amount of aerosol generated tends to decrease even if heating is continued at the same temperature, since the remaining amount of the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 decreases as the heating profile progresses toward the latter half. In this regard, by increasing the amount of aerosol generated by raising the temperature again in the latter half of the heating profile, the decrease in the amount of aerosol generated due to the decrease in the remaining amount of the aerosol source can be compensated for. This makes it possible to prevent the deterioration of the flavor tasted by the user even in the latter half of the heating profile.

[0063] As shown in Table 1, the final stage may include a period in which the target temperature is not set at the end. As shown in Fig. 3, during this period, power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped and heating is stopped. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated for a while due to residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the stick-shaped substrate 150. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the puffable period, i.e., the heating session, ends with the end of the final stage.

[0064] The user may be notified of the start and end timings of the puff-enabled period. Furthermore, the user may be notified of the timing a predetermined time before the end of the puff-enabled period (for example, the timing when the power supply to the heating unit 121 ends). In this case, the user can puff during the puff-enabled period by referring to such notification.

[0065] (2) Conditions regarding ingredients The terminal device 200 selects a heating profile based on the type (hereinafter also referred to as brand) of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the suction device 100 and a predetermined condition related to the aerosol generated when the suction device 100 heats the stick-type substrate 150. In detail, the terminal device 200 acquires information indicating the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the suction device 100, and selects a heating profile that satisfies the predetermined condition when the stick-type substrate 150 of the brand is heated. Then, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the selected heating profile. In order to reduce the amount of communication, it is desirable to transmit identification information that uniquely identifies the heating profile as information indicating the heating profile. The suction device 100 heats the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile indicated by the information received from the terminal device 200. According to this configuration, the suction device 100 can heat the stick-type substrate 150 based on a heating profile that satisfies the predetermined condition related to the aerosol.

[0066] The terminal device 200 selects a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the heating profiles that the inhalation device 100 can use. However, the heating profile that can be used may differ depending on the brand of stick-type substrate 150. In that case, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the heating profiles that can be used for the brand of stick-type substrate 150 heated by the inhalation device 100. Note that it is desirable that the heating profile that can be used for the brand of stick-type substrate 150 is one that allows the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 to be consumed without excess or deficiency.

[0067] The predetermined conditions are conditions related to the amounts of components of the aerosol. Examples of the components of the aerosol include various flavor components contained in the aerosol source. The predetermined conditions may include upper limits for each component. The predetermined conditions may be set in accordance with, for example, laws such as the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, various rules such as environmental standards set by various organizations, or standard values ​​given by experts such as doctors. The predetermined conditions may be updated according to revisions to the rules to which they are compliant. Note that different predetermined conditions may be imposed on different brands of stick-type substrates 150, but in this specification, common predetermined conditions are imposed.

[0068] The predetermined condition may be a condition related to the amount of components of the aerosol taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150. For example, the predetermined condition includes upper limits of the amounts of various components of the aerosol taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150. According to this configuration, it is possible to keep the amount of components of the aerosol taken by the user when using one stick-type substrate 150 within an appropriate range in light of various rules.

[0069] An example of the predetermined conditions regarding the amounts of components of the aerosol ingested by the user per stick-shaped substrate 150 is shown in Table 2 below.

[0070] [Table 2]

[0071] According to Table 2 above, given condition C A The upper limit of the amount of ingredient that can be ingested by a user per stick-type base material 150 is ingredient A. A 10mg, ingredient A B 10mg, ingredient A C 8mg, ingredient A D Condition C: A , condition C B , and condition C C may be predetermined conditions that are set in accordance with different rules. A plurality of predetermined conditions may be set as shown in Table 2. The suction device 100 may select a heating profile that satisfies all of the plurality of predetermined conditions, or may select a heating profile that satisfies some of the plurality of predetermined conditions.

[0072] The terminal device 200 selects a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition based on one or more combinations of the heating profile, the brand of the stick-type substrate 150, and the amount of aerosol components when the brand of stick-type substrate 150 is heated based on the heating profile. As an example, the following Table 3 shows an example of a combination of the heating profile, the brand of the stick-type substrate 150, and the amount of aerosol components ingested by the user per stick-type substrate 150 when the brand of stick-type substrate 150 is heated based on the heating profile.

[0073] [Table 3]

[0074] According to Table 3 above, the heating profile P A Based on stock S A When a stick-shaped base material 150 is heated, 6 mg of component A A , 6mg of ingredient A B , 4 mg of ingredient A C , 6mg of ingredient A Dis taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150. The amount of aerosol components taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150 can be measured or estimated by testing by the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100 or the stick-type substrate 150. The amount of aerosol components taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150 can vary depending on the number of puffs performed by the user and the timing of the puffs. Therefore, the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150 may be adjusted according to the user's usual tendency to puff, based on the amount of components measured or estimated by the manufacturer.

[0075] The terminal device 200 stores the tables shown in Tables 2 and 3, and selects a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition according to the brand of the stick-shaped substrate 150 to be heated by the suction device 100. For example, Condition C B is applied, and the suction device 100 is brand S A When the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated, the terminal device 200 determines whether the amount of the aerosol component ingested by the user satisfies condition C. B Heating profile P B Then, the terminal device 200 selects the heating profile P B The suction device 100 transmits information indicating the heating profile P B Based on stock S A The stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated.

[0076] The suction device 100 may transmit information indicating the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 to be heated. In this case, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile based on the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 to be heated by the suction device 100, which is indicated by the information received from the suction device 100. For example, the suction device 100 identifies the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 held in the holder 140 and transmits information indicating the identified brand. The brand of the stick-type substrate 150 held in the holder 140 can be identified by, for example, image recognition of identification information such as a color or a two-dimensional code attached to the stick-type substrate 150. An example of a two-dimensional code is a barcode. This configuration can reduce the effort of the user inputting the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 to be heated by the suction device 100 into the terminal device 200. Of course, the terminal device 200 may accept input of the brand from the user.

[0077] Hereinafter, an example of the flow of processing executed in the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0078] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed in the system 1 according to this embodiment. The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are involved in this sequence.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 4, first, the suction device 100 identifies the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 that the suction device 100 heats (step S102). For example, when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the holder 140, the suction device 100 identifies the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 by performing image recognition or the like on the appearance of the stick-type substrate 150. Here, as an example, A is deemed to have been identified.

[0080] Next, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the identified brand of the stick-type substrate 150 (step S104). For example, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the brand S of the stick-type substrate 150 to the terminal device 200 with which the Bluetooth connection has been established. A The information indicating the above is transmitted.

[0081] Next, the terminal device 200 reads the predetermined condition to be applied (step S106). For example, the terminal device 200 reads the table shown in Table 2 from the storage unit 240.

[0082] Next, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition when the stick-shaped substrate 150 of the brand indicated by the information received from the suction device 100 is heated (step S108). For example, condition C B is applied, and the suction device 100 is brand S A When the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated, the terminal device 200 determines whether the amount of the aerosol component ingested by the user satisfies condition C. B Heating profile P that satisfies B Select .

[0083] Next, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the selected heating profile (step S110). For example, the terminal device 200 transmits the heating profile P B The information indicating the above is transmitted.

[0084] Next, the suction device 100 sets the heating profile indicated by the received information as the heating profile to be used for heating (step S112).

[0085] Next, when a user operation is performed to instruct the start of heating, the suction device 100 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the set heating profile (step S114). For example, the suction device 100 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile P B Based on stock S A The stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated. An example of a user operation to instruct the start of heating is pressing a button provided on the suction device 100.

[0086] An example of the flow of the processes executed in the system 1 has been described above.

[0087] The user operation to instruct the start of heating is not limited to the example described above. For example, the insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the holding unit 140 may also serve as a user operation to instruct the start of heating. In this case, the insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the holding unit 140 serves as a trigger to identify the stick-type substrate 150 and select a heating profile, and heating based on the selected heating profile is started.

[0088] <3.2. Modifications> (1) First Modification In the above, an example of a heating profile in which the target temperature rises in the early stage, falls in the middle stage, and rises again in the final stage has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0089] As one example, the target temperature may be constant throughout the beginning, middle, and end stages. As another example, the target temperature may be consistently increased or decreased throughout the beginning, middle, and end stages.

[0090] In addition, in the above, an example in which the heating profile is broadly divided into three periods, i.e., the beginning, middle, and end, has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. Similarly, in the above, an example in which the beginning is divided into three steps, the middle is divided into two steps, and the end is divided into three steps, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The heating profile may be divided into any number of periods.

[0091] (2) Second modified example In the above, an example has been described in which the specified conditions are set in accordance with laws such as the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, or various rules such as environmental standards set by various organizations, but the present invention is not limited to such an example.

[0092] As an example, the predetermined conditions may be set by a user, e.g., the user may independently set conditions for achieving a health goal.

[0093] As another example, the predetermined conditions may be set depending on the place where the suction device 100 is used. For example, laws restricting the components inhaled by the user, such as the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, are enacted for each country, so different predetermined conditions may be applied depending on the country where the suction device 100 is used. In addition, since environmental standard values ​​may differ for each building or room, different predetermined conditions may be applied depending on the building or room where the suction device 100 is used. Note that, when the rule to be complied with is based on a law, it is possible to increase the thoroughness of the rule by preventing the user from changing the settings.

[0094] (3) Third modified example Although an example has been described above in which the predetermined condition is a condition regarding the amount of aerosol components ingested by the user per stick-shaped substrate 150, the present invention is not limited to such an example.

[0095] As an example, the predetermined condition may be a condition regarding the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per inhalation. For example, the predetermined condition may include an upper limit value of the amount of each component of the aerosol taken by the user when the user puffs once. With this configuration, it is possible to keep the amount of the aerosol components taken by the user per puff within an appropriate range in light of various rules.

[0096] In this case, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile based on a combination of the heating profile, the brand of the stick-type substrate 150, and the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per inhalation when the stick-type substrate 150 of that brand is heated based on the heating profile. The amount of aerosol components taken by the user per inhalation can be measured or estimated by a test performed by the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100 or the stick-type substrate 150. The amount of aerosol components taken by the user per inhalation can vary depending on the timing of the puff performed by the user. Therefore, the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per inhalation may be adjusted according to the user's usual tendency to puff, based on the amount of components measured or estimated by the manufacturer.

[0097] As another example, the predetermined condition may be a condition related to the amount of components of the aerosol taken by the user per unit time. The unit time may be any time such as one hour, one day, or one week. For example, the predetermined condition includes an upper limit value of the amount of each component of the aerosol taken by the user per hour. With this configuration, it is possible to keep the amount of components of the aerosol taken by the user per unit time within an appropriate range in light of various rules.

[0098] In this case, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile based on a combination of the heating profile, the brand of the stick-type substrate 150, and the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per unit time when the stick-type substrate 150 of that brand is heated based on the heating profile. The amount of aerosol components taken by the user per unit time can be measured or estimated by testing by the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100 or the stick-type substrate 150. The amount of aerosol components taken by the user per unit time can vary depending on the number of puffs performed by the user and the timing of the puffs. Therefore, the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per inhalation per unit time may be adjusted according to the user's usual tendency to puff, based on the amount of components measured or estimated by the manufacturer.

[0099] The terminal device 200 may select a heating profile based on the cumulative amount of the aerosol components already taken by the user in a unit time. In this case, the cumulative amount of the aerosol components taken by the user in a unit time is stored in the storage unit 114. For example, the terminal device 200 sets the amount of components that can be taken in the remaining time to the upper limit of the amount of components that can be taken in a day, which is specified under a predetermined condition, minus the amount of components that have already been taken. Then, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile that allows the amount of components taken by the user to be within the range of the upper limit of the amount of components that can be taken in the remaining time until the end of the day. In this case, the terminal device 200 selects a heating profile that allows the amount of components taken by the user to be smaller as the cumulative number of stick-type substrates 150 consumed in a day increases. According to this configuration, it is more reliably possible to keep the amount of aerosol components taken by the user per unit time within an appropriate range in light of various rules.

[0100] In the above, an example has been described in which the predetermined condition is a condition regarding the amount of components of the aerosol ingested by the user, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The predetermined condition may be a condition regarding the amount of components of the aerosol discharged to the surroundings per one stick-type substrate 150, per inhalation, or per unit time. More simply, the predetermined condition may be a condition regarding the amount of components contained in mainstream smoke, or may be a condition regarding the amount of components contained in at least one of sidestream smoke and exhaled smoke. With such a configuration, it is possible to comply with not only the rules regarding mainstream smoke, but also the rules regarding sidestream smoke or exhaled smoke.

[0101] (4) Fourth modified example Although an example has been described above in which terminal device 200 transmits a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition to suction device 100, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0102] As an example, if there is no heating profile that satisfies the specified conditions, the terminal device 200 may transmit information instructing to prohibit heating. When the suction device 100 receives information instructing to prohibit heating, it does not perform heating. By not performing heating, it is possible to prevent the user from ingesting an amount of ingredients that exceeds an upper limit value specified in the specified conditions. The information instructing to prohibit heating may include information indicating a period during which heating is prohibited. In that case, the suction device 100 does not perform heating during the specified period. It is desirable for the terminal device 200 to display information indicating a period during which heating is prohibited or a period during which heating can be resumed.

[0103] As another example, if there is no heating profile that satisfies the predetermined condition, the terminal device 200 may transmit information indicating a predetermined heating profile. The predetermined heating profile may be, for example, a default heating profile. When the inhalation device 100 receives such information, it heats the stick-type substrate 150 based on the predetermined heating profile. This allows the user to at least perform puffing.

[0104] (5) Fifth Variation In the above, an example in which the terminal device 200 selects the heating profile used by the suction device 100 for heating has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The heating profile used by the suction device 100 for heating may be selected by the user. This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0105] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the fourth modified example. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 200 may display a heating profile selection screen 10. The selection screen 10 is a screen that displays one or more heating profiles that satisfy a predetermined condition. The selection screen 10 displays a heating profile P that satisfies the predetermined condition. A and P B While displaying UI elements 11A and 11B corresponding to the heating profile P that does not satisfy a predetermined condition in a selectable manner, CIn the example shown in FIG. 5, UI element 11C corresponding to the heating profile is displayed as unselectable. The user can select the heating profile to be used for heating by selecting UI element 11A or 11B. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the user has selected UI element 11A.

[0106] The terminal device 200 transmits information indicating a heating profile selected by a user from the one or more displayed heating profiles. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 200 transmits the heating profile P A According to this configuration, it becomes possible to use, for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150, the heating profile that the user prefers among the heating profiles that satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0107] <4. Second embodiment> <4.1. Technical features> In the first embodiment, a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition is selected from existing heating profiles, whereas in the present embodiment, a heating profile is customized by the user within a range that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0108] The terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to instruct adjustment of the heating profile. In detail, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to set the duration and target temperature of each step constituting the heating profile. Setting the duration and target temperature of each step may be regarded as setting the rate of temperature change in the step. This is because the rate of temperature change in a certain step is determined by the duration of the step and the difference in target temperature between the step and the previous step.

[0109] As an example, stock S A An example of options for setting the duration and target temperature of STEP 0 of the heating profile corresponding to is shown in Table 4 below.

[0110] [Table 4]

[0111] Each row in Table 4 corresponds to one option. As shown in Table 4, each option specifies the duration, target temperature, aerosol source consumption amount, and component amount. For all steps that make up the heating profile, options similar to those shown in Table 4 are available, and the user can customize the heating profile by selecting the desired option for each step. The options shown in Table 4 are available for brand S A The options correspond to the brand of the stick-type substrate 150, and the content of the options may differ depending on the brand of the stick-type substrate 150. The terminal device 200 acquires information indicating the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 to be heated by the suction device 100, and accepts a user's selection from the options corresponding to the brand.

[0112] According to the example shown in Table 4, the user can set the duration of STEP0 in 1 second increments within a range of 10 to 30 seconds. Also, the user can set the target temperature of STEP0 in 1°C increments within a range of 280°C to 300°C.

[0113] As shown in Table 4, for each option, the amount of aerosol components ingested by the user in STEP 0 corresponding to the option is specified when the option is selected. The terminal device 200 may allow the user to select an option in which the cumulative amount of components ingested by the user in each STEP constituting the heating profile satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, when the cumulative amount of components specified in the option selected by the user in a STEP other than STEP 0 is large, the terminal device 200 allows only an option in STEP 0 in which the amount of components specified is small to be selected. With this configuration, the user can customize the heating profile within a range that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0114] As shown in Table 4, the amount of the aerosol source consumed in STEP0 corresponding to the option is specified when the option is selected. The terminal device 200 allows the user to select an option in which the cumulative total of the amount of aerosol consumed in each STEP constituting the heating profile does not exceed the total amount of the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150, and the difference is less than a predetermined threshold. With this configuration, the user can customize the heating profile within a range in which the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 can be consumed without excess or deficiency. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the flavor tasted by the user due to depletion of the aerosol source, and to prevent a situation in which heating is terminated with a large amount of the aerosol source remaining in the stick-type substrate 150.

[0115] The consumption of the aerosol source in each step can be calculated from the duration and target temperature of the step. The higher the target temperature, the more the consumption of the aerosol source, and the lower the target temperature, the less. The longer the duration, the more the consumption of the aerosol source, and the shorter the duration, the less. In simple terms, the integral value of line 21 showing the time series change of the target temperature as shown in FIG. 3 may be considered to correspond to the consumption of the aerosol source. That is, the integral value obtained by integrating the target temperature with respect to the duration may correspond to the consumption of the aerosol source. However, it is desirable to perform an integral calculation in which the higher the target temperature, the greater the weighting. The amount of the component ingested by the user may also be calculated from the duration and the target temperature. That is, the amount of the component ingested by the user may be calculated based on the integral value obtained by integrating the target temperature with respect to the duration.

[0116] Furthermore, when options are selected for seven of the eight steps from STEP 0 to STEP 7, the option for the last step may be automatically selected by the terminal device 200. In this case, the terminal device 200 selects an option in which the cumulative value of the component amount satisfies a predetermined condition and the cumulative total consumption amount of the aerosol source does not exceed the total amount of the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150. At that time, it is preferable to exclude options in which the duration of the step is less than a predetermined time.

[0117] There are various possible UIs for user customization. As one example, the terminal device 200 may display options such as those shown in Table 4 above for each of STEP0 to STEP7 in order, and accept an operation to select one option for each STEP. Of course, the order in which the options are displayed and the selection is accepted for STEP0 to STEP7 is arbitrary. As another example, the terminal device 200 may display a graph showing the time series transition of the target temperature as shown in Fig. 3, and accept an operation to raise or lower the target temperature or extend or shorten the duration of each STEP.

[0118] Hereinafter, an example of the flow of processing executed in the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0119] 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed in the system 1 according to this embodiment. The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are involved in this sequence.

[0120] As shown in Fig. 6, first, the suction device 100 identifies the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 that the suction device 100 heats (step S202). For example, when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the holder 140, the suction device 100 identifies the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 by performing image recognition or the like on the appearance of the stick-type substrate 150. Here, as an example, A is deemed to have been identified.

[0121] Next, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the identified brand of the stick-type substrate 150 (step S204). For example, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the brand S of the stick-type substrate 150 to the terminal device 200 with which the Bluetooth connection has been established. A The information indicating the above is transmitted.

[0122] Next, the terminal device 200 reads the predetermined condition to be applied (step S206). For example, the terminal device 200 reads the table shown in Table 2 from the storage unit 240.

[0123] Next, the terminal device 200 accepts customization of the heating profile by the user within a range where a predetermined condition is satisfied when the stick-type substrate 150 of the brand indicated by the information received from the inhalation device 100 is heated (step S208). In detail, the terminal device 200 accepts settings of the duration and target temperature for each of STEP0 to STEP7 within a range where a condition regarding the amount of ingredients and a condition regarding the amount of aerosol source consumed are satisfied. The condition regarding the amount of ingredients is that the cumulative total of the amounts of ingredients taken by the user in each of STEP0 to STEP7 does not exceed the upper limit of the amount of ingredients taken by the user per stick-type substrate 150. The condition regarding the amount of aerosol source consumed is that the cumulative total of the amounts of aerosol consumed in each of STEP0 to STEP7 does not exceed the total amount of aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150, and the difference is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0124] Next, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the heating profile customized by the user (step S210). For example, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the heating profile customized by the user to the suction device 100 with which a Bluetooth connection has been established.

[0125] Next, the suction device 100 sets the heating profile indicated by the received information as the heating profile to be used for heating (step S212).

[0126] Next, when a user operation is performed to instruct the start of heating, the suction device 100 heats the stick-type substrate 150 based on the set heating profile (step S214). For example, the suction device 100 heats the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile customized by the user. A The stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated. An example of a user operation to instruct the start of heating is pressing a button provided on the suction device 100.

[0127] An example of the flow of the processes executed in the system 1 has been described above.

[0128] <4.2. Modifications> The second embodiment may also include the first to third modified examples described above in relation to the first embodiment. Other modified examples will be described below.

[0129] (1) Sixth Variation In the above, an example has been described in which the STEP duration and target temperature are each defined as a discrete value, and a finite number of options are prepared in advance, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a default value and a selectable range may be given as the STEP duration and target temperature, and the STEP duration and target temperature may be changed within the range of the selectable range. In other words, the STEP duration and target temperature may be set as continuous values.

[0130] The consumption of the aerosol source in each step can be calculated based on the set duration and target temperature. As described in the second embodiment, the integral value obtained by integrating the target temperature with respect to the duration can be calculated as the consumption of the aerosol source. The amount of the component taken by the user in each step can also be calculated based on the integral value obtained by integrating the target temperature with respect to the duration.

[0131] (2) Seventh Variation Although an example in which the duration and target temperature of each step are set has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The terminal device 200 only needs to accept a user operation to set the time series change of the target temperature in each of the multiple periods constituting the heating profile, and the period is not limited to a step. For example, the terminal device 200 may accept a user operation to set the time series change of the target temperature in each of the three periods, the beginning, middle, and end, constituting the heating profile.

[0132] As an example, stock S A An example of options for setting the beginning of the heating profile corresponding to is shown in Table 5 below.

[0133] [Table 5]

[0134] Each row in Table 5 corresponds to one option. As shown in Table 5, for each option, a combination of duration and target temperature, aerosol source consumption amount, and component amount are specified for each of STEPs 0 to 2. For each of the early, middle, and final periods that make up the heating profile, options similar to those shown in Table 5 are available, and the user can customize the heating profile by selecting the desired option for each period. Note that instead of options up to the STEP for each period, it is also possible to select the heating profile presented for the three periods of the early, middle, and final stages. The options shown in Table 5 are for brand S A The options correspond to the brand of the stick-type substrate 150, and the content of the options may differ depending on the brand of the stick-type substrate 150. The terminal device 200 acquires information indicating the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 to be heated by the suction device 100, and accepts a user's selection from the options corresponding to the brand.

[0135] In addition, as the consumption amount of the aerosol source and the amount of components in each option shown in Table 5, values ​​corresponding to the duration and target temperature specified in each option are stored. The duration and target temperature specified in each option may be set as default values, and the duration and target temperature changed from the default values ​​may be set. That is, the duration and target temperature in the three periods of the beginning, middle, and end may be set as continuous values ​​as described in the sixth modified example. In that case, it is possible to calculate the consumption amount of the aerosol source and the amount of components ingested by the user in the actually set heating profile according to the difference from the default value. The consumption amount of the aerosol source and the amount of components ingested by the user may be calculated based on the integral value obtained by time-integrating the target temperature with respect to the duration.

[0136] According to this configuration, the user can customize the heating profile by dividing it into three periods: the beginning, the middle, and the end.

[0137] <5. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0138] For example, in the above embodiment, the terminal device 200 is responsible for the process of selecting a heating profile that satisfies a predetermined condition and accepting a heating profile customized by a user within a range that satisfies the predetermined condition, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. Any device, such as the suction device 100 or a server on the Internet, may perform these processes.

[0139] For example, in the above embodiment, the heating profile is described as information in which the time series transition of the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 is specified, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The heating profile may be information in which the time series transition of the target value of a parameter related to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is specified. Then, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the actual measured value of the parameter related to the temperature of the heating unit 121 transitions in the same manner as the target value of the parameter related to the temperature of the heating unit 121 specified in the heating profile. The parameter related to the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be the resistance value of the heating unit 121, in addition to the temperature of the heating unit 121 itself described in the above embodiment.

[0140] The series of processes 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, for example, in a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transient storage medium readable by a computer) provided inside or outside each device. Then, each program is read into a RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. In addition, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium. In addition, the above computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as an ASIC, a general-purpose processor that executes a function by reading a software program, or a computer on a server used for cloud computing. In addition, the series of processes by each device described in this specification may be distributed and processed by multiple computers.

[0141] In addition, the processes described in this specification using flowcharts and sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown in the drawings. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. In addition, additional processing steps may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

[0142] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) an aerosol generating device that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source based on a heating setting; a terminal device that transmits information indicating the heating setting based on a predetermined condition related to the type of the base material heated by the aerosol generation device and the amount of aerosol components generated when the aerosol generation device heats the base material; and Equipped with The aerosol generating device heats the substrate based on the heating setting indicated by the information received from the terminal device. system. (2) The terminal device transmits information indicating the heating setting that satisfies the predetermined condition, further based on one or more combinations of the heating setting, the type of the substrate, and the amount of the component of the aerosol when the substrate of the type is heated based on the heating setting. The system described in (1) above. (3) The predetermined condition relates to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per one of the substrates, The system described in (1) or (2). (4) The predetermined condition relates to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per inhalation, The system described in (1) or (2). (5) The predetermined condition is related to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per unit time, The system described in (1) or (2). (6) The terminal device transmits information indicating the heating setting further based on a cumulative value of the amount of the component of the aerosol already ingested by the user during the unit time. The system described in (5) above. (7) The predetermined condition relates to the amount of aerosol components discharged to the surroundings per one substrate, per suction, or per unit time, The system described in (1) or (2). (8) The predetermined condition is set by a user. The system according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) The predetermined conditions are set according to a location where the aerosol generating device is used. The system according to any one of (1) to (8). (10) the terminal device displays one or more of the heating settings that satisfy the predetermined condition, and transmits information indicating the heating setting selected by the user from the displayed one or more heating settings. The system according to any one of (1) to (9). (11) When the heating setting does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the terminal device transmits information instructing to prohibit heating. The system according to any one of (1) to (10) above. (12) the aerosol generating device transmits information indicating the type of the substrate to be heated; the terminal device transmits information indicating the heating setting based on the type of the substrate to be heated by the aerosol generating device, the type being indicated by the information received from the aerosol generating device. The system according to any one of (1) to (11) above. (13) The system further comprises the substrate. The system according to any one of (1) to (12). (14) transmitting information indicating a heating setting by a terminal device based on a type of the substrate to be heated by an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device heating the substrate based on a heating setting, and a predetermined condition related to an amount of aerosol components generated when the aerosol generating device heats the substrate; heating the substrate with the aerosol generating device based on the heating settings indicated by the information received from the terminal device; A method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1 System 100 Suction device 111 Power supply section 112 Sensor section 113 Notification Department 114 Storage section 115 Communications Department 116 Control Unit 121 Heating section 140 Holding part 144 Insulation section 150 Stick-type substrate 151 Base material part 152 Mouthpiece 200 Terminal Equipment 210 Input section 220 Output section 230 Communications Department 240 Storage section 250 Control section

Claims

1. an aerosol generating device that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source based on a heating setting; a terminal device that transmits information indicating the heating setting based on a predetermined condition related to the type of the base material heated by the aerosol generating device and the amount of a component of the aerosol generated when the aerosol generating device heats the base material; and Equipped with The aerosol generating device heats the substrate based on the heating setting indicated by the information received from the terminal device. system.

2. The terminal device transmits information indicating the heating setting that satisfies the predetermined condition based on one or more combinations of the heating setting, the type of the substrate, and the amount of the component of the aerosol when the substrate of the type is heated based on the heating setting. The system of claim 1 .

3. The predetermined condition relates to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per one of the substrates, 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The predetermined condition relates to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per inhalation, 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The predetermined condition is related to the amount of the component of the aerosol ingested by the user per unit time, 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The terminal device transmits information indicating the heating setting further based on a cumulative value of the amount of the component of the aerosol already ingested by the user during the unit time. The system of claim 5.

7. The predetermined condition relates to the amount of aerosol components discharged to the surroundings per one substrate, per suction, or per unit time, 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The predetermined condition is set by a user. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The predetermined conditions are set according to a location where the aerosol generating device is used. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the terminal device displays one or more of the heating settings that satisfy the predetermined condition, and transmits information indicating the heating setting selected by the user from the displayed one or more heating settings. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. When the heating setting does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the terminal device transmits information instructing to prohibit heating. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the aerosol generating device transmits information indicating the type of the substrate to be heated; the terminal device transmits information indicating the heating setting based on the type of the substrate to be heated by the aerosol generating device, the type being indicated by the information received from the aerosol generating device. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The system further comprises the substrate. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. transmitting information indicating a heating setting by a terminal device based on a type of the substrate to be heated by an aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating device heating the substrate based on a heating setting, and a predetermined condition related to an amount of aerosol components generated when the aerosol generating device heats the substrate; heating the substrate with the aerosol generating device based on the heating settings indicated by the information received from the terminal device; A method comprising:

Images