Suction device, system, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism capable of further increasing usability. [Solution] Provided is an inhalation device that uses a base substance to generate aerosol to be inhaled by a user, the inhalation device comprising a storage unit that stores information, a communication unit that receives information from another device when a first condition is satisfied, and a control unit that causes the storage unit to store the information received from the other device when a second condition is satisfied.

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

[0003] In recent years, it has been considered to provide various services related to suction devices by wirelessly transmitting and receiving information about the suction device. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a terminal at a store selling base materials wirelessly receives identification information of a base material desired to be purchased from a user terminal such as a smartphone, and specifies the position of the base material desired to be purchased on a display shelf based on the received identification information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6691138 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires operating a smartphone to transmit the identification information, which is time-consuming.

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

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inhalation device that uses a substrate to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, the inhalation device comprising: a memory unit that stores information; a communication unit that receives information from another device when a first condition is satisfied; and a control unit that stores the information received from the other device in the memory unit when a second condition is satisfied.

[0008] The first condition may include that wireless communication is established between the suction device and the other device.

[0009] A second condition may include that wireless communication between the suction device and the other device is disconnected and then re-established.

[0010] The second condition may include a condition that a predetermined user operation has been performed on at least one of the suction device and the other device.

[0011] The wireless communication performed between the suction device and the other device may be short-range wireless communication.

[0012] The short-range wireless communication may be near field communication (NFC).

[0013] The suction device may temporarily store the information received from the other device with a time limit when the first condition is satisfied, release the time limit imposed on the temporarily stored information received from the other device when the second condition is satisfied before the time limit has elapsed, and delete the temporarily stored information received from the other device when the time limit has elapsed without the second condition being satisfied.

[0014] The suction device may store the information received from the other device in a volatile storage medium when the first condition is satisfied, and store the information received from the other device stored in the volatile storage medium in a non-volatile storage medium when the second condition is satisfied.

[0015] The information received from the other device may include an identification of the substrate.

[0016] The information received from the other device may include profile information indicating a profile that defines the action of the suction device to heat the substrate to generate the aerosol.

[0017] The profile information may be identification information indicating the profile.

[0018] The information received from the other device may include identification information indicating a combination of identification information of the substrate and profile information indicating a profile defining the operation of heating the substrate performed by the suction device to generate the aerosol.

[0019] The information received from the other device may include route information indicating a route along which the information received from the other device was transmitted and received.

[0020] The route information may include identification information indicating the suction device through which the information received from the other device has passed.

[0021] The route information may include identification information indicating the user who uses the suction device through which the information received from the other device has been received.

[0022] The information received from the other device may include number information indicating the number of times the information received from the other device was transmitted and received.

[0023] The number information may include the number of suction devices through which the information received from the other device has passed.

[0024] The number information may include the number of users who use the suction device via the information received from the other device.

[0025] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided which includes a plurality of inhalation devices that use a substrate to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, and each of the inhalation devices receives information from the other inhalation devices when a first condition is satisfied, and each of the inhalation devices stores the information received from the other inhalation devices when a second condition is satisfied.

[0026] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided to cause a computer that controls an inhalation device that uses a substrate to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user to receive information from another device when a first condition is satisfied, and store the information received from the other device when a second condition is satisfied. Effect of the Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism capable of further improving usability is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of the suction device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sales terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of communication between devices in the sales system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processes executed in the sales system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processes executed in the sales system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

[0030] In addition, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different alphabets after the same reference numeral. For example, multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished as suction devices 100A and 100B as necessary. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are used. For example, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between suction devices 100A and 100B, they are simply referred to as suction device 100.

[0031] <<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.

[0032] (1) First configuration example FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in FIG. 1, an inhalation device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavoring cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply section 111A, a sensor section 112A, a notification section 113A, a memory section 114A, a communication section 115A, and a control section 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating section 121A, a liquid guiding section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. The flavoring cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130.

[0033] Power supply unit 111A accumulates power. Power supply unit 111A supplies power to each component of suction device 100A under the control of control unit 116A. Power supply unit 111A may be configured with, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0034] The sensor unit 112A acquires various information related to the suction device 100A. As an example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0035] Notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. Notification unit 113A 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.

[0036] Storage unit 114A stores various types of information for the operation of suction device 100 A. Storage unit 114A is configured with, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0037] The communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communication in compliance with any wired or wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0038] The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation within the suction device 100A in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor.

[0039] The liquid storage unit 123 stores the aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate the aerosol. The aerosol source is a liquid such as polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water. The aerosol source may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a medicine.

[0040] The liquid guide unit 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 123, from the liquid storage unit 123. The liquid guide unit 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. In this case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

[0041] The heating unit 121A heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and generate an aerosol. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil and is wound around the liquid guide unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guide unit 122 is heated and atomized, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Then, power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input.

[0042] The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

[0043] The air flow path 180 is a flow path for air inhaled by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet hole 181, which is an inlet for air into the air flow path 180, and an air outlet hole 182, which is an outlet for air from the air flow path 180, at both ends. In the middle of the air flow path 180, the liquid guide section 122 is disposed on the upstream side (the side closer to the air inlet hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is disposed on the downstream side (the side closer to the air outlet hole 182). The air that flows in from the air inlet hole 181 as the user inhales is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating section 121A, and is transported to the air outlet hole 182 through the flavor source 131 as shown by the arrow 190. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air passes through the flavor source 131, the flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

[0044] Mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held in the mouth of a user when inhaling. Air outlet hole 182 is arranged in mouthpiece 124. By holding mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in a mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity.

[0045] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100A. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0046] As an example, the inhalation device 100A may not include the flavoring cartridge 130. In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with the mouthpiece 124.

[0047] As another example, the inhalation device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from the multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate yet another type of aerosol.

[0048] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121 A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

[0049] (2) Second configuration example 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of the suction device. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a storage unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a holding unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0050] Each of power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, memory unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B is substantially the same as the corresponding components included in suction device 100A according to the first configuration example.

[0051] The holding part 140 has an internal space 141, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the holding part 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and the bottom part 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. The holding part 140 also has a function of defining a flow path for air to be supplied to the stick-shaped substrate 150. An air inlet hole that is an entrance of air to such a flow path is arranged in the bottom part 143, for example. On the other hand, an air outlet hole that is an exit of air from such a flow path is the opening 142.

[0052] The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a suction mouth portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. In this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held by the holder 140, at least a part of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the suction mouth portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the suction mouth portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his / her mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 from an air inlet hole (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0053] The heating unit 121B has a configuration similar to that of the heating unit 121A according to the first configuration example. However, in the example shown in Fig. 2, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

[0054] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B 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.

[0055] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0056] As one example, the heating unit 121B 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 121B is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121B may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B 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.

[0057] 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 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the holding unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0058] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.

[0059] Furthermore, the inhalation device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air outlet hole 182 of the air flow path 180 may also serve as an air inlet hole to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

[0060] <<2. Technical features>> <2.1. System configuration example> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sales system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the sales system 1 includes a suction device 100, a user terminal 200, a sales terminal 300, and a server 400. Note that Fig. 3 shows an example in which the sales system 1 has two suction devices 100 (100A and 100B), two user terminals 200 (200A and 200B), one sales terminal 300, and one server 400, but the number of each device included in the sales system 1 is not limited to this example.

[0061] (1) Configuration of the suction device 100 An 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. In the following description, the inhalation of the substance generated by the inhalation device by a user is also referred to as "inhalation" or "puffing."

[0062] The inhalation device 100 according to the present embodiment generates an aerosol to be inhaled by a user using a substrate. The heating unit 121 is an example of a generating unit that generates an aerosol. The cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130 in the first configuration example, and the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the second configuration example are examples of substrates in the present invention. The inhalation device 100 generates an aerosol using a substrate attached to the inhalation device 100. In the first configuration example, the cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130 connected to the power supply unit 110 are an example of a substrate attached to the inhalation device 100. In the second configuration example, the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the inhalation device 100 is an example of a substrate attached to the inhalation device 100.

[0063] The suction device 100 may have any of the first and second configuration examples described above. In FIG. 3, the suction device 100 used by user A is referred to as suction device 100A, and the suction device 100 used by user B is referred to as suction device 100B. That is, the configuration of the suction device 100A in FIG. 3 does not necessarily have to match the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may match the configuration shown in FIG. 2, for example. Similarly, the configuration of the suction device 100B in FIG. 3 does not necessarily have to match the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and may match the configuration shown in FIG. 1, for example.

[0064] In particular, the communication unit 115 according to this embodiment can perform wireless communication in compliance with the near field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) short-range wireless communication standards.

[0065] (2) Configuration of User Terminal 200 The user terminal 200 is a terminal device used by a user of the suction device 100. For example, the user terminal 200 is configured by a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, or the like. The suction device 100 and the user terminal 200 used by the same user are associated with each other. For example, the user registers information about the suction device 100 in the user terminal 200, registers information about the user terminal 200 in the suction device 100, and registers in the server 400 that the suction device 100 and the user terminal 200 are used by the same user. Hereinafter, the configuration of the user terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0066] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 200 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 200 includes an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a communication unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the user terminal 200 and other devices. The communication unit 230 performs communication in compliance with any wired or wireless 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 as such a communication standard. In particular, the communication unit 230 may perform wireless communication in compliance with a short-range wireless communication standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0070] The storage unit 240 stores various types of information for the operation of the user terminal 200. The storage unit 240 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0071] The control unit 250 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 according to various programs. The control unit 250 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 250 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs to be used and arithmetic parameters, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. The user terminal 200 executes various processes based on the control of the control unit 250. The processing of information input by the input unit 210, the output of information by the output unit 220, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 230, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 240 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 250. Other processes executed by the user terminal 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.

[0072] 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).

[0073] (3) Configuration of sales terminal 300 Sales terminal 300 is a terminal device that performs processing for selling base materials. Sales terminal 300 may be configured as, for example, a cash register or a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal. In this case, sales terminal 300 is installed in a store that sells base materials. Examples of processing for selling base materials include accounting processing related to monetary transfers and sales management processing for registering the brand and number of base materials sold. A user who uses sales terminal 300 is typically a store clerk. The configuration of sales terminal 300 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0074] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of vending terminal 300 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, vending terminal 300 includes an input unit 310, an output unit 320, a communication unit 330, a storage unit 340, and a control unit 350.

[0075] The input unit 310 has a function of accepting input of various information. The input unit 310 may include an input device that accepts input of information from a store clerk. Examples of the input device include a button, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a microphone. In addition, the input unit 310 may include various sensors such as an image sensor.

[0076] The output unit 320 has a function of outputting information. The output unit 320 may include an output device that outputs information to a store clerk. 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. An example of a vibration device is an eccentric motor. An example of a sound output device is a speaker. The output unit 320 notifies the store clerk of the information by outputting the information input from the control unit 350.

[0077] Communication unit 330 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between sales terminal 300 and other devices. Communication unit 330 performs communication in compliance with any wired or wireless communication standard. For example, such a communication standard may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In particular, communication unit 330 may perform wireless communication in compliance with a short-range wireless communication standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0078] Storage unit 340 stores various information for the operation of sales terminal 300. Storage unit 340 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

[0079] The control unit 350 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the sales terminal 300 according to various programs. The control unit 350 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 350 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs to be used and arithmetic parameters, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. The sales terminal 300 executes various processes based on the control of the control unit 350. The processing of information input by the input unit 310, the output of information by the output unit 320, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 330, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 340 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 350. Other processes executed by the sales terminal 300, such as the input of information to each component and the processing based on the information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 350.

[0080] The functions of the control unit 350 may be realized using an application. The application may be pre-installed or may be downloaded. The functions of the control unit 350 may be realized by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

[0081] (4) Configuration of Server 400 The server 400 is an information processing device that provides various services related to the suction device 100. As an example, the server 400 provides a membership service to a user of the suction device 100. The server 400 collects and accumulates information about the suction device 100, analyzes the accumulated information, and provides a membership service according to the analysis results. For example, a user can access the server 400 and register as a member in advance to receive various membership services such as information provided about the suction device 100. The configuration of the server 400 will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0082] 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 400 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 400 includes a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, and a control unit 430.

[0083] The communication unit 410 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the server 400 and other devices. The communication unit 410 communicates with other devices via, for example, the Internet.

[0084] The storage unit 420 stores various types of information for the operation of the server 400. The storage unit 420 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disc drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0085] The control unit 430 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the server 400 according to various programs. The control unit 430 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 430 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs to be used and arithmetic parameters, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. The server 400 executes various processes based on the control of the control unit 430. The transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 410 and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 420 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 430. Other processes executed by the server 400, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 430.

[0086] <2.2. Processing related to communication between devices> As shown in Fig. 3, communication can be performed between devices included in sales system 1. For example, suction device 100A can communicate with each of user terminal 200A used by the same user, other suction devices 100B used by other users, and sales terminal 300. User terminal 200 can communicate with each of suction devices 100 used by the same user, and server 400. Sales terminal 300 can communicate with each of suction devices 100 and server 400. Server 400 can communicate with sales terminal 300 and user terminal 200.

[0087] (1) Information stored in the suction device 100 The suction device 100 stores information received from other devices and transmits the stored information to other devices. An example of information stored in the suction device 100 will be described below.

[0088] -Stock information The suction device 100 may store identification information of the substrate. The identification information of the substrate is information for identifying the brand (i.e., type) of the substrate. Hereinafter, the identification information of the substrate is also referred to as brand information. The brand information stored in the suction device 100 is transmitted to the sales terminal 300, as described below, and is treated as information indicating the brand desired to be purchased. Therefore, by having the suction device 100 store brand information, it is possible to improve usability when purchasing a substrate.

[0089] -Profile information The suction device 100 may store profile information indicating a profile that defines an operation of heating the substrate to be performed by the suction device 100 to generate an aerosol. The suction device 100 heats the substrate according to the profile indicated by the stored profile information to generate an aerosol.

[0090] The profile in the first configuration example is information that defines the power supply time to the heating unit 121A and the amount of power supply (for example, voltage) per unit time. AThe power supply amount per unit time defined in the profile is set to the power supply time defined in the profile, and the power supply unit 111 A The power supply control is performed so that power is supplied to the heating unit 121A from the power supply control unit 121B. Such power supply control is performed, for example, every time a puff is detected.

[0091] The profile in the second configuration example is information that defines the relationship between the time elapsed since the start of heating by the heating unit 121B and the temperature of the heating unit 121B. B The sensor section 112 controls the heating section 121B so that a temperature change similar to that in the profile is achieved in the heating section 121B. The heating section 121B may include a conductive track including a resistor, and the sensor section 112 B The temperature of the heating unit 121B may be detected based on the electrical resistance of the conductive track. B This can be achieved by controlling the power supply from the heating unit 121B to the heating unit 121B. The power supply may be controlled by, for example, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control.

[0092] The profile information may be the profile itself. The profile may be a preset profile that can be set, such as provided by a membership service. In this case, the profile information may be identification information indicating the profile. Since the identification information indicating the profile has a smaller amount of data than the profile itself, the communication load when transmitting and receiving with other devices is reduced. In addition, the profile may be customizable by the user, such as by allowing the user to adjust parameters such as power supply time.

[0093] -Combination of stock information and profile information The suction device 100 may store the brand information and the profile information in association with each other. For example, a profile preferred by a user may differ for each substrate, and the suction device 100 may store the brand information and a profile suitable for the substrate of the brand indicated by the brand information in association with each other. Here, the suction device 100 may store identification information indicating a combination of the brand information and the profile information. By designing the identification information indicating the combination of the brand information and the profile information so that the data amount is less than the sum of the data amount of the brand information and the profile information, the communication load when transmitting and receiving with other devices can be reduced. An example of the identification information indicating the combination of the brand information and the profile information is shown in Table 1 below.

[0094] [Table 1]

[0095] -Device ID The suction device 100 may store identification information of the suction device 100. The identification information of the suction device 100 is information for uniquely identifying the suction device 100. The identification information of the suction device 100 will hereinafter also be referred to as a device ID.

[0096] -User ID The suction device 100 may store identification information of a user who uses the suction device 100. The user identification information is information for uniquely identifying a user. The user identification information is also referred to as a user ID below. The user ID may be personal information such as the user's name, or may be an account name registered in a membership service.

[0097] -Credentials The suction device 100 may store authentication information, which is information indicating that the user is qualified to purchase the substrate. The authentication information includes, for example, information verifying the user's age.

[0098] - Information showing the copy history of the information to be copied The suction device 100 transmits and receives information directly or indirectly to and from other suction devices 100. Direct or indirect transmission and reception of information between the suction devices 100, i.e., information stored in one of the two suction devices 100 being received and stored by the other suction device 100, is also referred to as "copying" below. Moreover, information stored in the suction device 100 that is transmitted and received between the other suction devices 100, i.e., information transmitted and received via multiple suction devices 100, is also referred to as "information to be copied" below.

[0099] The information to be copied may include brand information. The brand information is handled by the sales terminal 300 as information indicating the brand desired to be purchased, as described below. Therefore, it becomes possible for users to recommend their favorite brands to each other and purchase base material of the recommended brand.

[0100] The information to be copied may include profile information. In this case, users can recommend their favorite profiles to each other and have the suction device 100 perform heating according to the recommended profile.

[0101] As the information to be copied, brand information and profile information may be transmitted and received in association with each other. For example, the information to be copied may include identification information indicating a combination of brand information and profile information. With this configuration, users can recommend combinations of their favorite brands and profiles to each other, and try heating according to the recommended profile with the recommended brand.

[0102] The suction device 100 may store information indicating a copy history of the information to be copied. The information indicating the copy history is copied and updated together with the information to be copied. The information indicating the copy history includes route information and number of times information.

[0103] -Route information The suction device 100 may store route information indicating the route along which the information to be copied was transmitted and received. The route information is updated in the process of transmission and reception via a plurality of suction devices 100.

[0104] The path information may include the device ID of the suction apparatus 100 through which the information to be copied has passed. For example, when the information to be copied is copied from the suction apparatus 100B to the suction apparatus 100A, the path information includes the device ID of the suction apparatus 100B and the device ID of the suction apparatus 100A. With this configuration, the path information makes it possible to know the history of the suction apparatus 100 that copied the information to be copied.

[0105] The route information may include the user ID of the user who uses the suction device 100 through which the information to be copied has passed. For example, when the information to be copied is copied from the suction device 100B to the suction device 100A, the route information includes the user ID of the user B and the user ID of the user A. On the other hand, when the information to be copied is copied between multiple suction devices 100 owned by one user, the route information is not updated. With this configuration, the route information makes it easy to understand the history of the users who copied the information to be copied.

[0106] -Number of times The suction device 100 may store number information indicating the number of times the information to be copied has been transmitted and received. The number information is updated in the process of transmission and reception via a plurality of suction devices 100.

[0107] The number of times information may include the number of suction apparatuses 100 through which the information to be copied has passed. For example, when the information to be copied is copied from the suction apparatus 100B to the suction apparatus 100A, the number of times information is incremented (i.e., 1 is added to the number of times information up to that point). With this configuration, it is possible to know the number of times the information to be copied has been copied from the number of times information.

[0108] The number of times information may include the number of users who use the suction device 100 through which the information to be copied has passed. For example, when the information to be copied is copied from the suction device 100B to the suction device 100A, the information to be copied is copied from user B to user A, so the number of times information is incremented. On the other hand, when the information to be copied is copied between multiple suction devices 100 owned by one user, the number of times information is not incremented. With this configuration, the number of times information makes it easy to grasp the number of users who have copied the information to be copied. In addition, when a membership service is provided in which points are awarded according to the number of times the information to be copied is copied between users, it is possible to eliminate fraudulent acts in which the same user tries to obtain points by repeatedly copying between multiple suction devices 100 owned by the same user.

[0109] -supplement The above-described information may be stored one by one or multiple pieces in the suction device 100. For example, the suction device 100 may store one or more pieces of brand information and one or more pieces of profile information.

[0110] (2) Updating information stored in the suction device 100 The suction device 100 receives and stores information from other devices. In particular, the suction device 100 receives information through short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication may be NFC.

[0111] As an example, the suction device 100 may have an NFC tag. The NFC tag is a tag that includes an antenna for communication using NFC and an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip that performs processing for communication using NFC, and is typically configured as a thin sticker. Information can be written to and read from the NFC tag via NFC. That is, the NFC tag included in the suction device 100 can function as the storage unit 114, the communication unit 115, and the control unit 116. An NFC reader / writer is used to read and write information from the NFC tag. The NFC reader / writer is a device that serves as both an NFC reader capable of reading information from the NFC tag and an NFC writer capable of writing information to the NFC tag.

[0112] As another example, the suction device 100 may have an NFC communication module. The NFC communication module is a communication module capable of communicating by NFC, and supports three communication modes: a card emulation mode, a reader / writer mode, and a P2P (Peer-to-Peer) mode. When the NFC communication module operates in the card emulation mode, it operates as an NFC tag and is read and written by an NFC reader / writer. When the NFC communication module operates in the reader / writer mode, it operates as an NFC reader / writer and reads and writes from and to an NFC tag. When the NFC communication module operates in the P2P mode, it communicates with another NFC communication module operating in the P2P mode.

[0113] Management by the user terminal 200 The user terminal 200 manages information stored in the suction device 100. As an example, the user terminal 200 synchronizes with the suction device 100. In detail, the user terminal 200 writes information to the suction device 100 or reads and stores information from the suction device 100 so that the information stored in the suction device 100 matches the information stored in the user terminal 200. Information synchronized in this way is also referred to as information to be synchronized hereinafter. The function of managing the information stored in the suction device 100 can be realized by a dedicated application (hereinafter also referred to as a management application).

[0114] The user terminal 200 communicates with the suction device 100 for synchronization when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition may include that the distance between the user terminal 200 and the suction device 100 approaches a distance that allows short-range wireless communication. The predetermined condition may include that a management application is running on the user terminal 200. The predetermined condition may include that there is a difference between the information to be synchronized stored in the user terminal 200 and the information stored in the suction device 100.

[0115] The user terminal 200 may detect the suction device 100 present within a range where short-distance wireless communication is possible by periodically performing polling. When the user terminal 200 detects the suction device 100 present within a range where short-distance wireless communication is possible by polling, the user terminal 200 may launch a management application. Then, when the management application is launched, it may automatically perform synchronization with the suction device 100.

[0116] Typically, user terminal 200 manages information stored in suction device 100 associated with user terminal 200 (i.e., used by the same user). For example, user terminal 200A manages information stored in suction device 100A.

[0117] -Update with other suction devices 100 The suction device 100 may receive and store information from another suction device 100. For example, the suction device 100 may receive information to be copied from another suction device 100 and store it.

[0118] When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the suction device 100 communicates with another suction device 100 to transmit and receive information to be copied. The predetermined condition may include the distance between the suction devices 100 approaching a distance at which short-range wireless communication is possible.

[0119] - Reception confirmation operation by the suction device 100 The suction device 100 receives and stores information from other devices (e.g., the user terminal 200 or the suction device 100). In wireless communication that does not require pairing, such as NFC, undesired information may be written in addition to desired information, which may cause various inconveniences. For example, if undesired brand information is written in the suction device 100, the brand information may be transmitted to the sales terminal 300, and the user may erroneously purchase a base material of a brand other than the one desired to purchase.

[0120] Therefore, the suction device 100 confirms the storage of the received information when a predetermined condition is satisfied. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned inconvenience. This configuration will be described in detail below. Note that, hereinafter, another device that transmits information to the suction device 100 is also referred to as a transmission source device.

[0121] The suction device 100 receives information from the transmission source device when the first condition is satisfied. When the transmission source device is the user terminal 200, the information received from the transmission source device is information to be synchronized. When the transmission source device is another suction device 100, the information received from the transmission source device is information to be copied. Then, the suction device 100 stores the information received from the transmission source device when the second condition is satisfied. In this way, the suction device 100 does not store information simply received from the transmission source device, but stores the information when the second condition is satisfied. Therefore, the suction device 100 can store only desired information in an environment where undesired information may be received.

[0122] The storage that occurs when the second condition is met is a long-term storage, whereas the information received when the first condition is met may be stored temporarily.

[0123] As an example, the suction device 100 may temporarily store the information received from the transmission source device with a time limit when the first condition is satisfied. In this case, the suction device 100 releases the time limit attached to the temporarily stored information received from the transmission source device when the second condition is satisfied before the time limit has elapsed. On the other hand, the suction device 100 deletes the temporarily stored information received from the transmission source device when the time limit has elapsed without the second condition being satisfied. With this configuration, whether to keep the information received from the transmission source device stored or to delete it is switched depending on whether the second condition is satisfied before the time limit has elapsed. Therefore, it is possible to temporarily hold the information received from the transmission source device until the second condition is satisfied.

[0124] As an example, the suction device 100 may store the information received from the transmission source device in a volatile storage medium when a first condition is satisfied. In this case, the suction device 100 stores the information received from the transmission source device stored in the volatile storage medium in a non-volatile storage medium when a second condition is satisfied. An example of a volatile storage medium is a RAM (Random Access Memory). An example of a non-volatile storage medium is a flash memory. With this configuration, it is possible to temporarily hold the information received from the transmission source device until the second condition is satisfied.

[0125] The first condition includes that wireless communication is established between the suction device 100 and the transmission source device. When the suction device 100 approaches within a range where wireless communication with the transmission source device is possible, the suction device 100 can receive information from the transmission source device. The wireless communication performed between the suction device 100 and the transmission source device is short-distance wireless communication. One example of the short-distance wireless communication is NFC. Since the communication range of NFC is about 10 cm, the suction device 100 receives information from the transmission source device when it approaches within about 10 cm from the transmission source device. Therefore, the user can prevent the suction device 100 from receiving undesired information by moving the suction device 100 10 cm or more away from the transmission source device. On the other hand, the user can allow the suction device 100 to receive desired information by moving the suction device 100 within 10 cm of the transmission source device. Hereinafter, bringing the suction device 100 and the transmission source device close enough to enable NFC communication is also referred to as touching.

[0126] The second condition includes that the NFC communication between the suction device 100 and the transmission source device is disconnected and then re-established. In other words, the second condition includes that the NFC communication with the transmission source device is established for the second time.

[0127] The disconnection of the NFC communication may be performed passively by the suction device 100. For example, the NFC communication by the suction device 100 may be disconnected when the suction device 100 is within a distance where the suction device 100 can perform NFC communication. than The NFC communication may be disconnected by being moved away from the transmission source device. If the suction device 100 is touched to the transmission source device again after the NFC communication is disconnected, the NFC communication is re-established. In this case, the user can store the information received from the transmission source device in the suction device 100 by touching the suction device 100 to the transmission source device twice.

[0128] The disconnection of the NFC communication may be actively executed by the suction device 100. For example, the suction device 100 may disconnect the NFC communication when a first condition is satisfied and the information to be copied is received. If the suction device 100 continues to be touched to the transmission source device even after the NFC communication is disconnected, the NFC communication is established again. In this case, the user can store the information received from the transmission source device in the suction device 100 by continuing to touch the suction device 100 to the transmission source device.

[0129] The second condition may include, in addition to or instead of NFC communication between the suction device 100 and the transmission source device being disconnected and then re-established, a predetermined user operation being performed on at least one of the suction device 100 or the transmission source device. One example of the predetermined user operation is pressing a button provided on the suction device 100. Another example of the predetermined user operation is pressing a button provided on the transmission source device. The second condition may include a predetermined user operation being performed on both the suction device 100 and the transmission source device. With this configuration, it is possible to cause the suction device 100 to store information received from the transmission source device only when an explicit operation is performed by the user.

[0130] When the first condition is satisfied, the suction device 100 may transmit at least a part of the information stored in the suction device 100 to the transmission source device. For example, the suction device 100 may receive information to be copied from another suction device 100 and transmit the information to be copied to the other suction device 100. With this configuration, the suction device 100 can exchange information to be copied with the other suction device 100.

[0131] (3) Flow of information processing throughout sales system 1 The flow of information processing performed in the sales system 1 will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of information processing in the sales system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0132] (3.1) Transmission and reception of information to be copied The suction apparatus 100 transmits and receives information to be copied between other suction apparatuses 100 directly or indirectly via the user terminal 200. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the suction apparatus 100B transmits a data set including brand information, profile information, route information, and number of times information as information to be copied to the suction apparatus 100A directly or indirectly via the user terminal 200A.

[0133] -Direct copy The suction device 100 may directly transmit and receive the information to be copied between another suction device 100. In this case, for example, the suction device 100 transmits and receives the information to be copied between the other suction device 100 and the other suction device 100 by an NFC communication module operating in the P2P mode.

[0134] The suction apparatus 100 transmits information to be copied to another suction apparatus 100, or receives information to be copied from another suction apparatus 100. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the suction apparatus 100B transmits information to be copied to the suction apparatus 100A, and the suction apparatus 100A receives the information to be copied from the suction apparatus 100B. With this configuration, the suction apparatus 100 can directly copy information to be copied from another suction apparatus 100.

[0135] The suction apparatus 100 adds information about the suction apparatus 100 to the route information included in the information to be copied received from another suction apparatus 100. The information about the suction apparatus 100 includes the device ID of the suction apparatus 100 and the user ID of the user who uses the suction apparatus 100. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the suction apparatus 100A receives information to be copied from the suction apparatus 100B, the suction apparatus 100A adds the device ID of the suction apparatus 100A or the user ID of user A to the route information included in the received information to be copied. With this configuration, it becomes possible to appropriately update the route information when performing a direct copy.

[0136] The suction apparatus 100 increments the number of times information included in the information to be copied received from another suction apparatus 100. In the example shown in Fig. 7, when the suction apparatus 100A receives the information to be copied from the suction apparatus 100B, the suction apparatus 100A increments the number of times information included in the received information to be copied. With this configuration, it becomes possible to appropriately update the number of times information when performing direct copying.

[0137] -Indirect copying The suction device 100 may indirectly transmit and receive information to be copied between other suction devices 100 via the user terminal 200. For example, the suction device 100 has an NFC tag, and an NFC reader / writer included in the user terminal 200 reads and writes the information to be copied from and to the NFC tag of the suction device 100.

[0138] The user terminal 200 receives information to be copied from the suction apparatus 100, or transmits information to be copied to the suction apparatus 100. For example, the user terminal 200 receives information to be copied from another suction apparatus 100. Then, the user terminal 200 transmits the received information to be copied to the suction apparatus 100. Then, the suction apparatus 100 receives the information to be copied from the user terminal 200. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 200A reads the information to be copied from the NFC tag of the suction apparatus 100B, and writes the read information to be copied to the NFC tag of the suction apparatus 100A. With this configuration, the suction apparatus 100 can indirectly copy information to be copied from another suction apparatus 100 via the user terminal 200.

[0139] The user terminal 200 adds information about the destination suction apparatus 100 to route information included in the information to be copied received from another suction apparatus 100, and then transmits the information to be copied to the destination suction apparatus 100. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the user terminal 200A adds the device ID of the suction apparatus 100A or the user ID of user A to route information included in the information to be copied read from the NFC tag of the suction apparatus 100B, and then writes it to the NFC tag of the suction apparatus 100A. With this configuration, it becomes possible to appropriately update the route information when performing indirect copying.

[0140] The user terminal 200 increments the number of times information included in the information to be copied received from another suction device 100, and then transmits the information to be copied. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the user terminal 200A increments the number of times information included in the information to be copied read from the NFC tag of the suction device 100B, and then writes it to the NFC tag of the suction device 100A. With this configuration, it becomes possible to appropriately update the number of times information when performing indirect copying.

[0141] -Initial registration A description will be given of the initial registration of information to be copied in the suction apparatus 100. Initial registration refers to information that has not passed through another suction apparatus 100 being stored in the suction apparatus 100 for the first time as information to be copied.

[0142] The brand information may be initially registered by the user terminal 200. As one example, the user terminal 200 may obtain the brand information from a membership service or a website provided by the server 400, and write the brand information to the suction device 100. As another example, the user terminal 200 may write the brand information obtained by applying image recognition to a captured image of a package of a base material to the suction device 100.

[0143] The brand information may be initially registered by the suction device 100 itself. For example, the substrate may be provided with information indicating the substrate's brand information. In this case, the suction device 100 may identify the substrate's brand information based on the identification provided to the substrate. For example, colored lines, bar codes, and the like may be provided on the substrate surface. The sensor unit 112 may include an image sensor for reading the information provided on the substrate surface, and the control unit 116 may identify the substrate's brand information by applying image recognition to an image obtained by the image sensor.

[0144] The suction device 100 may automatically identify and store brand information of the attached substrate. In this case, it is possible to improve usability when repurchasing a substrate that has been attached to the suction device 100 in the past, for example, a substrate that the user is familiar with.

[0145] Similarly, the profile information may be initially registered by the user terminal 200 or by the suction device 100 .

[0146] At the time of initial registration, 0 is registered in the number information, and the device ID or user ID of the suction apparatus 100 that initially registers the information to be copied is registered in the path information.

[0147] - Sending and receiving high priority information When transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100 and other devices, the suction device 100 may transmit and receive only information with a high priority. This configuration reduces the communication load. Therefore, even when a standard with a relatively slow communication speed, such as NFC, is used, it is possible to improve the probability of successful transmission and reception of information.

[0148] An example of information with high priority is brand information and profile information. When brand information and profile information are transmitted and received without number of times information and route information, the number of times information and route information may be reset on the receiving side. In other words, the number of times information may be 0, and the route information may be only the device ID or user ID of the receiving side.

[0149] (3.2) Communication between the suction device 100 and the sales terminal 300 The suction device 100 transmits at least a portion of the stored information to the sales terminal 300. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the suction device 100A transmits a data set including brand information, profile information, route information, number information, device ID, and authentication information to the sales terminal 300.

[0150] The sales terminal 300 receives information from the suction device 100. For example, when the sales terminal 300 and the suction device 100 come close enough to each other to enable short-range wireless communication, the suction device 100 and the sales terminal 300 transmit and receive information by performing short-range wireless communication. According to this configuration, the sales terminal 300 receives information from the suction device 100 that comes close enough to enable short-range wireless communication, so that interference can be prevented even when the store is crowded, for example.

[0151] As an example, the suction device 100 may have an NFC tag. On the other hand, the sales terminal 300 may have an NFC reader that functions as the communication unit 330. In this way, when the suction device 100 has an NFC tag and the sales terminal 300 has an NFC reader, the sales terminal 300 reads information stored in the NFC tag of the suction device 100 by the NFC reader. According to this configuration, the user can transmit information by simply holding the suction device 100 over the NFC reader of the sales terminal 300, thereby improving usability.

[0152] When the vending terminal 300 receives information from the suction device 100, the vending terminal 300 performs processing according to the received information. Sucking The vending terminal 300 performs processing according to the information to be copied received from the suction device 100. According to this configuration, the vending terminal 300 can obtain information from the suction device 100 instead of the user terminal 200, and perform processing according to the obtained information. Therefore, the effort required for the user to operate the user terminal 200 to transmit information is reduced, which improves usability.

[0153] As an example, the sales terminal 300 transmits at least a portion of the information received from the suction device 100 to the server 400. For example, the sales terminal 300 transmits the information to be copied to the server 400. The server 400 accumulates and analyzes the information received from the sales terminal 300. The analysis results by the server 400 can be utilized for marketing, etc. The server 400 provides a membership service based on the analysis results. The membership service is provided to the user terminal 200 via the Internet, for example, as a Web service. With this configuration, the user can receive a suitable membership service that reflects the purchasing behavior of the member, simply by purchasing a base material using the suction device 100, i.e., without having to take the trouble of operating the user terminal 200 to transmit information to the server 400.

[0154] As another example, the sales terminal 300 may perform a process for selling a substrate in accordance with the information received from the suction device 100. For example, the sales terminal 300 may perform a process for selling a substrate of a brand indicated by brand information included in the information to be copied received from the suction device 100 as the substrate desired by the user. With this configuration, the user can purchase the substrate as desired without verbally specifying the substrate to be purchased to the store clerk.

[0155] In detail, the sales terminal 300 may output substrate position information indicating the position where the substrate of the brand indicated by the brand information received from the suction device 100 is stored. When substrates are displayed by brand on a display shelf installed in a storefront, the substrate position information includes information indicating the position where the substrate of the corresponding brand is displayed. The substrate position information may be displayed on the display of the sales terminal 300 as an image, for example. At that time, the brand name and package of the substrate of the corresponding brand may be displayed together with the substrate position information. It is desirable that such information be visible not only to the store clerk but also to the user in order to prevent purchase mistakes. In addition, when the display shelf has light-emitting elements at positions corresponding to each of a plurality of brands of substrates, the light-emitting elements installed at the position corresponding to the substrate desired to be purchased may be emitted as the output of the substrate position information. With such a configuration, the store clerk can accurately and quickly find the substrate desired to be purchased by the user from the display shelf.

[0156] For the above processing, the sales terminal 300 may store substrate position information for each of a plurality of substrates to be sold. For example, the sales terminal 300 may store brand information for each of a plurality of substrates to be sold in association with substrate position information for the substrate. The sales terminal 300 may then output substrate position information corresponding to a substrate indicated by brand information included in information acquired from the suction device 100, among the plurality of substrate position information stored. This configuration enables the sales terminal 300 to appropriately output substrate position information for a substrate desired to be purchased.

[0157] Vending terminal 300 may perform authentication based on authentication information received from suction device 100. For example, vending terminal 300 determines that authentication is successful if the age of the user indicated by the authentication information is a predetermined age or older, and determines that authentication is unsuccessful otherwise. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the base material from being mistakenly sold to a user who is not qualified to purchase the base material.

[0158] (3.3) Communication between sales terminal 300 and server 400 The sales terminal 300 transmits at least a portion of the information received from the suction device 100 to the server 400. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the sales terminal 300 transmits to the server 400 a data set including brand information, profile information, route information, number information, and a device ID.

[0159] The server 400 performs an analysis based on the information received from the sales terminal 300. In particular, the server 400 performs an analysis based on the information of the copy target. Then, the server 400 provides a membership service based on the analysis result.

[0160] As an example, the server 400 may tally up the collected information on the copy targets for each stock information. Table 2 below is an example of the tallying results.

[0161] [Table 2]

[0162] "A", "B", and "C" included in the route information in Table 2 are the device IDs of the suction apparatus 100A, the suction apparatus 100B, and the suction apparatus 100C, respectively.

[0163] The server 400 obtains a total value of the number of copies for each brand information by tallying up the number of times information is copied that has the same brand information. The server 400 may identify the brand information that has been copied a lot among the members, i.e., the brand that is popular among the members, based on the total value. The server 400 may then provide information recommending brands that are popular among the members as a member service.

[0164] As another example, the server 400 may tally up the collected copy target information for each piece of profile information. Table 3 below is an example of the tallying result.

[0165] [Table 3]

[0166] The server 400 obtains a total number of copies for each profile information by tallying up the number of copies included in the information to be copied that has the same profile information. The server 400 may identify profile information that has been copied many times among members, i.e., profiles that are popular among members, based on the total number. The server 400 may then provide information recommending profiles that are popular among members as a member service.

[0167] The profile information may be collected after being classified by category. For example, the server 400 may classify the profile information into several categories, such as a heavy smoke type and a light smoke type, calculate the total number of copies for each category, and identify the category that is popular among members. A profile customized by a user may be classified into one category as a type customized by the user, regardless of differences in parameters.

[0168] In addition, the server 400 may identify an enhancer based on the number of times information and the route information. The enhancer here is a user who repeatedly copies the information to be copied. The server 400 obtains a total value of the number of times of copying for each user by aggregating the number of times information included in the information to be copied that includes the same user in the route information. The server 400 may previously store the device ID of the suction device 100 and the user ID of the user in association with each other, and when the route information includes the device ID, the server 400 may identify a user on the route from the device ID included in the route information. The server 400 may identify a user who has copied a large number of pieces of information to be copied, that is, an enhancer, based on the total value. With this configuration, it is possible to identify an enhancer and take measures such as recommending substrates to the enhancer with a focus on the enhancer.

[0169] The server 400 may also identify the connection between users based on the number information and the route information. For example, if the device ID of the suction device 100 that copied the information to be copied is added to the end of the route information every time the information to be copied is copied, it is understood that the information to be copied has been copied between two suction devices 100 that correspond to adjacent device IDs in the route information. Therefore, the server 400 presumes that there is a direct connection between the users of the two suction devices 100 that copied the information to be copied. The server 400 may also estimate the strength of the connection between the users presumed to have a direct connection based on the total number of copies between the users. With this configuration, it is possible to identify the connection between users and take measures such as recommending a substrate for each group.

[0170] Furthermore, the server 400 may analyze, based on the device ID and brand information, which brand of base material the sales terminal 300 sold to which user, that is, which user purchased which base material.

[0171] (4) Processing flow -Direct copy 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process flow executed in the sales system 1 according to the present embodiment. This sequence involves the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B. This sequence is an example in which the suction devices 100 directly copy information to be copied.

[0172] 8, first, the suction device 100B determines whether or not NFC communication has been established with another device (step S102). Here, NFC communication refers to communication between NFC communication modules operating in P2P mode.

[0173] The suction device 100B waits until NFC communication is established with another device (step S102: NO). If it is determined that NFC communication is established with another device (step S102: YES), the suction device 100B transmits information to be copied in the established NFC communication (step S104). For example, when NFC communication is established with the suction device 100A, the suction device 100B transmits information to be copied to the suction device 100A.

[0174] The suction apparatus 100A temporarily stores the received information to be copied (step S106). For example, the suction apparatus 100A stores the information to be copied with a time limit, and starts a timer that times out when the time limit has elapsed.

[0175] Next, the suction device 100A determines whether or not the NFC communication between the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B has been disconnected and then re-established (step S108).

[0176] When it is determined that the NFC communication between the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B is disconnected and then re-established (step S108: YES), the suction device 100A confirms the storage of the information to be copied (step S110). For example, the suction device 100A cancels the time limit imposed on the information to be copied.

[0177] On the other hand, if it is determined that the NFC communication between the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B has not been disconnected or has not been re-established after being disconnected (step S108: NO), the suction device 100A determines whether or not the time limit has elapsed (step S112). If it is determined that the time limit has not elapsed (step S112: NO), the process returns to step S108 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time limit has elapsed (step S112: YES), the suction device 100A deletes the temporary storage of the information to be copied (step S114).

[0178] In this flow, an example has been described in which the suction apparatus 100B determines whether or not NFC communication has been established, and transmits the information to be copied when it is determined that NFC communication has been established, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The suction apparatus 100A may determine whether or not NFC communication has been established, and when it is determined that NFC communication has been established, read the information to be copied from the suction apparatus 100B. The reading by the suction apparatus 100A may be realized, for example, by requesting the suction apparatus 100B to transmit the information to be copied, and the suction apparatus 100B transmitting the information to be copied in response to the request.

[0179] -Indirect copying 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process flow executed in the sales system 1 according to the present embodiment. This sequence involves the suction device 100A, the suction device 100B, and the user terminal 200A. This sequence is an example in which the suction devices 100 indirectly copy information to be copied between each other via the user terminal 200.

[0180] 9, first, the user terminal 200A determines whether or not NFC communication has been established with another device (step S202). Here, NFC communication refers to communication between an NFC reader / writer mounted on the user terminal 200A and an NFC tag, and the user terminal 200A performs such determination by performing polling.

[0181] The user terminal 200A waits until NFC communication is established with another device (step S202: NO). When it is determined that NFC communication is established with another device (step S202: YES), the user terminal 200A reads information of the copy target in the established NFC communication (step S204). For example, when NFC communication is established with the suction device 100B, the user terminal 200A reads information of the copy target from the suction device 100B. Then, the user terminal 200A stores the read information of the copy target (step S206).

[0182] Next, the user terminal 200A determines whether or not NFC communication has been established with the suction device 100A (step S208). Here, NFC communication refers to communication between an NFC reader / writer mounted on the user terminal 200A and an NFC tag, and the user terminal 200A performs such determination by performing polling.

[0183] The user terminal 200A waits until NFC communication is established with the suction device 100A (step S208: NO). If it is determined that NFC communication is established with the suction device 100A (step S208: YES), the user terminal 200A transmits information to be copied in the established NFC communication (step S210). For example, the user terminal 200A writes the information to be copied read from the suction device 100B to the NFC tag of the suction device 100A.

[0184] The suction apparatus 100A temporarily stores the received information to be copied (step S212). For example, the suction apparatus 100A stores the information to be copied with a time limit, and starts a timer that times out when the time limit has elapsed.

[0185] Next, the suction device 100A determines whether or not the NFC communication between the suction device 100A and the user terminal 200A has been disconnected and then re-established (step S214).

[0186] When it is determined that the NFC communication between the suction device 100A and the user terminal 200A is disconnected and then re-established (step S214: YES), the suction device 100A confirms the storage of the information to be copied (step S216). For example, the suction device 100A cancels the time limit imposed on the information to be copied.

[0187] On the other hand, if it is determined that the NFC communication between the suction device 100A and the user terminal 200A has not been disconnected or has not been re-established after being disconnected (step S214: NO), the suction device 100A determines whether or not the time limit has elapsed (step S218). If it is determined that the time limit has not elapsed (step S218: NO), the process returns to step S214 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the time limit has elapsed (step S218: YES), the suction device 100A deletes the temporary storage of the information to be copied (step S220).

[0188] <<3. Summary>> 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.

[0189] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the sales terminal 300 is configured as a cash register or a POS terminal installed in a store that sells substrates, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the sales terminal 300 may be configured as a vending machine. In that case, the sales terminal 300 may highlight the position of a button for selecting a substrate corresponding to the brand information received from the suction device 100, and may provide the substrate in exchange for a user's insertion of money.

[0190] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which NFC is used for wireless communication between the suction device 100 and the user terminal 200, wireless communication between the suction device 100 and the sales terminal 300, and wireless communication between the suction device 100 and another suction device 100, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, at least any of these wireless communications may be performed using another short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth.

[0191] The suction device 100 may be configured so that the outer shell is removable, and the communication module may be provided in the outer shell. For example, an NFC tag may be provided in the outer shell.

[0192] For example, at least a portion of the components included in vending terminal 300 may be externally attached to vending terminal 300. For example, the function of communication unit 330 that communicates with suction device 100 (e.g., an NFC reader / writer) may be externally attached to vending terminal 300. The same applies to the other components of vending terminal 300 and the components of other devices.

[0193] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the server 400 collects information via the sales terminal 300, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the user terminal 200 may transmit information to the server 400. As an example, the user terminal 200 may transmit information synchronized with the suction device 100 to the server 400 separately.

[0194] For example, the suction device 100 may store a plurality of pieces of brand information. Then, the suction device 100 may select the brand information to be transmitted from the plurality of pieces of brand information stored. For example, the suction device 100 may transmit the brand information of the most recently used base material. The same applies to the profile information.

[0195] 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, for example, in a recording medium (non-transitory medium) provided inside or outside each device. Then, each program is loaded into a RAM when executed by a computer, for example, and 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.

[0196] 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.

[0197] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) 1. An inhalation device that uses a substrate to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user, comprising: A storage unit that stores information; a communication unit that receives information from another device when a first condition is satisfied; a control unit that stores the information received from the other device in the storage unit when a second condition is satisfied; A suction device comprising: (2) The first condition includes that wireless communication is established between the suction device and the other device. The suction device described in (1) above. (3) The second condition includes that wireless communication between the suction device and the other device is disconnected and then re-established. The suction device according to (1) or (2). (4) The second condition includes that a predetermined user operation has been performed on at least one of the suction device or the other device. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (3) above. (5) The wireless communication between the suction device and the other device is short-range wireless communication. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (4) above. (6) The short-range wireless communication is NFC (Near Field Communication), The suction device described in (5) above. (7) the suction device temporarily stores the information received from the other device with a time limit when the first condition is satisfied, releases the time limit imposed on the temporarily stored information received from the other device when the second condition is satisfied before the time limit has elapsed, and deletes the temporarily stored information received from the other device when the time limit has elapsed without the second condition being satisfied. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (6) above. (8) the suction device stores the information received from the other device in a volatile storage medium when the first condition is satisfied, and stores the information received from the other device stored in the volatile storage medium in a non-volatile storage medium when the second condition is satisfied; The suction device according to any one of (1) to (7) above. (9) The information received from the other device includes identification information of the substrate. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (8) above. (10) The information received from the other device includes profile information indicating a profile that defines an operation of the suction device to heat the substrate to generate the aerosol. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (9) above. (11) The profile information is identification information indicating the profile. The suction device according to (10) above. (12) The information received from the other device includes identification information indicating a combination of identification information of the substrate and profile information indicating a profile that defines an operation of heating the substrate performed by the suction device to generate the aerosol. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (11) above. (13) The information received from the other device includes route information indicating a route along which the information received from the other device was transmitted and received. The suction device according to (12) above. (14) The route information includes identification information indicating the suction device through which the information received from the other device has passed. The suction device according to (13) above. (15) The route information includes identification information indicating the user who uses the suction device through which the information received from the other device has passed. The suction device according to (13) or (14) above. (16) The information received from the other device includes frequency information indicating the number of times the information received from the other device has been transmitted and received. The suction device according to any one of (1) to (15) above. (17) The number of times information includes the number of the suction devices through which the information received from the other device has passed. The suction device according to (16) above. (18) The frequency information includes the number of users who use the suction device via the information received from the other device. The suction device according to (16) or (17) above. (19) a plurality of inhalation devices that use a substrate to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user; the suction device receiving information from another of the suction devices when a first condition is met; the suction device stores the information received from the other suction devices when a second condition is met; system. (20) A computer that controls an inhalation device that uses a substrate to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, receiving information from another device if a first condition is met; storing information received from the other device if a second condition is met; and A program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] 1. Sales System 100 Suction device 110 Power supply unit 111 Power supply section 112 Sensor section 113 Notification Department 114 Storage section 115 Communications Department 116 Control Unit 120 Cartridge 121 Heating section 122 Liquid guiding part 123 Liquid storage unit 124 Mouthpiece 130 Flavoring cartridge 131 Flavor source 140 Holding part 141 Interior Space 142 Aperture 143 Bottom 144 Insulation section 150 Stick-type substrate 151 Base material part 152 Mouthpiece 180 Air flow path 181 Air inlet 182 Air outlet 200 User terminals 300 Sales Terminals 400 Servers

Claims

1. 1. An inhalation device that uses a substrate to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user, comprising: A storage unit that stores information; a communication unit that receives information from another device when a first condition is satisfied; a control unit that stores the information received from the other device in the storage unit when a second condition is satisfied; Equipped with the first condition includes that wireless communication is established between the suction device and the other device, the second condition includes that wireless communication between the suction device and the other device is disconnected and then re-established; Suction device.

2. the second condition includes a predetermined user operation being performed on at least one of the suction device or the other device; 2. The suction device of claim 1.

3. The wireless communication between the suction device and the other device is short-range wireless communication.

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

4. The short-range wireless communication is Near Field Communication (NFC).

4. The suction device according to claim 3.

5. the suction device temporarily stores the information received from the other device with a time limit when the first condition is satisfied, releases the time limit imposed on the temporarily stored information received from the other device when the second condition is satisfied before the time limit has elapsed, and deletes the temporarily stored information received from the other device when the time limit has elapsed without the second condition being satisfied. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the suction device stores the information received from the other device in a volatile storage medium when the first condition is satisfied, and stores the information received from the other device stored in the volatile storage medium in a non-volatile storage medium when the second condition is satisfied. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The information received from the other device includes identification information of the substrate. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The information received from the other device includes profile information indicating a profile that defines an operation of the suction device to heat the substrate to generate the aerosol. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The profile information is identification information indicating the profile.

9. The suction device according to claim 8.

10. The information received from the other device includes identification information indicating a combination of identification information of the substrate and profile information indicating a profile that defines an operation of heating the substrate performed by the suction device to generate the aerosol. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The information received from the other device includes route information indicating a route along which the information received from the other device was transmitted and received.

11. The suction device of claim 10.

12. The route information includes identification information indicating the suction device through which the information received from the other device has passed.

12. The suction device of claim 11.

13. The route information includes identification information indicating the user who uses the suction device through which the information received from the other device has passed.

13. A suction device according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The information received from the other device includes frequency information indicating the number of times the information received from the other device has been transmitted and received. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The number of times information includes the number of the suction devices through which the information received from the other device has passed.

15. A suction device according to claim 14.

16. The frequency information includes the number of users who use the suction device via the information received from the other device.

16. A suction device according to claim 14 or 15.

17. a plurality of inhalation devices that use a substrate to generate an aerosol that is inhaled by a user; the suction device receives information from another of the suction devices when a first condition is met; the suction device stores information received from the other suction devices when a second condition is met; the first condition includes that wireless communication is established between the suction device and another suction device, the second condition includes that wireless communication between the suction device and the other suction device is disconnected and then re-established; system.

18. A computer that controls an inhalation device that uses a substrate to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by a user, receiving information from another device if a first condition is met; storing information received from said other device if a second condition is met; and Run the command, the first condition includes that wireless communication is established between the suction device and the other device, the second condition includes that wireless communication between the suction device and the other device is disconnected and then re-established; program.

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