Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a customization mechanism with which it is possible to easily realize a flavor desired by a user. [Solution] An information processing device used by an inhalation device for heating an aerosol source contained in a substrate on the basis of control information stipulating a parameter relating to a temperature to which the aerosol source is to be heated to generate an aerosol, the information processing device comprising a control unit for controlling a customization process including generating a display image displaying an operation subject for setting the parameter included in the control information, and changing the parameter included in the control information in accordance with a user operation on the operation subject displayed in the generated display image. When repeatedly executing the customization process, the control unit sets a method for changing the parameter in a subsequent customization process on the basis of change content for the parameter in the previous customization process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Suction devices that generate substances to be inhaled by users, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, are widely spread. For example, a suction device uses a base material including an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol, etc., to generate an aerosol to which a flavor component is imparted. A user can enjoy a flavor by inhaling the aerosol to which a flavor component is imparted, which is generated by the suction device. The operation of a user inhaling an aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as a puff or a puff operation.

[0003] Preferences for the flavor (hereinafter also referred to as taste) experienced when puffing vary from user to user. Therefore, it is preferable that the temperature for heating the aerosol source, which directly affects the taste, can be customized by the user. Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for a user to customize the temperature for heating the aerosol source.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, there are cases where it is difficult for a user to perform customization as desired.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a customization mechanism that enables a user to easily achieve a desired taste.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a control unit that controls a customization process including generating a display image for displaying an operation target for setting a parameter included in control information, the parameter being related to a temperature for heating an aerosol source contained in a base material and being used to generate an aerosol by heating the aerosol source based on the control information; changing the parameter included in the control information in response to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; and setting a method for changing the parameter in a next customization process based on the content of the change of the parameter in the previous customization process when the customization process is repeatedly executed.

[0008] The display image includes an axis on which the operation target is movably arranged, and the control unit changes the parameter based on a position of the operation target on the axis in the customization process, and sets a correspondence relationship between a position on the axis in a next customization process and a value set as the parameter when the operation target is located at the position based on the content of the change of the parameter in the previous customization process.

[0009] The control unit sets, as the parameter, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to a difference between the reference position and the position of the operation target from a first value corresponding to a reference position on the axis in the customization process, and sets the first value in a next customization process based on the parameter set in the previous customization process.

[0010] The control unit may set the parameter set in the previous customization process as the first value in the next customization process.

[0011] In the customization process, the control unit sets, as the parameter, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to the distance between the reference position and the position of the operation target from the first value corresponding to the reference position on the axis, and sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process based on the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process.

[0012] The control unit may set the second value per unit distance in the next customization process to be larger as the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process is larger, and set the second value per unit distance in the next customization process to be smaller as the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process is smaller.

[0013] The control unit may set the second value per unit distance in the next customization process so that an integer multiple of the second value per unit distance in the next customization process matches the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process.

[0014] The initial position of the operation target in the display image may be the reference position on the axis.

[0015] The reference position may be the center of the axis.

[0016] The display image includes a plurality of the axes, each of the plurality of axes corresponds to each of a plurality of timings, and the control unit may set the parameter at each of the plurality of timings based on the position of the operation target on each of the plurality of axes.

[0017] The control unit may cause the display mode of the portion corresponding to the value that can be set as the parameter among the axes in the display image to be different from the display mode of the portion corresponding to the value that cannot be set among the axes.

[0018] Also, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol source contained in a base material is heated based on control information defining a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source, and an aerosol is generated by a suction device that uses the aerosol. Generating a display image that displays an operation target for setting the parameter included in the control information; and changing the parameter included in the control information according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image. Controlling a customization process including: when repeatedly executing the customization process, setting a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change of the parameter in the previous customization process. An information processing method is provided.

[0019] Also, in order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is caused to generate a display image that displays an operation target for setting a parameter included in control information used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on the control information defining the parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source, and according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image, changing the parameter included in the control information, and functioning as a control unit that controls a customization process including: when repeatedly executing the customization process, setting a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change of the parameter in the previous customization process. A program is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, a customization mechanism is provided that enables a user to easily achieve a desired taste.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] 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 configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0023] <1. Configuration Example> (1) Configuration Example of the System FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a suction device 100 and a terminal device 200.

[0024] The suction device 100 is a device that generates a substance to be suctioned by a user. Hereinafter, the substance generated by the suction device 100 will be described as being an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the suction device may be a gas. The suction device 100 uses a stick-shaped base material 150 to generate an aerosol. The stick-shaped base material 150 is an example of a base material containing an aerosol source. The suction device 100 is an example of an aerosol generating device that heats the aerosol source contained in the base material to generate an aerosol.

[0025] The terminal device 200 is an information processing device that performs various information processes related to the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 is used by the user of the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 may be any device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, or a PC (Personal Computer). Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may be a charger that charges the suction device 100.

[0026] The terminal device 200 is used to change the settings of the suction device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 receives a user operation for changing the settings of the suction device 100 and changes the settings of the suction device 100.

[0027] (2) Configuration example of the suction device FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the suction device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100 includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a holding unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0028] The power supply unit 111 stores electric power. Then, based on the control by the control unit 116, the power supply unit 111 supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100. The power supply unit 111 can be configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.

[0029] The sensor unit 112 acquires various information regarding the suction device 100. As an example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by an input device such as a button or a switch that receives input of information from the user.

[0030] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured by, for example, 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.

[0031] The storage unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0032] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, standards using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) can be adopted.

[0033] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation within the suction device 100 according to various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor, for example.

[0034] The holding unit 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 unit 140 has an opening 142 that communicates with the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the holding unit 140 is a cylindrical body having the opening 142 and the bottom 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the holding unit 140. The air inlet hole, which is the inlet of air into the air flow path, is disposed on the side surface of the suction device 100, for example. The air outlet hole, which is the outlet of air from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is disposed on the bottom 143, for example.

[0035] The stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a suction port portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water, for example. The aerosol source may contain a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the suction device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug. Note that in this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid and may be a solid. In a state where the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held by the holding unit 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 port portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Then, when the user holds and sucks the suction port portion 152 protruding from the opening 142, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's oral cavity together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0036] The heating unit 121 atomizes the aerosol source by heating it to generate an aerosol. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the base material portion 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the user starts suction and / or when predetermined information is input, as detected by the sensor unit 112. And power supply may be stopped when the user ends suction and / or when predetermined information is input, as detected by the sensor unit 112.

[0037] The heat insulation part 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating part 121 to other components. For example, the heat insulation part 144 is composed of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0038] The configuration example of the suction device 100 has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and it can take various configurations exemplified below.

[0039] As an example, the heating unit 121 may be configured in a blade shape and arranged to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141. In that case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the base material portion 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 and heats the base material portion 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be arranged to cover the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. Further, the heating unit 121 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit that covers the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit that covers the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140.

[0040] As another example, the holding part 140 may include an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a part of the outer shell forming the internal space 141. Then, the holding part 140 may sandwich the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening and closing the outer shell. In that case, the heating part 121 may be provided at the sandwiching position in the holding part 140 and may heat while pressing the stick-shaped base material 150.

[0041] Further, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating part 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100 has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field instead of the heating part 121. The susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100 or may be included in the stick-shaped base material 150.

[0042] Note that the suction device 100 generates an aerosol to be sucked by the user by cooperating with the stick-shaped base material 150. Therefore, the combination of the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped base material 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system.

[0043] (3) Configuration example of the terminal device FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 200 includes an input part 210, an output part 220, a detection part 230, a communication part 240, a storage part 250, and a control part 260.

[0044] The input part 210 has a function of receiving the input of various information. The input part 210 may include an input device that receives the input of information from the user. Examples of the input device include buttons, keyboards, touch panels, and microphones. In addition, the input part 210 may include various sensors such as an image sensor.

[0045] The output unit 220 has a function of outputting information. The output unit 220 may include an output device that outputs information to the user. Examples of the output device include a display device that displays information, a light-emitting device that emits light, a vibrating device that vibrates, and a sound output device that outputs sound. An example of the display device is a display. An example of the light-emitting device is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). An example of the vibrating device is an eccentric motor. An example of the 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 260.

[0046] The detection unit 230 has a function of detecting information related to the terminal device 200. The detection unit 230 may detect the position information of the terminal device 200. For example, the detection unit 230 receives a GNSS signal from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite (for example, a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite) and detects position information composed of the latitude and longitude of the device. The detection unit 230 may detect the movement of the terminal device 200. For example, the detection unit 230 includes a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor and detects angular velocity and acceleration.

[0047] The communication unit 240 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and other devices. The communication unit 240 performs communication compliant with any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, standards using USB (Universal Serial Bus), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) may be adopted.

[0048] The storage unit 250 stores various information. The storage unit 250 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0049] The control unit 260 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or a control device, and controls the overall operations within the terminal device 200 according to various programs. The control unit 260 is realized, for example, by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. Additionally, the control unit 260 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and arithmetic parameters to be used, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. Based on the control by the control unit 260, the terminal device 200 executes various processes. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 260 include the processing of information input by the input unit 210, the output of information by the output unit 220, the detection of information by the detection unit 230, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 240, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 250. Other processes executed by the terminal device 200, such as the input of information to each component and the processing based on the information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 260.

[0050] Note that the functions of the control unit 260 may be realized using an application. The application may be pre-installed or downloaded. Also, the functions of the control unit 260 may be realized by PWAs (Progressive Web Apps).

[0051] <2. Technical Features> (1) Heating Profile The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. The control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is realized by controlling the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 uses the power supplied from the power supply unit 111 to heat the stick-shaped base material 150.

[0052] A heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which an aerosol source is heated. The heating profile defines parameters related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source. An example of the temperature for heating the aerosol source is the temperature of the heating unit 121. An example of a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature). The temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change according to the elapsed time since the start of heating. In that case, the heating profile includes information defining the time-series change of the target temperature. As another example, the heating profile may include parameters (hereinafter also referred to as power supply parameters) defining the power supply method to the heating unit 121. The power supply parameters include, for example, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121, the ON / OFF of power supply to the heating unit 121, or the type of feedback control to be adopted. The ON / OFF of power supply to the heating unit 121 may be regarded as the ON / OFF of the heating unit 121.

[0053] The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed so that the flavor experienced by the user is optimized when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.

[0054] The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved by, for example, known feedback control. The feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller). The control unit 116 can supply the power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In that case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio or frequency of the power pulses in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple on / off control in the feedback control. For example, the control unit 116 may execute heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, interrupt the heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume the heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature.

[0055] The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor that constitutes the heating unit 121). This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor changes according to the temperature. The electrical resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the voltage drop amount across the heating resistor. The voltage drop amount across the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In other examples, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating unit 121.

[0056] The period from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 is hereinafter also referred to as a heating session. In other words, the heating session is a period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled based on a heating profile. The start timing of the heating session is the timing at which heating based on the heating profile starts. The end timing of the heating session is the timing at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. The heating session includes a first preheating period and a second puffable period. The puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is assumed to be generated. The preheating period is a period from the start of heating until the puffable period starts. The heating performed during the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.

[0057] The notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing at which the preheating ends. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify information predicting the end of the preheating before the preheating ends, or may notify information indicating that the preheating has ended at the timing when the preheating ends. Notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting of an LED or vibration. The user can perform puffing immediately after the end of the preheating with reference to such notification.

[0058] Similarly, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing at which the puffable period ends. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify information predicting the end of the puffable period before the puffable period ends, or may notify information indicating that the puffable period has ended at the timing when the puffable period ends. Notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting of an LED or vibration. The user can perform puffing until the puffable period ends with reference to such notification.

[0059] An example of the heating profile will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a graph schematically showing an example of the heating profile. The horizontal axis of graph 20 represents time. The vertical axis of graph 20 represents temperature. Line 21 shows the time-series change of the target temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the target temperature rapidly rises to around 300°C after the start of heating, and then decreases to about 230°C and is maintained until the end. During the period when the temperature decreases, the power supply to the heating unit 121 is interrupted and the heating is turned off. On the horizontal axis, the timings at which puffs are performed from the first to the fifteenth times (hereinafter also referred to as puff timings) are displayed as #1 to #15. The puff timings may be set in advance. The time until the first puff timing is the preheating period, and fifteen puff timings are set in the subsequent puffable period.

[0060] Note that restrictions may be imposed on the customization of the heating profile (i.e., the change of the target temperature). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the second puff timing to the fifteenth puff timing are the customization targets, and the change of the target temperature at the first puff timing is restricted. This is because it is desirable to rapidly increase the temperature of the heating unit 121 and maintain it at a high temperature during the preheating period, and excessive temperature changes are not desirable. On the other hand, from the second puff timing to the fifteenth puff timing, the temperature that can be set as the target temperature is limited to the range from the lower limit temperature of 190°C to the upper limit temperature of 290°C, and changes to temperatures exceeding this range may be restricted. The range of the temperature that can be set can be appropriately set according to the specifications of the heating unit 121 and the like.

[0061] (2) Customization of the heating profile The terminal device 200 (for example, the control unit 260) controls the customization process. The customization process is a process of changing the heating profile used by the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 repeatedly executes the customization process until a heating profile that realizes the desired taste of the user is generated. By repeating the customization process, the heating profile can be gradually approximated to an ideal heating profile that realizes the desired taste of the user.

[0062] The customization process includes generating a customization screen. The customization screen is a display image that displays an operation target for setting the target temperature included in the heating profile used by the suction device 100. Further, the customization process includes changing the target temperature included in the heating profile according to a user operation on the operation target displayed on the generated customization screen. Typically, the taste can be enhanced by raising the target temperature and weakened by lowering the target temperature. According to such a configuration, the user can gradually change the heating profile so as to approach the desired taste while repeating the operation on the operation target displayed on the customization screen. An example of the customization screen will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the customization screen according to the present embodiment. The customization screen 30 includes a shaft 32 (32-1 to 312-15) on which points 31 (31-1 to 31-15) are movably arranged. The point 31 is an example of an operation target by the user. The position on the shaft 32 corresponds to the value (i.e., temperature) set as the target temperature. That is, the temperature corresponding to the position of the point 31 is set as the target temperature. The user can change the target temperature included in the heating profile by moving the point 31 on the shaft 32.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5, the customization screen 30 includes a plurality of axes 32. Each of the plurality of axes 32 corresponds to each of the plurality of puff timings. And the control unit 260 sets the target temperature at each of the plurality of puff timings based on the position of the point 31 on each of the plurality of axes 32. For example, axis 32-3 corresponds to the third puff timing. Therefore, the control unit 260 sets the target temperature at the third puff timing based on the position of the point 31-3 on axis 32-3. The same applies to other puff timings. When the terminal device 200 detects the start of heating by the suction device 100, each time the puff timing arrives, the terminal device 200 may prompt the user to perform puffing by displaying a screen or vibrating the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 may display the customization screen 30 during the heating session to receive user operations, or may display the customization screen 30 after the heating session to receive user operations. According to such a configuration, the user can customize the heating profile so that the taste at each puff timing is as expected.

[0065] In the customization process, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature based on the position of the point 31 on the axis 32. More specifically, in the customization process, the terminal device 200 sets, as the target temperature, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to the distance between the reference position and the position of the point 31 to a reference value corresponding to the reference position on the axis 32. When the point 31 is located above the reference position, the terminal device 200 sets, as the target temperature, a value obtained by adding the second value to the first value. On the other hand, when the point 31 is located below the reference position, the terminal device 200 sets, as the target temperature, a value obtained by subtracting the second value from the first value. The longer the distance between the reference position and the position of the point 31, the larger the second value, and the shorter the distance between the reference position and the position of the point 31, the smaller the second value. The first value corresponds to the target temperature before the change. And the second value corresponds to the amount of change from the target temperature before the change. That is, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature more greatly as the position of the point 31 is farther from the reference position, and changes the target temperature less as the position of the point 31 is closer to the reference position. According to such a configuration, the user can intuitively and easily change the target temperature.

[0066] In the customization screen 30, the point 31 can move on the axis 32 in predetermined distance units. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the axis 32 has seven graduations, the point 31 is located at the central graduation, and can move up and down by three graduations. The user can set the target temperature by positioning the point 31 at any of the seven graduations.

[0067]

[0066] Here, when the terminal device 200 repeatedly executes the customization process, it sets the method for changing the target temperature in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. According to such a configuration, the method for changing the target temperature in the next customization process can be optimized according to the content of the change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. Thereby, it becomes possible to improve the usability regarding customization in the heating profile.

[0068] Specifically, the terminal device 200 sets the correspondence relationship between the position on the axis 32 in the next customization process and the temperature set as the target temperature when the point 31 is located at that position, based on the content of the change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. That is, the terminal device 200 updates the correspondence relationship between the position on the axis 32 and the temperature corresponding to that position based on how much the target temperature was increased or decreased in the previous customization process. According to such a configuration, the above correspondence relationship in the next customization process can be updated in accordance with the user's intention, such as wanting to greatly change or finely change the target temperature, inferred from the content of the change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. Therefore, it becomes possible to reach a heating profile that realizes the taste as the user desires with a smaller number of repetitions of the customization process.

[0069] First, the terminal device 200 sets the first value in the next customization process based on the target temperature set in the previous customization process. More specifically, the terminal device 200 sets the target temperature set in the previous customization process as the first value in the next customization process. For example, for a certain performance timing, the terminal device 200 sets the first value to be the target temperature set at that timing in the previous customization process. According to such a configuration, in the process of repeating the customization process, it becomes possible to repeatedly change the target temperature based on the previously set target temperature. Note that in the first customization process, the terminal device 200 sets an initial value as the first value.

[0070] The initial position of point 31 on the customization screen 30 is the reference position on axis 32. The reference position is the position corresponding to the first value, that is, the target temperature before the change. Therefore, when the position of point 31 remains at the reference position after the terminal device 200 receives a user operation, the terminal device 200 does not change the target temperature. On the other hand, when the user moves the position of point 31 from the reference position, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature according to such movement. According to such a configuration, the user can intuitively change the heating profile by moving point 31 from the reference position.

[0071] The reference position may be the center of axis 32. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the reference position is the vertical center of axis 32. Then, when the position of point 31 is moved above the center of axis 32, the terminal device 200 increases the target temperature compared to before the change, and when the position of point 31 is moved below the center of axis 32, the terminal device 200 decreases the target temperature compared to before the change. According to such a configuration, the user can increase or decrease the target temperature by moving point 31 up and down from the reference position.

[0072] Second, the terminal device 200 sets a second value per unit distance in the next customization process based on the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. Specifically, the terminal device 200 sets the amount of temperature change per scale of the axis 32 in the next customization process based on the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. The amount of temperature change per scale of the axis 32 is also referred to as the resolution below.

[0073] Specifically, the terminal device 200 sets a larger resolution in the next customization process as the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process is larger. On the other hand, the terminal device 200 sets a smaller resolution in the next customization process as the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process is smaller. As a typical process for customizing the heating profile, it is conceivable to roughly approximate the taste to the ideal while largely changing the target temperature, and then finely adjust the taste while finely changing the target temperature. In this regard, by adjusting the resolution according to the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process, it becomes possible to automatically realize the customization of the heating profile along the above typical process.

[0074] Furthermore, the terminal device 200 may set the resolution in the next customization process such that an integer multiple of the resolution in the next customization process matches the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. In other words, the terminal device 200 may set the value obtained by dividing the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process by an integer as the resolution in the next customization process. The integer here is preferably invariant in the repeated customization process. According to such a configuration, the user can change the target temperature in the next customization process based on the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process.

[0075] As an example, the terminal device 200 may set the resolution based on the following formula.

[0076]

Equation

[0077] Here, ΔT is the resolution. n is the number of repetitions of the next customization process. T n-1 is the target temperature set in the previous customization process. T n-2 is the target temperature set in the customization process before the previous one. The correspondence between the position and temperature on the axis 32 when the above formula (1) is used will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the position and temperature on the axis 32 in the next customization process when the target temperature was increased in the previous customization process. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 200 sets the target temperature T n-1 set in the previous customization process as the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32. Then, the terminal device 200 sets T n-1 +ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale one above the center of the axis 32, sets T n-1 +2ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale two above, and sets T n-1 +3ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale three above. On the other hand, the terminal device 200 sets T n-1 -ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale one below the center of the axis 32, sets T n-1 -2ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale two below, and sets T n-1 -3ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale three below. Note that the resolution ΔT is calculated by the above formula (1), and since T n-1 >T n-2 it follows that T n-1 -2ΔT is equal to T n-2 .

[0079] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the position and temperature on the axis 32 in the next customization process when the target temperature was lowered in the previous customization process. As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 200 sets the target temperature T set in the previous customization process as the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32. n-1 And the terminal device 200 sets T n-1 +ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale one above the center of the axis 32, and sets T n-1 +2ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale two above, and sets T n-1 +3ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale three above. On the other hand, the terminal device 200 sets T n-1 -ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale one below the center of the axis 32, and sets T n-1 -2ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale two below, and sets T n-1 -3ΔT as the temperature corresponding to the scale three below. Note that the resolution ΔT is calculated by the above formula (1), and since T n-1 <T n-2 , T n-1 +2ΔT is equal to T n-2 .

[0080] Note that according to the above formula (1), twice the resolution ΔT in the next customization process matches the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. Therefore, by moving the point 31 by two scales from the center of the axis 32, the target temperature can be changed by the same amount as in the previous time. Therefore, by moving the point 31 two scales up or down from the center of the axis 32, it is possible to change the target temperature in the same way as in the previous time or cancel the change in the target temperature in the previous time.

[0081] (3) Specific example As described above, the method for changing the target temperature in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the target temperature in the previous customization process has been explained. Hereinafter, specific examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11.

[0082] - First specific example FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a first specific example of updating the correspondence between the scale of the shaft 32 and the temperature corresponding to a certain one timing. In this figure, an example in the case where the target temperature is increased in the second customization process and the third customization process is illustrated. In the first customization process, three scales are set on the shaft 32, and in the customization processes after the second time, seven scales are set on the shaft 32. In this way, the operation can be made easier to understand by reducing the number of scales, or fine customization can be enabled by increasing the number of scales.

[0083] In the first customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the middle scale of the shaft 32 to 230° C., which is the initial value T0, and sets the resolution ΔT to 16° C. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 200 sets 246° C., 230° C., and 214° C. in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the first customization process, the point 31 is moved by the user to the scale one above the middle of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 230° C. to 246° C.

[0084] In the first customization process, the target temperature is increased by 16° C. and set to 246° C. Therefore, in the second customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the middle scale of the shaft 32 to 246° C., which is the target temperature T1 set in the first customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 8° C. based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 200 sets 270° C., 262° C., 254° C., 246° C., 238° C., 230° C., and 222° C. in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the second customization process, the point 31 is moved by the user to the scale three above the middle of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 246° C. to 270° C.

[0085] In the second customization process, the target temperature was increased by 24°C and set to 270°C. Therefore, in the third customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 270°C, which is the target temperature T2 set in the second customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 12°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 200 sets 306°C, 294°C, 282°C, 270°C, 258°C, 246°C, and 234°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the third customization process, the point 31 has been moved to the scale one above the center of the shaft 32 by the user. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 270°C to 282°C.

[0086] In the third customization process, the target temperature was increased by 12°C and set to 282°C. Therefore, in the fourth customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 282°C, which is the target temperature T3 set in the third customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 6°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 200 sets 302°C, 296°C, 288°C, 282°C, 276°C, 270°C, and 264°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, in the third and fourth customization processes, the portion of the shaft 32 that exceeds the upper limit temperature of 290°C that can be set as the target temperature is indicated by a dashed line. And the movement of the point 31 to the dashed line portion is restricted. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to clearly show the user that setting a temperature exceeding the upper limit temperature of 290°C as the target temperature is restricted.

[0088] - Second specific example FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a second specific example of updating the correspondence between the scale of the axis 32 and the temperature corresponding to a certain one puffer timing. In this figure, an example is illustrated in which the target temperature is increased in the second customization process and decreased in the third customization process. Regarding the number of scales on the axis 32 in the first to fourth customization processes, it is the same as in FIG. 8.

[0089] In the first customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32 to 230° C., which is the initial value T0, and sets the resolution ΔT to 16° C. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal device 200 sets 246° C., 230° C., and 214° C. for the scales of the axis 32 in order from the top. In the first customization process, the point 31 is moved by the user to the scale one above the center of the axis 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 230° C. to 246° C.

[0090] In the first customization process, the target temperature is increased by 16° C. and set to 246° C. Therefore, in the second customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32 to 246° C., which is the target temperature T1 set in the first customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 8° C. based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal device 200 sets 270° C., 262° C., 254° C., 246° C., 238° C., 230° C., and 222° C. for the scales of the axis 32 in order from the top. In the second customization process, the point 31 is moved by the user to the scale two above the center of the axis 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 246° C. to 262° C.

[0091] In the second customization process, the target temperature was increased by 16°C and set to 262°C. Therefore, in the third customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 262°C, which is the target temperature T2 set in the second customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 8°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal device 200 sets 286°C, 278°C, 270°C, 262°C, 254°C, 246°C, and 238°C in order from the top for the scales on the shaft 32. In the third customization process, the point 31 has been moved by the user to the scale one below the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 262°C to 254°C.

[0092] In the third customization process, the target temperature was decreased by 8°C and set to 254°C. Therefore, in the fourth customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 254°C, which is the target temperature T3 set in the third customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 4°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the terminal device 200 sets 266°C, 262°C, 258°C, 254°C, 250°C, 246°C, and 242°C in order from the top for the scales on the shaft 32.

[0093] - The Third Specific Example FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example of updating the correspondence between the scale on the shaft 32 and the temperature corresponding to a certain timing. In this figure, an example is illustrated in which the target temperature is decreased in the second customization process and the third customization process. The number of scales on the shaft 32 in the first customization process to the fourth customization process is the same as in FIG. 8.

[0094] In the first customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 230°C, which is the initial value T0, and sets the resolution ΔT to 16°C. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 200 sets 246°C, 230°C, and 214°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the first customization process, the point 31 has been moved by the user to the scale one above the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 230°C to 246°C.

[0095] In the first customization process, the target temperature was increased by 16°C and set to 246°C. Therefore, in the second customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 246°C, which is the target temperature T1 set in the first customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 8°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 200 sets 270°C, 262°C, 254°C, 246°C, 238°C, 230°C, and 222°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the second customization process, the point 31 has been moved by the user to the scale three below the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 246°C to 222°C.

[0096] In the second customization process, the target temperature was decreased by 24°C and set to 222°C. Therefore, in the third customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 222°C, which is the target temperature T2 set in the second customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 12°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 200 sets 258°C, 246°C, 234°C, 222°C, 210°C, 198°C, and 186°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the third customization process, the point 31 has been moved by the user to the scale two below the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 222°C to 198°C.

[0097] In the third customization process, the target temperature was lowered by 24°C and set to 198°C. Therefore, in the fourth customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 198°C, which is the target temperature T3 set in the third customization process, and sets the resolution ΔT to 12°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 200 sets 234°C, 222°C, 210°C, 198°C, 186°C, 174°C, and 162°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 10, in the third and fourth customization processes, the part of the shaft 32 below the lower limit temperature of 190°C that can be set as the target temperature is indicated by a broken line. And the movement of the point 31 to the broken line part is restricted. According to such a configuration, it is possible to clearly show the user that setting a temperature below the lower limit temperature of 190°C as the target temperature is restricted.

[0099] -The Fourth Specific Example FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a fourth specific example of updating the correspondence between the scale and the temperature of the shaft 32 corresponding to a certain performance timing. In this figure, an example is illustrated in which the target temperature is lowered in the second customization process and raised in the third customization process. The number of scales on the shaft 32 in the first to fourth customization processes is the same as that in FIG. 8.

[0100] In the first customization process, the terminal device 200 sets the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 230°C, which is the initial value T0, and sets the resolution ΔT to 16°C. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 200 sets 246°C, 230°C, and 214°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the first customization process, the point 31 has been moved by the user to the scale one above the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature from 230°C to 246°C.

[0101] In the first customization process, the target temperature was increased by 16°C and set to 246°C. Therefore, in the second customization process, the terminal device 200 set the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 246°C, which was the target temperature T1 set in the first customization process, and set the resolution ΔT to 8°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 200 set 270°C, 262°C, 254°C, 246°C, 238°C, 230°C, and 222°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the second customization process, the point 31 was moved by the user to the scale one below the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changed the target temperature from 246°C to 238°C.

[0102] In the second customization process, the target temperature was decreased by 8°C and set to 238°C. Therefore, in the third customization process, the terminal device 200 set the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 238°C, which was the target temperature T2 set in the second customization process, and set the resolution ΔT to 4°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 200 set 250°C, 246°C, 242°C, 238°C, 234°C, 230°C, and 226°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32. In the third customization process, the point 31 was moved by the user to the scale one above the center of the shaft 32. Therefore, the terminal device 200 changed the target temperature from 238°C to 242°C.

[0103] In the third customization process, the target temperature was increased by 4°C and set to 242°C. Therefore, in the fourth customization process, the terminal device 200 set the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 to 242°C, which was the target temperature T3 set in the third customization process, and set the resolution ΔT to 2°C based on the above formula (1). That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 200 set 248°C, 246°C, 244°C, 242°C, 240°C, 238°C, and 236°C in order from the top for the scales of the shaft 32.

[0104] - Supplementary The temperature and resolution ΔT corresponding to each scale of the axis 32 may or may not be displayed on the customization screen 30. For example, on the customization screen 30 shown in FIG. 5, the temperature and resolution ΔT corresponding to each scale of the axis 32 at each performance timing are not displayed.

[0105] In the customization screen 30, an example where one point 31 is displayed on one axis 32 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, on one axis 32, in addition to the point 31 that accepts user operations, the target temperature T n-1 corresponding to the previous customization process, and further, the target temperature T n-2 corresponding to the customization process before the previous one may be displayed. In that case, the user can change the target temperature while grasping the history of changes.

[0106] (4) Flow of the process Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, the flow of the process executed in the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process executed in the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 12, first, the control unit 260 detects the start of heating based on the heating profile (step S102). For example, when the suction device 100 starts heating based on the heating profile, the suction device 100 may transmit information indicating the start of heating to the terminal device 200. The control unit 260 can detect the start of heating based on the heating profile based on the reception of such information.

[0108] Next, the control unit 260 sets the temperature and resolution corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32 according to the change content of the target temperature in the previous customization process for each puff timing (step S104). At this time, the control unit 260 sets the target temperature set in the previous customization process to the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32. Then, the control unit 260 sets the resolution based on the amount of change in the target temperature in the previous customization process. The temperature and / or resolution corresponding to the scale at the center of the axis 32 may be different for each puff timing.

[0109] Next, the control unit 260 displays the customization screen 30 and accepts a user operation to move the point 31 on the axis 32 corresponding to each puff timing (step S106). The control unit 260 may control the output unit 220 to display the customization screen 30 during the heating session, display a screen that prompts to perform a puff every time the puff timing arrives, and then prompts to move the point 31 according to the taste.

[0110] Next, the control unit 260 changes the target temperature at each puff timing based on the position of the point 31 on the axis 32 corresponding to each puff timing (step S108). As an example, when the point 31 is moved upward from the scale at the center of the axis 32, the control unit 260 sets, as the target temperature, the temperature obtained by adding the temperature obtained by multiplying the number of moved scales by the resolution to the target temperature set in the previous customization process. As another example, when the point 31 is moved downward from the scale at the center of the axis 32, the control unit 260 sets, as the target temperature, the temperature obtained by subtracting the temperature obtained by multiplying the number of moved scales by the resolution from the target temperature set in the previous customization process. As another example, when the position of the point 31 remains at the scale at the center of the axis 32, the control unit 260 continues to set the target temperature set in the previous customization process as the target temperature.

[0111] Then, the control unit 260 controls the communication unit 240 to transmit the changed heating profile to the suction device 100 (step S110). As a result, from the next time onwards, the suction device 100 can perform heating based on the changed heating profile. The processes according to steps S102 to S110 described above correspond to the customization process.

[0112] Next, the control unit 260 determines whether or not an end condition is satisfied (step S112). An example of the end condition is that the user has instructed to end the customization process. Another example of the end condition is that for all the perf timings, the dot 31 has not moved from the scale at the center of the axis 32. According to such a process, it is possible to repeat the customization process until the change in the target temperature converges and generate a heating profile that realizes the desired taste for the user.

[0113] <3. Supplementary> As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0114] In the above embodiment, an example where the change of the target temperature at the first brewing timing is restricted has been described. However, the taste at the first brewing timing may be changed by other means. For example, the terminal device 200 may change the time until the first brewing timing. Specifically, when the position of the point 31-1 on the axis 32-1 corresponding to the first brewing timing is raised, the terminal device 200 may extend the time until the first brewing timing. In this case, similar to the case of raising the target temperature, it is possible to enhance the taste. On the other hand, when the position of the point 31-1 on the axis 32-1 corresponding to the first brewing timing is lowered, the terminal device 200 may shorten the time until the first brewing timing. In this case, similar to the case of lowering the target temperature, it is possible to weaken the taste.

[0115] The target temperature at the second brewing timing is preferably used as the temperature at which heating turns from OFF to ON (hereinafter also referred to as the reheating temperature). This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the target temperature at the second brewing timing. In this figure, the case where the target temperature at the second brewing timing is changed from 230°C to 246°C is illustrated. Graph 40A shows the heating profile before the change. Line 41A shows the time-series change of the target temperature. Graph 40B shows the heating profile when the target temperature is changed to 246°C and the reheating temperature remains at 230°C. Line 41B shows the time-series change of the target temperature. Graph 40C shows the heating profile when the target temperature and the reheating temperature are changed to 246°C. Line 41C shows the time-series change of the target temperature. As shown in Graph 40B, when the reheating temperature remains at 230°C, the temperature of the heating unit 121 once drops to 230°C and then rises to 246°C, so the effect of improving the taste at the second brewing timing is weak. On the other hand, as shown in Graph 40C, when the reheating temperature is changed to 246°C, the temperature of the heating unit 121 is maintained with 246°C as the lower limit, so it is possible to greatly improve the taste at the second brewing timing.

[0116] In the above embodiment, an example in which the target temperature set in the previous customization process is set as the temperature corresponding to the scale at the center of the shaft 32 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The terminal device 200 may set a value different from the target temperature set in the previous customization process as the first value in the next customization process. For example, the terminal device 200 may set the first value set for a certain performance timing as the average value of the target temperatures set for that performance timing and the performance timings before and after it in the previous customization process.

[0117] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, an example in which a scale is set on the shaft 32 and the temperatures that can be set as the target temperature are set as discrete values has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. The temperature that can be set as the target temperature may be a continuous value. That is, the point 31 may also be movable between the scales on the shaft 32.

[0118] In the above embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, an example in which the portions of the shaft 32 that exceed the upper limit temperature or fall below the lower limit temperature that can be set as the target temperature are displayed by broken lines has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. That is, the terminal device 200 may simply make the display mode of the portion of the shaft 32 corresponding to the temperature that can be set as the target temperature different from the display mode of the portion of the shaft 32 corresponding to the temperature that cannot be set in the customization screen 30. And the difference between these display modes is not limited to the difference between a solid line and a broken line. Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may also make a difference in color, thickness, or shading, etc.

[0119] In the above embodiment, an example in which the heating unit 121 is configured as a heating resistor and generates heat by electric resistance has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the heating unit 121 may include an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, and a susceptor that generates heat by induction heating, and the stick-shaped base material 150 may be heated by the susceptor. In this case, the control unit 116 applies an alternating current to the electromagnetic induction source to generate an alternating magnetic field, and allows the alternating magnetic field to penetrate the susceptor, thereby causing the susceptor to generate heat. In this case, the temperature at which the aerosol source to be controlled based on the heating profile is heated becomes the temperature of the susceptor. The temperature of the susceptor can be estimated based on the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source.

[0120] In the above embodiment, an example in which the parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source defined in the heating profile is the target temperature of the heating unit 121 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. Examples of the parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source include, in addition to the temperature of the heating unit 121 itself described in the above embodiment, the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. Further, when the suction device 100 includes an electromagnetic induction source instead of the heating unit 121, examples of the parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source defined in the heating profile include the temperature of the susceptor or a target value such as the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source.

[0121] In the above embodiment, an example in which the suction device 100 heats the stick-shaped base material 150 to generate an aerosol has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The suction device 100 may be configured as a so-called liquid atomization type aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating and atomizing an aerosol source as a liquid. The present invention is also applicable to a liquid atomization type aerosol generating device.

[0122] Each device described in this specification may be implemented as a single device, or some or all of them may be implemented as separate devices. For example, the control unit 260 of the terminal device 200 may be provided in a device such as a server connected to the terminal device 200 via a network or the like. That is, the customization of the heating profile may be performed by a server on the cloud based on a user operation input to the terminal device 200.

[0123] In addition, a 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 program constituting the software is stored in advance, for example, in a recording medium (specifically, a non-transitory storage medium readable by a computer) provided inside or outside each device. Then, each program is read into the RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and is executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU. The above recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Also, the above computer program may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a recording medium. Further, the above computer may be a specific-purpose integrated circuit such as an ASIC, a general-purpose processor that executes functions by reading a software program, or a computer on a server used for cloud computing, etc. Also, a series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be processed distributively by a plurality of computers.

[0124] Also, the processes described using flowcharts and sequence diagrams in this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown in the figures. Some processing steps may be executed in parallel. Also, additional processing steps may be adopted, and some processing steps may be omitted.

[0125] Note that the following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. (1) Generating a display image for displaying an operation target for setting the parameter included in the control information, which is used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on control information defining a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source; changing the parameter included in the control information according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; a control unit that controls a customization process including the above; comprising; When repeatedly executing the customization process, the control unit sets a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process. An information processing apparatus. (2) The display image includes an axis on which the operation target is movably arranged, The control unit, changes the parameter based on the position of the operation target on the axis in the customization process, sets a correspondence relationship between the position on the axis in the next customization process and the value set as the parameter when the operation target is located at the position, based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process. The information processing apparatus according to (1) above. (3) The control unit, in the customization process, sets, as the parameter, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to the difference between the reference position and the position of the operation target to a first value corresponding to the reference position on the axis, sets the first value in the next customization process based on the parameter set in the previous customization process. The information processing apparatus according to (2) above. (4) The control unit sets the parameter set in the previous customization process to the first value in the next customization process. The information processing apparatus according to (3) above. (5) The control unit In the customization process, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to the distance between the reference position and the position of the operation target from the first value corresponding to the reference position on the axis is set as the parameter. Based on the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process, the second value per unit distance in the next customization process is set. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4) above. (6) The control unit sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process to be larger as the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process is larger, and sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process to be smaller as the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process is smaller. The information processing apparatus according to (5) above. (7) The control unit sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process so that an integer multiple of the second value per unit distance in the next customization process matches the change amount of the parameter in the previous customization process. The information processing apparatus according to (5) or (6) above. (8) The initial position of the operation target in the display image is the reference position on the axis. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (3) to (7) above. (9) The reference position is the center of the axis. The information processing apparatus according to (8) above. (10) The display image includes a plurality of the axes, and each of the plurality of axes corresponds to each of a plurality of timings. The control unit sets the parameter at each of the plurality of timings based on the position of the operation target on each of the plurality of axes. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (2) to (9) above. (11) In the display image, the control unit makes the display mode of the part corresponding to the value that can be set as the parameter among the axes different from the display mode of the part corresponding to the value that cannot be set among the axes. The information processing apparatus according to any one of (2) to (10) above. (12) Generating a display image for displaying an operation target for setting the parameter included in the control information, which is used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on control information defining a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source; Changing the parameter included in the control information according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; Including controlling a customization process including: Controlling the customization process includes setting, when repeatedly executing the customization process, a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process. An information processing method. (13) Causing a computer to Generate a display image for displaying an operation target for setting the parameter included in the control information, which is used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on control information defining a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source; Changing the parameters included in the control information according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; A control unit that controls a customization process including; Functioning as; When repeatedly executing the customization process, the control unit sets a method for changing the parameters in the next customization process based on the content of the parameter change in the previous customization process. Program.

Explanation of Signs

[0126] 1 System 100 Suction device 111 Power supply unit 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification unit 114 Storage unit 115 Communication unit 116 Control unit 121 Heating unit 140 Holding unit 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom 144 Heat insulation unit 150 Stick-shaped base material 151 Base material part 152 Suction port part 200 Terminal device 210 Input unit 220 Output unit 230 Detection unit 240 Communication unit 250 Storage unit 260 Control unit 30 Customization screen 31 Point 32 Axis

Claims

1. Generating a display image that displays an operation target for setting a parameter included in the control information, which is used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on control information that defines a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source; changing the parameter included in the control information according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; a control unit that controls a customization process including the above; comprising; when repeatedly executing the customization process, the control unit sets a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process; an information processing device.

2. The display image includes an axis on which the operation target is movably arranged, the control unit, changes the parameter based on the position of the operation target on the axis in the customization process, sets a correspondence relationship between the position on the axis in the next customization process and the value set as the parameter when the operation target is located at the position based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process; The information processing device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, in the customization process, sets, as the parameter, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to the difference between the reference position and the position of the operation target from a first value corresponding to the reference position on the axis, sets the first value in the next customization process based on the parameter set in the previous customization process; The information processing device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit sets the parameter set in the previous customization process as the first value in the next customization process; The information processing device according to claim 3.

5. The control unit, in the customization process, sets, as the parameter, a value obtained by adding or subtracting a second value corresponding to the distance between the reference position and the position of the operation target from a first value corresponding to the reference position on the axis, sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process based on the amount of change in the parameter in the previous customization process; The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The control unit sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process to be larger as the amount of change in the parameter in the previous customization process is larger, and sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process to be smaller as the amount of change in the parameter in the previous customization process is smaller. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The control unit sets the second value per unit distance in the next customization process such that an integer multiple of the second value per unit distance in the next customization process matches the amount of change in the parameter in the previous customization process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The initial position of the operation target in the display image is the reference position on the axis. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7.

9. The reference position is the center of the axis. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The display image includes a plurality of the axes, and each of the plurality of axes corresponds to each of a plurality of timings. The control unit sets the parameter at each of the plurality of timings based on the position of the operation target on each of the plurality of axes. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9.

11. The control unit makes the display mode of the portion of the axis corresponding to the value that can be set as the parameter different from the display mode of the portion of the axis corresponding to the value that cannot be set in the display image. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10.

12. Generating a display image for displaying an operation target for setting a parameter included in the control information, the operation target being used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on control information that defines a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source; Changing the parameter included in the control information in response to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; Including controlling a customization process including the above. Controlling the customization process includes setting a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process when repeatedly executing the customization process. Information processing method.

13. A computer generates a display image for displaying an operation target for setting the parameter included in the control information, which is used by a suction device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source contained in a base material based on control information defining a parameter related to the temperature for heating the aerosol source; changes the parameter included in the control information according to a user operation on the operation target displayed in the generated display image; a control unit that controls a customization process including the above; function as When repeatedly executing the customization process, the control unit sets a method for changing the parameter in the next customization process based on the content of the change in the parameter in the previous customization process. Program.

Images