Suction device

Abstract

To notify a user that an error has occurred in a device by using a plurality of display units individually having no meaning.SOLUTION: A suction device comprises: a heating unit which heats a base material holding an aerosol source with the power from a battery to generate an aerosol; a plurality of display units for displaying the state of the own device; and a control unit that, if an error has occurred in the own device, executes control for displaying, on the plurality of display units, an indication that the error has occurred. The type of error includes the type of error that cannot be recovered with the operation to the own device. The control unit performs control so as to display, on the plurality of display units, an indication that the error has occurred when the power is supplied from the outside in such a state that the error has occurred.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an aerosol generating device in which, when a notification unit receives an error signal generated by a control unit based on data in response to a malfunction in a power supply unit, the notification unit outputs, for example, light and / or sound in accordance with the error signal. The document also describes that the notification unit may be a light-emitting device such as an LED, and that the control unit changes the number of times the notification unit alternates between flashing blue and red depending on the error signal.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an aerosol generating device in which a control unit generates an error signal based on the content and cause of an abnormal state and causes a notification unit to issue a notification in response to the error signal. The document also describes that the notification unit may be, for example, a light-emitting diode, and may be provided, for example, at the upstream end of the power supply unit or along the circumferential direction of the power button, and that the control unit changes the number of times that the notification unit alternately flashes warm and cool colors depending on the content of the process for detecting the abnormal state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-68762 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-68690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When an error occurs and power is no longer supplied from the power supply unit, it has not been possible to notify the user that an error has occurred.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to notify a user that an error has occurred even when an error occurs and power is no longer supplied from a power supply unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] With this objective in mind, the present invention provides an inhalation device comprising: a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate holding an aerosol source using power from a battery; a display unit that displays an image of the state of the device; and a control unit that controls the display unit to display a message indicating that an error has occurred when an error occurs in the device, and the control unit controls the display unit to display a message indicating that an error has occurred when power is supplied from outside while an error has occurred. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even if an error occurs and power is not supplied from the power supply unit, it is possible to notify the user that an error has occurred. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are overall perspective views of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are external views of a panel and a main body housing of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams showing examples of LED displays when the suction device preheats the stick-shaped substrate. [Figure 5] 10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams showing examples of LED displays when the inhalation device is performing an operation to inhale an aerosol. [Figure 6] 10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams showing examples of LED displays when the suction device performs an operation to notify the user of the remaining battery level. [Figure 7]10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams showing examples of LED displays when the suction device is charging the rechargeable battery. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which LEDs are missing bits when a permanent failure error occurs. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation when a permanent failure error occurs in the control unit of the suction device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] [Example of the external configuration of the suction device] 1(a) and (b) are overall perspective views of the suction device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1(a) shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above, and FIG. 1(b) shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below. As shown, the suction device 1 includes a panel 10, a main body housing 20 to which the panel 10 is detachable, and a shutter 50. The panel 10 and the main body housing 20 are separate members. The panel 10 includes a display window 60 made of a transparent material on its surface. The main body housing 20 houses the main body 30 of the suction device 1. The main body housing 20 also includes an external connection terminal 70, such as a USB Type-C connector.

[0012] The panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20 to form the outermost housing 40 of the suction device 1. Furthermore, by including the panel 10, the suction device 1 can buffer heat released to the outside even when the main body 30 generates heat. In other words, the panel 10 functions to insulate heat generated from the heating portion of the main body 30. Furthermore, the panel 10 is formed so that its surface is approximately curved. When attached to the main body housing 20, the panel 10, together with the surface of the main body housing 20, defines an interior space.

[0013] The housing 40 is preferably sized to fit in a user's hand. The user holds the suction device 1 in one hand with their fingertip in contact with the surface of the panel 10. When the user presses the surface of the panel 10 with their fingertip, the panel 10 deforms to form a recess toward the main housing 20. As a result of this deformation of the panel 10, a protrusion on the panel 10 comes into contact with an operation button on the surface of the main housing 20, thereby pressing the operation button. In other words, the portion of the surface of the panel 10 that is pressed with the fingertip forms a button area 15.

[0014] In order for a user to deform panel 10, for example, multiple fingers must be used to simultaneously press button region 15. This requires a greater pressing force than, for example, a single button protruding from the surface of the housing pressed by a single finger. That is, suction device 1 according to the present embodiment is advantageous in that it can prevent unintended user operations, such as accidentally pressing an operation button in a bag. Furthermore, because a child's pressing force, which is inappropriate for a user of suction device 1, cannot easily press button region 15 of panel 10, this is also advantageous in terms of child resistance.

[0015] The main housing 20 has an opening through which the stick-shaped substrate is inserted, and in FIG. 1, the shutter 50 is shown closing the opening. The shutter 50 has a sliding mechanism and is movable along the surface of the outer shell between a first position that closes the opening and a second position that opens the opening. The opening and closing of the opening can be detected by providing a sensor (not shown) near the first position and / or the second position. For example, a magnet is provided in the shutter 50, and the opening and closing of the opening are detected by the magnetic sensor.

[0016] The opening is opened when the user places their finger on the shutter 50 and slides it along the side. As a result of the opening, the user can insert the stick-shaped substrate. After inserting the stick-shaped substrate, the user can press the surface of the panel 10 with their finger and press the operation button to turn on the suction device 1.

[0017] [Examples of the exterior configuration of the panel and main body housing] 2(a) and (b) are external views of the panel 10 and main body housing 20 of the suction device 1. Fig. 2(a) shows an external view of the inner surface of the panel 10, and Fig. 2(b) shows an external view of the outer surface of the main body housing 20. When the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the inner surface of the panel 10 and the outer surface of the main body housing 20 face each other.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2(a), magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of panel 10. When panel 10 is attached to main body housing 20, magnet 11 and magnet 14 attract panel 10 to main body housing 20 by their magnetic force (magnetic attraction). This holds panel 10 to main body housing 20. Protrusion 12 presses operation button 22 provided on the surface of main body housing 20. Magnet 13 is configured as a magnetic field application unit for the sensor unit of main body 30. In other words, panel 10 is detected by having magnetic sensor 23 of main body housing 20 detect the magnetic force of the magnetic field applied by magnet 13.

[0019] 2(b), magnet 21, passage hole 25, operation button 22, and magnet 24 are arranged on the outer surface of main body housing 20 along the longitudinal direction from the shutter 50 side. Furthermore, magnetic sensor 23 is arranged on the inner surface of main body housing 20 (more precisely, on a substrate that is substantially zero distance from the inner surface) at a position between operation button 22 and magnet 24 along the longitudinal direction. Magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23, and magnet 24 of main body housing 20 correspond to magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14 of panel 10, respectively. In other words, when panel 10 is attached to main body housing 20, they are aligned with and face each other.

[0020] Magnets 21 and 24 of main housing 20 are attracted to magnets 11 and 14 of panel 10, respectively, by their magnetic force (magnetic attraction). In other words, magnets 11 and 21, and magnets 14 and 24 attract each other, thereby holding panel 10 in a mountable state to main housing 20. It is preferable that magnets 11 and 14 of panel 10, and magnets 21 and 24 of main housing 20 are made of permanent magnets.

[0021] The operation button 22 is provided on the surface to which the panel 10 is attached. That is, when the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the operation button 22 is covered by the panel 10 and is pressed by the protrusion 12 of the panel 10. This allows, for example, the power of the suction device 1 to be switched on and off.

[0022] The magnetic sensor 23 detects a magnetic force based on the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 in the panel 10. For example, the magnetic sensor 23 is preferably a Hall sensor configured using a Hall element, which makes it possible to detect whether the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20.

[0023] When the panel 10 is attached to the main housing 20, the magnetic sensor 23 of the main housing 20 is disposed so as to face the magnet 13 of the panel 10 via the inner surface of the main housing 20. In other words, when the panel 10 is attached to the main housing 20, the distance between the magnetic sensor 23 of the main housing 20 and the magnet 13 of the panel 10 is minimized.

[0024] Furthermore, magnetic sensor 23 of main housing 20 is configured not to detect the magnetic fields generated by the two magnets 21 and 24 of main housing 20. Specifically, magnetic sensor 23 is preferably disposed on the inner surface of main housing 20 at a position separated from the two magnets 21 and 24 on the outer surface of main housing 20. This allows the influence of the magnetic fields from these two magnets 21 and 24 on magnetic sensor 23 to be substantially zero.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the main body housing 20 so that the distance between the magnetic sensor 23 and the magnet 24 (or magnet 21) is greater than the distance between the magnet 13 and the magnetic sensor 23 when the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. This allows the magnetic sensor 23 to appropriately consider only the influence of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13, without considering the influence of the magnetic field of the magnet 24, when detecting the attachment of the panel 10 to the main body housing 20.

[0026] The through hole 25 is an opening aligned with one or more LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) disposed within the body 30, and allows light from the LEDs to pass through to the display window 60 of the panel 10. This allows the user to view the light from the outer surface of the panel 10.

[0027] [Example of suction device configuration] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inhalation device 1. A stick-type substrate 100 having a flavor-generating substrate, such as a filler containing an aerosol source, which is a source of inhaled components, and a flavor source, is inserted into the inhalation device 1. The aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, but may also be a solid. The inserted stick-type substrate 100 generates aerosol containing a flavor by being heated from its outer periphery.

[0028] 3, the suction device 1 includes a control unit 90, a power supply unit 91, a sensor unit 92, a notification unit 93, a memory unit 94, a communication unit 95, a holding unit 80, a heating unit 81, and a heat insulating unit 82. These elements of the suction device 1 are housed in the main body 30 shown in FIG.

[0029] The control unit 90 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 1 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 90 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor.

[0030] The power supply unit 91 stores electric power and supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 1 under the control of the control unit 90. The power supply unit 91 may be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0031] The sensor unit 92 acquires various information related to the suction device 1. As one example, the sensor unit 92 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 92 is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0032] The sensor unit 92 also detects whether the panel is attached to the main body housing. For example, the sensor unit 92 is configured with a magnetic sensor (e.g., a Hall sensor using a Hall element that detects magnetism using the Hall effect). The sensor unit 92 then detects whether a panel equipped with a magnetic field application unit (e.g., a magnet and / or a magnetic material) that applies a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor is in the vicinity of the sensor unit 92.

[0033] The notification unit 93 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 93 is configured by, for example, a display unit made up of light-emitting elements such as LEDs, a display device that displays images, a sound output device that outputs sounds, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0034] For example, the LED emits light in a predetermined light emission mode to notify the user of operation information of the suction device 1. Specifically, the LED emits light to notify the user of whether the suction device 1 is powered on, the progress of preheating, the suction status (remaining suction time, etc.), and the current operation mode of the suction device 1 (for example, suction mode and / or communication mode, etc.).

[0035] The storage unit 94 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 1. The storage unit 94 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The storage unit 94 also stores programs such as firmware in addition to computer-executable instructions for operating the suction device 1.

[0036] The communication unit 95 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. For wireless communication, such communication standards may be Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). For wired communication, for example, a data communication cable is connected via the external connection terminal 70. This allows input / output of data related to the operation of the suction device 1 to and from an external device.

[0037] The communication unit 95 may activate its communication function when the opening 84 of the shutter 50 is opened, and start communication with an external terminal using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. Also, the communication with the external terminal that is currently communicating may be terminated when the opening 84 of the shutter 50 is closed. The Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection between the communication unit 95 and the external terminal is preferably a connection using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0038] The holding part 80 has an internal space 83 and holds the stick-type substrate 100 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 100 in the internal space 83. The holding part 80 has an opening 84 that connects the internal space 83 to the outside, and holds the stick-type substrate 100 inserted into the internal space 83 through the opening 84. For example, the holding part 80 is a cylindrical body with the opening 84 and a bottom part 85 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 83. In this specification, the direction in which the stick-type substrate 100 is inserted into the internal space 83 is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the suction device 1.

[0039] The holding part 80 has a pressing part and a non-pressing part (neither of which are shown) along the longitudinal direction on the inner wall of the internal space 83. When the internal space 83 receives the stick-shaped substrate 100, the pressing part presses the stick-shaped substrate 100 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The stick-shaped substrate 100 is then clamped by the holding part 80 while being pressed and deformed by the pressing part. As a result, the stick-shaped substrate 100 is heated from the periphery by the heating part 81 while being pressed.

[0040] Meanwhile, a gap (not shown) is formed between the non-pressed portion and the stick-shaped substrate 100. As a result, the opening 84 and the bottom 85 communicate with each other through the gap.

[0041] The holding part 80 also has the function of defining a flow path for air to be supplied to the stick-shaped substrate 100. An air inlet hole 86, which is the entrance of air to this flow path, is the opening 84. More precisely, the air inlet hole 86 is the gap between the non-pressure part and the stick-shaped substrate 100. Air that flows in from the air inlet hole 86 as the user inhales is transported along the dotted arrow through the stick-shaped substrate 100 to an air outlet hole 87, which is the exit for air from the flow path.

[0042] The stick-type substrate 100 includes a substrate portion 101 and a mouthpiece portion 102. The substrate portion 101 includes an aerosol source. When the stick-type substrate 100 is held by the holder 80, at least a portion of the substrate portion 101 is contained in the internal space 83, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 102 protrudes from the opening 84. When a user holds the mouthpiece portion 102 protruding from the opening 84 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 83 through the air inlet hole 86 and is transported along the dotted arrow to the air outlet hole 87 of the mouthpiece portion 102 via the bottom portion 85, and reaches the user's oral cavity together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 101. The stick-type substrate 100 is an example of a substrate for holding an aerosol source.

[0043] The heating unit 81 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. The heating unit 81 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 80. When the heating unit 81 generates heat, the substrate unit 101 of the stick-shaped substrate 100 is heated from the outer periphery, generating aerosol. The heating unit 81 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 91. For example, the heating unit 81 may be powered when the sensor unit 92 detects that the user has started inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and / or that predetermined information has been input. The supply of power may be stopped when the sensor unit 92 detects that the user has stopped inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and / or that predetermined information has been input. The heating unit 81 is an example of a heating unit that generates aerosol by heating a substrate with power from a battery.

[0044] The heat insulating section 82 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 81 to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 82 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0045] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 1. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 1 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0046] As one example, the heating unit 81 may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 85 of the holding unit 80 into the internal space 83. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 81 is inserted into the substrate 101 of the stick-shaped substrate 100 and heats the substrate 101 of the stick-shaped substrate 100 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 81 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 85 of the holding unit 80. Furthermore, the heating unit 81 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the holding unit 80, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 85 of the holding unit 80.

[0047] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 81. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.

[0048] [Overview of suction device operation] In the present embodiment, the notification unit 93 of the suction device 1 described above is configured with a plurality of display units for displaying the status of the device while the device is operating. When an error occurs in the device, the control unit 90 controls the plurality of display units to display the fact that an error has occurred in a display mode in which the first and second portions of the plurality of display units are turned on and the third portion of the plurality of display units is turned off.

[0049] Here, the operation is a normal operation, and may be at least one of an operation of heating the stick-shaped substrate 100, an operation of inhaling an aerosol, an operation of notifying the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 91, and an operation of charging the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 91.

[0050] The error may be an error that cannot be recovered from by operating the device itself or by the passage of time, or may be a warning-level error in the system of the device itself, an error caused by the temperature of the device being outside a predetermined temperature range, or an error caused by the member protecting the device being removed.

[0051] Here, the plurality of display units are assumed to be N LEDs (N is a natural number).

[0052] Furthermore, a warning-level error in the system of the device itself is called a "system error." An error caused by the temperature of the device being outside a predetermined temperature range is called a "temperature error." An error that cannot be recovered by either operating the device itself or the passage of time is called a "permanent failure error." An error caused by the removal of a component protecting the device itself is called a "panel error," taking the panel 10 as an example of the component protecting the device itself. However, the component protecting the device itself is not limited to the panel 10, and may be any component.

[0053] Furthermore, a display mode in which the first and second portions of the N LEDs are lit and the third portion of the N LEDs is turned off is referred to as a "discontinuous display mode."

[0054] As described above, errors include system errors, temperature errors, permanent failure errors, and panel errors. When any type of error occurs, the occurrence of the error may be displayed in a staggered manner. However, in the following description, it is assumed that when a permanent failure error occurs, the occurrence of the error is displayed in a staggered manner on the N LEDs.

[0055] [Example of normal operation of suction device] As examples of normal operations of the suction device 1, the operation of preheating the stick-shaped substrate 100, the operation of inhaling the aerosol, the operation of notifying the user of the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 91, and the operation of charging the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 91 will be described.

[0056] 4(a) to 4(e) are diagrams showing examples of the display of N LEDs 600 visible through the display window 60 when the suction device 1 performs an operation to preheat the stick-shaped substrate 100. Here, the operation to preheat the stick-shaped substrate 100 is an example of an operation to heat the stick-shaped substrate 100.

[0057] 4(a), all N LEDs 600 are turned off before the stick-shaped substrate 100 is preheated. In this state, when the user presses the button region 15 for several seconds, the suction device 1 starts the operation of preheating the stick-shaped substrate 100.

[0058] When the suction device 1 starts preheating the stick-shaped substrate 100, the N LEDs 600 light up in order from the bottom up, and the number of lit LEDs gradually increases to indicate the progress of the preheating. For example, FIG. 4(b) shows the display when one-quarter of the preheating time has elapsed, with one-quarter of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 4(c) shows the display when two-quarters of the preheating time has elapsed, with two-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 4(d) shows the display when three-quarters of the preheating time has elapsed, with three-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 4(e) shows the display when the preheating time has ended, with all N LEDs 600 lit.

[0059] 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams showing examples of the display of N LEDs 600 visible through the display window 60 when the inhalation device 1 performs an operation of inhaling an aerosol.

[0060] Before the aerosol is inhaled, all N LEDs 600 are lit, as shown in Fig. 5(a). In this state, the inhalation device 1 starts an operation of causing the user to inhale the aerosol generated by heating the stick-shaped substrate 100.

[0061] When the inhalation device 1 starts inhaling the aerosol, the N LEDs 600 turn off the lit LEDs from the top, gradually reducing the number of lit LEDs to indicate the decrease in the remaining inhalation time. For example, FIG. 5(b) shows the display when one-quarter of the inhalation period has elapsed, with three-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 5(c) shows the display when two-quarters of the inhalation period has elapsed, with two-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 5(d) shows the display when three-quarters of the inhalation period has elapsed, with one-quarter of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 5(e) shows the display when the inhalation period has ended, with all N LEDs 600 lit.

[0062] 6(a) to 6(e) are diagrams showing examples of the display of N LEDs 600 visible through the display window 60 when the suction device 1 performs an operation to notify the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 91 (hereinafter referred to as "remaining battery charge").

[0063] 6(a), all N LEDs 600 are lit when the remaining battery charge of the power supply unit 91 is 100%. In this state, the suction device 1 starts using the rechargeable battery.

[0064] When the suction device 1 starts using the rechargeable battery, the N LEDs 600 turn off the lit LEDs from the top, gradually reducing the number of lit LEDs to indicate the decrease in the remaining battery charge. For example, FIG. 6(b) shows the display when the remaining battery charge is 75%, with three-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 6(c) shows the display when the remaining battery charge is 50%, with two-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 6(d) shows the display when the remaining battery charge is 25%, with one-quarter of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 6(e) shows the display when the remaining battery charge is such that one stick-shaped substrate 100 can be suctioned, with the lower LED of the N LEDs 600 flashing.

[0065] 7(a) to 7(e) are diagrams showing examples of the display of N LEDs 600 visible through the display window 60 when the suction device 1 is performing an operation to charge the rechargeable battery of the power supply unit 91. FIG.

[0066] 7(a), all of the N LEDs 600 are turned off. In this state, when the user connects the USB cable 700 to the external connection terminal 70, the suction device 1 starts charging the rechargeable battery.

[0067] When the suction device 1 starts charging the rechargeable battery, the N LEDs 600 light up in order from the bottom up, and the number of lit LEDs gradually increases to indicate the progress of charging the rechargeable battery. For example, FIG. 7(b) shows the display when the rechargeable battery is 25% charged, with one-quarter of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 7(c) shows the display when the rechargeable battery is 50% charged, with two-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 7(d) shows the display when the rechargeable battery is 75% charged, with three-quarters of the N LEDs 600 lit. FIG. 7(e) shows the display when charging of the rechargeable battery is complete, with all N LEDs 600 lit.

[0068] [Example of operation when an error occurs in the suction device] The operation when a permanent failure error occurs will be described as an example of the operation when an error occurs in the suction device 1. In the following, eight LEDs arranged in a vertical row will be used as an example of the N LEDs 600, and these eight LEDs will be referred to as LED#8, LED#7, ..., LED#1 from top to bottom.

[0069] When a permanent failure error occurs, power is no longer supplied from the power supply unit 91, and therefore, when power is supplied from an external source while a permanent failure error has occurred, the control unit 90 displays the fact that a permanent failure error has occurred on the eight LEDs 600. For example, when the user connects a powered USB cable to the external connection terminal 70 and the suction device 1 is in a non-charging state, if a permanent failure error has occurred, the control unit 90 displays the fact on the eight LEDs 600.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which eight LEDs 600 are displayed in a staggered manner when a permanent failure error occurs. In this case, the control unit 90 normally lights up LEDs #1, #4 to #8 as shown by dotted hatching within a thick solid line frame. Meanwhile, the control unit 90 turns off LEDs #2 and #3 as shown by a white background within a thin solid line frame. The control unit 90 displays this information for 5000 milliseconds and then ends the display. Here, 5000 milliseconds is merely an example and is not limited to this. 5000 milliseconds is an example of a predetermined time.

[0071] Here, the "discontinuous display" refers to a display mode in which a first portion and a second portion of the eight LEDs 600 are lit and a third portion of the eight LEDs 600 is turned off. In this case, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion may be any portion of the eight LEDs 600, but preferably are a portion including an LED at one end, a portion including an LED at the other end, and a portion other than that. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the control unit 90 preferably turns on the portion including LED #1 and the portion including LED #8 and turns off the remaining portions. This is because turning off LED #1 may lead the user to mistakenly believe that the LEDs are LED #2 through LED #8, and turning off LED #8 may lead the user to mistakenly believe that the LEDs are LED #1 through LED #7.

[0072] Furthermore, the intermittent display mode may be more generalized to a display mode in which three or more portions of the eight LEDs 600 are lit and the remaining portions sandwiched between these portions are turned off. For example, in the example of Fig. 8, the control unit 90 may turn on LEDs #1, #3, #5 to #8 and turn off LEDs #2 and #4. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may turn on LEDs #1 to #4, #6, and #8 and turn off LEDs #5 and #7.

[0073] When the display of FIG. 8 ends, the control unit 90 transitions the suction device 1 to sleep mode. Here, sleep mode refers to a mode in which most functions are unavailable except for functions to detect the opening of the shutter 50, the connection of the USB cable, etc., and the function to monitor the remaining battery level. If the shutter 50 is opened, the button area 15 is pressed, or the panel 10 is removed in sleep mode, the control unit 90 displays the display of FIG. 8 again. Furthermore, if the USB cable is unplugged, the control unit 90 transitions the suction device 1 to shipping mode (power off).

[0074] [Details of operation when an error occurs in the suction device] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of operation when a permanent malfunction error occurs in the control unit 90 of the suction device 1 in this embodiment.

[0075] As shown in the figure, the control unit 90 first determines whether the USB cable 700 is connected to the external connection terminal 70 (step 901). If it is determined that the USB cable 700 is not connected to the external connection terminal 70, the control unit 90 repeats step 901. If it is determined in step 901 that the USB cable 700 is connected to the external connection terminal 70, the control unit 90 determines whether a permanent failure error has occurred (step 902).

[0076] If it is determined in step 902 that a permanent failure error has occurred, the control unit 90 turns on LEDs #1 to #8 in a skipped pattern (step 903). For example, the control unit 90 turns on LEDs #1, #4 to #8 and turns off LEDs #2 and #3. Then, the control unit 90 transitions the suction device 1 to sleep mode (step 904).

[0077] Thereafter, the control unit 90 determines whether an operation to open the shutter 50 has been performed (step 905). If it is determined that an operation to open the shutter 50 has been performed, the control unit 90 returns the process to step 903 and performs the lighting in the skipped mode of step 903 again.

[0078] If it is determined in step 905 that the operation to open the shutter 50 has not been performed, the control unit 90 determines whether or not an operation to press the button area 15 has been performed (step 906). If it is determined that an operation to press the button area 15 has been performed, the control unit 90 returns the process to step 903 and performs the lighting in the skipped pattern of step 903 again.

[0079] If it is determined in step 906 that the button area 15 has not been pressed, the control unit 90 determines whether the panel 10 has been removed (step 907). If it is determined that the panel 10 has been removed, the control unit 90 returns the process to step 903 and performs the lighting in the skipped pattern of step 903 again.

[0080] If it is not determined in step 907 that panel 10 has been removed, control unit 90 determines whether USB cable 700 has been unplugged from external connection terminal 70 (step 908). Also, if it is not determined in step 902 that a permanent failure error has occurred, control unit 90 performs normal operations such as charging the rechargeable battery of power supply unit 91, and then determines whether USB cable 700 has been unplugged from external connection terminal 70 (step 908).

[0081] If it is not determined in step 908 that the USB cable 700 has been removed from the external connection terminal 70, the control unit 90 repeats step 908. If it is determined in step 908 that the USB cable 700 has been removed from the external connection terminal 70, the control unit 90 ends the process. That is, the control unit 90 transitions the suction device 1 to the shipping mode.

[0082] [Variations] In the above description, the N LEDs 600 are arranged in a vertical row, but this is not limiting. For example, the N LEDs 600 may be arranged in any shape as long as they are arranged consecutively. For example, the N LEDs 600 may be arranged in a circular ring shape. Alternatively, the N LEDs 600 may not be arranged consecutively, but may be arranged discretely.

[0083] Although the above description has been given of the application of the present invention to a heated tobacco product, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to various inhalation devices for inhaling aerosols, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers. Furthermore, the inhaled components generated may include gases, such as invisible vapors, in addition to aerosols. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a display device connected to a device other than an inhalation device and displaying information about the device. In this case, the N LEDs 600 are an example of a plurality of display units for displaying the status of the device while the device is operating. Furthermore, the control unit 90 is an example of a control unit that, when an error occurs in the device, controls the plurality of display units to display the error by lighting the first and second portions of the plurality of display units and turning off the third portion of the plurality of display units.

[0084] [Advantages of this embodiment] In the suction device 1 of the present embodiment, when the device is operating, the status of the device is displayed on the multiple display units, and when an error occurs in the device, the error is notified on the multiple display units in a display mode in which the first and second parts of the multiple display units are turned on and the third part of the multiple display units is turned off. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user that an error has occurred in the device using multiple display units, each of which has no meaning individually. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...suction device, 10...panel, 20...main body housing, 30...main body, 40...housing, 50...shutter, 60...display window, 70...external connection terminal, 80...holding section, 81...heating section, 82...insulating section, 90...control section, 91...power supply section, 92...sensor section, 93...notification section, 94...storage section, 95...communication section

Claims

[Claim 1] a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate that holds an aerosol source using power from a battery; a display unit for displaying the status of the device itself as an image; a control unit that controls the display unit to display a message indicating that an error has occurred when an error occurs in the device itself; Equipped with When power is supplied from an external source while the error has occurred, the control unit controls the display unit to display a message indicating that the error has occurred.

Images