Aerosol generating device, control method, and program

Abstract

This aerosol generating device has a sensor that detects suction by a user, a first heating part that heats a first aerosol source, a second heating part that heats a second aerosol source, and a control part that controls the supply of power to the first heating part and the second heating part. When executing an action for generating aerosol by combining the heating of the first aerosol source and the heating of the second aerosol source, the control part stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating part when the elapsed time from the end of suction detected last by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An aerosol generating device (hereinafter referred to as an "aerosol generating device") generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source containing a fragrance or the like. When the aerosol source is a liquid, the aerosol is generated by heating the aerosol source guided into a glass fiber called a wick with a heater. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-509260 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some aerosol generating devices can be equipped with multiple aerosol sources. In some aerosol generating devices of this type, a heater is provided only on one of the aerosol sources. In this device configuration, the aerosol generated from one aerosol source heats the other aerosol source before reaching the user's oral cavity. As a result, a mixed gas containing multiple aerosols from different sources is inhaled by the user. In this case, the heater used to heat the other aerosol source may take longer to reach a target temperature than the heater used to heat one aerosol source. For this reason, the heater used to heat the other aerosol source must be maintained at a temperature close to the target temperature in preparation for inhalation by the user. On the other hand, continuing to heat the other aerosol source to a target temperature in preparation for inhalation, even if the user does not inhale the mixed gas containing aerosol for a certain period of time, will accelerate the consumption of the battery, which serves as the power source.

[0005] For example, in an aerosol generating device that can be equipped with both a liquid aerosol source and a solid aerosol source, the heater used to heat the solid aerosol source takes longer to reach a target temperature than the heater used to heat the liquid aerosol source. Therefore, the solid aerosol source needs to be maintained at a temperature close to the target temperature in preparation for inhalation by a user. However, continuing to heat the solid aerosol source to the target temperature in preparation for inhalation even when the user does not inhale the aerosol-containing gas mixture for a certain period of time will result in accelerated depletion of the battery, which serves as the power source.

[0006] The present invention provides a technology for suppressing battery consumption in an aerosol generating device according to the usage conditions of the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device comprising a sensor that detects inhalation by a user, a first heating unit that heats a first aerosol source, a second heating unit that heats a second aerosol source, and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit, wherein the control unit, when performing an operation of generating aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. and when a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set upon detection of suction by the user, the supply of power to the second heating unit is controlled to be stopped or reduced depending on the time elapsed since the end of the last set monitoring period, and even if suction is detected to have stopped within the monitoring period, the elapsed time is measured from the time the monitoring period ended, and even if the sensor detects suction multiple times within the monitoring period, the monitoring period is not reset. An aerosol generating device is provided.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation device comprising: a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats a first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats a second aerosol source; and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit, wherein the control unit, when performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; when a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set upon detection of inhalation by the user, controls to stop or reduce the supply of power to the second heating unit based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; and when inhalation by the user is detected after the supply of power to the second heating unit has been stopped or reduced, resumes or increases the supply of power to the second heating unit upon completion of the monitoring period started upon detection of inhalation. .

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation device comprising: a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats a first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats a second aerosol source; and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit, wherein the control unit, when performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; when a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set upon detection of inhalation by the user, controls the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; and when inhalation by the user is detected after the supply of power to the second heating unit has been stopped or reduced, and the supply of power to the first heating unit is stopped within the monitoring period started upon detection of inhalation, the control unit resumes or increases the supply of power to the second heating unit. .

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol, the method including the steps of: a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating unit heating a first aerosol source; a second heating unit heating a second aerosol source; and a control unit controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. a step of controlling the control unit to stop or reduce the supply of power to the second heating unit depending on the time elapsed since the end of the last set monitoring period when the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detection of inhalation by the user; a step of the control unit measuring the elapsed time from the time point at which the monitoring period ended even if the control unit detects that inhalation by the user has stopped within the monitoring period; and a step of the control unit not resetting the monitoring period even if the sensor detects inhalation multiple times within the monitoring period. .

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol, the method including the steps of: a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating unit heating a first aerosol source; and a second heating unit heating a second aerosol source; and the control unit performing an operation of generating aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, wherein when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit stops supplying power to the second heating unit. a step of controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to stop or reduce it depending on the time elapsed since the end of the last set monitoring period, if the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detection of inhalation by the user; and a step of restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the control unit detects inhalation by the user after stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit and the monitoring period started upon detection of inhalation has ended. .

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol, the method including the steps of: a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating unit heating a first aerosol source; and a second heating unit heating a second aerosol source; and the control unit performing an operation of generating aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, wherein the control unit stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. a step of controlling the control unit to stop or reduce the supply of power to the second heating unit based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period when the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detection of inhalation by the user; and a step of restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the control unit detects inhalation by the user and, after stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit, detects inhalation by the user, and if the supply of power to the first heating unit is stopped within the monitoring period that was started upon detection of the inhalation. .

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: detecting inhalation by a user with a sensor; heating a first aerosol source with a first heating unit; heating a second aerosol source with a second heating unit; and, when an operation of generating an aerosol is performed by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of inhalation last detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; when a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to stop or reduce it based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; even if stoppage of inhalation is detected within the monitoring period, measuring the elapsed time from the time when the monitoring period ended; and not resetting the monitoring period even if the sensor detects multiple inhalations within the monitoring period. .

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a step of causing a computer to execute the following steps: detecting inhalation by a user with a sensor; heating a first aerosol source with a first heating unit; heating a second aerosol source with a second heating unit; and, when an operation of generating an aerosol is performed by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; when a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to stop or reduce it based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; and, when inhalation by the user is detected after the supply of power to the second heating unit has been stopped or reduced, restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the monitoring period started based on the detection of inhalation ends. is provided.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which a computer is programmed to perform the following operations: detecting inhalation by a user with a sensor; heating a first aerosol source with a first heating unit; heating a second aerosol source with a second heating unit; and generating an aerosol by combining the heating of the first aerosol source and the heating of the second aerosol source; and stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. and when a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set upon detection of inhalation by the user, controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced depending on the time elapsed since the end of the last set monitoring period; and when inhalation by the user is detected after the supply of power to the second heating unit has been stopped or reduced, restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit if the supply of power to the first heating unit has been stopped within the monitoring period that started upon detection of the inhalation. A program for executing the above is provided. According to another aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats a first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats a second aerosol source; and a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit, wherein the control unit, when performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, starts heating the second aerosol source from the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor, and stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the control unit detects inhalation by the user after stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit, the control unit may resume or increase the supply of power to the second heating unit. When the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length that starts upon detection of inhalation by the user, the control unit may control the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an aerosol generating device that generates aerosol, the control unit comprising: a step of detecting inhalation by a user using a sensor; a step of causing a first heating unit to heat a first aerosol source; a step of causing a second heating unit to heat a second aerosol source; and a step of starting heating of the second aerosol source from the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor when the control unit performs an operation of generating aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, wherein the control unit stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a step of detecting inhalation by a user with a sensor; a step of heating a first aerosol source with a first heating unit; a step of heating a second aerosol source with a second heating unit; and, when performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, a step of starting heating of the second aerosol source from the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor, and stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, in the aerosol generating device, battery consumption can be suppressed according to the usage conditions of the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram for explaining how to attach an aerosol source and the like to the device body assumed in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generation device assumed in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating normal mode and high mode, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of heating timing in normal mode, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of heating timing in high mode. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of heating control in high mode in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the heating timing of the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the heating timing of the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of heating control in high mode in the second embodiment. [Figure 13]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the heating timing of the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the timing of heating the cartridge and capsule in high mode, where (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of heating control in high mode in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0019] <First Embodiment> <Features> The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment is a form of electronic cigarette. In the following description, the substance generated by the aerosol generating device is called an aerosol. An aerosol is a mixture of tiny liquid or solid particles suspended in a gas and air or other gas. The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment is capable of generating aerosol without combustion. In the first embodiment, the act of a user inhaling the aerosol generated by the aerosol generation device is simply referred to as "inhaling" or "puffing."

[0020] In the first embodiment, the aerosol generating device is assumed to be a device to which both a liquid aerosol source and a solid aerosol source can be attached. However, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid or solid, and also includes a jelly or gel aerosol source, and an aerosol source in which a solid such as tobacco is impregnated with glycerin or the like. In the following, a container that contains a liquid aerosol source will be referred to as a "cartridge," and a container that contains a solid aerosol source will be referred to as a "capsule." Both cartridges and capsules are consumables. For this reason, replacement guidelines are set for each cartridge and capsule.

[0021] The aerosol generating device assumed in the first embodiment has a heater for heating a liquid aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a heater for heating a solid aerosol source to generate an aerosol. The heater is an example of a heating unit, which will be described later. A liquid aerosol source is an example of a first aerosol source, and a solid aerosol source is an example of a second aerosol source. However, the first aerosol source is not limited to a liquid aerosol source, and may also include a solid aerosol source, a jelly or gel aerosol source, or an aerosol source in which a solid material such as tobacco is impregnated with glycerin or the like. Furthermore, the second aerosol source is not limited to a solid aerosol source, and may also include a liquid aerosol source, a jelly or gel aerosol source, or an aerosol source in which a solid material such as tobacco is impregnated with glycerin or the like.

[0022] <Appearance example> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment. The external appearance example shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained by observing the front of the aerosol generation device 10 from diagonally above. The aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment has a size that can be held in one hand by a user. For example, the aerosol generation device 10 has a width of approximately 32 mm, a height of approximately 60 mm, and a depth of approximately 23 mm. These sizes are merely examples. Furthermore, the width, height, and depth dimensions of the aerosol generation device 10 vary depending on the design.

[0023] 1 shows a state in which a capsule holder 12 is attached to a device main body 11 of the aerosol generation device 10. As will be described later, the capsule holder 12 is detachable from the device main body 11. A display 11A and operation buttons 11B are arranged on the top surface of the device body 11. The display 11A may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The operation buttons 11B are used for, for example, turning the power on or off, checking the remaining amount of the solid aerosol source, checking the remaining battery level, and other operations. The display 11A is an example of a display unit.

[0024] <Examples of attaching aerosol sources, etc.> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how to attach the aerosol source and the like to the device body 11 assumed in the first embodiment. An opening (not shown) is provided in the upper part of the device body 11. This opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the device body 11. The cartridge 20 is first inserted into the opening of the device body 11, and then the capsule holder 12 is attached.

[0025] When attaching or detaching the capsule holder 12 to or from the opening of the device body 11, the user rotates the capsule holder 12 by, for example, 120° relative to the opening. The capsule holder 12 attached to the device body 11 functions as a retainer to prevent the cartridge 20 inserted into the device body 11 from jumping out. An opening is also provided in the capsule holder 12. The opening constitutes the end of a cylindrical body (not shown) provided inside the capsule holder 12. The capsule 30 is attached to this opening. The capsule 30 can be attached by pushing it into the opening of the capsule holder 12, and can be removed by pulling it out of the opening of the capsule holder 12. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 is attached through an opening provided on the top surface of the apparatus main body 11, but a configuration in which it is attached from the bottom surface side of the apparatus main body 11 may also be adopted.

[0026] <Inside the device> 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the embodiment 1. The internal configuration here includes a cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) and a capsule 30 (see FIG. 2) attached to the device main body 11. The internal configuration shown in Fig. 3 is intended to explain the components provided inside the device main body 11 and their positional relationships. Therefore, the appearance of the components, etc. shown in Fig. 3 does not necessarily match the appearance diagram described above.

[0027] The aerosol generating device 10 shown in Figure 3 has a power supply unit 111L, a sensor unit 112L, a notification unit 113L, a memory unit 114L, a communication unit 115L, a control unit 116L, a liquid guide unit 122L, a liquid storage unit 123L, a heating unit 121L-1, a heating unit 121L-2, a holding unit 140L, and an insulating unit 144L. An air flow path 180L is formed inside the device body 11. The air flow path 180L functions as a passage for transporting the aerosol generated from the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123L to the capsule-type container 130L filled with the solid aerosol source.

[0028] The liquid storage section 123L corresponds to the cartridge 20 described above, and the capsule-type container 130L corresponds to the capsule 30 described above. In this embodiment, the user inhales with the capsule-type container 130L attached to the holder 140L. The holder 140L corresponds to the capsule holder 12 (see FIG. 2) and the cylindrical body on the device main body 11 side to which the capsule holder 12 is attached.

[0029] Each part constituting the device main body 11 will be described below. The power supply unit 111L is a device that stores power and supplies power to each component that constitutes the device main body 11. A rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery is used as the power supply unit 111L. If the power supply unit 111L is a rechargeable battery, it can be charged any number of times via an external power source connected via a USB (=Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.

[0030] However, if the apparatus main body 11 is compatible with wireless power transmission, it is possible to charge the power supply unit 111L in a state where it is not in contact with an external device that is the power transmitting side. If the power supply unit 111L is removable from the device main body 11, it is possible to replace a worn-out power supply unit 111L with a new power supply unit 111L.

[0031] The sensor unit 112L is a device that detects information relating to each part of the apparatus main body 11. The sensor unit 112L outputs the detected information to the control unit 116L. The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes, for example, a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, and a temperature sensor. This type of sensor unit 112L is used, for example, to detect inhalation by the user. In this sense, the sensor unit 112L is an example of a sensor that detects inhalation by the user.

[0032] The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes an input device that accepts user operations on, for example, buttons, switches, etc. The buttons here include the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) described above. This type of sensor unit 112L is used, for example, to accept user operations. The sensor unit 112L provided in the device main body 11 includes, for example, a thermistor. In the present embodiment, the thermistor is used to measure the temperature of the heating unit 121L-2 used to heat the capsule 30, for example.

[0033] The notification unit 113L is a device that notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113L provided in the device main body 11 is, for example, a light-emitting device such as an LED (=Light Emitting Diode). When the notification unit 113L is a light-emitting device, the light-emitting device is controlled to emit light in a pattern according to the content of the information to be notified. For example, the light-emitting device is controlled to emit light in different patterns when notifying the user that the power supply unit 111L needs to be charged, when notifying the user that the power supply unit 111L is being charged, and when notifying the user that an abnormality has occurred.

[0034] The different light emission patterns are a concept that includes differences in color, differences in timing of turning on and off the light, differences in brightness when turned on, and the like. In addition, the notification unit 113L provided in the device main body 11 may include, for example, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, and a vibration device that vibrates. These devices may be used alone or in combination, and may be used together with the light-emitting device described above or in place of the light-emitting device. An example of the display device here is the display 11A (see FIG. 1).

[0035] The storage unit 114L stores various types of information relating to the operation of the device main body 11. The storage unit 114L is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The information stored in the storage unit 114L includes, for example, a program executed by the control unit 116L. The program includes an OS (=Operating System), firmware, and also application programs.

[0036] In addition, the information stored in the storage unit 114L includes, for example, information required by the control unit 116L to control each unit. This information includes information about each component detected by the sensor unit 112L. For example, it also includes information about the user's inhalation and the remaining battery level. The information about the user's inhalation includes, for example, the number of times inhalation has occurred, the time when the start and end of inhalation have been detected, the cumulative time of inhalation, and the heating mode currently being performed.

[0037] The communication unit 115L is a communication interface used to send and receive information to and from other devices, and conforms to wired or wireless communication standards. Communication standards include, for example, wireless LAN (=Local Area Network), wired LAN, and mobile communication systems such as 4G and 5G. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used.

[0038] The communication unit 115L is used to display, for example, information relating to the user's suction on a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. In addition, the communication unit 115L is used to receive, for example, update data for a program stored in the storage unit 114L from a server.

[0039] The control unit 116L functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the operation of each unit constituting the device main body 11 through the execution of a program. The control unit 116L is provided with electronic circuits such as a CPU (=Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 116L may be provided with a ROM (=Read Only Memory) for storing programs, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (=Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters, etc., which change as appropriate.

[0040] The control unit 116L controls, for example, power supply from the power supply unit 111L to each unit, charging of the power supply unit 111L, detection of information by the sensor unit 112L, notification of information by the notification unit 113L, storage and reading of information by the memory unit 114L, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115L. The control unit 116L also performs processing such as accepting information from user operations and processing based on information output from each unit.

[0041] Liquid storage unit 123L is a container that stores a liquid aerosol source, such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The liquid aerosol source may include a tobacco material or an extract derived from a tobacco material that releases a flavor component when heated, and may also include a nicotine component.

[0042] The liquid guide 122L is a component that guides and holds the liquid aerosol source stored in the liquid storage 123L from the liquid storage 123L. The liquid guide 122L has a structure in which a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic is twisted. This type of component is also called a wick. Both ends of the liquid guide portion 122L are connected to the inside of the liquid storage portion 123L. Therefore, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123L spreads throughout the entire liquid guide portion 122L due to the capillary effect.

[0043] The heating unit 121L-1 is a component that heats and atomizes the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding unit 122L to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 121L-1 is an example of a first heating unit. The heating unit 121L-1 is not limited to a coil shape as shown in Fig. 3, but may be a film shape, a blade shape, or other shapes. The shape of the heating unit 121L-1 varies depending on the heating method, etc. The heating unit 121L-1 is made of any material such as metal or polyimide.

[0044] The heating unit 121L-1 is disposed adjacent to the liquid guiding unit 122L. In the present embodiment, the heating unit 121L-1 is a metal coil wound around the outer circumferential surface of the liquid guiding unit 122L. Heating unit 121L-1 generates heat when power is supplied from power supply unit 111L, and heats the aerosol source held in liquid guiding unit 122L to a vaporization temperature. The aerosol source that has reached the vaporization temperature is released as a gas from liquid guiding unit 122L into the air, but is cooled by the surrounding air and atomized, becoming an aerosol.

[0045] The power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the liquid aerosol source is basically linked to the user's inhalation. That is, power is supplied to the heating unit 121L-1 from the start of inhalation by the user to the end of inhalation, and when the user's inhalation ends, the power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 is stopped. However, in this embodiment, as a measure against liquid drying up, a period may be provided during which the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 is stopped even if inhalation by the user is detected. This period will be described later.

[0046] In addition, power supply to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the liquid aerosol source may start, for example, when a specific button is pressed when no aerosol is being generated, and may stop when a specific button is pressed when aerosol is being generated. The button for instructing the start of aerosol generation and the button for instructing the stop of aerosol generation may be the same physical button or may be different buttons.

[0047] The capsule-type container 130L is a container filled with a solid aerosol source. The solid aerosol source may include a processed product, such as cut tobacco or a tobacco raw material formed into granules, sheets, or powder, which releases a flavor component when heated. That is, the solid aerosol source may include a tobacco-derived substance. The solid aerosol source may also include, for example, a nicotine component. However, the solid aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived substances extracted from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). Additionally, the solid aerosol source may include flavoring ingredients such as menthol.

[0048] The holding part 140L corresponds to, for example, the capsule holder 12 (see FIG. 2), and has an internal space 141L in which the capsule-type container 130L is attached. The holding part 140L is a cylindrical body having a bottom 143L, and defines the columnar internal space 141L. The holding part 140L is an example of a mechanism for holding the capsule 30. A part of the capsule-type container 130L is held in the holding portion 140L, and the rest is exposed to the outside of the holding portion 140L. The part of the capsule-type container 130L that is exposed from the holding portion 140L is used as a mouthpiece 124L. The mouthpiece 124L is held in the mouth by a user who inhales the aerosol.

[0049] An air inlet (i.e., an air inlet hole) for the holding part 140L is provided, for example, in the bottom part 143L. A hole through which air can flow is formed in the bottom part of the capsule-type container 130L. Therefore, the air flowing in from the bottom part 143L passes through the inside of the capsule-type container 130L and reaches the mouthpiece 124L. In other words, the mouthpiece 124L serves as an air outlet (i.e., an air outlet hole). Incidentally, the bottom 143L is in communication with an air outlet hole 182L of an air flow path 180L formed inside the device body 11. Through this air outlet hole 182L, the internal space 141L of the holder 140L and the air flow path 180L are in communication with each other.

[0050] The heating unit 121L-2 heats the solid aerosol source filled in the capsule-type container 130L. The heating unit 121L-2 is an example of a second heating unit. The heating part 121L-2 is made of metal, polyimide, etc. The heating part 121L-2 is provided at a position where it comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the metal part of the holding part 140L. The heating unit 121L-2 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111L, and heats the outer circumferential surface of the capsule-type container 130L that is in contact with the metal portion of the holding unit 140L.

[0051] Therefore, the position close to the outer circumferential surface of the capsule-shaped container 130L is heated first, and then the heated area spreads toward the center. When the aerosol source reaches the vaporization temperature, it is vaporized, but when cooled by the surrounding air, it atomizes and becomes an aerosol. The power supply to the heating unit 121L-2 and the heating that accompanies the power supply are controlled by the control unit 116L.

[0052] The heat insulating portion 144L is a member that prevents heat from being transmitted from the heating portion 121L-2 to other components of the apparatus body 11. The heat insulating portion 144L covers at least the outer peripheral surface of the heating portion 121L-2. The heat insulating section 144L is made of, for example, a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material. A vacuum insulating material is an insulating material in which glass wool, silica (silicon powder), or the like is wrapped in a resin film and placed in a high vacuum state, thereby reducing the thermal conduction of gas to as close to zero as possible.

[0053] As described above, the air flow path 180L is an air flow path provided inside the device body 11. The air flow path 180L has a tubular structure having, at both ends, an air inlet hole 181L which is an air inlet to the air flow path 180L and an air outlet hole 182L which is an air outlet from the air flow path 180L. When the user inhales, air flows into the air flow path 180L from the air inlet hole 181L, and the air flows out to the bottom 143L of the holder 140L from the air outlet hole 182L.

[0054] A liquid guide section 122L is disposed midway along the air flow path 180L. The liquid-derived aerosol generated by heating in the heating section 121L-1 is mixed with air flowing in through the air inlet hole 181L. The mixture of the liquid-derived aerosol and air then passes through the inside of the capsule-type container 130L and is output from the mouthpiece 124L into the user's oral cavity. In FIG. 3, this flow path is indicated by an arrow 190L.

[0055] Aerosol derived from solid matter is added to the mixed gas of the liquid-derived aerosol and air as it passes through the capsule-shaped container 130L. The concentration of the aerosol derived from the solid matter increases by combining the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2. However, as will be described later, in this embodiment, a heating mode that is not combined with the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2 is also provided.

[0056] When the heating control of the heating unit 121L-2 is not combined, the aerosol derived from the liquid is generated by heating the aerosol source of the solid material when the aerosol derived from the liquid passes through the capsule container 130L. However, the amount of solid-derived aerosol generated by heating the liquid-derived aerosol is smaller than when combined with heating control of the heating unit 121L-2.

[0057] <Heating mode> The aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment is provided with two types of heating modes. The first heating mode is a first mode in which only the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the aerosol source stored in the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) is used. That is, this is a heating mode in which only the cartridge 20 is heated. Hereinafter, this heating mode will be referred to as the “normal mode.” In the normal mode, the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the solid aerosol source is always controlled to be off.

[0058] The second heating mode is a second mode that uses both the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the aerosol source stored in the cartridge 20 and the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the aerosol source filled in the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). That is, this is a heating mode that heats both the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30. Hereinafter, this heating mode will be referred to as the “high mode.” In the high mode, heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 and heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2 are alternately performed.

[0059] In the high mode, the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the solid aerosol source may be controlled to be always off, but the power supplied thereto may be reduced. That is, the heating period by the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period by the heating unit 121L-2 may be allowed to overlap partially or completely. However, if simultaneous heating is allowed, it is desirable to set the maximum power supplied to the heating units 121L-1 and 121L-2 during simultaneous heating to be smaller than the maximum power supplied when each unit is heating alone, so as not to exceed the upper limit of the battery output current. For example, when heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 is started, heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2 is reduced so as not to exceed the upper limit of the output current of the battery.

[0060] The heating mode can be switched by, for example, pressing and holding the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) for two seconds or more. For example, if the operation button 11B is pressed for two seconds or more in the high mode, the operation mode switches to the normal mode. On the other hand, if the operation button 11B is pressed for two seconds or more in the normal mode, the operation mode switches to the high mode.

[0061] In the high mode, the heating of the cartridge 20 by the heating unit 121L-1 takes priority over the heating of the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2. That is, while heating is being performed by the heating unit 121L-1, heating by the heating unit 121L-2 is controlled to be stopped or reduced. Also, while heating the capsule 30 by the heating unit 121L-2, if an event occurs that starts heating the cartridge 20, heating by the heating unit 121L-2 is controlled to be stopped or reduced.

[0062] In the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in the first embodiment, the heating of the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating of the heating unit 121L-2 are controlled so as not to exceed the upper limit of the output current of the battery used as the power supply unit 111L. In other words, the heating period of the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period of the heating unit 121L-2 are separated, or the power supplied to the heating unit 121L-2 is reduced while the heating unit 121L-1 is heating. The term "simultaneous" here does not mean that the heating timings do not overlap at all, so overlaps caused by errors in operation timing, for example, are allowed.

[0063] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the normal mode and the high mode, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an example of the heating timing in the normal mode, and (B) is a diagram illustrating an example of the heating timing in the high mode. FIG. 4(A1) shows the heating timing of the cartridge 20 in the normal mode, and FIG. 4(A2) shows the heating timing of the capsule 30 in the normal mode. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 4(A1) and (A2) represents time, and the vertical axis represents the presence or absence of heating. During periods when heating is present, power is supplied to the corresponding heating section, and during periods when heating is not present, power is not supplied to the corresponding heating section.

[0064] Heating control in normal mode is started when the locked state is released. The locked state is a state in which control by control unit 116L is stopped, and therefore, even if the user inhales through mouthpiece 124L (see FIG. 3), no aerosol is generated. The locked state can be released, for example, by pressing the operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) three times in succession within two seconds. The number of presses, the button to be operated, and the time required for the operation are all examples. When the heating control in the normal mode starts, as shown in FIG. 4(A1), the cartridge 20 is heated in conjunction with the suction period. "Linked to the period of suction" means linked to the detection of suction by sensor unit 112L. Thus, if suction for one second is detected, cartridge 20 is heated for one second, and if suction for two seconds is detected, cartridge 20 is heated for two seconds.

[0065] In the normal mode, as shown in Fig. 4(A2), regardless of whether or not inhalation is performed, heating of the capsule 30 is not performed. Note that in the normal mode, heating of the capsule 30 may be controlled to be reduced. In the present embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last detection of suction, control unit 116L transitions to the locked state. The heating mode will not change even if the device is locked. The heating mode will not change even when the device is released from the locked state.

[0066] In this embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 6 minutes (i.e., 360 seconds). This time is an example. If 6 minutes have passed since the last inhalation, it is highly likely that the user has stopped inhaling aerosol. Therefore, in this embodiment, the device main body 11 (see FIG. 2) is shifted to a locked state in order to reduce the power consumed by the device main body 11. The same applies to the high mode. That is, when six minutes have passed since the last suction, the aerosol generation device 10 is controlled to a locked state.

[0067] The device also transitions to the locked state when the user instructs it to do so. The user can manually transition to the locked state by, for example, pressing operation button 11B (see FIG. 1) three times in succession within two seconds before six minutes have elapsed since the last suction. The number of presses, the buttons to be operated, and the time required for the operation are all examples.

[0068] FIG. 4(B1) shows the heating timing of the cartridge 20 in the high mode, and FIG. 4(B2) shows the heating timing of the capsule 30 in the high mode. The horizontal axis in FIGS. 4(B1) and (B2) represents time, and the vertical axis represents the presence or absence of heating. In this embodiment, simultaneous heating of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 may be prohibited. In this case, the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the heating timing of the capsule 30 do not overlap. Note that, when the cartridge 20 is heated, the heating of the capsule 30 may be reduced. In this case, the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the heating timing of the capsule 30 may overlap. During a period indicating heating, power is supplied to the corresponding heating unit, and during a period indicating no heating, power is not supplied to the corresponding heating unit.

[0069] Heating control in high mode is initiated when the locked state that occurred during high mode is released or when switching from normal mode to high mode. When the high mode heating control starts, as shown in Fig. 4(B2), heating of the capsule 30 starts. This heating basically continues until inhalation is detected, and heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced during the period in which inhalation is detected. 4(B1) and 4(B2), heating of the capsule 30 is stopped at the timing when heating of the cartridge 20 is started. The initial temperature of the capsule 30 is, for example, the air temperature of the environment in which the aerosol generation device 10 is used, for example, room temperature.

[0070] In the case of the aerosol generation device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4(B1) and (B2), when 30 seconds have passed since the last detection of inhalation, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced to reduce power consumption. That is, the device enters a sleep state. When the device enters the sleep state, the temperature of the capsule 30 gradually decreases.

[0071] In the sleep state, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped, but the sensor unit 112L that detects inhalation is operating. Therefore, when inhalation by the user is detected in the sleep state, heating of the cartridge 20 is resumed or increased as shown in Fig. 4(B1). Furthermore, when heating of the cartridge 20 is completed, heating of the capsule 30 is resumed or increased as shown in Fig. 4(B2).

[0072] In the present embodiment, the user is not notified of the transition to the sleep state, but the user may be notified. If the device remains in sleep mode for another 5 minutes and 30 seconds, it will transition to the locked state described above.

[0073] <Heating control in high mode> 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of heating control in high mode in embodiment 1. The symbol S in the figure represents a step. The processing shown in Fig. 5 is realized through the execution of a program. The program here is stored in storage unit 114L (see Fig. 3) and is executed by control unit 116L (see Fig. 3).

[0074] The process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the locked state that was entered during the high mode is released or when the heating mode is switched from the normal mode to the high mode. After starting the process, the control unit 116L instructs the heating unit 121L-2, which heats the capsule 30, to supply power (step 1). This instruction causes heating of the capsule 30 to begin, as shown in Fig. 4(B2).

[0075] Next, control unit 116L determines whether or not the start of suction has been detected (step 2). The pressure sensor used to detect suction requires approximately 60 ms to detect the start of suction. At the shortest, the start of suction can be detected in approximately 20 ms. However, in this embodiment, the accuracy of detecting the start of suction is improved by repeating the 20 ms determination three times. The same applies to detecting the end of suction, which will be described later. That is, the control unit 116L increases the accuracy of detecting the end of suction by repeating the approximately 20 ms determination three times.

[0076] If the start of suction is detected, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result ("YES" in step 2) in step 2. Having obtained a positive result ("YES" in step 2) in step 2, the control unit 116L stops or reduces the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 3), and then instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 4).

[0077] Thereafter, the control unit 116L determines whether or not the end of suction has been detected (step 5). While the end of suction is not detected, control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 5 ("NO" in step 5) and repeats the determination in step 5. When the end of inhalation is detected, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result ("YES" in step 5) in step 5. Having obtained a positive result ("YES" in step 5) in step 5, the control unit 116L stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 6), and then instructs the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 to supply power or increase the power to be supplied (step 7).

[0078] After that, control unit 116L returns to step 2. Incidentally, if the start of suction is not detected, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 2 ("NO" in step 2). If a negative result is obtained in step 2 ("NO" in step 2), control unit 116L determines whether or not the time elapsed since the end of the last detected suction is 30 seconds or more (step 8).

[0079] The starting point of the elapsed time is the end of suction detected in step 5. The threshold value used for the determination is determined according to the number of seconds that provides the condition for transitioning to the sleep state. If a negative result is obtained in step 8 ("NO" in step 8), control unit 116L returns to step 2. While no new suction is detected, the loop process of step 2-step 8-step 2 is repeatedly executed. Although omitted in Fig. 5, a determination is also made in the same way as to whether 30 seconds or more have elapsed since the execution of step 1. In other words, a determination is also made as to whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of the process shown in Fig. 5 without suction starting.

[0080] If a positive result is obtained in step 8 ("YES" in step 8), the control unit 116L stops or reduces the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 9). That is, the control unit 116L transitions to a sleep state as shown in Fig. 5(B2). After transitioning to the sleep state, the control unit 116L returns to step 2 and waits for the start of new suction. Since the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 is stopped or reduced until the start of the next suction is detected, battery consumption is suppressed.

[0081] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, even after transitioning to the sleep state, if a positive result is obtained in step 8 ("YES" in step 8), step 9 is executed, but if the device is in sleep mode, the processing of step 9 may be skipped. Although not shown in FIG. 5, when another 5 minutes and 30 seconds have passed since the transition to the sleep state, control unit 116L transitions to the lock state.

[0082] <Summary> In this embodiment, in the high mode in which the cartridge 20 is heated during inhalation and the capsule 30 is heated when inhalation ends, if the user's inhalation is not detected for a certain period of time, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced. Specifically, when 30 seconds have passed since the end of the last detected inhalation and the device transitions to the sleep mode, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce battery consumption when inhalation by the user is not detected for a certain period of time.

[0083] On the other hand, when the start of inhalation is detected during sleep, heating of the cartridge 20 resumes, and when the end of inhalation is detected, heating of the capsule 30 resumes or increases. The temperature of the capsule 30 also decreases depending on the length of time that heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced before resuming. Therefore, if the time that heating is stopped or reduced is long, the amount of aerosol generated from solid matter at the first inhalation after waking from sleep temporarily decreases.

[0084] However, as inhalation resumes, heating of the capsule 30 also resumes, gradually increasing the temperature of the capsule 30. As a result, it becomes possible to increase the amount of aerosol derived from solid matter generated during subsequent inhalations. In other words, it is possible to achieve both the purpose of the high mode, which is to increase the concentration of the aerosol inhaled by the user, and to reduce battery consumption when the user does not inhale for a long period of time.

[0085] <Embodiment 2> In this embodiment, the heating of the cartridge 20 and capsule 30 is controlled in units of a "monitoring period." The monitoring period is a predetermined period of time that begins upon detection of inhalation by the user. The monitoring period may also be referred to as the "heating-on monitoring time." The heating-on monitoring time is the longest time during which the cartridge 20 can be continuously heated. The monitoring period is, for example, 2.4 seconds. Note that the monitoring period is not limited to 2.4 seconds and can be set arbitrarily. Therefore, even if suction is continuously detected after the end of the monitoring period, heating of the cartridge 20 is terminated.

[0086] After the end of the monitoring period, a new monitoring period is set by detecting a new suction. In the new monitoring period, heating control similar to that for heating the cartridge 20 during the monitoring period is executed. If the time between the monitoring period and the new monitoring period is less than a predetermined value, the heating of the cartridge 20 during the new monitoring period may be reduced compared to the heating of the cartridge 20 during the monitoring period. In this case, the degree of reduction in heating of the cartridge 20 during the new monitoring period may be determined based on the length of time between the monitoring period and the new monitoring period. Note that the predetermined value is, for example, 10 seconds, but is not limited to 10 seconds and can be set arbitrarily. Based on the length of time between the monitoring period and the new monitoring period, the heating of the cartridge 20 during the new monitoring period is reduced compared to the heating of the cartridge 20 during the monitoring period, so that even if short intervals of inhalation are repeated, time can be ensured to supply the liquid aerosol source to the wick before heating of the cartridge 20 begins.

[0087] In this embodiment, a period (hereinafter referred to as "heating prohibition period") in which heating of the cartridge 20 is prohibited regardless of detection of suction may be provided after the monitoring period. By providing a monitoring period and a heating prohibition time, it is possible to ensure that there is time for the liquid aerosol source to be supplied to the wick before heating of the cartridge 20 begins, even if short intervals of inhalation are repeated (or the heating time of the cartridge 20 is extended). The external appearance and internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment are the same as those of the aerosol generation device 10 described in the first embodiment.

[0088] <Heating on monitoring time> In this embodiment, heating of capsule 30 may be turned off or reduced during the monitoring period. 6 to 8 show examples of heating timing control when heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced during the monitoring period. Note that the heating control examples described below can be applied to heating of the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) in the normal mode, except for heating of the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). 6 to 8 correspond to different suction patterns.

[0089] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 1. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30.

[0090] In this embodiment, the monitoring period may be referred to as a "heating-on monitoring time." In the following description, the monitoring period will be referred to as the "heating-on monitoring time." In the case of FIG. 6, the heating-on monitoring time is 2.4 seconds. However, the heating-on monitoring time is not limited to 2.4 seconds, and may be 2 seconds or 3 seconds.

[0091] In the case of Fig. 6(A), two suctions are detected during the heating-on monitoring period, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring period elapses. In this case, the heating timing of cartridge 20 coincides with the detected suction periods, as shown in Fig. 6(B). A new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected after the end of the heating-on monitoring time.Since a new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected after the end of the heating-on monitoring time, a new heating-on monitoring time is not set even if a second suction is detected during the heating-on monitoring time. In this embodiment, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (off-controlled) or reduced during the entire heating-on monitoring time, as shown in Fig. 6(C), and the heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased during a period other than the heating-on monitoring time, as shown in Fig. 6(C).

[0092] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule 30. In FIG. 7, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 7 and FIG. 6 is that in the case of FIG. 7(A), the second suction during the heating monitor ON time continues beyond the heating ON monitor time.

[0093] As shown in Figure 7(B), even if inhalation continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, heating of the cartridge 20 is stopped when the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Also, as shown in Figure 7(C), heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased.

[0094] 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating another example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in embodiment 1. (A) shows the period of inhalation, (B) shows an example of the timing of heating the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the timing of heating the capsule 30. In FIG. 8, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 8 and FIG. 6 is that the non-suction state continues even after the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, and the state shifts to the sleep state.

[0095] In Fig. 8, the start of the period for transitioning to the sleep state is the time when the heating-on monitoring time ends, and the sleep state is transitioned to when the non-suction state has continued for 30 seconds. Note that the sleep state may also be transitioned to when 30 seconds have elapsed since the end of suction within the heating-on monitoring time, i.e., the end of the second suction in Fig. 8(A). In addition, although Figures 6(A), 7(A), and 8(A) illustrate the case where the number of suctions detected during the heating-on monitoring time is two, the number of suctions during the heating-on monitoring time may be one or three or more.

[0096] <Heating on monitoring time and heating prohibited time> In this embodiment, a heating prohibition time may be provided in addition to the heating period (heating-on monitoring time). Specific examples of the heating-on monitoring time and the heating prohibition time will be described below with reference to Figs. 9 to 11. 9 to 11 show examples of controlling the heating timing in high mode. However, the heating control example described below can also be applied to heating the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 2) in the normal mode, except for heating the capsule 30 (see FIG. 2). 9 to 11 correspond to different suction patterns.

[0097] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. As described above, after the end of the heating-on monitoring time, a new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected. In the case of Figure 9, the heating-on monitoring time is 2.4 seconds. However, the heating-on monitoring time is not limited to 2.4 seconds, and may be 2 seconds or 3 seconds.

[0098] In the case of Fig. 9(A), two suctions are detected during the heating-on monitoring period, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. In this case, the heating timing of cartridge 20 coincides with the detected suction period, as shown in Fig. 9(B). In both normal mode and high mode, the aerosol derived from the solid material is generated by passing the high-temperature aerosol derived from the liquid through the capsule 30. A new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected after the end of the heating-on monitoring time.Since a new heating-on monitoring time is set when new suction is detected after the end of the heating-on monitoring time, a new heating-on monitoring time is not set even if a second suction is detected during the heating-on monitoring time. In this embodiment, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be off) or reduced for the entire heating on monitoring time, as shown in FIG. 9(C).

[0099] 9, after the end of the heating-on monitoring time, a heating inhibit time of, for example, 1.2 seconds is provided. Note that the heating inhibit time of 1.2 seconds is just an example. As described above, the heating prohibition time is a time during which heating of the cartridge 20 is prohibited. Therefore, even if inhalation is detected during the heating prohibition time as shown in Fig. 9(A), heating of the cartridge 20 is not performed as shown in Fig. 9(B). On the other hand, when the heating prohibition time starts, heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased as shown in Fig. 9(C).

[0100] 9(A), no inhalation is detected even after the heating prohibition time has elapsed, so the capsule 30 continues to be heated until the next inhalation is detected. If a new inhalation is detected in this state, a new heating-on monitoring time is set, and heating of the cartridge 20 is started and heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced.

[0101] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. In FIG. 10, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between Figure 10 and Figure 9 is that in Figure 10(A), the second suction during the heating-on monitoring time continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, and the next suction starts within the heating prohibited time.

[0102] Even if suction continues beyond the heating-on monitoring time, the heating prohibition time starts when the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, and therefore heating of the cartridge 20 is stopped as shown in FIG. 10(B). Furthermore, even if suction starts before the heating prohibition time has elapsed, heating of the cartridge 20 is prohibited. Therefore, a new heating-on monitoring time is started after the heating prohibition time has elapsed.

[0103] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. In FIG. 11, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference between FIG. 11 and FIG. 9 is that the non-suction state continues even after the heating prohibition time has elapsed, and the state shifts to the sleep state.

[0104] In Figure 11, the start of the period when the device transitions to the sleep state is set to the time when the heating-on monitoring time ends, i.e., the time when the heating prohibition time begins, and the device transitions to the sleep state when the non-suction state continues for 28.8 seconds after the end of the heating prohibition time. However, the device may be configured to transition to a sleep state when 30 seconds have passed since the end of suction within the heating-on monitoring time, that is, the end of the second suction in FIG. 11(A).

[0105] 11, when a new puff is detected during sleep, the heating-on monitoring time is set and, at the same time, heating of the cartridge 20 is started or increased. Note that, since heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced during sleep, even if a new puff is detected, control to stop or reduce the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 is not required. In the case of FIG. 11, when the first heating-on monitoring time has elapsed after returning from sleep, heating of the capsule 30 is resumed. In the above-mentioned Figures 9(A), 10(A), and 11(A), the number of suctions detected during the heating-on monitoring time is two, but the number of suctions during the heating-on monitoring time may be one or three or more.

[0106] <Heating control in high mode> 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of heating control in high mode in embodiment 2. In FIG. 12, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are assigned the same reference numerals. The processing shown in Fig. 12 is also realized through the execution of a program. The program here is stored in storage unit 114L (see Fig. 3) and executed by control unit 116L (see Fig. 3).

[0107] The process shown in FIG. 12 is also started when the locked state that was entered during the high mode is released or when the heating mode is switched from the normal mode to the high mode. In the case of FIG. 12, the control unit 116L, which has started the process, also instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 1). Next, the control unit 116L determines whether or not the start of suction has been detected as a start event of the heating-on monitoring time (step 11).

[0108] For example, if the start of suction is detected after the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 11 ("YES" in step 11). Furthermore, when a heating prohibition time is set, for example, if the start of suction is detected after the heating prohibition time of cartridge 20 has elapsed, controller 116L may obtain a positive result in step 11 ("YES" in step 11). The period after the heating prohibition time has elapsed includes the period before entering sleep mode and the period during sleep mode. In this embodiment, if suction is started during the heating prohibition time and continues at the end of the heating prohibition time, it is considered that the start of suction was detected simultaneously with the end of the heating prohibition time.

[0109] On the other hand, for example, if the start of suction is detected within the heating-on monitoring time, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 11 ("NO" in step 11). In this case, although not shown in Fig. 12, power may be supplied to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 until the detected suction ends or until the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. Furthermore, when a heating prohibition time is set, control unit 116L may be configured to obtain a negative result in step 11 ("NO" in step 11) if the start of suction is detected within the heating prohibition time.

[0110] If a negative result is obtained in step 11, control unit 116L determines whether the conditions for transitioning to the sleep state are met, as in embodiment 1. That is, control unit 116L determines whether 30 seconds or more have elapsed since the end of the previous suction (step 8). If the condition for transitioning to the sleep state is not met, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 8, returns to step 11, and waits for the detection of a new start event of the heating on monitoring time. When the conditions for transitioning to the sleep state are satisfied, the control unit 116L stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 9), and returns to step 11.

[0111] If a positive result is obtained in step 11 ("YES" in step 11), control unit 116L sets the heating on monitoring time (step 12). Next, the control unit 116L stops or reduces the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 3), and then instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 4). This heating control corresponds to the beginning part of the first heating-on monitoring period shown in FIG.

[0112] Next, the control unit 116L determines whether or not the heating-on monitoring time has ended (step 13). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not 2.4 seconds have elapsed since the start of the heating-on monitoring time. If a negative result is obtained in step 13 ("NO" in step 13), control unit 116L determines whether the end of suction has been detected (step 5). The detection targets here include the end of suction detected as the start event of the heating-on monitoring time, as well as the end of the second or subsequent suctions detected within the same heating-on monitoring time.

[0113] If a positive result is obtained in step 5 ("YES" in step 5), the control unit 116L stops or reduces the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 6). In this embodiment, after executing step 6, control unit 116L returns to step 13. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step 5 ("NO" in step 5), control unit 116L determines whether the start of suction has been detected (step 14). The object of detection here is the start of a second or subsequent suction that occurs within the heating-on monitoring time.

[0114] If a positive result is obtained in step 14 ("YES" in step 14), the control unit 116L instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 15). If a negative result is obtained in step 14 ("NO" in step 14), or after step 15 is executed, the control unit 116L returns to step 13 and repeats the above-mentioned determination. For example, the loop process of step 13-step 5-step 14-step 13 is repeated until the end of suction, which is the start event of the heating-on monitoring time, is detected.

[0115] Incidentally, if a positive result is obtained in step 13 ("YES" in step 13), control section 116L determines whether or not suction is continuing (step 16). If suction is continuing, the control unit 116L obtains a positive result in step 16 ("YES" in step 16), and stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 17). If suction is not ongoing, the control unit 116L obtains a negative result in step 16 ("NO" in step 16). If a negative result is obtained in step 16 ("NO" in step 16), or after executing step 17, the control unit 116L instructs the heating unit 121L-2, which heats the capsule 30, to supply or increase power (step 18), and returns to step 11.

[0116] <Summary> In this embodiment, if the user's inhalation is not detected for a certain period of time, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced, thereby achieving both the purpose of the high mode, which is to increase the concentration of the aerosol inhaled by the user, and suppressing battery consumption when the user does not inhale for a long period of time.

[0117] <Third Embodiment> In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the heating of the capsule 30 during the heating-on monitoring time is controlled in conjunction with the heating of the cartridge 20. The external appearance and internal configuration of the aerosol generation device 10 assumed in this embodiment are the same as those of the aerosol generation device 10 described in the first embodiment.

[0118] <Heating on monitoring time> 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and the capsule 30 in high mode. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. In FIG. 13, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0119] The suction pattern shown in Fig. 13(A) is the same as the suction pattern shown in Fig. 11(A). That is, two suctions are detected during the first heating-on monitoring period, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring period elapses. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 13(B), during the heating-on monitoring period, the cartridge 20 is heated twice in conjunction with the detected suction periods.

[0120] The difference is the heating control of the capsule 30. 13(C), in the present embodiment, the heating control of the capsule 30 is executed or increased during a period in which the heating of the cartridge 20 is stopped (controlled to be turned off). Also, when the heating of the cartridge 20 is controlled to be turned on, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be turned off) or reduced. That is, the heating control of the cartridge 20 takes priority over the heating control of the capsule 30.

[0121] In the case of FIG. 13(A), the second puff ends before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed, so heating of the capsule 30 starts or increases before the heating-on monitoring time has elapsed. By adopting this heating control, the temperature of the capsule 30 is less likely to drop, and therefore the concentration of aerosol derived from solid matter contained in the aerosol inhaled by the user can be increased. In the present embodiment, too, when the device transitions to the sleep state, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be turned off) or reduced, that is, power supply to the heating unit 121L-2 is stopped or reduced. In the case of heating control in this embodiment, heating of the capsule 30 is resumed or increased upon the first detected start of suction during the sleep period, and heating of the capsule 30 is resumed or increased upon detection of the end of suction. <Heating on monitoring time and heating prohibited time> In this embodiment, a heating inhibit time may be set in addition to the heating period (heating-on monitoring time). Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20 and capsule 30 in high mode when a heating inhibit time is set. (A) shows the inhalation period, (B) shows an example of the heating timing of the cartridge 20, and (C) shows an example of the heating timing of the capsule 30. In FIG. 14, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0122] The suction pattern shown in Figure 14(A) is the same as the suction pattern shown in Figure 11(A). That is, two suctions are detected during the first heating-on monitoring period, and the second suction ends before the heating-on monitoring period elapses. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14(B), during the heating-on monitoring period, the cartridge 20 is heated twice in conjunction with the detected suction periods.

[0123] The difference is the heating control of the capsule 30. 14(C), in the present embodiment, heating control of the capsule 30 is executed during a period in which heating of the cartridge 20 is controlled to be turned off. Also, when heating of the cartridge 20 is controlled to be turned on, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be turned off) or reduced. That is, heating control of the cartridge 20 takes priority over heating control of the capsule 30.

[0124] In the case of FIG. 14(A), the second inhalation ends before the heating-on monitoring time elapses, so heating of the capsule 30 starts before the heating-on monitoring time elapses and continues during the heating prohibited time. By adopting this heating control, the temperature of the capsule 30 is less likely to drop, and therefore the concentration of aerosol derived from solid matter contained in the aerosol inhaled by the user can be increased. In the present embodiment, too, when the device transitions to the sleep state, heating of the capsule 30 is stopped (controlled to be turned off) or reduced, that is, power supply to the heating unit 121L-2 is stopped or reduced. In the case of the heating control in this embodiment, heating of the capsule 30 may be resumed upon the first detected start of inhalation during the sleep period, and heating of the capsule 30 may be increased upon detection of the end of inhalation.

[0125] <Heating control in high mode> Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of heating control in high mode in embodiment 3. In Fig. 15, parts corresponding to those in Fig. 12 are assigned the same reference numerals. The processing shown in Fig. 15 is also realized through the execution of a program. The program here is stored in storage unit 114L (see Fig. 3) and executed by control unit 116L (see Fig. 3). The difference between the process shown in FIG. 15 and the process shown in FIG. 12 is that in this embodiment, heating of the capsule 30 is started or increased when the end of inhalation is detected even during the heating-on monitoring time.

[0126] Therefore, if the end of inhalation is detected within the heating on monitoring time (i.e., if a positive result ("YES" in step 5) is obtained in step 5), the control unit 116L stops the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 6), and then instructs the supply or increase of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 21). Furthermore, if the start of a second or subsequent inhalation is detected within the heating-on monitoring time (i.e., if a positive result ("YES" in step 14) is obtained in step 14), the control unit 116L stops or reduces the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-2 that heats the capsule 30 (step 22), and then instructs the supply of power to the heating unit 121L-1 that heats the cartridge 20 (step 15).

[0127] <Summary> In the present embodiment, too, if inhalation by the user is not detected for a certain period of time, the heating of the capsule 30 is stopped or reduced, thereby achieving both the purpose of the high mode, which is to increase the concentration of the aerosol inhaled by the user, and suppressing battery consumption when the user does not inhale for a long period of time.

[0128] <Other embodiments> (1) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above-described embodiments. It is clear from the claims that various modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0129] (2) In the above embodiment, the aerosol generation device 10 (see FIG. 1) is an electronic cigarette, but it may also be a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer. When the aerosol generation device 10 is a nebulizer, the liquid aerosol source or solid aerosol source may contain a drug for inhalation by a patient.

[0130] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the aerosol is generated by heating the liquid aerosol source with the heating unit 121L-1. However, the aerosol may be generated by vibrating the liquid aerosol source with an oscillator. Alternatively, the heating unit 121L-1 may be configured as a susceptor made of a conductive material such as metal, and the susceptor may be induction-heated with an electromagnetic induction source to generate the aerosol.

[0131] (4) In the above-described embodiment, simultaneous heating by the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating unit 121L-2 in high mode is prohibited, but simultaneous heating may be permitted. That is, the heating period by the heating unit 121L-1 and the heating period by the heating unit 121L-2 may be permitted to overlap partially or completely. However, if simultaneous heating is permitted, it is desirable to set the maximum value of power supplied to the heating units 121L-1 and 121L-2 during simultaneous heating to be smaller than the maximum value of power supplied when heating each unit individually, so as not to exceed the upper limit of the battery output current. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 10... aerosol generating device, 11... device main body, 11A... display, 11B... operation button, 12... capsule holder, 20... cartridge, 30... capsule, 121L-1, 121L-2... heating unit

Claims

1. a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats the first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats the second aerosol source; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit; and The control unit When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, when the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit; When a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, control is performed so that the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; Even if the stop of suction is detected during the monitoring period, the elapsed time is measured from the time when the monitoring period ends, Even if the sensor detects suction multiple times within the monitoring period, the monitoring period is not reset. Aerosol generator.

2. a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats the first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats the second aerosol source; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit; and The control unit When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, when the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit; When a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, control is performed so that the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; when the user's inhalation is detected after the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced, and when the monitoring period that started upon the detection of the inhalation ends, the supply of power to the second heating unit is resumed or increased. Aerosol generator.

3. a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats the first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats the second aerosol source; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit; and The control unit When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, when the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit; When a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, control is performed so that the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; when the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced and suction by the user is detected, and when the supply of power to the first heating unit is stopped within the monitoring period that started upon detection of the suction, the supply of power to the second heating unit is resumed or increased. Aerosol generator.

4. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol, comprising: a step in which the control unit detects inhalation by the user using the sensor; the control unit controls a first heating unit to heat a first aerosol source; the control unit controls the second heating unit to heat the second aerosol source; When the control unit performs an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; When the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detecting inhalation by the user, the control unit controls the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; the control unit continues to measure the elapsed time from the end of the monitoring period even if the stop of suction is detected during the monitoring period; the control unit not resetting the monitoring period even if the sensor detects suction multiple times within the monitoring period; A control method comprising:

5. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol, comprising: a step in which the control unit detects inhalation by the user using the sensor; the control unit controls a first heating unit to heat a first aerosol source; the control unit controls the second heating unit to heat the second aerosol source; When the control unit performs an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; When the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detecting inhalation by the user, the control unit controls the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; when the control unit detects inhalation by the user after stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit and the monitoring period started upon detection of the inhalation ends, restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit; A control method comprising:

6. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol, comprising: a step in which the control unit detects inhalation by the user using the sensor; the control unit controls a first heating unit to heat a first aerosol source; the control unit controls the second heating unit to heat the second aerosol source; When the control unit performs an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; When the control unit sets a monitoring period of a predetermined length upon detecting inhalation by the user, the control unit controls the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; when the control unit detects inhalation by the user after stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit, and when the supply of power to the first heating unit is stopped within the monitoring period started by the detection of the inhalation, restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit; A control method comprising:

7. On the computer, a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating section heating a first aerosol source; a second heating section heating the second aerosol source; When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; When a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; a step of measuring the elapsed time from the end of the monitoring period even if the stop of suction is detected during the monitoring period; not resetting the monitoring period even if the sensor detects multiple suctions within the monitoring period; A program to execute.

8. On the computer, a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating section heating a first aerosol source; a second heating section heating the second aerosol source; When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; When a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; a step of restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit when suction by the user is detected after the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced and the monitoring period started upon detection of the suction ends; A program to execute.

9. On the computer, a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating section heating a first aerosol source; a second heating section heating the second aerosol source; When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; When a monitoring period of a predetermined length is set based on the detection of inhalation by the user, controlling the supply of power to the second heating unit to be stopped or reduced based on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period; a step of restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the supply of power to the first heating unit is stopped within the monitoring period started by the detection of the user's suction after the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced; A program to execute.

10. a sensor that detects inhalation by a user; a first heating unit that heats the first aerosol source; a second heating unit that heats the second aerosol source; a control unit that controls the supply of power to the first heating unit and the second heating unit; and The control unit When performing the operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, heating the second aerosol source from the end of the last inhalation detected by the sensor; When the elapsed time since the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced. Aerosol generator.

11. The control unit after stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit, if inhalation by the user is detected, restarting or increasing the supply of power to the second heating unit; The aerosol generating device according to claim 10.

12. The control unit When a monitoring period of a predetermined length that is started upon detection of inhalation by the user is set, control is performed so that the supply of power to the second heating unit is stopped or reduced depending on the elapsed time since the end of the last set monitoring period. The aerosol generating device according to claim 10.

13. A method for controlling an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol, comprising: a step in which the control unit detects inhalation by the user using the sensor; the control unit controls a first heating unit to heat a first aerosol source; the control unit controls the second heating unit to heat the second aerosol source; When the control unit performs an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, the control unit starts heating the second aerosol source from the end of the last suction detected by the sensor, and when the elapsed time from the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, stops or reduces the supply of power to the second heating unit; A control method comprising:

14. On the computer, a sensor detecting inhalation by a user; a first heating section heating a first aerosol source; a second heating section heating the second aerosol source; When performing an operation of generating an aerosol by combining heating of the first aerosol source and heating of the second aerosol source, a step of starting heating of the second aerosol source from the end of the last suction detected by the sensor, and stopping or reducing the supply of power to the second heating unit when the elapsed time from the end of the last suction detected by the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; A program to execute.

Images