Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism which enables a user to more easily customize the operation of an inhalation device. [Solution] This information processing device comprises a control unit that generates a display image displaying a profile, which is information representing a chronological change in a parameter related to an operation of generating aerosol performed by an inhalation device generating the aerosol using a base material, and changes the profile and display of the profile in the display image according to a user operation with respect to the profile in the generated display image. The control unit limits a range in which the profile can be changed, and changes the profile according to the user operation indicating a change to the profile within the range in which the profile can be changed.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] In recent years, various technologies related to suction devices have been developed to enrich the suction experience of users. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology in which the temperature to which the suction device heats the substrate changes over time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6125008 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has only recently been developed, and further technological development is required to further enrich the user's inhalation experience.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows a user to more easily customize the operation of a suction device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing device is provided that generates a display image displaying a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to the aerosol generation operation performed by an suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, and that includes a control unit that changes the profile and the display of the profile in the display image in accordance with user operations on the profile in the generated display image, wherein the control unit limits the range in which the profile can be changed and changes the profile in accordance with the user operations that instruct a change to the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed.

[0008] The control unit may limit the range within which the profile can be changed based on information about the suction device.

[0009] The suction device has a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and the information about the suction device may include at least one of an upper limit on the length of the period during which the heating unit performs preheating, an upper limit on the length of the period during which the heating unit operates based on the profile, an upper limit on the temperature of the heating unit, an upper limit on the rate of increase in temperature of the heating unit, or an upper limit on the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit.

[0010] The control unit may limit a range in which the profile can be changed based on information about the base material.

[0011] The information processing device may include a communication unit that communicates with the suction device, and the control unit may limit the range within which the profile can be changed based on information received by the communication unit.

[0012] The control unit may change a limit on a range in which the profile can be changed based on the user operation.

[0013] The control unit may generate the display image displaying information indicating that the range in which the profile can be changed has been exceeded when the user operation is performed to instruct a change of the profile that exceeds the range in which the profile can be changed.

[0014] The control unit may generate the display image when a user operation is performed that instructs a change to the profile beyond the range in which the profile can be changed, and displays information suggesting other changes that will enable the profile to be changed based on the user operation.

[0015] Restricting the range in which the profile can be changed may include at least one of restricting the range in which the parameter can be changed, or restricting a period in which the parameter of the profile can be changed.

[0016] The suction device may have a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and limiting the range in which the profile can be changed may include limiting the range in which the length of the period in which the heating unit performs preheating can be changed.

[0017] The suction device may have a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and limiting the range within which the profile can be changed may include limiting the range within which the length of the period during which the heating unit operates based on the profile can be changed.

[0018] The control unit may generate the display image, which displays information indicating whether the profile displayed in the display image is available for the substrate, based on information about the substrate.

[0019] The control unit may generate the display image based on information about the substrate, the display image displaying information suggesting changes to the profile when the profile displayed in the display image is used for the substrate.

[0020] The suction device has a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and the control unit may generate the display image based on information about the substrate, the display image including information about at least one of the length of time during which the aerosol can be inhaled or the number of times it can be inhaled when the heating unit operates based on the profile.

[0021] The suction device may have a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and changing the profile may include changing the parameters, changing the time corresponding to the parameters, and changing the length of the period during which the heating unit operates based on the profile.

[0022] The suction device may have a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and changing the profile may include changing the length of a period during which the heating unit performs preheating.

[0023] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including: generating a display image displaying a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to the aerosol generation operation performed by an aspiration device that generates an aerosol using a substrate; and changing the profile and the display of the profile in the display image in accordance with user operations on the profile in the generated display image, which limit the range in which the profile can be changed and instruct the user to change the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed.

[0024] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to generate a display image displaying a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to the operation of generating an aerosol performed by an suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate; limiting the range in which the profile can be changed, and instructing the user to change the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed, and changing the profile and the display of the profile in the display image in accordance with user operations on the profile in the generated display image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] As described above, the present invention provides a mechanism that allows the user to more easily customize the operation of the suction device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a suction device. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a graph showing an example of the transition of the temperature of the heating unit when temperature control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0028] <1. Configuration example> <1.1. Example of suction device configuration> An inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

[0029] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device. As shown in Fig. 1, a suction device 100 according to this example configuration includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a holding unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0030] Power supply unit 111 stores power. Power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of suction device 100 based on the control of control unit 116. Power supply unit 111 can be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0031] The sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information related to the suction device 100. As one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0032] The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured by, for example, a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0033] The storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0034] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0035] The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor, for example.

[0036] The holding part 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holding part 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the holding part 140. An air inlet, which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is arranged, for example, on a side surface of the suction device 100. An air outlet, which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.

[0037] The stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug. Note that in this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid but may also be a solid. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the holding portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is housed in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When a user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth along with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0038] The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. For example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input.

[0039] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121 to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0040] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0041] As one example, the heating unit 121 may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140.

[0042] As another example, the holding unit 140 may include an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a portion of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The holding unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to clamp the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, the heating unit 121 may be provided at the clamping location in the holding unit 140, and heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0043] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100 has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0044] The stick-type substrate 150 is an example of a substrate that contains an aerosol source and contributes to the generation of an aerosol. Furthermore, aerosol is generated by combining the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150. Therefore, the combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may be considered as an aerosol generating system.

[0045] <1.2. System configuration example> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the system 1 includes a suction device 100 and a terminal device 200. The configuration of the suction device 100 is as described above.

[0046] The terminal device 200 is a device used by a user of the suction device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 is configured by any information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable device. As shown in FIG. 2 , the terminal device 200 includes an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a communication unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

[0047] The input unit 210 has a function of accepting input of various information. The input unit 210 may include an input device that accepts input of information from a user. Examples of the input device include a button, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a microphone. In addition, the input unit 210 may include various sensors such as an image sensor and an inertial sensor, and may accept user actions as input.

[0048] The output unit 220 has a function of outputting information. The output unit 220 may include an output device that outputs information to a user. Examples of the output device include a display device that displays information, a light-emitting device that emits light, a vibration device that vibrates, and a sound output device that outputs sound. An example of a display device is a display. An example of a light-emitting device is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). An example of a vibration device is an eccentric motor. An example of a sound output device is a speaker. The output unit 220 notifies the user of the information by outputting information input from the control unit 250.

[0049] The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and other devices. The communication unit 230 performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Such a communication standard may be, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0050] The storage unit 240 stores various types of information for the operation of the terminal device 200. The storage unit 240 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0051] The control unit 250 functions as an arithmetic processing unit or control device, and controls the overall operation of the terminal device 200 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 250 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. The control unit 250 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs to be used, arithmetic parameters, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as needed. The terminal device 200 executes various processes under the control of the control unit 250. The processing of information input by the input unit 210, the output of information by the output unit 220, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 230, and the storage and reading of information by the memory unit 240 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 250. Other processes executed by the terminal device 200, such as the input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 250.

[0052] The functions of the control unit 250 may be realized using an application. The application may be pre-installed or may be downloaded. The functions of the control unit 250 may also be realized by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

[0053] <2. Technical Features> (1) Heating profile The suction device 100 according to this embodiment operates according to a heating profile. The heating profile is information that defines the operation of generating an aerosol (i.e., the operation of heating a substrate) performed by the suction device 100. The suction device 100 generates an aerosol by heating the substrate according to the heating profile.

[0054] More specifically, the heating profile is information indicating time-series changes in parameters related to the aerosol-generating operation performed by the inhalation device 100. One example of the parameter is the temperature of the heating unit 121. The heating profile may be information specifying the time-series change in the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature). In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature specified in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.

[0055] The heating profile includes one or more combinations of a target temperature and information indicating the timing at which the target temperature should be reached. The control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 by switching the target temperature depending on the elapsed time since the start of heating based on the heating profile. Specifically, the control unit 116 controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 based on the difference between the current actual temperature and the target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time since the start of heating based on the heating profile. The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved, for example, by known feedback control. The feedback control may be, for example, a proportional-integral-differential controller (PID) control. The control unit 116 may supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses obtained by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio or frequency of the power pulses in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple on / off control in the feedback control. For example, the control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, stop heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may adjust the voltage through feedback control.

[0056] The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance of the heating unit 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor that constitutes the heating unit 121). This is because the electrical resistance of the heating resistor changes depending on the temperature. The electrical resistance of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the amount of voltage drop across the heating resistor. The amount of voltage drop across the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In another example, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating unit 121.

[0057] The period from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 is hereinafter also referred to as a heating session. In other words, a heating session is a period during which the operation of the heating unit 121 is controlled based on the heating profile. The start of a heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile begins. The end of a heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated.

[0058] The heating session includes a pre-heating period in the first half and a puffable period in the second half. The puffable period is a period during which aerosol can be inhaled. It is assumed that a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated during the puffable period. The pre-heating period is the period from when heating starts until when the puffable period starts. Heating performed during the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating. Here, the user is notified of the timing when the puffable period starts (in other words, the timing when the pre-heating period ends). For example, the notification unit 113 outputs a vibration at the timing when the puffable period starts. The user can start puffing based on this notification. The pre-heating period may be considered as the period from when heating starts until the notification is issued.

[0059] Additionally, the user may be notified of the timing when the puffing period will end. Furthermore, the user may be notified of the timing a predetermined time before the end of the puffing period (for example, the timing when power supply to the heating unit 121 will end). In this case, the user can puff during the puffing period by referring to the notification.

[0060] The heating profile may include multiple periods in which different target temperatures are set. The temperature may be controlled to reach the target temperature set for a certain period at any timing during that period, or may be controlled to reach the target temperature at the end of that period. In either case, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be changed in the same way as the target temperature set in the heating profile.

[0061] An example of a heating profile is shown in Table 1 below.

[0062] [Table 1]

[0063] The temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the control unit 116 performs temperature control in accordance with the heating profile shown in Table 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of the temperature change of the heating unit 121 when the temperature control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. The horizontal axis of this graph is time (seconds). The vertical axis of this graph is the temperature of the heating unit 121. Line 21 in this graph shows the temperature change of the heating unit 121. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 changes in the same way as the target temperature change defined in the heating profile.

[0064] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile begins with an initial temperature rise period. The initial temperature rise period is a period during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises from the initial temperature. The initial temperature is the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of heating. As shown in FIG. 3, during the initial temperature rise period, the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaches 310°C 17 seconds after the start of heating and is maintained at 310°C for 35 seconds after the start of heating. This is expected to allow the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 to reach a temperature at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated. By quickly raising the temperature to 310°C immediately after the start of heating, it is possible to end preheating early and start the puffable period early. Note that in FIG. 3, the preheating period ends 17 seconds after the start of heating.

[0065] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes an intermediate temperature-reducing period after an initial temperature-rising period. The intermediate temperature-reducing period is a period during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 decreases. As shown in FIG. 3, during the intermediate temperature-reducing period, the temperature of the heating unit 121 decreases from 310°C to 260°C between 35 and 45 seconds after the start of heating. During this period, power supply to the heating unit 121 may be stopped. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated due to the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the stick-shaped substrate 150. If the heating unit 121 is maintained at a high temperature, the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be rapidly consumed, which may result in flavor deterioration, such as an overpowering flavor experienced by the user. In this regard, providing an intermediate temperature-reducing period midway through the puffing process can avoid such flavor deterioration and improve the quality of the user's puffing experience.

[0066] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes a reheating period after the intermediate temperature-lowering period. The reheating period is a period during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases. As shown in FIG. 3, during the reheating period, the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases from 260°C to 290°C between 45 seconds and 180 seconds after the start of heating and remains at 290°C until 260 seconds after the start of heating. If the temperature of the heating unit 121 continues to decrease, the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 also decreases, reducing the amount of aerosol generated and potentially degrading the flavor experienced by the user. Furthermore, as the heating profile progresses toward the latter half, the remaining amount of aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150 decreases, which tends to decrease the amount of aerosol generated even when heating is continued at the same temperature. In this regard, by increasing the amount of aerosol generated by increasing the temperature again in the latter half of the heating profile, the decrease in the amount of aerosol generated due to the decrease in the remaining amount of aerosol source can be compensated for. This makes it possible to prevent degradation of the flavor experienced by the user, even in the latter half of the heating profile.

[0067] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes a heating end period at the end. The heating end period is a period following the reheating period during which heating is not performed. A target temperature does not need to be set. As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature of the heating unit 121 begins to decrease after 260 seconds from the start of heating. Power supply to the heating unit 121 may be terminated 260 seconds from the start of heating. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated for a while due to the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the stick-shaped substrate 150. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the puffable period, i.e., the heating session, ends 270 seconds from the start of heating.

[0068] (2) Customizing the heating profile The terminal device 200 generates a display image that displays a heating profile. Then, the terminal device 200 changes the heating profile and the display of the heating profile in the display image in response to a user operation on the heating profile in the display image. With this configuration, the user can change the heating profile while visually checking how the heating profile is being changed. Therefore, usability is improved when customizing the heating profile. An example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0069] 4 to 8 are diagrams showing examples of display images generated by the terminal device 200 according to this embodiment. The display image 30A shown in FIG. 4 is a display image displaying a heating profile before change. The display images 30B to 30E shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 are display images displaying a heating profile changed in response to a user operation on the display image 30A shown in FIG. 4. The display images 30A to 30E include a graph 40 displaying a line 41 indicating the heating profile. The horizontal axis of the graph 40 represents time. The vertical axis of the graph 40 represents the temperature of the heating unit 121 that is expected when the heating unit 121 operates according to the heating profile. Simply put, the vertical axis of the graph 40 may be regarded as a parameter of the heating profile (i.e., the target temperature of the heating unit 121). The user can freely change the heating profile by operating UI elements displayed on the display image 30A.

[0070] Changing the heating profile may include changing the target temperature. For example, when the terminal device 200 receives a user operation to select and move an arbitrary point on the line 41 of the graph 40 up or down, the terminal device 200 changes the target temperature corresponding to the point according to the amount and direction of movement. Specifically, when a user operation is performed to move the point 42 (180 seconds, 290°C) displayed on the display image 30A up by 10°C, the terminal device 200 changes the heating profile so that the target temperature 180 seconds after the start of heating becomes 300°C. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 200 generates and displays a display image 30B that displays the changed heating profile.

[0071] Changing the heating profile may include changing the time corresponding to the target temperature. For example, when the terminal device 200 receives a user operation to select and move a point on the line 41 of the graph 40 to the left or right, the terminal device 200 changes the time corresponding to the target temperature corresponding to the point in accordance with the amount and direction of movement. Specifically, when a user operation is performed to move the point 42 (180 seconds, 290°C) displayed on the display image 30A to the left by 20 seconds, the terminal device 200 changes the heating profile so that the target temperature 160 seconds after the start of heating becomes 290°C. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 200 generates and displays a display image 30C that displays the changed heating profile.

[0072] Changing the heating profile may include changing the length of the heating session. For example, when the terminal device 200 receives a user operation to expand or contract the width of the heating session displayed in the graph 40, the terminal device 200 changes the length of the heating session according to the expansion / contraction direction and the expansion / contraction amount. Specifically, when a user operation is performed to expand the width of the heating session displayed in the display image 30A from 270 seconds by 10 seconds, the terminal device 200 changes the heating profile so that the length of the heating session becomes 280 seconds. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the terminal device 200 generates and displays a display image 30D that displays the changed heating profile.

[0073] Changing the heating profile may include changing the length of the preheating period. For example, when the terminal device 200 receives a user operation to move the position of the boundary line between the preheating period and the puffable period displayed on the graph 40 to the left or right, the terminal device 200 changes the length of the preheating period according to the amount and direction of movement. Specifically, when a user operation is performed to move the position of the boundary line between the preheating period and the puffable period, which is displayed on the display image 30A and is located 17 seconds from the start of heating, to the right by 10 seconds, the terminal device 200 changes the heating profile so that the length of the preheating period becomes 27 seconds. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 200 generates and displays a display image 30E that displays the changed heating profile.

[0074] Note that changing the length of the preheating period may be considered as changing the timing of issuing a notification indicating completion of preheating.

[0075] The display image may display a heating profile in association with information indicating the puff timing detected when the heating profile was previously used. In this case, the user can customize the heating profile after recognizing the relationship between the heating profile and the puff timing in light of the sensation of inhaling the aerosol. An example of such a display image is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 according to this embodiment. The display image 30F shown in FIG. 9 includes a graph 40 displaying a line 41 indicating the heating profile. X-shaped points 42 (42-1 to 42-6) on the line 41 of the graph 40 indicate points corresponding to the puff timing detected when the heating profile shown by the graph 40 was previously used. The user can change the flavor at the puff timing by moving these points 42 up and down.

[0076] The terminal device 200 controls the inhalation device 100 to operate according to the changed heating profile. For example, the terminal device 200 receives and displays the profile before the change from the inhalation device 100, and transmits the heating profile changed by the user to the inhalation device 100. In this case, the terminal device 200 may transmit the changed heating profile or the difference between the profile before and after the change. The next time the inhalation device 100 generates aerosol, it will operate according to the changed heating profile. This configuration allows the user to freely customize the operation of the inhalation device 100. This allows the user to, for example, search for a heating profile that achieves a preferred inhalation sensation by repeatedly customizing it.

[0077] (3) Limitations on the scope of customization The terminal device 200 limits the range within which the heating profile can be changed. The terminal device 200 then changes the profile in response to a user operation that instructs a change to the heating profile within the limited changeable range of the heating profile. This configuration makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the user unknowingly performs undesirable customization on the heating profile. In other words, the user can easily perform desirable customization by customizing the heating profile in accordance with the restrictions imposed by the terminal device 200.

[0078] Limiting the range within which the heating profile can be changed may include limiting the range within which the target temperature can be changed. For example, the terminal device 200 may set at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit for the target temperature.

[0079] Limiting the range in which the heating profile can be changed may include limiting the period in which the target temperature in the heating profile can be changed. For example, terminal device 200 may accept changes to the target temperature only during a portion of a heating session.

[0080] Limiting the range in which the heating profile can be changed may include limiting the range in which the length of the period during which preheating is performed by the heating unit 121 can be changed. For example, the terminal device 200 may set at least either a lower limit or an upper limit for the length of the preheating period.

[0081] Limiting the range in which the heating profile can be changed may include limiting the range in which the length of the period in which the heating unit 121 operates based on the heating profile. For example, the terminal device 200 may set at least one of a lower limit and an upper limit for the length of the heating session.

[0082] The terminal device 200 may limit the range within which the heating profile can be changed based on information about the suction device 100. The information about the suction device 100 may include information about the hardware of the suction device 100, such as the characteristics of the power supply unit 111 and the characteristics of the heating unit 121. The information about the suction device 100 may also include information about the software of the suction device 100, such as firmware that defines the operation of the control unit 116. With this configuration, it is possible to customize the heating profile within a range within which the suction device 100 can operate appropriately.

[0083] As an example, the information about the suction device 100 may include an upper limit for the length of the preheating period. In this case, the terminal device 200 allows the length of the preheating period in the heating profile to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit. The suction device 100 may be equipped with logic that determines that a malfunction has occurred if the temperature of the heating unit 121 does not reach a predetermined temperature within a predetermined time from the start of heating. If the preheating is too long, the logic may erroneously determine that a malfunction has occurred. In this regard, by allowing the length of the preheating period to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent the logic from erroneously determining that a malfunction has occurred. Furthermore, the information about the suction device 100 may include a lower limit for the length of the preheating period.

[0084] As another example, the information about the suction device 100 may include an upper limit for the length of a heating session. In this case, the terminal device 200 allows the length of the heating session to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit. If the heating session is too long, a malfunction caused by heat may occur in the suction device 100. In this regard, by allowing the length of the heating session to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent a malfunction caused by heat from occurring in the suction device 100. Furthermore, the information about the suction device 100 may include a lower limit for the length of the heating session.

[0085] As another example, the information about the suction device 100 may include an upper limit for the temperature of the heating unit 121 (i.e., the target temperature). In this case, the terminal device 200 allows the target temperature defined in the heating profile to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit. If the target temperature exceeds the heat resistance temperature of the suction device 100, a malfunction caused by heat may occur in the suction device 100. In this regard, by allowing the target temperature to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by heat from occurring in the suction device 100. Furthermore, the information about the suction device 100 may include a lower limit for the temperature of the heating unit 121.

[0086] As another example, the information of the suction device 100 may include an upper limit on the rate of increase in the temperature of the heating unit 121. In this case, the terminal device 200 allows the rate of increase of the target temperature specified in the heating profile to be changed within a range not exceeding the upper limit. Due to factors such as the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 and the specifications of the heating unit 121, there is a limit to the rate of increase in the temperature of the heating unit 121. In this regard, by allowing the rate of increase of the target temperature to be changed within a range not exceeding the upper limit, it is possible to achieve a temperature transition of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile. Furthermore, the information of the suction device 100 may include an upper limit on the rate of decrease in the temperature of the heating unit 121.

[0087] As another example, the information about the inhalation device 100 may include an upper limit on the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit 121. In this case, the terminal device 200 allows the heating profile to be changed within a range equal to or less than the upper limit on the total amount of energy. The total amount of energy corresponds to the value obtained by integrating the target temperature over time, with respect to the time series transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The total amount of energy corresponds to the amount of aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. By allowing the heating profile to be changed within a range in which the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit 121 is equal to or less than the upper limit, it is possible to prevent excessive generation of aerosol. Furthermore, the information about the inhalation device 100 may include a lower limit on the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit 121.

[0088] The terminal device 200 may limit the range within which the heating profile can be changed based on information about the stick-type substrate 150. One example of the information about the stick-type substrate 150 is the type of stick-type substrate 150 (hereinafter also referred to as brand). The terminal device 200 may also limit the range within which the heating profile can be changed based on the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the inhalation device 100. Each brand of stick-type substrate 150 contains different amounts and types of aerosol source and flavor components, and the appropriate heating temperature and heating time may also differ. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to customize the heating profile within a range within which an aerosol can be appropriately generated for each brand of stick-type substrate 150.

[0089] The terminal device 200 may limit the range in which the heating profile can be changed based on the received information. For example, the terminal device 200 receives information about the suction device 100 and / or information about the stick-type substrate 150 from the suction device 100, and limits the range in which the heating profile can be changed as described above based on the received information. Note that the information about the stick-type substrate 150 can be identified by the suction device 100 performing image recognition or the like on the appearance of the stick-type substrate 150. This configuration reduces the burden on the user of manually inputting the information about the suction device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150. Of course, the information about the suction device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may also be manually input by the user into the terminal device 200.

[0090] The terminal device 200 may change the limit of the range in which the heating profile can be changed based on a user operation. Here, the user operation refers to a user operation that changes the heating profile. For example, when a user operation is performed to increase the target temperature in the first half of the heating profile, the terminal device 200 may lower the upper limit of the target temperature in the second half of the heating profile compared to before the user operation. This configuration makes it possible to customize the heating profile within a range in which aerosol can be appropriately generated throughout the entire heating profile.

[0091] (4) Customization Guide When a user operation is performed to instruct a change to the heating profile that exceeds the changeable range of the heating profile, the terminal device 200 may generate a display image displaying information indicating that the changeable range of the heating profile has been exceeded. More simply, when a user operation is performed to instruct a change to the heating profile that exceeds the changeable range of the heating profile, the terminal device 200 may generate a display image displaying a warning. With this configuration, the user can change the heating profile within the changeable range of the heating profile. In this way, usability is improved when customizing the heating profile. An example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0092] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 according to this embodiment. The display image 30G shown in FIG. 10 is a display image displaying a heating profile changed in response to a user operation on the display image 30A shown in FIG. 4. Assume that a user operation has been performed to move the point 42 (180 seconds, 290°C) displayed on the display image 30A upward by 40°C. However, for example, if the upper limit of the temperature of the heating unit 121 is 320°C, the terminal device 200 limits the target temperature 180 seconds after the start of heating to 320°C. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the terminal device 200 generates and displays the display image 30G, which displays a graph 40 showing the changed heating profile, together with a warning 50 indicating that a temperature above 320°C cannot be set.

[0093] When a user operation is performed to instruct a change to the heating profile beyond the range in which the heating profile can be changed, the terminal device 200 may generate a display image displaying information suggesting other changes to enable the change to the heating profile based on the user operation. As described above, the limit on the range in which the heating profile can be changed may be changed based on the user operation. In this regard, when a user operation is performed to instruct the suggested other change, the range in which the heating profile can be changed may be changed, and the determination that the heating profile exceeds the range in which the heating profile can be changed may be overturned. With this configuration, the user can achieve the desired change by changing the heating profile according to the suggestion. In this way, usability when customizing the heating profile is improved. An example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0094] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 according to this embodiment. Display image 30H shown in FIG. 11 is a display image displaying a heating profile changed in response to a user operation on display image 30A shown in FIG. 4. Assume that a user operation is performed to move point 42 (180 seconds, 290°C) displayed on display image 30A upward by 40°C. However, if the upper limit of the temperature that can be increased in the 135 seconds from 45 seconds after the start of heating to 180 seconds after the start of heating is 60°C, the temperature of the heating unit 121, which was 260°C 45 seconds after the start of heating, can only be increased to 320°C 180 seconds after the start of heating. Therefore, the terminal device 200 limits the target temperature 180 seconds after the start of heating to 320°C. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 200 displays display image 30H displaying information 51 suggesting that the target temperature 45 seconds after the start of heating be changed to 270°C in order to change the target temperature 180 seconds after the start of heating to 330°C. H After the user changes the target temperature 45 seconds after the start of heating to 270°C in accordance with this information 51, it becomes possible to change the target temperature 180 seconds after the start of heating to 330°C.

[0095] There may be cases where the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 used by the suction device 100 is switched. In this case, it is preferable that the user be notified of the relationship between the customized heating profile and the new brand of stick-type substrate 150.

[0096] Therefore, the terminal device 200 may generate a display image based on the information about the stick-type substrate 150, the display image displaying information indicating whether the heating profile displayed in the display image is applicable to the stick-type substrate 150. For example, when the terminal device 200 receives information indicating the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 from the inhalation device 100, the terminal device 200 acquires information indicating the types and amounts of the aerosol source and flavor source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 of the brand indicated in the received information. This information may be stored in the storage unit 240, or may be acquired by inquiring with a server or the like. Then, based on this information, the terminal device 200 generates a display image displaying information indicating whether the heating profile displayed in the display image is applicable to the stick-type substrate 150. An example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 12 .

[0097] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 according to this embodiment. The display image 30I shown in FIG. 12 is a display image displaying a heating profile, and is an example of a display image displayed when a stick-type substrate 150 of a different brand than before is inserted into the suction device 100. The display image 30I displays information 52 indicating that the heating profile shown by the graph 40 can also be used with a new brand of stick-type substrate 150. This allows the user to select whether to use the heating profile without customizing it, or to customize it. Note that being able to use a new brand of stick-type substrate 150 means that the heating profile shown by the graph 40 can also be used with a new brand of stick-type substrate 150. L This means that the heating profile, which is limited based on the information on the stick-shaped substrate 150, is within a changeable range.

[0098] Even if a heating profile can be used for a new brand of stick-type substrate 150, it is desirable to suggest a more preferable customization to the user. Therefore, the terminal device 200 may generate a display image based on information about the stick-type substrate 150, displaying information suggesting a change in the heating profile when the heating profile displayed in the display image is used for the stick-type substrate 150. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 may generate a display image based on information about the stick-type substrate 150, including information about at least one of the length of the puffable period or the number of puffs possible when the heating unit 121 operates based on the heating profile. For example, a display image may be generated that includes information indicating that changing the heating profile will extend the length of the puffable period or increase the number of puffs possible. This configuration allows the user to try changing the heating profile for a new brand of stick-type substrate 150 to achieve a richer user experience. An example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 .

[0099] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display image generated by the terminal device 200 according to this embodiment. The display image 30J shown in FIG. 13 is a display image displaying a heating profile, and is an example of a display image displayed when a stick-type substrate 150 of a different brand than before is inserted into the suction device 100. The display image 30J indicates that the heating profile shown by the graph 40 can also be used with a new brand of stick-type substrate 150, and displays information 53 suggesting a change in the heating profile. Specifically, the information 53 suggests extending the length of the heating session, and indicates that the length of the heating session should be extended. Bapa It is shown that two more puffs are possible, so the user can customize the heating profile according to the suggestion to increase the number of puffs.

[0100] (5) Processing flow The flow of processing according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the system 1 according to this embodiment. This sequence involves the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200.

[0101] 14, first, the suction device 100 transmits information about the suction device 100 and information about the stick-type substrate 150 to the terminal device 200 (step S102). For example, the suction device 100 transmits information about the hardware or software of the suction device 100. In addition, the suction device 100 transmits information indicating the brand of the stick-type substrate 150 held in the holder 140 to the terminal device 200.

[0102] Next, the terminal device 200 limits the range within which the heating profile can be changed (step S104). For example, the terminal device 200 sets an upper limit for the length of the pre-heating period, an upper limit for the length of the heating session, an upper limit for the target temperature, and an upper limit for the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit 121, based on the information received in step S102.

[0103] Next, the terminal device 200 generates and displays a display image showing the heating profile, and accepts a user operation to change the heating profile within the changeable range of the heating profile (step S106). The terminal device 200 changes the heating profile based on the user operation performed within the changeable range of the heating profile. Furthermore, when a user operation is performed to instruct a change of the heating profile beyond the changeable range of the heating profile, the terminal device 200 displays a warning or information suggesting other changes.

[0104] Next, the terminal device 200 transmits information indicating the changed heating profile to the suction device 100 (step S108).

[0105] The suction device 100 then heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 held by the holder 140 based on the changed heating profile indicated by the received information (step S110).

[0106] <3. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0107] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the parameter in the heating profile is the temperature of the heating unit 121, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. As an example, the parameter may be the temperature of a portion heated by the heating unit 121. An example of a portion heated by the heating unit 121 is the holding unit 140. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the power supply to the heating unit 121 so that a temperature similar to the target temperature defined in the heating profile is achieved in the holding unit 140. As another example, the parameter may be information related to electricity supplied to the heating unit 121. For example, the parameter may be a voltage, current, resistance, or power supplied to the heating unit 121. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the power supply to the heating unit 121 so that power is supplied to the heating unit 121 at a voltage, current, resistance, or power similar to the voltage, current, resistance, or power defined in the heating profile.

[0108] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the inhalation device 100 is configured as a device of the type that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The inhalation device 100 may be configured as a so-called liquid atomization device that generates an aerosol by heating a liquid induced from a substrate containing a liquid aerosol source. In a liquid atomization device, heating is performed when a puff is detected, and an aerosol is generated. Therefore, a profile in a liquid atomization device is a file that specifies the temperature of heating performed when a puff is detected. The present invention can also be applied to customizing such a profile.

[0109] Note that each device described in this specification may be realized as a single device, or some or all of them may be realized as separate devices. 2 to Among the illustrated functional configuration examples of terminal device 200, the function of generating a display image included in control unit 250 and the function of changing a heating profile in response to a user operation may be provided in a device such as a server connected to terminal device 200 via a network or the like. Alternatively, suction device 100 may be provided with the function of generating a display image included in control unit 250 and the function of changing a heating profile in response to a user operation.

[0110] Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance, for example, on a recording medium (non-transitory medium) provided inside or outside each device. Each program is then loaded into RAM when executed by a computer, and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. The computer program may also be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a recording medium.

[0111] Furthermore, the processes described herein using flowcharts and sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown. Some process steps may be performed in parallel. Furthermore, additional process steps may be employed, and some process steps may be omitted.

[0112] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. (1) generating a display image that displays a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to an operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, and the operation of generating the aerosol; a control unit that changes the profile and a display of the profile in the generated display image in response to a user operation on the profile in the generated display image; Equipped with the control unit limits a changeable range of the profile, and changes the profile in response to the user operation instructing a change of the profile within the limited changeable range of the profile. Information processing device. (2) The control unit limits a range in which the profile can be changed based on information about the suction device. The information processing device according to (1) above. (3) the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, the information about the suction device includes at least one of an upper limit of the length of a period during which the heating unit performs preheating, an upper limit of the length of a period during which the heating unit operates based on the profile, an upper limit of the temperature of the heating unit, an upper limit of the rate of increase in the temperature of the heating unit, or an upper limit of the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit; The information processing device according to (2) above. (4) The control unit limits a range in which the profile can be changed based on information about the base material. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (3). (5) the information processing device includes a communication unit that communicates with the suction device, the control unit limits the range in which the profile can be changed based on information received by the communication unit. The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (4) above. (6) the control unit changes a limit on a range in which the profile can be changed based on the user operation. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (5) above. (7) the control unit generates the display image displaying information indicating that the profile has exceeded a changeable range when the user operation instructs a change of the profile that exceeds a changeable range of the profile. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (6) above. (8) when the user operation instructs a change of the profile beyond a changeable range of the profile, the control unit generates the display image displaying information suggesting another change that enables the change of the profile based on the user operation. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes at least one of limiting the range in which the parameter can be changed or limiting a period in which the parameter in the profile can be changed. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (8). (10) the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting the range in which the length of a period in which the heating unit performs pre-heating can be changed. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (9) above. (11) the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting the range in which the length of a period in which the heating unit operates based on the profile can be changed. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (10) above. (12) the control unit generates the display image, which displays information indicating whether the profile displayed in the display image is available for the base material, based on information about the base material. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (11) above. (13) the control unit generates the display image, which displays information suggesting a change in the profile when the profile displayed in the display image is used for the base material, based on information about the base material. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (12) above. (14) the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, the control unit generates the display image based on the information about the base material, the display image including information about at least one of a length of a period during which the aerosol can be inhaled or a number of times the aerosol can be inhaled when the heating unit operates based on the profile. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (13) above. (15) the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, Changing the profile includes changing the parameters, changing a time corresponding to the parameters, and changing a length of a period during which the heating unit operates based on the profile. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (14). (16) the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, changing the profile includes changing the length of a period during which the heating unit performs preheating. The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (15) above. (17) generating a display image that displays a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to an operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, to generate the aerosol; limiting a range in which the profile can be changed, and changing the profile and a display of the profile in the display image in response to a user operation on the profile in the generated display image that instructs a change to the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed; Including, Information processing methods. (18) On the computer, generating a display image that displays a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to an operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, to generate the aerosol; limiting a range in which the profile can be changed, and changing the profile and a display of the profile in the display image in response to a user operation on the profile in the generated display image that instructs a change to the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed; A program to execute. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 System 100 Suction device 111 Power supply section 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification Department 114 Storage section 115 Communications Department 116 Control Unit 121 Heating section 140 Holding part 141 Interior Space 142 Aperture 143 Bottom 144 Insulation section 150 Stick-type base material 151 Base material part 152 Mouthpiece 200 Terminal Device 210 Input section 220 Output section 230 Communications Department 240 Storage section 250 control section

Claims

1. generating a display image that displays a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to an operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, and the operation of generating the aerosol; a control unit that changes the profile and a display of the profile in the generated display image in response to a user operation on the profile in the generated display image; Equipped with the control unit limits a changeable range of the profile, and changes the profile in response to the user operation instructing a change of the profile within the limited changeable range of the profile. the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material based on the profile to generate the aerosol; limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting a period in which the parameters of the profile can be changed to a part of a period from when the heating unit starts to when the heating unit finishes generating an aerosol based on the profile. Information processing device.

2. the control unit limits the range in which the profile can be changed based on information of the suction device including an upper limit of the rate of temperature increase of the heating unit based on specifications of the heating unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the control unit limits the range within which the profile can be changed based on information of the suction device including upper and lower limits of the total amount of energy consumed by the heating unit. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. The control unit limits a range in which the profile can be changed based on information about the base material. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the information processing device includes a communication unit that communicates with the suction device, the control unit limits the range in which the profile can be changed based on information received by the communication unit. The information processing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. the control unit changes at least one of an upper limit or a lower limit of the parameter that can be set at a time different from a time at which the parameter was changed, based on the user operation that changes the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit defined in the profile. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the control unit generates the display image displaying information indicating that the profile has exceeded a changeable range when the user operation instructs a change of the profile that exceeds a changeable range of the profile. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. when the user operation instructs a change of the profile beyond a changeable range of the profile, the control unit generates the display image displaying information suggesting another change that enables the change of the profile based on the user operation. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. limiting the range within which the profile can be changed includes limiting the range within which the parameter can be changed. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting the range in which the length of a period in which the heating unit performs pre-heating can be changed. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting the range in which the length of a period in which the heating unit operates based on the profile can be changed. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the control unit generates the display image, which displays information indicating whether the profile displayed in the display image is available for the base material, based on information about the base material. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. the control unit generates the display image, which displays information suggesting a change in the profile when the profile displayed in the display image is used for the base material, based on information about the base material; The information suggesting a change in the profile includes information regarding at least one of a change in the length of the period during which the aerosol can be inhaled or a change in the number of times the aerosol can be inhaled when the profile is changed. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Changing the profile includes changing the parameters, changing a time corresponding to the parameters, and changing a length of a period during which the heating unit operates based on the profile. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. changing the profile includes changing the length of a period during which the heating unit performs preheating. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. generating a display image that displays a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to an operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, to generate the aerosol; limiting a range in which the profile can be changed, and changing the profile and a display of the profile in the display image in response to a user operation on the profile in the generated display image that instructs a change to the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed; Including, the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting a period in which the parameters of the profile can be changed to a part of a period from when the heating unit starts to when the heating unit finishes generating an aerosol based on the profile. Information processing methods.

17. On the computer, generating a display image that displays a profile, which is information showing time-series changes in parameters related to an operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol using a substrate, to generate the aerosol; limiting a range in which the profile can be changed, and changing the profile and a display of the profile in the display image in response to a user operation on the profile in the generated display image that instructs a change to the profile within the limited range in which the profile can be changed; Execute the suction device has a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, limiting the range in which the profile can be changed includes limiting a period in which the parameters of the profile can be changed to a part of a period from when the heating unit starts to when the heating unit finishes generating an aerosol based on the profile. program.

Images