Aerosol generation system, control method, and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of user's experiences using an inhalation device. [Solution] An aerosol generation system comprising a first device, a second device and a controller, wherein: the first device has a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a base material set in the first device on the basis of a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and a first power supply unit that supplies electric power to the heating unit; the second device has a second power supply unit that supplies electric power to the heating unit and / or the first power supply unit in the state where the first device and the second device are connected; and, when the heating unit executes heating in the state where the first device and the second device are connected, the controller chooses which of the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit will supply electric power to the heating unit on the basis of the electric power stored in the first power supply unit.

Description

Aerosol generation system, control method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating system, a control method, and a program.

[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 aerosols containing flavor components using a substrate containing an aerosol source for generating aerosols and a flavor source for imparting flavor components to the generated aerosol. Users can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the flavor-imparted aerosol generated by the inhalation device. The action of a user inhaling an aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as a puff or a puffing action.

[0003] Various technologies have been developed to further improve the quality of the user experience when using such suction devices. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technology that prevents heating from being performed when the suction device does not have enough battery power to completely heat one substrate.

[0004] Patent No. 5768192

[0005] The technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has only recently been developed, and there is still room for improvement in various respects.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the user experience when using a suction device.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generation system including a first device, a second device, and a control device, wherein the first device has a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a substrate set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines the time series progression of parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit, and the second device has a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit when the first device and the second device are connected, and the control device selects a power supply source for the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on the power stored in the first power supply unit when the heating unit performs heating when the first device and the second device are connected.

[0008] The control device may select the second power supply unit as the power supply source for the heating unit for at least a portion of the period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile when the power stored in the first power supply unit is less than a threshold value.

[0009] The control device may select the first power supply unit as the power supply source to the heating unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied during a period other than at least a portion of the period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile, and may select the second power supply unit as the power supply source to the heating unit when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

[0010] The predetermined condition may include disconnection of the first device from the second device.

[0011] The predetermined condition may be that the power stored in the first power supply unit is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0012] The period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile includes, in order, an initial heating period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated rises from an initial temperature, an intermediate temperature drop period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated decreases, and a re-heating period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated rises again, and at least a portion of the period may include the initial heating period.

[0013] Before heating is performed based on the heating profile, the control device may set the threshold to a value that allows heating to continue from the beginning to the end of the period in which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile, and during heating based on the heating profile, the control device may set the threshold to a value that allows heating to continue from the beginning to the end of the remaining period in which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile.

[0014] The aerosol generation system further includes a notification unit that notifies the user of information, and the notification unit may notify information indicating that the connection between the first device and the second device can be disconnected when the power stored in the first power supply unit becomes equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0015] The aerosol generation system includes a notification unit provided in the first device and a notification unit provided in the second device, and when the first device and the second device are connected, the notification unit provided in the second device may notify information indicating the status of the first device, and when the first device and the second device are not connected, the notification unit provided in the first device may notify information indicating the status of the first device.

[0016] The information indicating the state of the first device may relate to at least one of the progress of heating by the heating unit, the charging state of the first power supply unit, and an error that has occurred in the first device.

[0017] When the second power supply unit is selected as the power supply source for the heating unit, the second power supply unit may supply power to both the heating unit and the first power supply unit.

[0018] The control device may set, based on a user operation on the second device, whether the second power supply unit supplies power to the first power supply unit, the heating unit, or both the first power supply unit and the heating unit when the first device and the second device are connected.

[0019] The second power supply unit may start supplying power to the heating unit when the substrate is set in the first device while the first device and the second device are connected.

[0020] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a computer that controls at least one of a first device or a second device, wherein the first device has a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a substrate set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines the time series progression of parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit, and the second device has a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit when the first device and the second device are connected, and the control method includes, when the heating unit performs heating when the first device and the second device are connected, selecting a power supply source to the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on the power stored in the first power supply unit.

[0021] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer that controls at least one of a first device or a second device, wherein the first device has a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a substrate set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines the time series progression of parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit, and the second device has a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit when the first device and the second device are connected, and the program causes the computer to select a power supply source to the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on the power stored in the first power supply unit when the heating unit performs heating when the first device and the second device are connected.

[0022] As described above, the present disclosure provides a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the user experience when using a suction device.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external configuration of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a stick-shaped substrate is inserted into a suction device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the suction device according to the present embodiment is disconnected from a charging device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a charging device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an airflow generated in association with puffing in a suction device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a bottom of a storage section according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inner wall of a storage section according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inner wall of a storage section according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of an airflow generated in association with puffing in a suction device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a proximity sensor in a suction device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating an example of a heating profile according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing executed by the aerosol generation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating an example of a heating profile according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating an example of switching of the heating profile according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of information notified by an LED of a charging device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of information notified by an LED of a charging device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of information notified by an LED of a charging device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of information notified by an LED of a charging device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a first example of an attachment / detachment mechanism of a suction device according to a first modified example; FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of a suction device in a state where the connection between the cap and the main body is released in the first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism; FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of a suction device in a state where the cap and the main body are connected in the first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism; FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing another example of a cross section of a suction device in a state where the cap and the main body are connected in the first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism.1 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism of the suction device according to the first modified example. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the suction device in a state where the connection between the cap and the main body is released in the second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the suction device in a state where the cap and the main body are connected in the second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing another example of a cross section of the suction device in a state where the cap and the main body are connected in the second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an aerosol generation system according to the second modified example. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the suction device according to the same modified example. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device according to the third modified example. FIG. 8 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile according to the same modified example. FIG. 9 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile according to the same modified example. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device according to the fourth modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an aerosol generation system according to the fifth modified example.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below 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 description will be omitted.

[0025] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding a "-" and a different number after the same reference symbol. For example, multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished as necessary, such as heating unit 121-1 and heating unit 121-2. However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference symbol is used. For example, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between heating unit 121-1 and heating unit 121-2, they will simply be referred to as heating unit 121.

[0026] 1. Embodiment 1.1. System Configuration First, an overview of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of an aerosol generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generation system 1 according to this embodiment includes an inhalation device 100 and a charging device 900. The inhalation device 100 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. The charging device 900 is a device that supplies power to other devices. As an example, the charging device 900 supplies power to the inhalation device 100 and charges the inhalation device 100.

[0028] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the inhalation device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2 , the stick-type substrate 150 can be inserted into the inhalation device 100 through an opening 142 provided on the top surface 100a of the inhalation device 100. The stick-type substrate 150 is an example of a substrate containing an aerosol source. The inhalation device 100 generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150. A combination of the inhalation device 100, the charging device 900, and the stick-type substrate 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system 1.

[0029] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment and the charging device 900 are disconnected. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 may be configured to be detachable. With the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 connected, the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be heated and an aerosol may be generated. Furthermore, with the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 disconnected, the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be heated and an aerosol may be generated.

[0030] 1 to 3, the longitudinal direction of the suction device 100 is also referred to as the up-down direction. The down-down direction corresponds to the insertion direction of the stick-shaped substrate 150. The up-down direction corresponds to the removal direction of the stick-shaped substrate 150. Of the housing of the aerosol generation system 1, the up-down surface is also referred to as the top surface, the down-down surface is also referred to as the bottom surface, and the surface perpendicular to the up-down direction is also referred to as the side surface.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the suction device 100 includes a cap 20 and a main body 30. The main body 30 is an example of a first component that includes components of the suction device 100, such as a heating unit 121 and a control unit 116, which will be described later. The cap 20 is an example of a second component that is detachably connected to the main body 30. The cap 20 may be an accessory that is configured to detachably form a portion of the outer shell of the suction device 100. For example, the cap 20 is attached to the main body 30 by enclosing the upper end of the main body 30. For example, a user may have multiple caps 20 of different colors. The user can adjust the aesthetic appearance of the suction device 100 by changing the caps 20 depending on their mood. Of course, the cap 20 and the main body 30 may be configured integrally.

[0032] 3, the inhalation device 100 is cylindrical with a top surface 100a and a bottom surface 100b at both ends. A button 11 is provided on a side surface 100c of the inhalation device 100. The button 11 is an example of an operation unit that can accept user operations on the aerosol generation system 1. As an example, the inhalation device 100 may start heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 when the button 11 is pressed.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3 , an LED (light-emitting diode) 12 is provided on the side surface 100c of the inhalation device 100. The LED 12 is arranged in correspondence with the button 11. Specifically, the LED 12 is arranged so as to surround the button 11. The LED 12 is an example of a notification unit that outputs information notifying the user from the aerosol generation system 1. The LED 12 may notify information related to a process that is executed when the button 11 is pressed as a trigger. As an example, the LED 12 may output information indicating the progress of heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 by the inhalation device 100. This configuration makes it possible to make the relationship between user operation and notification easier to understand.

[0034] 3, a button 91 is provided on the top surface 900a of the charging device 900. The button 91 is an example of an operation unit that can accept user operations on the aerosol generation system 1. As an example, the charging device 900 may start / stop charging the inhalation device 100 when the button 91 is pressed.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 , an LED 92 is provided on the top surface 900a of the charging device 900. The LED 92 is arranged in correspondence with the button 91. Specifically, the LED 92 is arranged so as to surround the button 91. The LED 92 is an example of a notification unit that outputs information notifying the user from the aerosol generation system 1. The LED 92 may notify information regarding a process that is executed when the button 91 is pressed as a trigger. As an example, the LED 92 may output information indicating the progress of charging the inhalation device 100. This configuration makes it possible to make the relationship between user operations and notifications easier to understand.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a concave surface 900c is provided on the side surface of the charging device 900. The concave surface 900c is shaped to fit the side surface 100c of the suction device 100. The suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected with the concave surface 900c in contact with the side surface 100c of the suction device 100. Magnetic portions 13-1 and 13-2 are provided on the side surface 100c of the suction device 100. On the other hand, magnetic portions 93-1 and 93-2 are provided on the concave surface 900c of the charging device 900. The magnetic portions 13-1, 13-2, 93-1, and 93-2 are objects that generate a magnetic field, such as magnets. When the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are brought close to each other, magnetic portions 13-1 and 93-1 are attracted to each other, and magnetic portions 13-2 and 93-2 are attracted to each other, connecting the suction device 100 and the charging device 900. As an example, one of the magnetic portions 13-1 and 93-1 may be a south pole magnet, and the other may be a north pole magnet. Similarly, one of the magnetic portions 13-2 and 93-2 may be a south pole magnet, and the other may be a north pole magnet. With this configuration, the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 can be easily connected and detached.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 , an electrical contact 14 is provided on the side surface 100c of the suction device 100 between the magnetic portion 13-1 and the magnetic portion 13-2. The electrical contact 14 is a contact to the electrical circuit within the suction device 100. On the other hand, an electrical contact 94 is provided on the concave surface 900c of the charging device 900 between the magnetic portion 93-1 and the magnetic portion 93-2. The electrical contact 94 is a contact to the electrical circuit within the charging device 900. When the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the electrical contact 14 and the electrical contact 94 come into contact. Then, the charging device 900 supplies electricity to the suction device 100 via the electrical contact 14 and the electrical contact 94. This makes it possible to charge the suction device 100. Connecting the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 includes not only a physical connection but also an electrical connection.

[0038] Charging of the suction device 100 from the charging device 900 may be started / stopped when the suction device 100 is connected / disconnected to / from the charging device 900. The physical connection / disconnection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 can be detected by a magnetic sensor capable of detecting the magnetic field generated from the magnetic portion 93 and / or the magnetic portion 13. An example of the magnetic sensor is a Hall sensor. The electrical connection / disconnection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 can be detected by whether or not electricity is flowing through the electrical contacts 14 and 94.

[0039] Typically, a user uses the inhalation device 100 after removing it from the charging device 900. Unless otherwise specified, the user's use of the inhalation device 100 refers to heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 with the inhalation device 100 and inhaling the aerosol. On the other hand, a user may use the inhalation device 100 while it is connected to the charging device 900. In this case, the user can use the inhalation device 100 without worrying about the remaining battery charge of the inhalation device 100.

[0040] 3, the button 11 is arranged in the same row as the magnetic portion 13-1, the magnetic portion 13-2, and the electrical contact 14. According to this configuration, when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the button 11 is hidden by the concave surface 900c of the charging device 900. This makes it possible to prevent the button 11 from being accidentally operated.

[0041] 3, the LED 12 is arranged in the same row as the magnetic portion 13-1, the magnetic portion 13-2, and the electrical contact 14. According to this configuration, when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the LED 12 is hidden by the concave surface 900c of the charging device 900. This makes it possible to centralize the source of information notification in the LED 92.

[0042] The inhalation device 100 and the charging device 900 may transmit and receive information via the electrical contacts 14 and 94. Information transmitted from the inhalation device 100 to the charging device 900 includes inhalation information and biological information acquired by the inhalation device 100. On the other hand, information transmitted from the charging device 900 to the inhalation device 100 includes control information instructing the inhalation device 100 to execute a predetermined process. The inhalation information is information acquired when a user heats an aerosol using the inhalation device 100, such as the number of puffs, the number of heated stick-shaped substrates 150, and the frequency of heating the stick-shaped substrates 150. Examples of biological information include the user's blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature. The charging device 900 may output the information acquired from the inhalation device 100 via an output device built into the charging device 900, such as the LED 92 or a display (not shown), or may transmit the information to another device, such as a smartphone. Of course, the suction device 100 may output this information via an output device built into the suction device 100, such as the LED 12 or a display (not shown).

[0043] The suction device 100 typically operates based on a user operation on the suction device 100. For example, the suction device 100 starts / stops heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on pressing of the button 11. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may operate based on a user operation on the charging device 900. For example, the suction device 100 may start / stop heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on pressing of the button 91 when connected to the charging device 900. Considering that the button 11 is hidden and difficult to press when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, such a configuration can improve usability.

[0044] The above describes the outline of the aerosol generation system 1. The configuration of the aerosol generation system 1 is not limited to the example described above. Various modified examples, exemplified below, may be applied.

[0045] As an example, the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 may be configured to be inseparable from each other. That is, the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 may be configured as an integrated unit.

[0046] As another example, the number of magnetic portions 13 provided in the suction device 100 is not limited to two and may be one, or three or more. Similarly, the number of electrical contacts 14 provided in the suction device 100 is not limited to one and may be two or more. Furthermore, the position of the magnetic portion 13 provided in the suction device 100 is not limited to the side surface 100c of the suction device 100 and may be the bottom surface 100b of the suction device 100. Similarly, the position of the electrical contacts 14 provided in the suction device 100 is not limited to the side surface 100c of the suction device 100 and may be the bottom surface 100b of the suction device 100. The charging device 900 may be provided with magnetic portions 93 and electrical contacts 94 in numbers and positions corresponding to the numbers and positions of the magnetic portions 13 and electrical contacts 14 provided in the suction device 100.

[0047] As another example, the electrical contact 14 may function as the magnetic portion 13. Similarly, the electrical contact 94 may function as the magnetic portion 93.

[0048] As another example, the charging device 900 may store the entire suction device 100. For example, a cylindrical space for storing the suction device 100 may be provided inside the charging device 900, and the suction device 100 may be housed in this space. The space capable of housing the suction device 100 may be opened and closed by a lid provided at any position on the outer shell of the charging device 900.

[0049] As another example, the charging device 900 may wirelessly charge the suction device 100. In that case, the electrical contacts 14 and 94 may be omitted.

[0050] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the suction device 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the suction device 100 according to this configuration example 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 storage unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0051] The power supply unit 111 stores electric power and supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100 under the control of the control unit 116. The power supply unit 111 may be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0052] 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, a temperature sensor, or the like, 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0056] 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 an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

[0057] The storage unit 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 storage unit 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and accommodates the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the storage unit 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 storage unit 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.

[0058] 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 includes 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 include a medicament. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water, containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or a solid containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the storage 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.

[0059] The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage 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, generating aerosol. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 storage 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 storage 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 storage unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140.

[0063] As another example, the storage 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 storage unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to hold and store the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141. In this case, the heating unit 121 may be provided at the holding location in the storage unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0064] 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.

[0065] (2) Configuration Example of Charging Device 900 Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the charging device 900. As shown in Fig. 5, the charging device 900 according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 911, a sensor unit 912, a notification unit 913, a storage unit 914, a communication unit 915, and a control unit 916.

[0066] The power supply unit 911 stores electric power. The power supply unit 911 supplies electric power to each component of the charging device 900 under the control of the control unit 916. The power supply unit 911 also supplies electric power to the suction device 100 connected to the charging device 900. The power supply unit 911 can be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0067] The sensor unit 912 acquires various information related to the charging device 900. As an example, the sensor unit 912 detects connection and disconnection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900. As an example, the sensor unit 912 is configured by an input device, such as a button or a switch, that accepts information input from a user.

[0068] The notification unit 913 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 913 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.

[0069] The storage unit 914 stores various types of information for the operation of the charging device 900. The storage unit 914 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0070] The communication unit 915 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), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0071] The control unit 916 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the charging device 900 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 916 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

[0072] (3) Supplementary Information The inhalation device 100 is an example of a first device. The heating unit 121 is an example of a heating unit that heats the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150 set in the inhalation device 100. The substrate containing the aerosol source is not limited to the stick-shaped substrate 150 configured in a stick shape, and may have various shapes such as a card shape or a capsule shape. Furthermore, the substrate containing the aerosol source may be set in the inhalation device 100 in a manner other than insertion, such as the entire substrate being housed in the inhalation device 100. The power supply unit 111 is an example of a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit 121.

[0073] The charging device 900 is an example of a second device. The power supply unit 911 of the charging device 900 is an example of a second power supply unit. The power supply unit 911 of the charging device 900 supplies power to the suction device 100 when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected. The suction device 100 may use the power supplied from the charging device 900 to heat the stick-shaped substrate 150, or may charge the power supply unit 111, or may perform these operations simultaneously.

[0074] The correspondence between the components described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and the components described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 will now be described. Button 11 is an example of an input device included in sensor unit 112. Button 91 is an example of an input device included in sensor unit 912. LED 12 is an example of notification unit 113. LED 92 is an example of notification unit 913. Electrical contacts 14 and 94 are an example of an electric circuit that connects power supply unit 111 or heating unit 121 to power supply unit 911. Electrical contacts 14 and 94 are an example of a communication path between communication unit 115 and communication unit 915. Sensor unit 912 may have a magnetic sensor that detects magnetic fields generated from magnetic units 13-1 and 13-2.

[0075] The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 and the control unit 916 of the charging device 900 are examples of control devices that control the operation of the aerosol generation system 1. Various processes executed by the aerosol generation system 1 may be executed under control by the control unit 116 of the suction device 100, or may be executed under control by the control unit 916 of the charging device 900. That is, the suction device 100 may operate under control by the control unit 916 of the charging device 900. Furthermore, the charging device 900 may operate under control by the control unit 116 of the suction device 100. Information for controlling various processes may be transmitted and received between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900. As an example, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 may control the processes executed by the suction device 100 or the charging device 900 based on information received from the charging device 900 via the communication unit 115. As another example, the control unit 916 of the charging device 900 may control the processing performed by the suction device 100 or the charging device 900 based on information received from the suction device 100 via the communication unit 915.

[0076] Furthermore, for convenience, the following description may be given assuming that the control unit 116 or the control unit 916 is the subject of control, but the subject of control may be either the control unit 116 or the control unit 916. In other words, a process described as being controlled by the control unit 116 may be controlled by the control unit 916. Similarly, a process described as being controlled by the control unit 916 may be controlled by the control unit 116.

[0077] 1.3. Air Flow Hereinafter, the air flow generated in association with puffing in the inhalation device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0078] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an airflow generated by a puff in the inhaler 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an example of a cross section of the inhaler 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 inserted in the inhaler 100, cut in the up-down direction so as to pass through the center of the accommodation portion 140. As shown in Fig. 6, when the stick-type substrate 150 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 140, there is a gap between the stick-type substrate 150 and the bottom 143 and inner wall 145 of the accommodation portion 140. When a user holds the stick-type substrate 150 between their mouths and inhales, air flowing in from the opening 142 passes through the gap, flows into the inside of the stick-type substrate 150 from the tip of the substrate portion 151, and then flows out from the rear end of the suction mouth portion 152 into the user's mouth. That is, the air inhaled by the user flows in the order of air flow 190-1, air flow 190-2, and air flow 190-3, and is introduced into the user's oral cavity in a state where it is mixed with the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. According to air flow 190-1, air flow 190-2, and air flow 190-3, air flows into the internal space 141 from the opening 142, and air flows out from the opening 142. This type of intake and exhaust mode in which the intake path and the exhaust path are the same is also called counterflow.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 schematically shows an example of a cross section of the storage unit 140 taken along the vertical direction, illustrating the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the suction device 100. As shown in FIG. 7 , the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 may be provided with a convex portion 143a that protrudes toward the internal space 141. The portion of the bottom 143 other than the convex portion 143a is also referred to as a concave portion 143b. The convex portion 143a has, for example, a truncated cone shape with a flat top surface. The top surface of the convex portion 143a is configured to be smaller than at least the end surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7 , the convex portion 143a can support the stick-shaped substrate 150 with at least a portion of the end surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150 separated from the concave portion 143b. As a result, a gap through which airflow 190-2 passes can be formed between the end face of stick-shaped substrate 150 and recess 143b. Also, airflow 190-2 and airflow 190-3 can be connected without any hindrance.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of the top view of the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the suction device 100. As shown in FIG. 8, the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140 may be provided with eight convex portions 145a that protrude toward the internal space 141 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The portions of the inner wall 145 other than the convex portions 145a are also referred to as concave portions 145b. The convex portions 145a are provided over the entire vertical area from the opening 142 to the bottom 143. The concave portions 145b are also provided over the entire vertical area from the opening 142 to the bottom 143. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the inner wall 145 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is the same as the shape of the inner wall 145 viewed from above shown in FIG. 8. 8, the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be supported with at least a portion of the side surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150 separated from the recess 145b. As a result, a gap through which the air flow 190-1 passes can be formed between the side surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and the recess 145b. Furthermore, the recess 145b provided in the inner wall 145 is connected to the recess 143b provided in the bottom 143. As a result, the air flows 190-1 and 190-2 can be connected without hindrance.

[0081] The protrusions 145a may hold the stick-shaped substrate 150 by pressing against the stick-shaped substrate 150. As an example, the width between opposing protrusions 145a in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction may be configured to be equal to or less than the width of the stick-shaped substrate 150. With this configuration, the storage section 140 can clamp the inserted stick-shaped substrate 150 from multiple directions while pressing against it with the opposing protrusions 145a.

[0082] The above describes the airflow generated by puffing in the inhalation device 100. The configuration of the inhalation device 100 is not limited to the example described above. Various modified examples, such as those exemplified below, may be applied.

[0083] For example, the number of protrusions 143a provided on the bottom 143 of the storage section 140 is not limited to 1 and may be 2 or more. Furthermore, the number of protrusions 145a provided on the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140 is not limited to 8 and may be any number equal to or greater than 1.

[0084] As another example, the shape of the inner wall 145 of the accommodating portion 140 is not limited to having projections and depressions in the circumferential direction. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inner wall 145 of the storage unit 140 according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of the top view of the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the suction device 100. As shown in FIG. 9 , the inner wall 145 of the storage unit 140 has a pair of opposing flat surfaces 145c. Furthermore, the inner wall 145 of the storage unit 140 has a pair of opposing arc-shaped curved surfaces 145d connecting both ends of the flat surfaces 145c. The pair of flat surfaces 145c and the pair of curved surfaces 145d are provided over the entire area in the vertical direction, from the opening 142 to the bottom 143. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the inner wall 145 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is the same as the shape of the inner wall 145 seen from above shown in FIG. 9 . As a result, the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be supported with at least a portion of the side surface of the stick-shaped substrate 150 separated from the curved surfaces 145d, as shown in FIG. 9 . As a result, a gap through which airflow 190-1 passes can be formed between the side surface of stick-shaped substrate 150 and curved surface 145d. Furthermore, curved surface 145d on inner wall 145 is connected to recess 143b on bottom 143. As a result, airflow 190-1 and airflow 190-2 can be connected without hindrance. Furthermore, the width between opposing flat surfaces 145c may be configured to be equal to or less than the width of stick-shaped substrate 150. With this configuration, storage section 140 can clamp inserted stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it with opposing flat surfaces 145c.

[0086] As another example, the form of airflow generated in association with a puff in the inhalation device 100 is not limited to a counterflow. This point will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0087] 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating another example of an airflow generated in association with a puff in the inhalation device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically illustrate an example of a cross section of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted in the inhalation device 100, cut in the up-down direction so as to pass through the center of the housing portion 140. As shown in FIG. 10 , the inhalation device 100 may be provided with an air flow path 146 having openings in a side surface 100 c of the inhalation device 100 and a bottom 143 of the housing portion 140. Then, an airflow 190 may be generated by passing through the air flow path 146 in association with a puff. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11 , the inhalation device 100 may be provided with an air flow path 146 having openings in a bottom surface 100 b of the inhalation device 100 and a bottom 143 of the housing portion 140. Then, an airflow 190 may be generated by passing through the air flow path 146 in association with a puff. The opening of the air flow path 146 may be provided on the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140 in addition to being provided on the bottom 143 of the storage section 140 .

[0088] 1.4. Trigger for Starting Heating The suction device 100 starts heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on a predetermined trigger.

[0089] The suction device 100 may start heating when the button 11 is pressed in a predetermined pressing pattern. The pressing pattern is defined by the number of times the button 11 is pressed, the length of time the button is pressed, and the rhythm of the pressing. For example, the suction device 100 may start heating when the button 11 is pressed twice in succession, or when the button 11 is pressed and held for one second.

[0090] The suction device 100 may start heating when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted as a trigger. The insertion or removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be detected by any method. As an example, the insertion or removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be detected by a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor is a sensor that detects the approach of an object. Various methods can be used as the proximity sensor, such as a method that emits waves such as ultrasonic waves or infrared rays and detects the approach of an object based on the detection result of the reflected waves, and a method that detects the approach of an object based on a change in capacitance. An example of the arrangement of the proximity sensor will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the proximity sensor in the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12 , a proximity sensor 50 may be arranged near the opening 142 of the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140, the proximity sensor 50 detects that an object is approaching. On the other hand, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is removed from the storage section 140, the proximity sensor 50 detects that an object is not approaching. In this way, the proximity sensor 50 can detect the insertion or removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 by detecting the presence or absence of an approaching object.

[0091] The sensor that detects the insertion or removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not limited to the proximity sensor 50. A pressure sensor may be provided together with or instead of the proximity sensor 50. The pressure sensor may be disposed at a location that comes into contact with the inserted stick-shaped substrate 150, such as a convex portion 143a provided on the bottom 143 of the storage section 140, a convex portion 145a provided on the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140, or a flat surface 145c provided on the inner wall 145 of the storage section 140. The pressure sensor may then detect the insertion or removal of the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the presence or absence of pressure.

[0092] The suction device 100 may start heating when the connection of the charging device 900 is triggered. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may start heating when the start of charging by the charging device 900 is triggered.

[0093] The suction device 100 may start heating when the connection with the charging device 900 is released as a trigger. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may start heating when the charging by the charging device 900 is completed as a trigger. Furthermore, the suction device 100 may start heating when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, a switching threshold described below) as a result of being charged by the charging device 900.

[0094] It should be noted that which triggers are enabled and which triggers are disabled as triggers for starting heating may be set to be changeable. The trigger for starting heating may be set, for example, by an operation on the suction device 100, an operation on the charging device 900, or by remote control via an external terminal such as a smartphone.

[0095] Furthermore, whichever trigger is activated, it is desirable that heating be started on the condition that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the suction device 100. This is to prevent the heating unit 121 from heating even when the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted into the suction device 100, i.e., to prevent so-called empty heating.

[0096] 1.5. Heating Based on a Heating Profile The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on a heating profile. The control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is achieved by controlling the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 using the power supplied from the power supply unit 111.

[0097] The heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature to which the aerosol source is heated. The heating profile defines parameters related to the temperature to which the aerosol source is heated. An example of the temperature to which the aerosol source is heated is the temperature of the heating unit 121. An example of the parameter related to the temperature to which the aerosol source is heated is the target temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature). The temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change according to the elapsed time from the start of heating. In this case, the heating profile includes information defining the time series progression of the target temperature. As another example, the heating profile may include parameters (hereinafter also referred to as power supply parameters) defining the method of supplying power to the heating unit 121. The power supply parameters include, for example, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON / OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, the feedback control method to be adopted, etc.

[0098] The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor that the user experiences when inhaling 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 that the user experiences can be optimized.

[0099] 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 (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 generated by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 116 may 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 a target temperature, suspend 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 falls below the target temperature.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The period from the start to the end of the process of generating aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 is also referred to as a heating session below. In other words, a heating session is a period during which the operation of the heating unit 121, i.e., the power supply to 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 starts. The end of a heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. A 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 a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The pre-heating period is the period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed in the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating.

[0102] The notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing at which preheating will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of preheating before the end of preheating, or may notify the user of information indicating the end of preheating at the timing at which preheating ends. The notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting up an LED or vibrating. The user can refer to such a notification and start puffing immediately after the end of preheating.

[0103] Similarly, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing when the puffing period will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of the puffing period before the end of the puffing period, or may notify the user of information indicating the end of the puffing period at the timing when the puffing period ends. The notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting up an LED or vibrating. The user can refer to such a notification and continue puffing until the puffing period ends.

[0104] An example of a heating profile will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is a graph schematically illustrating an example of a heating profile according to this embodiment. The horizontal axis of graph 70 represents time. The vertical axis of graph 70 represents temperature. A line 71 indicates the time series progression of the target temperature. As shown in FIG. 13 , a heating session may include, in order, an initial heating period, an intermediate heating period, and a re-heating period.

[0105] The initial temperature rise period is the first period of the heating session, 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. During the initial temperature rise period, the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly and is maintained at a high temperature.

[0106] The intermediate temperature-dropping period is a period following the initial temperature-raising period, during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops. The suction device 100 may interrupt the supply of power to the heating unit 121 during the intermediate temperature-dropping period.

[0107] The re-heating period is a period following the intermediate temperature drop period, during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises again. Typically, the rate of temperature rise of the heating unit 121 during the re-heating period is set to be slower than the rate of temperature rise of the heating unit 121 during the initial temperature rise period.

[0108] In the example shown in Fig. 13, the target temperature rises rapidly to around 300°C during the initial heating period, then drops to around 230°C during the intermediate heating period, and then rises stepwise to around 260°C during the reheating period. In the example shown in Fig. 13, the period from the start of heating to the middle of the initial heating period is the pre-heating period, and the period from the middle of the initial heating period to the end of the reheating period is the puffable period.

[0109] <1.6. Power Supply from the Charging Device 900 to the Inhalation Device 100> Even if the inhalation device 100 starts heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is low, it may be difficult to continue heating until the end of the heating session. If heating stops midway through the heating session, the quality of the user experience will deteriorate significantly. Therefore, the aerosol generation system 1 executes the process described below to prevent such deterioration in the quality of the user experience.

[0110] The charging device 900 may charge the suction device 100 while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected to each other. That is, the power supply unit 911 may supply power to the power supply unit 111 to charge the power supply unit 111 while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected to each other.

[0111] When the suction device 100 performs heating while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the charging device 900 may supply power for heating to the suction device 100. That is, the power supply unit 911 may supply power to the heating unit 121 while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected. Then, the heating unit 121 may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 using the power supplied from the power supply unit 911.

[0112] When the suction device 100 performs heating while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the charging device 900 may stop charging the suction device 100 and then supply power to the suction device 100 for heating. Alternatively, when the suction device 100 performs heating while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the charging device 900 may supply power to the suction device 100 for heating while charging the suction device 100. That is, the power supply unit 911 can supply power to at least one of the power supply unit 111 and the heating unit 121 while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected.

[0113] However, when the heating unit 121 performs heating while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the control unit 116 selects the power supply source for the heating unit 121 from the power supply unit 111 or the power supply unit 911 based on the power stored in the suction device 100. As an example, the control unit 116 may select the power supply unit 911 as the power supply source for the heating unit 121 when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is less than a threshold (hereinafter also referred to as a switching threshold). As another example, the control unit 116 may select the power supply unit 111 as the power supply source for the heating unit 121 when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is equal to or greater than the switching threshold. The switching threshold corresponds to the power required to continue heating until the end of the heating session. With this configuration, when it is difficult to continue heating until the end of the heating session using only the power stored in the power supply unit 111, the suction device 100 can continue heating until the end of the heating session by receiving power from the power supply unit 911. This improves the quality of the user experience.

[0114] When the power supply unit 911 is selected as the power supply source for the heating unit 121, the power supply unit 911 may supply power only to the heating unit 121. That is, the charging device 900 may cause the suction device 100 to perform heating. Furthermore, when the power supply unit 911 is selected as the power supply source for the heating unit 121, the power supply unit 911 may supply power to both the heating unit 121 and the power supply unit 111. That is, the charging device 900 may cause the suction device 100 to perform heating while charging the suction device 100.

[0115] The control unit 116 may dynamically set the switching threshold. Specifically, the control unit 116 may set different switching thresholds before and during heating. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may change the switching threshold during heating depending on the progress of heating. As an example, before heating based on the heating profile is performed, the control unit 116 sets the switching threshold to a value that allows heating to be continued from the beginning to the end of the heating session. As another example, during heating based on the heating profile, the control unit 116 sets the switching threshold to a value that allows heating to be continued until the end of the remaining period of the heating session. In this case, the control unit 116 decreases the switching threshold as heating progresses, i.e., as the remaining time of the heating session becomes shorter. With this configuration, the switching threshold can be dynamically set before or during heating, and further depending on the progress of heating during heating. As a result, it is possible to more accurately determine whether heating can be continued until the end of the heating session using only the power stored in the power supply unit 111.

[0116] When the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is less than the switching threshold, the control unit 116 may select the power supply unit 911 as the power supply source to the heating unit 121 during at least a portion of the heating session. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the power stored in the power supply unit 111 during at least a portion of the heating session.

[0117] At least a portion of the heating session described above may include a period during which power consumption is relatively high (hereinafter also referred to as a high-load period). That is, when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is less than the switching threshold, the suction device 100 may select the power supply unit 911 as the power supply source to the heating unit 121 during the high-load period. An example of a high-load period is a period during the initial heating period that includes a period during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases and excludes a period during which the temperature of the heating unit 121 is maintained. Another example of a high-load period is the initial heating period. Another example of a high-load period is the pre-heating period. With this configuration, by using the power supply unit 911 as the power supply source to the heating unit 121 during the high-load period, it is possible to effectively prevent a decrease in the power stored in the power supply unit 111.

[0118] During periods other than the high-load period, the control unit 116 may select the power supply unit 111 as the power supply source for the heating unit 121 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Then, the control unit 116 may select the power supply unit 911 as the power supply source for the heating unit 121 when the predetermined condition is not satisfied. That is, after the high-load period ends, the control unit 116 may continue to select the power supply unit 911 as the power supply source for the heating unit 121 until the predetermined condition is satisfied, and then switch the power supply source for the heating unit 121 to the power supply unit 111 when the predetermined condition is satisfied. With this configuration, it is possible to continue heating until the end of the heating session by switching the power supply source for the heating unit 121 from the power supply unit 911 to the power supply unit 111 at an appropriate timing.

[0119] The predetermined condition may include disconnection of the suction device 100 from the charging device 900. That is, the suction device 100 may use the power supply unit 911 as the power source for the heating unit 121 until the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 is disconnected, and then switch to the power supply unit 111 after the connection is disconnected. With this configuration, it is possible to continue heating even after the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 is disconnected.

[0120] The predetermined condition may include the power stored in power supply unit 111 being equal to or greater than the switching threshold. That is, suction device 100 may use power supply unit 911 as the power supply source to heating unit 121 until the power stored in power supply unit 111 is equal to or greater than the switching threshold, and then switch back to power supply unit 111 after the power has been stored in power supply unit 111. With this configuration, it is possible to continue heating based on the power supply from power supply unit 911 until the power stored in power supply unit 111 is equal to or greater than the switching threshold.

[0121] The predetermined condition may include the end of a high-load period. That is, when the high-load period ends, the suction device 100 may automatically switch the power supply source to the heating unit 121 from the power supply unit 911 to the power supply unit 111.

[0122] The predetermined condition may include at least one of the conditions exemplified above.

[0123] The notification unit 113 or the notification unit 913 may notify information indicating that the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 can be disconnected when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 becomes equal to or greater than the switching threshold. The user can refer to this notification to disconnect the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 and use the suction device 100 by itself. This configuration can further improve the quality of the user experience.

[0124] In addition, the aerosol generation system 1 may operate so that power equal to or greater than the switching threshold is accumulated in the power supply unit 111 when the high-load period ends.

[0125] As an example, when the heating unit 121 performs heating while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the power supply unit 911 may increase the voltage applied to the power supply unit 111 compared to when the heating unit 121 does not perform heating. With this configuration, the power supply unit 111 can be rapidly charged until the end of the high-load period. As a result, it becomes possible to store power equal to or greater than the switching threshold in the power supply unit 111 when the high-load period ends.

[0126] As another example, while suction device 100 and charging device 900 are connected, control unit 116 may prohibit heating until power supply unit 111 is charged with power equal to or greater than the switching threshold. Then, control unit 116 may permit heating when power supply unit 111 is charged with power equal to or greater than the switching threshold. With this configuration, suction device 100 can start heating only when power equal to or greater than the switching threshold has been accumulated in power supply unit 111.

[0127] When the aerosol generation system 1 operates as described above, the notification unit 113 or the notification unit 913 may notify information indicating that the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 can be disconnected, triggered by the end of the high-load period. The user can refer to this notification to disconnect the suction device 100 from the charging device 900 and use the suction device 100 alone. This configuration can further improve the quality of the user experience.

[0128] The above describes an example in which the aerosol generation system 1 operates so that power equal to or greater than the switching threshold is accumulated in the power supply unit 111 when the high-load period ends. Other supplementary points will be described below.

[0129] The power supply unit 911 may start supplying power to the heating unit 121 when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the suction device 100 while the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected. Similarly, the power supply unit 911 may start supplying power to the heating unit 121 when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected while the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the suction device 100. That is, the power supply unit 911 may start supplying power to the heating unit 121 when two conditions, that is, the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 and the insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the suction device 100, are satisfied as a trigger. With this configuration, the user can start heating without pressing the button 91, for example.

[0130] When the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, as described above, the power supply unit 911 may supply power to the power supply unit 111, may supply power to the heating unit 121, or may supply power to both the power supply unit 111 and the heating unit 121. When the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the control unit 916 may set whether the power supply unit 911 supplies power to the power supply unit 111, supplies power to the heating unit 121, or supplies power to both the power supply unit 111 and the heating unit 121 based on a user operation on the charging device 900. For example, the charging device 900 may switch these settings when the button 91 is pressed in a predetermined pressing pattern. This configuration makes it possible to realize power supply as intended by the user.

[0131] When the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the notification unit 913 of the charging device 900 may notify the power stored in the power supply unit 111 (i.e., the progress of charging) and / or the progress of heating by the heating unit 121. On the other hand, when the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 is released, the notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 may notify the power stored in the power supply unit 111 and / or the progress of heating by the heating unit 121.

[0132] An example of the flow of the above-described process will be described below with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process executed by the aerosol generation system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0133] 14 , first, the control unit 116 detects the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 (step S102). For example, the control unit 116 detects the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 based on the magnetic field of the magnetic portion 93 detected by the Hall sensor and / or the presence or absence of an electrical connection between the electrical contact 14 and the electrical contact 94.

[0134] Next, the control unit 116 starts charging the power supply unit 111 using the power supplied from the charging device 900 (step S104). That is, the power supply unit 911 supplies power to the power supply unit 111 to charge the power supply unit 111.

[0135] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether or not a user operation instructing the start of heating has been detected (step S106). One example of a user operation instructing the start of heating is pressing the button 91. Another example of a user operation instructing the start of heating is inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the suction device 100. The control unit 116 waits until a user operation instructing the start of heating is detected (step S106: NO).

[0136] If a user operation instructing the start of heating is detected (step S106: YES), the control unit 116 starts heating based on the heating profile using the power supplied from the charging device 900 (step S108). That is, the power supply unit 911 supplies power to the heating unit 121. Then, the heating unit 121 starts heating based on the heating profile using the power supplied from the power supply unit 911.

[0137] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is equal to or greater than the switching threshold (step S110). The control unit 116 waits until the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is equal to or greater than the switching threshold (step S110: NO).

[0138] When it is determined that the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is equal to or greater than the switching threshold (step S110: YES), the notification unit 913 notifies information indicating that the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 can be released (step S112). For example, the LED 92 emits light in a predetermined light emission pattern.

[0139] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 has been released (step S114). The control unit 116 waits until the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 has been released (step S114: NO).

[0140] If it is determined that the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 has been released (step S114: YES), the control unit 116 switches the power supply source for the heating unit 121 from the power supply unit 911 to the power supply unit 111 (step S116). That is, the power supply unit 111 starts supplying power to the heating unit 121. Then, the heating unit 121 continues heating based on the heating profile using the power supplied from the power supply unit 111.

[0141] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether a termination condition is satisfied (step S118). One example of the termination condition is that heating has been performed until the end of the heating session. Another example of the termination condition is that the number of puffs has reached a predetermined number. The control unit 116 waits until the termination condition is satisfied (step S118: NO).

[0142] If it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied (step S118: YES), the control unit 116 terminates the heating (step S120).

[0143] 1.7. Switching of Heating Profiles The suction device 100 may switch the heating profile used when heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. The following describes, as an example, a case in which the suction device 100 selects a heating profile to use from two heating profiles. Of course, the suction device 100 may also select a heating profile to use from three or more heating profiles.

[0144] The control unit 116 can select the heating profile to be used from the first heating profile or the second heating profile. An example of the first heating profile is the heating profile shown in Fig. 13. An example of the second heating profile will be described with reference to Fig. 15.

[0145] FIG. 15 is a graph schematically illustrating an example of a heating profile according to this embodiment. The horizontal axis of graph 72 represents time. The vertical axis of graph 72 represents temperature. Line 73 indicates the time series progression of the target temperature. As shown in FIG. 15 , a heating session may include, in order, an initial heating period, an intermediate heating period, and a reheating period. In the example shown in FIG. 15 , the target temperature rapidly rises to approximately 250°C during the initial heating period, then drops to approximately 180°C during the intermediate heating period, and then gradually rises to approximately 220°C during the reheating period. In the example shown in FIG. 15 , the period from the start of heating to the middle of the initial heating period is the pre-heating period, and the period from the middle of the initial heating period to the end of the reheating period is the puffable period.

[0146] Comparing the first heating profile shown in Figure 13 with the second heating profile shown in Figure 15, it can be said that the first heating profile is a high-temperature heating profile, and the second heating profile is a low-temperature heating profile. In this way, by being able to switch between a high-temperature heating profile and a low-temperature heating profile, the user can enjoy a comfortable puff according to their mood.

[0147] The control unit 116 may select the heating profile to be used based on a user operation on the suction device 100. As an example, the first heating profile and the second heating profile may each be associated with a press pattern of the button 11. The control unit 116 may then select the heating profile corresponding to the press pattern when the button 11 is pressed as the heating profile to be used. For example, the control unit 116 may select the first heating profile as the heating profile to be used when the button 11 is pressed once or for a short period of time. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may select the second heating profile as the heating profile to be used when the button 11 is pressed twice or for a long period of time. As another example, the control unit 116 may switch the heating profile to be used from the first heating profile to the second heating profile or from the second heating profile to the first heating profile when the button 11 is pressed in a predetermined press pattern.

[0148] The control unit 116 may select the heating profile to be used based on a user operation on the charging device 900. As an example, the first heating profile and the second heating profile may each be associated with a press pattern of the button 91. The control unit 116 may then select the heating profile corresponding to the press pattern when the button 91 is pressed as the heating profile to be used. For example, the control unit 116 may select the first heating profile as the heating profile to be used when the button 91 is pressed once or for a short period of time. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may select the second heating profile as the heating profile to be used when the button 91 is pressed twice or for a long period of time. As another example, the control unit 116 may switch the heating profile to be used from the first heating profile to the second heating profile or from the second heating profile to the first heating profile when the button 91 is pressed in a predetermined press pattern.

[0149] When the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are not connected, the control unit 116 may select the heating profile to be used based on a user operation on the suction device 100. On the other hand, when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, the control unit 116 may select the heating profile to be used based on a user operation on the charging device 900.

[0150] After setting the heating profile to be used, the suction device 100 starts heating based on the set heating profile in response to an arbitrary trigger. The trigger for starting heating is as described above. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may start heating in response to the setting of the heating profile.

[0151] The control unit 116 may set a heating profile to be used when the suction device 100 is connected to the charging device 900 and a heating profile to be used when the suction device 100 is not connected to the charging device 900. For example, the control unit 116 may use a first heating profile when the suction device 100 is connected to the charging device 900, and may use a second heating profile when the suction device 100 is not connected to the charging device 900.

[0152] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may switch the heating profile to be used based on a trigger for starting heating. As one example, the control unit 116 may use a first heating profile when starting heating based on a user operation on the suction device 100, and may use a second heating profile when starting heating based on a user operation on the charging device 900. As another example, the control unit 116 may use the first heating profile when starting heating triggered by pressing the button 11, and may use the second heating profile when using heating triggered by insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0153] Here, the control unit 116 may switch the heating profile to be used while heating based on the heating profile is being performed. The control unit 116 may switch the heating profile to be used when the above-described user operation is performed on the suction device 100 or the charging device 900 while heating based on the heating profile is being performed. As an example, the control unit 116 may switch the heating profile to be used to the second heating profile while heating based on the first heating profile is being performed. Of course, the reverse is also possible.

[0154] However, when switching the heating profile to be used, the control unit 116 continues the heating time before the switch and controls the operation of the heating unit 121 by referring to the switched heating profile from the middle. For example, when switching the heating profile 120 seconds after the start of heating, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the time series change in the target temperature in the switched heating profile from 120 seconds after the start of heating. This configuration makes it possible to smoothly switch heating profiles during a heating session. As an example, an example of switching the heating profile to the first heating profile while heating based on the second heating profile is being performed will be described with reference to FIG. 16 .

[0155] FIG. 16 is a graph schematically illustrating an example of switching of heating profiles according to this embodiment. The horizontal axis of graph 74 represents time. The vertical axis of graph 74 represents temperature. Line 71 represents the time series progression of the target temperature defined in the first heating profile. Line 73 represents the time series progression of the target temperature defined in the second heating profile. Line 75 represents the time series progression of the target temperature when the heating profile used is switched to the first heating profile 120 seconds after the start of heating based on the second heating profile. As shown by line 75, the target temperature progresses as defined in the second heating profile until 120 seconds have elapsed since the start of heating. Thereafter, the target temperature passes through a transition period in which the difference between the target temperatures of the second heating profile and the first heating profile is smoothly bridged, and then progresses as defined in the first heating profile.

[0156] 1.8. Information Notification The charging device 900 (e.g., notification unit 913) may notify information indicating the state of the suction device 100. In particular, the notification unit 913 of the charging device 900 may notify information indicating the state of the suction device 100 when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected. As an example, the LED 92 may notify information indicating the state of the suction device 100. Considering that the LED 92 is hidden when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected, such a configuration can improve usability.

[0157] The LED 92 emits light in a light emission pattern corresponding to the state of the suction device 100, thereby notifying information indicating the state of the suction device 100. The light emission pattern is defined by at least one of the number, position, shape, color, number of times of light emission, light emission duration, and blinking rhythm of the light-emitting areas.

[0158] (1) Information Indicating the Progress of Heating The notification unit 913 may notify information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 (more specifically, the heating unit 121). In particular, the LEDs 92 may notify information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100. When heating is started as a trigger by pressing the button 91, the LEDs 92 arranged to surround the pressed button 91 notify information indicating the progress of heating, thereby making it possible to intuitively notify the user of the progress of heating. An example of the information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 notified by the LEDs 92 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 .

[0159] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of information notified by the LED 92 of the charging device 900 according to this embodiment. FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of the button 91 and the LED 92. As shown in FIG. 17, the LED 92 may be configured in an annular shape so as to surround the periphery of the button 91, which has a circular top surface. The LED 92 has multiple light-emitting regions 921 (921-1 to 921-8). The light-emitting regions 921-1 to 921-4 are arc-shaped regions obtained by dividing the inner region of the annular LED 92 into four regions at 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. The light-emitting regions 921-5 to 921-8 are arc-shaped regions located outside the light-emitting regions 921-1 to 921-4, respectively. When the light-emitting regions 921-1 to 921-4 emit light, the entire light-emitting regions 921-1 to 921-4 emit light. On the other hand, when the light emitting areas 921-5 to 921-8 emit light, a plurality of lines extending radially from the button 91 are illuminated.

[0160] 17 shows light emission patterns 60a to 60e. Light emission pattern 60a is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 and 921-5 emit light. Light emission pattern 60b is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1, 921-2, and 921-6 emit light. Light emission pattern 60c is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-3, and 921-7 emit light. Light emission pattern 60d is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-4, and 921-8 emit light. Light emission pattern 60e is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-4 emit light.

[0161] During the period immediately after the start of heating, the LED 92 may emit light while switching the light emission pattern in sequence from light emission pattern 60a to light emission pattern 60e according to the progress of heating by the suction device 100. As an example, assume that the length of the preheating period is 20 seconds. In this case, the LED 92 may emit light using light emission pattern 60a for five seconds after the start of heating, light emission pattern 60b for the next five seconds, light emission pattern 60c for the next five seconds, and light emission pattern 60d for the next five seconds. After the 20-second period after the start of heating, which is the preheating period, has elapsed, the LED 92 may emit light using light emission pattern 60e. By referring to the transition of the light emission patterns, the user can easily grasp the remaining time of the preheating period.

[0162] Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of information notified by the LED 92 of the charging device 900 according to this embodiment. Fig. 18 illustrates the button 91 and the LED 92 as viewed from above. The configuration of the button 91 and the LED 92 shown in Fig. 18 is as described above with reference to Fig. 17 .

[0163] 18 shows light emission patterns 61a to 61e. Light emission pattern 61a is similar to light emission pattern 60e. Light emission pattern 61b is similar to light emission pattern 60d. Light emission pattern 61c is similar to light emission pattern 60c. Light emission pattern 61d is similar to light emission pattern 60b. Light emission pattern 61e is similar to light emission pattern 60a.

[0164] During the period immediately prior to the end of heating, the LED 92 may emit light while switching between light emission patterns in sequence from light emission pattern 61a to light emission pattern 61e according to the progress of heating by the suction device 100. As an example, the LED 92 may emit light using light emission pattern 61a from the end of the preheating period until 20 seconds before the end of heating. The LED 92 may emit light using light emission pattern 61b for 5 seconds from 20 seconds before the end of heating, light emission pattern 61c for the next 5 seconds, light emission pattern 61d for the next 5 seconds, and light emission pattern 61e for the next 5 seconds. By referring to the transition of the light emission patterns, the user can easily grasp the remaining time until the end of heating.

[0165] 17 and 18 , one example of information notified by the LED 92 and indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 has been described. Next, another example of information notified by the LED 92 and indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 19 .

[0166] Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of information notified by the LED 92 of the charging device 900 according to this embodiment. Fig. 19 illustrates the button 91 and the LED 92 as viewed from above. The configuration of the button 91 and the LED 92 shown in Fig. 19 is as described above with reference to Fig. 17 .

[0167] 19 shows light emission patterns 62a to 62e. Light emission pattern 62a is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-3 and 7 emit light. Light emission pattern 62b is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-2 to 921-4 and 921-8 emit light. Light emission pattern 62c is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1, 921-3, 921-4 and 921-5 emit light. Light emission pattern 62d is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1, 921-2, 921-4 and 921-6 emit light. Light emission pattern 62e is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-4 emit light.

[0168] During the preheating period, the LED 92 may emit light in the light emitting pattern 62a to the light emitting pattern 62d in order and repeatedly switching between the light emitting patterns. After the preheating period ends, the LED 92 may emit light in the light emitting pattern 62e. By referring to the transition of the light emitting patterns, the user can easily determine whether the preheating period is in progress or has ended.

[0169] Another example of information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100, which is notified by the LED 92, has been described above with reference to FIG.

[0170] Of course, information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 may be communicated by a method other than the position of the light-emitting region 921 that emits light on the LED 92. Alternatively, the LED 92 may communicate information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 by the light-emitting color of the LED 92. For example, the LED 92 may switch the light-emitting color in sequence from red to yellow and then blue in accordance with the progress of heating by the suction device 100 during a period immediately after the start of heating. Then, the LED 92 may switch the light-emitting color in sequence from blue to yellow and then red in accordance with the progress of heating by the suction device 100 during a period immediately before the end of heating.

[0171] As described above, the suction device 100 can switch the heating profile used when heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, the LED 92 may emit light in an emission pattern according to the heating profile used by the suction device 100. For example, the LED 92 may emit light in a different color and / or the position of the light-emitting region 921 when the suction device 100 uses the first heating profile and when the suction device 100 uses the second heating profile. As an example, when the suction device 100 uses the first heating profile, the LED 92 may notify information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100, as described above with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. On the other hand, when the suction device 100 uses the second heating profile, the LED 92 may notify information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100, as described above with reference to FIG. 19. By referring to such notifications, the user can easily understand which heating profile is being used.

[0172] (2) Information Indicating Charging State The notification unit 913 may notify information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100 (specifically, the power supply unit 111). That is, the notification unit 913 may notify information indicating the power stored in the power supply unit 111. In particular, the LED 92 may notify information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100. An example of the information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100 notified by the LED 92 will be described with reference to FIG. 20 .

[0173] Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of information notified by the LED 92 of the charging device 900 according to this embodiment. Fig. 20 illustrates the button 91 and the LED 92 as viewed from above. The configuration of the button 91 and the LED 92 shown in Fig. 20 is as described above with reference to Fig. 17 .

[0174] 20 shows light emission patterns 63a to 63e. Light emission pattern 63a is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-4 emit light. Light emission pattern 63b is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 to 921-3 emit light. Light emission pattern 63c is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 and 921-2 emit light. Light emission pattern 63d is a light emission pattern in which light emission area 921-1 emits light. Light emission pattern 63e is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1 and 921-5 emit light.

[0175] The LED 92 emits light in one of the light-emitting patterns 63a to 63e depending on the power stored in the power supply unit 111. As an example, the LED 92 may emit light in light-emitting pattern 63a when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is 80 to 100% of the fully charged state, in light-emitting pattern 63b when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is 60 to 80%, and in light-emitting pattern 63c when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is 40 to 60%. The LED 92 may also emit light in light-emitting pattern 63d when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is 20 to 40% of the fully charged state, and in light-emitting pattern 63e when the power stored in the power supply unit 111 is 0 to 20%. In this case, the LED 92 emits light while switching between the light-emitting patterns 63a to 63e in order as the power stored in the power supply unit 111 decreases. On the other hand, the LED 92 emits light while switching between the light-emitting patterns 63e to 63a in order as the power stored in the power supply unit 111 increases due to charging. By referring to such a notification, the user can easily understand whether charging is necessary or the progress of charging.

[0176] Of course, information indicating the charging state of suction device 100 may be communicated by a method other than the position of light-emitting region 921 that emits light on LED 92. Alternatively, LED 92 may communicate information indicating the charging state of suction device 100 by the color of light emitted by LED 92. For example, LED 92 may emit light in blue when the power stored in power supply unit 111 is 50 to 100% of the fully charged state, in yellow when the power is 20 to 50%, and in red when the power is 0 to 20%.

[0177] The LED 92 may notify information indicating the number of times heating based on the heating profile can be performed with the power stored in the power supply unit 111 (hereinafter also referred to as the remaining number of heatings), as information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100. As an example, the LED 92 may emit light in light pattern 63a when the remaining number of heatings is 20 or more, in light pattern 63b when the remaining number of heatings is 15 to 19, and in light pattern 63c when the remaining number of heatings is 10 to 14. The LED 92 may also emit light in light pattern 63d when the remaining number of heatings is 5 to 9, and in light pattern 63e when the remaining number of heatings is 4 or less.

[0178] Furthermore, the charging device 900 may notify information indicating the charging state of the charging device 900. That is, the charging device 900 may notify information indicating the power stored in the power supply unit 911. The information indicating the charging state of the charging device 900 may be notified in the same manner as the information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100.

[0179] (3) Error The notification unit 913 may notify information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100. In particular, the LED 92 may notify information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100. An example of information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100 that is notified by the LED 92 will be described with reference to FIG. 21 .

[0180] Fig. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of information notified by the LED 92 of the charging device 900 according to this embodiment. Fig. 21 illustrates the button 91 and the LED 92 as viewed from above. The configuration of the button 91 and the LED 92 shown in Fig. 21 is as described above with reference to Fig. 17 .

[0181] 21 shows light emission patterns 64a to 64d. Light emission pattern 64a is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1, 921-4, 921-5, and 921-8 emit light. Light emission pattern 64b is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-2, 921-3, 921-6, and 921-7 emit light. Light emission pattern 64c is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-1, 921-2, 921-5, and 921-6 emit light. Light emission pattern 64d is a light emission pattern in which light emission areas 921-3, 921-4, 921-7, and 921-8 emit light.

[0182] The LED 92 may emit light in light pattern 64a when a first error occurs in the suction device 100, in light pattern 64b when a second error occurs, in light pattern 64c when a third error occurs, and in light pattern 64d when a fourth error occurs. An example of the first error is when the temperature of the power supply unit 111 is extremely low. An example of the second error is when the temperature of the power supply unit 111 is extremely high. An example of the third error is when the temperature of the heating unit 121 is extremely low. An example of the fourth error is when the temperature of the heating unit 121 is extremely high.

[0183] Of course, information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100 may be notified by a method other than the position of the light-emitting region 921 that emits light on the LED 92. Alternatively, the LED 92 may notify information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100 by the light-emitting color of the LED 92. For example, the LED 92 may emit light in a color that corresponds to the error that has occurred in the suction device 100.

[0184] Furthermore, the charging device 900 may notify information indicating an error that has occurred in the charging device 900. The information indicating an error that has occurred in the charging device 900 may be notified in the same manner as the information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100.

[0185] (4) Notification Timing There are various possible triggers for notifying the information indicating the state of the suction device 100 .

[0186] As an example, while heating is being performed by the suction device 100, information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 may be notified. Furthermore, while charging the suction device 100, information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100 may be notified. Furthermore, when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are connected while an error has occurred in the suction device 100, information indicating the error that has occurred in the suction device 100 may be notified.

[0187] As another example, pressing the button 91 may trigger notification of information indicating the status of the suction device 100. However, different information may be notified depending on the pressing pattern of the button 91. Specifically, when the button 91 is pressed in a first pressing pattern, information indicating the progress of heating by the suction device 100 may be notified. When the button 91 is pressed in a second pressing pattern, information indicating the charging state of the suction device 100 may be notified. Furthermore, when the button 91 is pressed in a third pressing pattern, information indicating an error that has occurred in the suction device 100 may be notified. The first pressing pattern, the second pressing pattern, and the third pressing pattern are all different. However, the first pressing pattern may be the same as the pressing pattern that instructs the start of heating.

[0188] As another example, notification of information indicating the state of the suction device 100 may be triggered by connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 or by disconnection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900. In addition, notification of information indicating the state of the suction device 100 may be triggered by powering the suction device 100 off, powering the device 100 on, going to sleep, or returning from sleep.

[0189] (5) Supplementary Information indicating the state of the suction device 100 may be notified by the suction device 100 instead of or together with the charging device 900. In particular, the notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 may notify the information indicating the state of the suction device 100 when the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 are not connected. As an example, the LED 12 may notify the information indicating the state of the suction device 100. The LED 12 may notify the information indicating the state of the suction device 100 in a manner similar to the manner in which the LED 92 notifies the information indicating the state of the suction device 100, as described above.

[0190] Furthermore, the suction device 100 may notify information indicating the status of the charging device 900. In particular, when the suction device 100 is connected to the charging device 900, the suction device 100 may notify information indicating the status of the charging device 900. As an example, the LED 12 may notify information indicating the status of the charging device 900. Examples of the information indicating the status of the charging device 900 notified by the suction device 100 include information indicating the charging status of the charging device 900 and information indicating an error that has occurred in the charging device 900.

[0191] 2. Modifications Having described one embodiment of the present disclosure, various modifications of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0192] 2.1. First Modification As described above, the cap 20 and the main body 30 may be configured to be detachable. Various mechanisms for attaching and detaching the cap 20 and the main body 30 are conceivable. An example of a mechanism for attaching and detaching the cap 20 and the main body 30 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 22 to 29 .

[0193] (1) First Example Fig. 22 is a diagram for explaining a first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism of the suction device 100 according to this modified example. Fig. 23 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the suction device 100 in a state in which the connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 is released in the first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. Fig. 24 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the suction device 100 in a state in which the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected in the first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. Figs. 23 and 24 schematically show an example of a cross section of the suction device 100 taken in the up-down direction passing through the center of the storage section 140.

[0194] 22 to 24 , the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected such that the bottom surface 20b of the cap 20 overlaps the top surface 30a of the main body 30. The top surface 20a of the cap 20 constitutes the top surface 100a of the suction device 100. The bottom surface 30b of the main body 30 constitutes the bottom surface 100b of the suction device 100. When the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, the side surface 20c of the cap 20 and the side surface 30c of the main body 30 constitute the side surface 100c of the suction device 100.

[0195] As shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 , the cap 20 is configured as an annular body having a through hole 22 with an opening 142 and an opening 23 at both ends. A thread groove 21 is provided on the lower side of the inner wall 22a of the through hole 22 of the cap 20, which can be threaded onto a screw thread 31 provided on the main body 30. The main body 30 is configured as a bottomed tubular body having a bottomed hole 33 with an opening 34 and a bottom 143 at both ends. A cylindrical protrusion 32 is provided at the center of the top surface 30a of the main body 30, having an opening 34 on the top surface, a screw thread 31 on the outer periphery, and extending along the bottomed hole 33. By rotating the cap 20 and the main body 30 with the screw thread 31 engaged with the screw groove 21, the cap 20 and the main body 30 can be connected or disconnected. In the suction device 100 in a state in which the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, a gap 40 can be provided between the bottom surface 20b of the cap 20 and the top surface 30a of the main body 30.

[0196] 23 and 24 , the upper side (the portion where the thread groove 21 is not provided) of the inner wall 22a of the through hole 22 in the cap 20 forms an upper part of the inner wall 145 of the storage portion 140. On the other hand, the inner wall 33a of the bottomed hole 33 in the main body 30 forms a lower part of the inner wall 145 of the storage portion 140. When the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, the through hole 22 and the bottomed hole 33 are connected to form the storage portion 140. In particular, the upper side of the inner wall 22a of the through hole 22 in the cap 20 and the inner wall 33a of the bottomed hole 33 in the main body 30 are connected flush with each other to form the inner wall 145 of the storage portion 140.

[0197] 6 to 8 are preferably provided on both the upper side of the inner wall 22a of the through hole 22 in the cap 20 and the inner wall 33a of the bottomed hole 33 in the main body 30. Similarly, it is preferable that the flat surface 145c and the curved surface 145d described above with reference to FIG. 9 are preferably provided on both the upper side of the inner wall 22a of the through hole 22 in the cap 20 and the inner wall 33a of the bottomed hole 33 in the main body 30.

[0198] As shown in Figures 22 to 24, a plurality of anti-slip pads 35 are provided on the top surface 30a of the main body 30 around the protrusion 32. In the suction device 100 in a state in which the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, the anti-slip pads 35 come into contact with the bottom surface 20b of the cap 20 to prevent the cap 20 from rotating. This configuration makes it difficult for the connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 to be unintentionally released. The configuration of the anti-slip pads 35 is not particularly limited, and may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. Note that the anti-slip pads 35 may be provided on the bottom surface 20b of the cap 20 in addition to or instead of the top surface 30a of the main body 30.

[0199] 10 and 11, the suction device 100 may be provided with an air flow path 146. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0200] 25 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of a cross section of the inhaler 100 in a state in which the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected in the first example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. As shown in FIG. 25 , a through-hole 36 may be provided at the base of the protruding portion 32 of the main body 30. In this case, when the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, a gap 40 formed between the bottom surface 20 b of the cap 20 and the top surface 30 a of the main body 30 and the through-hole 36 form an air flow path 146. In this case, airflow 190 is generated so as to pass through the air flow path 146 in association with a puff.

[0201] (2) Second Example Figure 26 is a diagram for explaining a second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism of the suction device 100 according to this modified example. Figure 27 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the suction device 100 in a state in which the connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 is released in the second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. Figure 28 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the suction device 100 in a state in which the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected in the second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. Figures 27 and 28 schematically show an example of a cross section of the suction device 100 taken along the up-down direction passing through the center of the storage section 140.

[0202] 26 to 28 , the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected such that the bottom surface 20b of the cap 20 overlaps the top surface 30a of the main body 30. The top surface 20a of the cap 20 constitutes the top surface 100a of the suction device 100. The bottom surface 30b of the main body 30 constitutes the bottom surface 100b of the suction device 100. When the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, the side surface 20c of the cap 20 and the side surface 30c of the main body 30 constitute the side surface 100c of the suction device 100.

[0203] As shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 , the cap 20 is a cylindrical body with a bottom and a storage section 140. The cap 20 has a head 24 that forms the upper side of the cap 20 and a protrusion 25 that is thinner than the head 24 and protrudes downward from the head 24. The main body 30 has a bottomed hole 37 that can accommodate the protrusion 25 of the cap 20. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 , the cap 20 and the main body 30 can be connected by inserting the protrusion 25 of the cap 20 into the bottomed hole 37 of the main body 30. Furthermore, the connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 can be released by removing the protrusion 25 of the cap 20 from the bottomed hole 37 of the main body 30. Because the storage section 140 can be removed from the main body 30 in which electronic components such as the power supply unit 111 are stored, the storage section 140 can be easily washed with water, thereby improving maintainability. In the suction device 100 in a state in which the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, a gap 40 may be provided between the bottom surface 20b of the cap 20 (more specifically, the head 24 of the cap 20) and the top surface 30a of the main body 30.

[0204] 27 and 28, it is desirable that the inner diameter of the bottomed hole 37 is the same as or approximately the same as the outer diameter of the protrusion 25 of the cap 20. In this case, when the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, the protrusion 25 of the cap 20 and the bottomed hole 37 of the main body 30 can be tightly fitted together without any gaps, thereby enabling a strong connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30. Also, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, it is desirable that the outer diameter of the head 24 of the cap 20 is the same as the outer diameter of the main body 30. In this case, when the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected, it is possible to reduce unevenness between the side surface 20c of the cap 20 and the side surface 30c of the main body 30, thereby forming a smooth side surface 100c of the suction device 100.

[0205] 10 and 11, the suction device 100 may be provided with an air flow path 146. This will be described with reference to FIG.

[0206] 29 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of a cross section of inhalation device 100 in a state in which cap 20 and main body 30 are connected in the second example of the attachment / detachment mechanism. As shown in Fig. 29, a through-hole 26 may be provided at the base portion of protrusion 25 of cap 20. In this case, when cap 20 and main body 30 are connected, gap 40 formed between bottom surface 20b of cap 20 and top surface 30a of main body 30 and through-hole 26 can form air flow path 146. In this case, airflow 190 is generated so as to pass through air flow path 146 in association with a puff.

[0207] (3) Control in Accordance with Attachment / Detachment of Cap 20 and Main Body 30 The connection and disconnection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 can be determined by any method. For example, the cap 20 may have a magnetic portion that generates a magnetic field. The main body 30 may have a magnetic sensor that detects the magnetic field. An example of the magnetic portion is a magnet, and an example of the magnetic sensor is a Hall sensor. The control unit 116 then determines whether the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected based on the detection result of the magnetic sensor. For example, the control unit 116 determines that the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected when the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold, and determines that the connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 is disconnected when the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is not equal to or greater than a threshold. This configuration makes it possible to easily determine the connection and disconnection between the cap 20 and the main body 30.

[0208] The suction device 100 may perform settings based on whether the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected. As an example, the control unit 116 may set whether or not to allow heating by the heating unit 121 based on whether the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected. That is, the control unit 116 may permit heating by the heating unit 121 when the cap 20 and the main body 30 are connected. When heating is permitted and a user operation to start heating is performed, the control unit 116 starts the supply of power to the heating unit 121. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may prohibit heating by the heating unit 121 when the connection between the cap 20 and the main body 30 is disconnected. When heating is prohibited and a user operation to start heating is performed, the control unit 116 does not start the supply of power to the heating unit 121. When the cap 20 is detached from the main body 30, the thermal insulation of the suction device 100 may be reduced. In this regard, such a configuration can improve safety.

[0209] The type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30 can be identified by any method. For example, the control unit 116 may determine the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30 based on the detection results of a magnetic sensor. As an example, the cap 20 may have a magnetic portion that generates a different magnetic field for each type of cap 20. Specifically, the cap 20 may have a magnetic portion that generates a magnetic field of different strength for each type of cap 20. In this case, the control unit 116 may determine that a first type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30 when the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that a second type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30 when the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor is equal to or greater than a second threshold and less than a third threshold. This configuration makes it possible to easily determine the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30.

[0210] The suction device 100 may perform settings based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. As an example, the control unit 116 may set a heating profile to be used for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. Specifically, the control unit 116 may set a first heating profile to be used when a first type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may set a second heating profile to be used when a second type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30. The first heating profile is a heating profile different from the second heating profile. As another example, the control unit 116 may set a notification method by the notification unit 113 based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. Specifically, the control unit 116 may set a first light emission pattern as the light emission pattern of the LED 12 and / or LED 92 when a first type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30. Furthermore, when a second type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30, the control unit 116 may set a second light emission pattern as the light emission pattern of the LED 12 and / or the LED 92. The second light emission pattern is a light emission pattern different from the first light emission pattern. With this configuration, it is possible to easily customize the usability of the suction device 100.

[0211] Additionally, the cap 20 may have a storage medium that stores setting information for the suction device 100. One example of the setting information is a heating profile. Another example of the setting information is a notification method by the notification unit 113. On the other hand, the main body 30 may have a reading unit that reads information from the storage medium of the cap 20 attached to the main body 30. One example of the storage medium is an RF tag of an RFID (radio frequency identifier), and one example of the reading unit is a wireless reader. Then, the control unit 116 may perform settings based on the setting information read from the storage medium of the cap 20 connected to the main body 30.

[0212] 2.2. Second Modification> Fig. 30 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the aerosol generation system 1 according to this modification. In particular, Fig. 30 shows an example of a state in which the connection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 according to this modification is released.

[0213] (1) Regarding the button 11 and the LED 12 As shown in Fig. 30, the inhalation device 100 is provided with a button 11-1 and a button 11-2. The button 11-1 is an example of a first operation unit capable of accepting a user operation on the aerosol generation system 1. The button 11-2 is an example of a second operation unit, different from the first operation unit, capable of accepting a user operation on the aerosol generation system 1.

[0214] When button 11-1 is pressed, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile corresponding to button 11-1. For example, the memory unit 114 stores a first heating profile as the heating profile to be used when button 11-1 is pressed. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the first heating profile when button 11-1 is pressed. On the other hand, when button 11-2 is pressed, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile corresponding to button 11-2. For example, the memory unit 114 stores a second heating profile as the heating profile to be used when button 11-2 is pressed. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the second heating profile when button 11-2 is pressed. With this configuration, the user can use a preferred heating profile by pressing button 11-1 or button 11-2.

[0215] Here, the suction device 100 may switch the heating profile to be used while heating based on the heating profile is being performed. However, when switching the heating profile to be used, the control unit 116 continues the heating time before the switch and controls the operation of the heating unit 121 by referring to the heating profile after the switch from the middle. More specifically, if button 11-2 is pressed while the control unit 116 is controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile corresponding to button 11-1, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 by referring to the heating profile corresponding to button 11-2 from the middle. For example, suppose that 120 seconds have elapsed since heating based on the first heating profile was initiated, triggered by pressing button 11-1, and then button 11-2 is pressed. In this case, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the time series transition of the target temperature in the second heating profile from 120 seconds after the start of heating. Similarly, if button 11-1 is pressed while control unit 116 is controlling the operation of heating unit 121 based on the heating profile corresponding to button 11-2, control unit 116 controls the operation of heating unit 121 by referring to the heating profile corresponding to button 11-1 from that point on. For example, suppose button 11-1 is pressed 120 seconds after heating based on the second heating profile, triggered by pressing button 11-2, is started. In this case, control unit 116 controls the operation of heating unit 121 based on the time series transition of the target temperature in the first heating profile from 120 seconds after heating started. This configuration makes it possible to smoothly switch heating profiles during a heating session.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 30 , LEDs 12-1 and 12-2 are arranged in the inhalation device 100. LEDs 12-1 and 12-2 are examples of notification units that output information to be notified to the user from the aerosol generation system 1. In particular, LED 12-1 is an example of a first notification unit arranged in association with button 11-1. Specifically, LED 12-1 is arranged so as to surround button 11-1. LED 12-2 is an example of a second notification unit arranged in association with button 11-2. Specifically, LED 12-2 is arranged so as to surround button 11-2.

[0217] The LED 12-1 may notify information about a process executed when the button 11-1 is pressed as a trigger. As an example, the LED 12-1 may notify information indicating the progress of heating based on a heating profile corresponding to the button 11-1. Specifically, when the button 11-1 is pressed, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 based on a first heating profile and cause the LED 12-1 to notify information indicating the progress of heating based on the first heating profile. Similarly, the LED 12-2 may notify information about a process executed when the button 11-2 is pressed as a trigger. As an example, the LED 12-2 may notify information indicating the progress of heating based on a heating profile corresponding to the button 11-2. Specifically, when the button 11-2 is pressed, the control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 based on a second heating profile and cause the LED 12-2 to notify information indicating the progress of heating based on the second heating profile. This configuration makes it easier to understand the relationship between user operations and notifications.

[0218] The LEDs 12-1 and 12-2 may provide information indicating the charging status of the suction device 100. In particular, the LED 12-1 may provide information indicating the number of remaining heating times when using the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-1. For example, if the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-2 is the first heating profile, the number of remaining heating times when using the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-1 is the number of times that heating based on the first heating profile can be performed with the power stored in the power supply unit 111. On the other hand, the LED 12-2 may provide information indicating the number of remaining heating times when using the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-2. For example, if the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-2 is the second heating profile, the number of remaining heating times when using the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-2 is the number of times that heating based on the second heating profile can be performed with the power stored in the power supply unit 111. The heating profile corresponding to the button 11-1 and the heating profile corresponding to the button 11-2 may consume different amounts of power during heating. For example, a high-temperature heating profile such as the first heating profile shown in FIG. 13 consumes more power during heating than a low-temperature heating profile such as the second heating profile shown in FIG. 15. Therefore, the number of remaining heating times when using the first heating profile may be smaller than the number of remaining heating times when using the second heating profile. With this configuration, the number of remaining heating times, which varies depending on the heating profile used, can be notified for each heating profile. Therefore, it is possible to improve usability regarding the selection of a heating profile to use, such as by selecting a heating profile with a larger number of remaining heating times.

[0219] The notification of the remaining number of heating cycles when using the heating profile corresponding to button 11-1 and the notification of the remaining number of heating cycles when using the heating profile corresponding to button 11-2 may be performed at different times. For example, LED 12-1 may notify the remaining number of heating cycles when using the heating profile corresponding to button 11-1 when button 11-1 is pressed. LED 12-2 may notify the remaining number of heating cycles when using the heating profile corresponding to button 11-2 when button 11-2 is pressed.

[0220] Of course, the notification of the remaining number of heating times when using the heating profile corresponding to button 11-1 and the notification of the remaining number of heating times when using the heating profile corresponding to button 11-2 may be executed simultaneously. For example, these notifications may be executed simultaneously when the suction device 100 is turned off, turned on, goes to sleep, or returns from sleep.

[0221] As described in the first modified example above, in this modified example, the cap 20 and the main body 30 may be configured to be detachable. The suction device 100 may perform settings based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30.

[0222] As an example, the suction device 100 may set a heating profile to be used for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. Specifically, the control unit 116 may set at least one of a heating profile corresponding to button 11-1 and a heating profile corresponding to button 11-2 based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. For example, when a first type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30, the control unit 116 may associate a first heating profile with button 11-1 and a second heating profile with button 11-2. Furthermore, when a second type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30, the control unit 116 may associate a second heating profile with button 11-1 and a first heating profile with button 11-2. This configuration makes it possible to easily customize the usability of the suction device 100.

[0223] As another example, the suction device 100 may set a notification method by the notification unit 113 based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. Specifically, the control unit 116 may set a notification method by at least one of the LEDs 12-1 and 12-2 based on the type of cap 20 connected to the main body 30. For example, when a first type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30, the control unit 116 may set a first light-emitting pattern as the light-emitting pattern of the LED 12-1 and a second light-emitting pattern as the light-emitting pattern of the LED 12-2. Furthermore, when a second type of cap 20 is connected to the main body 30, the control unit 116 may set a second light-emitting pattern as the light-emitting pattern of the LED 12-1 and a first light-emitting pattern as the light-emitting pattern of the LED 12-2. This configuration makes it possible to easily customize the usability of the suction device 100.

[0224] Next, an example of the flow of processing executed in this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 31. Fig. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by suction device 100 according to this modified example. In the following, it is assumed that a first heating profile is associated with button 11-1, and a second heating profile is associated with button 11-2.

[0225] As shown in FIG. 31, first, the sensor unit 112 detects pressing of the button 11-1 corresponding to the first heating profile or the button 11-2 corresponding to the second heating profile (step S202).

[0226] Next, the control unit 116 starts heating based on the heating profile corresponding to the pressed button 11 (step S204). As one example, the control unit 116 starts controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the first heating profile when button 11-1 is pressed. As another example, the control unit 116 starts controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the second heating profile when button 11-2 is pressed.

[0227] Next, the control unit 116 causes the LEDs 12 associated with the buttons 11 corresponding to the heating profiles in use to notify information indicating the progress of heating (step S206). As an example, when the first heating profile is in use, the LED 12-1 associated with the button 11-1 corresponding to the first heating profile notifies information indicating the progress of heating based on the first heating profile. As another example, when the second heating profile is in use, the LED 12-2 associated with the button 11-2 corresponding to the second heating profile notifies information indicating the progress of heating based on the second heating profile.

[0228] Next, the control unit 116 determines whether the button 11 corresponding to a heating profile different from the heating profile currently in use has been pressed (step S208). As an example, the control unit 116 determines whether the button 11-2 has been pressed during heating based on the first heating profile. As another example, the control unit 116 determines whether the button 11-1 has been pressed during heating based on the second heating profile.

[0229] If it is determined that the button 11 corresponding to a heating profile different from the heating profile currently in use has been pressed (step S208: YES), the control unit 116 switches the heating profile to be used and continues heating (step S210). For example, when switching the heating profile 120 seconds after the start of heating, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the time series transition of the target temperature in the heating profile after 120 seconds has elapsed since the start of heating. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S212. If it is determined that the button 11 corresponding to a heating profile different from the heating profile currently in use has not been pressed (step S208: NO), the process also proceeds to step S212.

[0230] In step S212, the control unit 116 determines whether a termination condition is satisfied (step S212). One example of the termination condition is that heating has been performed until the end of the heating session. Another example of the termination condition is that the number of puffs has reached a predetermined number. If it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied (step S212: NO), the process returns to step S206.

[0231] If it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied (step S212: YES), the control unit 116 terminates the heating (step S214).

[0232] (2) Regarding the Button 91 and the LED 92 Referring again to Figure 30, the charging device 900 is provided with a button 91-1 and a button 91-2. The button 91-1 is an example of a first operation unit capable of accepting a user operation on the aerosol generation system 1. The button 91-2 is an example of a second operation unit, different from the first operation unit, capable of accepting a user operation on the aerosol generation system 1.

[0233] Referring again to FIG. 30, the charging device 900 is provided with LEDs 92-1 and 92-2. LEDs 92-1 and 92-2 are examples of notification units that output information to be notified to the user from the aerosol generation system 1. In particular, LED 92-1 is an example of a first notification unit that is arranged in association with button 91-1. Specifically, LED 92-1 is arranged so as to surround button 91-1. LED 92-2 is an example of a second notification unit that is arranged in association with button 91-2. Specifically, LED 92-2 is arranged so as to surround button 91-2.

[0234] The features described above regarding buttons 11-1 and 11-2 may also be provided to buttons 91-1 and 91-2. Furthermore, the features described above regarding LEDs 12-1 and 12-2 may also be provided to LEDs 92-1 and 92-2. In other words, in the above descriptions regarding buttons 11-1, 11-2, LEDs 12-1, and 12-2, button 11-1 may be read as button 91-1, button 11-2 as button 91-2, LED 12-1 as LED 92-1, and LED 12-2 as LED 92-2, respectively.

[0235] (3) Supplementary Note: Each of the first operating unit and the second operating unit may be disposed in either the suction device 100 or the charging device 900. In the above-described examples, the first operating unit and the second operating unit are both disposed in the suction device 100 and the charging device 900, respectively. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples.

[0236] One of the first operation unit and the second operation unit may be arranged on the suction device 100, and the charging device 900 may be arranged on the other. For example, a single button 11 may be arranged on the suction device 100 as the first operation unit. Furthermore, a single LED 12 may be arranged on the suction device 100 as the first notification unit. Furthermore, a single button 91 may be arranged on the charging device 900 as the second operation unit. Furthermore, a single LED 92 may be arranged on the charging device 900 as the second notification unit. In this case, when the button 11 is pressed, the suction device 100 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the first heating profile and notifies information indicating the progress of heating via the LED 12. On the other hand, when the button 91 is pressed, the suction device 100 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the second heating profile and notifies information indicating the progress of heating via the LED 92.

[0237] Although the above description has been given of an example in which two buttons 11 and two LEDs 12 are arranged on the suction device 100, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. Three or more buttons 11 and LEDs 12 may be arranged. The same applies to the buttons 91 and LEDs 92 arranged on the charging device 900.

[0238] 2.3. Third Modification FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an inhalation device 100 according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 32, the inhalation device 100 according to this modification may have two heating units 121, namely, heating unit 121-1 and heating unit 121-2. The side of the storage unit 140 closer to the bottom 143 is also referred to as the upstream side, and the side closer to the opening 142 is also referred to as the downstream side. This is because, when a puff is performed, an airflow is generated from upstream to downstream. As shown in FIG. 32, the heating unit 121-1 is disposed on the upstream side. The heating unit 121-2 is disposed on the downstream side. The control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating units 121-1 and 121-2 based on different heating profiles. An example of a heating profile used to control the operation of the heating units 121-1 and 121-2 will be described with reference to FIG. 33.

[0239] FIG. 33 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile according to this modification. The horizontal axis of graph 80 represents time. The vertical axis of graph 80 represents temperature. Line 81 represents the time series progression of the target temperature defined in the heating profile used to control the operation of heating unit 121-1. The heating profile shown by line 81 is also referred to as the third heating profile. Line 82 represents the time series progression of the target temperature defined in the heating profile used to control the operation of heating unit 121-2. The heating profile shown by line 82 is also referred to as the fourth heating profile. The control unit 116 may control the operation of heating unit 121-1 based on the third heating profile, and may control the operation of heating unit 121-2 based on the fourth heating profile.

[0240] As shown by lines 81 and 82, the heating section 121-2 located downstream first reaches a high temperature, followed by the heating section 121-1 located upstream. With this configuration, the aerosol source is heated in order from the downstream to the upstream portions of the substrate 151, generating aerosol. If the upstream portion of the substrate 151 were heated before the downstream portion, the aerosol generated in the upstream portion could be cooled and condensed as it passed through the downstream portion. In this case, the downstream portion of the substrate 151, which has not yet been heated, would become moist, which could deteriorate the flavor experienced by the user when the downstream portion of the substrate 151 is heated. In this regard, with this configuration, the generated aerosol does not pass through the unheated portion of the substrate 151. Therefore, the unheated portion of the substrate 151 is prevented from becoming moist, thereby preventing deterioration of the flavor experienced by the user.

[0241] As described in the above embodiment, the suction device 100 may switch the heating profile used when heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. As an example, the suction device 100 may select the heating profile used to control the operation of the heating unit 121-1 from the third heating profile or the fifth heating profile. Furthermore, the suction device 100 may select the heating profile used to control the operation of the heating unit 121-2 from the fourth heating profile or the sixth profile. Examples of the fifth and sixth heating profiles will be described with reference to FIG. 34 .

[0242] 34 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile according to this modification. The horizontal axis of graph 83 represents time. The vertical axis of graph 83 represents temperature. Line 84 represents the time series progression of the target temperature defined in a fifth heating profile that can be used to control the operation of heating unit 121-1. Line 85 represents the time series progression of the target temperature defined in a sixth heating profile that can be used to control the operation of heating unit 121-2. Control unit 116 may control the operation of heating unit 121-1 based on the fifth heating profile, and may control the operation of heating unit 121-2 based on the sixth heating profile.

[0243] 33 and 34, when the fifth and sixth heating profiles are used, as in the case of the third and fourth heating profiles, the downstream heating section 121-2 first reaches a high temperature, followed by the upstream heating section 121-1, which then reaches a high temperature. This configuration makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the flavor experienced by the user.

[0244] 33 and 34, the third and fourth heating profiles are high-temperature heating profiles, while the fifth and sixth heating profiles are low-temperature heating profiles. For example, the third heating profile reaches a target temperature of 265°C at its highest, while the fifth heating profile reaches a target temperature of 255°C at its highest. Furthermore, the fourth heating profile reaches a target temperature of 260°C 10 seconds after the start of heating, while the sixth heating profile reaches a target temperature of 250°C 210 seconds after the start of heating. Thus, by being able to switch between a high-temperature heating profile and a low-temperature heating profile, users can enjoy a comfortable smoking experience tailored to their mood.

[0245] As described in the above embodiment, the suction device 100 may switch the heating profile to be used while heating based on the heating profile is being performed. As an example, the suction device 100 may switch the heating profile to be used to the fifth and sixth heating profiles while heating based on the third and fourth heating profiles is being performed. Of course, the reverse is also possible. Furthermore, as described in the above embodiment, when switching the heating profile to be used, the control unit 116 inherits the heating time before the switch and controls the operation of the heating units 121-1 and 121-2 by referring to the heating profile after the switch from the middle.

[0246] 4, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by heating unit 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. An example of the configuration of inhalation device 100 that performs induction heating will be described with reference to FIG.

[0247] 35 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device according to this modification. As shown in Fig. 35, 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 storage unit 140, and an electromagnetic induction source 162.

[0248] The configurations of the power supply unit 111, the sensor unit 112, the notification unit 113, the storage unit 114, the communication unit 115, and the control unit 116 are substantially the same as those described above with reference to Fig. 4. However, the power supply unit 111 may supply DC current to the other components. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111 may supply AC current converted by an inverter circuit to the other components.

[0249] As described above with reference to FIG. 4 , the stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a suction nozzle portion 152. The stick-shaped substrate 150 further includes a susceptor 161. The susceptor 161 generates heat by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor 161 is made of a conductive material such as metal. Furthermore, the susceptor 161 is desirably magnetic. As an example, the susceptor 161 may be configured as a metal plate or a metal rod. The susceptor 161 is disposed in thermal proximity to the aerosol source. That is, the susceptor 161 is disposed at a position where heat generated in the susceptor 161 is transferred to the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 35 , the susceptor 161 is included in the substrate portion 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150. Note that the susceptor 161 may be inaccessible from the outside of the stick-shaped substrate 150. For example, the susceptors 161 may be distributed in the central portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and not distributed near the periphery.

[0250] The electromagnetic induction source 162 inductively heats the susceptor 161. When an alternating current is applied to the electromagnetic induction source 162, the electromagnetic induction source 162 generates a fluctuating magnetic field (more specifically, an alternating magnetic field). The electromagnetic induction source 162 is disposed at a position where the generated fluctuating magnetic field is superimposed on the internal space of the accommodation unit 140, more specifically, at a position where the generated fluctuating magnetic field is superimposed on the susceptor 161 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 accommodated in the accommodation unit 140. For example, the electromagnetic induction source 162 is formed of a coil-shaped conductor and disposed so as to be wound around the outer periphery of the accommodation unit 140. Therefore, when a fluctuating magnetic field is generated with the stick-shaped substrate 150 accommodated in the accommodation unit 140, the fluctuating magnetic field generated from the electromagnetic induction source 162 penetrates the susceptor 161 located in the internal space 141 of the accommodation unit 140 and inductively heats the susceptor 161. Specifically, eddy current loss occurs in the susceptor 161, and if the susceptor 161 is magnetic, magnetic hysteresis loss also occurs in the susceptor 161, causing the temperature of the susceptor 161 to rise. The aerosol source included in the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated and atomized by the induction-heated susceptor 161, thereby generating an aerosol. As an example, when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input, power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 may be started. When the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input, power supply to the electromagnetic induction source 162 may be stopped.

[0251] 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.

[0252] The susceptor 161 may be provided in the suction device 100 instead of being included in the stick-shaped substrate 150. As an example, the suction device 100 may have a susceptor 161 arranged outside the internal space 141. Specifically, the accommodation unit 140 may be made of a conductive and magnetic material and function as the susceptor 161. The accommodation unit 140 serving as the susceptor 161 contacts the outer periphery of the substrate 151, and thus can be thermally close to the aerosol source contained in the substrate 151. As another example, the suction device 100 may have a susceptor 161 arranged inside the internal space 141. Specifically, the blade-shaped susceptor 161 may be arranged so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the accommodation unit 140 into the internal space 141. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the internal space 141 of the storage section 140, the blade-shaped susceptor 161 is inserted into the inside of the stick-shaped substrate 150 so as to pierce the substrate portion 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150. This allows the blade-shaped susceptor 161 to be thermally close to the aerosol source contained in the substrate portion 151.

[0253] When the stick-shaped substrate 150 has the electromagnetic induction source 162, the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be detected based on a change in the characteristics of a circuit in the suction device 100 that occurs when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. An example of the change in the characteristics of the circuit in the suction device 100 is a change in inductance that occurs in the electromagnetic induction source 162.

[0254] In this modification, the cap 20 is preferably made of a non-conductive and non-magnetic material, such as glass, rubber, or plastic. This configuration makes the cap 20 less susceptible to induction heating, thereby ensuring the safety of the user.

[0255] The electromagnetic induction source 162 according to this modification corresponds to the heating unit 121 described in the above embodiment. The temperature to which the aerosol source is heated in this modification corresponds to the temperature of the susceptor 161. The temperature of the susceptor 161 can be estimated based on the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source. In this modification, the parameter related to the temperature to which the aerosol source is heated, which is specified in the heating profile, is the target value (i.e., target temperature) of the temperature of the susceptor 161. The control unit 116 controls the operation of the electromagnetic induction source 162 so that the temperature of the susceptor 161 changes in the same manner as the target temperature specified in the heating profile.

[0256] 2.5. Fifth Modification FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an aerosol generation system 1 according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 36, the aerosol generation system 1 according to this modification has the same external configuration as the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1. However, in this modification, the cap 20 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and the shutter 147 operates in accordance with the rotation of the cap 20. When the cap 20 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in the left side of FIG. 36, the shutter 147 closes the opening 142 as shown in the right side of FIG. On the other hand, when the cap 20 is rotated clockwise, the shutter 147 opens the opening 142. In this manner, the shutter 147 may open and close the opening 142 in accordance with the rotation of the cap 20.

[0257] The control unit 116 may control the operation of the suction device 100 depending on the state of the shutter 147. As an example, the control unit 116 may prohibit heating by the heating unit 121 when the shutter 147 closes the opening 142. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may permit heating by the heating unit 121 when the shutter 147 opens the opening 142. Considering that the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be inserted when the shutter 147 opens the opening 142, such a configuration makes it possible to prevent so-called empty heating.

[0258] In this modification, the cap 20 and the main body 30 may be detachable or may be integrally configured. Also, the suction device 100 and the charging device 900 may be detachable or may be integrally configured.

[0259] 3. Supplementary Information Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0260] In the above, an example has been described in which the parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, which is specified in the heating profile, is the target temperature of the heating unit 121 or the susceptor 161, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated includes the temperature of the heating unit 121 itself as well as the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121. The parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated includes the temperature of the susceptor 161 itself as well as the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source 162.

[0261] Although the above describes an example in which the connection and disconnection between the suction device 100 and the charging device 900, or between the cap 20 and the main body 30, are detected by a magnetic sensor, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The connection and disconnection between the devices may be detected by any means, such as the presence or absence of electricity, capacitance, or reading of an RFID tag.

[0262] The series of processes performed by each device described herein may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The software programs may be stored in advance, for example, on a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) internal or external to each device. Each program is then loaded into RAM and executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU when executed by a computer controlling each device described herein. 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. The computer may be, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general-purpose processor that executes functions by loading a software program, or a computer on a server used in cloud computing. The series of processes performed by each device described herein may also be distributed among multiple computers.

[0263] 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.

[0264] Note that the following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure: (1) An aerosol generation system including a first device, a second device, and a control device, wherein the first device has: a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a substrate set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated; and a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit, and the second device has: a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit when the first device and the second device are connected, and the control device, when the heating unit performs heating when the first device and the second device are connected, selects a power supply source for the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on the power accumulated in the first power supply unit. (2) The aerosol generation system according to (1), wherein the control device selects the second power supply unit as the power supply source to the heating unit during at least a portion of a period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile when the power stored in the first power supply unit is less than a threshold. (3) The aerosol generation system according to (2), wherein the control device selects the first power supply unit as the power supply source to the heating unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied during a period other than the at least a portion of a period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile, and selects the second power supply unit as the power supply source to the heating unit when the predetermined condition is not satisfied. (4) The aerosol generation system according to (3), wherein the predetermined condition includes disconnection of the first device and the second device. (5) The aerosol generation system according to (3) or (4), wherein the predetermined condition is that the power stored in the first power supply unit is equal to or greater than the threshold.(6) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein a period during which operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile includes, in that order, an initial heating period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated increases from an initial temperature, an intermediate temperature decreasing period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated decreases, and a re-heating period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated increases again, and wherein at least a portion of the period includes the initial heating period. (7) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (2) to (6), wherein, before heating based on the heating profile is performed, the control device sets the threshold to a value that allows heating to continue from the beginning to the end of the period during which operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile, and during heating based on the heating profile, sets the threshold to a value that allows heating to continue until the end of the remaining period during which operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile. (8) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (2) to (7), further comprising a notification unit that notifies a user of information, wherein the notification unit notifies information indicating that the connection between the first device and the second device can be disconnected when the power stored in the first power supply unit becomes equal to or greater than the threshold. (9) The aerosol generation system according to (8), further comprising the notification unit provided in the first device and the notification unit provided in the second device, wherein, when the first device and the second device are connected, the notification unit provided in the second device notifies information indicating the status of the first device, and when the first device and the second device are not connected, the notification unit provided in the first device notifies information indicating the status of the first device. (10) The aerosol generation system according to (9), wherein the information indicating the status of the first device relates to at least one of the progress of heating by the heating unit, the charge state of the first power supply unit, and an error that has occurred in the first device.(11) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the second power supply unit supplies power to both the heating unit and the first power supply unit when selected as the power supply source for the heating unit. (12) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein, when the first device and the second device are connected, the control device sets whether the second power supply unit supplies power to the first power supply unit, the heating unit, or both the first power supply unit and the heating unit based on a user operation on the second device. (13) The aerosol generation system according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein, when the first device and the second device are connected, the second power supply unit starts supplying power to the heating unit when the substrate is set in the first device. (14) A control method executed by a computer that controls at least one of a first device or a second device, wherein the first device has: a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a substrate set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines a time-series transition of a parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated; and a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit; and the second device has: a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit when the first device and the second device are connected, and the control method includes, when the heating unit performs heating when the first device and the second device are connected, selecting a power supply source to the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on power accumulated in the first power supply unit.(15) A program executed by a computer that controls at least one of a first device or a second device, wherein the first device has: a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a substrate set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated; and a first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit; and the second device has: a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit when the first device and the second device are connected, and the program causes the computer to select a power supply source to the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on the power accumulated in the first power supply unit when the heating unit performs heating when the first device and the second device are connected.

[0265] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Aerosol generation system 100 Suction device (100a: top surface, 100b: bottom surface, 100c: side surface) 111 Power supply unit 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification unit 114 Memory unit 115 Communication unit 116 Control unit 121 Heating unit 140 Storage unit 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom (143a: convex portion, 143b: concave portion) 144 Heat insulating unit 145 Inner wall (145a: convex portion, 145b: concave portion, 145c: flat surface, 145d: curved surface) 146 Air flow path 147 Shutter 150 Stick-shaped substrate 151 Substrate unit 152 Suction port unit 161 Susceptor 162 Electromagnetic induction source 190 Air flow 200 Charging device 211 Power supply unit 212 Sensor unit 213 Notification unit 214 Memory unit 215 Communication unit 216 Control unit 900 Charging device (900a: top surface, 900c: concave surface) 911 Power supply unit 912 Sensor unit 913 Notification unit 914 Memory unit 915 Communication unit 916 Control unit 11 Button 12 LED 13 Magnetic unit 14 Electrical contact 20 Cap (20a: top surface, 20b: bottom surface, 20c: side surface) 21 Thread groove 22 Through hole (22a: inner wall) 23 Opening 24 Head 25 Protrusion 26 Through hole 30 Main body (30a: top surface, 30b: bottom surface; 30c: side surface) 31 Thread 32 Protrusion 33 Bottomed hole (33a: inner wall) 34 Opening 35 Anti-slip 36 Through hole 37 Bottomed hole 40 Gap 50 Proximity sensor 91 Button 92 LED 921 Light-emitting area 93 Magnetic portion 94 Electrical contact

Claims

1. An aerosol generation system including a first device, a second device, and a control device, The first device is a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a base material set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a parameter related to a temperature at which the aerosol source is heated; A first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit; having The second device is a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected; having When the heating unit performs heating in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected, the control device selects a power supply source to the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on the power stored in the first power supply unit. Aerosol generation systems.

2. the control device, when the power stored in the first power supply unit is less than a threshold, selects the second power supply unit as a power supply source to the heating unit during at least a portion of a period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile; 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

3. the control device, during a period other than the at least a part of the period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile, selects the first power supply unit as a power supply source to the heating unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and selects the second power supply unit as a power supply source to the heating unit when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2.

4. the predetermined condition includes disconnection of the first device and the second device; 4. The aerosol generating system of claim 3.

5. the predetermined condition being that the power stored in the first power supply unit is equal to or greater than the threshold value; 4. The aerosol generating system of claim 3.

6. The period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile is an initial heating period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is increased from an initial temperature; a cooling period during which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is reduced; a reheating period in which the temperature of the aerosol source is increased again; In order, The at least a portion of the period includes the initial heating period.

3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2.

7. The control device includes: Before the heating based on the heating profile is performed, the threshold value is set to a value that allows the heating to be continued from the beginning to the end of a period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile; During the execution of heating based on the heating profile, the threshold value is set to a value that allows heating to be continued until the end of a remaining period during which the operation of the heating unit is controlled based on the heating profile.

3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2.

8. The aerosol generation system further includes a notification unit that notifies a user of information, the notification unit notifies information indicating that the connection between the first device and the second device can be released when the power stored in the first power supply unit becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

9. The aerosol generating system includes the notification unit provided in the first device and the notification unit provided in the second device, When the first device and the second device are connected, the notification unit provided in the second device notifies information indicating a state of the first device; When the first device and the second device are not connected, the notification unit provided in the first device notifies information indicating a state of the first device.

9. The aerosol generating system of claim 8.

10. The information indicating the state of the first device is related to at least one of a progress of heating by the heating unit, a charging state of the first power supply unit, and an error that has occurred in the first device.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9.

11. When the second power supply unit is selected as a power supply source for the heating unit, the second power supply unit supplies power to both the heating unit and the first power supply unit.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

12. The control device sets whether the second power supply unit supplies power to the first power supply unit, supplies power to the heating unit, or supplies power to both the first power supply unit and the heating unit, based on a user operation on the second device, in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected.

10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

13. the second power supply unit starts supplying power to the heating unit when the base material is set in the first device in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected to each other; 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

14. A control method executed by a computer that controls at least one of a first device or a second device, comprising: The first device is a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a base material set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a parameter related to a temperature at which the aerosol source is heated; A first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit; having The second device is a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected; having The control method includes, when the heating unit performs heating in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected, selecting a power supply source to the heating unit from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit based on power stored in the first power supply unit. Control methods.

15. A program executed by a computer that controls at least one of a first device and a second device, The first device is a heating unit that heats an aerosol source contained in a base material set in the first device based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a parameter related to a temperature at which the aerosol source is heated; A first power supply unit that supplies power to the heating unit; having The second device is a second power supply unit that supplies power to at least one of the heating unit and the first power supply unit in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected; having The program causes the computer to select a power supply source from the first power supply unit or the second power supply unit to the heating unit based on power stored in the first power supply unit when the heating unit performs heating in a state in which the first device and the second device are connected. program.