Inhalation device, control method, and program

Abstract

A control unit (116B) for an inhalation device (100B) acquires elevation information indicating the height at which the inhalation device (100B) is positioned, determines whether or not the height at which the inhalation device (100B) is positioned is less than a threshold value on the basis of the acquired elevation information, and restricts a prescribed operation in the inhalation device (100B) when it is determined that the height at which the inhalation device (100B) is positioned is less than the threshold value.

Description

Suction device, control method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction device, a control method, and a program.

[0002] Conventionally, inhalers that generate aerosols containing, for example, flavoring ingredients and allow users to inhale the generated aerosols have been known. Such inhalers typically deliver the generated aerosol to users by heating a base material containing an aerosol source with a heating section (also referred to as a "heating element") that is an electric resistance or induction heater. Some such inhalers also have a so-called "child resistance function" to prevent inconveniences caused by misuse by children (e.g., infants and young children).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses that a child-resistant function requires a combination of two or more different actions, such as compressing while rotating the cap, to restrict access to the contents of the container.

[0004] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 2 discloses that a mouthpiece that moves relative to a main body portion between a first position and a second position to switch the device between a stopped state and an activated state is biased to the first position by a spring or the like, and that the predetermined biasing force is counteracted to maintain the device in the stopped state. It also discloses that the predetermined biasing force can be selected to exceed the normal force (expected hand force) of a small child in order to make the device child-resistant when switching to the activated state.

[0005] Japan Special Table No. 2020-506121 Publication Japanese Special Table No. 2019-505190

[0006] However, the history of technological development of aspirators is still short, and there is still room for improvement in the child resistance function of aspirators from the viewpoint of improving their performance.

[0007] The present invention provides a suction device, a control method, and a program that can further reduce the occurrence of inconveniences due to misuse by children.

[0008] The first invention is a suction device that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, and includes a control unit that controls the operation of the suction device, wherein the control unit acquires altitude information indicating the height at which the suction device is located, determines based on the altitude information whether the height is less than a threshold value, and restricts a predetermined operation of the suction device if it determines that the height is less than the threshold value.

[0009] The second invention is a control method in which a computer that controls the operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source acquires altitude information indicating the height at which the suction device is located, determines whether the height is less than a threshold based on the altitude information, and restricts a predetermined operation of the suction device if it determines that the height is less than the threshold.

[0010] The third invention is a program that causes a computer that controls the operation of a suction device that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source to execute the following process: acquire altitude information indicating the height at which the suction device is located; determine whether the height is less than a threshold value based on the altitude information; and restrict a predetermined operation of the suction device if it is determined that the height is less than the threshold value.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a suction device, a control method, and a program that can further reduce the occurrence of inconveniences due to misuse by children.

[0012] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of a suction device. FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a suction device 100B. FIG. 3 is a top view of the suction device 100B. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the suction device 100B with the panel 10 removed. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a threshold value that serves as a condition for restricting the operation of the suction device 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the height at which the suction device 100 is located and the light emission color of the light-emitting device 23a. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the light-emitting device 23a. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the height at which the suction device 100 is located and the number of light-emitting elements to be emitted. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display device 23b. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the height at which the suction device 100 is located and the display mode of the indicator I of the display device 23b. FIG. 11 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of processing executed by the control unit 116. FIG. 12 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of processing executed by the control unit 116.

[0013] A suction device, a control method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the following, identical or similar elements will be denoted by identical or similar reference numerals, and their description may be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0014] <<1. Configuration Example of Inhalation Device>> The inhalation device of this embodiment 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.

[0015] (1) First Configuration Example Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a first configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in Fig. 1A, an inhalation device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor imparting cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a memory unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid guiding unit 122, and a liquid storage unit 123. The flavor imparting cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130.

[0016] The power supply unit 111A stores electric power. The power supply unit 111A supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100A under the control of the control unit 116A. The power supply unit 111A may be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0017] The sensor unit 112A acquires various types of information related to the suction device 100A. As one example, the sensor unit 112A 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 112A is configured with an input device that accepts information input from the user, such as an operation button or a switch.

[0018] For example, sensor unit 112A includes a pressure sensor (also referred to as a "puff sensor") that detects a change in pressure (i.e., internal pressure) inside suction device 100A caused by inhalation by the user. Sensor unit 112A may also include a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate caused by inhalation by the user, a temperature sensor (also referred to as a "puff thermistor") that detects the temperature of heating unit 121A or the vicinity of heating unit 121A, etc.

[0019] Furthermore, the sensor unit 112A may include an altitude sensor that detects the height at which the suction device 100A is located. As one example, the altitude sensor may be configured with a pressure sensor (i.e., a barometric pressure sensor) that detects the atmospheric pressure acting on the suction device 100A. As another example, the altitude sensor may be configured with a distance measurement sensor that detects the distance between the suction device 100A and a target. The distance measurement sensor may be, for example, a radar sensor that detects the distance to a target by irradiating the target with predetermined radar waves. In this case, the radar waves may be laser, microwaves, millimeter waves, ultrasonic waves, or the like.

[0020] The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113A is configured by, for example, a light-emitting device that emits light (for example, the light-emitting device 23a described later), a display device that displays an image (for example, the display device 23b described later), a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0021] The storage unit 114A stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100 A. The storage unit 114A is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0022] The communication unit 115A 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).

[0023] The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100A in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

[0024] The liquid reservoir 123 stores the aerosol source. That is, the cartridge 120 having the liquid reservoir 123 for storing the aerosol source is an example of a substrate having an aerosol source. The aerosol is generated by atomizing the aerosol source. The aerosol source is a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug.

[0025] The liquid guide portion 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 123, from the liquid storage portion 123. The liquid guide portion 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. In this case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

[0026] The heating unit 121A heats the aerosol source to atomize it and generate aerosol. In the example shown in FIG. 1A , the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil and is wound around the liquid guide unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guide unit 122 is heated and atomized, generating aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. For example, power may be supplied to the heating unit 121A when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Then, power supply to the heating unit 121A may be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Note that the user's inhalation operation on the inhalation device 100A can be detected, for example, based on the pressure (internal pressure) within the inhalation device 100A detected by a puff sensor exceeding a predetermined threshold.

[0027] The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

[0028] The air flow path 180 is a path for air inhaled by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet 181, which is an entrance for air into the air flow path 180, and an air outlet 182, which is an exit for air from the air flow path 180, at both ends. A liquid guide section 122 is disposed on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet 181) of the air flow path 180, and a flavor source 131 is disposed on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet 182). Air flowing in through the air inlet 181 as the user inhales is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating section 121A and, as shown by arrow 190, is transported through the flavor source 131 to the air outlet 182. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

[0029] Mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held in the mouth by the user when inhaling. Air outlet holes 182 are arranged in mouthpiece 124. By holding mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air into the oral cavity.

[0030] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100A. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0031] As an example, the inhalation device 100A may not include the flavoring cartridge 130. In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with the mouthpiece 124.

[0032] As another example, the inhalation device 100A may further include a second heating unit that heats the flavor source 131. In this case, the second heating unit may be, for example, a film-like unit and arranged to cover the outer periphery of the flavor imparting cartridge 130. The second heating unit generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A, thereby heating the flavor imparting cartridge 130 from the outer periphery. By providing such a second heating unit, the temperature of the flavor source 131 can be increased compared to a case in which the second heating unit is not provided, thereby increasing the amount of flavor component imparted to the aerosol. Note that when such a second heating unit is provided, the power supplied to the second heating unit can be controlled so that the temperature of the second heating unit reaches a predetermined target temperature.

[0033] As another example, the inhalation device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from the multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate additional types of aerosols.

[0034] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121 A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

[0035] 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a second configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1B, a suction device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a memory unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a storage unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0036] Each of the power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, memory unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B is substantially identical to the corresponding components included in the suction device 100A according to the first configuration example.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. That is, the stick-shaped substrate 150 is another example of a substrate including an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug. The aerosol source may be 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 contained in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the suction mouth portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and sucks, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path not shown, and reaches the user's oral cavity along with the aerosol generated from the base portion 151.

[0039] 1B, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

[0040] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B 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.

[0041] The above is a description of an example of the configuration of the suction device 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0042] As one example, the heating unit 121B 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 121B 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 121B may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B 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.

[0043] As another example, the accommodation 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 accommodation unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to accommodate the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 while clamping it. In this case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the accommodation unit 140 and heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0044] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100B has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100B, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0045] Furthermore, the suction device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air flow path 180 may supply air to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

[0046] <<2. Example of External Configuration of Suction Device>> Next, an example of the external configuration of the suction device 100 (100A, 100B) of this embodiment will be described. Note that, here, the description will be made assuming that the suction device 100 is the suction device 100B shown in FIG. 1B , but the description is not limited to this and the same applies to the suction device 100A shown in FIG. 1A .

[0047] (1) An example of a suction device with a panel attached Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view of the suction device 100B. Fig. 3 is a top view of the suction device 100B. Specifically, Fig. 3(a) shows the suction device 100B in a state where the opening 142 is closed by a shutter 50 (described later), and Fig. 3(b) shows the suction device 100B in a state where the opening 142 is open.

[0048] 2 and 3, the suction device 100B includes a panel 10, a main body housing 20 to which the panel 10 can be detached, and a shutter 50 that can slide relative to the main body housing 20. The panel 10 and the main body housing 20 are formed as separate members.

[0049] The panel 10 is mainly composed of a member that serves as a cover that forms at least a part of a housing 40 (described later), which is the outermost part of the suction device 100B. As shown in FIG. 2 , the panel 10 has a display unit 18 and an operation unit 19 on its surface (outer surface). The display unit 18 is made of a transparent material that allows light to pass through. As will be described in detail later, a light-emitting device 23a, which is an example of a notification unit 113B, is provided inside the suction device 100B (inside the main body 30 described later). A user can view light from the light-emitting device 23a from the outer surface of the panel 10 via the display unit 18.

[0050] The operation unit 19 is configured, for example, to form a recess facing the main body housing 20. This makes it possible to guide the user to the position of the operation unit 19. Alternatively, a predetermined mark (indicator) may be printed on the surface of the panel 10 to guide the user to the position of the operation unit 19.

[0051] The main body housing 20 accommodates the main body 30 of the suction device 100B. The main body 30 accommodates, for example, each of the components of the suction device 100B shown in FIG.

[0052] The panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20 to form the outermost housing 40 of the suction device 100B. For example, a user can customize the appearance of the suction device 100B to suit their own preferences by attaching a panel 10 with a design that suits their taste. Furthermore, by including the panel 10, the suction device 100B can buffer heat that is released to the outside even if the main body 30 generates heat. In other words, the panel 10 can function to insulate heat generated by, for example, the heating unit 121B.

[0053] The housing 40 is preferably sized to fit in a user's hand. For example, a user holds the suction device 100B in one hand while touching the surface of the panel 10 with their fingertip. Then, when the user presses the operation unit 19 with their fingertip, the panel 10 deforms so that the operation unit 19 further recesses toward the main body housing 20. As a result of this deformation of the panel 10, the bottom of the operation unit 19 comes into contact with an operation button 22 (described below) provided on the surface of the main body housing 20, and the operation button 22 is pressed. As an example, the user can power on the suction device 100B by pressing the operation unit 19 with their finger and pressing the operation button 22.

[0054] 2 and 3A show the suction device 100B in a state in which the opening 142 is closed by the shutter 50. When the suction device 100B is in the state shown in Fig. 3A, the user slides the shutter 50 with their finger, causing the shutter 50 to move from above the opening 142 and open the opening 142, as shown in Fig. 3B. In this way, the user can insert the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the opening 142 by operating the shutter 50 to open the opening 142.

[0055] (2) Example of Suction Device with Panel Removed Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the suction device 100B with the panel 10 removed, specifically showing the outer surface of the main body housing 20 that is exposed when the panel 10 is removed from the main body housing 20. That is, when the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the outer surface of the main body housing 20 shown in Fig. 4 is covered by the panel 10.

[0056] 4, the outer surface of the main body housing 20 is provided with, for example, magnets 21a, 21b, operation buttons 22, and a display window 23. In addition to these, the outer surface of the main body housing 20 may also be provided with, for example, a sensor that detects attachment of the panel 10 to the main body housing 20.

[0057] The magnets 21a and 21b attract the panel 10 to the main housing 20 by magnetic force (magnetic attraction). This holds the panel 10 in place in the main housing 20. More specifically, magnets (not shown) corresponding to the magnets 21a and 21b are provided on the inner surface of the panel 10 that faces the outer surface of the main housing 20 when the panel 10 is attached to the main housing 20. The magnets provided on the panel 10 attract the magnets 21a and 21b, holding the panel 10 in place in the main housing 20. The magnets 21a and 21b, as well as the magnets on the panel 10, may be permanent magnets, for example.

[0058] The operation button 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the operation unit 19 of the panel 10 when the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. This allows the user to operate the operation button 22 via the operation unit 19 of the panel 10, as described above.

[0059] The display window 23 is an opening aligned with the light-emitting device 23a provided in the main body 30, and allows light from the light-emitting device 23a to pass through to the display unit 18 of the panel 10. As a result, as described above, a user can view the light from the light-emitting device 23a from the outer surface of the panel 10.

[0060] The light-emitting device 23a is an example of a light-emitting unit that emits light, and is configured, for example, with one or more light-emitting elements. For example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be adopted as the light-emitting element of the light-emitting device 23a. As an example, in this embodiment, the light-emitting device 23a has a plurality of LEDs that emit light in different colors, and is configured to be able to emit light in a plurality of colors including blue, yellow, and red.

[0061] The light-emitting device 23a notifies the user of predetermined information by emitting light in a predetermined light-emitting manner. Here, the light-emitting manner may be, for example, a light color, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a lighting intensity (in other words, brightness), a lighting pattern (for example, blinking at a predetermined time interval), or the like.

[0062] The notification provided by the light-emitting device 23a may include, for example, notification of operation information of the suction device 100B, which indicates whether the power of the suction device 100B is on (i.e., the power is turned on). In the present embodiment, the light-emitting device 23a may also notify the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 of the present embodiment, including the suction device 100B, is located (described later).

[0063] <<3. Operational Example of Suction Device>> Next, an operational example of the suction device 100 of this embodiment will be described. The control unit 116 (116A, 116B) can operate the suction device 100 based on input from the user. As an example, the control unit 116 causes the suction device 100 to generate aerosol in response to a request from the user to generate aerosol.

[0064] The aerosol generation request can be, for example, an operation to instruct the inhalation device 100 to start heating (hereinafter also referred to as a "heating start operation"). As one example, the heating start operation can be pressing the operation button 22. As another example, the heating start operation can be a suction operation on the inhalation device 100. Furthermore, the aerosol generation request is not limited to a direct operation on the inhalation device 100, but can also be, for example, the receipt of predetermined information from another device capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100, such as a smartphone. The control unit 116 can detect the aerosol generation request based on, for example, information acquired by the sensor unit 112 or the communication unit 115.

[0065] For example, if the inhalation device 100 is the inhalation device 100A shown in FIG. 1A , when the control unit 116A detects an inhalation action on the inhalation device 100A based on the detection result of the puff sensor, it supplies a predetermined amount of power to the heating unit 121A to generate aerosol. At this time, the power supplied to the heating unit 121A is predetermined by the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100A so that an appropriate amount of aerosol containing an appropriate amount of flavor component is generated. This allows the user to have a high-quality smoking experience.

[0066] 1B , when controller 116B detects a heating start operation (e.g., pressing operation button 22), it controls the temperature of heater 121B based on a pre-prepared heating profile, thereby generating an aerosol. Here, the heating profile is information that defines the time series progression of the target temperature, which is the target value for the temperature of heater 121B, and is stored in advance in memory 114B, for example.

[0067] To describe in detail the temperature control of the heating unit 121B based on the heating profile (hereinafter also referred to as "heating control based on the heating profile"), the control unit 116B controls the temperature of the heating unit 121B based on the deviation between a target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time since the start of the heating control based on the heating profile and the actual temperature of the heating unit 121B (hereinafter also referred to as "actual temperature"). More specifically, at this time, the control unit 116B controls the temperature of the heating unit 121B so that the time series change of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121B becomes the same as the time series change of the target temperature specified in the heating profile.

[0068] 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 temperature of the heating section 121B based on the heating profile, the flavor that the user experiences can be optimized, and a high-quality smoking experience can be provided to the user.

[0069] Inhalers that generate a substance to be inhaled by a user, such as the suction device 100, may be equipped with a so-called "child resistance function (hereinafter also referred to as a "CR function")" to prevent inconveniences caused by misuse by children (e.g., infants and small children). A possible CR function for such a suction device is to require a specific operation on the suction device (e.g., a so-called "long press" or multiple presses of an operation button on the suction device) when generating the substance to be inhaled or when turning on the power to the suction device. Making the specific operation complicated would prevent misuse by children, but would be cumbersome even for adults, who are legitimate users of the suction device.

[0070] The CR function of such a suction device is desired to be able to prevent inconvenience caused by misuse by children without impairing convenience for adults who are legitimate users of the suction device as much as possible. However, the history of technological development of suction devices is still short, and there is still room for improvement in the CR function of suction devices.

[0071] Therefore, in this embodiment, focusing on the fact that children (e.g., infants and toddlers under the age of three, hereinafter simply referred to as "children") who are old enough to tamper with the suction device 100 are shorter than adults who may be legitimate users of the suction device 100, the suction device 100 is configured to restrict a predetermined operation depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned. This prevents the suction device 100 from performing a predetermined operation at a low position where children are likely to tamper with the device, while allowing the suction device 100 to perform a predetermined operation at a high position where adults are likely to use the device. This prevents inconveniences caused by children's misuse of the device while also preventing a decrease in convenience for adults who are legitimate users of the device. Therefore, the performance of the CR function of the suction device 100 is improved, thereby improving the marketability of the suction device 100. An example of the operation of the suction device 100 will be described in more detail below.

[0072] The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 acquires "altitude information," which is information indicating the height at which the suction device 100 is located, at a predetermined timing. Here, the height at which the suction device 100 is located is the vertical distance from a predetermined base point to the suction device 100. For example, when the suction device 100 is located outdoors, the base point (hereinafter simply referred to as the "base point") that serves as a reference for the height at which the suction device 100 is located can be the ground (i.e., the ground surface) at the location where the user carrying the suction device 100 is located. Furthermore, when the suction device 100 is located indoors (including the inside of a vehicle, such as an automobile), the base point can be the floor at the location where the user carrying the suction device 100 is located.

[0073] The base point is not limited to the ground or floor surface, and may be set by the user, for example. This allows the user to set an appropriate position as the base point, taking into account the user's location, etc. As an example, the base point may be set by the user performing a predetermined operation on the suction device 100 or another device that can communicate with the suction device 100.

[0074] The control unit 116 acquires altitude information based on the detection results of the altitude sensors included in the sensor unit 112 (112A, 112B), for example.

[0075] For example, if a barometric pressure sensor is used as the altitude sensor, the control unit 116 acquires altitude information based on the detection result (i.e., barometric pressure) of the barometric pressure sensor. More specifically, in this case, the suction device 100 prompts the user to set an arbitrary vertical position near the floor (or ground) where the user is located as a base point. The suction device 100 then prompts the user to use the barometric pressure sensor to measure the barometric pressure at the base point and at a position where the suction device 100 is lifted somewhat upward away from the base point (e.g., a position where an adult normally uses the suction device 100).

[0076] Then, the control unit 116 derives the altitude (i.e., height from mean sea level) at each of the base point and the lifted position from the air pressure at each of the base point and the lifted position detected by the above measurement, and acquires altitude information in which the difference in altitude is the height at which the suction device 100 is located. In this way, even when altitude information is acquired based on the detection result of the air pressure sensor, altitude information indicating an appropriate value as the height at which the suction device 100 is located can be acquired.

[0077] In addition, if the altitude sensor is a sensor that can detect altitude (capable of outputting information indicating altitude as a detection result), the control unit 116 may derive the altitude difference from the altitudes of the base point and the lifted position detected by the altitude sensor, and obtain altitude information in which the altitude difference is the height at which the suction device 100 is located.

[0078] Furthermore, when a distance measurement sensor is employed as the altitude sensor, the control unit 116 acquires altitude information based on the detection result of the distance measurement sensor. More specifically, in this case, the suction device 100, for example, has the user measure the distance from the floor (or ground, i.e., the base point) where the user is located to the suction device 100 using the distance measurement sensor. The control unit 116 then acquires altitude information indicating the distance detected by this measurement as the height at which the suction device 100 is located. As a result, even when altitude information is acquired based on the detection result of the distance measurement sensor, it is possible to acquire altitude information indicating an appropriate value as the height at which the suction device 100 is located.

[0079] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may acquire altitude information based on information received via the communication unit 115 (115A, 115B) from another device (i.e., outside the suction device 100) that can communicate with the suction device 100. As an example, the control unit 116 may acquire altitude information based on information received from a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch worn by the user) that has an altitude sensor (e.g., a barometric pressure sensor).

[0080] The control unit 116 acquires altitude information, for example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the suction device 100. This reduces the number of times altitude information is acquired compared to when altitude information is acquired periodically (for example, every minute) without user operation, and makes it possible to suppress an increase in power consumption of the suction device 100 due to the acquisition of altitude information.

[0081] The operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information can be, for example, an operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142. Furthermore, when the inhalation device 100 is the inhalation device 100A shown in FIG. 1A , the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information can be an operation of attaching the flavoring cartridge 130 to the inhalation device 100A. As another example, when the inhalation device 100 is the inhalation device 100B shown in FIG. 1B , the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information can be an operation of inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the opening 142.

[0082] In this embodiment, the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information is the operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142, and when this operation is detected, the control unit 116 starts acquiring altitude information. Then, while the opening 142 is open, the control unit 116 acquires altitude information at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 0.1 seconds). In this way, while the opening 142 is open, the control unit 116 can acquire altitude information that indicates the height at which the suction device 100 is located in real time.

[0083] Incidentally, it is conceivable that an operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information may be repeated multiple times within a short period of time due to tampering with the suction device 100. In such a case, if altitude information is acquired each time an operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information is performed, the number of times altitude information is acquired may increase, and the power consumption of the suction device 100 associated with acquiring the altitude information may increase.

[0084] Therefore, the control unit 116 may be configured to start acquiring altitude information when a predetermined period (e.g., two seconds) has elapsed since the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information is performed. This prevents the number of times altitude information is acquired from increasing even if the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information is repeated multiple times within a short period of time. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in power consumption of the suction device 100 due to acquisition of altitude information. Note that the predetermined period can be determined as appropriate by, for example, the manufacturer of the suction device 100.

[0085] As an example, assume that the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information is an operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142. In this case, when the operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142 is performed and the state in which the opening 142 is open is maintained for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 116 may start acquiring altitude information.

[0086] As another example, the operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information may be the operation of attaching the flavor imparting cartridge 130. In this case, when the operation of attaching the flavor imparting cartridge 130 is performed and the attached state of the flavor imparting cartridge 130 is maintained for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 116 may start acquiring altitude information.

[0087] As another example, suppose the operation that triggers the acquisition of altitude information is the operation of inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the opening 142. In this case, when the operation of inserting the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the opening 142 is performed and the inserted state of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is maintained for a predetermined period of time, the control unit 116 may start acquiring altitude information.

[0088] When the control unit 116 acquires the altitude information, the control unit 116 determines whether the height at which the suction device 100 is located is below a threshold value based on the acquired altitude information. For example, each time the control unit 116 acquires altitude information, the control unit 116 determines whether the height indicated by the acquired altitude information is below a threshold value. Here, the threshold value is determined by the manufacturer of the suction device 100, for example, taking into account the typical height of children of an age that may tamper with the suction device 100.

[0089] 5 is a diagram showing an example of threshold values ​​that are conditions for restricting the operation of the suction device 100. In this embodiment, the children targeted by the CR function (i.e., the operation restriction) of the suction device 100 are infants and toddlers aged three or less. The average height of a three-year-old child (i.e., a child considered to be the tallest on average among the children targeted by the CR function of the suction device 100) is approximately 100 cm.

[0090] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the threshold value that limits the operation of the suction device 100 is set to 130 cm. This allows the threshold to be set at a height that not only infants but also toddlers approximately 100 cm tall cannot reach even if they stretch their arms upward. On the other hand, the threshold value of 130 cm is lower than the average height of adults (e.g., the average height of adult women). This prevents the threshold value that limits the operation of the suction device 100 from being set at a height that is difficult even for adults to reach. Note that this threshold value may be set by the user. This allows the user to set a desired threshold value taking into account their own height or the height of their child.

[0091] When the control unit 116 determines whether the height at which the suction device 100 is located is less than the threshold, the control unit 116 restricts a predetermined operation of the suction device 100 based on the determination result. More specifically, when the control unit 116 determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 116 does not restrict the predetermined operation of the suction device 100. That is, in this case, the control unit 116 can cause the suction device 100 to perform the predetermined operation in response to input from the user. As a result, an adult who can raise the suction device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold can cancel the restriction on the predetermined operation by performing a simple operation such as lifting the suction device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold, and can cause the suction device 100 to perform the predetermined operation as appropriate. Thus, the predetermined operation can be restricted while minimizing a decrease in convenience for adult users.

[0092] On the other hand, when the control unit 116 determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is below the threshold, the control unit 116 restricts the predetermined operation of the suction device 100. That is, in this case, the control unit 116 does not cause the suction device 100 to perform the predetermined operation even if there is an input from the user. This makes it possible to prevent the predetermined operation from being performed on a child who has difficulty raising the suction device 100 to a height above the threshold. This makes it possible to prevent inconveniences caused by misuse by children.

[0093] Furthermore, the predetermined operation that is limited depending on the height at which suction device 100 is located includes, for example, the generation of aerosol in response to a request for aerosol generation from a user, which makes it possible to prevent aerosol generation from being performed on children who have difficulty raising suction device 100 to a height above the threshold.

[0094] 1A, the predetermined operation may be supplying power to the heating unit 121A in response to a suction operation of the suction device 100A. Alternatively, for example, if the suction device 100 is the suction device 100B shown in FIG. 1B, the predetermined operation may be heating control based on a heating profile in response to a heating start operation.

[0095] As another example, the predetermined operation may be an operation of turning on the power of suction device 100 (i.e., an operation of starting up suction device 100) in response to a power-on operation from the user (e.g., pressing operation button 22). In addition to these, any operation other than an operation related to releasing the operational restriction (i.e., the CR function) in suction device 100 may be the above-mentioned predetermined operation.

[0096] Furthermore, when the control unit 116 determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than a threshold value and a request for aerosol generation is made after a predetermined operation, the control unit 116 may generate aerosol in response to the request for aerosol generation. In this way, since multiple processes must be performed before aerosol is generated, it is possible to further prevent aerosol from being generated for children.

[0097] As an example, when the control unit 116 determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than a threshold value and the operation button 22 is pressed for a long time or multiple times, the control unit 116 may turn on the power of the suction device 100. Then, when the operation button 22 is further pressed for a long time or multiple times while the power of the suction device 100 is on, the control unit 116 may cause the generation of aerosol.

[0098] 1A , when the control unit 116A determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than a threshold value and the operation button 22 is pressed for a long time or pressed multiple times, the control unit 116A may turn on the power of the suction device 100A. Then, when the operation button 22 is further pressed for a long time or pressed multiple times while the power of the suction device 100A is on, the control unit 116A may supply power to the heating unit 121A in response to the suction operation of the suction device 100A.

[0099] 1B , when the control unit 116B determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than a threshold value and the operation button 22 is pressed for a long time or pressed multiple times, the control unit 116B may turn on the power of the suction device 100B. Thereafter, when the operation button 22 is further pressed for a long time or pressed multiple times while the power of the suction device 100B is on, the control unit 116 may start heating control based on the heating profile.

[0100] 1B , the control unit 116B may be configured to turn on the power of the suction device 100B when it determines that the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than a threshold value and when the operation button 22 is pressed and held or pressed multiple times. Thereafter, when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the opening 142 while the power of the suction device 100B is on, the control unit 116 may be configured to start heating control based on the heating profile.

[0101] Furthermore, it is also conceivable that even if the user is an adult, it may be difficult to raise the height of the suction device 100 to a threshold value (e.g., 130 cm) or higher, for example, when the user is in a car. In such a case, if the user cannot use the suction device 100 despite being an adult, the convenience of the suction device 100 may decrease, and the marketability of the suction device 100 may be reduced.

[0102] Therefore, when control unit 116 receives input of predetermined release information, it may disable the restriction on a predetermined operation of suction device 100 for a certain period of time from the time when the input of the release information is received. In other words, when control unit 116 receives input of release information, it may allow suction device 100 to perform a predetermined operation for a certain period of time thereafter, regardless of the height at which suction device 100 is positioned. This allows the user to use suction device 100 by inputting the release information even when it is difficult for the user to position suction device 100 at a height equal to or higher than the threshold, thereby preventing a decrease in the convenience of suction device 100.

[0103] As an example, the release information may be input to the control unit 116 by a user performing a predetermined operation on the suction device 100 or another device that can communicate with the suction device 100. In other words, the control unit 116 may acquire the release information via the sensor unit 112 or the communication unit 115.

[0104] If the operation that triggers the input of the release information is a direct operation on the suction device 100, it is desirable that this operation be a somewhat complicated operation, such as a long press or multiple presses of the operation button 22. In this way, it is possible to prevent the release information from being unintentionally input due to tampering with the suction device 100.

[0105] Furthermore, the release information may be input when biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint authentication) of the user is performed by the suction device 100 or another device capable of communicating with the suction device 100. In this way, it is possible to more reliably prevent the release information from being unintentionally input. Of course, instead of biometric authentication, other methods of user authentication such as gesture authentication, PIN (Personal Identification Number) authentication, password authentication, or voice authentication may be adopted.

[0106] Furthermore, there are also users who engage in so-called "chain smoking," which involves consecutively smoking two or more stick-type substrates 150. For example, if such users were required to perform an operation to release the operational restriction (i.e., the CR function) in the inhalation device 100 every time they used a new stick-type substrate 150, the user's efforts when chain smoking would increase, and the convenience of the inhalation device 100 would be reduced.

[0107] Therefore, when a predetermined operation is performed in the suction device 100, the control unit 116 may disable the restriction on the predetermined operation in the suction device 100 for a certain period of time from the completion of the predetermined operation. In other words, when a predetermined operation is performed in the suction device 100, the control unit 116 may allow the suction device 100 to perform the predetermined operation for a certain period of time thereafter, regardless of the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned. In this case, the certain period of time from the completion of the predetermined operation in the suction device 100 (i.e., the period during which the restriction on the predetermined operation is disabled) will hereinafter be referred to as the "disablement period." The length of the disablement period is determined in advance, for example, by the manufacturer of the suction device 100.

[0108] As an example, within a certain period of time after the completion of heating control based on the heating profile (i.e., within the invalidation period), if there is a request from the user to generate aerosol, controller 116 may restart heating control based on the heating profile without requiring any operation to release the operational restriction on inhalation device 100. This prevents an increase in the user's effort when chain smoking and improves the convenience of inhalation device 100.

[0109] Here, the period from when heating control based on the heating profile is started to when the heating control is completed is defined as X seconds (e.g., 300 seconds). A user who engages in chain smoking typically restarts heating control based on the heating profile before 2×X seconds have elapsed since the completion of heating control based on the heating profile. In other words, if heating control based on the heating profile is not restarted before 2×X seconds have elapsed since the completion of heating control based on the heating profile, it is highly likely that the user has no intention of chain smoking.

[0110] Therefore, the invalidation period may be set to a period twice as long as the period from when heating control based on the heating profile is started to when the heating control is completed, i.e., a period of 2 × X [s]. This allows an appropriate length of invalidation period to be set while minimizing the increase in the user's effort when chain smoking.

[0111] It is also expected that it may be difficult for the user to know how much to lift the suction device 100 in order to release the operational restriction on the suction device 100 .

[0112] Therefore, the control unit 116 may notify the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located via the notification unit 113 (113A, 113B) based on the acquired altitude information. This allows the user to know the height at which the suction device 100 is located, and to estimate how high the suction device 100 should be raised.

[0113] The information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located may be, for example, information indicating the height at which the suction device 100 is located. In this case, the information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located is not limited to information that clearly indicates the height at which the suction device 100 is located, such as "XX [cm]," but may also be information that suggests the height at which the suction device 100 is located to an extent that allows the user to roughly grasp the height at which the suction device 100 is located. Furthermore, the information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located may also be information that indicates, for example, whether or not there is an operational restriction depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is currently located.

[0114] As an example, in the present embodiment, as described above, the notification unit 113 includes the light-emitting device 23a configured to be able to emit light in a plurality of colors including blue, yellow, and red. The control unit 116 notifies the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located by changing the light-emitting color of the light-emitting device 23a depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located. This allows the user to be notified of the height at which the suction device 100 is located in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0115] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the height at which the suction device 100 is located and the light color of the light-emitting device 23a. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 116 causes the light-emitting device 23a to emit light in red when the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 0 cm and less than 100 cm, for example.

[0116] Furthermore, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 100 cm and less than 130 cm, the control unit 116 causes the light emitting device 23a to emit yellow light.

[0117] Then, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned is 130 cm or higher, the control unit 116 causes the light emitting device 23a to emit blue light.

[0118] In this way, by varying the light color of the light-emitting device 23a depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located, the user can roughly grasp the height at which the suction device 100 is located by the light color of the light-emitting device 23a.

[0119] More specifically, as indicated by the hollow arrow α in Figure 6, assume that inhalation device 100 is raised from a height of less than 100 cm, at which smoking is prohibited using inhalation device 100, to a height of 130 cm or more, at which smoking is permitted using inhalation device 100. At this time, the light emitted from light-emitting device 23a first changes from red to yellow, and then from yellow to blue. Therefore, by checking the light emitted from light-emitting device 23a while raising inhalation device 100, the user can efficiently raise inhalation device 100 to a height at which the operational restriction on inhalation device 100 is lifted.

[0120] In the examples described above, the light-emitting device 23a emits different colors depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located, thereby notifying the user of information relating to the height at which the suction device 100 is located. However, this is not limiting. Below, examples will be described in which information relating to the height at which the suction device 100 is located is notified to the user by a method other than the light-emitting color of the light-emitting device 23a.

[0121] 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the light-emitting device 23a. As shown in FIG. 7, in this example, the light-emitting device 23a includes a first light-emitting element 23a_1, a second light-emitting element 23a_2, and a third light-emitting element 23a_3. For example, LEDs may be used as the first light-emitting element 23a_1, the second light-emitting element 23a_2, and the third light-emitting element 23a_3. The light-emitting colors of the first light-emitting element 23a_1, the second light-emitting element 23a_2, and the third light-emitting element 23a_3 may be the same or different.

[0122] In this example, for example, the control unit 116 notifies the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located by varying the number of light-emitting elements to be turned on among the light-emitting elements included in the light-emitting device 23a depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located. This allows the user to be notified of the height at which the suction device 100 is located in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0123] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the height at which the suction device 100 is located and the number of light-emitting elements to be turned on. As shown in Fig. 8, when the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 0 cm and less than 100 cm, the control unit 116 causes one light-emitting element (e.g., the first light-emitting element 23a_1) of the light-emitting elements included in the light-emitting device 23a to emit light.

[0124] In addition, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned is 100 cm or more and less than 130 cm, the control unit 116 causes two of the light-emitting elements (for example, the first light-emitting element 23a_1 and the second light-emitting element 23a_2) of the light-emitting element provided in the light-emitting device 23a to emit light.

[0125] Then, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned is 130 cm or more, the control unit 116 causes three of the light-emitting elements (i.e., the first light-emitting element 23a_1, the second light-emitting element 23a_2, and the third light-emitting element 23a_3) of the light-emitting elements provided in the light-emitting device 23a to emit light.

[0126] In this way, by varying the number of light-emitting elements that are illuminated among the light-emitting elements provided in the light-emitting device 23a depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located, the user can roughly grasp the height at which the suction device 100 is located based on the number of illuminated light-emitting elements.

[0127] More specifically, as indicated by the hollow arrow β in Figure 8, assume that suction device 100 is raised from a height of less than 100 cm, at which smoking is not permitted using suction device 100, to a height of 130 cm or more, at which smoking is permitted using suction device 100. At this time, the number of emitting light-emitting elements of light-emitting device 23a first changes from one to two, and then from two to three. Therefore, by lifting suction device 100 while checking the number of emitting light-emitting elements, the user can efficiently lift suction device 100 to a height at which the operational restriction on suction device 100 is lifted.

[0128] Furthermore, the control unit 116 may notify the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located by causing the light-emitting elements included in the light-emitting device 23a to emit light differently depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located. In this case as well, the height at which the suction device 100 is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0129] More specifically, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 0 cm and less than 100 cm, the control unit 116 causes the first light-emitting element 23a_1 to emit light.

[0130] Furthermore, when the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 100 cm and less than 130 cm, the control unit 116 causes the second light-emitting element 23a_2 to emit light.

[0131] When the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned is 130 cm or higher, the control unit 116 causes the third light-emitting element 23a_3 to emit light.

[0132] In this way, by varying the light-emitting elements to be illuminated among the light-emitting elements included in the light-emitting device 23a depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located, the illuminated light-emitting elements enable the user to roughly grasp the height at which the suction device 100 is located. Therefore, by lifting the suction device 100 while checking the illuminating light-emitting elements, the user can efficiently lift the suction device 100 to a height at which the operational restriction on the suction device 100 is released.

[0133] Furthermore, when the notification unit 113 includes a display unit that displays an image, the control unit 116 may notify the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located by changing the display mode of the display unit depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located. In this case, the height at which the suction device 100 is located can also be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner. Below, an example will be described in which information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located is notified to the user via the display device 23b, which is an example of a display unit included in the notification unit 113.

[0134] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the display device 23b. The display device 23b is provided at a position visible to the user in the suction device 100. As the display device 23b, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display may be adopted.

[0135] In this example, the display device 23b displays, for example, an indicator I as an image for notifying the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located. The indicator I indicates the height at which the suction device 100 is located in three stages.

[0136] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the height at which the suction device 100 is located and the display mode of the indicator I on the display device 23b. As shown in Fig. 10, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 0 cm and less than 100 cm, the control unit 116 displays the indicator I on the display device 23b at one level.

[0137] Furthermore, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned is equal to or greater than 100 cm and less than 130 cm, the control unit 116 displays the indicator I of the display device 23b in two stages.

[0138] Then, for example, when the height at which the suction device 100 is positioned is 130 cm or higher, the control unit 116 displays the indicator I of the display device 23b in three levels.

[0139] In this way, by changing the display mode of the display device 23b (in the example described here, the display mode of the indicator I) depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located, the user can understand the height at which the suction device 100 is located by the display mode of the display device 23b.

[0140] More specifically, as indicated by the hollow arrow γ in Figure 10, assume that inhalation device 100 is raised from a height of less than 100 cm, at which smoking is prohibited using inhalation device 100, to a height of 130 cm or more, at which smoking is permitted using inhalation device 100. At this time, indicator I on display device 23b first changes from a one-level display to a two-level display, and then changes from a two-level display to a three-level display. Therefore, by checking indicator I on display device 23b while raising inhalation device 100, the user can efficiently raise inhalation device 100 to a height at which the operational restriction on inhalation device 100 is lifted.

[0141] In the examples described above, the height at which the suction device 100 is located is notified to the user in three levels, but this is not limited to this. For example, the height at which the suction device 100 is located may be notified to the user in two levels, that is, whether the height at which the suction device 100 is located is less than a threshold value of 130 cm or whether the height is equal to or greater than 130 cm. Alternatively, the height at which the suction device 100 is located may be notified to the user in multiple levels of four or more levels.

[0142] Furthermore, when the notification unit 113 includes a vibrating vibration device (so-called a vibrator), the control unit 116 may notify the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located, based on the vibration mode of the vibration device. In this case, the number of vibrations or the vibration pattern of the vibration device may be changed depending on the height at which the suction device 100 is located.

[0143] Furthermore, if the notification unit 113 includes a sound output device (e.g., a speaker) that outputs sound, the control unit 116 may notify the user of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located by audio output from the sound output device.

[0144] <<4. Example of Processing Executed by Control Unit>> Next, a description will be given of an example of processing executed by control unit 116. Note that, as an example, the processing executed by control unit 116 in the case where suction device 100 is suction device 100B shown in FIG. 1B will be described.

[0145] Fig. 11 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of the process executed by the control unit 116. Fig. 12 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of the process executed by the control unit 116.

[0146] 11, the control unit 116 first determines whether or not the invalidation period has expired (step S1). If it is determined that the invalidation period has expired (step S1: Yes), the control unit 116 proceeds to the process of step S7.

[0147] If it is determined that the invalidation period has not expired (step S1: No), the control unit 116 determines whether or not input of cancellation information has been accepted (step S2).If it is determined that input of cancellation information has been accepted (step S2: Yes), the control unit 116 proceeds to the process of step S7.

[0148] If it is determined that the input of the release information has not been received (step S2: No), the control unit 116 determines whether or not an operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information has been performed (step S3).If it is determined that an operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information has not been performed (step S3: No), the control unit 116 returns to the processing of step S1.

[0149] If it is determined that an operation has been performed that triggers the acquisition of altitude information (step S3: Yes), the control unit 116 starts acquiring the altitude information and, based on the acquired altitude information, notifies the user via the notification unit 113 of information regarding the height at which the suction device 100 is located (step S4).

[0150] More specifically, in this embodiment, as described above, when the shutter 50 is slid, which is an operation that triggers acquisition of altitude information, the control unit 116 starts acquiring altitude information. Then, while the opening 142 is open, the control unit 116 acquires altitude information at a predetermined cycle (i.e., in real time). Furthermore, each time the control unit 116 acquires altitude information, it notifies the user, via the light-emitting device 23a or the like, of information related to the height indicated by the acquired altitude information (i.e., the height at which the suction device 100 is currently located).

[0151] Furthermore, each time altitude information is acquired, the control unit 116 determines whether the altitude indicated by the acquired altitude information is less than a threshold value (step S5). If it is determined that the altitude indicated by the acquired altitude information is less than the threshold value (step S5: Yes), the control unit 116 continues acquiring altitude information at a predetermined cycle and notifying information regarding the altitude at which the suction device 100 is located, until a timeout occurs (step S6: No), while performing the process of step S5 each time altitude information is acquired. Furthermore, if a timeout occurs (step S6: Yes), the control unit 116 ends the series of processes shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 as is.

[0152] In step S6, the control unit 116 may determine that a timeout has occurred, for example, if a predetermined period of time (e.g., 180 seconds) has elapsed since the operation that triggered the acquisition of altitude information was performed.

[0153] If the control unit 116 determines that the altitude indicated by the acquired altitude information is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S5: No), the control unit 116 determines whether or not a power-on operation has been performed (step S7). If the control unit 116 determines that a power-on operation has not been performed (step S7: No), the control unit 116 repeats the process of step S7 until a timeout occurs (step S8: No). If a timeout occurs (step S8: Yes), the control unit 116 ends the series of processes shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0154] In step S8, the control unit 116 may determine a timeout, as in step S6, if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the operation that triggered the acquisition of altitude information was performed.

[0155] If it is determined that a power-on operation has been performed (step S7: Yes), the control unit 116 turns on the power of the suction device 100 (step S9). Then, the control unit 116 determines whether or not a heating start operation has been performed (step S10). If it is determined that a heating start operation has not been performed (step S10: No), the control unit 116 repeats the process of step S10 until a timeout occurs (step S11: No). Furthermore, if a timeout occurs (step S11: Yes), the control unit 116 ends the series of processes shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0156] In step S11, the control unit 116 may determine a timeout, similar to steps S6 and S8, for example, if a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the operation that triggered the acquisition of altitude information was performed.

[0157] If it is determined that a heating start operation has been performed (step S10: Yes), the control unit 116 starts heating control based on the heating profile (step S12), as shown in Fig. 12. Then, the control unit 116 waits for the heating control to be completed (step S13: No), and when the heating control is completed (step S13: Yes), sets a certain period after the completion of the heating control as an invalidation period (step S14), and ends the series of processes shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

[0158] As described above, suction device 100 limits a predetermined operation of suction device 100 (e.g., aerosol generation) depending on the height at which suction device 100 is located. This prevents suction device 100 from performing the predetermined operation at low positions where children are likely to be playing with it, while allowing suction device 100 to perform the predetermined operation (i.e., normal use of suction device 100) at high positions where legitimate adult users are likely to be using it. This prevents inconveniences caused by children's misuse and prevents a decrease in convenience for legitimate adult users of suction device 100. In other words, suction device 100 can provide users with an appropriate CR function, thereby improving the marketability of suction device 100.

[0159] The control method of the suction device 100 described in the above embodiment can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer (processor). The program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by being read from the storage medium. The program may be provided in a form stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. The computer that executes the program may be, for example, one included in the suction device 100 (e.g., a CPU included in the suction device 100), but is not limited thereto and may also be one included in another device that can communicate with the suction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone or a server device).

[0160] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0161] This specification etc. describes at least the following items. In parentheses, components etc. corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0162] (1) An inhalation device (inhalation device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a substrate (cartridge 120, flavoring cartridge 130, stick-shaped substrate 150) having an aerosol source, comprising a control unit (control unit 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of the inhalation device, wherein the control unit: acquires altitude information indicating the height at which the inhalation device is located; determines based on the altitude information whether the height is less than a threshold value; and when it determines that the height is less than the threshold value, restricts a predetermined operation of the inhalation device.

[0163] According to (1), when it is determined that the height at which the suction device is located is below the threshold, the predetermined operation of the suction device is restricted, so that it is possible to prevent the predetermined operation from being performed on a child who has difficulty in raising the suction device to a height above the threshold, thereby preventing inconvenience caused by misuse by children.

[0164] (2) The suction device according to (1), further comprising a heating unit (heating unit 121, 121B) that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol, and the control unit controls the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that defines the time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit, in response to a request for aerosol generation from a user, thereby causing the suction device to generate the aerosol, and the predetermined operation includes generating the aerosol in response to the request for aerosol generation.

[0165] According to (2), the predetermined operation that is restricted depending on the height at which the suction device is positioned includes the generation of aerosols, so that it is possible to prevent aerosols from being generated for children who have difficulty raising the suction device to a height above the threshold.

[0166] (3) The suction device according to (1), further comprising a heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A) that generates the aerosol by heating the substrate when power is supplied thereto, and the control unit causes the suction device to generate the aerosol by supplying a predetermined amount of power to the heating unit in response to a request from a user to generate an aerosol, and the predetermined operation includes generating the aerosol in response to the request to generate the aerosol.

[0167] According to (3), the predetermined operation that is restricted depending on the height at which the suction device is positioned includes the generation of aerosols, so that it is possible to prevent aerosols from being generated for children who have difficulty raising the suction device to a height above the threshold.

[0168] (4) The suction device according to (2) or (3), wherein the control unit determines that the height is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and when a request for generating the aerosol is made after a predetermined operation is performed, generates the aerosol in response to the request for generating the aerosol.

[0169] According to (4), since multiple processes must be passed before aerosols are generated, it is possible to further prevent aerosols from being generated in children.

[0170] (5) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a notification unit (notification unit 113, 113A, 113B) capable of notifying a user of predetermined information, and the control unit further notifies the user of information relating to the height via the notification unit based on the altitude information.

[0171] According to (5), the information regarding the height at which the suction device is located can be notified to the user via the notification unit, making it possible for the user to grasp the height at which the suction device is located.

[0172] (6) The suction device according to (5), wherein the notification unit includes a light-emitting unit (light-emitting device 23 a) that emits light, and the control unit notifies the user of information relating to the height by changing the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit depending on the height.

[0173] According to (6), the light emitting state of the light emitting unit is changed depending on the height at which the suction device is located, so that the user can be notified of the height at which the suction device is located in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0174] (7) The suction device according to (6), wherein the light-emitting unit is configured to be able to emit light in a plurality of colors, and the control unit changes the light-emitting color of the light-emitting unit depending on the height.

[0175] According to (7), the color of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit is changed depending on the height at which the suction device is located, so that the user can be informed of the height at which the suction device is located in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0176] (8) The suction device according to (6), wherein the light-emitting unit is configured by a plurality of light-emitting elements (a first light-emitting element 23a_1, a second light-emitting element 23a_2, and a third light-emitting element 23a_3), and the control unit causes the light-emitting elements to emit light or the number of the light-emitting elements to emit light to vary depending on the height.

[0177] According to (8), among the multiple light-emitting elements possessed by the light-emitting unit, the light-emitting elements to be illuminated or the number of light-emitting elements to be illuminated are varied depending on the height at which the suction device is located, so that the user can be notified of the height at which the suction device is located in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0178] (9) The suction device according to (5), wherein the notification unit includes a display unit (display device 23b) that displays an image, and the control unit notifies the user of information related to the height by changing the display mode of the display unit depending on the height.

[0179] According to (9), the display mode of the display unit is changed depending on the height at which the suction device is located, so that the height at which the suction device is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

[0180] (10) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the control unit acquires the altitude information when an operation that triggers acquisition of the altitude information is performed.

[0181] According to (10), altitude information is acquired when an operation that triggers the acquisition of altitude information is performed. Therefore, the number of times altitude information is acquired can be reduced compared to when altitude information is acquired periodically regardless of user operation, and it is possible to suppress the increase in power consumption of the suction device due to the acquisition of altitude information.

[0182] (11) The suction device according to (10), wherein the control unit starts acquiring the altitude information when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since an operation that triggers acquisition of the altitude information was performed.

[0183] According to (11), since the acquisition of altitude information begins when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the operation that triggers the acquisition of altitude information is performed, even if the operation that triggers the acquisition of altitude information is repeated multiple times within a short period of time, the number of times altitude information is acquired can be prevented from increasing.

[0184] (12) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein, when the control unit receives input of predetermined release information, the control unit disables the restriction on the predetermined operation for a certain period of time from when the control unit receives input of the release information.

[0185] According to (12), even if a user has difficulty raising the suction device to a height above the threshold, the suction device can be used by inputting release information, thereby preventing a decrease in the convenience of the suction device.

[0186] (13) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein, when the predetermined operation is performed, the control unit disables the restriction on the predetermined operation for a certain period of time from the completion of the predetermined operation.

[0187] According to (13), it is possible to suppress an increase in the work load on the user compared to when an operation to release the restriction on a predetermined action is required for each predetermined action.

[0188] (14) The suction device according to (13), further comprising a heating unit that heats the substrate to generate the aerosol; the control unit controls the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that defines the time series progression of a target temperature, which is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit, in response to a request for generation of an aerosol from a user, thereby causing the suction device to generate the aerosol; the predetermined operation includes generation of the aerosol in response to the request for generation of the aerosol; and when the aerosol is generated, the control unit disables restrictions on the predetermined operation for the certain period of time from the completion of generation of the aerosol; and the certain period of time is twice as long as the period from the start of heating control based on the heating profile to the completion of the heating control.

[0189] According to (14), it is possible to set an appropriate length of time for disabling restrictions on certain actions while suppressing an increase in the amount of work required for the user when engaging in so-called "chain smoking."

[0190] (15) The suction device according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the control unit acquires the altitude information indicating the vertical distance from a predetermined base point to the suction device as the height, and the base point can be set by a user.

[0191] According to (15), it is possible to set an appropriate position as the base point.

[0192] (16) A control method in which a computer (control unit 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of an inhalation device (inhalation device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a substrate (cartridge 120, flavoring cartridge 130, stick-shaped substrate 150) having an aerosol source executes the following process: acquires altitude information indicating the height at which the inhalation device is located; determines whether the height is less than a threshold based on the altitude information; and restricts a predetermined operation of the inhalation device when it is determined that the height is less than the threshold.

[0193] According to (16), when it is determined that the height at which the suction device is located is below the threshold, a predetermined operation of the suction device is restricted, so that it is possible to prevent a child who has difficulty in raising the suction device to a height equal to or higher than the threshold from performing the predetermined operation, thereby preventing inconveniences caused by misuse by children.

[0194] (17) A program that causes a computer (control unit 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of an inhalation device (inhalation device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a substrate (cartridge 120, flavoring cartridge 130, stick-shaped substrate 150) having an aerosol source to execute the following process: acquire altitude information indicating the height at which the inhalation device is located; determine whether the height is less than a threshold based on the altitude information; and restrict a predetermined operation of the inhalation device when it is determined that the height is less than the threshold.

[0195] According to (17), when it is determined that the height at which the suction device is located is below the threshold, a predetermined operation of the suction device is restricted, so that it is possible to prevent a child who has difficulty in raising the suction device to a height equal to or higher than the threshold from performing the predetermined operation, thereby preventing inconveniences caused by misuse by children.

[0196] 100, 100A, 100B Suction device 113, 113A, 113B Notification unit 116, 116A, 116B Control unit 121, 121A, 121B Heating unit 23a Light emitting device (light emitting unit) 23a_1 First light emitting element (light emitting element) 23a_2 Second light emitting element (light emitting element) 23a_3 Third light emitting element (light emitting element) 23b Display device (display unit)

Claims

1. 1. An aspiration device for generating an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, comprising: A control unit for controlling the operation of the suction device, The control unit is Acquire altitude information indicating the altitude at which the suction device is located; determining whether the height is less than a threshold based on the altitude information; When it is determined that the height is less than the threshold value, a predetermined operation of the suction device is restricted. Suction device.

2. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, The suction device further includes a heating unit that heats the base material to generate the aerosol, the control unit controls the temperature of the heating unit based on a heating profile that defines a time series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the heating unit, in response to a request for generating an aerosol from a user, thereby causing the inhalation device to generate the aerosol; The predetermined operation includes generating the aerosol in response to the aerosol generation request. Suction device.

3. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, The suction device further includes a heating unit that is supplied with power to heat the base material and generate the aerosol, the control unit supplies a predetermined power to the heating unit in response to a request for generating an aerosol from a user, thereby causing the inhalation device to generate the aerosol; The predetermined operation includes generating the aerosol in response to the aerosol generation request. Suction device.

4. 3. The suction device according to claim 2, The control unit, when determining that the height is equal to or greater than the threshold value and a request for generating the aerosol is made after a predetermined operation is performed, causes the aerosol to be generated in response to the request for generating the aerosol. Suction device.

5. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, The suction device further includes a notification unit capable of notifying a user of predetermined information, The control unit further notifies the user of information regarding the height via the notification unit based on the altitude information. Suction device.

6. 6. The suction device according to claim 5, The notification unit includes a light emitting unit that emits light, The control unit notifies the user of information regarding the height by changing a light emission state of the light emitting unit depending on the height. Suction device.

7. 7. The suction device according to claim 6, The light emitting unit is configured to be capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors, The control unit changes the light emission color of the light emitting unit depending on the height. Suction device.

8. 7. The suction device according to claim 6, The light emitting unit is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements, The control unit causes the light-emitting element to emit light or the number of the light-emitting elements to emit light to vary depending on the height. Suction device.

9. 6. The suction device according to claim 5, the notification unit includes a display unit that displays an image; The control unit notifies the user of information regarding the height by changing a display mode of the display unit depending on the height. Suction device.

10. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, The control unit acquires the altitude information when an operation that triggers acquisition of the altitude information is performed. Suction device.

11. 11. The suction device according to claim 10, The control unit starts acquiring the altitude information when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since an operation that triggers acquisition of the altitude information is performed. Suction device.

12. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, when the control unit receives input of predetermined release information, the control unit disables the restriction on the predetermined operation for a certain period of time from when the control unit receives the input of the release information; Suction device.

13. 13. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, When the predetermined operation is performed, the control unit disables the restriction on the predetermined operation for a certain period of time from the completion of the predetermined operation. Suction device.

14. a computer that controls the operation of an aspirator that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, Acquire altitude information indicating the altitude at which the suction device is located; determining whether the height is less than a threshold based on the altitude information; When it is determined that the height is less than the threshold value, a predetermined operation of the suction device is restricted. A control method for performing a process.

15. A computer that controls the operation of an aspirator that generates an aerosol from a substrate having an aerosol source, Acquire altitude information indicating the altitude at which the suction device is located; determining whether the height is less than a threshold based on the altitude information; When it is determined that the height is less than the threshold value, a predetermined operation of the suction device is restricted. A program that executes a process.