Inhalation device configured to execute heating operation by using heating profile, method executed by said inhalation device, and program for said inhalation device

Abstract

Provided is an inhalation device that transmits a heating profile to another inhalation device.　The inhalation device is configured to control a heating operation by using a heating profile, and is further configured to transmit the heating profile to another inhalation device that controls a heating operation by using a heating profile.

Description

Suction device configured to perform a heating operation using a heating profile, a method performed by the suction device, and a program for the suction device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inhalation device for inhaling aerosols, gases, etc. Examples of the inhalation device include, but are not limited to, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products, medical nebulizers, etc. The inhalation device is also known as a reduced-risk product (RRP).

[0002] In recent years, technology has been developed for P2P (Peer to Peer) communication between electronic cigarettes.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. 2015 / 149339) below discloses that one electronic cigarette transmits request information to request information about the tar flavor of tobacco, and another electronic cigarette that receives the request information generates and returns response information that conveys the tar flavor of tobacco in accordance with the request information.

[0004] However, the electronic cigarette described in Patent Document 1 does not transmit a heating profile for controlling the heating operation to other electronic cigarettes.

[0005] Furthermore, according to the technology described in Patent Document 1, information about the tar taste of tobacco is not transmitted unless the receiving side requests it from the transmitting side. This document does not disclose the transmission of information initiated (triggered) by the transmitting side.

[0006] International Publication No. WO 2015 / 149339 International Publication No. WO 2015 / 149336 International Publication No. WO 2015 / 149326

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in light of the above.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a suction device that transmits a heating profile to other suction devices.

[0009] To solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a suction device configured to control a heating operation using a heating profile, and further configured to transmit the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0010] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to generate the heating profile to be transmitted based on the heating profile used by the suction device, characteristics of a heater provided in the suction device, and characteristics of a heater provided in the other suction device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to receive from the other suction device characteristics of the heater included in the other suction device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to, when a first heating profile is stored and a second heating profile is received from another suction device and the first heating profile is set to be used, return the setting to use the first heating profile in response to completion of use of the second heating profile.

[0013] In one embodiment, the suction device may have an area for storing a plurality of heating profiles selectable by a user of the suction device, the plurality of heating profiles including the first heating profile, the selected heating profile being set for use, and may be further configured to store the second heating profile in the area in response to a predetermined condition being met.

[0014] In one embodiment, the specified condition may be one or more of a condition that a specified action is detected in the suction device and a condition that a specified operation is performed in an external device connected to the suction device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to transmit to the other suction device the heating profile to be used by the suction device and the characteristics of the heater included in the suction device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the heater characteristic may represent a relationship between the temperature of the heater and the resistance value of the heater.

[0017] In one embodiment, the characteristics of the heater may include the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater per unit temperature when the heater is near a first temperature, the rate of change of the resistance value of the heater per unit temperature when the heater is near a second temperature, the resistance value of the heater when the heater is at the first temperature, the standard resistance value at room temperature of a heater manufactured on the same line as the heater, and the highest temperature output by one or more temperature sensors proximate to the heater when the heater is at the first temperature.

[0018] In one embodiment, the heating profile may represent a target temperature or resistance value of the heater over time.

[0019] In one embodiment, the suction device is further configured to control a heating operation for a certain period of time by using the heating profile, the certain period being divided into a plurality of periods, and the heating profile used by the suction device may include a target resistance value of the heater provided in the suction device for each divided period.

[0020] In one embodiment, the suction device is further configured to heat the heater for a period of time by using the heating profile, the period of time being divided into a plurality of periods, and the heating profile used by the suction device can include a target temperature for each of the divided periods.

[0021] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to establish a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection with the other suction device, and to transmit and receive data to and from the other suction device via the P2P connection.

[0022] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which is executed by a suction device that controls heating operations using a heating profile, the method including a step of transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls heating operations using the heating profile.

[0023] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided for a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the program causing the suction device to execute a step of transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0024] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a suction device configured to control a heating operation using a heating profile, and further configured to initiate a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action, the heating profile transmission process including a step in which the suction device transmits the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0025] In one embodiment, the heating profile transmission process may include a step in which the suction device transmits a first signal indicating the start of the heating profile transmission process to the other suction device; a step in which the suction device transmits a second signal to the other suction device requesting transmission of heater characteristics when the suction device receives an acknowledgment response to the first signal from the other suction device; a step in which the suction device generates a heating profile when the suction device receives the heater characteristics from the other suction device; and a step in which the suction device transmits the generated heating profile to the other suction device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to send an acknowledgment to the other suction device in response to the first signal received from the other suction device, and to send heater characteristics to the other suction device when the second signal is received from the other suction device.

[0027] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured, after responding to detecting the predetermined action, not to respond to detecting further predetermined actions until the heating profile transmission process has ended.

[0028] In one embodiment, the suction device includes a sensor for detecting movement of the suction device, and may be further configured to use the sensor to detect when the suction device is shaken as the predetermined action.

[0029] In one embodiment, the suction device may be further configured to establish a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection with the other suction device, and to transmit and receive data to and from the other suction device via the P2P connection.

[0030] In one embodiment, the suction device can be further configured to determine whether to prioritize the suction device or the other suction device when it receives the first signal from the other suction device after sending the first signal to the other suction device and before receiving the acknowledgment response to the first signal, and if it determines that the suction device should be prioritized, not to send the acknowledgment response to the first signal received from the other suction device.

[0031] In one embodiment, when the P2P connection is established, one of the suction device and the other suction device is set as a central and the other as a peripheral, and the suction device can be further configured to determine that the suction device should be prioritized if the suction device is set as a central.

[0032] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided that is executed by a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the method including a step of initiating a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action, the heating profile transmission process including a step of the suction device transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0033] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided for a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the program causing the suction device to execute a step of starting a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action, the heating profile transmission process including a step in which the suction device transmits the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a suction device can be provided that transmits a heating profile to another suction device.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of a suction device; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a third configuration example of a suction device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth configuration example of a suction device; FIG. 5 is a pseudo sequence diagram showing an example process flow for starting a heating profile transmission process; FIG. 6 is a pseudo sequence diagram showing an example heating profile transmission process; FIG. 7 is a pseudo sequence diagram showing another example heating profile transmission process; FIG. 8 is a graph plotting example temperature changes of a heater; FIG. 9 is an example data structure of a heating profile; FIG. 10 is another example data structure of a heating profile; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example storage manner of a heating profile.

[0036] 1. Configuration of Suction Device Hereinafter, a configuration example of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0037] An inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is assumed to be an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas. Various configuration examples of the inhalation device will be described below.

[0038] 1-1 First Configuration Example The suction device according to this configuration example generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source from within the substrate. This configuration example will be described below with reference to FIG. 1A.

[0039] 1A is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1A, a suction device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a memory unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, a control unit 116A, a heating unit 121A, and a holding unit 140A. A user performs suction while a stick-shaped substrate 150A is held by the holding unit 140A. Each component will be described below in order.

[0040] The power supply unit 111A stores power. The power supply unit 111A supplies power to each component of the suction device 100A. The power supply unit 111A may be configured with a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111A may be charged by connecting to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111A may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not connected to a power transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111A may be detachable from the suction device 100A and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111A.

[0041] The sensor unit 112A detects various types of information related to the suction device 100A. The sensor unit 112A then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116A. As an example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112A detects a value associated with the user's inhalation, it outputs information indicating that the user has performed inhalation to the control unit 116A. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 112A may include a button that instructs the start / stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112A then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116A. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heating unit 121A. For example, such a temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heating unit 121A based on the electrical resistance value of the conductive track of the heating unit 121A. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be a thermistor that actually measures the temperature of the heating unit 121A. The sensor unit 112A may detect the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150A held by the holding unit 140A based on the temperature of the heating unit 121A. The sensor unit 112A may also include a sensor, i.e., a motion sensor, for detecting movement of the suction device 100A (for example, movement caused by the user shaking the suction device 100A). An example of such a sensor is an acceleration sensor, but is not limited to this.

[0042] The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113A is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113A emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111A needs charging, when the power supply unit 111A is charging, when an abnormality has occurred in the suction device 100A, and so on. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color, timing of turning on / off, and so on. The notification unit 113A may be configured with a display device (e.g., a display) that displays images, a sound output device (e.g., a speaker), a vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor), and so on, together with or instead of the light-emitting device. The notification unit 113A may also notify the user of information indicating that inhalation by the user is possible. The information indicating that inhalation by the user is possible is notified when the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150A heated by the heating unit 121A reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0043] The storage unit 114A stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium (storage) such as a flash memory. One example of the information stored in the storage unit 114A is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100A, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116A. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 114A is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, the suction time, and the cumulative suction time. As described below, the storage unit 114A can store one or more heating profiles for controlling the heating operation of the suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A is preferably configured to be able to store multiple heating profiles.

[0044] The communication unit 115A is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100A and other devices. The communication unit 115A performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115A transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115A receives new OS information from a server to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114A.

[0045] The control unit 116A functions as a processing unit and a control device, controlling the overall operation of the suction device 100A in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116A may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters to be used, as well as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. The suction device 100A executes various processes under the control of the control unit 116A. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116A include power supply from the power supply unit 111A to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111A, detection of information by the sensor unit 112A, notification of information by the notification unit 113A, storage and retrieval of information by the memory unit 114A, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115A. Other processes executed by the suction device 100A, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116A.

[0046] The holding unit 140A has an internal space 141A and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150A while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150A in the internal space 141A. The holding unit 140A has an opening 142A that connects the internal space 141A to the outside and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150A inserted into the internal space 141A through the opening 142A. For example, the holding unit 140A is a cylindrical body with the opening 142A and a bottom 143A as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141A. The holding unit 140A is configured so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped substrate 150A in at least a portion of the height direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the stick-shaped substrate 150A by compressing the stick-shaped substrate 150A inserted into the internal space 141A from the outer periphery. The holding unit 140A also has the function of defining an air flow path through the stick-shaped substrate 150A. An air inlet, which is an entrance for air into the flow path, is disposed, for example, in the bottom portion 143A, while an air outlet, which is an exit for air from the flow path, is the opening 142A.

[0047] The stick-shaped substrate 150A is a stick-shaped member and includes a substrate portion 151A and a mouthpiece portion 152A.

[0048] The substrate 151A includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is heated to atomize it, generating an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as a processed product obtained by molding cut tobacco or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder. The aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived aerosol sources made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). For example, the aerosol source may include a flavoring component such as menthol. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may include a medication for the patient to inhale. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid, but may also be a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. At least a portion of the substrate 151A is accommodated in the internal space 141A of the holder 140A when the stick-shaped substrate 150A is held in the holder 140A.

[0049] Suction mouthpiece 152A is a member that is held in the user's mouth when inhaling. At least a portion of suction mouthpiece 152A protrudes from opening 142A when stick-shaped substrate 150A is held in holding portion 140A. When the user holds suction mouthpiece 152A protruding from opening 142A in their mouth and inhales, air flows into holding portion 140A through an air inlet hole (not shown). The inflowing air passes through internal space 141A of holding portion 140A, i.e., passes through substrate portion 151A, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from substrate portion 151A.

[0050] The heating unit 121A generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. The heating unit 121A is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. For example, the heating unit 121A is configured in a blade shape and is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom 143A of the holding unit 140A into the internal space 141A of the holding unit 140A. Therefore, when the stick-shaped substrate 150A is inserted into the holding unit 140A, the blade-shaped heating unit 121A is inserted into the stick-shaped substrate 150A by piercing the substrate portion 151A of the stick-shaped substrate 150A. Then, when the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150A is heated and atomized from within the stick-shaped substrate 150A, generating an aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. As one example, when the sensor unit 112A detects that a predetermined user input has been made, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated. When the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150A heated by the heating unit 121A reaches a predetermined temperature, the user may inhale. Thereafter, when the sensor unit 112A detects that a predetermined user input has been made, power supply may be stopped. As another example, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated during the period in which the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has inhaled. Structurally, the heating unit 121A is an electric heater.

[0051] 1-2 Second Configuration Example The suction device according to this configuration example generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source from outside the substrate. This configuration example will be described below with reference to FIG. 1B.

[0052] 1B is a schematic diagram showing 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 holding unit 140B, and a heat insulating unit 144B. A stick-shaped substrate 150B is held by the holding unit 140B, and the user performs suction. Each component will be described below in order.

[0053] The power supply unit 111B stores power. The power supply unit 111B supplies power to each component of the suction device 100B. The power supply unit 111B may be configured with a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111B may be charged by connecting to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111B may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not connected to a power transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111B may be detachable from the suction device 100B and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111B.

[0054] The sensor unit 112B detects various information related to the suction device 100B. The sensor unit 112B then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116B. As an example, the sensor unit 112B is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112B detects a value associated with the user's inhalation, it outputs information indicating that the user has performed inhalation to the control unit 116B. As another example, the sensor unit 112B is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 112B may include a button that instructs the start / stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112B then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116B. As another example, the sensor unit 112B is configured with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heating unit 121B. For example, such a temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heating unit 121B based on the electrical resistance value of the conductive track of the heating unit 121B. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be a thermistor that measures the temperature of the heating unit 121A. The sensor unit 121B may detect the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150B held by the holding unit 140B based on the temperature of the heating unit 121B. The sensor unit 112B may also include a sensor, i.e., a motion sensor, for detecting movement of the suction device 100B (for example, movement caused by the user shaking the suction device 100B). An example of such a sensor is an acceleration sensor, but is not limited to this.

[0055] The notification unit 113B notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113B is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113B emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111B needs charging, when the power supply unit 111B is charging, when an abnormality has occurred in the suction device 100B, and so on. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color, timing of turning on / off, and so on. The notification unit 113B may be configured with a display device (e.g., a display) that displays images, a sound output device (e.g., a speaker), a vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor), and so on, together with or instead of the light-emitting device. The notification unit 113B may also notify the user of information indicating that inhalation by the user is possible. The information indicating that inhalation by the user is possible is notified when the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150B heated by the heating unit 121B reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0056] The storage unit 114B stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100B. The storage unit 114B is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium (storage) such as a flash memory. One example of the information stored in the storage unit 114B is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100B, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116B. Another example of the information stored in the storage unit 114B is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, the suction time, and the cumulative suction time. As will be described later, the storage unit 114B can store one or more heating profiles for controlling the heating operation of the suction device B. The storage unit 114B is preferably configured to be able to store multiple heating profiles.

[0057] The communication unit 115B is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100B and other devices. The communication unit 115B performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Bi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115B transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115B receives new OS information from a server to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114B.

[0058] The control unit 116B functions as a processing unit and a control device, controlling the overall operation of the suction device 100B in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116B is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116B may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters to be used, as well as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. The suction device 100B executes various processes under the control of the control unit 116B. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116B include power supply from the power supply unit 111B to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111B, detection of information by the sensor unit 112B, notification of information by the notification unit 113B, storage and retrieval of information by the memory unit 114B, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115B. Other processes executed by the suction device 100B, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116B.

[0059] The holding part 140B has an internal space 141B and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150B while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150B in the internal space 141B. The holding part 140B has an opening 142B that connects the internal space 141B to the outside and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150B inserted into the internal space 141B through the opening 142B. For example, the holding part 140B is a cylindrical body with the opening 142B and a bottom 143B as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141B. The holding part 140B is configured so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped substrate 150B in at least a portion of the height direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the stick-shaped substrate 150B by compressing the stick-shaped substrate 150B inserted into the internal space 141B from the outer periphery. The holding part 140B also has the function of defining an air flow path through the stick-shaped substrate 150B. An air inlet, which is an entrance for air into the flow path, is disposed, for example, in the bottom portion 143B, while an air outlet, which is an exit for air from the flow path, is the opening 142B.

[0060] The stick-shaped substrate 150B is a stick-shaped member and includes a substrate portion 151B and a mouthpiece portion 152B.

[0061] The substrate 151B includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is heated to atomize it, generating an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as a processed product of cut tobacco or tobacco raw material formed into granules, sheets, or powder. The aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived aerosols made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). For example, the aerosol source may include a flavoring component such as menthol. When the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may include a medication for the patient to inhale. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid, but may also be a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. At least a portion of the substrate 151B is accommodated in the internal space 141B of the holder 140B when the stick-shaped substrate 150B is held in the holder 140B.

[0062] Suction mouth portion 152B is a member that is held in the user's mouth when inhaling. At least a portion of suction mouth portion 152B protrudes from opening 142B when stick-shaped substrate 150B is held in holding portion 140B. When the user holds suction mouth portion 152B protruding from opening 142B in their mouth and inhales, air flows into holding portion 140B through an air inlet hole (not shown). The inflowing air passes through internal space 141B of holding portion 140B, i.e., passes through substrate portion 151B, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from substrate portion 151B.

[0063] The heating unit 121B generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. The heating unit 121B is made of any material, such as metal or polyimide. For example, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding unit 140B. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150B is heated from the outer periphery of the stick-shaped substrate 150B and atomized, generating aerosol. The heating unit 121B generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111B. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112B detects that a predetermined user input has been made. When the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150B heated by the heating unit 121B reaches a predetermined temperature, the user can inhale. Thereafter, power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112B detects that a predetermined user input has been made. As another example, power may be supplied and aerosol may be generated during a period in which the sensor unit 112B detects that the user has inhaled. Structurally, the heating section 121B is an electric heater.

[0064] The heat insulating section 144B prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B to other components of the suction device 100B. The heat insulating section 144B is arranged so as to cover at least the outer periphery of the heating section 121B. For example, the heat insulating section 144B is made of a vacuum insulation material, an aerogel insulation material, or the like. Note that the vacuum insulation material is an insulation material in which, for example, glass wool, silica (silicon powder), or the like is wrapped in a resin film to create a high vacuum, thereby reducing the heat conduction by gas to as close to zero as possible.

[0065] 1-3 Third Configuration Example The suction device according to this configuration example generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source from both inside and outside the substrate. This configuration example will be described below with reference to FIG. 1C.

[0066] 1C is a schematic diagram showing a third configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1C, a suction device 100C according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111C, a sensor unit 112C, a notification unit 113C, a memory unit 114C, a communication unit 115C, a control unit 116C, heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2, a holding unit 140C, and a heat insulating unit 144C. A stick-shaped substrate 150C is held by the holding unit 140C, and the user performs suction. Each component will be described below in order.

[0067] The power supply unit 111C stores power. The power supply unit 111C supplies power to each component of the suction device 100C. The power supply unit 111C may be configured with, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111C may be charged by connecting to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111C may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not connected to a power transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111C may be detachable from the suction device 100C and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111C.

[0068] The sensor unit 112C detects various types of information related to the inhalation device 100C. The sensor unit 112C then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116C. As one example, the sensor unit 112C is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112C detects a numerical value associated with the user's inhalation, it outputs information indicating that the user has performed inhalation to the control unit 116C. As another example, the sensor unit 112C is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 112C may include a button that instructs the start / stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112C then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116C. As another example, the sensor unit 112C is configured with a temperature sensor that detects the temperatures of the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2. Such a temperature sensor detects the temperatures of the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 based on, for example, the electrical resistance values ​​of the conductive tracks of the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2. Alternatively, such a temperature sensor may be a thermistor that actually measures the temperature of the heating unit 121A. The sensor unit 121C may detect the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150C held by the holder 140C based on the temperatures of the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2. Furthermore, the sensor unit 112C may include a sensor, i.e., a motion sensor, for detecting movement of the suction device 100C (for example, movement caused by the user shaking the suction device 100C). An example of such a sensor is an acceleration sensor, but is not limited to this.

[0069] The notification unit 113C notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113C is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113C emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111C needs charging, when the power supply unit 111C is charging, when an abnormality has occurred in the suction device 100C, and so on. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color, timing of turning on / off, and so on. The notification unit 113C may be configured with a display device (e.g., a display) that displays images, a sound output device (e.g., a speaker), a vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor), and so on, in addition to or instead of the light-emitting device. The notification unit 113C may also notify information indicating that the user is ready to inhale. The information indicating that the user is ready to inhale is notified when the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150C heated by the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0070] The memory unit 114C stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100C. The memory unit 114C is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium (storage) such as a flash memory. One example of the information stored in the memory unit 114C is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100C, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116C. Another example of the information stored in the memory unit 114C is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, the suction time, and the cumulative suction time. As described below, the memory unit 114C can store one or more heating profiles for controlling the heating operation of the suction device 100. The memory unit 114C is preferably configured to be able to store multiple heating profiles.

[0071] The communication unit 115C is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100C and other devices. The communication unit 115C performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115C transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115C receives new OS information from a server to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114C.

[0072] The control unit 116C functions as a processing unit and a control device, controlling the overall operation of the suction device 100C in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116C is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116C may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters to be used, as well as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. The suction device 100C executes various processes under the control of the control unit 116C. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116C include power supply from the power supply unit 111C to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111C, detection of information by the sensor unit 112C, notification of information by the notification unit 113C, storage and retrieval of information by the memory unit 114C, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115C. Other processes executed by the suction device 100C, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116C.

[0073] The holding unit 140C has an internal space 141C and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150C while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150C in the internal space 141C. The holding unit 140C has an opening 142C that connects the internal space 141C to the outside and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150C inserted into the internal space 141C through the opening 142C. For example, the holding unit 140C is a cylindrical body with the opening 142C and a bottom 143C as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141C. The holding unit 140C is configured so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped substrate 150C in at least a portion of the height direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the stick-shaped substrate 150C by compressing the stick-shaped substrate 150C inserted into the internal space 141C from the outer periphery. The holding unit 140C also has the function of defining an air flow path through the stick-shaped substrate 150C. An air inlet, which is an entrance for air into the flow path, is disposed, for example, in the bottom portion 143C, while an air outlet, which is an exit for air from the flow path, is the opening 142C.

[0074] The stick-shaped substrate 150C is a stick-shaped member and includes a substrate portion 151C and a mouthpiece portion 152C.

[0075] The substrate 151C includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is heated to atomize it, generating an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as a processed product of cut tobacco or tobacco raw material formed into granules, sheets, or powder. The aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived aerosols made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). For example, the aerosol source may include a flavoring component such as menthol. When the inhalation device 100C is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may include a medication for the patient to inhale. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid, but may also be a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. At least a portion of the substrate 151C is accommodated in the internal space 141C of the holder 140C when the stick-shaped substrate 150C is held in the holder 140C.

[0076] Suction mouth portion 152C is a member that is held in the user's mouth when inhaling. At least a portion of suction mouth portion 152C protrudes from opening 142C when stick-shaped substrate 150C is held in holding portion 140C. When the user holds suction mouth portion 152C protruding from opening 142C in their mouth and inhales, air flows into holding portion 140C through an air inlet hole (not shown). The inflowing air passes through internal space 141C of holding portion 140C, i.e., passes through substrate portion 151C, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from substrate portion 151C.

[0077] The heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 generate aerosols by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. The heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 are made of any material such as metal or polyimide.

[0078] The heating part 121C-1 is configured in a blade shape and is arranged so as to protrude from the bottom part 143C of the holding part 140C into the internal space 141C of the holding part 140C. Therefore, when the stick-shaped substrate 150C is inserted into the holding part 140C, the blade-shaped heating part 121C-1 is inserted into the inside of the stick-shaped substrate 150C so as to pierce the substrate part 151C of the stick-shaped substrate 150C. Then, when the heating part 121C-1 generates heat, the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150C is heated and atomized from inside the stick-shaped substrate 150C, generating an aerosol.

[0079] Heating unit 121C-2 is configured in the form of a film and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of holding unit 140C-2. When heating unit 121C-2 generates heat, the aerosol source contained in stick-shaped substrate 150C is heated from the outer periphery of stick-shaped substrate 150C and atomized, generating an aerosol.

[0080] Typically, the temperature of heating unit 121C-2 is controlled to be lower than the temperature of heating unit 121C-1, because the heat generated from heating unit 121C-2 is more likely to be transmitted to other components of suction device 100C than the heat generated from heating unit 121C-1.

[0081] The heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 generate heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111C. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112C detects that a predetermined user input has been made. When the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150C heated by the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 reaches a predetermined temperature, the user becomes able to inhale. Thereafter, when the sensor unit 112C detects that a predetermined user input has been made, power supply may be stopped. As another example, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated during the period when the sensor unit 112C detects that the user has inhaled. Structurally, the heating units 121C-1 and 121C-2 are electric heaters.

[0082] The heat insulating section 144C prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121C-2 to other components of the suction device 100C. The heat insulating section 144C is arranged so as to cover at least the outer periphery of the heating section 121C-2. For example, the heat insulating section 144C is made of a vacuum insulation material, an aerogel insulation material, or the like. Note that a vacuum insulation material is an insulation material in which, for example, glass wool, silica (silicon powder), or the like is wrapped in a resin film and placed in a high vacuum state, thereby reducing the thermal conduction of gas to as close to zero as possible.

[0083] 1C shows an example in which the heating unit 121C-2 is disposed on the outer periphery of the holding unit 140C, but this configuration example is not limited to this example. For example, the heating unit 121C-2 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143C of the holding unit 140C.

[0084] 1-4 Fourth Configuration Example The suction device according to this configuration example is an external substrate-attached suction device that generates aerosol by induction heating. This configuration example will be described below with reference to FIG. 1D.

[0085] 1D is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1D, a suction device 100D according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111D, a sensor unit 112D, a notification unit 113D, a memory unit 114D, a communication unit 115D, a control unit 116D, a susceptor 161D, an electromagnetic induction source 162D, and a holder 140D. A stick-shaped substrate 150D is held by the holder 140D, and the user performs suction. Each component will be described below in order.

[0086] The power supply unit 111D stores power. The power supply unit 111D supplies power to each component of the suction device 100D. The power supply unit 111D may be configured with, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The power supply unit 111D may be charged by connecting to an external power supply via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like. The power supply unit 111D may also be charged using wireless power transmission technology while not connected to a power transmitting device. Alternatively, the power supply unit 111D may be detachable from the suction device 100D and may be replaceable with a new power supply unit 111D.

[0087] The sensor unit 112D detects various information related to the suction device 100D. The sensor unit 112D then outputs the detected information to the control unit 116D. As an example, the sensor unit 112D is configured with a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 112D detects a value associated with the user's inhalation, it outputs information indicating that the user has performed inhalation to the control unit 116D. As another example, the sensor unit 112D is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user. In particular, the sensor unit 112D may include a button that instructs the start / stop of aerosol generation. The sensor unit 112D then outputs the information input by the user to the control unit 116D. As another example, the sensor unit 112D is configured with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the susceptor 161D. For example, such a temperature sensor detects the temperature of the susceptor 161D based on the electrical resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source 162D. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be a thermistor that actually measures the temperature of the susceptor 161D. The sensor unit 121D may detect the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150D held by the holder 140D based on the temperature of the susceptor 161D. The sensor unit 112D may also include a sensor, i.e., a motion sensor, for detecting movement of the suction device 100D (e.g., movement caused by a user shaking the suction device 100D). An example of such a sensor is an acceleration sensor, but is not limited to this.

[0088] The notification unit 113D notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 113D is configured with a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). In this case, the notification unit 113D emits light in different light-emitting patterns when the power supply unit 111D needs to be charged, when the power supply unit 111D is charging, when an abnormality has occurred in the suction device 100D, and so on. The light-emitting pattern here is a concept that includes color, timing of turning on / off, and so on. The notification unit 113D may be configured with a display device (e.g., a display) that displays images, a sound output device (e.g., a speaker), a vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor), and so on, together with or instead of the light-emitting device. The notification unit 113D may also notify the user of information indicating that inhalation by the user is possible. The information indicating that inhalation by the user is possible is notified when the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150D, which has been heated by electromagnetic induction, reaches a predetermined temperature.

[0089] The memory unit 114D stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100D. The memory unit 114D is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium (storage) such as a flash memory. One example of the information stored in the memory unit 114D is information related to the OS (Operating System) of the suction device 100D, such as the control details of various components by the control unit 116D. Another example of the information stored in the memory unit 114D is information related to suction by the user, such as the number of suctions, suction time, and cumulative suction time. As described below, the memory unit 114D can store one or more heating profiles for controlling the heating operation of the suction device 100D. The memory unit 114D is preferably configured to be able to store multiple heating profiles.

[0090] The communication unit 115D is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the suction device 100D and other devices. The communication unit 115D performs communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). As one example, the communication unit 115D transmits information about the user's suction to a smartphone to display the information about the user's suction on the smartphone. As another example, the communication unit 115D receives new OS information from a server to update the OS information stored in the storage unit 114D.

[0091] The control unit 116D functions as a processing unit and a control device, controlling the overall operation of the suction device 100D in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116D is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. The control unit 116D may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters to be used, as well as a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. The suction device 100D executes various processes under the control of the control unit 116D. Examples of processes controlled by the control unit 116D include power supply from the power supply unit 111D to the other components, charging of the power supply unit 111D, detection of information by the sensor unit 112D, notification of information by the notification unit 113D, storage and retrieval of information by the memory unit 114D, and transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 115D. Other processes executed by the suction device 100D, such as input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 116D.

[0092] The holding unit 140D has an internal space 141D and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150D while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150D in the internal space 141D. The holding unit 140D has an opening 142D that connects the internal space 141D to the outside and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150D inserted into the internal space 141D through the opening 142D. For example, the holding unit 140D is a cylindrical body with the opening 142D and a bottom 143D as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141D. The holding unit 140D is configured so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped substrate 150D in at least a portion of the height direction of the cylindrical body, and can hold the stick-shaped substrate 150D by compressing the stick-shaped substrate 150D inserted into the internal space 141D from the outer periphery. The holding unit 140D also has the function of defining an air flow path through the stick-shaped substrate 150D. An air inlet, which is an entrance for air into the flow path, is disposed, for example, in the bottom portion 143D, while an air outlet, which is an exit for air from the flow path, is the opening 142D.

[0093] The stick-shaped substrate 150D is a stick-shaped member and includes a substrate portion 151D and a mouthpiece portion 152D.

[0094] The substrate 151D includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is heated to atomize it, generating an aerosol. The aerosol source may be tobacco-derived, such as a processed product obtained by molding cut tobacco or tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powder. The aerosol source may also include non-tobacco-derived aerosol sources made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint and herbs). For example, the aerosol source may contain a flavoring component such as menthol. When the inhalation device 100D is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may contain a medication for inhalation by the patient. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid, but may also be a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. At least a portion of the substrate 151D is accommodated in the internal space 141D of the holder 140D when the stick-shaped substrate 150D is held in the holder 140D.

[0095] Suction mouth portion 152D is a member that is held in the user's mouth when inhaling. At least a portion of suction mouth portion 152D protrudes from opening 142D when stick-shaped substrate 150D is held in holding portion 140D. When the user holds suction mouth portion 152D protruding from opening 142D in their mouth and inhales, air flows into holding portion 140D through an air inlet hole (not shown). The inflowing air passes through internal space 141D of holding portion 140D, i.e., passes through substrate portion 151D, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from substrate portion 151D.

[0096] Furthermore, the stick-shaped substrate 150D includes a susceptor 161D. The susceptor 161D generates heat by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor 161D is made of a conductive material such as metal. As an example, the susceptor 161D is a metal piece. The susceptor 161D is disposed close to the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1D , the susceptor 161D is included in the substrate portion 151D of the stick-shaped substrate 150D.

[0097] The electromagnetic induction source 162D generates heat in the susceptor 161D through electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction source 162D is, for example, configured with a coil-shaped conductor and is arranged so as to be wound around the outer periphery of the holder 140D. The electromagnetic induction source 162D generates a magnetic field when an alternating current is supplied from the power supply unit 111D. The electromagnetic induction source 162D is arranged at a position where the generated magnetic field is superimposed on the internal space 141D of the holder 140D. Therefore, when a magnetic field is generated while the stick-shaped substrate 150D is held by the holder 140D, eddy currents are generated in the susceptor 161D, generating Joule heat. The aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150D is then heated and atomized by this Joule heat, generating an aerosol. As an example, when the sensor unit 112D detects that a predetermined user input has been made, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated. When the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150D, which has been induction-heated by the susceptor 161D and the electromagnetic induction source 162D, reaches a predetermined temperature, the user becomes able to inhale it. Thereafter, when the sensor unit 112D detects that a predetermined user input has been made, power supply may be stopped. As another example, power may be supplied and an aerosol may be generated during the period in which the sensor unit 112D detects that the user has inhaled it. Structurally, the electromagnetic induction source 162D is an induction heating type heater.

[0098] 1D shows an example in which the susceptor 161D is included in the substrate portion 151D of the stick-shaped substrate 150D, but this configuration example is not limited to such an example. For example, the holder 140D may perform the function of the susceptor 161D. In this case, an eddy current is generated in the holder 140D by the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction source 162D, generating Joule heat. The aerosol source included in the stick-shaped substrate 150D is then heated and atomized by this Joule heat, generating an aerosol.

[0099] 1-5 Further Configuration Examples In the configuration examples described above, the substrate containing the aerosol source is stick-shaped, but the shape of the substrate is not limited to this.

[0100] In addition, in the configuration examples described above, the aerosol source is contained in a solid substrate, however, this disclosure is not intended to exclude suction devices that use a liquid as the aerosol source.

[0101] Furthermore, the heating method of the heating unit of the suction device may be any heating method capable of heating the substrate, such as heating by microwaves.

[0102] 2. Processing performed by the suction device The suction device 100A and the like (hereinafter referred to as the "suction device 100" without distinction) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are configured to control the heating operation using a heating profile.

[0103] The following describes exemplary processes that can be executed by the suction device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, more specifically, by the control unit 116A or the like (hereinafter referred to indiscriminately as "control unit 116") of the suction device 100. Note that the exemplary processes described below may be executed by a program in the suction device 100. Furthermore, the program can be stored in the storage unit 114A or the like (hereinafter referred to indiscriminately as "storage unit 114") of the suction device 100.

[0104] As described above, the heating units 121A to 121C and the electromagnetic induction source 162D are configured to perform heating, and therefore, hereinafter, they will be referred to as "heaters" without distinction. However, when the heater is the electromagnetic induction source 162D, the electric resistance value (including the target resistance value) of the heater may be the electric resistance value of the electromagnetic induction source 162D, while the temperature (including the target temperature) of the heater may be the temperature of the susceptor 161D induction-heated by the electromagnetic induction source 162D. Furthermore, hereinafter, "electrical resistance value" will be referred to as "resistance value."

[0105] 2-1 Exemplary Process for Initiating a Heating Profile Transmission Process Figure 2 is a pseudo-sequence diagram showing the flow of an exemplary process 200 for initiating a heating profile transmission process. This pseudo-sequence diagram illustrates an exemplary operational flow of two suction devices 100 (hereinafter referred to as "suction device A" and "suction device B"), including interactions with users of these suction devices (hereinafter referred to as "user A" and "user B"). Note that in the following description, suction device A and user A are interchangeable with suction device B and user B.

[0106] The timing of initiation of execution of example process 200 (more specifically, step 210, described below) is arbitrary. For example, example process 200 may be initiated in response to, but is not limited to, detection of any predetermined action by at least one of suction device A and suction device B.

[0107] Step 210 shows a step of establishing a connection between suction device A and suction device B. Hereinafter, transmission and reception between suction device A and suction device B will be assumed to be performed via the established connection. This connection may be a P2P connection conforming to the known Bluetooth technology, but is not limited to this. In the case of a P2P connection conforming to the known Bluetooth technology, when the connection is established, one of suction device A and suction device B is set as a central (master) and the other as a peripheral (slave).

[0108] Thus, according to the exemplary process 200, a suction device (suction device A) can be configured to establish a P2P connection with another suction device (suction device B) and to transmit and receive data to and from the other suction device via the P2P connection.

[0109] 215 indicates a step in which the suction device A and the suction device B each start a timer for disconnecting the established connection due to a timeout.

[0110] Reference numeral 220 denotes a processing block when the heating profile transmission processing is started.

[0111] 222 indicates a step in which user A performs an arbitrary first predetermined action and suction device A detects the action. An example of the first predetermined action is, but is not limited to, user A shaking suction device A. The action of the user shaking suction device A can be detected by a motion sensor that can be included in the sensor unit 112 of suction device A.

[0112] That is, the suction device (suction device A) includes a sensor (motion sensor) for detecting the movement of the suction device, and can be further configured to use the sensor to detect that the suction device has been shaken as a predetermined action (first predetermined action).

[0113] 230 indicates a step in which the suction device A initiates a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting the first predetermined action. The heating profile transmission process will be described later, and may include a step in which the suction device A transmits a heating profile to the suction device B.

[0114] Thus, according to example process 200, a suction device (suction device A) configured to control heating operations using a heating profile can be further configured to transmit the heating profile to another suction device (suction device B) that also controls heating operations using the heating profile.

[0115] According to this configuration, the heating profile can be transmitted from the suction device A to the suction device B, and the suction device A can thereby convey to the suction device B the details of the control of the heating operation.

[0116] Furthermore, as described above, the suction device A and the suction device B are interchangeable, and therefore, with this configuration, the heating profiles can be transmitted between the suction device A and the suction device B and vice versa.

[0117] Also, according to exemplary process 200, a suction device (suction device A) configured to control a heating operation using a heating profile can be further configured to initiate a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action (first predetermined action), and the heating profile transmission process can include a step in which the suction device transmits the heating profile to another suction device (suction device B) that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0118] With this configuration, the suction device A can transmit a heating profile.

[0119] Note that the heating profile transmission process may include a step in which the suction device A receives the heating profile transmitted from the suction device B, instead of a step in which the suction device A transmits the heating profile to the suction device B. In light of the above, by starting the heating profile transmission process in response to a predetermined action, it is possible to determine which of the connected suction devices A and B will transmit the heating profile. This is particularly useful when a connection in which there is no distinction between the sender and the receiver is established between the suction device A and the suction device B.

[0120] Note that once a response is made to the detection of the first predetermined action, it is preferable not to respond even if another predetermined action is detected until the heating profile transmission process is completed. This is to prevent the heating profile transmission procedure from being started unintentionally multiple times. Note that the completion of the heating profile transmission process may include a normal completion of the heating profile transmission process, a cancellation of the heating profile transmission process due to interaction with the user, and a cancellation of the heating profile transmission process due to a timeout, as described below.

[0121] That is, the suction device (suction device A) can be configured so that after responding to the detection of a predetermined action (first predetermined action), it does not respond to the detection of any further predetermined actions until the heating profile transmission process is completed.

[0122] 240 indicates a processing block where the initiation of the heating profile transmission process is aborted due to an interaction from the user.

[0123] Reference numeral 242 denotes a step in which user A performs an arbitrary second predetermined action and suction device A detects the action.

[0124] 244 shows a step in which suction device A, in response to detecting the second predetermined action, sends a signal (hereinafter referred to as a "connection disconnection signal") to suction device B requesting disconnection of the established connection, and suction device B receives the signal.

[0125] 246 indicates a step in which the suction device A and the suction device B execute a process for disconnecting the established connection (hereinafter referred to as a "connection disconnection process"). Step 246 may include a step of transmitting and receiving one or more signals necessary to disconnect the established connection between the suction device A and the suction device B.

[0126] In response to the completion of disconnection of the established connection, suction device A displays an arbitrary UI (User Interface) indicating that the start of the heating profile transmission process has been canceled on notification unit 113A or the like (hereinafter referred to as "notification unit 113" without distinction) for user A and for user B, respectively. The displayed UI may be the same or different for suction device A and suction device B.

[0127] Note that the initiation of the heating profile transmission process may be aborted by user B performing a second predetermined action, in which case it will be understood that the step of exchanging suction device A and user A for suction device B and user B will be executed in process block 240.

[0128] Reference numeral 250 denotes a processing block when the start of the heating profile transmission process is stopped due to a timeout.

[0129] 252 indicates a step in which suction device A and suction device B determine, based on the timer started in step 215, that the established connection should be disconnected due to a timeout.

[0130] 254 indicates a step in which the suction device A, in response to determining that the established connection should be disconnected due to a timeout, transmits a connection disconnection signal to the suction device B, and the suction device B receives the signal. Note that step 254 may also be a step in which the suction device B, in response to determining that the established connection should be disconnected due to a timeout, transmits a connection disconnection signal to the suction device A, and the suction device A receives the signal.

[0131] 256 and 258 indicate steps similar to steps 246 and 248, respectively.

[0132] 2-2 Example heating profile transmission process

[0133] 3 is a pseudo-sequence diagram showing the flow of an exemplary heating profile transmission process 300. The exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 includes a step in which a suction device A transmits a heating profile to a suction device B.

[0134] Step 302 shows a step in which the suction device A transmits a first signal indicating the start of a heating profile transmission process to the suction device B, and the suction device B receives the signal. The first signal may include a signal notifying the transmission of a heating profile. When the suction device A transmits the signal notifying the transmission of a heating profile, the suction device A performs a heating profile transmission process as a suction device that transmits a heating profile. When the suction device B receives the first signal notifying the transmission of a heating profile from the suction device A, the suction device B performs a heating profile reception process as a suction device that receives a heating profile.

[0135] 304 indicates a step in which the suction device B sends an acknowledgement to the suction device A in response to the first signal received from the suction device A, and the suction device A receives the acknowledgement.

[0136] As described above, the suction device A and user A are interchangeable with the suction device B and user B. Therefore, the suction device B may transmit the first signal at approximately the same time as the suction device A transmits the first signal. In such a case, it is preferable to determine whether the suction device A or the suction device B should be prioritized in order to prevent an unintended situation, for example, a situation in which both the suction device A and the suction device B transmit a heating profile.

[0137] That is, when a suction device (suction device A) receives a first signal from another suction device (suction device B) after sending a first signal to the other suction device and before receiving an acknowledgment response to the first signal, the suction device can be further configured to determine whether to prioritize the suction device or the other suction device, and if it determines that the suction device should be prioritized, not to send an acknowledgment response to the first signal received from the other suction device.

[0138] It should be noted that any method can be used to determine which of the suction device A and the suction device B should be given priority. For example, when a P2P connection conforming to the known Bluetooth technology as described above is established between the suction device A and the suction device B, it can be determined whether the suction device A is set as a central (master) (while the suction device B is a peripheral (slave)).

[0139] That is, when establishing a P2P connection, one of the suction device (suction device A) and another suction device (suction device B) is set as a central (master) and the other as a peripheral (slave), and the suction device can be further configured to determine that the suction device should be prioritized when it is set as the central (master).

[0140] In addition, when suction device A receives a first signal from suction device B after sending the first signal to suction device B but before receiving an acknowledgment response to the first signal, it may perform any error processing to prevent unintended situations.

[0141] Reference numeral 306 denotes a step in which the suction device A displays an arbitrary UI indicating that the heating profile transmission process will be started on the notification unit 113 in response to receiving an acknowledgment response to the first signal transmitted for the user A, and in response to transmitting the acknowledgment response from the suction device B for the user B. The displayed UI may be the same or different between the suction device A and the suction device B.

[0142] Reference numeral 308 denotes a step in which the suction device A and the suction device B each start a timer for terminating the heating profile transmission process due to a timeout.

[0143] Reference numeral 310 denotes a processing block when the heating profile transmission process ends normally.

[0144] 312 indicates a step in which suction device A transmits a second signal to suction device B requesting transmission of heater characteristics, and the signal is received by suction device B. Note that step 312 is executed if suction device A receives an acknowledgment in step 304.

[0145] Step 314 indicates a step in which, when the suction device B receives the second signal from the suction device A, the suction device B transmits the heater characteristics to the suction device A, and the suction device A receives the heater characteristics. The heater characteristics transmitted in step 314 are the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device B.

[0146] Step 316 indicates a step in which suction device A generates a heating profile when suction device A receives the heater characteristics from suction device B. More specifically, suction device A can generate a heating profile based on the heating profile used by suction device A, the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device A, and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device B. The heating profile used by suction device A and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device A may be pre-stored in memory unit 114 of suction device A. The characteristics of the heater provided in suction device B can be received from suction device B in step 314.

[0147] Note that steps 312 to 316 are based on the premise that the heating profile includes a target resistance value, as will be described later. Steps 312 to 316 may be unnecessary in some cases, such as when the heating profile includes a target temperature, as will be described later.

[0148] That is, if the heating profile used by aspirators A and B includes a target temperature, the heating profile may simply be sent from aspirator A to aspirator B.

[0149] Note that the heating profile used by suction apparatus A may include a target temperature, while the heating profile used by suction apparatus B may include a target resistance value. In this case, the heating profile used by suction apparatus B can be generated based on the heating profile used by suction apparatus A and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction apparatus B. In this case, the characteristics of the heater provided in suction apparatus B may be a "correspondence relationship (correspondence table) between target temperature and target resistance value" provided in advance in suction apparatus B. Specifically, the target resistance value of suction apparatus B can be calculated from the target temperature included in the heating profile used by suction apparatus A and the "correspondence relationship between target temperature and target resistance value" provided in advance in suction apparatus B.

[0150] In this case, in response to the second signal, the suction device A may receive the correspondence from the suction device B. The suction device A can generate a heating profile to be used by the suction device B based on the heating profile used by the suction device A and the correspondence received from the suction device B. The suction device A may also transmit only its own heating profile to the suction device B. In this case, the suction device B may generate a heating profile to be used by the suction device B based on the heating profile received from the suction device A and a pre-stored "correspondence relationship between target temperature and target resistance value."

[0151] Furthermore, the heating profiles used by the suction apparatuses A and B may include a target resistance value, while the transmitted heating profile may include a target temperature. In this case, the transmitted heating profile may be generated based on the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus A, and the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B may be generated based on the transmitted heating profile and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus B. In this case, the heater characteristics may be a "correspondence relationship (correspondence table) between target temperatures and target resistance values" that the suction apparatuses A and B have in advance. Specifically, the suction apparatus A can calculate the target temperature of the transmitted heating profile from the target resistance value included in the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A and the "correspondence relationship between target temperatures and target resistance values" that the suction apparatus A has in advance, and the suction apparatus B can calculate the target resistance value of the suction apparatus B from the target temperature included in the transmitted heating profile and the "correspondence relationship between target temperatures and target resistance values" that the suction apparatus B has in advance.

[0152] Step 318 shows the step in which suction device A transmits a heating profile to suction device B, which receives the heating profile. The transmitted heating profile is the one generated in step 316. However, as noted above, if step 316 is not included, the transmitted heating profile may be a copy of the one used by suction device A.

[0153] Therefore, the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 includes a step in which a suction device (suction device A) transmits a first signal indicating the start of a heating profile transmission process to another suction device (suction device B); a step in which the suction device transmits a second signal to the other suction device requesting transmission of heater characteristics when the suction device receives an acknowledgment response to the first signal from the other suction device; a step in which the suction device generates a heating profile when the suction device receives the heater characteristics from the other suction device; and a step in which the suction device transmits the generated heating profile to the other suction device.

[0154] Furthermore, since suction device A and suction device B are interchangeable as described above, according to the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300, the suction device (suction device A) can be further configured to transmit an acknowledgment to the other suction device in response to a first signal from the other suction device (suction device B), and to transmit the heater characteristics to the other suction device when a second signal is received from the other suction device.

[0155] Furthermore, according to the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300, the suction device (suction device A) can be further configured to generate a heating profile to be transmitted based on the heating profile used by the suction device, the characteristics of the heater provided by the suction device, and the characteristics of the heater provided by another suction device (suction device B).

[0156] Additionally, according to the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300, the suction device (suction device A) may be further configured to receive from another suction device (suction device B) the characteristics of a heater included in the other suction device.

[0157] According to this configuration, user B (user A) can experience the suction experience of user A (user B) following the heating operation using the heating profile.

[0158] In the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300, the heating profile is generated on the side of the suction device A, but the heating profile may also be generated on the side of the suction device B. That is, instead of steps 312 to 318, the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 can be modified to include a step in which the suction device A transmits to the suction device B the heating profile to be used by the suction device A and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device A, and the suction device B receives the heating profile and the characteristics of the heater, and a step in which the suction device B generates the heating profile.

[0159] Therefore, since suction device A and suction device B are interchangeable as described above, according to the modified exemplary heating profile transmission process 300, a suction device (suction device A) can be configured to transmit to another suction device (suction device B) the heating profile used by the suction device and the characteristics of the heater equipped in the suction device.

[0160] Hereinafter, in this section, the heating profile generated in the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 (step 316) or the modified exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 will be referred to as the "generated heating profile."

[0161] 320 shows the step in which suction device A sends a signal (hereinafter referred to as the "setting signal") to suction device B requesting that the generated heating profile be set to be used, and suction device B receives the signal.

[0162] 322 indicates a step in which the suction device B stores the generated heating profile in a predetermined area, for example, area 850 in Fig. 8 described below, and 324 indicates a step in which the suction device B sets the generated heating profile to be used, so that the generated heating profile will be used in the next heating operation in the suction device B.

[0163] In the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300, steps 322 and 324 are executed when a setting signal is received by suction device B. However, steps 322 and 324 may also be executed in response to the generated heating profile becoming available at suction device B (including receiving the generated heating profile from suction device A when the heating profile is generated on the suction device A side, and generating the heating profile by suction device B when the heating profile is generated on the suction device B side) without transmitting or receiving a setting signal.

[0164] 326 shows a step in which, in response to the suction device B being set to use the generated heating profile, the suction device B sends a signal indicating that the setting has been completed (hereinafter referred to as the "setting completion signal") to the suction device A, and the suction device A receives the signal.

[0165] 328 indicates a step in which, when the suction device B completes a series of processes related to receiving the heating profile (including receiving, storing, and setting the heating profile), it sends a signal indicating the completion (hereinafter referred to as a "reception completion signal") to the suction device A, and the suction device A receives the signal.

[0166] Step 330 indicates a step in which the suction device A transmits a disconnection signal to the suction device B in response to receiving the reception completion signal, and the signal is received by the suction device B. Note that step 330 may also be a step in which the suction device B transmits a disconnection signal to the suction device A in response to transmitting the reception completion signal, and the suction device A receives the signal.

[0167] 332 and 334 indicate steps similar to steps 246 and 248 of FIG. 2, respectively.

[0168] Reference numeral 340 denotes a processing block when the heating profile transmission process is stopped due to a timeout on the heating profile transmission side.

[0169] 342 indicates a step in which the suction device A determines, based on the timer started in step 308, that the transmission process of the heating profile should be stopped due to a timeout.

[0170] 344 indicates a step in which the suction device A transmits a disconnection signal to the suction device B in response to determining that the heating profile transmission process should be stopped due to a timeout, and the suction device B receives the signal.

[0171] 346 and 348 indicate steps similar to steps 246 and 248 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0172] Reference numeral 350 denotes a processing block when the heating profile transmission process is stopped due to a timeout on the receiving side of the heating profile.

[0173] 352 indicates a step in which the suction device B determines, based on the timer started in step 308, that the heating profile transmission process should be stopped due to a timeout.

[0174] 354 indicates a step in which, in response to determining that the heating profile transmission process should be stopped due to a timeout, the suction device B transmits a disconnection signal to the suction device A, and the suction device A receives the signal.

[0175] 356 and 358 indicate steps similar to steps 246 and 248 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0176] 4 is a pseudo-sequence diagram showing the flow of another example heating profile transmission process 400. The other example heating profile transmission process 400 includes a step in which suction device A receives a heating profile transmitted from suction device B.

[0177] In the alternative exemplary heating profile transmission process 400, steps similar to those in the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 are assigned the same reference numerals. However, the first signal may include a signal notifying reception of a heating profile. When the suction device A transmits the signal notifying reception of a heating profile, the suction device A performs a heating profile reception process as a suction device receiving a heating profile. When the suction device B receives the first signal notifying reception of a heating profile from the suction device A, the suction device B performs a heating profile transmission process as a suction device transmitting a heating profile. Differences from the exemplary heating profile transmission process 300 will be described below.

[0178] Reference numeral 410 denotes a processing block when the heating profile transmission process ends normally.

[0179] 412 indicates a step in which suction device B transmits a second signal to suction device A requesting transmission of heater characteristics, and suction device A receives the signal. Note that step 412 is executed if suction device B transmitted an acknowledgment in step 304.

[0180] Step 414 indicates a step in which, when the suction device A receives the second signal from the suction device B, the suction device A transmits the heater characteristics to the suction device B, and the suction device B receives the heater characteristics. The heater characteristics transmitted in step 414 are the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device A.

[0181] Step 416 indicates a step in which suction device B generates a heating profile when suction device B receives the heater characteristics from suction device A. More specifically, suction device B can generate a heating profile based on the heating profile used by suction device B, the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device B, and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device A. The heating profile used by suction device B and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device B may be pre-stored in memory unit 114 of suction device B. The characteristics of the heater provided in suction device A can be received from suction device A in step 414.

[0182] Note that steps 412 to 416 are based on the premise that the heating profile includes a target resistance value, as will be described later. Steps 412 to 416 may be unnecessary in some cases, such as when the heating profile includes a target temperature, as will be described later.

[0183] That is, if the heating profile used by aspirators A and B includes a target temperature, the heating profile may simply be sent from aspirator B to aspirator A.

[0184] Note that the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B may include a target temperature, while the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A may include a target resistance value. In this case, the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A can be generated based on the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus A. In this case, the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus A may be a "correspondence relationship between target temperature and target resistance value" provided in advance in the suction apparatus A. Specifically, the target resistance value of the suction apparatus A can be calculated from the target temperature included in the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B and the "correspondence relationship between target temperature and target resistance value" provided in advance in the suction apparatus A.

[0185] In this case, in response to the second signal, the suction device B may receive the correspondence from the suction device A. The suction device B can generate a heating profile to be used by the suction device A based on the heating profile used by the suction device B and the correspondence received from the suction device A. Furthermore, the suction device B may transmit only its own heating profile to the suction device A. In this case, the suction device A may generate a heating profile to be used by the suction device A based on the heating profile received from the suction device B and a pre-stored "correspondence relationship between target temperature and target resistance value."

[0186] Furthermore, the heating profiles used by the suction apparatuses A and B may include a target resistance value, while the transmitted heating profile may include a target temperature. In this case, the transmitted heating profile may be generated based on the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus B, and the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A may be generated based on the transmitted heating profile and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus A. In this case, the heater characteristics may be a "correspondence relationship (correspondence table) between target temperatures and target resistance values" that the suction apparatuses A and B have in advance. Specifically, the suction apparatus B can calculate the target temperature of the transmitted heating profile from the target resistance value included in the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B and the "correspondence relationship between target temperatures and target resistance values" that the suction apparatus B has in advance, and the suction apparatus A can calculate the target resistance value of the suction apparatus A from the target temperature included in the transmitted heating profile and the "correspondence relationship between target temperatures and target resistance values" that the suction apparatus A has in advance.

[0187] Step 418 shows the step in which suction device B transmits a heating profile to suction device A, which receives the heating profile. The transmitted heating profile is the one generated in step 416. However, as noted above, if step 416 is not included, the transmitted heating profile may be a copy of the one used by suction device B.

[0188] In the alternative exemplary heating profile transmission process 400, the heating profile is generated on the suction device B side, but the heating profile may also be generated on the suction device A side. That is, instead of steps 412 to 418, the alternative exemplary heating profile transmission process 400 can be modified to include a step in which the suction device B transmits to the suction device A the heating profile to be used by the suction device B and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device B, and the suction device A receives the heating profile and the characteristics of the heater, and a step in which the suction device A generates the heating profile.

[0189] Hereinafter, in this section, the heating profile generated in the exemplary alternative heating profile transmission process 400 (step 416) or a modified alternative heating profile transmission process 400 will be referred to as a "generated heating profile."

[0190] 420 indicates the step in which suction device B sends a setting signal to suction device A, which receives the signal.

[0191] 422 shows the step in which the suction device A stores the generated heating profile in a predetermined area, for example area 850 in FIG. 8, and 424 shows the step in which the suction device A sets the generated heating profile to be used.

[0192] Note that in another exemplary heating profile transmission process 400, steps 422 and 424 are performed when suction device A receives a setting signal, but may also be performed in response to the generated heating profile becoming available in suction device A without a setting signal being sent or received.

[0193] 426 indicates the step in which, in response to the production heating profile being set to be used, suction device A sends a setting completion signal to suction device B, which receives the signal.

[0194] 428 indicates a step in which, when the suction device A completes a series of processes related to receiving the heating profile (including receiving, storing, and setting the heating profile), it sends a reception completion signal to the suction device B, and the suction device B receives the signal.

[0195] Step 430 indicates a step in which the suction device B transmits a disconnection signal to the suction device A in response to receiving the reception completion signal, and the signal is received by the suction device A. Note that step 430 may also be a step in which the suction device A transmits a disconnection signal to the suction device B in response to transmitting the reception completion signal, and the suction device B receives the signal.

[0196] 3 Heating Profile 3-1 Definition of Heating Profile Suction device A and suction device B control their heating operations using a heating profile. The heating operation is an operation that changes the temperature of the heaters provided in suction device A and suction device B, respectively. Therefore, the heating profile may represent the target temperature of the heater over time. Alternatively, if the resistance value of the heater changes depending on the heater temperature, the heating profile may represent the target resistance value of the heater over time.

[0197] That is, the heating profile may represent a target temperature or resistance value of the heater over time.

[0198] It should be noted that the heating operation includes an operation of lowering the temperature of the heater by not energizing the heater in order to make the heater reach the target temperature.

[0199] 5 is a graph 500 plotting an example temperature change 510 of a heater included in suction device A, obtained as a result of controlling heating operation using a certain heating profile. The horizontal axis of graph 500 represents time, and the vertical axis represents heater temperature. From graph 500, it can be seen that suction device A is configured to control heating operation for a period 520 by using the heating profile. Note that this example temperature change 510 is simplified for illustrative purposes.

[0200] The period 520 during which the heating operation is controlled can be divided into multiple periods. For example, in the graph 500, the period 520 during which the heating operation is controlled is divided into 10 periods (STEP 0 to STEP 9), but the number of divisions into the period 520 is not limited to this. To represent the target temperature or target resistance of the heater over time, a target temperature or target resistance can be set for each divided period.

[0201] That is, the suction device (suction device A) is further configured to control heating operation for a period of time by using a heating profile, the period of time being divided into multiple periods, and the heating profile used by the suction device can include a target resistance value of a heater provided in the suction device for each divided period.

[0202] The relationship between heater temperature and resistance value may differ for each individual heater. Therefore, when suction device A controls the heating operation, it may derive the resistance value when the heater included in suction device A is at the target temperature, i.e., the target resistance value, from the target temperature. In this case, the suction device stores a correspondence between the target temperature and the target resistance value of its own device for achieving the target temperature. The target resistance value of its own device is a resistance value calculated taking into account the characteristics of its heater, and is the resistance value required to achieve the target temperature. Using the target temperature and the correspondence, the suction device can determine the target resistance value taking into account the characteristics of its heater.

[0203] That is, the suction device (suction device A) is further configured to control heating operation for a period of time by using a heating profile, the period of time being divided into multiple periods, and the heating profile can include a target temperature for each divided period.

[0204] Each divided period may be defined by the length of the period, but is not limited to this. That is, a divided period may end when a predetermined time has passed since the start of the period. Alternatively, a period may end when the heater temperature reaches the target temperature for that period. For example, the period of step 0 in the graph 500 is the period when the heater temperature reaches the target temperature T Ａ , while the period of STEP 1 (target temperature T Ａ ) may end when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the period.

[0205] The control unit 126 measures the heater temperature multiple times and can determine that the heater temperature has reached the target temperature when the measured temperature has been equal to or greater than the target temperature multiplied by a predetermined ratio (e.g., 0.98) that is less than 1 for a predetermined number of times. Alternatively, the control unit 126 can measure the heater temperature multiple times and can determine that the heater temperature has reached the target temperature when the measured temperature has been equal to or less than the target temperature multiplied by a predetermined ratio (e.g., 1.02) that is greater than 1 for a predetermined number of times.

[0206] Information defining each of these divided periods (such as the length of the period and other end conditions for the period) may be stored in advance in the storage unit 114, independent of the heating profile, or in some cases as part of the program. Alternatively, information defining each of these divided periods may be included in the heating profile. Alternatively, part of the information defining each of these divided periods may be stored in advance in the storage unit 114 independent of the heating profile, and the rest may be included in the heating profile.

[0207] In a divided period defined by the length of the period, the heating operation may be controlled so that the heater reaches the target temperature or target resistance value at the end of the period. Whether or not to perform such control in each divided period may be stored in advance in the storage unit 114 independently of the heating profile, or may be included in the heating profile.

[0208] Furthermore, the voltage applied to or the power supplied to the heater can be changed in each divided period. The voltage applied to or the power supplied to the heater in each divided period may be stored in advance in the storage unit 114 independently of the heating profile, or may be included in the heating profile.

[0209] It should be noted that the heating profile described above is merely an example, and the information included in the heating profile is not limited to that described above.

[0210] FIG. 6 shows an example data structure 600 for a heating profile.

[0211] Reference numeral 610 denotes a field for storing the target resistance value of the heater for each divided period, 620 denotes a field for storing the length of each divided period, and 630 denotes a field for storing any other information about each divided period.

[0212] Reference numeral 640 denotes a field for storing the number of periods used in the heating profile. For example, a value of 10 in field 640 may indicate that the period 520 of the heating operation controlled by using the heating profile is divided into 10 periods. Field 640 allows the number of divisions of period 520 to be variable for each heating profile, while the data structure of the heating profile itself can be fixed. Reference numeral 650 denotes a field for storing any other information about the heating profile.

[0213] 7 illustrates another example data structure 700 for a heating profile, where fields similar to those in example data structure 600 are similarly numbered.

[0214] 710 indicates a field for storing the target temperature for each divided period.

[0215] It should be noted that the data structure of the heating profile described above is merely an example, and the fields contained in the data structure are not limited to those described above, and the heating profile can be represented by any data structure.

[0216] 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example storage mode 800 of heating profiles in the storage unit 114. Each of 810 to 850 indicates an area for storing one heating profile.

[0217] Areas 810 to 840 may be areas for storing heating profiles selectable by a user of suction device B. For example, suction device B may be configured to sequentially select the heating profiles stored in areas 810 to 840 by detecting a predetermined action (e.g., the heating profile stored in area 810 → the heating profile stored in area 820 → the heating profile stored in area 830 → the heating profile stored in area 840 → the heating profile stored in area 810 → ...). Alternatively, suction device B may be configured to select one of the heating profiles stored in areas 810 to 840 based on a predetermined operation performed on an external device, such as a smartphone, connected via communication unit 115. Suction device B may be configured to use the selected heating profile. Note that the number of areas for storing heating profiles selectable by a user of suction device B is not limited to four.

[0218] Area 850 may be an area for storing heating profiles that cannot be selected by the user. After a newly obtained heating profile (including a heating profile received from suction device A as described above and a heating profile generated by suction device B; hereinafter referred to as a "new heating profile") becomes available, suction device B can be configured to at least temporarily store the heating profile in area 850 and set the heating profile to be used. In addition, suction device B can be further configured to, in response to completion of use of the new heating profile, restore the setting to use the heating profile that was originally set to be used (one of the heating profiles stored in areas 810 to 840).

[0219] That is, since suction device A and suction device B are interchangeable as described above, when the suction device (suction device A) stores a first heating profile (one of the heating profiles stored in areas 810 to 840) and receives a second heating profile (new heating profile) from another suction device (suction device B), and is set to use the first heating profile, if the second heating profile received from the other suction device is set to be used, the suction device can be further configured to return to using the first heating profile in response to completion of use of the second heating profile.

[0220] According to this configuration, user A can quickly and temporarily experience the inhalation experience of user B in accordance with the heating operation using the heating profile.

[0221] The completion of use of a heating profile may be the end of a period (for example, period 520 in FIG. 5) during which the heating operation is controlled using the heating profile.

[0222] Furthermore, it is preferable that the generated heating profile can be used again in the suction device B if the user B likes it.

[0223] That is, since suction device A and suction device B are interchangeable as described above, the suction device (suction device A) has an area (areas 810-840) for storing a plurality of selectable heating profiles, including a first heating profile (one of the heating profiles stored in areas 810-840), and the selected heating profile is set to be used, and can be further configured to store a second heating profile (new heating profile) in the above area in response to a predetermined condition being met.

[0224] In this case, the predetermined condition may be any condition, but it is preferable that it can be satisfied at the will of user B.

[0225] Therefore, as described above, suction device A and user A are interchangeable with suction device B and user B, and therefore the above-mentioned specified condition may be one or more of the following: a condition that a specified action (e.g., user A shaking suction device A or pressing a button on suction device A (which may be included in sensor unit 112)) is detected in the suction device (suction device A), and a condition that a specified operation is performed on an external device (e.g., user A's smartphone) connected to the suction device.

[0226] According to this configuration, user A can continue to experience the inhalation experience of user B following the heating operation using the heating profile.

[0227] It should be noted that the above-described manner in which the heating profile is stored in the storage unit 114 is merely an example, and the manner in which the heating profile is stored is not limited to the above-described manner.

[0228] 4. Heater Characteristics The heater characteristics in this disclosure refer to information that enables mutual conversion between the heater temperature and the heater resistance value.

[0229] That is, the heater characteristic may represent the relationship between the heater temperature and the heater resistance value.

[0230] Any method can be used to convert the heater temperature into the heater resistance value. For example, the heater temperature can be converted into the heater resistance value by the following method.

[0231] First, by using equation (1), the rate of change K of the resistance value of the heater per unit temperature when the temperature of the heater is near T is calculated. Ｔ [mΩ / °C] is calculated.

[0232]

[0233] Here, K Ｔ１ is the rate of change in the resistance value of the heater per unit temperature [mΩ / °C] when the heater temperature is near T1 (for example, 230°C), and K Ｔ２ is the rate of change in the resistance value of the heater per unit temperature [mΩ / °C] when the heater temperature is near T2 (for example, 295°C).Ｔ１ and K. Ｔ２ By interpolation, Ｔ This is to derive the following.

[0234] Next, by using equation (2), the resistance value R of the heater when the temperature of the heater is T is calculated. Ｔ [mΩ] is derived.

[0235]

[0236] Here, R Ｔ１ is the resistance value of the heater when the heater temperature is T1, and R ０ is the resistance value of the heater when the heater temperature is room temperature, and R ｒｅｆ is the standard resistance value at room temperature of a heater manufactured on the same line as the heater in question. １ is the highest temperature output by one or more temperature sensors (thermistors, which may be included in sensor unit 112A, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "sensor unit 112" without distinction)) located close to the heater when the heater temperature is T1. Note that the "room temperature" may be defined as a predetermined temperature such as 25°C. Furthermore, the "standard resistance value at room temperature" may be the resistance value at room temperature of a predetermined one of the heaters manufactured on the same line as the heater in question.

[0237] The method for converting the resistance value of the heater into the temperature of the heater is arbitrary. For example, the resistance value of the heater can be converted into the temperature of the heater by inversely solving equations (1) and (2) for T.

[0238] That is, the characteristic of the heater is the rate of change of the resistance value per unit temperature of the heater when the heater is near the first temperature (T1) (K Ｔ１ ) and the rate of change in resistance value per unit temperature of the heater when the heater is near the second temperature T2 (K Ｔ２ ) and the resistance value (R Ｔ１ ) and the standard resistance value (R ｒｅｆ ) and the highest temperature (TH １) can be included.

[0239] As described above, the heater characteristics may be a correspondence table between target temperatures and target resistance values, in which case the heater characteristics may include a plurality of temperatures and resistance values ​​corresponding to the respective temperatures.

[0240] 5. Generating a Heating Profile As described above, the heating profile used by suction device B can be generated based on the heating profile used by suction device A, the characteristics of the heater equipped in suction device A, and the characteristics of the heater equipped in suction device B.

[0241] This may be done using any method depending on the information contained in the heating profile and the heater characteristics.

[0242] For example, if the heating profile includes target resistance values ​​of the heater for each of the divided periods into which the period during which the heating operation is performed is divided, the heating profile can be generated by the following method.

[0243] First, each target resistance value included in the heating profile used by the suction device A is converted into a temperature using the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device A.

[0244] Next, each converted temperature is converted into a resistance value using the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device B.

[0245] Finally, the converted resistance values ​​are used as target resistance values ​​included in the heating profile to generate a heating profile to be used by the suction device B. Note that, in the heating profile to be used by the suction device B, information other than the target resistance values ​​may be copied from the heating profile to be used by the suction device A.

[0246] In addition, when the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A includes a target temperature while the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B includes a target resistance value, as described above, the heating profile used by the suction apparatus B can be generated based on the heating profile used by the suction apparatus A and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus B. In this case, the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction apparatus B may be a "correspondence relationship between the target temperature and the target resistance value" that the suction apparatus B has in advance. In this case, the suction apparatus A can receive the correspondence relationship from the suction apparatus B and generate a heating profile to be used by the suction apparatus B. Furthermore, the suction apparatus A may transmit its own heating profile to the suction apparatus B, and the suction apparatus B may generate a heating profile to be used by the suction apparatus B using the correspondence relationship.

[0247] Furthermore, if the heating profiles used by suction devices A and B include a target resistance value while the heating profile to be transmitted includes a target temperature, as described above, the heating profile to be transmitted can be generated based on the heating profile used by suction device A and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device A, and the heating profile to be used by suction device B can be generated based on the heating profile to be transmitted and the characteristics of the heater provided in suction device B. In this case, the heater characteristics may be a "correspondence relationship (correspondence table) between target temperature and target resistance value" that suction devices A and B have in advance.

[0248] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when one suction device (e.g., suction device A) receives a reception completion signal from the other suction device (e.g., suction device B), it sends a connection disconnection signal to the other suction device, thereby disconnecting the communication connection between the suction devices (e.g., 330 in FIG. 3 or 430 in FIG. 4). Alternatively, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when one suction device (e.g., suction device A) receives a reception completion signal from the other suction device (e.g., suction device B), the other suction device (suction device B) may send the heating profile used by the suction device (suction device A) to the suction device (suction device A). In this case, the one suction device (suction device A) not only sends its heating profile to the other suction device (suction device B) in a single P2P connection process, but also receives the heating profile used by the other suction device (suction device B) from the other suction device (suction device B).

[0249] 6. Conclusion Although several examples of embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely examples and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that changes, additions, improvements, etc. can be made to the embodiments as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The technical scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0250] Finally, some of the features of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0251] [Feature 1] A suction device configured to control a heating operation using a heating profile, the suction device further configured to transmit the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0252] [Feature 2] The suction device according to Feature 1, further configured to generate the heating profile to be transmitted based on the heating profile used by the suction device, characteristics of a heater included in the suction device, and characteristics of a heater included in the other suction device.

[0253] [Feature 3] The suction device according to Feature 2, further configured to receive, from the other suction device, the characteristics of the heater included in the other suction device.

[0254] [Feature 4] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 3, further configured to: store a first heating profile; receive a second heating profile from another suction device; and, if the second heating profile received from the other suction device is set to be used when the first heating profile is set to be used, return the setting to use the first heating profile in response to completion of use of the second heating profile.

[0255] [Feature 5] The suction device according to Feature 4, further comprising: an area for storing a plurality of heating profiles selectable by a user of the suction device, the plurality of heating profiles including the first heating profile; a selected heating profile is set for use; and the suction device is further configured to store the second heating profile in the area in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied.

[0256] [Feature 6] The suction device according to Feature 5, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of a condition that a predetermined action is detected in the suction device, and a condition that a predetermined operation is performed in an external device connected to the suction device.

[0257] [Feature 7] The suction device according to Feature 1, further configured to transmit the heating profile to be used by the suction device and transmit characteristics of a heater included in the suction device to the other suction device.

[0258] [Feature 8] The suction device according to any one of Features 2 to 7, wherein the characteristic of the heater represents a relationship between a temperature of the heater and a resistance value of the heater.

[0259] [Feature 9] The suction device according to Feature 8, wherein the characteristics of the heater include: a rate of change of a resistance value per unit temperature of the heater when the heater is near a first temperature; a rate of change of a resistance value per unit temperature of the heater when the heater is near a second temperature; a resistance value of the heater when the heater is at the first temperature; a standard resistance value at room temperature of a heater manufactured on the same line as the heater; and the highest temperature output from one or more temperature sensors proximate to the heater when the heater is at the first temperature.

[0260] [Feature 10] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 9, wherein the heating profile represents a target temperature or a target resistance value of the heater over time.

[0261] [Feature 11] The suction device according to Feature 10, wherein the suction device is further configured to control a heating operation for a certain period by using the heating profile, the certain period being divided into a plurality of periods, and the heating profile used by the suction device includes a target resistance value of the heater included in the suction device for each of the divided periods.

[0262] Feature 12: The suction device according to Feature 10, wherein the suction device is further configured to heat the heater for a period of time by using the heating profile, the period of time being divided into a plurality of periods, and the heating profile used by the suction device includes a target temperature for each of the divided periods.

[0263] [Feature 13] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 12, further configured to establish a P2P (Peer to Peer) connection with the other suction device and to transmit and receive data to and from the other suction device via the P2P connection.

[0264] [Feature 14] A method executed by a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the method including a step of transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0265] [Feature 15] A program for a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the program causing the suction device to execute a step of transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0266] Some of the other features of the present disclosure are also described below.

[0267] [Feature 1] A suction device configured to control a heating operation using a heating profile, further configured to initiate a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action, the heating profile transmission process including a step in which the suction device transmits the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0268] [Feature 2] The suction device according to Feature 1, wherein the heating profile transmission process includes: a step in which the suction device transmits a first signal indicating the start of a heating profile transmission process to the other suction device; a step in which the suction device transmits a second signal to the other suction device, when the suction device receives an acknowledgement response to the first signal from the other suction device, requesting transmission of heater characteristics; a step in which the suction device generates a heating profile, when the suction device receives the heater characteristics from the other suction device; and a step in which the suction device transmits the generated heating profile to the other suction device.

[0269] [Feature 3] The suction device according to Feature 2, further configured to: transmit an acknowledgement to the other suction device in response to the first signal received from the other suction device; and transmit heater characteristics to the other suction device when the second signal is received from the other suction device.

[0270] [Feature 4] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 3, further configured to, after responding to the detection of the predetermined action, not respond to further detection of the predetermined action until the heating profile transmission process is completed.

[0271] [Feature 5] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 4, further comprising a sensor for detecting movement of the suction device, and further configured to detect, using the sensor, that the suction device has been shaken as the predetermined action.

[0272] [Feature 6] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 5, further configured to establish a P2P (Peer to Peer) connection with the other suction device and to transmit and receive data to and from the other suction device via the P2P connection.

[0273] [Feature 7] The suction device according to Feature 6, further configured to: determine whether to prioritize the suction device or the other suction device when the suction device receives the first signal from the other suction device after transmitting the first signal to the other suction device and before receiving the confirmation response to the first signal; and, if it is determined that the suction device should be prioritized, not transmit the confirmation response to the first signal received from the other suction device.

[0274] [Feature 8] The suction device according to Feature 7, wherein, when the P2P connection is established, one of the suction device and the other suction device is set as a central and the other is set as a peripheral, and the suction device is further configured to determine that the suction device should be prioritized when the suction device is set as the central.

[0275] [Feature 9] A method executed by a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the method including: initiating a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action; the heating profile transmission process including: the suction device transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0276] [Feature 10] A program for a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the program causing the suction device to execute a step of starting a heating profile transmission process in response to detecting a predetermined action, the heating profile transmission process including a step of the suction device transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

[0277] 121A, 121B, 121C-1, 121C-2...heating section 140A, 140B, 140C, 140D...holding section 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D...internal space 142A, 142B, 142C, 142D...opening 143A, 143B, 143C, 143D...bottom 144B, 144C...heating section 150A, 150B, 150C, 150D...stick-shaped substrate 151A, 151B, 151C, 151D...substrate section 152A, 152B, 152C, 152D...suction port section 161D...susceptor 162D...electromagnetic induction source 200...exemplary process for starting heating profile transmission process 220...Processing block when heating profile transmission process is started 240...Processing block when initiation of heating profile transmission process is aborted due to user interaction 250...Processing block when initiation of heating profile transmission process is aborted due to timeout 300...Exemplary heating profile transmission process 310...Processing block when heating profile transmission process is completed successfully 340...Processing block when heating profile transmission process is aborted due to timeout on the heating profile sender 350...Processing block when heating profile transmission process is aborted due to timeout on the heating profile receiver 400...Another exemplary heating profile transmission process 410...Processing block when heating profile transmission process is completed successfully 500...Graph plotting exemplary temperature change of heater 510...Exemplary temperature change of heater 520...Period for controlling heating operation 600...Exemplary data structure of heating profile 630...Field for storing any other information about the divided periods 650...Field for storing any other information about the heating profile 700...Another exemplary data structure of heating profile 730: A field for storing any other information about the divided period. 810, 820, 830, 840: Areas for storing user-selectable heating profiles. 850: Area for storing non-user-selectable heating profiles.

Claims

1. 1. A suction device configured to control a heating operation using a heating profile, the suction device further configured to transmit the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

2. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, the heating profile used by the suction device; and The characteristics of a heater provided in the suction device; The characteristics of the heater provided in the other suction device; generating the heating profile to be transmitted based on It was further configured as follows: Suction device.

3. 3. The suction device according to claim 2, receiving, from the other suction device, the characteristics of the heater provided in the other suction device; The suction device further configured as follows.

4. 4. The suction device according to claim 1, a first heating profile is stored and a second heating profile is received from another suction device; When the first heating profile is set to be used, if the second heating profile received from the other suction device is set to be used, In response to completion of use of the second heating profile, the setting is returned to use of the first heating profile. The suction device further configured as follows.

5. 5. The suction device according to claim 4, a storage area for storing a plurality of user-selectable heating profiles of the suction device, including the first heating profile, wherein a selected heating profile is configured for use; storing the second heating profile in the region in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied; The suction device further configured as follows.

6. 6. The suction device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition is: a condition that a predetermined action is detected in the suction device; a condition that a predetermined operation is performed in an external device connected to the suction device; The suction device is one or more of:

7. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, The heating profile to be used by the suction device is transmitted to the other suction device, and the characteristics of the heater provided in the suction device are transmitted. The suction device further configured as follows.

8. 3. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic of the heater represents a relationship between a temperature of the heater and a resistance value of the heater.

9. 9. The suction device according to claim 8, wherein the heater has a characteristic of: a rate of change in resistance value per unit temperature of the heater when the heater is at a temperature near a first temperature; and a rate of change in resistance value per unit temperature of the heater when the heater is at a temperature near a second temperature; and a resistance value of the heater when the heater is at a first temperature; A standard resistance value at room temperature of a heater manufactured on the same line as the heater; the highest temperature among the temperatures output by one or more temperature sensors adjacent to the heater when the heater is at a first temperature; 12. A suction device comprising:

10. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, The heating profile represents a target temperature or a target resistance value of the heater over time. Suction device.

11. 11. The suction device according to claim 10, the suction device is further configured to control a heating operation for a period of time by using the heating profile, the period of time being divided into a plurality of periods; the heating profile used by the suction device includes a target resistance value of the heater included in the suction device for each divided period; Suction device.

12. 11. The suction device according to claim 10, the suction device is further configured to heat the heater for a period of time by using the heating profile, the period of time being divided into a plurality of periods; the heating profile used by the suction device includes a target temperature for each divided period; Suction device.

13. 2. The suction device according to claim 1, A P2P (Peer to Peer) connection is established with the other suction device, Sending and receiving information to and from the other suction device via the P2P connection The suction device further configured as follows.

14. A method performed by a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the method including the step of transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.

15. A program for a suction device that controls a heating operation using a heating profile, the program causing the suction device to execute a step of transmitting the heating profile to another suction device that controls a heating operation using the heating profile.