Inhalation device, control method for inhalation device, and program for inhalation device

Abstract

An inhalation device (100B) comprises a communication unit (115B) that communicates with another inhalation device, a heating unit (121B) that heats a stick-shaped base material (150) that contains an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a control unit (116B) that controls the operation of the heating unit (121B). The communication unit (115B) transmits a transmission request for prescribed data to the other inhalation device and receives the prescribed data as transmitted from the other inhalation device in response to the transmission request. The control unit (116B) controls the operation of the heating unit (121B) using the prescribed data as received from the other inhalation device.

Description

Suction device, control method for suction device, and program for suction device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a suction device for suctioning aerosols, gases, etc., a control method for a suction device, and a program for a suction device.

[0002] In recent years, technologies for communication between electronic cigarettes have been developed, such as technologies for enabling one electronic cigarette to communicate with another electronic cigarette via P2P (Peer to Peer) communication.

[0003] Patent document 1 (WO 2015 / 149339) discloses that multiple electronic cigarettes communicate with each other in an area formed within a preset distance.

[0004] International Publication No. 2015 / 149339

[0005] However, when a single electronic cigarette uses P2P, if there are multiple electronic cigarettes in the vicinity, there is a risk that it may connect to an electronic cigarette other than the intended one. If a single electronic cigarette connects to an electronic cigarette other than the intended one, there is a risk that information may be sent to an unintended destination.

[0006] However, although Patent Document 1 discloses technology for communicating between electronic cigarettes and transmitting the tar flavor of tobacco, it does not disclose technology for connecting to a desired electronic cigarette. As a result, the electronic cigarette described in Patent Document 1 may transmit the tar flavor of tobacco to unintended recipients.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a technique that enables desired suction devices to transmit and receive data to each other when the suction devices are connected via P2P.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a suction device comprising: a communication unit that communicates with another suction device; a heating unit that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol; and a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit, wherein the communication unit transmits a request to send specified data to the other suction device, receives the specified data sent from the other suction device in response to the transmission request, and the control unit controls the operation of the heating unit using the specified data received from the other suction device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the transmission request may be a signal requesting that the other suction device transmit specified data to the suction device, or a signal requesting that the suction device receive specified data from the other suction device.

[0010] In one embodiment, the communication unit receives a specified packet containing information indicating that the other suction device holds specified data that can be transmitted, and based on the information contained in the received specified packet, confirms that the other suction device holds specified data that can be transmitted, and then sends the transmission request to the other suction device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the communication unit receives a positive response indicating that the other suction device is able to transmit the specified data in response to the transmission request, and after receiving the positive response, can receive the specified data transmitted from the other suction device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the communication unit receives a negative response in response to the transmission request, indicating that the other suction device does not hold the specified data that can be transmitted, and can terminate communication with the other suction device in response to receiving the negative response.

[0013] In one embodiment, the communication unit can initiate a communication connection with the other suction device in response to receiving a first action from a user of the suction device, and transition to a state in which it can receive the specified data.

[0014] In one embodiment, the communication unit can transmit the transmission request to the other suction device in response to receiving a second action from a user of the suction device.

[0015] In one embodiment, after receiving the specified data from the other suction device, the control unit can control the operation of the heating unit using the received specified data in response to receiving a third action from a user of the suction device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the predetermined data may be a heating profile indicating a target temperature or resistance value over time when the heating section heats the substrate containing the aerosol source.

[0017] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a control method is provided which is executed by a suction device having a communication unit which communicates with other suction devices, a heating unit which heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a control unit which controls the operation of the heating unit, the control method including the steps of sending a request to send specified data to the other suction device, receiving the specified data sent from the other suction device in response to the request, and controlling the operation of the heating unit using the specified data received from the other suction device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the transmission request may be a signal requesting that the other suction device transmit specified data to the suction device, or a signal requesting that the suction device receive specified data from the other suction device.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of receiving a specified packet containing information indicating that the other suction device holds specified data that can be transmitted, and in the step of transmitting the transmission request, the transmission request can be sent to the other suction device based on the information contained in the received specified packet, confirming that the other suction device holds specified data that can be transmitted.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method further includes a step of receiving a positive response indicating that the other suction device is able to transmit the specified data in response to the transmission request, and in the step of receiving the specified data, after receiving the positive response, the specified data transmitted from the other suction device can be received.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method may further include the steps of receiving a negative response in response to the transmission request, indicating that the other suction device does not have the specified data that can be transmitted, and terminating communication with the other suction device in response to receiving the negative response.

[0022] In order to solve the above problem, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a computer controlling a suction device that includes a communication unit that communicates with other suction devices, a heating unit that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit to execute the following steps: sending a request to send specified data to the other suction device; receiving the specified data sent from the other suction device in response to the request; and controlling the operation of the heating unit using the specified data received from the other suction device.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when suction devices are connected via P2P, a technique can be provided that allows desired suction devices to send and receive data with each other.

[0024] 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 configuration example of the storage unit 114 of the suction device 100. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example for multiple suction devices to start a P2P connection. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example when at least one of the multiple suction devices transmits and receives predetermined data via a P2P connection. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example when at least one of the multiple suction devices cancels the P2P connection process. FIG. 7A is a flowchart (part 1) showing a processing example when the suction device 100 connected via P2P transmits and receives predetermined data. FIG. 7B is a flowchart (part 2) showing a processing example when the suction device 100 connected via P2P transmits and receives predetermined data. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example when at least one of the multiple suction devices changes the storage area of ​​predetermined data received from another suction device. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing another example of processing when at least one of a plurality of suction devices changes the storage area for predetermined data received from another suction device.

[0025] 1. Configuration of the Suction Device An example configuration of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. <<1. Example Configuration of a Suction Device>> The suction device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the suction device will be described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the suction device may be a gas.

[0026] (1) First Configuration Example Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in Fig. 1, an inhalation device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor imparting cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a memory unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid guide unit 122, and a liquid storage unit 123. The flavor imparting cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130.

[0027] The power supply unit 111A stores electric power. The power supply unit 111A supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100A under the control of the control unit 116A. The power supply unit 111A may be configured by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0028] The sensor unit 112A acquires various types of information related to the suction device 100A. As one example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires values ​​associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured with an input device such as a button or a switch that accepts information input from the user.

[0029] The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113A is configured by, for example, a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0030] The storage unit 114A stores various types of information for the operation of the suction device 100 A. The storage unit 114A is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.

[0031] The communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

[0032] The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100A in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

[0033] The liquid reservoir 123 stores an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source is a liquid, such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler, such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug.

[0034] The liquid guide portion 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 123, from the liquid storage portion 123. The liquid guide portion 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. In this case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

[0035] The heating unit 121A generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the heating unit 121A is configured as a coil and is wound around the liquid guide unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guide unit 122 is heated and atomized, generating aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has started inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input. Then, power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has stopped inhaling and / or that predetermined information has been input.

[0036] The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may include tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

[0037] The air flow path 180 is a path for air inhaled by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure with an air inlet 181, which is an entrance for air into the air flow path 180, and an air outlet 182, which is an exit for air from the air flow path 180, at both ends. A liquid guide section 122 is disposed on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet 181) of the air flow path 180, and a flavor source 131 is disposed on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet 182). Air flowing in through the air inlet 181 as the user inhales is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating section 121A and, as shown by arrow 190, is transported through the flavor source 131 to the air outlet 182. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

[0038] Mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held in the mouth by the user when inhaling. Air outlet holes 182 are arranged in mouthpiece 124. By holding mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air into the oral cavity.

[0039] The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100A. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0040] As an example, the inhalation device 100A may not include the flavoring cartridge 130. In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with the mouthpiece 124.

[0041] As another example, the inhalation device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from the multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate additional types of aerosols.

[0042] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121 A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibration atomization or induction heating.

[0043] (2) Second Configuration Example Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of a suction device. As shown in Fig. 2, a suction device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a memory unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a storage unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

[0044] Each of the power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, memory unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B is substantially identical to the corresponding components included in the suction device 100A according to the first configuration example.

[0045] The storage unit 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The storage unit 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside and accommodates the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the storage unit 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and a bottom 143 as its bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the storage unit 140. An air inlet, which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is arranged, for example, on a side surface of the suction device 100B. An air outlet, which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.

[0046] The stick-shaped substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the inhalation device 100B is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicament. The aerosol source may be, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water, containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or a solid containing a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. When the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is housed in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When a user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth along with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.

[0047] 2, the heating unit 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140. When the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

[0048] The heat insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating section 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.

[0049] The above is a description of an example of the configuration of the suction device 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below may be used.

[0050] As one example, the heating unit 121B may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121B is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121B may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the storage unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140.

[0051] As another example, the accommodation unit 140 may include an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a portion of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The accommodation unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to accommodate the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 while clamping it. In this case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the clamping location in the accommodation unit 140 and heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

[0052] Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100B has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100B, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

[0053] Furthermore, the suction device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air flow path 180 may supply air to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

[0054] In the following description, the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B may be referred to as the "suction device 100" without distinction. Similarly, the power supply unit 111A and the power supply unit 111B may be referred to as the "power supply unit 111," the sensor unit 112A and the sensor unit 112B as the "sensor unit 112," the notification unit 113A and the notification unit 113B as the "notification unit 113," the memory unit 114A and the memory unit 114B as the "memory unit 114," the communication unit 115A and the communication unit 115B as the "communication unit 115," the control unit 116A and the control unit 116B as the "control unit 116," and the heating unit 121A and the heating unit 121B as the "heating unit 121."

[0055] (3) Configuration Example of Storage Unit 114 of Suction Device 100 Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of storage unit 114 of suction device 100. As shown in Fig. 3, storage unit 114 of suction device 100 according to this configuration example includes a first storage area 301, a second storage area 302, a third storage area 303, and a fourth storage area 304. Note that storage unit 114 also includes other storage areas in addition to these areas, and is capable of storing various data, information, flags, and the like other than the data, information, and flags described below.

[0056] Each of the first memory area 301, the second memory area 302, and the third memory area 303 included in the memory unit 114 stores predetermined data. The predetermined data is, for example, data related to the heating of the aerosol source. The data related to the heating of the aerosol source is, for example, a heating profile. The heating unit 121 of the inhalation device 100 can control the temperature change of the heating unit 121 using the heating profile. The heating profile may represent a target temperature of the heating unit 121 over time. Alternatively, if the resistance value of the heating unit 121 changes depending on the temperature of the heating unit 121, the heating profile may represent a target resistance value of the heating unit 121 over time. In this way, the heating profile represents a target temperature or target resistance value of the heating unit 121 over time.

[0057] The predetermined data may be any data that is used or stored by the suction device 100, such as user usage data.

[0058] The first storage area 301 is an area for storing predetermined data received from other suction devices 100 .

[0059] A suction device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be connected to other suction devices 100 via a P2P connection. The suction device 100 can be connected to other suction devices 100 via a P2P connection. Specifically, the communication unit 115 of the suction device 100 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard, and is capable of P2P connection with the communication unit 115 of other suction devices 100. Examples of such communication standards that may be adopted include standards using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The suction device 100 can transmit and receive various data, information, signals, flags, and the like via a P2P connection with other suction devices 100.

[0060] In P2P connection mode, the suction device 100 can transmit and receive predetermined data to and from other suction devices 100. The suction device 100 of the present disclosure can establish a P2P connection with other suction devices 100 and transmit and receive data related to the heating of the aerosol source. Specifically, the suction device 100 can transmit and receive a heating profile to and from other suction devices 100. For example, the suction device 100 can transmit a heating profile stored therein to the other suction device 100. The other suction device 100 can receive the heating profile from the suction device 100 and use the heating profile to control the temperature change of the heating unit 121. In this way, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure can establish a P2P connection with other suction devices 100 and transmit and receive heating profiles.

[0061] The first storage area 301 stores predetermined data received by the suction device 100 through a P2P connection with another suction device 100. The suction device 100 stores the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 in the first storage area 301. For example, when the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 receives predetermined data from the other suction device 100, it stores the received predetermined data in the first storage area 301. For example, when the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 receives predetermined data from the other suction device 100, it overwrites the other predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 with the received predetermined data. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the heating profile received from the other suction device 100 is stored in the first storage area 301.

[0062] The predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 may be configured to be used only once for executing a predetermined process. In other words, the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 may be configured to be prevented from being repeatedly used for the predetermined process. Note that the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 may be configured to be re-stored in the second storage area 302 in response to a user request, so that it can be repeatedly used for the predetermined process.

[0063] The second storage area 302 is an area for storing predetermined data that the suction device 100 receives from the user terminal 200 or that the suction device 100 stores in response to a request from the user terminal 200 .

[0064] The suction device 100 is communicatively connected to a user terminal 200, such as a smartphone, tablet, mobile phone, personal computer, or laptop. Specifically, the communication unit 115 of the suction device 100 is a communication interface capable of performing communication in accordance with any wired or wireless communication standard, and is communicatively connected to the user terminal 200. Examples of such communication standards include standards using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The suction device 100 is communicatively connected to the user terminal 200 and is capable of transmitting and receiving various data, information, signals, flags, and the like. The suction device 100 is also capable of receiving predetermined data from the user terminal 200. Furthermore, the suction device 100 is also capable of receiving various requests from the user terminal 200.

[0065] The suction device 100 stores predetermined data received from the user terminal 200 in the second storage area 302. For example, when the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 receives predetermined data from the user terminal 200, the control unit 116 stores the received predetermined data in the second storage area 302. For example, when the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 receives predetermined data from the user terminal 200, the control unit 116 overwrites other predetermined data stored in the second storage area with the received predetermined data. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the heating profile received from the user terminal 200 is stored in the second storage area 302.

[0066] The second storage area 302 may be configured to store predetermined data stored in the third storage area 303 in response to a request from the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 can transmit a request to the suction device 100 to store predetermined data stored in the third storage area 303 in the second storage area 302 in response to a predetermined operation by the user.

[0067] In response to a request from the user terminal 200, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 stores predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 in the second storage area 302. For example, in response to a request from the user terminal 200, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 overwrites other predetermined data stored in the second storage area 302 with the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the heating profile stored in the first storage area 301 is stored in the second storage area 302 in response to a request from the user terminal 200.

[0068] In the following, the heating profile received from the user terminal 200 or the heating profile stored in response to a request from the user terminal 200 will be referred to as the second heating profile.

[0069] The third memory area 303 is an area for storing predetermined data that is pre-stored by the suction device 100. The pre-stored predetermined data is, for example, predetermined data that the suction device 100 pre-stores without connecting to an external device for communication. The pre-stored predetermined data is, for example, predetermined data that has been stored since the suction device 100 was shipped from the factory. The pre-stored predetermined data is, for example, predetermined data that the suction device 100 has been storing since before the user started using the suction device 100. The predetermined data is pre-stored in the third memory area 303 before the user started using the suction device 100.

[0070] When the predetermined data is a heating profile, the pre-stored heating profile is a heating profile that is pre-stored by the suction device 100 without connecting to an external device for communication, and is stored in the third storage area 303. The pre-stored heating profile is, for example, a heating profile that has been stored at the time of shipping the suction device 100 from the factory, and is stored in the third storage area 303. The pre-stored heating profile is, for example, stored in the third storage area 303 before the user starts using the suction device 100. Hereinafter, the heating profile that is pre-stored by the suction device 100 will be referred to as a first heating profile.

[0071] The third storage area 303 may be configured so that the predetermined data stored therein cannot be erased. For example, the predetermined data stored in the third storage area 303 may be configured so that the predetermined data cannot be erased even when the suction device 100 is reset. Resetting the suction device 100 is an operation for returning the settings of the suction device 100 to the settings at the time of shipment from the factory or the time before the user started using the suction device 100. The third storage area 303 may also be configured so that the predetermined data stored therein cannot be overwritten with other predetermined data.

[0072] The fourth memory area 304 is a memory area that stores predetermined setting information. The predetermined setting information is, for example, information indicating which of the first to third memory areas 301 to 303 stores predetermined data used by the suction device 100. The first to third memory areas 301 to 303 may each be assigned an identifier that allows them to be distinguished from one another. In this case, the setting information related to the predetermined data is the identifier assigned to each of the first to third memory areas 301 to 303. Each of the identifiers indicates one of the first to third memory areas 301 to 303. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 can identify one of the first to third memory areas 301 to 303 by referring to the identifier. In the following, the identifier assigned to the first storage area 301 will be referred to as the first identifier, the identifier assigned to the second storage area 302 as the second identifier, and the identifier assigned to the third storage area 303 as the third identifier.

[0073] The suction device 100 executes a predetermined process using predetermined data. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100, for example, references setting information stored in the fourth memory area 304 and executes a predetermined process using the predetermined data stored in the memory area indicated by the setting information. The predetermined process is, for example, a heating process by the heating unit 121. Note that the predetermined process is not limited to a heating process and may be any process. If the predetermined process is a heating process and the predetermined data is a heating profile, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 references an identifier stored in the fourth memory area 304 and executes the heating process using the heating profile stored in the memory area indicated by the identifier.

[0074] For example, when the identifier stored in the fourth storage area 304 is a first identifier, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 performs the heating process using the first heating profile stored in the first storage area 301. For example, when the identifier stored in the fourth storage area 304 is a second identifier, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 performs the heating process using the second heating profile stored in the second storage area 302. For example, when the identifier stored in the fourth storage area 304 is a third identifier, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 performs the heating process using the third heating profile stored in the third storage area 303.

[0075] The suction device 100 is capable of changing the setting information stored in the fourth memory area 304. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 is capable of, for example, changing the identifier stored in the fourth memory area 304 from a first identifier to a second identifier or a third identifier. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 is capable of, for example, changing the identifier stored in the fourth memory area 304 from a second identifier to a first identifier or a third identifier. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 is capable of, for example, changing the identifier stored in the fourth memory area 304 from a third identifier to a first identifier or a second identifier.

[0076] The suction device 100 can change the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 at a predetermined timing. The suction device 100 can change the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 in response to, for example, a predetermined user operation, a request from the user terminal 200, or a request from another suction device 100. The suction device 100 can also change the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 in response to, for example, a predetermined process in a P2P connection with another suction device 100. Note that the change of the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 is not limited to these examples and may be performed based on various requests or various processes.

[0077] The suction device 100 may be configured such that, in certain cases, only some of the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 can be changed. For example, in response to a predetermined user operation or a request from the user terminal 200, the suction device 100 may be configured such that only the setting information indicating the second storage area 302 or the third storage area 303 can be changed in the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304. In other words, in response to a predetermined user operation or a request from the user terminal 200, the suction device 100 may be configured such that the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 cannot be changed to the setting information indicating the first storage area 301.

[0078] Furthermore, the suction device 100 may be configured to automatically change the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to other setting information after executing a predetermined process when setting information indicating the first storage area 301 is set in the fourth storage area 304. For example, when setting information indicating the first storage area 301 is set in the fourth storage area 304, the suction device 100 executes the predetermined process using the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301. After executing the predetermined process, the suction device 100 automatically changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to setting information indicating the second storage area 302 or the third storage area 303. This allows the suction device 100 to execute a predetermined process once using the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301, and then use the predetermined data stored in the second storage area 302 or the third storage area 303 the next time the predetermined process is executed. In other words, the suction device 100 can be configured to execute the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 only once for a predetermined process, thereby preventing the predetermined data stored in the first storage area 301 from being used repeatedly for a predetermined process.

[0079] <<2. Example of operation of suction device>> 2. Processing performed by suction device The suction device 100A etc. (hereinafter referred to as “suction device 100” without distinction) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to control heating operation using a heating profile.

[0080] An example of the operation of the suction device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Specifically, an example of processing that can be executed by the control unit 116A or the like (hereinafter referred to as the "control unit 116") of the suction device 100 will be described. Note that the example of processing described below may be executed by the suction device 100 by a program. Furthermore, the program can be stored in the memory unit 114A or the like (hereinafter referred to as the "memory unit 114") of the suction device 100.

[0081] 2-1 Example of a Process for Starting a P2P Connection Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process for multiple suction devices to start a P2P connection. The example of the process illustrated in Figure 4 shows an example of a process for two suction devices 100 (suction device A and suction device B), including interactions with the users of these suction devices (user A and user B). Note that in Figure 3, when it is not necessary to distinguish between suction device A and suction device B in terms of processing, the term "suction device 100" will be used in the description. Also, in Figure 4, when it is not necessary to distinguish between user A and user B in terms of processing, the term "user" will be used in the description.

[0082] In step 401 (in FIG. 4 , “step” is abbreviated as “S”), the suction device 100 detects a first action by the user. The first action is an action that the user of the suction device 100 performs on the suction device 100. The first action is, for example, an action of the user shaking the suction device 100, an action of tracing a predetermined path or characters using the suction device 100, an action of tapping the suction device 100, or the like.

[0083] The suction device 100 includes a sensor (such as a motion sensor or an acceleration sensor) for detecting the movement of the suction device 100, and uses the sensor to detect a first action on the suction device 100. For example, the motion sensor of the suction device 100 detects the user shaking the suction device 100.

[0084] The first action is not limited to these examples. The first action may be any action that the user performs on the suction device 100. For example, the first action may be an action in which the user presses a predetermined button provided on the suction device 100.

[0085] In step 402, the suction device 100 transitions to the P2P mode in response to detecting the first action. The suction device 100 transitions to the P2P mode and starts a process for connecting with another suction device 100. The P2P mode is a mode for executing a process for connecting with another suction device 100. The suction device 100 transitions from another mode to the P2P mode in response to detecting the first action.

[0086] The P2P mode may be, for example, a sleep mode of the suction device 100. That is, the sleep mode may include the P2P mode. The sleep mode is a mode in which some functions of the suction device 100 are stopped to save power. The P2P mode may also be a charging mode in which the power supply unit 111 of the suction device 100 is charged, or an active mode in which many functions of the suction device 100 are activated. That is, the charging mode or the active mode may include the P2P mode. The P2P mode is not limited to these modes, and may be included in at least one of the modes that the suction device 100 can be in.

[0087] In step 403, the suction device 100 notifies the user that it has transitioned to the P2P mode. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI (User Interface) indicating that it has transitioned to the P2P mode. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that it has transitioned to the P2P mode, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user that it has transitioned to the P2P mode, for example, by vibrating a vibration device in a predetermined manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 notifies the user that it has transitioned to the P2P mode, for example, by displaying information indicating that it has transitioned to the P2P mode on the display. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that it has transitioned to the P2P mode.

[0088] In step 404, the suction device 100 starts transmitting an advertising packet and scanning for advertising packets from other suction devices 100. The transmission of advertising packets and the scanning process will be described later.

[0089] In step 405, the suction device 100 starts a timer for terminating the process for initiating and maintaining the P2P connection due to a timeout. The timer can be set to any time, such as two minutes. When the timer times out, the suction device 100 terminates the process for initiating and maintaining the P2P connection.

[0090] In step 406, the suction device 100 broadcasts an advertising packet to notify other suction devices 100 that it is waiting for a connection. For example, suction device A broadcasts an advertising packet to notify suction device B that it is waiting for a connection. By transmitting an advertising packet, the suction device 100 notifies other suction devices 100 that it is available for P2P connection.

[0091] The suction device 100 may store information about itself in an advertising packet. The suction device 100 may, for example, include an identifier that can uniquely identify the suction device 100 in the advertising packet. The suction device 100 may also, for example, include an identifier indicating the manufacturer of the suction device 100 (e.g., a company ID (Identification)) in the advertising packet. The suction device 100 may also, for example, include information indicating the attributes of the suction device 100 in the advertising packet. The information indicating the attributes of the suction device 100 may include, for example, the device type, model number, and version information of the suction device 100. The suction device 100 may also, for example, include information indicating the communication protocol used by the suction device 100 in the advertising packet. The information indicating the communication protocol may include version information of the Tsushin protocol.

[0092] The suction device 100 may include information indicating that it holds specific data in the advertising packet. For example, the control unit 116 of the suction device 100 stores information indicating that it holds specific data in a specific field of the advertising packet sent to another suction device 100. The specific field is an area for storing a flag (specific information) indicating whether the specific data is held. Storing information "1" in the specific field indicates that the device holds the specific data. Storing information other than "1" (e.g., information "0") in the specific field indicates that the device does not hold the specific data. Since the suction device 100 includes information indicating that it holds the specific data in the advertising packet, it can notify the other suction devices 100 that it holds the specific data. For example, if the other suction devices 100 find that information "1" is stored in a specific field of the received advertising packet, they can determine that the suction device 100 that sent the advertising packet holds the specific data. The specific data will be described later.

[0093] In step 407, the suction device 100 scans for advertising packets from other suction devices 100. The suction device 100 receives, for example, an advertising packet from each of the multiple other suction devices 100 and determines whether the advertising packet satisfies a predetermined condition. Note that in step 407, the suction device 100 may, for example, determine whether the advertising packet satisfies each of multiple predetermined conditions.

[0094] The predetermined condition may be that, if the first signal includes an identifier capable of identifying the manufacturer of the other suction device 100, the identifier included in the first signal is a predetermined identifier indicating the predetermined manufacturer. The predetermined condition may also be that the first signal includes information indicating that the other suction device 100 holds predetermined data. The predetermined condition may also be that, if the first signal includes a first address indicating the destination of the other suction device 100, the first address is smaller than the value of a second address indicating the destination of the suction device 100. If the value of the second address indicating the destination of the suction device 100 is greater than the value of the first address indicating the destination of the other suction device 100, the suction device 100 may be set as a central and the other suction device 100 as a peripheral in the communication connection. The predetermined condition may also be that the reception strength of the first signal is greater than a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be set based on the reception strength of the first signal when the suction device 100 and the other suction device 100 are located at a predetermined distance from each other. The predetermined condition may also be that the communication protocol used by the other suction device 100 is a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined protocol may be a communication protocol capable of transmitting and receiving predetermined data in P2P mode. The predetermined communication protocol may, for example, specify a version of various communication protocols. The predetermined condition may also be that the suction device 100 is not connected to any device other than the other suction device 100, such as a user terminal 200. The predetermined condition may also be some or all of multiple conditions. The predetermined condition may also be a combination of multiple conditions.

[0095] In step 408, the suction device 100 detects another suction device 100 (suction device B) that satisfies a predetermined condition. Furthermore, if the number of times that the suction device 100 has been detected as another suction device 100 (suction device B) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the suction device 100 recognizes that the other suction device is present nearby. The predetermined number is, for example, a natural number equal to or greater than two.

[0096] In step 409, the suction device 100 (suction device A) transmits a connection request signal to another suction device 100 (suction device B) whose detection count is equal to or greater than a predetermined count. The suction device 100 transmits the connection request signal to request the establishment of a P2P connection. The suction device 100 (suction device A) requests the establishment of a BLE connection, for example.

[0097] In step 410, the other suction device 100 (suction device B) receives the connection request signal. When the other suction device 100 (suction device B) receives the connection request signal, the other suction device 100 (suction device B) executes a process to establish a communication connection with the suction device 100 (suction device A).

[0098] In step 411, when the establishment of a P2P connection between the suction device 100 (suction device A) and another suction device 100 (suction device B) is completed, the other suction device 100 (suction device B) transmits a connection completion signal to the suction device 100 (suction device A). Note that the process of establishing a P2P connection may include, for example, a pairing process.

[0099] In step 412, the suction device 100 transitions to a P2P connection mode. The P2P connection mode is a mode indicating a state in which a plurality of suction devices 100 are connected to each other via P2P and are capable of transmitting and receiving data.

[0100] In step 413, the suction device 100 notifies the user that the establishment of the P2P connection has been completed (that is, that the device has transitioned to the P2P connection mode). The completion of the establishment of the P2P connection may also mean that the device has transitioned to the P2P connection mode. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI indicating that the establishment of the P2P connection has been completed (that the device has transitioned to the P2P connection mode). The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that the establishment of the P2P connection has been completed (that the device has transitioned to the P2P connection mode) by, for example, causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. Furthermore, the notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that the establishment of the P2P connection has been completed (that the device has transitioned to the P2P connection mode) by, for example, vibrating a vibration device in a predetermined manner. Furthermore, if the suction device 100 is equipped with a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 notifies the user of the transition to the P2P mode by, for example, displaying information indicating that the establishment of the P2P connection has been completed (transition to the P2P connection mode) on the display. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user of the completion of the establishment of the P2P connection (transition to the P2P connection mode).

[0101] In addition, when the suction device 100 is in P2P mode or P2P connection mode, if it transitions to a predetermined state (predetermined mode), such as when the heating unit 121 is heating or when it is connecting to a user terminal (not shown), it may cancel the P2P mode or P2P connection mode.

[0102] As described above, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure transmits a connection request signal when the number of times that it has been detected as another suction device 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times. Note that the certain period of time may be any period of time, such as 10 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute.

[0103] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each suction device 100 is configured to establish a P2P connection when a user of the suction device 100 performs a first action. For example, when user A and user B wish to connect their suction devices 100A and 100B, user A may perform the first action on suction device 100A while user B may perform the first action on suction device 100B while they are relatively close to each other (e.g., approximately 1 meter). It is highly likely that user A and user B will be in a relatively close proximity for a certain period of time until the communication connection between suction device 100A and suction device 100B is completed. That is, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction devices 100 that the users wish to connect to each other will be in a relatively close proximity for a certain period of time.

[0104] If a suction device 100 is detected as another suction device 100 only once, for example, and sends a connection request signal, if another suction device 100 that happens to be nearby is in P2P mode, it may immediately send the connection request signal and the two devices may become connected to communicate with each other.

[0105] In contrast, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure transmits a connection request signal when the number of times it has detected another suction device 100 (suction device B) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, assuming that the other suction device is nearby (within a relatively short distance). Each time the suction device 100 receives an advertising packet, it determines whether the advertising packet satisfies a predetermined condition, and if the predetermined condition is met, it detects the other suction device 100. That is, for the number of detections to be equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the suction device 100 must receive advertising packets that satisfy the predetermined condition from the other suction device 100 a predetermined number of times. For the suction device 100 to receive advertising packets that satisfy the predetermined condition from the other suction device 100 a predetermined number of times, the suction device 100 and the other suction device 100 must be nearby (within a relatively short distance) for a certain period of time. As described above, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, suction devices 100 that wish to connect to each other are likely to be relatively close to each other for a certain period of time. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the number of times that the suction device 100 is detected as another suction device 100 (suction device B) is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, a connection request signal is transmitted, thereby enabling a communication connection to be established between the suction device 100 and a desired other suction device 100 that has been present within a relatively close distance to the suction device 100 for a certain period of time.

[0106] On the other hand, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure does not transmit a connection request signal to other suction devices 100 that have been detected less than a predetermined number of times, and does not establish a communication connection with the other suction devices 100. Other suction devices 100 that have been detected less than a predetermined number of times are other suction devices 100 that have not been present within a relatively close distance to the suction device 100 for a certain period of time, and are likely to be other suction devices 100 that happened to be present nearby. In other words, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure can prevent the establishment of a communication connection with other suction devices 100 that happened to be present nearby. In this way, when the suction devices of the present disclosure are connected via P2P, a technology can be provided that allows desired suction devices to connect with each other.

[0107] 2-2 Processing Example When Predetermined Data is Transmitted and Received FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example when at least one of a plurality of suction devices transmits and receives predetermined data via a P2P connection. The processing example illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed, for example, after the processing example illustrated in FIG. 4. The processing example illustrated in FIG. 5 shows a processing example of two suction devices 100 (suction device A and suction device B), including interactions with the users of these suction devices (user A and user B). Note that in FIG. 5, when it is not necessary to distinguish between suction device A and suction device B in terms of processing, the term "suction device 100" will be used in the description. Also, when it is not necessary to distinguish between user A and user B in terms of processing, the term "user" will be used in the description.

[0108] In step 501 (also in FIG. 5, "step" is abbreviated as "S"), the suction device 100 and another suction device 100 are in a state where they can be connected to each other via P2P, that is, in a P2P connection mode.

[0109] In step 502, the suction device A detects a second action by the user. The second action is an action performed by the user of the suction device A on the suction device A. The second action is an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the suction device A. For example, the second action is an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the suction device A a predetermined number of times and / or for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of times may be one or more times. The predetermined period of time can be set to any time, for example, one second.

[0110] The second action may be any action that the user performs on the suction device A. The second action may be, for example, an action of the user shaking the suction device A, an action of tracing a predetermined path or characters using the suction device A, or an action of tapping the suction device A. The second action is not limited to these and may be any action. The second action may be an action different from the first action or the same action as the first action.

[0111] The suction device A includes a sensor (such as a motion sensor or an acceleration sensor) for detecting the movement of the suction device A, and uses the sensor to detect a second action on the suction device A. For example, the motion sensor of the suction device A detects the user shaking the suction device A.

[0112] For example, a user performs a second action when the user wants to receive predetermined data from another suction device 100 used by another user in the suction device 100 that the user is using. When the suction device 100 detects the second action, the suction device 100 executes a process to receive the predetermined data from the other suction device 100.

[0113] In step 503, suction device A transmits a request to transmit predetermined data to suction device B. The request to transmit predetermined data is a signal requesting suction device B to transmit the predetermined data to itself (suction device A). Suction device B receives the transmission request transmitted from suction device A.

[0114] In step 504, when the suction device B receives the transmission request from the suction device A, the suction device B transmits an acknowledgment to the transmission request to the suction device A based on the fact that the predetermined data can be transmitted. The acknowledgment to the transmission request indicates, for example, that the predetermined data can be transmitted. The suction device A receives the acknowledgment transmitted from the suction device B.

[0115] In step 505, the suction device 100 notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received. Since suction device A is the receiving side, it notifies the user that predetermined data will be received. Furthermore, since suction device B is the transmitting side, it notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI (User Interface) indicating that predetermined data will be transmitted and received. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. Furthermore, the notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received, for example, by vibrating a vibration device in a predetermined manner. Furthermore, if the suction device 100 has a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113, for example, displays information indicating that predetermined data will be transmitted and received on the display, thereby notifying the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received.

[0116] In step 506, the suction device 100 resets the timer for terminating the process for initiating and maintaining the P2P connection due to a timeout. The suction device 100 may, for example, reset the timer and start it again. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may, for example, extend the remaining time of the timer. If the timer times out, the suction device 100 terminates the process for initiating and maintaining the P2P connection.

[0117] In step 507, the suction device B transmits predetermined data to the suction device A. The suction device A receives the predetermined data transmitted from the suction device B. The predetermined data may be transmitted and received in one go, or may be divided into multiple transmissions. For example, if the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 may divide the heating profile into multiple pieces of data and transmit and receive the data in multiple transmissions.

[0118] In step 508, the suction device A stores the predetermined data received from the suction device B. The suction device A stores the predetermined data received from the suction device B in a first storage area 301, which is an area among the multiple storage areas of the storage unit 114 for storing predetermined data received from other suction devices 100. For example, if the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device A stores the heating profile received from the suction device B in the first storage area 301 of the storage unit 114.

[0119] In step 509, the suction device A changes its own settings. Specifically, the suction device A changes the setting information stored in the fourth memory area 304 of the memory unit 114. For example, the suction device A changes the setting information stored in the fourth memory area 304 of the memory unit 114 to information indicating the first memory area 301 of the memory unit 114. If the setting information is an identifier assigned to each of the first memory area 301 to the third memory area 303, the suction device A changes the identifier stored in the fourth memory area 304 of the memory unit 114 to the first identifier assigned to the first memory area 301. As a result, if the specified data is a heating profile, the control unit 116 of the suction device A can use the first heating profile stored in the first memory area 301 when performing the heating process.

[0120] In this way, when the suction device 100 receives predetermined data from another suction device 100, it changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to setting information indicating the third storage area 303 in which the received predetermined data is stored. This allows the suction device 100 to execute a predetermined process using the predetermined data when it receives the predetermined data from the other suction device 100. For example, when the suction device 100 receives a heating profile from the other suction device 100, it changes the identifier stored in the fourth storage area 304 to a third identifier indicating the third storage area 303 in which the received heating profile is stored. This allows the suction device 100 to execute a heating process using the heating profile when it receives a heating profile from the other suction device 100.

[0121] In step 510, when the suction device A has completed changing the settings of its own device, it sends a setting change completion notification indicating that the setting change has been completed to the suction device B. By receiving the setting change completion notification, the suction device B can confirm that the setting change has been completed in the suction device A. Note that step 510 may be omitted.

[0122] In step 511, when the suction device A has completed receiving the predetermined data or when the suction device A has completed changing the settings of its own device, it sends a predetermined data reception completion notification indicating that the reception of the predetermined data has been completed to the suction device B. By receiving the predetermined data reception completion notification, the suction device B can confirm that the reception of the predetermined data has been completed in the suction device A.

[0123] In step 512, when the suction device B receives the notification that the predetermined data has been received, the suction device B transmits a P2P connection termination request to the suction device A to request the termination of the P2P connection.

[0124] In step 513, the suction device A and the suction device B terminate the P2P connection. In this case, the suction device A and the suction device B may transmit and receive a P2P connection termination notification to each other, indicating that the P2P connection has been terminated.

[0125] In step 514, the suction device 100 notifies the user that the P2P connection has been completed. For example, the suction device 100 notifies the user that transmission and reception of predetermined data via the P2P connection has been completed. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI indicating that the P2P connection has been completed. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that the P2P connection has been completed, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user that the P2P connection has been completed, for example, by vibrating a vibration device in a predetermined manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113, for example, displays information indicating that the P2P connection has been completed on the display, thereby notifying the user that transmission and reception of predetermined data via the P2P connection has been completed. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that the P2P connection has been completed.

[0126] The suction device 100 of the present disclosure can transmit and receive predetermined data among multiple suction devices connected to each other via P2P, and can cause the predetermined data held by one suction device 100 to be held by another suction device 100. For example, if the predetermined data is a heating profile, the heating profile held by one suction device 100 can be held by the other suction device 100. As a result, the other suction device 100 can heat its own heating unit 121 based on the heating profile held by the first suction device 100. In this way, when the suction devices of the present disclosure are connected via P2P, a technology can be provided that allows desired suction devices to transmit and receive predetermined data to and from each other.

[0127] 2-3 Processing Example When P2P Connection Processing is Cancelled Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example when at least one of a plurality of suction devices cancels P2P connection processing. The processing example illustrated in Figure 6 is executed, for example, after the processing example illustrated in Figure 3. Note that in Figure 6, the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from Figure 5. Also in Figure 6, "step" is abbreviated as "S".

[0128] Steps 601 to 603 in FIG. 6 are similar to steps 501 to 503 in FIG. 5, and therefore will be explained briefly.

[0129] In step 601, the suction device 100 and another suction device 100 are in a state where they can be connected to each other via P2P, that is, in a P2P connection mode.

[0130] In step 602, suction device A detects a second action by the user.

[0131] In step 603, suction device A transmits a request to transmit predetermined data to suction device B. The request to transmit predetermined data is a signal requesting that another suction device transmit predetermined data to the suction device. The request to transmit predetermined data may also be a signal requesting that a suction device receive predetermined data from another suction device. The request to transmit predetermined data is, for example, a signal from suction device A requesting suction device B to transmit predetermined data to its own device (suction device A). The request to transmit predetermined data is, for example, a signal requesting that suction device A receive predetermined data from suction device B. Suction device B receives the transmission request transmitted from suction device A.

[0132] In step 604, when suction device B receives a transmission request from suction device A, it sends a negative response to the transmission request to suction device A based on the fact that suction device B does not hold the specified data that can be transmitted to suction device A. Note that even if suction device B holds the specified data, it may send a negative response to the transmission request to suction device A based on the fact that it cannot transmit the specified data to suction device A due to the occurrence of an error or other reason. The negative response to the transmission request indicates, for example, that it does not hold the specified data or that it cannot transmit the specified data. Suction device A receives the negative response sent from suction device B.

[0133] In step 605, if the suction device A receives a negative response to the transmission request, it transmits a P2P connection termination request to the suction device B to request termination of the P2P connection.

[0134] In step 606, the suction device A and the suction device B terminate the P2P connection. In this case, the suction device A and the suction device B may transmit and receive a P2P connection termination notification to each other, indicating that the P2P connection has been terminated.

[0135] In step 607, the suction device 100 notifies the user of error information indicating that the connected suction device 100 does not hold the specified data to be transmitted. For example, the suction device 100 notifies the user of error information indicating that the specified data to be transmitted is not held. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI showing information regarding the error indicating that the specified data to be transmitted is not held. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user of information regarding the error indicating that the specified data to be transmitted is not held, for example, by emitting light from an LED in a specified manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user of information regarding the error indicating that the specified data to be transmitted is not held, for example, by vibrating a vibration device in a specified manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113, for example, displays information regarding the error indicating that the specified data to be transmitted is not held on the display, thereby notifying the user of information regarding the error indicating that the specified data to be transmitted is not held. Any method may be used to notify the user of information relating to an error indicating that the suction device 100 does not hold the predetermined data to be transmitted.

[0136] The suction device 100 of the present disclosure notifies other suction devices 100 with which it is P2P connected that it does not hold predetermined data that it can transmit, or that it cannot transmit the predetermined data due to an error, etc. Therefore, when the suction device 100 cannot transmit or receive the predetermined data, it can execute a process to terminate the P2P connection.

[0137] 2-4 Processing example when the suction device 100 transmits and receives predetermined data Fig. 7A is a flowchart (part 1) showing a processing example when the suction device 100 connected via P2P transmits and receives predetermined data. Fig. 7B is a flowchart (part 2) showing a processing example when the suction device 100 connected via P2P transmits and receives predetermined data.

[0138] In step 701, the suction device 100 checks whether a second action by the user has been detected. The suction device 100 detects the second action by the user, for example, using the control unit 116 and / or the sensor unit 112. If the suction device 100 detects the second action by the user (YES in step 701), the suction device 100 proceeds to step 702. On the other hand, if the suction device 100 does not detect the second action (NO in step 701), the suction device 100 repeats the check in step 701, for example, at predetermined intervals. The suction device 100 may be configured to execute the process of detecting the second action by the user only when the second action by the user has been detected.

[0139] In step 702, the suction device 100 transmits a transmission request requesting the transmission of predetermined data to another suction device 100 connected via P2P. The transmission request is, for example, a signal requesting that predetermined data be transmitted to the suction device 100 itself. The transmission request may also be a signal requesting the reception of predetermined data. Before transmitting the transmission request, the suction device 100 may check whether the other suction device 100 holds predetermined data that can be transmitted. In this case, the suction device 100 may transmit a transmission request for the predetermined data only if the other suction device 100 holds predetermined data that can be transmitted.

[0140] In step 703, the suction device 100 determines whether or not it has received a positive response from another suction device 100. The positive response is sent to the suction device 100 based on the fact that the other suction device 100 that received the transmission request is able to transmit the specified data. If the suction device 100 has received a positive response (YES in step 703), the suction device 100 proceeds to step 704. On the other hand, if the suction device 100 has not received a positive response (NO in step 703), the suction device 100 proceeds to step 718.

[0141] In step 718, the suction device 100 notifies the user of error information indicating that the connected suction device 100 does not hold the specified data to be transmitted. Thereafter, the suction device 100 ends the process.

[0142] In step 704, the suction device 100 notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 displays a UI indicating that predetermined data will be transmitted and received, for example, based on receiving a positive response from another suction device 100. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received, for example, by vibrating a vibration device in a predetermined manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 notifies the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received by, for example, displaying information indicating that predetermined data will be transmitted and received on the display. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that predetermined data will be transmitted and received.

[0143] In step 705, the suction device 100 resets a timer for terminating the process for initiating and maintaining a P2P connection due to a timeout. The suction device 100 may, for example, reset the timer and start it again. Alternatively, the suction device 100 may, for example, extend the remaining time of the timer. If the timer times out, the suction device 100 terminates the process for initiating and maintaining a P2P connection.

[0144] In step 706, the suction device 100 receives predetermined data transmitted from another suction device 100. The predetermined data may be received in one go, or may be received in multiple segments. For example, if the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 may receive the heating profile, which is divided into multiple pieces of data, in multiple segments.

[0145] In step 707, the suction device 100 stores the predetermined data transmitted from the other suction device 100 in a first storage area 301, which is an area among the multiple storage areas of the storage unit 114 for storing predetermined data received from the other suction device 100. For example, if the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 stores the heating profile received from the other suction device 100 in the first storage area 301 of the storage unit 114.

[0146] In step 708, the suction device 100 changes its own setting information. For example, when the suction device 100 receives predetermined data from another suction device 100, it changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to setting information indicating the first storage area 301 in which the received predetermined data is stored. This allows the suction device 100 to execute a predetermined process using the predetermined data when it receives the predetermined data from the other suction device 100. For example, when the suction device 100 receives a heating profile from the other suction device 100, it changes the identifier stored in the fourth storage area 304 to a first identifier indicating the first storage area 301 in which the received heating profile is stored. This allows the suction device 100 to execute a heating process using the first heating profile.

[0147] In step 709, when the suction device 100 has completed changing the settings of its own device, it transmits a setting change completion notification indicating that the setting change has been completed to the other suction devices 100. By receiving the setting change completion notification, the other suction devices 100 can confirm that the setting change has been completed in the suction device 100. Note that step 709 may be omitted.

[0148] In step 710, when the suction device 100 has completed receiving the predetermined data or when the suction device 100 has completed changing its own settings, it transmits a predetermined data reception completion notification indicating that the reception of the predetermined data has been completed to the other suction devices 100. By receiving the predetermined data reception completion notification, the other suction devices 100 can confirm that the reception of the predetermined data has been completed in the suction device 100.

[0149] In step 711, the suction device 100 terminates the P2P connection when it receives a P2P connection termination request for requesting termination of the P2P connection from another suction device 100. In this case, the suction device 100 may transmit a P2P connection termination notification indicating that the P2P connection has been terminated to the other suction device 100.

[0150] In step 712, the suction device 100 notifies the user that the P2P connection has ended. The suction device 100 notifies the user, for example, that transmission and reception of predetermined data via the P2P connection has been completed. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI indicating that the P2P connection has ended. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that the P2P connection has ended, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user that the P2P connection has ended, for example, by vibrating a vibration device in a predetermined manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 notifies the user that the P2P connection has ended by, for example, displaying information indicating that the P2P connection has ended on the display. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that the P2P connection has ended.

[0151] In step 713, the suction device 100 detects a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is a condition for the suction device 100 to execute a predetermined process. For example, the predetermined condition is a condition indicating the start of a heating process by the suction device 100. When the suction device 100 detects the predetermined condition, it can start the heating process by the heating unit 121. The predetermined condition may be, for example, detection of a third action by the user. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be detection of insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the internal space 141 of the suction device 100.

[0152] The suction device 100 can detect a third action by the user as a predetermined condition. The third action by the user is an action performed by the user of the suction device 100 on the suction device 100. The third action is, for example, an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the suction device 100. For example, the third action is an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the suction device 100 a predetermined number of times and / or for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of times may be one or more times. The predetermined period of time can be set to any time, for example, two seconds.

[0153] The third action may be any action that the user performs on the suction device A. The third action may be, for example, a user shaking the suction device 100, tracing a predetermined path or characters using the suction device 100, or tapping the suction device 100. The third action is not limited to these and may be any action. The third action may be different from the first action and the second action, or may be the same as at least one of the first action and the second action. The suction device 100 includes a sensor (such as a motion sensor or an acceleration sensor) for detecting the movement of the suction device 100, and uses the sensor to detect the third action on the suction device 100. For example, a motion sensor of the suction device 100 detects a user shaking the suction device 100.

[0154] The suction device 100 can detect, as a predetermined condition, that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the internal space 141 of the suction device 100. The insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the internal space 141 of the suction device 100 can be detected by a change in the temperature or resistance value of the heating unit 121. The stick-shaped substrate 150 can also be detected by detecting a change in capacitance due to the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150, or by a change in magnetic field or magnetism due to the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150. The stick-shaped substrate 150 can also be detected by detecting the presence or absence of the stick-shaped substrate 150 using an infrared sensor. The method of detecting the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not limited to these examples and can be performed by any method.

[0155] In step 714, the suction device 100 refers to the fourth storage area 304 and identifies the storage area indicated by the setting information. For example, the suction device 100 refers to the fourth storage area 304 and identifies the storage area indicated by the identifier from among the first storage area 301 to the third storage area 303 based on the stored identifier. In step 708, the fourth storage area 304 stores a first identifier indicating the first storage area 301. Therefore, the suction device 100 refers to the fourth storage area 304 and identifies the first storage area 301 based on the stored first identifier.

[0156] In step 715, the suction device 100 executes a predetermined process using the predetermined data stored in the identified storage area. If the predetermined process is a heating process and the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 executes the heating process using the heating profile stored in the identified storage area. For example, the suction device 100 executes the heating process using the third heating profile stored in the first storage area 301 identified in step 713. In step 707, the first storage area 301 stores the first heating profile received from the other suction device 100. Therefore, the suction device 100 executes the heating process using the first heating profile stored in the first storage area 301. That is, after receiving the heating profile from the other suction device 100, the suction device 100 can execute the heating process using the received heating profile based on the first action.

[0157] In step 716, the suction device 100 determines whether the predetermined process has been completed. If the predetermined process is a heating process, the suction device 100 determines whether the heating process has been completed. If the suction device 100 determines that the predetermined process has been completed (YES in step 716), the suction device 100 proceeds to step 717. If the predetermined process is a heating process, the suction device 100 determines that the heating process has been completed (NO in step 716), the suction device 100 continues to determine whether the predetermined process has been completed. The suction device 100 may, for example, periodically determine whether the predetermined process has been completed. If the predetermined process is a heating process, the suction device 100 determines that the heating process has not been completed, and continues to determine whether the heating process has been completed.

[0158] In step 717, the suction device 100 changes its own setting information again. For example, the suction device 100 changes the setting information stored in the fourth memory area 304 to setting information indicating the second memory area 302 or the third memory area 303. In step 708, setting information indicating the first memory area 301 was set in the fourth memory area 304. Therefore, in step 717, the suction device 100 changes the setting information indicating the first memory area 301 to setting information indicating the second memory area 302 or the third memory area 303.

[0159] The setting information changed in step 717 may be the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 before the setting information was changed to the setting information indicating the first storage area 301 in step 708. For example, if setting information indicating the third storage area 303 was stored in the fourth storage area 304 before the setting information indicating the first storage area 301 was changed in step 708, the suction device 100 changes the setting information to the setting information indicating the third storage area 303 in step 717. This allows the suction device 100 to restore the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to the state before receiving predetermined data from another suction device 100. In this way, once the suction device 100 uses the predetermined data received from another suction device 100 for a predetermined process, it can thereafter restore the setting information in the fourth storage area 304 to the state before receiving the predetermined data from the other suction device 100. This allows the suction device 100 to prevent the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 from being repeatedly used for a predetermined process.

[0160] If the predetermined data is a heating profile, in step 708, when the suction device 100 receives the heating profile from the other suction device 100, the suction device 100 changes the identifier stored in the fourth storage area 304 to a first identifier indicating the first storage area 301. This enables the suction device 100 to perform a heating process using the first heating profile received from the other suction device 100 in steps 714 and 715. Thereafter, when the heating process is completed, the suction device 100 changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 back to the state before receiving the heating profile from the other suction device 100 in step 717. For example, if a third identifier was stored before receiving the heating profile from the other suction device 100, the suction device 100 changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 back to the third identifier. As a result, when the suction device 100 performs a heating process using the first heating profile, the next heating process can use the second or third heating profile that was used for the heating process before receiving a heating profile from another suction device 100. In this way, the suction device 100 is configured to use the second or third heating profile that was used before receiving the first heating profile when performing the next heating process after using the first heating profile once. Therefore, the suction device 100 can prevent the heating profile received from another suction device 100 from being repeatedly used for heating processes.

[0161] Note that step 717 does not have to be executed. In this case, the suction device 100 can repeatedly use the predetermined data received from another suction device 100 for the predetermined process. In this case, the setting information stored in the fourth memory area 304 can be configured to be changeable, for example, based on a user's operation on the suction device 100 or a request from the user terminal 200.

[0162] The suction device 100 of the present disclosure can receive predetermined data from another suction device 100 connected via P2P based on the second action. Furthermore, upon receiving the predetermined data from the other suction device 100, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to setting information indicating the first storage area 301 in which the received predetermined data is stored. This allows the suction device 100 to execute a predetermined process using the received predetermined data based on the third action after receiving the predetermined data from the other suction device 100. Furthermore, after completing the predetermined process, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure resets the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to the setting information that was stored in the fourth storage area 304 before changing it to setting information indicating the first storage area 301. This allows the suction device 100 to restore the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to the state it was in before receiving the predetermined data from the other suction device 100.

[0163] If the specified data is a heating process and the specified process is a heating process, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure receives a heating profile from another suction device 100 connected via P2P based on the second action and stores the heating profile in the first storage area 301. Furthermore, in response to receiving the heating profile from the other suction device 100, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to a first identifier indicating the first storage area 301. This enables the suction device 100 to perform a heating process using the first heating profile based on the third action. Furthermore, after the heating process is completed, the suction device 100 of the present disclosure changes the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 back to the second or third identifier that was stored in the fourth storage area 304 before changing the identifier to the first identifier. This allows the suction device 100 to return the setting information stored in the fourth storage area 304 to the state before receiving the heating profile from the other suction device 100.

[0164] 2-5 Example of processing when a suction device 100 changes the storage area of ​​specified data received from another suction device 100 Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing when at least one of multiple suction devices changes the storage area of ​​specified data received from another suction device.

[0165] 7A, the suction device 100 stores predetermined data received from another suction device 100 in the first storage area 301 of the storage unit 114. Once the predetermined data received from another suction device 100 and stored in the first storage area 301 of the storage unit 114 is used once, the setting information in the fourth storage area 304 is reset thereafter, thereby preventing the data from being used repeatedly for predetermined processing.

[0166] However, it is also conceivable that a user may wish to repeatedly use predetermined data received from another suction device 100 for a predetermined process. Therefore, the suction device 100 can be configured to store other data received from another suction device 100, stored in the first storage area 301 of the storage unit 114, in the second storage area 302 of the storage unit 114, in response to a user request, for example. The predetermined data stored in the second storage area 302 of the storage unit 114 can be used for a predetermined process at any time in response to a user request. Specifically, the suction device 100 can change the setting information in the fourth storage area 304 to setting information indicating the second storage area 302 in response to a user request, in response to a user request. Therefore, by storing the predetermined data received from another suction device 100, stored in the first storage area 301 of the storage unit 114, in the second storage area 302 of the storage unit 114, the suction device 100 can use the data for a predetermined process at any time in response to a user request. This allows predetermined data received from other suction devices 100 to be repeatedly used for predetermined processing.

[0167] Specifically, Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing when the suction device 100 re-stores specified data received from another suction device 100 stored in the first memory area 301 in the second memory area 302.

[0168] In step 801, the user terminal 200 receives a request for predetermined data from a user. The request for predetermined data may be, for example, a request to enable repeated use of predetermined data received from another suction device 100. The request for predetermined data may also be, for example, a request to change the storage area for the predetermined data received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302. The user terminal 200 receives the request for predetermined data from a user using, for example, the UI of the user terminal 200. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the request for predetermined data may be a request to repeatedly use the heating profile received from another suction device 100. The request for predetermined data may also be, for example, a request to change the storage area for the heating profile received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302.

[0169] In step 802, when the user terminal 200 receives a request for predetermined data, it transmits a transmission request to the suction device 100 to cause the suction device 100 to transmit the predetermined data received from another suction device 100. For example, the user terminal 200 transmits a transmission request to the suction device 100 to cause the suction device 100 to transmit the predetermined data stored in the first memory area 301. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, for example, the user terminal 200 transmits a transmission request to the suction device 100 to cause the suction device 100 to transmit the heating profile stored in the first memory area 301 to the suction device 100.

[0170] In step 803, when the suction device 100 receives a request to send predetermined data from the user terminal 200, the suction device 100 reads the predetermined data from the first storage area 301. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 reads, from the first storage area 301, the heating profile received from another suction device 100.

[0171] In step 804, the suction device 100 transmits the predetermined data read from the first storage area 301 to the user terminal 200. The predetermined data may be transmitted in one go, or may be transmitted in multiple segments. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 may divide the heating profile read from the first storage area 301 into multiple pieces of data and transmit the divided data to the user terminal 200 in multiple segments. In step 804, the user terminal 200 receives the predetermined data from the suction device 100. The predetermined data may be received in one go, or may be received in multiple segments. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the user terminal 200 receives the heating profile from the suction device 100 in one go, or in multiple segments.

[0172] In step 805, the user terminal 200 temporarily stores in volatile or nonvolatile memory the predetermined data received from the suction device 100. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the user terminal 200 temporarily stores the heating profile received from the suction device 100 in volatile or nonvolatile memory.

[0173] In step 806, the user terminal 200 replies to the suction device 100 with the predetermined data that it received from the suction device 100 and temporarily stored. The predetermined data may be transmitted in one go, or may be transmitted in multiple sends. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the user terminal 200 replies to the suction device 100 with the heating profile that it received from the suction device 100 and temporarily stored. In step 804, the suction device 100 receives the predetermined data transmitted from the user terminal 200. The predetermined data may be received in one go, or may be transmitted in multiple sends. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 receives the heating profile transmitted from the user terminal 200 in one go or in multiple sends.

[0174] In step 807, the suction device 100 stores the predetermined data returned from the user terminal 200 in the second storage area 302. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 stores the heating profile returned from the user terminal 200 in the second storage area 302. The predetermined data stored in the second storage area 302 of the storage unit 114 can be used for predetermined processing at any time in response to a request from the user. Therefore, by changing the storage area for predetermined data received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302 in the suction device 100, the user can use the predetermined data received from another suction device 100 for predetermined processing at any time.

[0175] In step 808, when the suction device 100 stores the specified data received from the user terminal 200 in the second memory area 302, it sends a completion notification to the user terminal 200 indicating that the storage has been completed.

[0176] In step 809, when the user terminal 200 receives a completion notification from the suction device 100, it notifies the user that the user's request has been completed. The user terminal 200 notifies the user, for example, that the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 can now be used repeatedly. The user terminal 200 also notifies the user, for example, that the change of the storage area for the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302 has been completed. The user terminal 200 displays information indicating that the user's request has been completed on the display. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user that the user's request has been completed.

[0177] In step 810, the suction device 100 notifies the user that the request from the user has been completed. The suction device 100 notifies the user, for example, that the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 can now be used repeatedly. The suction device 100 also notifies the user, for example, that the change of the storage area for the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302 has been completed. The suction device 100 displays information indicating that the request from the user has been completed on the display. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that the request from the user has been completed.

[0178] In this way, by changing the storage area of ​​the suction device 100 for specified data received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302, the user can use the specified data received from the other suction device 100 for specified processing at any time.

[0179] 9 is a sequence diagram showing another example of processing when at least one of a plurality of suction devices changes the storage area for predetermined data received from another suction device. Specifically, it is a sequence diagram showing another example of processing when the suction device 100 re-stores the predetermined data received from another suction device 100, which is stored in the first storage area 301, in the second storage area 302.

[0180] In step 901, the user terminal 200 receives a request for predetermined data from a user. The request for predetermined data is, for example, a request to enable repeated use of predetermined data received from another suction device 100. The request for predetermined data may be, for example, a request to change the storage area for the predetermined data received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302. The user terminal 200 receives the request for predetermined data from a user, for example, using the UI of the user terminal 200. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the request for predetermined data may be a request to repeatedly use the heating profile received from another suction device 100. The request for predetermined data may be, for example, a request to change the storage area for the heating profile received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302.

[0181] In step 902, when the user terminal 200 receives a request for predetermined data, it transmits to the suction device 100 a change request to change the storage area of ​​the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the user terminal 200 transmits to the suction device 100 a change request to change the storage area of ​​the heating profile received from the other suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302.

[0182] In step 903, when the suction device 100 receives a request to send predetermined data from the user terminal 200, the suction device 100 reads the predetermined data from the first storage area 301. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 reads the heating profile received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301.

[0183] In step 904, the suction device 100 stores the predetermined data read from the first storage area 301 in the second storage area 302. If the predetermined data is a heating profile, the suction device 100 stores the heating profile read from the first storage area 301 in the second storage area 302. The predetermined data stored in the second storage area 302 of the storage unit 114 can be used for predetermined processing at any time in response to a request from a user. Therefore, by changing the storage area for predetermined data received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302 in the suction device 100, the user can use the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 for predetermined processing at any time.

[0184] In step 905, when the suction device 100 stores the specified data received from the user terminal 200 in the second memory area 302, it sends a completion notification to the user terminal 200 indicating that the storage has been completed.

[0185] In step 906, when the user terminal 200 receives a completion notification from the suction device 100, it notifies the user that the user's request has been completed. The user terminal 200 notifies the user, for example, that the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 can now be used repeatedly. The user terminal 200 also notifies the user, for example, that the change of the storage area for the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302 has been completed. The user terminal 200 displays information indicating that the user's request has been completed on the display. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user that the user's request has been completed.

[0186] In step 907, when the suction device 100 receives a completion notification from the suction device 100, it notifies the user that the user's request has been completed. The suction device 100 notifies the user, for example, that the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 can now be used repeatedly. The suction device 100 also notifies the user, for example, that the change of the storage area for the predetermined data received from the other suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302 has been completed. The suction device 100 displays information indicating that the user's request has been completed on the display. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that the user's request has been completed.

[0187] In this way, by changing the storage area of ​​the suction device 100 for specified data received from another suction device 100 from the first storage area 301 to the second storage area 302, the user can use the specified data received from the other suction device 100 for specified processing at any time.

[0188] While one embodiment of the power supply unit, control method, and control program for the suction device of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0189] For example, the specific numerical values ​​described in the above-described embodiment are merely examples and are not limited to these.

[0190] The control method described in the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer (processor). The program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by being read from the storage medium. The program may be provided in a form stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. The computer that executes the program may be, for example, a computer included in the suction device 100 (e.g., a CPU included in the suction device 100), but is not limited thereto and may also be a computer included in another device that can communicate with the suction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone or a server).

[0191] This specification etc. describes at least the following items. In parentheses, components etc. corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment are shown as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0192] [Feature 1] A suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) comprising: a communication unit (communication unit 115, 115A, 115B) that communicates with another suction device; a heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A, 121B) that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate (cartridge 120, stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source; and a control unit (control unit 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of the heating unit, wherein the communication unit transmits a request to send predetermined data to the other suction device, and receives the predetermined data sent from the other suction device in response to the transmission request, and the control unit controls the operation of the heating unit using the predetermined data received from the other suction device.

[0193] [Feature 2] The suction device according to Feature 1, wherein the transmission request is a signal requesting that the other suction device transmits predetermined data to the suction device, or a signal requesting that the suction device receive predetermined data from the other suction device.

[0194] [Feature 3] The suction device according to Feature 1 or 2, wherein the communication unit receives a predetermined packet including information indicating that the other suction device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted, and transmits the transmission request to the other suction device based on the information included in the received predetermined packet and the confirmation that the other suction device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted.

[0195] [Feature 4] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit receives, in response to the transmission request, an affirmative response indicating that the other suction device is able to transmit the specified data, and after receiving the affirmative response, receives the specified data transmitted from the other suction device.

[0196] [Feature 5] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 4, wherein the communication unit receives a negative response indicating that the other suction device does not hold the specified data that can be transmitted as a response to the transmission request, and terminates communication with the other suction device in response to receiving the negative response.

[0197] [Feature 6] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 5, wherein the communication unit initiates a communication connection with the other suction device in response to receiving a first action from a user of the suction device, and transitions to a state in which the predetermined data can be received.

[0198] [Feature 7] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 6, wherein the communication unit transmits the transmission request to the other suction device in response to receiving a second action from a user of the suction device.

[0199] [Feature 8] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 7, wherein after receiving the predetermined data from the other suction device, the control unit controls the operation of the heating unit using the received predetermined data in response to accepting a third action from a user of the suction device.

[0200] [Feature 9] The suction device according to any one of Features 1 to 8, wherein the predetermined data is a heating profile indicating a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the substrate containing the aerosol source.

[0201] [Feature 10] A control method executed by a suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) including a communication unit (communication unit 115, 115A, 115B) that communicates with another suction device, a heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A, 121B) that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate (cartridge 120, stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source, and a control unit (control unit 116, 116A, 116B) that controls operation of the heating unit, the control method including: a step of transmitting a transmission request for predetermined data to the other suction device (step 702); a step of receiving the predetermined data transmitted from the other suction device in response to the transmission request (step 706); and a step of controlling operation of the heating unit using the predetermined data received from the other suction device (step 715).

[0202] [Feature 11] The control method according to Feature 10, wherein the transmission request is a signal requesting that the other suction device transmits predetermined data to the suction device, or a signal requesting that the suction device receive predetermined data from the other suction device.

[0203] [Feature 12] The control method according to Feature 10 or 11, further comprising a step (step 407) of receiving a predetermined packet including information indicating that the other suction device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted, and in the step of transmitting the transmission request, transmitting the transmission request to the other suction device based on confirmation that the other suction device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted based on the information included in the received predetermined packet.

[0204] [Feature 13] The control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a step (step 703) of receiving, in response to the transmission request, a positive response indicating that the other suction device is able to transmit the predetermined data, wherein in the step of receiving the predetermined data, after receiving the positive response, the predetermined data transmitted from the other suction device is received.

[0205] [Feature 14] The control method according to any one of Features 11 to 13, further comprising: a step (step 703) of receiving a negative response indicating that the other suction device does not hold the specified data that can be transmitted in response to the transmission request; and a step of terminating communication with the other suction device in response to receiving the negative response.

[0206] [Feature 15] A program causing a computer (controllers 116, 116A, 116B) that controls a suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B) that includes a communication unit (communication unit 115, 115A, 115B) that communicates with another suction device, a heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A, 121B) that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate (cartridge 120, stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source, and a control unit (controllers 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of the heating unit to execute the following steps: sending a request to the other suction device to send predetermined data (step 702); receiving the predetermined data sent from the other suction device in response to the request (step 706); and controlling the operation of the heating unit using the predetermined data received from the other suction device (step 715).

[0207] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Inhalation device 110 Power supply unit, 111 Power supply section (power source), 112 Sensor section 113 Notification section, 114 Memory section, 115 Communication section 116 Control section (computer) 120 Cartridge, 121 Heating section, 122 Liquid guide section, 123 Liquid storage section 124 Mouthpiece 130 Flavoring cartridge, 131 Flavor source 140 Storage section, 141 Internal space, 142 Opening, 143 Bottom section 150 Stick-shaped substrate, 151 Substrate section, 152 Mouthpiece section 180 Air flow path 301 First storage area, 302 Second storage area, 303 Third storage area, 304 Fourth storage area

Claims

1. An inhalation device, comprising: a communication unit for communicatingly connecting with another inhalation device; a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the heating unit, wherein the communication unit transmits a transmission request for predetermined data to the other inhalation device and receives the predetermined data transmitted from the other inhalation device in response to the transmission request, and the control unit controls the operation of the heating unit using the predetermined data received from the other inhalation device.

2. The inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request is a signal requesting the other inhalation device to transmit predetermined data to the inhalation device or a signal requesting the inhalation device to receive predetermined data from the other inhalation device.

3. The inhalation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication unit receives a predetermined packet including information indicating that the other inhalation device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted, and based on the confirmation that the other inhalation device holds the predetermined data that can be transmitted based on the information included in the received predetermined packet, the communication unit transmits the transmission request to the other inhalation device.

4. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication unit receives an affirmative response indicating that the other inhalation device can transmit the predetermined data as a response to the transmission request, and after receiving the affirmative response, the communication unit receives the predetermined data transmitted from the other inhalation device.

5. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication unit receives a negative response indicating that the other inhalation device does not hold the predetermined data that can be transmitted as a response to the transmission request, and in response to receiving the negative response, the communication unit terminates communication with the other inhalation device.

6. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication unit starts a communication connection with the other inhalation device in response to receiving a first action from a user of the inhalation device and transitions to a state where the predetermined data can be received.

7. The inhalation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication unit transmits the transmission request to the other inhalation device in response to receiving a second action from a user of the inhalation device.

8. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein after receiving the predetermined data from the other suction device, the control unit controls the operation of the heating unit using the received predetermined data in response to receiving a third action from the user of the suction device.

9. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the predetermined data is a heating profile indicating a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the substrate containing the aerosol source.

10. A control method executed by a suction device including a communication unit that communicates with another suction device, a heating unit that heats a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit, the method including: transmitting a transmission request for predetermined data to the other suction device; receiving the predetermined data transmitted from the other suction device in response to the transmission request; and controlling the operation of the heating unit using the predetermined data received from the other suction device.

11. The control method according to claim 10, wherein the transmission request is a signal requesting the other suction device to transmit predetermined data to the suction device, or a signal requesting the suction device to receive predetermined data from the other suction device.

12. The control method according to claim 10 or 11, further including receiving a predetermined packet including information indicating that the other suction device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted, and in the step of transmitting the transmission request, transmitting the transmission request to the other suction device based on confirming that the other suction device holds predetermined data that can be transmitted based on the information included in the received predetermined packet.

13. The control method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further including receiving an affirmative response indicating that the other suction device can transmit the predetermined data as a response to the transmission request, and in the step of receiving the predetermined data, receiving the predetermined data transmitted from the other suction device after receiving the affirmative response.

14. A step of receiving, as a response to the transmission request, a negative response indicating that the other suction device does not hold the predetermined data that can be transmitted; and a step of ending communication with the other suction device in response to receiving the negative response. The control method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising these steps.

15. A program for causing a computer that controls a suction device including a communication unit that communicates with another suction device, a heating unit that heats a base material containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol, and a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit, to execute: a step of transmitting a transmission request for predetermined data to the other suction device; a step of receiving the predetermined data transmitted from the other suction device in response to the transmission request; and a step of controlling the operation of the heating unit using the predetermined data received from the other suction device.

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