Computer-implemented method, system, and program

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for enabling a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a puff notification operation for notifying that the user has performed a puff action; displaying an evaluation input image for inputting an evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receiving an evaluation input operation by the user to input an evaluation on the evaluation input image.

Description

Computer implementation methods, systems, and programs

[0001] This disclosure relates to computer implementation methods, systems, and programs.

[0002] Conventionally, devices have been proposed that provide a customization mechanism that allows users to easily achieve their desired smoking taste. For example, the information processing device described in Patent Document 1 includes a control unit that controls a customization process that includes receiving the setting of parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, or the setting of an evaluation for the aerosol generated based on control information reflecting the set parameters. The customization process is the process of customizing the heating profile used by the inhalation device. The information processing device repeatedly executes the customization process until it generates a heating profile that achieves the user's desired smoking taste. By repeating the customization process, the heating profile can be gradually brought closer to the ideal heating profile that achieves the user's desired smoking taste. The customization process includes the information processing device receiving the user's setting of an evaluation for the smoking taste. In particular, the information processing device receives the user's setting of an evaluation for the aerosol generated based on a heating profile that reflects the target temperature set by the user. The customization process also includes the information processing device receiving the user's setting of a target temperature. In particular, the information processing device receives the setting of a target temperature for each puff timing. The information processing device generates a modified heating profile by changing the target temperature of the heating profile before modification based on the user's setting. The information processing device shall accept user input for flavor evaluation during a heating session, i.e., while the suction device is performing heating based on the heating profile. In this case, the user shall take a puff each time a puff timing occurs and set the flavor evaluation in the information processing device.

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 228279

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a user performs a puff and sets an evaluation of the taste in an information processing device every time a puff timing arrives. In other words, the user has to perform an evaluation of an aerosol by a puff operation at a designated timing. An object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to perform an evaluation of an aerosol by a puff operation at any timing of the user.

[0005] This disclosure provides a computer implementation method for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, the method comprising: receiving a puff notification operation to notify the user that a puff operation has been performed; displaying an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receiving an evaluation input operation for the user to input the evaluation on the evaluation input image. Here, the puff notification operation may be an operation to press an evaluation activation image to activate the evaluation input image. It may further include displaying the target temperature when the aerosol source was heated during the previous heating period. It may further include displaying a previous evaluation image representing the result of the evaluation during the previous heating period of the aerosol source. Furthermore, the puff notification operation is an operation to press an evaluation activation image to activate the evaluation input image, and the previous evaluation image may be placed on the same screen as the evaluation activation image. Furthermore, the previous evaluation image may be placed on a heating period image representing the previous heating period. Furthermore, the previous evaluation image, which represents the result of the evaluation at a specific time during the previous heating period, may be placed at a position on the heating period image corresponding to that specific time. Also, if the evaluation is an evaluation of multiple evaluation items, the previous evaluation image may be an image representing the result of the evaluation for one evaluation item selected from the multiple evaluation items. Also, if the evaluation is an evaluation of multiple evaluation items, the previous evaluation image may be an image consisting of multiple regions, each region representing the result of the evaluation for one of the multiple evaluation items. Furthermore, the image within the heating period image corresponding to the elapsed time during the current heating period of the aerosol source may be configured to change its appearance. Also, the image within the previous evaluation image, which is placed in the range where the appearance of the heating period image has changed, may be configured to change its appearance.The present invention further includes displaying a heating profile modification image for modifying the heating profile that defines the time-series transition of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source, and the heating profile modification image may be placed on the same screen as the current evaluation image that represents the result of the evaluation entered by the evaluation input operation. The present invention also further includes modifying the heating profile that defines the time-series transition of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source based on the result of the evaluation entered by the evaluation input operation. The present disclosure also provides a system for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, comprising a control unit, the control unit receiving a puff notification operation that notifies the user that a puff operation has been performed, displaying an evaluation input image for entering the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation, and receiving an evaluation input operation in which the user enters the evaluation on the evaluation input image. Furthermore, this disclosure also provides a program for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, which causes a computer to receive a puff notification operation that notifies the user that a puff operation has been performed, to display an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation, and to receive an evaluation input operation in which the user inputs the evaluation on the evaluation input image.

[0006] According to this disclosure, evaluation of aerosols can be performed by a puffing action at any time the user chooses.

[0007] This figure shows an example of the schematic configuration of the suction system according to the first embodiment. This figure schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the main unit. This figure schematically shows an example of the internal configuration of the terminal unit. This is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile. This figure shows an example of the initial reception screen displayed in the first customization process. This figure shows an example of the evaluation input screen. This figure shows an example of the evaluation input screen. This figure shows an example of the setting screen displayed in the customization process. This figure shows an example of all the timings at which the puff operation was performed in the first heating session. This flowchart shows an example of the customization process performed by the terminal unit. This flowchart shows an example of the target temperature setting process performed by the terminal unit. This figure shows an example of the Nth reception screen displayed in the Nth customization process. This figure shows an example of the Nth evaluation input screen. This figure shows an example of the Nth reception screen according to a modified example.

[0008] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the suction system 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 10. Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the internal configuration of the terminal unit 200. In Figures 1 and 2, the stick-type base material 150 is shown attached to the main unit 10. Furthermore, the internal configuration shown in Figure 2 is intended to explain the parts provided on the main unit 10 and their positional relationships. For this reason, the appearance of the parts shown in Figure 2 does not necessarily match the appearance shown in Figure 1.

[0009] The suction system 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a suction device 100 and a terminal device 200. The suction device 100 is a device that generates a substance to be aspirated by the user. Hereinafter, the substance generated by the suction device 100 will be described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the suction device 100 may be a gas. The suction device 100 generates an aerosol using a stick-type substrate 150. The stick-type substrate 150 is an example of a substrate containing an aerosol source. The suction device 100 is an example of an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating the aerosol source contained in the substrate.

[0010] The terminal device 200 is an information processing device that performs various information processing related to the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 is used by the user of the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 may be any device such as a smartphone, tablet, wearable device, or PC (Personal Computer). Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may be a charger for charging the suction device 100. The terminal device 200 is used to change the settings of the suction device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 receives user operations to change the settings of the suction device 100 and changes the settings of the suction device 100.

[0011] (Suction device 100) The suction device 100 consists of a main unit 10 and a slide cover 20 that can be slid along the top surface of the main unit 10. The main unit 10 has a power button 11 and an LED lamp 12. In this embodiment, the side on which the power button 11 is located may be referred to as the "front." In addition to the power button 11, the LED lamp 12 is also located on the front of the main unit 10. The power button 11 is used, for example, to instruct the start of heating of the stick-type substrate 150, to reset, and to instruct Bluetooth® pairing. For example, pressing and holding the power button 11 (for example, for 5 seconds or more) will perform a reset. In this embodiment, BLE (=Bluetooth Low Energy) is used as the Bluetooth. The LED lamp 12 is used, for example, to notify the operating status of the main unit 10 and the remaining battery level. The surface of the LED lamp 12 is covered with, for example, a light-transmitting material, allowing the user to observe the lighting status of the LED lamp 12. Operating status includes, for example, the progress of the heating session, the progress of charging, and errors.

[0012] Furthermore, the main unit 10 is provided with an insertion port 13 into which the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted. In this embodiment, the surface on which the insertion port 13 is provided may be referred to as the "top surface". In addition to the insertion port 13, the top surface of the main unit 10 is provided with an insertion port 14 for a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable used for charging the secondary battery. The stick-type substrate 150 contains a solid aerosol source housed in a paper tube molded into a roughly cylindrical shape. Therefore, the shape of the insertion port 13 is a circular shape that is almost the same as that of the stick-type substrate 150. The diameter of the opening of the insertion port 13 is such that the stick-type substrate 150 can be inserted. In other words, the diameter of the stick-type substrate 150 is such that it can be inserted into the insertion port 13. The USB cable insertion port 14 can be exemplified as being compatible with Type C, but is not limited to Type C.

[0013] The slide cover 20 has dimensions that cover approximately half of the top surface. When the slide cover 20 is operated to the open position, it completely hides the USB cable port 14, and when the slide cover 20 is operated to the closed position, it completely hides the port 13 of the stick-type base material 150. In other words, the slide cover 20 alternately hides either the port 13 of the stick-type base material 150 or the USB cable port 14. Figure 1 shows the slide cover 20 in the open position.

[0014] A magnet, for example, is attached to the back surface of the slide cover 20. Meanwhile, a Hall IC is mounted on the main unit 10 within the movable range of the slide cover 20. The Hall IC is a magnetic sensor composed of a Hall element and an operational amplifier, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field crossing the Hall element. In this embodiment, the opening and closing of the slide cover 20 is detected from the change in voltage output from the Hall IC as the slide cover 20 slides. That is, it is detected whether the slide cover 20 is in the open position or the closed position.

[0015] The internal configuration of the main unit 10 will be explained below, mainly using Figure 2. The main unit 10 consists of a power supply unit 101, a sensor unit 102, a notification unit 103, a storage unit 104, a communication unit 105, a control unit 106, a heating unit 107, a heat insulation unit 108, and a holding unit 109. Figure 2 shows the state in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is held in the holding unit 109. In this state, the user performs aerosol inhalation.

[0016] The power supply unit 101 is a unit that supplies power to each part. The power supply unit 101 stores power in, for example, a secondary battery. In this embodiment, a lithium-ion secondary battery is used. The secondary battery can be charged from an external power source. In this embodiment, the external power source is assumed to be, for example, a commercial power supply or a mobile battery.

[0017] The sensor unit 102 is an electronic component that detects various types of information related to the main unit 10. The sensor unit 102 includes, for example, a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor and a flow rate sensor. The sensor unit 102 also includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heating unit 107. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heating unit 107 based, for example, on the electrical resistance value of the conductive track of the heating unit 107.

[0018] The sensor unit 102 outputs the detected information to the control unit 106. For example, if it detects a change in air pressure or airflow associated with suction, the sensor unit 102 outputs a numerical value to the control unit 106 indicating that the user is suctioning an aerosol. The sensor unit 102 also outputs the detected electrical resistance value of the heating unit 107 to the control unit 106. The control unit 106 then calculates the temperature of the heating unit 107 based on the electrical resistance value.

[0019] The sensor unit 102 is provided in conjunction with, for example, a button or switch used to receive user input. The button here is the power button 11 (see Figure 1) mentioned above. The switch is the slide cover 20 (see Figure 1) mentioned above. When the sensor unit 102 detects user input, it outputs the input detection to the control unit 106.

[0020] The notification unit 103 is an electronic component that notifies the user of various information regarding the main unit 10. The notification unit 103 includes, for example, an LED lamp 12 (see Figure 1). The LED lamp 12 emits light in different patterns when the power supply unit 101 needs charging, when the power supply unit 101 is charging, or when an abnormality occurs in the main unit 10. These patterns include differences in color, differences in the timing of turning on and off, etc. The LED lamp 12 also includes multiple LEDs. Note that the LED lamp 12 is an example of a light-emitting device, and an LED is an example of a light-emitting element.

[0021] The notification unit 103 may include other devices used in conjunction with the light-emitting device, or used in place of the light-emitting device. Examples of such devices include display devices that display characters, images, or other information, sound output devices that output sound, and vibration devices that vibrate the main unit 10. In addition, the notification unit 103 may notify the user when it becomes possible to inhale the aerosol. This notification indicates that the temperature of the stick-type substrate 150 heated by the heating unit 107 has reached a predetermined temperature.

[0022] The memory unit 104 stores various information related to the operation of the main unit 10. The memory unit 104 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. The information stored in the memory unit 104 includes, for example, the OS (Operating System), FW (Firmware), and other programs. The information stored in the memory unit 104 also includes, for example, information related to the control of electronic components. The control information includes information related to user inhalation, such as the remaining charge of the secondary battery, SOH (State of Health), number of inhalations, inhalation time, and cumulative inhalation time.

[0023] The communication unit 105 is a communication interface for enabling communication between the main unit 10 and the terminal unit 200. The communication unit 105 communicates with other devices using a method compliant with any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of such communication standards include wireless LAN (Local Area Network), serial signal lines, Wi-Fi®, and Bluetooth®. For example, the communication unit 105 transmits information regarding user inhalation and heating profile information that defines the temperature change of the heating unit 107 in heating mode to the terminal unit 200. The communication unit 105 also downloads update programs and heating profiles from other devices (e.g., the terminal unit 200 or a server).

[0024] The control unit 106 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control unit, and controls the operation of the main unit 10 according to various programs. The transmission of control signals is performed through signal lines different from the power lines. For example, serial communication methods such as I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), and UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) are used for communication within the main unit 10.

[0025] The control unit 106 is implemented by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MCU (Micro Controller Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The control unit 106 may also include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and calculation parameters, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed.

[0026] The control unit 106 performs various processes and controls through the execution of a program. These processes and controls include, for example, power supply by the power supply unit 101, charging of the power supply unit 101, detection of information by the sensor unit 102, notification of information using the notification unit 103, writing of information to or reading of information from the storage unit 104, and sending and receiving information using the communication unit 105. In addition, the control unit 106 also controls the input of information to electronic components and processing based on information output from electronic components.

[0027] The holding portion 109 is a generally cylindrical container. In this embodiment, the space inside the holding portion 109, defined by the inner wall and bottom surface, is called the internal space 109A. The internal space 109A is generally columnar. The holding portion 109 is provided with an opening 109B that connects the internal space 109A to the outside. The stick-shaped base material 150 is inserted into the internal space 109A through this opening 109B. Here, the opening 109B corresponds to the insertion opening 13 of the stick-shaped base material 150 in Figure 1. The stick-shaped base material 150 is inserted until its tip touches the bottom 109C. Only a part of the stick-shaped base material 150 is housed in the internal space 109A. The state in which the stick-shaped base material 150 is housed in the internal space 109A is referred to as the stick-shaped base material 150 being held in the internal space 109A.

[0028] The holding portion 109 is formed so that its inner diameter in at least a portion of its axial direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the stick-shaped base material 150. Therefore, the outer circumferential surface of the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 109A is compressed from the inner wall of the holding portion 109. This compression holds the stick-shaped base material 150 in the internal space 109A. The holding portion 109 also has the function of defining the airflow path through the stick-shaped base material 150. The air inlet, which is the air entrance to the flow path, is located, for example, at the bottom portion 109C. The opening 109B is the air outlet, which is the air exit.

[0029] In this embodiment, only a portion of the stick-shaped base material 150 is held by the holding portion 109, while the rest protrudes out of the housing. Hereinafter, the portion held by the holding portion 109 will be referred to as the base material portion 150A, and the portion protruding from the housing will be referred to as the mouthpiece portion 150B. At least the base material portion 150A contains an aerosol source. The aerosol source is a substance that is atomized by heating and generates an aerosol. The aerosol source includes shredded tobacco, processed products made by molding tobacco raw materials into granules, sheets, or powders, and other tobacco-derived substances.

[0030] Furthermore, the aerosol source may also contain non-tobacco-derived substances made from plants other than tobacco, such as mint or herbs. For example, the aerosol source may contain fragrance components such as menthol. If the main device 10 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may contain medication for the patient to inhale. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid; for example, it may be a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water.

[0031] At least a portion of the mouthpiece 150B is held in the user's mouth during suction. When the user holds the mouthpiece 150B in their mouth and suctions, air flows into the internal space 109A from the air inlet. The incoming air passes through the internal space 109A and the base material 150A and reaches the user's mouth. The air that reaches the user's mouth contains aerosols generated in the base material 150A.

[0032] The heating unit 107 is composed of a heater or other heat-generating element. The heating unit 107 is made of any material such as metal or polyimide. The heating unit 107 is, for example, made in the form of a film and attached to the outer surface of the holding unit 109. The heat generated by the heating unit 107 heats and atomizes the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150. The atomized aerosol source is mixed with air or the like to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 107 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 101. For example, when a predetermined operation by the user is detected by the sensor unit 102, power supply to the heating unit 107 is permitted. The predetermined operation by the user here may be an operation on the slide cover 20 (see Figure 1) or the power button 11 (see Figure 1).

[0033] The heating unit 107 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150, which is the aerosol source, according to the heating profile stored in the storage unit 104. The heating profile is a data file that defines the time change of the target temperature after heating has started. The heating profile is an example of a control sequence that defines the time series change of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source.

[0034] When the temperature of the stick-shaped substrate 150 heated by the heating unit 107 reaches a predetermined temperature, the user can begin suctioning. User suction of aerosol is detected by the flow sensor of the sensor unit 102 and stored in the storage unit 104. Subsequently, when a predetermined operation by the user is detected, power supply to the heating unit 107 is stopped. A predetermined operation by the user is closing the slide cover 20. Even if a predetermined operation by the user is not detected, power supply to the heating unit 107 is stopped when the heating time specified in the heating profile is completed. Alternatively, a method may be adopted in which power is supplied to the heating unit 107 while user suction is detected, and power supply to the heating unit 107 is stopped when user suction is no longer detected.

[0035] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the heating element 107 is located on the outer circumference of the stick-shaped base material 150. However, the heating element 107 may be a blade-shaped metal piece inserted into the stick-shaped base material 150, or a metal piece built into the stick-shaped base material 150. If the metal piece acting as the heating element 107 is built into the stick-shaped base material 150, then an induction heating coil should be arranged around the holding part 109.

[0036] The heat insulating section 108 is a component that reduces the propagation of heat generated in the heating section 107 to the surroundings. For this reason, the heat insulating section 108 is arranged to cover at least the outer surface of the heating section 107. The heat insulating section 108 is made of, for example, a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material. A vacuum insulating material is an insulating material in which heat conduction by gas is reduced to almost zero by wrapping, for example, glass wool and silica (silicon powder) in a resin film and creating a high vacuum state.

[0037] (Terminal device 200) As shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 200 includes a control unit 210 that controls the entire device and a storage unit 220 used for storing data, etc. The terminal device 200 also includes a display unit 230 used for displaying operation reception screens and images, an operation unit 240 that receives user input operations, and a communication unit 250 used for communication with the suction device 100.

[0038] The control unit 210 is implemented by electronic circuits such as a CPU, MCU, MPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or DSP. The control unit 210 may also include ROM for storing programs and calculation parameters, and RAM for temporarily storing parameters that change as needed. The functions of the control unit 210 may be implemented using an application. This application may be pre-installed or downloaded. Alternatively, the functions of the control unit 210 may be implemented using a Progressive Web App (PWA). For example, the control unit 210 executes an application program for performing customization processing.

[0039] The storage unit 220 can be exemplified as a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 220 stores a heating profile that defines the temperature change of the heating unit 107 of the suction device 100. The display unit 230 is a display device that displays still images, moving images, etc. The display unit 230 can be exemplified as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 230 may also be a touch panel. The operation unit 240 is an input device that accepts operations from the user. If the display unit 230 is a touch panel, the operation unit 240 may also be configured as a touch panel.

[0040] The communication unit 250 can be exemplified as a communication interface. The communication unit 250 enables communication with the suction device 100 via the network 270 (see Figure 1). The network 270 is not particularly limited as long as it is a communication network used for data communication between devices, and can be exemplified as a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication line used for data communication can be wired or wireless, or both can be used in combination. A wireless LAN can be exemplified as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®.

[0041] <Customization of Heating Profile> The following details the customization of the heating profile described above. The control unit 106 controls the operation of the heating unit 107 based on the heating profile. The operation of the heating unit 107 is controlled by controlling the power supply from the power supply unit 101 to the heating unit 107. The heating unit 107 heats the stick-type substrate 150 using the power supplied from the power supply unit 101.

[0042] A heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which an aerosol source is heated. The heating profile defines parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. An example of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the temperature of the heating unit 107. An example of parameters related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 107 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "target temperature"). The temperature of the heating unit 107 may be controlled to change according to the elapsed time since the start of heating. In that case, the heating profile includes information that defines the time-series change of the target temperature. As another example, the heating profile may include parameters that define the method of supplying power to the heating unit 107 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "power supply parameters"). Power supply parameters include, for example, the voltage applied to the heating unit 107, ON / OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 107, or the method of feedback control to be adopted. ON / OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 107 may be considered as ON / OFF of the heating unit 107.

[0043] The control unit 106 controls the operation of the heating unit 107 such that the temperature of the heating unit 107 (hereinafter may be referred to as the "actual temperature") changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor perceived by the user when the user inhales aerosol generated from the stick-shaped base material 150. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 107 based on the heating profile, the flavor perceived by the user can be optimized.

[0044] The temperature control of the heating unit 107 can be realized, for example, by known feedback control. The feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller). The control unit 106 can cause the power from the power supply unit 101 to be supplied to the heating unit 107 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 106 can perform temperature control of the heating unit 107 by adjusting the duty ratio or frequency of the power pulses in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 106 may perform simple on / off control in the feedback control. For example, the control unit 106 may cause the heating unit 107 to perform heating until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, suspend heating by the heating unit 107 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 107 when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature.

[0045] The period from the start to the end of the process of generating aerosols using the stick-type substrate 150 may be referred to as the "heating session" below. In other words, the heating session is the period during which power supply to the heating unit 107 is controlled based on the heating profile. The start of the heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile begins. The end of the heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. The heating session includes a preheating period in the first half and a puffing period in the second half. The puffing period is the period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The preheating period is the period from the start of heating until the start of the puffing period. Heating performed during the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.

[0046] The notification unit 103 may notify the user of information indicating when preheating is complete. For example, the notification unit 103 may notify the user of information indicating the end of preheating before it is completed, or notify the user of information indicating that preheating is complete when it is completed. Notification to the user may be made, for example, by lighting an LED or by vibration. The user can then perform the puffing operation immediately after preheating is complete by referring to such notification.

[0047] Similarly, the notification unit 103 may notify the user of information indicating when the puffable period is ending. For example, the notification unit 103 may notify the user of information that is giving notice of the end of the puffable period before it ends, or notify the user of information indicating that the puffable period has ended when it has ended. Notification to the user may be made, for example, by the lighting or vibration of an LED. The user can then use such notification as a reference to perform the puffing operation until the puffable period ends.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile. In the graph shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents temperature. Line 21 shows the time-series transition of the target temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the target temperature rapidly rises to around 300°C after the start of heating, then decreases to about 230°C and is maintained until the end. During the period when the temperature decreases, power supply to the heating unit 107 is interrupted, and heating is turned OFF.

[0049] A terminal device 200 (e.g., a control unit 210) controls customization processing. Customization processing is processing for customizing, in other words, changing, a heating profile used by the suction device 100. A user repeats trying a heating profile to check the smoking taste and customizing the heating profile. The terminal device 200 repeatedly executes the customization processing until a heating profile that achieves the smoking taste as intended by the user is generated. By repeating the customization processing, the heating profile can be gradually brought closer to an ideal heating profile that achieves the smoking taste as intended by the user.

[0050] The customization processing includes the terminal device 200 receiving an input of a smoking taste evaluation from a user. For example, the terminal device 200 receives an input of evaluation for an aerosol generated based on a predetermined heating profile.

[0051] Further, the customization processing includes the terminal device 200 receiving a setting of a target temperature from a user. For example, the terminal device 200 receives a setting of a target temperature for each predetermined elapsed time. The terminal device 200 generates a changed heating profile by changing the target temperature of the heating profile before the change based on the setting from the user.

[0052] Furthermore, the customization process includes the terminal device 200 receiving input from the user regarding their evaluation of the taste of the modified heating profile. For example, the terminal device 200 receives input from the user regarding their evaluation of the aerosol generated based on a heating profile that reflects the set target temperature. This allows the user to evaluate how their customizations have affected the taste of the smoke.

[0053] In the following, the terminal device 200 accepts input from the user regarding the taste evaluation during a heating session, that is, while the inhalation device 100 is performing heating based on the heating profile. In this case, the user inputs the taste evaluation to the terminal device 200 each time they perform a puff. The terminal device 200 accepts a puff notification operation that notifies the terminal device 200 that the user has performed a puff while the customization process is being executed.

[0054] In the customization process, the order in which the evaluation input is received and the target temperature setting is received is arbitrary. As an example, terminal device 200 first receives the evaluation input for the aerosol generated based on a pre-set heating profile, and then receives the target temperature setting. Alternatively, terminal device 200 may receive the evaluation input for the aerosol generated based on the heating profile generated in the previous customization process, and then receive the target temperature setting.

[0055] The customization process includes the terminal device 200 generating a display image for customizing the heating profile and displaying the generated display image. The display image for customizing the heating profile displays an image showing the target temperature included in the heating profile and an image showing the evaluation of the aerosol generated by the suction device 100 heating the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile. The user makes an evaluation or sets a target temperature by referring to the display image for customizing the heating profile. Examples of display images for customizing the heating profile include an evaluation screen for inputting an evaluation of the smoking taste and a setting screen for setting a target temperature. In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 displays the evaluation input screen and the target temperature setting screen on the touch panel that constitutes the display unit 230. The terminal device 200 then accepts user touches on the images displayed on the touch panel, which also functions as an operation unit 240, enabling the input of a desired evaluation or the setting of a desired target temperature.

[0056] More specifically, the terminal device 200 displays an evaluation input screen 300, which is a screen for receiving user evaluations of the taste, as described later, during the customization process. The terminal device 200 also displays an initial reception screen 310, which accepts a transition to the evaluation input screen 300 for inputting evaluations of the aerosol generated based on a pre-set heating profile, as described later, during the customization process.

[0057] (Initial Reception Screen 310) Figure 5 shows an example of the initial reception screen 310 displayed during the first customization process. As shown in Figure 5, the terminal device 200 displays a heating period image 311 representing the heating period and an evaluation activation image 312 accepting the transition to the evaluation input screen 300 on the initial reception screen 310. The heating period image 311 is circular. The entire circle corresponds to the puffable period described above. The image in the range corresponding to the elapsed time in the current puffable period is configured to change its appearance. The image in the range corresponding to the elapsed time is the elapsed time image 313 shown in Figure 5. In the example shown in Figure 5, the terminal device 200 displays the heating period image 311 in a dark color and the elapsed time image 313 in a lighter color than the heating period image 311. For example, the terminal device 200 displays the elapsed time image 313 superimposed on the heating period image 311. Therefore, the longer the elapsed time from the start of the puffable period, the larger the area of ​​the elapsed time image 313 becomes, and the larger the area of ​​lighter color becomes. The terminal device 200 displays the elapsed time image 313 with the horizontal center and vertical top of the heating period image 311 as 0s, and the area increases clockwise as the elapsed time from the start of the puffable period increases. Figure 5 shows an example of the relationship between the heating period image 311 and the elapsed time image 313 when the elapsed time reaches 5 / 12 of the puffable period.

[0058] The evaluation startup image 312 is a rounded rectangle (a shape composed of two parallel lines of equal length and two semicircles) with the text information "PUFF!" displayed on it. The terminal device 200 displays the evaluation input screen 300 when the evaluation startup image 312 is pressed.

[0059] The terminal device 200 also displays the target temperature 314 for the current heating session. The target temperature 314 changes according to the elapsed time from the start of the puffable period, corresponding to the target temperature in the graph shown in Figure 4, for example. Figure 5 shows that the target temperature is 230°C. As shown in Figure 5, the terminal device 200 can exemplify displaying the target temperature 314 at the center of the circle drawn by the heating period image 311. The terminal device 200 also displays the current level 315, which corresponds to the target temperature for the current heating session. The current level 315 is set to increase in value as the target temperature increases. Therefore, the current level 315 serves as an indicator of the strength of the aerosol generated based on the heating profile. For example, when the target temperature is 200°C, the current level 315 is "1", when the target temperature is 210°C, the current level 315 is "2", and when the target temperature is 320°C, the current level 315 is "13", and so on, with the current level 315 increasing by "1" for every 10°C increase in the target temperature. Therefore, the current level 315, like the current target temperature 314, changes according to the elapsed time from the start of the puffing period, corresponding to the target temperature in the graph shown in Figure 4, for example. Figure 5 shows that the current level 315 is "4". The terminal device 200 can exemplify displaying the current level 315 in the center of the circle drawn by the heating period image 311, as shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, the terminal device 200 can exemplify displaying the current level 315 above or below the current target temperature 314, so that it is aligned vertically with the current target temperature 314. The terminal device 200 may display both the target temperature 314 and the current level 315, or it may display either the target temperature 314 or the current level 315.

[0060] Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays text information 316 prompting the user to evaluate the puffing action by pressing the "PUFF!" button at the moment of puffing. Although a circle is used as an example for the heating period image 311, it is not limited to a circle. The heating period image 311 may be a polygon such as a triangle or a square. Also, the heating period image 311 only needs to be a shape that encloses an inner area, and the shape of the lines is not limited to straight lines. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 can be exemplified by displaying the initial reception screen 310 when an icon for launching an application program to perform customization processing, which is displayed on the touch panel that functions as the display unit 230 and the operation unit 240, is pressed.

[0061] (Evaluation Input Screen 300) Figures 6 and 7 show an example of the evaluation input screen 300. As shown in Figure 6, the terminal device 200 displays an evaluation input field 301 for the smoking experience, an evaluation input field 302 for the amount of smoke, and an evaluation input field 303 for the menthol sensation on the evaluation input screen 300. Based on user operations on the evaluation input fields 301, 302, and 303, the terminal device 200 accepts input of evaluations for the three evaluation items: smoking experience, amount of smoke, and menthol sensation.

[0062] The terminal device 200 displays evaluation input images 301A, 301B, and 301C in the evaluation input field 301 for inputting an evaluation about the smoking experience. The terminal device 200 accepts the following evaluations: if evaluation input image 301A is selected, it accepts the evaluation that the smoking experience is strong; if evaluation input image 301B is selected, it accepts the evaluation that the smoking experience is just right; and if evaluation input image 301C is selected, it accepts the evaluation that the smoking experience is weak.

[0063] The terminal device 200 displays evaluation input images 302A, 302B, and 302C in the evaluation input field 302 for the amount of smoke, allowing the user to input an evaluation of the amount of smoke. The terminal device 200 accepts the following evaluations: if evaluation input image 302A is selected, the user inputs the evaluation that the amount of smoke is just right; and if evaluation input image 302C is selected, the user inputs the evaluation that the amount of smoke is insufficient.

[0064] The terminal device 200 displays evaluation input images 303A, 303B, and 303C in the evaluation input field 303 for menthol sensation, allowing the user to input an evaluation of menthol sensation. The terminal device 200 accepts the following evaluations: if evaluation input image 303A is selected, it accepts the evaluation that the menthol sensation is strong; if evaluation input image 303B is selected, it accepts the evaluation that the menthol sensation is just right; and if evaluation input image 303C is selected, it accepts the evaluation that the menthol sensation is weak.

[0065] Each evaluation input image is divided into a first region 304 and a second region 305. For example, in the example shown in Figure 6, the second region 305 is located at the rightmost edge of the evaluation input image, in the center in the vertical direction. The first region 304 is the area other than the second region 305. Furthermore, the first region 304 is larger than the second region 305; for example, the first region 304 may be 90% of the evaluation input image (e.g., 301C), and the second region 305 may be 10% of the evaluation input image (e.g., 301C).

[0066] The terminal device 200 sets the colors of the first region 304 and the second region 305 of the evaluation input image (e.g., 302C) to be different. When the evaluation input image (e.g., 302C) is pressed, the terminal device 200 swaps the colors of the first region 304 and the second region 305. For example, if the initial settings for the evaluation input image 301A are white for the first region 304 and orange for the second region 305 (for example, the state in Figure 6), when the evaluation input image 301A is pressed, the terminal device 200 sets the color of the first region 304 to orange and the color of the second region 305 to white (for example, the state in Figure 7).

[0067] Furthermore, the terminal device 200 sets the colors of the evaluation input images 301A, 301B, and 301C regarding the smoking experience to be different from each other. Also, the terminal device 200 sets the colors of the evaluation input images 302A, 302B, and 302C regarding the amount of smoke to be different from each other. Also, the terminal device 200 sets the colors of the evaluation input images 303A, 303B, and 303C regarding the menthol sensation to be different from each other. However, the terminal device 200 sets the colors of all the evaluation input images 301A, 302A, and 303A for "strong" or "a lot" to be the same. Also, the terminal device 200 sets the colors of all the evaluation input images 301B, 302B, and 303B for "just right" to be the same. Also, the terminal device 200 sets the colors of all the evaluation input images 301C, 302C, and 303C for "weak" or "little" to be the same. For example, in the initial settings, terminal device 200 sets the color of the second area 305 of the evaluation input images 301A, 302A, and 303A for "strong" or "many" to orange. Also, in the initial settings, terminal device 200 sets the color of the second area 305 of the evaluation input images 301B, 302B, and 303B for "just right" to gray. Also, in the initial settings, terminal device 200 sets the color of the second area 305 of the evaluation input images 301C, 302C, and 303C for "weak" or "few" to blue.

[0068] In the example described above, the first region 304 and the second region 305 of the evaluation input image (e.g., 302C) are shown to be different in color. However, the way in which the first region 304 and the second region 305 are different may be the presence or absence of color, differences in color density, differences in transparency, differences in outlines, etc.

[0069] Figure 6 shows an example of the evaluation input screen 300 before the evaluation is entered. Figure 7 shows an example in which the following evaluations were selected for the taste during the first heating session: evaluation input image 301A for "strong draw", evaluation input image 302B for "just right" amount of smoke, and evaluation input image 303C for "weak" menthol sensation.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal device 200 displays the target temperature 306 for the current heating session. The target temperature 306 corresponds to the target temperature 314 shown in Figure 5. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal device 200 displays the current level 307 corresponding to the target temperature. The current level 307 corresponds to the current level 315 shown in Figure 5. Note that the terminal device 200 may display both the target temperature 306 and the current level 307, or it may display either the target temperature 306 or the current level 307. For example, if the terminal device 200 displays the current level 315 on the initial reception screen 310 shown in Figure 5 and does not display the target temperature 314, it may display only the current level 307. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal device 200 displays an evaluation completion image 308 on the evaluation input screen 300, which displays the text information "Evaluation Complete" to indicate that the evaluation input has been completed. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the terminal device 200 displays an interruption image 309 on the evaluation input screen 300, which contains the text information "Interrupt" to indicate that the evaluation input is being interrupted.

[0071] The terminal device 200 then displays the initial reception screen 310 when the evaluation completion image 308 or the interruption image 309 is pressed. Furthermore, for example, when the evaluation completion image 308 is pressed in the state shown in Figure 7, the terminal device 200 stores in the memory unit 220 that "strong" was entered as the evaluation of the smoking sensation, "just right" as the evaluation of the amount of smoke, and "weak" as the evaluation of the menthol sensation. When the terminal device 200 stores the evaluation in the memory unit 220, it stores the entered evaluation in association with the timing when the evaluation activation image 312 (see Figure 5) was pressed (in other words, the time corresponding to the elapsed time image 313).

[0072] (Settings screen 320) Figure 8 shows an example of the settings screen 320 displayed during the customization process. Figure 9 shows an example of all the timings at which the puffing operation was performed during the first heating session. After the puffing period ends, in other words, after the elapsed time image 313 (see Figure 5) has completed one cycle, the terminal device 200 displays the settings screen 320, which accepts the setting of the target temperature. The terminal device 200 then displays the taste evaluation entered during the initial customization process on the settings screen 320, accepts the setting of the target temperature, and generates a heating profile that reflects the set target temperature.

[0073] The terminal device 200 displays on the setting screen 320 the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323, which are images indicating the taste evaluation for some of the timings of puff operations among all the timings at which puff operations were performed, and the setting image 324, which indicates the target temperature. The terminal device 200 also displays a time axis 325 and a setting value axis 326 on the setting screen 320. The terminal device 200 displays the time axis 325 so that the elapsed time increases as you move to the right. The terminal device 200 also displays the setting value axis 326 so that the value increases as you move upwards. In the setting screen 320 shown in Figure 8, an example is shown in which the setting value axis 326 displays a temperature axis and a level axis. The terminal device 200 may display both the temperature axis and the level axis as the setting value axis 326, or it may display either the temperature axis or the level axis. For example, if the terminal device 200 displays the current level 315 on the initial reception screen 310 shown in Figure 5, but does not display the current target temperature 314, it may display only the level axis.

[0074] The terminal device 200 can be exemplified by displaying the time axis 325 in predetermined time increments (for example, 20 seconds). The terminal device 200 displays the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 at a time close to the time the puff operation was performed, if there is no display showing the same elapsed time as when the puff operation was performed. Figure 8 shows an example where, for example, the evaluation when the actual puff operation was performed at 49 seconds is displayed as the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 at the 40-second mark.

[0075] The terminal device 200 displays on the settings screen 320 a portion of all the timings at which the puffing operation was performed during the first heating session, as shown in Figure 9. For example, the timing at which the puffing operation was performed shown in Figure 8 and the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 in this case display part A (0s to 80s) of Figure 9. On the settings screen 320, the terminal device 200 switches the portion displayed on the settings screen 320 when it detects that the user's finger has moved horizontally by a predetermined distance or more (in other words, when a swipe operation is performed). For example, if a leftward swipe operation is performed on the settings screen 320 shown in Figure 8, the terminal device 200 displays, for example, the portion from 100s to 180s.

[0076] The evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 in this case are images that show the evaluation of the draw satisfaction, the amount of smoke, and the menthol sensation at the time the puffing action was performed, respectively. The terminal device 200 displays the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 in this case in correspondence with the evaluations entered in the evaluation input field 301 for draw satisfaction, the evaluation input field 302 for the amount of smoke, and the evaluation input field 303 for the menthol sensation, respectively, on the evaluation input screen 300. For example, the terminal device 200 sets the color of the evaluation image 321 in this case to be the same as the color of the evaluation entered in the evaluation input field 301 for draw satisfaction. For example, if the input field 301 for evaluating the smoking experience is blue (in other words, a weak evaluation), the input field 302 for evaluating the amount of smoke is gray (in other words, a just right evaluation), and the input field 303 for evaluating the menthol sensation is orange (in other words, a strong evaluation), the terminal device 200 will display the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 in blue, gray, and orange, respectively.

[0077] The terminal device 200 accepts user operations to move the setting image 324 up and down as setting the target temperature at the timing of each puff operation. For example, if the terminal device 200 is displaying a temperature axis as the setting value axis 326 and the setting image 324 is moved to the 245°C position at 40s, it accepts the target temperature setting at 40s as 245°C. Also, if the terminal device 200 is displaying a level axis as the setting value axis 326 and the setting image 324 is moved to the level 6 position at 40s, it accepts the target temperature setting at 40s as 250°C, corresponding to level 6. The terminal device 200 makes it possible to move the setting image 324 up and down in predetermined temperature (e.g., 5°C) or predetermined level (e.g., level 1) increments. Figure 8 shows an example in which the setting image 324 is displayed superimposed on the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323. However, the setting image 324 and the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323 may be offset vertically or horizontally. However, by displaying the setting image 324 overlaid on the evaluation images 321, 322, and 323, it becomes easier for the user to set the target temperature while viewing the evaluation input. For example, in the initial customization process, the terminal device 200 may position the setting image 324 at a location corresponding to a predetermined target temperature and start displaying the setting screen 320.

[0078] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the terminal device 200 displays a save image 327 on the setting screen 320 that displays the text information "Save" for saving the set target temperature (in other words, storing it in the memory unit 220). Also, as shown in Figure 8, the terminal device 200 displays an interruption image 328 on the setting screen 320 that displays the text information "Interrupt" for interrupting the setting of the target temperature. When the save image 327 is pressed, the terminal device 200 stores the set target temperature in the memory unit 220 and terminates the customization process. On the other hand, when the interruption image 328 is pressed, the terminal device 200 terminates the customization process.

[0079] The following describes the customization process performed by the terminal device 200 using a flowchart. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the customization process performed by the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 performs the customization process when an icon for launching an application program to perform the customization process is pressed. First, the terminal device 200 displays the initial reception screen 310 on the touch panel, which functions as both a display unit 230 and an operation unit 240 (S1001). Then, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the puffable period of the suction device 100 has started (S1002). For example, the terminal device 200 detects the start of the puffable period based on the fact that information indicating the start of the puffable period from the suction device 100 has been received by the communication unit 250. If the puffable period has not started (NO in S1002), the terminal device 200 waits until the puffable period starts.

[0080] On the other hand, when the puffable period begins (YES in S1002), the terminal device 200 updates the display of the initial reception screen 310 according to the passage of time (S1003). For example, the terminal device 200 enlarges the area of ​​the elapsed time image 313. Then, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the evaluation activation image 312 has been pressed (S1004). If the evaluation activation image 312 has been pressed (YES in S1004), the terminal device 200 displays the evaluation input screen 300 and accepts the evaluation input (S1005). Then, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the evaluation completion image 308 has been pressed (S1006). If the evaluation completion image 308 has been pressed (YES in S1006), the terminal device 200 stores the input evaluation (S1007) and proceeds to the process in S1003.

[0081] On the other hand, if the evaluation completion image 308 has not been pressed (NO in S1006), the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the interruption image 309 has been pressed (S1008). If the interruption image 309 has been pressed (YES in S1008), the terminal device 200 proceeds to the process in S1003. On the other hand, if the interruption image 309 has not been pressed (NO in S1008), the terminal device 200 proceeds to the process in S1005.

[0082] On the other hand, if the evaluation activation image 312 is not pressed (NO in S1004), the terminal device 200 determines whether the puffable period of the suction device 100 has ended (S1009). For example, the terminal device 200 detects the end of the puffable period based on the fact that information indicating the end of the puffable period has been received from the suction device 100 by the communication unit 250. If the puffable period has not ended (NO in S1009), the terminal device 200 proceeds to the process in S1003. On the other hand, if the puffable period has ended (YES in S1009), the terminal device 200 performs the target temperature setting process described later (S1010).

[0083] The target temperature setting process performed by the terminal device 200 will be explained below using a flowchart. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the target temperature setting process performed by the terminal device 200. First, the terminal device 200 displays the setting screen 320 on the touch panel which functions as a display unit 230 and an operation unit 240 (S1101). Then, the terminal device 200 accepts a user operation to set the target temperature (S1102). Then, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the saved image 327 has been pressed (S1103). If the saved image 327 has been pressed (YES in S1103), the terminal device 200 stores the set target temperature in the storage unit 220 (S1104) and transmits the set target temperature to the suction device 100 (S1105).

[0084] On the other hand, if the saved image 327 is not pressed (NO in S1103), the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the interrupted image 328 has been pressed (S1106). If the interrupted image 328 is not pressed (NO in S1106), the terminal device 200 proceeds to the process in S1102. On the other hand, if the interrupted image 328 is pressed (YES in S1106), the terminal device 200 terminates the customization process.

[0085] (Nth-th reception screen 330) The evaluation in heating sessions from the Nth (where N is an integer of 2 or more)th time onward will be explained below. Figure 12 shows an example of the Nth-th reception screen 330 displayed during the Nth customization process. The Nth-th reception screen 330 differs from the initial reception screen 310 in that it displays the previous evaluation image 331, which is an image showing the taste evaluation entered in the N-1th heating session; the previous target temperature 334, which shows the target temperature for the N-1th session; and the previous level 335 corresponding to the previous target temperature. Hereafter, the same reference numerals will be used for elements with the same function in the initial reception screen 310 and the Nth-th reception screen 330, and their detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0086] As shown in Figure 12, the terminal device 200 displays the previous evaluation image 331 overlaid on the heating period image 311 on the Nth reception screen 330. The terminal device 200 also displays the previous evaluation image 331 at a position corresponding to the elapsed time during which the puffing operation that was the subject of evaluation in the previous evaluation image 331 was performed during the N-1th puffing period. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays the same number of evaluations as the number of evaluations performed during the N-1th puffing period (6 times in Figure 12).

[0087] Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays the evaluation of one of the three items (smoking satisfaction, amount of smoke, menthol sensation) as the previous evaluation image 331. The terminal device 200 then displays item character information 336 on the Nth reception screen 330 indicating which of the three items (smoking satisfaction, amount of smoke, menthol sensation) the previous evaluation image 331 represents. Figure 12 shows an example of item character information 336 indicating that the previous evaluation image 331 represents the smoking satisfaction evaluation. The terminal device 200 may allow the user to select which of the three items (smoking satisfaction, amount of smoke, menthol sensation) to display the evaluation of. Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may decide which item to display the evaluation of based on a predetermined priority order. Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may switch the evaluation items to be displayed in sequence at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, the terminal device 200 displays evaluation text information 337 on the Nth reception screen 330, indicating the evaluation of three items (smoking satisfaction, amount of smoke, and menthol sensation) in the previous evaluation image 331 corresponding to the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period. If there is no previous evaluation image 331 at the same time as the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period, the evaluation text information 337 will show the evaluation of the previous evaluation image 331 that is earlier than the elapsed time and closest to the current elapsed time. In Figure 12, the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period is 5 / 12 of the puffable period, and there is no previous evaluation image 331 at the same time as the elapsed time, so the evaluation of the three items in the second of the six previous evaluation images 331 is shown. In other words, the evaluation text information 337 shows "strong" for smoking satisfaction, "just right" for the amount of smoke, and "just right" for the menthol sensation. The evaluation text information 337 changes according to the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period. For example, if the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period reaches 6 / 12 of the puffable period, the evaluation of the three items in the third previous evaluation image 331 is shown.

[0088] The previous target temperature 334 is an image showing the target temperature for the N-1 heating session. The terminal device 200 displays the previous target temperature 334 below the current target temperature 314. The terminal device 200 also displays the previous target temperature 334 smaller than the current target temperature 314. The terminal device 200 changes the previous target temperature 334 according to the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period, similar to the current target temperature 314. Figure 12 shows that the previous target temperature 334 is 230°C. The current target temperature 314 displayed on the Nth reception screen 330 is the target temperature for the Nth heating session and is the target temperature set in the N-1 customization process. The previous level 335 is an image showing the level corresponding to the target temperature for the N-1 heating session. The terminal device 200 displays the previous level 335 below the current level 315. The terminal device 200 displays the previous level 335 smaller than the current level 315. The terminal device 200 changes the previous level 335 in the same way as the current level 315, according to the elapsed time since the start of the puffable period. Figure 12 shows that the previous level 335 is 4. The current level 315 displayed on the Nth reception screen 330 is the level in the Nth heating session and corresponds to the target temperature set in the N-1th customization process. The terminal device 200 may also display both the previous target temperature 334 and the previous level 335, or it may display either the previous target temperature 334 or the previous level 335. For example, if the terminal device 200 displays the current level 315 on the initial reception screen 310 but does not display the current target temperature 314, it may display only the previous level 335.

[0089] Furthermore, the terminal device 200 also displays the elapsed time image 313 on top of the heating period image 311 on the Nth reception screen 330. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, on the Nth reception screen 330, as the elapsed time from the start of the puffable period increases, the area of ​​the elapsed time image 313 becomes larger, and the area of ​​lighter colors becomes larger. In other words, the area of ​​the heating period image 311 becomes smaller, and the area of ​​darker colors becomes smaller. As a result, among the multiple previous evaluation images 331 displayed on the Nth reception screen 330, the previous evaluation images 331 placed in the range where the appearance of the heating period image 311 has changed (in other words, the range of the elapsed time image 313) become easier to see than the previous evaluation images 331 placed in the range where the appearance of the heating period image 311 has not changed. Note that Figure 12 shows an example in which the terminal device 200 displays text information 316 on the Nth reception screen 330 in the same way as on the first reception screen 310, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the terminal device 200 may display text information on the Nth reception screen 330 prompting the user to evaluate at the same timing as when the evaluation was performed in the (N-1)th heating session (in other words, when the puffing operation was performed in the (N-1)th heating session). For example, instead of text information 316, the terminal device 200 may display "Please press the "PUFF!" button to evaluate at the timing of the previous evaluation." Furthermore, the position in which the item text information 336 and evaluation text information 337 are displayed on the Nth reception screen 330 is not particularly limited. Also, the terminal device 200 may display either the item text information 336 or the evaluation text information 337.

[0090] (Nth Evaluation Input Screen 340) Figure 13 shows an example of the Nth Evaluation Input Screen 340. The terminal device 200 displays the Nth Evaluation Input Screen 340 when the evaluation activation image 312 displayed on the Nth Reception Screen 330 is pressed. The Nth Evaluation Input Screen 340 differs from the Evaluation Input Screen 300 in that, in addition to the current target temperature 306 and current level 307, it also displays the previous target temperature 347 and previous level 348. Hereafter, components with the same function in the Evaluation Input Screen 300 and the Nth Evaluation Input Screen 340 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0091] The current target temperature 306 and previous target temperature 347 displayed on the Nth evaluation input screen 340 correspond to the current target temperature 314 and previous target temperature 334 displayed on the Nth reception screen 330, respectively. Therefore, the user can input the evaluation while looking at the current target temperature 306 and previous target temperature 347. Also, the current level 307 and previous level 348 displayed on the Nth evaluation input screen 340 correspond to the current level 315 and previous level 335 displayed on the Nth reception screen 330, respectively. Therefore, the user can input the evaluation while looking at the current level 307 and previous level 348. The terminal device 200 may display both the previous target temperature 347 and the previous level 348, or it may display either the previous target temperature 347 or the previous level 348. For example, if the terminal device 200 displays the previous level 335 on the Nth reception screen 330 shown in Figure 12 and does not display the previous target temperature 334, it may display only the previous level 348.

[0092] The Nth customization process performed by the terminal device 200 is the same as the customization process described using Figure 10, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the storage unit 220 stores the history (e.g., the number of times) of the customization process performed for each suction device 100. Then, if the current customization process is the second or later, the terminal device 200 displays the Nth customization acceptance screen 330 on the touch panel, which functions as both a display unit 230 and an operation unit 240 (S1001).

[0093] As described above, the method for having a user evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, which is performed on the terminal device 200, includes receiving a puff notification operation to notify the user that a puff operation has been performed, displaying an evaluation input image (e.g., evaluation input image 301A) for inputting an evaluation in response to the puff notification operation, and receiving an evaluation input operation in which the user inputs an evaluation on the evaluation input image. According to the above method, the evaluation of the aerosol can be performed by a puff operation at any timing of the user.

[0094] Here, the puff notification operation can be exemplified as an operation to press the evaluation activation image 312 to activate the evaluation input image. This allows the user to input the evaluation at any time. The method also further includes displaying the target temperature (e.g., previous target temperature 334) when the aerosol source was heated during the previous heating period. This allows the user to consider the target temperature when heating during the previous heating period when evaluating the generated aerosol.

[0095] Furthermore, the above method further includes displaying a previous evaluation image 331 representing the evaluation results during the previous heating period of the aerosol source. This allows the user to consider the previous evaluation when performing the current evaluation. The puff notification operation is an operation to press an evaluation activation image 312 to activate the evaluation input image, and the previous evaluation image 331 is placed on the same screen as the evaluation activation image 312 (for example, the Nth reception screen 330). This allows the user to time the puff operation while looking at the previous evaluation image 331.

[0096] Furthermore, the previous evaluation image 331 is placed on the heating period image 311, which represents the previous heating period. The previous evaluation image 331, which represents the evaluation result for a specific time in the previous heating period, is placed at the position on the heating period image 311 corresponding to that specific time. This allows the user to recognize the relationship between the time in the previous heating period and the evaluation result.

[0097] Furthermore, when the evaluation is based on multiple evaluation items (for example, draw satisfaction, amount of smoke, menthol sensation), the previous evaluation image 331 is an image representing the evaluation result for one evaluation item selected from the multiple evaluation items (draw satisfaction in Figure 12). This allows the user to time their puffing while viewing the evaluation of the evaluation item they are interested in from among the multiple evaluation items.

[0098] Furthermore, within the heating period image 311, the image corresponding to the elapsed time during the current heating period of the aerosol source (for example, the elapsed time image 313) is configured to change its appearance. This allows the user to easily grasp, for example, the proportion of the elapsed time to the entire heating period. Also, within the previous evaluation image 331, the image placed within the range where the appearance of the heating period image 311 has changed is configured to change its appearance. This allows the user to easily grasp, for example, the number of previous evaluations within the elapsed time.

[0099] Furthermore, the above method further includes displaying a setting image 324 (an example of a heating profile modification image) for changing the heating profile that defines the time-series progression of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source. The setting image 324 is placed on the same screen as the current evaluation image 321, which represents the evaluation result entered by the evaluation input operation. This allows the user to set the target temperature while viewing the evaluation result.

[0100] In the customization process described above, the target temperature is changed when the setting image 324 is moved by the user, but the terminal device 200 may change the target temperature automatically. For example, the terminal device 200 may change the heating profile based on the evaluation results entered by the evaluation input operation. For example, if the evaluation that the draw is strong is entered, the terminal device 200 may lower the target temperature by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 5°C), and if the evaluation that the draw is weak is entered, it may raise the target temperature by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 5°C), and so on, changing the target temperature according to the entered evaluation.

[0101] Furthermore, the suction system 1 described above is a system for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, and includes a control unit 210. The control unit 210 performs the following actions: receives a puff notification operation to notify the user that a puff operation has been performed; displays an evaluation input image (e.g., evaluation input image 301A) for inputting an evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receives an evaluation input operation in which the user inputs an evaluation on the evaluation input image.

[0102] Furthermore, the processing performed by the terminal device 200 as described above can be realized through the cooperation of software and hardware resources. In this case, the CPU of the control unit 210 of the terminal device 200 executes a program that realizes each function of the terminal device 200, thereby realizing each of these functions. For example, a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded is provided to the terminal device 200, and the CPU of the terminal device 200 reads the program stored on the recording medium. Alternatively, the CPU of the terminal device 200 downloads the program via the network 270. In these cases, the program read from the recording medium or the downloaded program itself realizes the functions of the embodiments described above, and the program itself and the recording medium on which it is recorded constitute the present invention.

[0103] A program for having a user evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source causes the terminal device 200 to perform the following actions: receive a puff notification operation to notify the terminal device 200 that the user has performed a puff action; display an evaluation input image (e.g., evaluation input image 301A) for inputting an evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receive an evaluation input operation from the user on the evaluation input image to input the evaluation.

[0104] <Modified Version of the Nth-Time Reception Screen> Figure 14 shows an example of the Nth-Time Reception Screen 430 according to the modified version. The Nth-Time Reception Screen 430 according to the modified version differs from the Nth-Time Reception Screen 330 explained using Figure 12 in that the display manner of the previous evaluation image 440, which corresponds to the previous evaluation image 331, is different from that of the previous evaluation image 331. More specifically, while the Nth-Time Reception Screen 330 displays an evaluation of one of the three items (smoking satisfaction, amount of smoke, menthol sensation) as explained using Figure 12, the Nth-Time Reception Screen 430 according to the modified version displays an evaluation of all three items. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the previous evaluation image 440 has an inner circumference portion 441 provided on the inner circumference side of the annular heating period image 311, an outer circumference portion 442 provided on the outer circumference side, and a central portion 443 provided between the inner circumference portion 441 and the outer circumference portion 442. The evaluation of one of the three items is displayed on the inner circumference portion 441, the outer circumference portion 442, and the central portion 443, respectively. In other words, the previous evaluation image 440 is an image consisting of multiple regions, each representing the evaluation result for one of several evaluation items: the inner circumference 441, the outer circumference 442, and the central part 443. Figure 14 shows an example where the evaluation of the smoking experience is displayed in the inner circumference 441, the evaluation of the amount of smoke in the central part 443, and the evaluation of the menthol sensation in the outer circumference 442.

[0105] Instead of displaying the item character information 336 (see Figure 12), the terminal device 200 displays item character information 436 on the Nth reception screen 430 indicating which of the three items described above the evaluation of the inner circumference 441, outer circumference 442, and central part 443 corresponds to. Figure 14 shows an example where the item character information 436 displays "Previous evaluation: Inner circumference - draw, Central part - smoke volume, Outer circumference - menthol sensation". According to the Nth reception screen 430 described above, the user can grasp all of the previous evaluations at a glance. Note that the position where the item character information 436 and evaluation character information 337 are displayed on the Nth reception screen 430 is not particularly limited. The terminal device 200 may also display either the item character information 436 or the evaluation character information 337.

[0106] ≪Summary≫ This disclosure includes the following configurations: (1) A computer implementation method for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, comprising: receiving a puff notification operation to notify that the user has performed a puff operation; displaying an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receiving an evaluation input operation for the user to input the evaluation on the evaluation input image. (2) The computer implementation method according to (1), wherein the puff notification operation is an operation to press an evaluation activation image for activating the evaluation input image. (3) The computer implementation method according to (1), further comprising displaying the target temperature when the aerosol source was heated during the previous heating period. (4) The computer implementation method according to (1), further comprising displaying a previous evaluation image representing the result of the evaluation during the previous heating period of the aerosol source. (5) The computer implementation method according to (4), wherein the puff notification operation is an operation to press an evaluation activation image for activating the evaluation input image, and the previous evaluation image is placed on the same screen as the evaluation activation image. (6) The computer implementation method according to (4), wherein the previous evaluation image is placed on the heating period image representing the previous heating period. (7) The computer implementation method according to (6), wherein the previous evaluation image representing the result of the evaluation at a specific time in the previous heating period is placed at a position on the heating period image corresponding to that specific time. (8) The computer implementation method according to (7), wherein, when the evaluation is an evaluation of multiple evaluation items, the previous evaluation image is an image representing the result of the evaluation for one evaluation item selected from the multiple evaluation items. (9) The computer implementation method according to (7), wherein, when the evaluation is an evaluation of multiple evaluation items, the previous evaluation image is an image consisting of multiple regions, each region representing the result of the evaluation for one of the multiple evaluation items. (10) The computer implementation method according to (6), wherein the image of the heating period image in the range corresponding to the elapsed time in the current heating period of the aerosol source is configured to change its appearance.(11) The computer implementation method according to (10), wherein the images in the range of the previous evaluation images in which the aspect of the heating period image has changed are configured to change aspect. (12) The computer implementation method according to (1), further comprising displaying a heating profile change image for changing the heating profile that defines the time series transition of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source, wherein the heating profile change image is placed on the same screen as the current evaluation image which represents the result of the evaluation input by the evaluation input operation. (13) The computer implementation method according to (1), further comprising changing the heating profile that defines the time series transition of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source based on the result of the evaluation input by the evaluation input operation. (14) A system for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, comprising a control unit, the control unit performing the following: receiving a puff notification operation to notify that the user has performed a puff operation; displaying an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receiving an evaluation input operation in which the user inputs the evaluation on the evaluation input image. (15) A program for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, the program causing a computer to receive a puff notification operation to notify the computer that the user has performed a puff operation, to display an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation, and to receive an evaluation input operation for the user to input the evaluation on the evaluation input image.

[0107] 1...Suction system, 10...Main unit, 100...Suction device, 107...Heating unit, 150...Stick-type substrate, 200...Terminal unit, 230...Display unit, 240...Operation unit, 300...Evaluation input screen, 301A, 301B, 301C, 302A, 302B, 302C, 303A, 303B, 303C...Evaluation input image, 310...Initial reception screen, 311...Heating period image, 312...Evaluation startup image, 313...Elapsed time image, 320...Setting screen, 321, 322, 323...Current evaluation image, 324...Setting image, 330...Nth reception screen, 340...Nth evaluation input screen

Claims

1. A computer implementation method for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, comprising: receiving a puff notification operation to notify that the user has performed a puff action; displaying an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receiving an evaluation input operation in which the user inputs the evaluation on the evaluation input image.

2. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, wherein the puff notification operation is an operation to press an evaluation activation image for activating the evaluation input image.

3. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying the target temperature at which the aerosol source was heated during the previous heating period.

4. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying a previous evaluation image representing the results of the evaluation during the previous heating period of the aerosol source.

5. The computer implementation method according to claim 4, wherein the puff notification operation is an operation to press an evaluation activation image for activating the evaluation input image, and the previous evaluation image is placed on the same screen as the evaluation activation image.

6. The computer implementation method according to claim 4, wherein the previous evaluation image is placed on a heating period image representing the previous heating period.

7. The computer implementation method according to claim 6, wherein the previous evaluation image, which represents the result of the evaluation at a specific time during the previous heating period, is placed at a position on the heating period image corresponding to that specific time.

8. The computer implementation method according to claim 7, wherein, when the evaluation is an evaluation of multiple evaluation items, the previous evaluation image is an image representing the result of the evaluation of one evaluation item selected from the multiple evaluation items.

9. The computer implementation method according to claim 7, wherein, when the evaluation is an evaluation of multiple evaluation items, the previous evaluation image is an image consisting of multiple regions, each region representing the result of the evaluation of one of the multiple evaluation items.

10. The computer implementation method according to claim 6, wherein the image of the heating period, in the range corresponding to the elapsed time during the heating period of the aerosol source, is configured to change in appearance.

11. The computer implementation method according to claim 10, wherein the images in the range of the previous evaluation images in which the aspect of the heating period image has changed are configured to change aspect.

12. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying a heating profile modification image for modifying a heating profile that defines the time-series progression of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source, wherein the heating profile modification image is placed on the same screen as the current evaluation image which represents the result of the evaluation input by the evaluation input operation.

13. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising modifying a heating profile that defines the time-series progression of the target temperature when heating the aerosol source, based on the results of the evaluation input by the evaluation input operation.

14. A system for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, comprising a control unit, the control unit receiving a puff notification operation to notify that the user has performed a puff action, displaying an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation, and receiving an evaluation input operation in which the user inputs the evaluation on the evaluation input image.

15. A program for allowing a user to evaluate an aerosol generated by heating an aerosol source, the program causing a computer to: receive a puff notification operation to notify the computer that the user has performed a puff action; display an evaluation input image for inputting the evaluation in response to the puff notification operation; and receive an evaluation input operation for the user to input the evaluation on the evaluation input image.

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