Inhalation Device Power Control for Verified Peer-to-Peer Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inhalation devices face the challenge of connecting to unintended electronic cigarettes during peer-to-peer communication, leading to potential information transmission to undesired counterparts.

Innovation Solution

A method and power supply unit for inhalation devices that detect and connect to another device based on a predetermined condition being met multiple times, ensuring successful communication by transmitting a connection request signal only after multiple detections, and confirming a response signal, allowing secure data exchange related to aerosol source heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If P2P communication is enabled between inhalation devices, then data exchange capability is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to unintended connections with wrong devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange capabilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of other inhalation devices multiple times before establishing a connection. By requiring a predetermined number of detections (e.g., 2 or more) within a specified time period, the system pre-validates the presence and accessibility of target devices, reducing the risk of unintended connections while maintaining P2P communication capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where connection requests are sent only after confirming multiple detections, and connection status is verified through response signals. This feedback loop ensures that both devices mutually confirm the connection before data exchange begins, thereby improving connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If connection establishment is simplified, then ease of operation is improved, but connection security deteriorates due to potential connections with unintended devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment simplicityVSAvoidunintended connection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs multiple detection cycles and validation checks before allowing connection establishment, eliminating the need for manual verification by users. This preliminary automated validation maintains ease of operation while preventing unintended connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inhalation devices autonomously perform detection, validation, and connection establishment processes without requiring user intervention. The system self- verifies the presence of target devices through multiple detections and automatically manages the connection process, maintaining simplicity while ensuring security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4635349A1Inhalation device control method, inhalation device power supply unit, and program for inhalation device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 JAPAN TOBACCO INC
  • EP4635349A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635349A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4635349A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a control method for a power supply unit of an inhalation device that can generate aerosol by heating an aerosol source, the control method comprising: a detection step (504) for detecting another inhalation device on the basis of a first signal received from another inhalation device satisfying a prescribed condition; a transmission step (509) for transmitting, to the another inhalation device, a second signal requesting to establish a communication connection if the number of times the another inhalation device has been detected reaches a prescribed number of times which is two or more; a determination step (510) for determining, on the basis of a response signal to the second signal having been received from the another inhalation device, that the communication connection with the another inhalation device is successful; and a transition step (511) for transitioning, on the basis of it having been determined that the communication connection is successful, to a state in which prescribed data regarding heating of the aerosol source can be transmitted and received.