EP4573942A1 - Dispositif d'inhalation, procédé de commande et programme - Google Patents

Dispositif d'inhalation, procédé de commande et programme Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4573942A1
EP4573942A1 EP22955705.3A EP22955705A EP4573942A1 EP 4573942 A1 EP4573942 A1 EP 4573942A1 EP 22955705 A EP22955705 A EP 22955705A EP 4573942 A1 EP4573942 A1 EP 4573942A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inhalation device
height
control unit
aerosol
light emitting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22955705.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Hiroshi Tezuka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP4573942A1 publication Critical patent/EP4573942A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/49—Child proofing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F47/00—Smokers' requisites not otherwise provided for

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inhalation device, a control method, and a program.
  • an inhaler that generates an aerosol to which a flavor component is applied and allows a user to inhale the generated aerosol.
  • Such an inhaler typically delivers, to the user, the aerosol generated by heating a base material containing an aerosol source with a heating unit (also referred to as a "heating element") which is an electrical resistance heater or an induction heater.
  • a heating unit also referred to as a "heating element”
  • such an inhaler also has a so-called "child resistance function" in order to prevent an occurrence of inconvenience caused by misuse by a child (for example, an infant and a young child).
  • Patent Literature 1 discloses that, in order to restrict access to contents of a container, a combination of two or more different operations such as squeezing while rotating a cap is required, as the child resistance function.
  • Patent Literature 2 discloses that a mouthpiece that moves relative to a main body portion between a first position and a second position to switch a device between a stopped state and an operating state is biased toward the first position by a spring or the like, and the device is maintained in the stopped state against a predetermined biasing force. It is disclosed that the predetermined biasing force can be selected to exceed a normal force of the infants (an expected hand force) in order to set the switching of the device in the operating state to be child-resistant.
  • the present invention is to provide an inhalation device, a control method, and a program capable of further preventing an occurrence of inconvenience caused by misuse by a child.
  • a first aspect of the present invention is an inhalation device that generates an aerosol from a base material including an aerosol source, the inhalation device including:
  • a second aspect of the present invention is a control method, the control method including a computer, for controlling an operation of an inhalation device that generates an aerosol from a base material including an aerosol source, performing the following processing:
  • a third aspect of the present invention is a program causing a computer, for controlling an operation of an inhalation device that generates an aerosol from a base material including an aerosol source, to perform the following processing:
  • an inhalation device capable of further preventing an occurrence of inconvenience caused by misuse by a child can be provided.
  • An inhalation device of the present embodiment is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user.
  • the substance generated by the inhalation device will be described as an aerosol.
  • the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.
  • FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a first configuration example of the inhalation device.
  • an inhalation device 100A includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor imparting cartridge 130.
  • the power supply unit 110 includes a power supply 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a storage unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A.
  • the cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid guide portion 122, and a liquid storage portion 123.
  • the flavor imparting cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124.
  • An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130.
  • the power supply 111A stores electric power.
  • the power supply 111A supply the electric power to each component of the inhalation device 100A under control of the control unit 116A.
  • the power supply 111A may be implemented by, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery.
  • the sensor unit 112A acquires various types of information related to the inhalation device 100A.
  • the sensor unit 112A is implemented by a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires a value associated with inhalation of the user.
  • the sensor unit 112A is implemented by an input device for receiving an input of information from the user, such as an operation button or a switch.
  • the sensor unit 112A includes a pressure sensor (also referred to as a "puff sensor”) that detects a change in a pressure (that is, an internal pressure) inside the inhalation device 100A caused by the inhalation of the user.
  • the sensor unit 112A may include a flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate generated by the inhalation of the user, and a temperature sensor (also referred to as a "puff thermistor”) that detects a temperature of the heating unit 121A or around the heating unit 121A.
  • the sensor unit 112A may include a height sensor that detects the height at which the inhalation device 100A is located.
  • the height sensor is implemented by a pressure sensor (that is, an atmospheric pressure sensor) that detects an atmospheric pressure applied to the inhalation device 100A.
  • the height sensor may be implemented by a distance measurement sensor that detects a distance between the inhalation device 100A and a target.
  • the distance measurement sensor can be, for example, a radar sensor that detects a distance to the target by irradiating the target with a predetermined radar wave. In this case, a laser, a microwave, a millimeter wave, or an ultrasonic wave may be adopted as the radar wave.
  • the storage unit 114A stores various types of information for an operation of the inhalation device 100A.
  • the storage unit 114A is implemented by, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory.
  • the communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard.
  • a communication standard for example, a standard using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE (registered trademark)), Near Field Communication (NFC), or Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) may be adopted.
  • the control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operations in the inhalation device 100A according to various programs.
  • the control unit 116A is implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor.
  • the liquid storage portion 123 stores an aerosol source. That is, the cartridge 120 including the liquid storage portion 123 for storing the aerosol source is an example of a base material including the aerosol source.
  • the aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol.
  • the aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as water or a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol source may contain a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.
  • the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer
  • the aerosol source may include a medical agent.
  • the liquid guide portion 122 guides the aerosol source, which is a liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 123, from the liquid storage portion 123 and holds the aerosol source.
  • the liquid guide portion 122 is, for example, a wick formed by twisting a fibrous material such as glass fibers or a porous material such as porous ceramics. In that case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage portion 123 is induced by a capillary effect of the wick.
  • the supply of power to the heating unit 121A may be stopped.
  • An inhalation operation of the user with respect to the inhalation device 100A can be detected, for example, based on the fact that the pressure (internal pressure) inside the inhalation device 100A detected by the puff sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.
  • the flavor source 131 is a component for imparting the flavor component to the aerosol.
  • the flavor source 131 may contain the flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.
  • the air flow path 180 is a flow path of air inhaled by the user.
  • the air flow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inflow hole 181 which is an inlet of air into the air flow path 180 and an air outflow hole 182 which is an outlet of air from the air flow path 180 as both ends.
  • the liquid guide portion 122 is disposed on an upstream side (a side close to the air inflow hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is disposed on a downstream side (a side close to the air outflow hole 182).
  • the air flowing in from the air inflow hole 181 in response to the inhalation of the user is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A, passes through the flavor source 131, and is transported to the air outflow hole 182 as indicated by an arrow 190.
  • a mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air passes through the flavor source 131, the flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 is imparted to the aerosol.
  • the mouthpiece 124 is a member that can be held by the user in his/her mouth during the inhalation.
  • the air outflow hole 182 is disposed in the mouthpiece 124. The user can take in the mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air into the oral cavity by holding the mouthpiece 124 in his/her mouth and inhaling the mouthpiece 124.
  • the configuration example of the inhalation device 100A has been described above. It is needless to say that the configuration of the inhalation device 100A is not limited to the above, and may adopt various configurations as exemplified below.
  • the inhalation device 100A may not include the flavor imparting cartridge 130.
  • the mouthpiece 124 is provided on the cartridge 120.
  • the inhalation device 100A may further include a second heating unit that heats the flavor source 131.
  • the second heating unit is formed in a film shape, for example, and is disposed to cover an outer periphery of the flavor imparting cartridge 130. Then, the second heating unit generates heat when being supplied with electric power from the power supply 111A, and heats the flavor imparting cartridge 130 from the outer periphery.
  • a temperature of the flavor source 131 can be increased and an amount of the flavor component applied to the aerosol can be increased, as compared with a case where the second heating unit is not provided.
  • the power to be supplied to the second heating unit may be controlled such that an actual temperature becomes a predetermined target temperature, for example, similarly to a heating unit 121B to be described later.
  • the inhalation device 100A may include a plurality of types of aerosol sources.
  • a plurality of types of aerosols generated from the plurality of types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 to cause a chemical reaction, thereby generating another type of aerosol.
  • a method for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121A.
  • the method for atomizing the aerosol source may be vibratory atomization or induction heating.
  • FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a second configuration example of the inhalation device.
  • an inhalation device 100B according to the present configuration example includes a power supply 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a storage unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, an accommodating portion 140, and a heat insulating portion 144.
  • the power supply 111B, the sensor unit 112B, the notification unit 113B, the storage unit 114B, the communication unit 115B, and the control unit 116B are substantially the same as the corresponding components provided in the inhalation device 100A according to the first configuration example.
  • the accommodating portion 140 has an internal space 141, and holds the stick-type base material 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-type base material 150 in the internal space 141.
  • the accommodating portion 140 has an opening 142 through which the internal space 141 communicates with the outside, and holds the stick-type base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142.
  • the accommodating portion 140 is a cylindrical body having the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 as a bottom surface, and defines the columnar internal space 141.
  • An air flow path for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the accommodating portion 140.
  • An air inflow hole which is an inlet of air to the air flow path, is disposed, for example, in a side surface of the inhalation device 100.
  • An air outflow hole, which is an outlet of air from the air flow path to the internal space 141 is disposed, for example, in the bottom portion 143.
  • the stick-type base material 150 includes a base material portion 151 and an inhalation port portion 152.
  • the base material portion 151 includes the aerosol source. That is, the stick-type base material 150 is another example of the base material including the aerosol source.
  • the aerosol source contains the flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.
  • the aerosol source may include a medical agent.
  • the aerosol source may be a liquid such as water and polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, including the flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, or may be a solid including the flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco.
  • the heating unit 121B is formed in a film shape, and is disposed to cover an outer periphery of the accommodating portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121B generates heat, the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150 is heated from the outer periphery thereof, and the aerosol is generated.
  • the heat insulating portion 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 121B to other components.
  • the heat insulating portion 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material.
  • the configuration example of the inhalation device 100B has been described above. It is needless to say that the configuration of the inhalation device 100B is not limited to the above, and may adopt various configurations as exemplified below.
  • the heating unit 121B may be formed in a blade shape and disposed to protrude from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140 into the internal space 141.
  • the blade-shaped heating unit 121B is inserted into the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150, and heats the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150 from the inside.
  • the heating unit 121B may be disposed to cover the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.
  • the heating unit 121B may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit covering the outer periphery of the accommodating portion 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.
  • the accommodating portion 140 may include an opening and closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a part of an outer shell forming the internal space 141.
  • the accommodating portion 140 may open and close the outer shell to sandwich and accommodate the stick-type base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141.
  • the heating unit 121B may be provided at a sandwiching place in the accommodating portion 140, and may heat the stick-type base material 150 while pressing the stick-type base material 150.
  • the method for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B.
  • the method for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
  • the inhalation device 100B at least includes an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil for generating a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B.
  • a susceptor that generates heat due to the induction heating may be provided in the inhalation device 100B or may be provided in the stick-type base material 150.
  • an external configuration example of an inhalation device 100 (100A, 100B) of the present embodiment will be described.
  • the inhalation device 100 is described as being the inhalation device 100B illustrated in FIG. 1B , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the same can be applied to a case where the inhalation device 100 is the inhalation device 100A illustrated in FIG. 1A .
  • the inhalation device 100B includes a panel 10, a main body housing 20 to which the panel 10 is detachably attached, and the shutter 50 which is slidable with respect to the main body housing 20.
  • the panel 10 and the main body housing 20 are formed as separated members.
  • the panel 10 is mainly implemented by a member serving as a cover lid that forms at least a part of a housing 40 (to be described later) on the outmost of the inhalation device 100B.
  • the panel 10 includes, on a surface (outer surface) thereof, a display part 18 and an operation part 19.
  • the display part 18 is made of a transparent material capable of transmitting light.
  • the light emitting device 23a as an example of the notification unit 113B is provided inside the inhalation device 100B (inside a main body 30 to be described later). The user can visually recognize the light from the light emitting device 23a from the outer surface of the panel 10 via the display part 18.
  • the operation part 19 is configured to form a recess toward the main body housing 20. Accordingly, a position of the operation part 19 can be indicated to the user. Further, the position of the operation part 19 may be indicated to the user by printing a predetermined mark (indication) on the surface of the panel 10.
  • the main body housing 20 accommodates the main body 30 of the inhalation device 100B.
  • Components of the inhalation device 100B illustrated in FIG. 1B are accommodated in, for example, the main body 30.
  • the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20 to form the outermost housing 40 of the inhalation device 100B.
  • the user can make an appearance of the inhalation device 100B match his/her preference by attaching the panel 10 having a design matching his/her preference.
  • the inhalation device 100B includes the panel 10, even when the main body 30 generates heat, the heat to be released to the outside can be buffered. That is, for example, the panel 10 may function to insulate heat generated from the heating unit 121B.
  • the housing 40 is preferably sized to be held in a hand of the user.
  • the user holds the inhalation device 100B with one hand while bringing a fingertip into contact with the surface of the panel 10.
  • the panel 10 is deformed such that the operation part 19 is further recessed toward the main body housing 20.
  • an operation button 22 to be described later
  • the user can power on the inhalation device 100B by pressing down the operation button 22 by pressing the operation part 19 with a finger.
  • FIG. 2 and (a) of FIG. 3 illustrate the inhalation device 100B in a state in which the opening 142 is closed by the shutter 50.
  • the inhalation device 100B is in the state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 3
  • the shutter 50 is moved from above the opening 142 and the opening 142 is opened, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 3 .
  • the user can insert the stick-type base material 150 into the opening 142.
  • FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the inhalation device 100B in a state where the panel 10 is removed therefrom, and specifically illustrates an outer surface of the main body housing 20 which is exposed when the panel 10 is removed from the main body housing 20. That is, the outer surface of the main body housing 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 is covered with the panel 10 in the state where the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20.
  • a magnet 21a, a magnet 21b, the operation button 22, and a display window 23 are provided on the outer surface of the main body housing 20.
  • a sensor for detecting the attachment of the panel 10 to the main body housing 20 may be provided on the outer surface of the main body housing 20.
  • the magnet 21a and the magnet 21b attract the panel 10 to the main body housing 20 by magnetic force (magnetic attraction). Accordingly, the panel 10 is held on the main body housing 20. More specifically, magnets (not illustrated) corresponding to the magnet 21a and the magnet 21b are provided on an inner surface of the panel 10 facing the outer surface of the main body housing 20 when the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. Further, the panel 10 is held on the main body housing 20 by the magnets provided on the panel 10, and the magnet 21a and the magnet 21b.
  • Each of the magnet 21a, the magnet 21b, and the magnets of the panel 10 is preferably formed of, for example, a permanent magnet.
  • the operation button 22 is provided at a position corresponding to the operation part 19 of the panel 10 when the panel 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. Accordingly, as described above, the user can operate the operation button 22 via the operation part 19 of the panel 10.
  • the display window 23 is an opening aligned in position with the light emitting device 23a provided in the main body 30, and transmits light from the light emitting device 23a to the display part 18 of the panel 10. Accordingly, as described above, the user can visually recognize the light from the light emitting device 23a from the outer surface of the panel 10.
  • the light emitting device 23a notifies the user of predetermined information by emitting light in a predetermined light emitting mode.
  • the light emitting mode can be, for example, a light emission color, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an intensity of lighting (in other words, brightness) or a lighting pattern (for example, blinking at a predetermined time interval).
  • Examples of the notification performed by the light emitting device 23a include a notification on operation information of the inhalation device 100B indicating whether the power supply of the inhalation device 100B is turned on (that is, in a power-on state).
  • the light emitting device 23a may notify the user of information related to a height at which the inhalation device 100 of the present embodiment including the inhalation device 100B is located (to be described later).
  • a control unit 116 (116A, 116B) may operate the inhalation device 100 based on an input from the user. As an example, the control unit 116 causes the inhalation device 100 to generate the aerosol in response to an aerosol generation request from the user.
  • the aerosol generation request can be, for example, an operation (hereinafter, also referred to as a "heating start operation") instructing a start of the heating.
  • the heating start operation can be press-down of the operation button 22.
  • the heating start operation may be an inhalation operation on the inhalation device 100.
  • the aerosol generation request is not limited to a direct operation on the inhalation device 100, and may be reception of predetermined information from another device capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100, such as a smartphone.
  • the control unit 116 can detect the aerosol generation request based on, for example, information acquired by a sensor unit 112 or a communication unit 115.
  • the control unit 116A supplies a predetermined amount of electric power to the heating unit 121A to generate the aerosol.
  • the electric power supplied to the heating unit 121A is determined in advance by a manufacturer of the inhalation device 100A in order to generate an appropriate amount of aerosol including an appropriate amount of flavor components, for example. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a high-quality smoking experience to the user.
  • the control unit 116B controls the temperature of the heating unit 121B based on a heating profile prepared in advance to generate the aerosol.
  • the heating profile is information that defines a time-series transition of a target temperature that is a target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121B, and is stored in advance in the storage unit 114B, for example.
  • the control unit 116B controls the temperature of the heating unit 121B based on a deviation between the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of the heating control based on the heating profile and an actual temperature of the heating unit 121B (hereinafter also referred to as an "actual temperature”). More specifically, at this time, the control unit 116B controls the temperature of the heating unit 121B such that a time-series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121B is the same as the time-series transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile.
  • the heating profile is typically designed to optimize a flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type base material 150.
  • the heating profile is typically designed to optimize a flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type base material 150.
  • the present embodiment is configured to focus on the fact that a height of a child of an age that may play around with the inhalation device 100 (for example, an infant and a young child who are three years old or younger.
  • a height of a child of an age that may play around with the inhalation device 100 for example, an infant and a young child who are three years old or younger.
  • a predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 is restricted according to a height at which the inhalation device 100 is located.
  • the reference point is not limited to the ground or the floor surface, and may be set by the user, for example. Accordingly, the user can set an appropriate position as the reference point in consideration of a place where the user is located. As an example, the reference point may be set by the user performing a predetermined operation on the inhalation device 100 or another device capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100.
  • control unit 116 acquires the height information based on a detection result of the height sensor included in the sensor unit 112 (112A, 112B).
  • the control unit 116 acquires the height information based on a detection result (that is, an atmospheric pressure) of the atmospheric pressure sensor. More specifically, in this case, for example, the inhalation device 100 sets, for the user, any position in the vertical direction in a vicinity of the floor surface (or the ground) of the place where the user is located as the reference point. Then, the inhalation device 100 uses the atmospheric pressure sensor to measure, for the user, an atmospheric pressure at the reference point and an atmospheric pressure at a position (for example, a position where an adult normally uses the inhalation device 100) where the inhalation device 100 is lifted up to a certain extent so as to be away from the reference point.
  • a detection result that is, an atmospheric pressure
  • the control unit 116 derives elevations (that is, heights from a mean sea level) at the reference point and the lifted position from the atmospheric pressures of the reference point and the lifted position detected by the measurement, and acquires the height information in which an elevation difference between the elevations is set as the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located. Accordingly, when the height information is to be acquired based on the detection result of the atmospheric pressure sensor, the height information indicating an appropriate value as the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located can also be acquired.
  • the control unit 116 may derive an elevation difference from the elevations at the reference point and the lifted position detected by the height sensor, and acquire the height information in which the elevation difference is set as the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located.
  • the control unit 116 acquires the height information based on a detection result of the distance measurement sensor. More specifically, in this case, for example, the inhalation device 100 uses the distance measurement sensor to measure, for the user, the distance from the floor surface (or the ground, that is, the reference point) of the place where the user is located to the inhalation device 100. Then, the control unit 116 acquires the height information indicating the distance detected by the measurement as the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located. Accordingly, when the height information is to be acquired based on the detection result of the distance measurement sensor, the height information indicating an appropriate value as the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located can also be acquired.
  • control unit 116 may acquire the height information based on information received from another device (that is, the outside of the inhalation device 100) capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100 via the communication unit 115 (115A, 115B).
  • the control unit 116 may acquire the height information based on information received from a wearable device (for example, a smart watch worn by the user) including the height sensor (for example, the atmospheric pressure sensor).
  • the control unit 116 acquires the height information. Accordingly, as compared with a case where the height information is acquired periodically (for example, every minute) regardless of an operation of the user, it is possible to reduce the number of times of acquisition of the height information and prevent an increase in the power consumption of the inhalation device 100 associated with the acquisition of the height information.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information can be, for example, an operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information may be an operation of mounting the flavor imparting cartridge 130 to the inhalation device 100A.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of height information may be an operation of inserting the stick-type base material 150 into the opening 142.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is the operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142, and when the operation is detected, the control unit 116 starts to acquire the height information. While the opening 142 is open, the control unit 116 acquires the height information at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 0.1 [s]). Accordingly, while the opening 142 is open, the control unit 116 can acquire the height information indicating, in real time, the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located.
  • playing around with the inhalation device 100 may result in the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information being repeated a plurality of times within a short period of time.
  • the number of times of acquisition of the height information is large, and the power consumption of the inhalation device 100 associated with the acquisition of the height information may increase.
  • the control unit 116 may start the acquisition of the height information when a predetermined period of time (for example, 2 seconds) elapses since the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed. Accordingly, even if the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is repeated a plurality of times in a short period of time, an increase in the number of times of the acquisition of the height information can be prevented. Thus, an increase in the power consumption of the inhalation device 100 associated with the acquisition of the height information can be prevented.
  • the predetermined period of time can be appropriately determined by, for example, the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is, for example, the operation of sliding the shutter 50 to open the opening 142.
  • the control unit 116 may start the acquisition of the height information.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is the operation of mounting the flavor imparting cartridge 130.
  • the control unit 116 may start the acquisition of the height information.
  • the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is the operation of inserting the stick-type base material 150 into the opening 142.
  • the control unit 116 may start the acquisition of the height information.
  • the control unit 116 determines whether the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located is less than a threshold based on the acquired height information. For example, every time the height information is acquired, the control unit 116 determines whether the height indicated by the acquired height information is less than the threshold.
  • the threshold is determined by, for example, the manufacturer or the like of the inhalation device 100 in consideration of a typical height of a child of an age that may play around with the inhalation device 100.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a threshold as a condition for restricting the operation of the inhalation device 100.
  • a child who is a target of the CR function (that is, operation restriction) of the inhalation device 100 is an infant and a young child who are three years old or younger.
  • An average height of a three-years-old child (that is, a child considered to have a highest average height among the children that are targets of the CR function of the inhalation device 100) is about 100 [cm].
  • a threshold that is a condition for restricting the operation of the inhalation device 100 is 130 [cm]. Accordingly, it is possible to set, as the threshold, a height that a young child having a height of about 100 [cm] does not reach even if the infant extends his/her hand upward.
  • the threshold of 130 [cm] is lower than an average height of an adult (for example, an average height of an adult female). Accordingly, the threshold which is a condition for restricting the operation of the inhalation device 100 is prevented from being a height which it is difficult for an adult to reach.
  • the threshold may be set by the user. In this way, the user can set a desired threshold in consideration of a height of the user or his/her child.
  • the control unit 116 restricts the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 based on a determination result. More specifically, when it is determined that the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 116 does not restrict the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100. That is, in this case, the control unit 116 may cause the inhalation device 100 to perform the predetermined operation, in response to an input from the user.
  • an adult who can set the inhalation device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold can release the restriction on the predetermined operation by performing a simple operation of lifting the inhalation device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold and cause the inhalation device 100 to perform the predetermined operation as appropriate.
  • the predetermined operation can be restricted while preventing a decrease in the convenience for an adult user.
  • the control unit 116 restricts the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100. That is, in this case, even if there is an input from the user, the control unit 116 does not cause the inhalation device 100 to perform the predetermined operation. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a predetermined operation from being performed for a child for whom it is difficult to set the inhalation device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold. Thus, the occurrence of inconvenience caused by the misuse by the child can be prevented.
  • the predetermined operation restricted according to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located includes, for example, generating the aerosol in response to the aerosol generation request from the user. Accordingly, the aerosol can be prevented from being generated for a child for whom it is difficult to set the inhalation device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold.
  • the predetermined operation may be supplying the electric power to the heating unit 121A in response to the inhalation operation on the inhalation device 100A.
  • the predetermined operation may be the heating control based on the heating profile in response to the heating start operation.
  • the predetermined operation may be an operation of turning on the power supply of the inhalation device 100 (that is, an operation of activating the inhalation device 100) in response to a power-on operation (for example, the press-down of the operation button 22) from the user.
  • a power-on operation for example, the press-down of the operation button 22
  • any operation other than the operation related to the release of the operation restriction (that is, the CR function) in the inhalation device 100 may be the predetermined operation.
  • control unit 116 may cause the aerosol to be generated in response to the aerosol generation request. In this way, since it is necessary to perform a plurality of processes before generating the aerosol, the aerosol can be further prevented from being generated for the child.
  • the control unit 116 may turn on the power supply of the inhalation device 100. Thereafter, when the operation button 22 is further long-pressed or pressed down a plurality of times in a state where the power supply of the inhalation device 100 is turned on, the control unit 116 may cause the aerosol to be generated.
  • the control unit 116A may turn on the power supply of the inhalation device 100A. Thereafter, when the operation button 22 is further long-pressed or pressed down a plurality of times in a state where the power supply of the inhalation device 100A is turned on, the control unit 116 may supply electric power to the heating unit 121A in response to the inhalation operation on the inhalation device 100A.
  • the control unit 116B may turn on the power supply of the inhalation device 100B. Thereafter, when the operation button 22 is further long-pressed or pressed down a plurality of times in a state where the power supply of the inhalation device 100B is turned on, the control unit 116 may start the heating control based on the heating profile.
  • the control unit 116B may turn on the power supply of the inhalation device 100B. Thereafter, when the stick-type base material 150 is inserted into the opening 142 in a state where the power supply of the inhalation device 100B is turned on, the control unit 116 may start the heating control based on the heating profile.
  • the inhalation device 100 may be set to a height equal to or greater than the threshold (for example, 130 [cm]). In such a case, when the inhalation device 100 cannot be used even though the user is an adult, the convenience of the inhalation device 100 may be decreased, and the marketability of the inhalation device 100 may be decreased.
  • the threshold for example, 130 [cm]
  • the control unit 116 may disable the restriction on the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 for a certain period of time since the input of the release information is received. That is, when the input of the release information is received, the control unit 116 may cause the inhalation device 100 to perform the predetermined operation for a certain period of time regardless of the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located. Accordingly, even when it is difficult for the user to set the inhalation device 100 to a height equal to or greater than the threshold, the inhalation device 100 can be used by inputting the release information, and the decrease in the convenience of the inhalation device 100 can be prevented.
  • the release information may be input to the control unit 116 by the user performing a predetermined operation on the inhalation device 100 or another device capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100. That is, the control unit 116 may acquire the release information via the sensor unit 112 or the communication unit 115.
  • the operation that triggers the input of the release information is a direct operation on the inhalation device 100
  • the operation is preferably an operation complicated to some extent, such as a long press or a plurality of times of press down of the operation button 22. In this way, the release information can be prevented from being unintentionally input due to playing around with the inhalation device 100.
  • the release information may be input when a biometric authentication (for example, a fingerprint authentication) of the user is performed by the inhalation device 100 or another device capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100. In this way, the release information can be more firmly prevented from being unintentionally input.
  • a biometric authentication for example, a fingerprint authentication
  • other types of user authentication such as a gesture authentication, a personal identification number (PIN) authentication, a password authentication, or a voice authentication may be adopted.
  • the control unit 116 may disable the restriction on the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 for a certain period of time since the predetermined operation is completed. That is, when the predetermined operation is performed in the inhalation device 100, the control unit 116 may cause the inhalation device 100 to perform the predetermined operation for a certain period of time regardless of the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located.
  • the certain period of time since the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 is completed that is, a period of time during which the restriction on the predetermined operation is disabled
  • a length of the restriction-disabled period of time is determined in advance by, for example, the manufacturer of the inhalation device 100.
  • the control unit 116 may start the heating control based on the heating profile again without requiring the operation for releasing the operation restriction in the inhalation device 100. Accordingly, an increase in the time and efforts of the user at the time of the chain smoking is prevented, and the convenience of the inhalation device 100 is improved.
  • a period from when the heating control based on the heating profile is started to when the heating control is completed is set as X [s] (for example, 300 [s]).
  • X [s] for example, 300 [s]
  • the user who performs the chain smoking starts the heating control based on the heating profile again before 2 ⁇ X [s] elapses, after the heating control based on the heating profile is completed. That is, if the heating control based on the heating profile is not started again before 2 ⁇ X [s] elapses after the heating control based on the heating profile is completed, there is a high possibility that the user does not intend to perform the chain smoking.
  • the restriction-disabled period of time may be a period of time having a length twice the period of time from when the heating control based on the heating profile is started to when the heating control is completed, that is, a period of time having a length of 2 ⁇ X [s]. Accordingly, a period of time of an appropriate length as the restriction-disabled period of time can be set while preventing the increase in the time and efforts of the user at the time of chain smoking.
  • control unit 116 may notify the user of information related to the height, at which the inhalation device 100 is located, via a notification unit 113 (113A, 113B), based on the acquired height information. Accordingly, the user can grasp the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located, and can get an idea of how much the inhalation device 100 is to be lifted up.
  • the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located can be, for example, information indicating the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located.
  • the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located is not limited to information clearly indicating the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located as "OO [cm]", and may be, for example, information indicating the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located to an extent that the user can roughly grasp the height.
  • the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located may be, for example, information indicating the presence or absence of the operation restriction corresponding to a height at which the inhalation device 100 is currently located.
  • the notification unit 113 includes the light emitting device 23a configured to emit light in a plurality of emission colors including blue, yellow, and red. Then, the control unit 116 notifies the user of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located by making the emission color of the light emitting device 23a different according to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located. Accordingly, the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located and the emission colors of the light emitting device 23a. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , for example, when the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 0 [cm] and less than 100 [cm], the control unit 116 causes the light emitting device 23a to emit red light.
  • control unit 116 causes the light emitting device 23a to emit yellow light.
  • control unit 116 causes the light emitting device 23a to emit blue light.
  • the user can roughly grasp the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located according to the emission color of the light emitting device 23a.
  • the inhalation device 100 is lifted up from a height of less than 100 [cm] at which smoking using the inhalation device 100 is impossible to a height of equal to or greater than 130 [cm] at which the smoking using the inhalation device 100 is possible.
  • the emission color of the light emitting device 23a first changes from red to yellow, and then changes from yellow to blue.
  • the user can efficiently lift up the inhalation device 100 to a height at which the operation restriction in the inhalation device 100 is released.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the light emitting device 23a.
  • the light emitting device 23a includes a first light emitting element 23a_1, a second light emitting element 23a_2, and a third light emitting element 23a_3.
  • LEDs may be adopted as the first light emitting element 23a_1, the second light emitting element 23a_2, and the third light emitting element 23a_3.
  • Emission colors of the first light emitting element 23a_1, the second light emitting element 23a_2, and the third light emitting element 23a_3 may be the same or different.
  • the control unit 116 notifies the user of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located, by making the number of light emitting elements that emit light among the light emitting elements provided in the light emitting device 23a different according to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located. Accordingly, the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
  • the user can roughly grasp the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located according to the number of light emitting elements that emit light.
  • control unit 116 causes the second light emitting element 23a_2 to emit light.
  • the control unit 116 may notify the user of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located, by making a display mode of the display unit different according to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located. In this case, the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located can also be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
  • the user is notified of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located via a display device 23b as an example of the display unit provided in the notification unit 113.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display device 23b.
  • the display device 23b is provided at a position visible to the user in the inhalation device 100.
  • As the display device 23b for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display may be adopted.
  • EL organic electroluminescence
  • the display device 23b displays, for example, an indicator I as an image for notifying the user of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located.
  • the indicator I indicates the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located in three stages.
  • FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located and a display mode of the indicator I of the display device 23b. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , for example, when the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located is equal to or greater than 0 [cm] and less than 100 [cm], the control unit 116 displays the indicator I of the display device 23b in one-stage display.
  • control unit 116 displays the indicator I of the display device 23b in two-stage display.
  • control unit 116 displays the indicator I of the display device 23b in three-stage display.
  • the user can grasp the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located according to the display mode of the display device 23b.
  • the inhalation device 100 is lifted up from a height of less than 100 [cm] at which the smoking using the inhalation device 100 is impossible to a height of equal to or greater than 130 [cm] at which the smoking using the inhalation device 100 is possible.
  • the indicator I of the display device 23b first changes from the one-step display to the two-stage display, and then changes from the two-stage display to the three-stage display.
  • the user can efficiently lift up the inhalation device 100 to the height at which the operation restriction in the inhalation device 100 is released.
  • FIG. 11 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of the processing performed by the control unit 116.
  • FIG. 12 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of the processing performed by the control unit 116.
  • step S3 determines whether the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed.
  • step S3 determines whether the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information.
  • step S3 When it is determined that the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed (step S3: Yes), the control unit 116 starts the acquisition of the height information and notifies the user of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located via the notification unit 113 based on the acquired height information (step S4).
  • the control unit 116 when an operation of sliding the shutter 50 as the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed, the control unit 116 starts the acquisition of the height information. Then, while the opening 142 is open, the control unit 116 acquires the height information at a predetermined cycle (that is, in real time). Further, every time the height information is acquired, the control unit 116 notifies, by the light emitting device 23a or the like, the user of the information related to the height indicated by the acquired height information (that is, the height at which the inhalation device 100 is currently located).
  • step S5 determines whether the height indicated by the acquired height information is less than the threshold.
  • step S5: Yes the control unit 116 performs the processing of step S5 every time the height information is acquired while continuing the acquisition of the height information at a predetermined cycle and the notification of the information related to the height at which the inhalation device 100 is located until a timeout occurs (step S6: No).
  • step S6: Yes the control unit 116 ends the series of processing illustrated in FIGs. 11 and 12 .
  • control unit 116 may determine the timeout, for example, under a condition that a predetermined period of time (for example, 180 [s]) elapses since the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed.
  • a predetermined period of time for example, 180 [s]
  • step S7 determines whether a power-on operation is performed.
  • step S8 determines whether a timeout occurs.
  • step S8: Yes the control unit 116 ends the series of processing illustrated in FIGSs. 11 and 12.
  • step S8 as in step S6, for example, the control unit 116 may determine the timeout under a condition that a predetermined period of time elapses since the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed.
  • step S7 When it is determined the power-on operation is performed (step S7: Yes), the control unit 116 turns on the power supply of the inhalation device 100 (step S9). Then, the control unit 116 determines whether the heating start operation is performed (step S10). When it is determined that no heating start operation is performed (step S10: No), the control unit 116 repeats the processing of step S10 until a timeout occurs (step S11: No). When the timeout occurs (step S11: Yes), the control unit 116 ends the series of processing illustrated in FIGs. 11 and 12 .
  • step S11 as in steps S6 and S8, for example, the control unit 116 may determine the timeout under a condition that a predetermined period of time elapses since the operation that triggers the acquisition of the height information is performed.
  • step S10 When it is determined that the heating start operation is performed (step S10: Yes), as illustrated in FIG. 12 , the control unit 116 starts the heating control based on the heating profile (step S12). Then, the control unit 116 waits for the completion of the heating control (step S13: No), and when the heating control is completed (step S13: Yes), the control unit 116 sets a certain period of time after the completion of the heating control as the restriction-disabled period of time (step S14), and ends the series of processing illustrated in FIGs. 11 and 12 .
  • a predetermined operation for example, generating the aerosol
  • the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 can be prevented from being performed at a low position at which it is assumed that a child is playing around with the inhalation device 100, and meanwhile the predetermined operation in the inhalation device 100 (that is, normal use of the inhalation device 100) can be performed at a high position at which it is assumed that an adult who is a legitimate user is using the inhalation device 100.
  • the decrease in convenience for an adult who is a legitimate user of the inhalation device 100 can be prevented while preventing the occurrence of inconvenience caused by the misuse by a child. That is, according to the inhalation device 100, an appropriate CR function can be provided for the user, and the marketability of the inhalation device 100 can be improved.
  • a control method of the inhalation device 100 described in the above embodiment can be achieved by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer (a processor).
  • the program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and is executed by being read from the storage medium. Further, the program may be provided in a form of being stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, and may be provided via a network such as the Internet.
  • the computer that executes the program can be, for example, a component provided in the inhalation device 100 (for example, the CPU of the inhalation device 100), but is not limited thereto, and may be a component provided in another device (for example, a smartphone or a server) capable of communicating with the inhalation device 100.
  • the predetermined operation in the inhalation device is restricted when it is determined that the height at which the inhalation device is located is less than the threshold, the predetermined operation can be prevented from being performed for a child for whom it is difficult to set the inhalation device to a height equal to or greater than the threshold.
  • an occurrence of inconvenience caused by misuse by a child can be prevented.
  • the aerosol can be prevented from being generated for the child for whom it is difficult to set the inhalation device to a height equal to or greater than the threshold.
  • the aerosol can be prevented from being generated for the child for whom it is difficult to set the inhalation device to a height equal to or greater than the threshold.
  • the aerosol since it is necessary to perform a plurality of processes before generating the aerosol, the aerosol can be further prevented from being generated for the child.
  • the user can grasp the height at which the inhalation device is located.
  • the height at which the inhalation device is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
  • the height at which the inhalation device is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
  • the height at which the inhalation device is located can be notified to the user in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.
  • a period of time of an appropriate length as a period of time for disabling the restriction on the predetermined operation can be set while preventing the increase in the time and efforts of the user at the time of chain smoking.
  • an appropriate position can be set as the reference point.
  • a control method including: a computer (control unit 116, 116A, 116B), for controlling an operation of an inhalation device (inhalation device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol from a base material (cartridge 120, flavor imparting cartridge 130, stick-type base material 150) including an aerosol source, performing the following processing:
  • the predetermined operation in the inhalation device is restricted when it is determined that the height at which the inhalation device is located is less than the threshold, the predetermined operation can be prevented from being performed for a child for whom it is difficult to set the inhalation device to a height equal to or greater than the threshold.
  • the occurrence of inconvenience caused by the misuse by a child can be prevented.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Hooks, Suction Cups, And Attachment By Adhesive Means (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)
EP22955705.3A 2022-08-17 2022-08-17 Dispositif d'inhalation, procédé de commande et programme Pending EP4573942A1 (fr)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3389422A1 (fr) 2015-12-18 2018-10-24 JT International SA Dispositif inhalateur et son procédé de fonctionnement
US10759554B2 (en) 2017-02-02 2020-09-01 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Dispenser unit for aerosol precursor
US10327479B2 (en) * 2017-03-15 2019-06-25 Canopy Growth Corporation System and method for an improved personal vapourization device
EP4260743A4 (fr) * 2020-12-14 2024-11-20 Japan Tobacco Inc. Dispositif d'inhalation et programme

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JPWO2024038531A1 (fr) 2024-02-22
KR20250038717A (ko) 2025-03-19

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Inventor name: TEZUKA, HIROSHI