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
  • A24F40/50—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
  • A24F40/10—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
  • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
• • 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
  • A24F40/50—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
  • 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
  • A24F40/65—Devices with integrated communication means, e.g. wireless communication means

Definitions

• an inhalation device employs an aerosol source for generating an aerosol, and a substrate including a flavor source or the like for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol, to generate an aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted.
• the user can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted, generated by the inhalation device.
• the action by which the user inhales the aerosol is also referred to below as "puffing" or a "puffing action”.
• Preferences for the flavor tasted during puffing vary for each user.
• the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated which directly affects the taste, can therefore preferably be customized by the user.
• PTL 1 below discloses technology with which a user customizes the temperature at which an aerosol source is heated.
• the present disclosure therefore takes account of the problems above, and the objective of the present disclosure lies in providing a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of a user experience.
• one aspect of the present invention provides a terminal device comprising a control unit for controlling customization processing which comprises: generating a customization screen for displaying an operation point for setting a parameter relating to a temperature at which an aerosol source contained in a substrate is heated, the parameter being included in control information that defines a time-series transition of the parameter and being used by an inhalation device for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol source on the basis of the control information; receiving a user operation for setting a position of the operation point displayed on the generated customization screen; and setting, in the inhalation device, the control information in which the parameter commensurate with the position of the operation point has been set, wherein the control unit generates the customization screen to display, in a distinguishable manner, a first range in which the operation point can be placed and a second range in which the operation point cannot be placed.
• the customization screen may include a graph showing a time-series transition of the parameter included in the control information, and the operation point may be a plot on the graph.
• the operation point may be a plot corresponding to a puff timing among plots on the graph.
• the control unit may set the first range and the second range on the basis of the type of substrate used in the inhalation device.
• the control unit may generate the customization screen to display the second range emphasized in relation to the first range.
• another aspect of the present invention provides an information processing method implemented by means of a computer, the information processing method comprising controlling customization processing comprising: generating a customization screen for displaying an operation point for setting a parameter relating to a temperature at which an aerosol source contained in a substrate is heated, the parameter being included in control information that defines a time-series transition of the parameter and being used by an inhalation device for generating an aerosol by heating the aerosol source on the basis of the control information; receiving a user operation for setting a position of the operation point displayed on the generated customization screen; and setting, in the inhalation device, the control information in which the parameter commensurate with the position of the operation point has been set, wherein generating the customization screen comprises generating the customization screen to display, in a distinguishable manner, a first range in which the operation point can be placed and a second range in which the operation point cannot be placed.
• the present disclosure as described above makes it possible to further improve the quality of user experience.
• elements having substantially identical functional configurations may also be distinguished by using the same reference sign followed by a different letter of the alphabet.
• a plurality of elements having a substantially identical functional configuration are distinguished as an inhalation device 100A and an inhalation device 100B as necessary.
• only the same code is assigned.
• the inhalation device 100A and the inhalation device 100B then the inhalation device is merely referred as the inhalation device 100.
• the inhalation device 100 is a device for generating a substance to be inhaled by a user.
• the substance generated by the inhalation device 100 will be described as being an aerosol.
• the inhalation device 100 is an example of an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol.
• the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.
• the inhalation device 100 can accommodate a stick-type substrate 150.
• the inhalation device 100 generates the aerosol by using the stick-type substrate 150 accommodated therein.
• the stick-type substrate 150 is an example of a substrate that contributes to generation of an aerosol.
• the stick-type substrate 150 contains an aerosol source.
• the inhalation device 100 generates the aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150 accommodated therein.
• the terminal device 200 is a device used by a user of the inhalation device 100.
• the terminal device 200 is associated with the inhalation device 100.
• the inhalation device 100 and the terminal device 200 may be paired in advance for wireless communication, or the fact that the user of the inhalation device 100 and the terminal device 200 is the same may be registered in the server 300 in advance.
• the terminal device 200 may be any device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, or a personal computer (PC).
• the terminal device 200 may be a charger that charges the inhalation device 100.
• the server 300 is a control device that manages information about each device included in the system 1.
• the server 300 is connected to the terminal device 200 via a network 900.
• the server 300 indirectly communicates with the inhalation device 100 via the terminal device 200.
• the server 300 may perform various processing on the basis of information collected from the inhalation device 100 via the terminal device 200.
• the server 300 may perform various processing on the basis of user operations performed on the terminal device 200.
• the system 1 includes a plurality of the inhalation devices 100 and a plurality of the terminal devices 200 used by a plurality of users.
• a user who uses the inhalation device 100A and the terminal device 200A is also referred to as user A.
• a user who uses the inhalation device 100B and the terminal device 200B is also referred to as user B.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating schematically a configuration example of the inhalation device 100.
• an inhalation device 100 according to the present configuration example comprises a power source unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, an accommodating portion 140, and a heat insulating portion 144.
• the power source unit 111 stores electrical power. The power source unit 111 then supplies the electric power to each component of the inhalation device 100 in accordance with control performed by the control unit 116.
• the power source unit 111 may be configured, for example, by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.
• the sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information relating to the inhalation device 100.
• the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user.
• the sensor unit 112 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
• the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information.
• the notification unit 113 is configured by a light-emitting device which emits light, a display device which displays images, a sound output device which outputs sound, or a vibration device which vibrates, etc., for example.
• the storage unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the inhalation device 100.
• the memory unit 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.
• the control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operation within the inhalation device 100 in accordance with various programs.
• the control unit 116 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
• the accommodating portion 140 has an internal space 141, and holds the stick-type substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141.
• the accommodating portion 140 has an opening 142 allowing the internal space 141 to communicate with the outside, and accommodates the stick-type substrate 150 that has been inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142.
• the accommodating portion 140 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines a 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 for air into the air flow path, is disposed in a side surface of the inhalation device 100, for example.
• An air outflow hole serving as an outlet for air from the air flow path to the internal space 141 is disposed in the bottom portion 143, for example.
• the stick-type substrate 150 comprises a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152.
• the substrate portion 151 contains an aerosol source.
• the aerosol source includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. If the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug.
• the aerosol source may, for example, be a liquid such as water or a polyhydric alcohol, for example glycerol or propylene glycol, containing the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or may be a solid including the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component.
• the heating unit 121 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol.
• the heating unit 121 has a film-like form and is arranged so as to cover an outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 is heated from the outer circumference and an aerosol is generated.
• the heating unit 121 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 111.
• electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started sucking and/or that predetermined information has been input. The supply of electricity may then be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has finished sucking and/or that predetermined information has been input.
• the inhalation device 100 collaborates with the stick-type substrate 150 to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by the user.
• the combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may be considered as an aerosol-generating system.
• Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal device 200 according to the embodiment.
• the terminal device 200 includes an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a detection unit 230, a communication unit 240, a memory unit 250, and a control unit 260.
• the detection unit 230 has the function of detecting information relating to the terminal device 200.
• the detection unit 230 may detect location information of the terminal device 200.
• the detection unit 230 receives a GNSS (global navigation satellite system) signal from a GNSS satellite (e.g., a GPS signal from a GPS (global positioning system) satellite), and detects location information comprising the longitude and latitude of the device.
• the detection unit 230 may detect movement of the terminal device 200.
• the detection unit 230 includes a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, and detects an angular velocity and an acceleration.
• the communication unit 240 is a communication interface for sending and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and another device.
• the communication unit 240 performs communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards which may be used include standards employing USB (universal serial bus), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (near field communication), or LPWA (low-power wide area), etc.
• the control unit 260 functions as an arithmetic processing device or a control device, controlling overall operation within the terminal device 200 in accordance with various programs.
• the control unit 260 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
• the control unit 260 may also include a ROM (read-only memory) for storing programs and computation parameters, etc. which are used, and a RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing suitably changing parameters, etc.
• the terminal device 200 implements various types of processing based on control performed by the control unit 260.
• control unit 260 may be realized using an application.
• the application may be pre-installed or downloaded.
• functions of the control unit 260 may be realized by means of PWA (progressive web apps).
• Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the server 300 according to the embodiment.
• the server 300 includes a notification unit 310, a memory unit 320, and a communication unit 330.
• the communication unit 310 is a communication interface for sending and receiving information between the server 300 and another device.
• the communication unit 310 performs communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard.
• the memory unit 320 stores various types of information for operation of the server 300.
• the storage unit 320 is constructed of a non-volatile storage medium such as, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Driver).
• the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. Control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is achieved by controlling the supply of power from the power source unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 heats the stick-type substrate 150 using power supplied from the power source unit 111.
• the heating profile may comprise a parameter (hereinafter also referred to as a power supply parameter) defining how power is supplied to the heating unit 121.
• the power supply parameters include, for example, a voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, or a method of feedback control to be employed. ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121 may be considered as ON/OFF of the heating unit 121.
• the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (a heating resistive element constituting the heating unit 121, to be more precise), for example. This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistive element varies with temperature.
• the electrical resistance value of the heating resistive element can be estimated by measuring the amount of voltage drop at the heating resistive element, for example.
• the amount of voltage drop at the heating resistive element can be measured by a voltage sensor measuring a potential difference applied to the heating resistive element.
• the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating unit 121.
• a heating session is a period of time during which electrical supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled on the basis of the heating profile.
• the beginning of the heating session is the timing at which heating based on the heating profile is started.
• the end of the heating session is the timing at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated.
• the heating session comprises a first-half preheating period and a second-half puffing-possible period.
• the puffing-possible period is the period of time during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated.
• the preheating period is the period from when heating is started until the puffing-possible period is started. Heating performed in the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.
• Fig. 5 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile.
• the horizontal axis of the graph 20 denotes time.
• the vertical axis of the graph 20 denotes temperature.
• the line 21 denotes a time-series transition of the target temperature.
• the heating session may include an initial temperature-increase period, an intermediate temperature-reduction period, and a temperature re-increase period in succession.
• the initial temperature-increase period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rapidly rises after the start of heating and is kept at a high temperature.
• the intermediate temperature-reduction period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops after the initial temperature-increase period.
• the temperature re-increase period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 is once again increased after the intermediate temperature-reduction period.
• the target temperature rapidly increases to around 300°C during the initial temperature-increase period, then drops to around 230°C during the intermediate temperature-reduction period, after which the temperature increases stepwise to around 260°C during the temperature re-increase period.
• electrical supply to the heating unit 121 may be interrupted and heating may be turned OFF. In the example shown in fig.
• the period from the start of heating to partway through the initial temperature-increase period is the preheating period, and the period from part way through the initial temperature-increase period to the end of the temperature re-increase period is the puffing-possible period.
• the system 1 repeatedly executes customization processing.
• the customization processing is processing for customizing (or namely, modifying) the heating profile.
• the user requests a modification from the system 1 so that the feeling from inhalation approaches the user's preference.
• the system 1 then generates a heating profile in accordance with the user request.
• the system 1 can gradually generate a heating profile that can provide an optimal user experience by repeating the customization processing.
• the customization processing is executed or controlled by each of the inhalation device 100, the terminal device 200, or the server 300.
• the customization processing includes at least: the inhalation device 100 generating the aerosol using the heating profile; receiving a user request to modify the heating profile; generating a heating profile on the basis of the user modification request; and setting the generated heating profile in the inhalation device 100.
• the customization processing may be repeatedly performed until a heating profile as intended by the user is generated. Each process included in the customization processing will be described in detail below.
• the inhalation device 100 generates an aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150 on the basis of the heating profile, more specifically, by heating the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150 on the basis of the heating profile.
• the user inhales the aerosol generated by the inhalation device 100 and evaluates the feeling from inhalation.
• the user can take a plurality of puffs during the heating session.
• the inhalation device 100 may transmit information for identifying the actual puff timing to the terminal device 200.
• the information for identifying the puff timing may be information indicating what number puff was taken during the heating session, or information identifying the puff timing by the time elapsed from the start of heating.
• the information for identifying the puff timing may be included in the information indicating the progress of heating and transmitted.
• the terminal device 200 receives the user operation requesting modification of the heating profile.
• the terminal device 200 receives a user operation for setting a target temperature.
• the heating profile used by the inhalation device 100 before the modification request has been set will also be referred to below as the unmodified heating profile.
• the terminal device 200 generates a UI (user interface) screen (also referred to below as a customization screen) for setting the target temperature included in the heating profile used by the inhalation device 100.
• the terminal device 200 then receives the user operation for setting the target temperature on the generated customization screen.
• the terminal device 200 may display the customization screen on a touch panel and receive a touch operation for setting the target temperature.
• An example of the customization screen will be described with reference to fig. 6 .
• Fig. 6 is a diagram to illustrate an example of the customization screen.
• a customization screen 30 includes a graph 31 showing a time-series transition of the target temperature included in the heating profile.
• the horizontal axis of the graph 31 denotes time (more specifically, the time elapsed from the start of heating), and the vertical axis denotes target temperature.
• the graph 31 includes a plurality of operation points 32 and a line 33.
• the operation points 32 are plots on the graph 31 which are objects for receiving a user operation for setting the target temperature.
• the line 33 simulates a time-series transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile, which is generated based on the positions of the operation points 32.
• the terminal device 200 receives a user operation for setting positions of the operation points 32 displayed on the customization screen 30.
• a user operation for setting positions of the operation points 32 displayed on the customization screen 30.
• two operation points 32 which are longitudinally adjacent in the horizontal axis direction are connected by the line 33.
• the user operation on the customization screen 30 ends when the positions of the operation points 32 are set across the entire heating session.
• the operation points 32 may be plots corresponding to puff timings among plots on the graph 31. That is to say, the positions of the operation points 32 in the horizontal axis direction may be positions corresponding to puff timings.
• the puff timing may be a preset puff timing or an actual puff timing. According to such a configuration, it is easy to modify the target temperature to improve the evaluation from puffing.
• the operation points 32 may of course be any plots on the graph 31. That is to say, the operation points 32 may be plots which do not correspond to puff timings.
• the terminal device 200 may display the customization screen 30 in real time in accordance with the progress of heating. In this case, the user can set the target temperature in real time while puffing. Of course, the terminal device 200 may also display the customization screen 30 after the heating session ends. In this case, the user can set the target temperature without hurrying.
• the initial positions of the operation points 32 may be positions corresponding to the target temperature defined in the unmodified heating profile. That is to say, moving the operation points 32 from the initial positions corresponds to modifying the target temperature.
• the terminal device 200 may display a line showing the unmodified heating profile on the graph 31, separately from the line 33.
• the user can set the target temperature while checking the difference between the unmodified heating profile and the heating profile generated on the basis of the target temperature set on the customization screen 30 (this heating profile will also be referred to below as the modified heating profile).
• the user can therefore appropriately modify the heating profile while checking whether or not the evaluation is better, based on the difference between the modified and unmodified heating profiles. According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve usability in regard to customization of the heating profile.
• the terminal device 200 may display on the graph 31, separately from the line 33, a line showing a time-series transition of the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 when the stick-type substrate 150 is heated on the basis of the unmodified heating profile. According to such configuration, it is possible to improve usability in regard to customization of the heating profile in the same way as when a line showing the unmodified heating profile is displayed on the graph 31.
• the terminal device 200 sets, in the inhalation device 100, the modified heating profile in which a target temperature commensurate with the positions of the operation points 32 has been set. More specifically, the terminal device 200 sends to the server 300 a modification request including information showing the positions of the plurality of operation points 32 which have been set on the customization screen 30.
• the server 300 modifies the heating profile on the basis of the received modification request, and sends the modified heating profile to the terminal device 200.
• the terminal device 200 forwards, to the inhalation device 100, the modified heating profile which has been received.
• the inhalation device 100 stores the modified heating profile on receiving the modified heating profile from the terminal device 200. This is expected to improve the evaluation by the user during the next heating.
• the server 300 Based on the modification request, the server 300 generates the heating profile in which the target temperature commensurate with the positions of the operation points 32 has been set. More specifically, the server 300 generates a heating profile in which the target temperature at times corresponding to the positions of the operation points 32 in the horizontal axis direction has been set at a temperature corresponding to the positions of the operation points 32 in the vertical axis direction.
• the server 300 may employ "as-is" the target temperature and time corresponding to the positions of the operation points 32 set by the user.
• the server 300 may of course adjust the target temperature and/or time corresponding to the positions of the operation points 32 set by the user, and then employ the adjusted target temperature and/or time in the modified heating profile.
• the server 300 may adjust the target temperature and/or time corresponding to the positions of the operation points 32 set by the user, for the purpose of smoothing a temperature change or for the purpose of keeping the degree of modification from the unmodified heating profile within a predetermined range.
• Fig. 7 is a sequence chart showing an example of a customization processing flow implemented by the system 1 according to the present embodiment. The sequence involves the inhalation device 100, the terminal device 200, and the server 300.
• the inhalation device 100 first of all implements heating based on the heating profile (step S102). The inhalation device 100 then sends information indicating the heating profile being used to the terminal device 200 (step S104).
• the terminal device 200 displays the customization screen 30 (step S106)
• the terminal device 200 displays the customization screen 30 illustrated in fig. 6 .
• the terminal device 200 may display, on the customization screen 30, a line indicating the time-series transition of the target temperature defined in the unmodified heating profile used by the inhalation device 100 in step S102.
• the terminal device 200 receives the user operation requesting modification of the heating profile (step S108). For example, the terminal device 200 receives a user operation for setting positions of the operation points 32 on the customization screen 30.
• the server 300 then sends the modified heating profile to the terminal device 200 (step S114).
• the terminal device 200 receives the modified heating profile from the server 300, the terminal device 200 forwards the received modified heating profile to the inhalation device 100 (step S116).
• the inhalation device 100 stores the received modified heating profile (step S118).
• the stick-type substrate 150 is heated on the basis of the modified heating profile.
• the terminal device 200 generates the customization screen 30 to display, in a distinguishable manner, a first range in which the operation points 32 can be placed and a second range in which the operation points 32 cannot be placed.
• the user is able to place the operation points 32 within the first range, but cannot place the operation points 32 within the second range. According to such a configuration, the user can be spontaneously prompted to place the operation points 32 within the first range and not to place the operation points 32 within the second range. According to such a configuration, it is possible to improve usability in regard to customization of the heating profile, and to improve the quality of the user experience.
• the terminal device 200 may set, as the second range, a range corresponding to at least a second temperature, no greater than a first temperature, in a period from a time point at which a target temperature corresponding to the first temperature or greater is expected to continue for a first time until a second time has elapsed.
• the terminal device 200 may set, as the first range, a range corresponding to a target temperature of less than 280°C for 100 seconds from a time point at which a target temperature of 300°C or greater is expected to continue for 100 seconds, and may set, as the second range, a range corresponding to a target temperature of 280°C or greater.
• the terminal device 200 may set, as the second range, a range corresponding to no greater than a fourth temperature, equal to or greater than a third temperature, in a period from a time point at which a target temperature corresponding to the third temperature or less is expected to continue for a third time until a fourth time has elapsed.
• the terminal device 200 may set, as the first range, a range corresponding to a target temperature exceeding 270°C for 100 seconds from a time point at which a target temperature of 250°C or less is expected to continue for 100 seconds, and may set, as the second range, a range corresponding to a target temperature of 270°C or less.
• the user sets a target temperature exceeding 270°C for 100 seconds from the time point at which a target temperature of 250°C or less is expected to continue for 100 seconds. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the aerosol source is excessively cooled as a result of a low target temperature being maintained for a long time, and to prevent a situation in which a sufficient quantity of aerosol is no longer generated.
• the terminal device 200 may also set an upper limit and a lower limit for the target temperature which can be set.
• the terminal device 200 may set a range between the lower limit and the upper limit of the target temperature as the first range, and may set a range below the lower limit or a range exceeding the upper limit of the target temperature as the second range.
• the terminal device 200 may set a range of between 230°C and 320°C as the first range, and may set a range below 230°C or exceeding 320°C as the second range. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an excessively high target temperature or an excessively low target temperature from being set at any moment.
• the terminal device 200 may set the first range and the second range on the basis of a rate at which the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated can change. There is a limit to the temperature-increase rate of the heating unit 121. The terminal device 200 therefore sets a range which can be reached with the temperature-increase rate of the heating unit 121 as the first range, and sets a range which is difficult to reach with the temperature-increase rate of the heating unit 121 as the second range. There is likewise a limit to the temperature-reduction rate of the heating unit 121.
• the terminal device 200 therefore sets a range which can be reached with the temperature-reduction rate of the heating unit 121 as the first range, and sets a range which is difficult to reach with the temperature-reduction rate of the heating unit 121 as the second range. According to such a configuration, it is possible to generate a heating profile defining a realistic temperature transition.
• the terminal device 200 may set the first range and the second range on the basis of the type of stick-type substrate 150 used in the inhalation device 100. For example, the terminal device 200 may set a lower upper limit for the first temperature, second temperature and target temperature of a menthol-containing stick-type substrate 150 than for a stick-type substrate 150 that does not contain menthol. According to such a configuration, it is possible to generate a heating profile suited to each stick-type substrate 150.
• the terminal device 200 may generate the customization screen 30 to display the second range emphasized in relation to the first range. According to such a configuration, the user can set the positions of the operation points 32 while mindful of ensuring that the operation points 32 do not lie in the second range. Conversely, the terminal device 200 may generate the customization screen 30 to display the first range emphasized in relation to the second range. According to such a configuration, the user can set the positions of the operation points 32 while mindful of ensuring that the operation points 32 are positioned within the first range.
• Fig. 8-10 are diagrams showing exemplary enlargements of the graph 31 on the customization screen 30.
• the graph 31 included in the customization screen 30 transitions over time in the order of: graph 31A shown in fig. 8 , then graph 31B shown in fig. 9 , then graph 31C shown in fig. 10 .
• the graph 31 includes: operation points 32 (32A-32D), a line 33, a broken line 34, a first range 35 (35A and 35B), and a second range 36 (36A-36E).
• the broken line 34 denotes information showing the progress of setting the positions of the operation points 32, moving from left to right.
• the broken line 34 is superimposed on the latest operation point 32 for which the position has been set by the user.
• the second range 36A is a range exceeding an upper limit of 320°C of the target temperature which can be set.
• the second range 36B is a range below a lower limit of 230°C of the target temperature which can be set.
• the second range 36C is a range corresponding to a target temperature of 280°C or greater for 100 seconds from a time point at which a target temperature of 300°C or greater is expected to continue for 100 seconds.
• the second range 36D (36D-1 and 36D-2) is a range which is difficult to reach with the temperature-increase rate of the heating unit 121.
• the second range 36E is a range which is difficult to reach with the temperature-reduction rate of the heating unit 121.
• the terminal device 200 sets a range outside the second range 36 as the first range 35.
• the first range 35A is a range of the first range 35 after the broken line 34, i.e., a range where the positions of operation points 32 have not yet been set.
• the first range 35B is a range of the first range 35 before the broken line 34, i.e., a range where the positions of operation points 32 have already been set.
• the absence or presence of hatching and the differences in hatching in the first range 35 and the second range 36 represent the absence or presence of color and differences in color, as an example. That is to say, the first range 35 and the second range 36 are displayed in a distinguishable manner in fig. 8-10 .
• the second range 36 is displayed emphasized in relation to the first range 35 in fig. 8-10 .
• the graph 31A shown in fig. 8 is displayed at a time point at which the position of the operation point 32A has been set.
• the broken line 34 is therefore superimposed on the operation point 32A.
• the operation point 32A is placed at a position corresponding to 310°C.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second range 36C with the expectation that the 310°C corresponding to the position of the operation point 32A will continue.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second ranges 36D-1 and 36E starting from the position of the operation point 32A.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second range 36D-2 with the expectation that an operation point 32 will be placed at the position of 280°C at the end of the second range 36C.
• the graph 31B shown in fig. 9 is displayed at a time point at which the position of the operation point 32C has been set, after the positions of the operation points 32A and 32B have been set.
• the broken line 34 is therefore superimposed on the operation point 32C.
• the operation point 32C is placed at a position corresponding to 310°C.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second range 36C on the basis that 310°C continues for at least 100 seconds up to the position of the operation point 32C.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second range 36E starting from the position of the operation point 32C.
• the terminal device 200 deletes from the second range 36C a range of the second range 36C overlapping the second range 36E, and includes the deleted range in the second range 36E.
• the terminal device 200 also sets, as the first range 35A, a region 37 of the second range 36C where there is a temperature transition when the temperature is reduced at the maximum rate from the position of the operation point 32C.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second range 36D-2 in the same way as in fig. 8 .
• the terminal device 200 displays the second ranges 36D and 36E in the range before the broken line 34 (e.g., the second ranges 36D-1 and 36E shown in fig. 8 ) as the first range 35B. This is to enhance visibility.
• the graph 31C shown in fig. 10 is displayed at a time point at which the position of the operation point 32D has been set, after the positions of the operation points 32A and 32C have been set.
• the broken line 34 is therefore superimposed on the operation point 32D.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second ranges 36D-1 and 36E starting from the position of the operation point 32D.
• the terminal device 200 sets the second range 36D-2 in the same way as in fig. 8 .
• the terminal device 200 displays the second ranges 36D and 36E in the range before the broken line 34 (the second ranges 36D-1 and 36E shown in fig. 8 and 9 ) as the first range 35B. This is to enhance visibility.
• Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow for updating the customization screen 30, which is implemented by the terminal device 200 according to the embodiment.
• the processing relating to this flow is implemented in steps S106 and S108 shown in fig. 7 .
• the terminal device 200 first of all starts display of the customization screen 30 (step S202).
• the terminal device 200 receives the user operation for setting positions of operation points 32 (step S204).
• the terminal device 200 then displays, in a distinguishable manner, the first range 35 and the second range 36, based on positions of operation points 32 which have been set (step S206). More specifically, the terminal device 200 sets the first range 35 and the second range 36 on the basis of the positions of the operation points 32 which have been set. The terminal device 200 then displays the first range 35 and the second range 36 differently, such as with or without color, or with different colors.
• the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the user operation for setting the positions of the operation points 32 has ended (step S208). For example, the terminal device 200 determines that the user operation for setting the positions of the operation points 32 has ended when positions of operation points 32 for all puff timings have been set.
• Fig. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing other exemplary enlargements of the graph 31 on the customization screen 30.
• the graph 31 included in the customization screen 30 transitions over time in the order of: graph 31D shown in fig. 12 , then graph 31E shown in fig. 13 .
• the description below will mainly relate to differences in the graphs 31D and 31E shown in fig. 12 and 13 with the graphs 31A-31C shown in fig. 8-10 , and features which are the same will not be described.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=91484573

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2022
  • 2022-12-13 EP EP22968412.1A patent/EP4627952A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-12-13 JP JP2024563992A patent/JPWO2024127500A1/ja active Pending
  • 2022-12-13 WO PCT/JP2022/045864 patent/WO2024127500A1/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2022-12-13 KR KR1020257019794A patent/KR20250108714A/ko active Pending

Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events