JP7369294B2 - Suction device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a suction device, a control method, and a program.

Inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, that produce substances that are inhaled by a user are widespread. For example, a suction device generates an aerosol to which a flavor component has been added using a base material that includes an aerosol source for generating an aerosol, a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol, and the like. The user can enjoy the flavor by inhaling (hereinafter also referred to as a puff) the aerosol to which the flavor component is added, which is generated by the suction device.

In recent years, consideration has been given to detecting biological information of a user using a suction device and using it for various services. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technique for detecting biological information of a user from the contact portion when the user's finger contacts a suction device.

International Publication No. 2019/175810

However, the technology for detecting biological information of a user who uses a suction device has only recently been developed, and further improvements are required.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can appropriately detect biological information of a user who uses a suction device. be.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention includes an operation section that receives an operation by a user, and a biometric information detection section that detects biometric information of the user, and the biometric information detection section includes: A suction device is provided that is disposed at or near the operating section.

The biological information detection unit may transmit a transmitted wave, receive a reflected wave obtained by reflecting the transmitted wave from the user's body, and detect the biological information based on the received reflected wave.

At least one of the operating section or the vicinity of the operating section may include a transmitting section that transmits the transmitted wave and the reflected wave.

The biological information may include at least one of blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen concentration, and oxygen saturation.

The image forming apparatus may further include a control section that controls the operation of a generation section that generates an aerosol to be inhaled by the user in accordance with an operation accepted by the operation section.

The biological information detection section may detect the biological information before the generation section starts generating the aerosol.

The control unit controls the generation unit to perform an operation corresponding to the first operation when the operation unit accepts a first operation in which a predetermined operation is continued for a predetermined period; The biological information detection unit may detect the biological information during a period in which the first operation is performed.

The control unit controls the generation unit to perform an operation corresponding to the second operation when the operation unit accepts a second operation in which a predetermined operation is performed a predetermined number of times in succession; The biological information detection unit may detect the biological information during a period in which the second operation is performed.

The biological information detection section may detect the biological information after the generation section starts generating the aerosol.

The control unit may detect the first biological information detected before the generation unit starts generating the aerosol and the second biological information detected after the generation unit starts generating the aerosol. A predetermined control may be performed when the difference with the information satisfies a predetermined condition.

The predetermined control may include at least one of changing an operation profile that defines the operation of the generation unit and imposing a limit on the function of generating the aerosol.

The image forming apparatus may further include a notification section that notifies information indicating that the predetermined control has been performed.

The control section may execute control according to an operation accepted by the operation section on the condition that the biometric information is detected by the biometric information detection section.

The suction device further includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with another device, and a storage unit that stores information, and when the wireless communication unit and the other device are wirelessly connected. When the biological information is detected by the biological information detection unit, the wireless communication unit transmits the biological information, and when the wireless communication unit and the other device are not wirelessly connected, the biological information detection unit detects the biological information. When the biometric information is detected by the unit, the storage unit may store the biometric information.

The wireless communication unit associates the biological information with at least one of a detection time of the biological information, identification information of a base material used by the generation unit to generate the aerosol, and identification information of the suction device. The storage unit may store the biological information in association with at least one of the detection time of the biological information, the identification information of the base material, and the identification information of the suction device.

Moreover, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for controlling a suction device having an operation section and a biological information detection section, the method comprising detecting a user's operation on the operation section. and detecting biometric information of the user by the biometric information detection unit disposed at or near the operating unit.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, an operation by a user on the operation section is detected by a computer that controls a suction device having an operation section and a biological information detection section. , detecting biometric information of the user by the biometric information detection unit disposed at or near the operating unit.

As explained above, according to the present invention, a mechanism is provided that can appropriately detect biological information of a user who uses a suction device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a first configuration example of a suction device. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the 2nd structural example of a suction device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of biological information detection units according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of biological information detection units according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of processing performed in the suction device concerning this embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanation will be omitted.

<<1. Configuration example of suction device >>
A suction device is a device that produces a substance that is inhaled by a user. In the following description, it is assumed that the substance generated by the suction device is an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance produced by the suction device may be a gas.

(1) First configuration example FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a first configuration example of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavor imparting cartridge 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply section 111A, a sensor section 112A, a notification section 113A, a storage section 114A, a communication section 115A, and a control section 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating section 121A, a liquid guiding section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. Flavoring cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124 . An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130.

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

The sensor unit 112A acquires various information regarding the suction device 100A. As an example, the sensor unit 112A includes a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires a value associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured by an input device such as a button or a switch that receives information input from the user.

The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113A includes, for example, a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates, or the like.

The storage unit 114A stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

The communication unit 115A is a communication interface that can perform communication based on any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be adopted.

The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operations within the suction device 100A according to various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor.

The liquid storage section 123 stores an aerosol source. Aerosols are generated by atomizing the aerosol source. Aerosol sources are, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. The aerosol source may include flavor components of tobacco or non-tobacco origin. If the suction device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug.

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

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

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

The air flow path 180 is a flow path for air drawn in by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inflow hole 181 that is an inlet of air into the air flow path 180 and an air outflow hole 182 that is an outlet of air from the air flow path 180 at both ends. In the middle of the air flow path 180, the liquid guide part 122 is arranged on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is arranged on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet hole 182). Air flowing in through the air inflow hole 181 as a result of suction by the user is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A, and is transported to the air outflow hole 182 through the flavor source 131 as shown by arrow 190. When the mixed fluid of aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, flavor components contained in the flavor source 131 are imparted to the aerosol.

The mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held in the user's mouth during suction. An air outlet hole 182 is arranged in the mouthpiece 124 . The user can take the mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity by sucking the mouthpiece 124 in the mouth.

The configuration example of the suction device 100A has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and may take various configurations as exemplified below.

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

As another example, the suction device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Other types of aerosols may be generated by mixing a plurality of types of aerosols generated from a plurality of types of aerosol sources in the air flow path 180 and causing a chemical reaction.

Further, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means of atomizing the aerosol source may be vibratory atomization, or induction heating.

(2) Second configuration example FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a second configuration example of the suction device. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply section 111B, a sensor section 112B, a notification section 113B, a storage section 114B, a communication section 115B, a control section 116B, a heating section 121B, a holding section 140, and A heat insulating section 144 is included.

Each of the power supply unit 111B, sensor unit 112B, notification unit 113B, storage unit 114B, communication unit 115B, and control unit 116B is substantially the same as the corresponding component included in the suction device 100A according to the first configuration example. It is.

The holding part 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 holding part 140 has an opening 142 that communicates the internal space 141 with the outside, and holds the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holding part 140 is a cylindrical body having an opening 142 and a bottom part 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. The holding part 140 also has the function of defining a flow path for air to be supplied to the stick-type base material 150. An air inlet hole, which is an entrance of air to the flow path, is arranged, for example, at the bottom portion 143. On the other hand, the air outlet hole, which is the outlet of the air from the flow path, is the opening 142.

Stick type base material 150 includes a base material part 151 and a mouthpiece part 152. Base portion 151 includes an aerosol source. Note that in this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. In a state where the stick-shaped base material 150 is held by the holding part 140, at least a portion of the base material part 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the mouthpiece part 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the mouthpiece 152 protruding from the opening 142 and sucks it, air flows into the internal space 141 from an air inflow hole (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base member 151.

The heating unit 121B has the same configuration as the heating unit 121A according to the first configuration example. However, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating part 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the holding part 140. When the heating part 121B generates heat, the base material part 151 of the stick-type base material 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

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

The configuration example of the suction device 100B has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and may take various configurations as exemplified below.

As an example, the heating unit 121B may be configured in a blade shape and may be arranged to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140 into the internal space 141. In that case, the blade-shaped heating section 121B is inserted into the base material part 151 of the stick-type base material 150 and heats the base material part 151 of the stick-type base material 150 from inside. As another example, the heating part 121B may be arranged to cover the bottom part 143 of the holding part 140. The heating unit 121B is a combination of two or more of a first heating unit that covers the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a second blade-shaped heating unit, and a third heating unit that covers the bottom 143 of the holding unit 140. It may be configured as

As another example, the holding part 140 may include an opening/closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a part of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The holding part 140 may hold the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening and closing the outer shell. In that case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the relevant clamping location in the holding unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped base material 150 while pressing it.

Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means of atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.

In addition, the suction device 100B may further include a heating section 121A, a liquid guide section 122, a liquid storage section 123, and an air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and an air outflow hole 182 of the air flow path 180. may also serve as an air inflow hole into the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141, is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the user's oral cavity.

<<2. Technical issues >>
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a sensor is provided in a recess provided in a suction device, and when a user's finger touches the recess, the user's biological information is detected from the contact portion of the recess.

However, due to the nature of detecting biometric information from the contact portion, biometric information cannot be detected unless the user touches the sensor with a finger. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the recess in which the sensor is provided is provided at a position that has no relation to the operations required for the puff. As a measure to detect biometric information, it is possible to prompt the user to touch the sensor with their finger, but this would require the user to perform unnecessary movements on the puff, and it is difficult to say that this is appropriate from a usability perspective. .

In order to solve the above problems, a mechanism according to the present embodiment is provided.

<<3. Technical features >>
(1) Supplementary information on the configuration of the suction device 100 The suction device 100 is a device that generates a substance that is suctioned by a user. An operation in which a user uses the suction device 100 to suction a substance generated by the suction device 100 will also be simply referred to as a suction (puff) or a suction operation. An example of a puff is sucking by holding the mouthpiece 124 of the suction device 100A in your mouth. Another example of the puff is sucking by sucking the mouthpiece 152 of the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the suction device 100B. The user can suction the substance generated by the suction device 100 by puffing.

The suction device 100 generates a substance that is suctioned by the user by consuming the contents contained in the base material. The cartridge 120, flavor imparting cartridge 130, and stick-type base material 150 described above are examples of base materials. The aerosol source stored in the liquid storage section 123, the flavor source 131 contained in the flavor imparting cartridge 130, and the aerosol source contained in the stick-type base material 150 are examples of contents contained in the base material. An aerosol is an example of a substance that is inhaled by a user.

In this embodiment, the suction device 100 can take any of the first configuration example or the second configuration example described above. That is, the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as either the suction device 100A or the suction device 100B, or a modification of these configuration examples.

Below, among the configurations of the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment, points that should be supplemented or emphasized with respect to the configurations of the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B described in each of the above configuration examples will be mainly described.

In the first configuration example, the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 can be electrically and/or mechanically (including physically) connected to each other. The power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 are configured to be detachable. Similarly, cartridge 120 and flavoring cartridge 130 can be electrically and/or mechanically (including physically) connected to each other. The cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130 are configured to be detachable.

Typically, the user performs suction while the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 are connected, and the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130 are connected. Then, when the aerosol source contained in the cartridge 120 is exhausted, the old cartridge 120 is removed and replaced with a new cartridge 120. Further, when the flavor components contained in the flavor imparting cartridge 130 are exhausted, the old flavor imparting cartridge 130 is removed and replaced with a new flavor imparting cartridge 130.

(2) Mechanism for detecting information regarding the suction device 100 The suction device 100 includes a suction-related information detection unit that detects information regarding the suction device 100. The suction-related information detection section is included in the sensor section 112, for example. An example of information detected by the suction-related information detection section will be described below.

The suction-related information detection unit may detect that a user operation is input to the suction device 100 as information regarding the suction device 100. The suction device 100 includes an operation section that accepts operations by a user. Then, the suction-related information detection section detects an operation on the operation section. The base materials in the first configuration example are the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130. The base material in the second configuration example is a stick-type base material 150. An example of the operation unit is a button. An example of a user operation is pressing a button.

The suction-related information detection unit may detect, as information regarding the suction device 100, that the user has attempted to suction the aerosol generated by the suction device 100, that is, that the user has performed a puff. For example, the suction-related information detection unit detects that a puff has been performed based on a value associated with suction by the user, which is acquired by a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like.

The suction-related information detection unit may detect, as information regarding the suction device 100, information regarding a base material used by the suction device 100 to generate an aerosol. As an example, the suction-related information detection unit detects that a base material is set in the suction device 100. Setting the base material in the suction device 100 means connecting the power supply unit 110, cartridge 120, and flavor imparting cartridge 130 in the first configuration example, and setting the stick-type base material 150 in the suction device 100B in the second configuration example. Refers to insertion. As another example, the suction-related information detection unit detects that the setting of the base material in the suction device 100 has been canceled. Canceling the setting of the base material means disconnecting the power supply unit 110, cartridge 120, and flavor imparting cartridge 130 in the first configuration example, and disconnecting the stick-type base material 150 from the suction device 100B in the second configuration example. Refers to removal. As another example, the suction-related information detection unit detects identification information of a base material set in the suction device 100. An example of the identification information of the base material is information indicating the type of the base material. The suction-related information detection unit may include a camera, and detects setting/cancellation of the base material based on whether or not the base material is included in the captured image, and detects whether or not the base material is set by analyzing the image that includes the base material. identification information may be detected.

(3) Biological Information Detection Mechanism The suction device 100 includes a biological information detection section that detects the user's biological information. The biological information detection section is included in the sensor section 112, for example. Biological information refers to all information related to the body. For example, the biological information includes at least one of blood pressure, heart rate (or pulse rate), blood oxygen concentration, and oxygen saturation. In addition, the biological information may include other arbitrary information such as body temperature and respiration rate. Furthermore, the biological information may include secondarily acquired information such as drowsiness, which is obtained by processing primarily acquired information such as blood pressure. Note that the secondarily acquired information may include mental information such as the user's emotions, which is estimated from physical information such as blood pressure.

The biological information detection unit transmits a transmitted wave, receives a reflected wave that is reflected from the user's body, and detects biological information based on the received reflected wave. Specifically, the biological information detection unit detects biological information based on the reflected wave alone or based on the relationship between the reflected wave and the transmitted wave. For example, the biological information detection unit detects information regarding blood vessels, such as blood pressure, based on a time-series change in the diameter of the blood vessel indicated by a time-series change in reflected waves. In addition, the biological information detection section may include an infrared camera, and may detect body temperature as the temperature of the skin surface.

An example of a transmitted wave is light. The transmitted wave may be visible light or invisible light such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays. The biological information detection unit may transmit multiple types of transmission waves. Of course, the transmitted wave may be any other wave that can detect biological information based on the reflected wave reflected by the user's body. As an example, the transmitted wave may be a radio wave.

The biological information detection section is arranged at or near the operation section. With this configuration, biological information can be detected at the timing when the user operates the operation unit. That is, the biological information detection unit can detect biological information at the timing when the user attempts to operate the suction device 100. Therefore, biometric information can be detected naturally without requiring unnecessary actions from the user and impairing usability.

The suction device 100 includes a transmitting section that transmits transmitted waves and reflected waves, on at least one of the operating section or the vicinity of the operating section. As an example, the transparent part may be configured to be transparent or semi-transparent. With this configuration, the biological information detection section can detect biological information by transmitting a transmission wave and receiving a reflected wave at the timing when the user operates the operation section.

An example of the arrangement of the biological information detection section will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the biological information detection section according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 160 is a button, and the user presses the operation unit 160 with a finger F. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the biological information detection section 170 is built into a button that is the operation section 160, that is, it is arranged in the operation section 160. The surface of the operation unit 160 is configured as a transmission unit 161, which transmits the transmission wave W _T transmitted from the biological information detection unit 170 and the reflected wave W _R reflected from the transmission wave W _T by the user's finger F. .

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the biological information detection section according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 160 is a button, and the user presses the operation unit 160 with a finger F. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the biological information detection section 170 is arranged at the base of the button that is the operation section 160, that is, near the operation section 160. The peripheral part of the operation part 160 in the base part of the operation part 160 is configured as a transparent part 161, and the transmission wave W _T transmitted from the biological information detection part 170 and the transmission wave W _T are reflected by the user's finger F. The reflected wave _WR is transmitted.

(4) Other features related to detection of biological information The control unit 116 controls the operation of the generation unit that generates aerosol according to the operation accepted by the operation unit 160. The generation section in this embodiment is the heating section 121. As an example, the control unit 116 starts supplying power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 and starts heating by the heating unit 121, thereby generating an aerosol. As another example, the control unit 116 enables power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 to enable generation of aerosol. When an additional operation is performed in such a state, the control unit 116 starts supplying power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 and starts heating by the heating unit 121, thereby generating an aerosol. An example of an additional operation is a puff. These operations of starting the generation of aerosol and operations of putting the aerosol generation into a state where it can be started are also referred to as an aerosol generation start operation. The user can inhale the aerosol by puffing after the aerosol generation start operation is performed.

In this way, by operating the operation unit 160, the user can cause the suction device 100 to perform the aerosol generation start operation, perform a puff, and suction the aerosol. That is, the biological information detection section can detect biological information at the timing when the user operates the operation section 160, which is an operation necessary for sucking the aerosol. Therefore, it is possible to naturally detect biological information without impairing usability by requiring the user to perform unnecessary operations to inhale the aerosol.

The biological information detection unit 170 may detect biological information before the heating unit 121 starts generating aerosol. With this configuration, it is possible to detect biological information before the user takes the aerosol into the body, that is, before the aerosol is taken into the body by the puff.

The control unit 116 may control the heating unit 121 to perform an operation corresponding to the first operation when the operation unit 160 accepts a first operation in which a predetermined operation is continued for a predetermined period of time. . In that case, the biometric information detection unit 170 detects biometric information during the period in which the first operation is performed. An example of the predetermined operation is pressing the operation unit 160, which is a button. That is, an example of the first operation is a long press of a button. An example of the operation corresponding to the first operation is an aerosol generation start operation. According to such a configuration, it is possible to naturally detect biological information without impairing usability while the user is long-pressing a button, which is an operation necessary for sucking an aerosol.

The control unit 116 may control the heating unit 121 to perform an operation corresponding to the second operation when the operation unit 160 accepts a second operation in which a predetermined operation is performed a predetermined number of times in succession. . In that case, the biometric information detection unit 170 detects biometric information during the period in which the second operation is performed. An example of the predetermined operation is pressing the operation unit 160, which is a button. That is, an example of the second operation is continuous pressing of a button. An example of the operation corresponding to the second operation is an aerosol generation start operation. According to this configuration, it is possible to naturally detect biological information without impairing usability while the user is continuously pressing the button, which is an operation necessary for sucking the aerosol.

Here, the accuracy of detecting biological information based on reflected waves tends to increase as the period in which reflected waves are obtained becomes longer and as the number of reflected waves obtained in the period increases. For example, in a technology that detects information related to blood vessels, such as blood pressure, based on the time-series change in the diameter of the blood vessel indicated by the time-series change in reflected waves, in order to satisfy the minimum detection accuracy, There are cases where data on time-series changes over a period of several seconds is required. In this regard, by detecting biological information during the period of long button presses or continuous button presses, it is possible to lengthen the period in which reflected waves are obtained and increase the number of reflected waves obtained. , it becomes possible to improve the detection accuracy of biological information.

The control unit 116 may execute control according to the operation accepted by the operation unit 160 on the condition that the biological information detection unit 170 detects the biological information. For example, the control unit 116 may perform an aerosol generation start operation when biological information is detected. On the other hand, the control unit 116 does not need to perform the aerosol generation start operation when biological information is not detected. According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably detect biological information from a user who is attempting to operate the suction device 100.

The biological information detection unit 170 may detect biological information after the heating unit 121 starts generating aerosol. For example, if a user presses a button to start an aerosol generation operation and then continues to touch the button with a finger while puffing, the biometric information detection unit 170 detects biometric information. do. Furthermore, the biological information detection unit 170 may detect biological information every time a puff is detected. According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect biological information after the user takes the aerosol into the body, that is, after the aerosol taken into the body by the puff affects the user's body.

(5) Execution of predetermined control The control unit 116 controls the first biological information detected before the heating unit 121 starts generating aerosol and the first biological information detected after the heating unit 121 starts generating aerosol. A predetermined control may be performed when the difference with the second biological information satisfies a predetermined condition. The difference may be, for example, a difference in blood pressure and a difference in heart rate, or it may be a secondary difference such as a relaxation level obtained by processing a primary difference such as a difference in blood pressure and a difference in heart rate. It may be a difference. For example, it is estimated that the higher the degree of decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, the higher the relaxation level. An example of the predetermined condition is that the difference between the first biometric information and the second biometric information exceeds a predetermined threshold. According to this configuration, it is possible to perform predetermined control when the aerosol taken into the body by the puff has a predetermined effect on the user's body.

The predetermined control may include changing an operation profile that defines the operation of the heating section 121. The operation profile defines, for example, the elapsed time from the start of heating and the temperature of the heating unit 121 during the elapsed time. By changing the operation profile, for example, the amount of aerosol generated, the amount of flavor components contained in the aerosol, etc. can be changed. Therefore, by changing the motion profile, it is possible to change the influence on the user's body, for example to further enhance the relaxing effect.

The predetermined control may include imposing limits on the ability to generate aerosol. An example of imposing a restriction on the function of generating aerosol is not to perform heating by the heating unit 121 for a predetermined period of time. Another example of imposing restrictions on the function of generating aerosol is not to perform processing in response to an operation on the operation unit 160. Another example of imposing restrictions on the ability to generate aerosol is to turn off the suction device 100. The power OFF state is a state in which some of the functions of the suction device 100 can be executed. For example, in the power OFF state, among the functions of the sensor unit 112, only the function of detecting an operation (for example, operation of the operation unit 160) that puts the suction device 100 into the activated state may be executable. Note that the activated state is a state in which all functions of the suction device 100 can be executed. According to this configuration, when the aerosol taken into the body by the puff has a predetermined effect on the user, it is possible to impose restrictions on the function of generating the aerosol.

When the above-described predetermined control is performed, the notification unit 113 may notify information indicating that the predetermined control has been performed. As an example, the notification unit 113 emits light in a light emission pattern or vibrates in a vibration pattern that corresponds to the changed operation profile or the restriction imposed on the function of generating aerosol. Information notification may be performed via another device such as a smartphone. This configuration allows the user to recognize that the above-described predetermined control has been performed.

The control unit 116 may set a predetermined condition related to the difference between the first biometric information and the second biometric information, for determining whether to perform predetermined control, in response to user input. For example, the user sets predetermined conditions in advance via a smartphone or the like. According to this configuration, it is possible to set the predetermined conditions according to the user's preference.

(6) Transmission of biological information The communication unit 115 is an example of a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with other devices. The communication unit 115 may transmit biometric information to another device. An example of another device is a terminal device such as a smartphone associated with the suction device 100. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to execute processing according to the user's biometric information using a smartphone or the like.

The communication unit 115 may transmit information related to biometric information and biometric information in association with each other. The information related to the biological information includes, for example, at least one of the detection time of the biological information, the identification information of the base material used by the heating unit 121 to generate the aerosol, and the identification information of the suction device 100. According to this configuration, the receiving device can analyze the relationship between information related to biometric information and biometric information.

The storage unit 114 may store biological information. According to this configuration, it is possible to accumulate biological information in the suction device 100. Furthermore, the storage unit 114 may store information related to biometric information and biometric information in association with each other. According to this configuration, it becomes possible to later analyze the relationship between information related to biometric information and biometric information based on the accumulated information.

The suction device 100 may switch between transmitting and storing biological information depending on whether or not there is a wireless connection between the communication unit 115 and another device. For example, if biometric information is detected by the biometric information detection unit 170 while the communication unit 115 and another device are wirelessly connected, the communication unit 115 may transmit the biometric information. Further, if biometric information is detected by the biometric information detection unit 170 when the communication unit 115 and another device are not wirelessly connected, the storage unit 114 may store the biometric information. Thereafter, when the communication unit 115 and another device are wirelessly connected, the communication unit 115 may transmit the biological information stored in the storage unit 114. Of course, in the above switching, the information related to the biometric information and the biometric information may be transmitted or stored in association with each other. According to such a configuration, it is possible to immediately transmit biometric information when wirelessly connected, and to accumulate biometric information when not wirelessly connected and transmit it all at once after the fact. .

(7) Flow of Processing FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed in the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the suction device 100 determines whether or not an operation on the operation unit 160 has been started (step S102). For example, the suction device 100 determines whether a long press of a button or a continuous press of a button has started. If it is determined that the operation on the operation unit 160 has not been started (step S102: NO), the suction device 100 waits until the operation on the operation unit 160 is started.

If it is determined that the operation on the operation unit 160 has started (step S102: YES), the suction device 100 detects biological information (step S104).

Next, the suction device 100 determines whether or not the biological information has been successfully detected (step S106). In order to detect biometric information with a predetermined accuracy, it is desirable that the period during which the button is pressed for a long time be a predetermined period or longer, or that the number of times the button is continuously pressed be a predetermined number or more. Therefore, the suction device 100 determines that biological information has been successfully detected when the button is pressed for a long time for a predetermined period or longer, or when the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined number or more. If this is not the case, it may be determined that the biological information has not been successfully detected.

If it is determined that the biological information has not been successfully detected (step S106: NO), the suction device 100 determines whether or not the operation on the operation unit 160 has been completed (step S108). If it is determined that the operation on the operation unit 160 has not been completed (step S108: NO), the process returns to step S104 again, and the suction device 100 continues detecting biological information. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation on the operation unit 160 has ended (step S108: YES), the process ends.

If it is determined that the biological information has been successfully detected (step S106: YES), the suction device 100 starts supplying power from the power supply section 111 to the heating section 121, and starts generating aerosol (step S110). The process then ends.

<<4. Supplement >>
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the operation unit 160 is a button has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The operation unit 160 may be configured as any other input device such as a touch panel or a switch.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the suction device 100 detects biological information (step S104) when it is determined that the operation on the operation unit 160 has started (step S102: YES), but the present invention The examples are not limited to such examples. For example, a touch sensor may be provided on the operation unit 160 (for example, on the button surface). Then, at the moment when the finger touches the operation section 160 (that is, before it is determined that the operation on the operation section 160 has started), the biological information detection section uses the contact detection by the touch sensor as a trigger to transmit the transmitted wave. may be sent to start detecting biological information. According to this configuration, compared to the case where detection of biometric information is started after a button is pressed, it is possible to lengthen the detection time of biometric information, thereby contributing to the acquisition of accurate data. Become. It should be noted that the user may set whether the button press or contact detection is used as a trigger to detect biometric information.

Note that the series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. A program constituting the software is stored in advance in a recording medium (non-transitory media) provided inside or outside each device, for example. For example, each program is read into a RAM when executed by a computer, and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Furthermore, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a recording medium.

Further, the processes described using flowcharts and sequence diagrams in this specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the illustrated order. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. Also, additional processing steps may be employed or some processing steps may be omitted.

Note that the following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.
(1)
an operation section that accepts operations by the user;
a biometric information detection unit that detects biometric information of the user;
Equipped with
The biological information detection section is arranged at or near the operation section,
Suction device.
(2)
The biological information detection unit transmits a transmitted wave, receives a reflected wave that is reflected by the user's body, and detects the biological information based on the received reflected wave.
The suction device according to (1) above.
(3)
At least one of the operating section or the vicinity of the operating section includes a transmitting section that transmits the transmitted wave and the reflected wave.
The suction device according to (2) above.
(4)
The biological information includes at least one of blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen concentration, and oxygen saturation.
The suction device according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
(5)
Further comprising a control unit that controls operation of a generation unit that generates an aerosol to be inhaled by the user in accordance with an operation accepted by the operation unit.
The suction device according to any one of (1) to (4) above.
(6)
The biological information detection unit detects the biological information before the generation unit starts generating the aerosol.
The suction device according to (5) above.
(7)
The control unit controls the generation unit to perform an operation corresponding to the first operation when the operation unit accepts a first operation in which a predetermined operation is continued for a predetermined period;
The biological information detection unit detects the biological information during a period in which the first operation is performed.
The suction device according to (6) above.
(8)
The control unit controls the generation unit to perform an operation corresponding to the second operation when the operation unit accepts a second operation in which a predetermined operation is performed a predetermined number of times in succession,
The biological information detection unit detects the biological information during a period in which the second operation is performed.
The suction device according to (6) above.
(9)
The biological information detection unit detects the biological information after the generation unit starts generating the aerosol.
The suction device according to any one of (5) to (8) above.
(10)
The control unit may detect the first biological information detected before the generation unit starts generating the aerosol and the second biological information detected after the generation unit starts generating the aerosol. When the difference with the information satisfies a predetermined condition, predetermined control is performed.
The suction device according to (9) above.
(11)
The predetermined control includes at least one of changing an operation profile that defines the operation of the generation unit and imposing a limit on the function of generating the aerosol.
The suction device according to (10) above.
(12)
further comprising a notification unit that notifies information indicating that the predetermined control has been performed;
The suction device according to (10) or (11) above.
(13)
The control unit executes control according to the operation accepted by the operation unit on the condition that the biological information is detected by the biological information detection unit.
The suction device according to any one of (5) to (12) above.
(14)
The suction device is
a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with other devices;
a storage unit that stores information;
Furthermore,
If the biological information is detected by the biological information detection unit when the wireless communication unit and the other device are wirelessly connected, the wireless communication unit transmits the biological information,
If the biometric information is detected by the biometric information detection unit when the wireless communication unit and the other device are not wirelessly connected, the storage unit stores the biometric information.
The suction device according to any one of (5) to (13) above.
(15)
The wireless communication unit associates the biological information with at least one of a detection time of the biological information, identification information of a base material used by the generation unit to generate the aerosol, and identification information of the suction device. send,
The storage unit stores the biological information in association with at least one of a detection time of the biological information, identification information of the base material, and identification information of the suction device.
The suction device according to (14) above.
(16)
A control method for controlling a suction device having an operation section and a biological information detection section, the method comprising:
detecting a user's operation on the operation unit;
detecting biometric information of the user by the biometric information detection unit disposed at the operating unit or near the operating unit;
including control methods.
(17)
A computer that controls a suction device that has an operating section and a biological information detection section,
detecting a user's operation on the operation unit;
detecting biometric information of the user by the biometric information detection unit disposed at the operating unit or near the operating unit;
A program to run.

100 Suction device 110 Power supply unit 111 Power supply section 112 Sensor section 113 Notification section 114 Storage section 115 Communication section 116 Control section 120 Cartridge 121 Heating section 122 Liquid guiding section 123 Liquid storage section 124 Mouthpiece 130 Flavor imparting cartridge 131 Flavor source 140 Holding section 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom part 144 Heat insulating part 150 Stick type base material 151 Base part 152 Mouthpiece part 160 Operation part 161 Transmission part 170 Biological information detection part 180 Air flow path 181 Air inflow hole 182 Air outflow hole

Claims (17)

an operation section that accepts operations by the user;
a biometric information detection unit that detects biometric information of the user;
a control unit that controls the operation of a generation unit that generates an aerosol to be inhaled by the user in accordance with an operation accepted by the operation unit;
Equipped with
The biological information detection section is arranged at or near the operation section ,
The control unit controls the generation unit to start generating aerosol on the condition that the biological information detection unit successfully detects the biological information when a specific operation is accepted by the operation unit. ,
Suction device. The biological information detection unit transmits a transmitted wave, receives a reflected wave that is reflected by the user's body, and detects the biological information based on the received reflected wave.
The suction device according to claim 1. At least one of the operating section or the vicinity of the operating section includes a transmitting section that transmits the transmitted wave and the reflected wave.
The suction device according to claim 2. The biological information includes at least one of blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen concentration, and oxygen saturation.
The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The biological information detection unit detects the biological information before the generation unit starts generating the aerosol.
The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The specific operation is a first operation in which a predetermined operation is performed continuously for a predetermined period,
The biological information detection unit detects the biological information during a period in which the first operation is performed.
The suction device according to claim 5 . The specific operation is a second operation in which a predetermined operation is performed a predetermined number of times,
The biological information detection unit detects the biological information during a period in which the second operation is performed.
The suction device according to claim 5 . The control unit determines that the biological information detection unit has successfully detected the biological information when the specific operation is accepted by the operation unit.
The suction device according to claim 6 or 7. The biological information detection unit detects the biological information after the generation unit starts generating the aerosol.
A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The control unit may detect the first biological information detected before the generation unit starts generating the aerosol and the second biological information detected after the generation unit starts generating the aerosol. When the difference with the information satisfies a predetermined condition, predetermined control is performed.
The suction device according to claim 9. The predetermined control includes at least one of changing an operation profile that defines the operation of the generation unit and imposing a limit on the function of generating the aerosol.
The suction device according to claim 10. further comprising a notification unit that notifies information indicating that the predetermined control has been performed;
The suction device according to claim 10 or 11. The suction device is
a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with other devices;
a storage unit that stores information;
Furthermore,
If the biological information is detected by the biological information detection unit when the wireless communication unit and the other device are wirelessly connected, the wireless communication unit transmits the biological information,
If the biometric information is detected by the biometric information detection unit when the wireless communication unit and the other device are not wirelessly connected, the storage unit stores the biometric information.
A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . The wireless communication unit associates the biological information with at least one of a detection time of the biological information, identification information of a base material used by the generation unit to generate the aerosol, and identification information of the suction device. send,
The storage unit stores the biological information in association with at least one of a detection time of the biological information, identification information of the base material, and identification information of the suction device.
The suction device according to claim 13 . The operation unit is a button and includes a touch sensor that detects contact with a surface of the button,
The specific operation includes pressing the button,
The biological information detection unit starts detecting the biological information using contact detection by the touch sensor as a trigger.
A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. A control method for controlling a suction device having an operation section , a biological information detection section , and a generation section, the method comprising:
detecting a user's operation on the operation unit;
detecting biometric information of the user by the biometric information detection unit disposed at the operating unit or near the operating unit;
controlling an operation of the generation unit that generates an aerosol to be inhaled by the user in accordance with an operation accepted by the operation unit;
including;
Controlling the operation of the generation unit includes controlling the generation unit to start generating aerosol on the condition that the biological information is successfully detected when a specific operation is accepted by the operation unit. including
Control method. By a computer that controls a suction device that has an operation section , a biological information detection section , and a generation section ,
detecting a user's operation on the operation unit;
detecting biometric information of the user by the biometric information detection unit disposed at the operating unit or near the operating unit;
controlling an operation of the generation unit that generates an aerosol to be inhaled by the user in accordance with an operation accepted by the operation unit;
run the
Controlling the operation of the generation unit includes controlling the generation unit to start generating aerosol on the condition that the biological information is successfully detected when a specific operation is accepted by the operation unit. including
program .

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