WO2021059373A1

WO2021059373A1 - Battery unit, aerosol generation device, information processing method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2021059373A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/037445
Authority: WO
Inventors: 泰弘小野
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-09-25
Filing date: 2019-09-25
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Also published as: EP4023089A1; JPWO2021059373A1; TWI788632B; JP7244663B2; TW202112255A; EP4023089A4

Abstract

Provided is a battery unit for an aerosol generation device that generates aerosol, the battery unit comprising: a communication unit (108) that performs wireless communication between the aerosol generation device and a user terminal (2); and a control unit (106) that determines the connection status between the battery unit and a cartridge equipped with an atomization unit (118) that atomizes an aerosol source. The control unit (106) controls the wireless communication on the basis of the connection status. Accordingly, the consumption of a battery (110), with which the aerosol generation device is equipped, can be reduced.

Description

Battery unit, aerosol generator, information processing method, and program

The present invention relates to a battery unit, an aerosol generator, an information processing method, and a program.

Patent Document 1 includes a control body for an aerosol delivery device, which includes a control body including a processing network, and a cartridge carrying control information readable by the processing network, and the control body is a cartridge. An aerosol delivery system configured to be detachably engaged with is disclosed.

Special Table 2017-513465

In the aerosol delivery system described in Patent Document 1, when the control body and the cartridge are engaged, the control information carried by the cartridge is read, and communication between the control body and the cartridge is performed based on the control information. carry out.

In such a conventional electronic cigarette system, there is a demand for miniaturization of the main body. Therefore, the size of the battery provided in the electronic cigarette is also limited, so that the battery capacity is also limited.

In conventional electronic cigarettes, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth [registered trademark] or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication may be executed with other devices. Execution of such short-range wireless communication increases the power consumption of electronic cigarettes and also increases the battery consumption. Therefore, there is a risk that the user cannot maintain a sufficient battery level for performing the puff operation of sucking the aerosol using the electronic cigarette.

Therefore, some aspects of the present invention have been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the battery consumption of an aerosol generating apparatus.

The battery unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a battery unit for an aerosol generator that generates an aerosol, and includes a communication unit that executes wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal, a battery unit, and the like. A control unit for determining a connection state with a cartridge including an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source is provided, and the control unit controls wireless communication based on the connection state.
The aerosol generator according to one aspect of the present invention is an aerosol generator that generates an aerosol, a communication unit that executes wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal, and a battery unit for the aerosol generator. The control unit that determines the connection state with the cartridge provided with the atomizing unit that atomizes the aerosol source, and the control unit control wireless communication based on the connection state.

The information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by an aerosol generator that generates an aerosol, and includes a step of executing wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal, a battery unit, and the like. , A step of determining a connection state of a cartridge provided with an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source, and a step of controlling wireless communication based on the connection state.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a computer, a communication function for executing wireless communication between an aerosol generator and a user terminal, a battery unit, and a cartridge provided with an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source. It is a program for realizing a control function for determining a connection state, and the control function controls wireless communication based on the connection state.

According to these aspects, wireless communication is controlled based on the connection state between the battery unit and the cartridge. Therefore, since it is possible to suppress an increase in the power consumption of the aerosol generator, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the battery included in the aerosol generator.

In the present invention, the "part" and "device" do not simply mean physical means, but also include the case where the functions of the "part" and "device" are realized by software. Further, even if the functions of one "part" or "device" are realized by two or more physical means or devices, the functions of two or more "parts" or "devices" can be realized by one physical means or device. It may be realized by the device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the battery included in the aerosol generator.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the schematic structure of the flavor suction tool which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the schematic appearance of the flavor suction tool which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the flavor suction tool which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other schematic structure of the flavor suction tool which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the schematic appearance of the flavor suction tool which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is another example of the schematic appearance of the flavor suction tool in the state of holding the aerosol-forming base material according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the schematic structure of the user terminal which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the functional structure of the control part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the communication control processing which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the communication control processing which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the communication control processing which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the communication control processing which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the communication control processing which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware structure of the computer which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited only to the embodiments. Further, the present invention can be modified in various ways as long as it does not deviate from the gist thereof. Further, in each drawing, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicate description will be omitted.

[Information processing system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram (system configuration diagram) of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100 exemplifies n units (n is an arbitrary integer value of 1 or more) of flavor suction tools 1 and a user terminal 2 configured to be communicable. Be prepared.

Each flavor suction tool 1 includes a battery unit and a cartridge provided with an atomizer for atomizing an aerosol source, and the battery unit and the cartridge unit can be electrically or mechanically (including physically) connected to each other. is there. Further, the battery unit includes a communication unit and can communicate with the user terminal 2. Then, in the information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment of the present invention, the communication between the communication unit of the battery unit and the user terminal 2 is controlled based on the connection state of the battery unit and the cartridge unit in the flavor suction tool 1. To.

"Flavor suction tool 1" is a device for sucking flavor, and is not limited to, but is intended for, for example, electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco, and conventional cigarettes. Further, the flavor suction tool 1 may be an aerosol generation device for generating an aerosol and sucking the generated aerosol. The action of sucking aerosol is called "puff action", and the number of puff actions is called "puff count". Aerosol generators are intended, for example, for electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco, and medical nebulizers. More specifically, the aerosol generator is, for example, an apparatus that uses electric power to atomize a liquid (aerosol source) to generate an aerosol. Aerosols are atomized aerosol sources and are fine enough to float in a gas. The aerosol generated by the aerosol generator may be flavored. Examples of aerosol generators include heat-not-burn tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Further, the aerosol generator includes a type that directly heats tobacco (direct heating), a type that indirectly heats tobacco (indirect heating), and a type that heats a liquid (liquid). Further, the aerosol generator may atomize a liquid by generating SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) using a piezoelectric element substrate having a comb-shaped electrode pair. In the figure, the flavor suction tool 1a and the flavor suction tool 1n are shown as n units of the flavor suction tool. However, in the following description, when these n flavor suction tools are described without distinction, some reference numerals are omitted and the term "flavor suction tool 1" is simply referred to.

The user terminal 2 is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a game machine, or a personal computer. Although one user terminal 2 is shown in the figure, the information processing system 100 may include a plurality of user terminals 2.

The flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 are related to each other and communicate with each other (including wireless communication). For example, information can be transmitted and received between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 by executing short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication. The transmission and reception of information between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is not limited to BLE communication, and for example, Wi-Fi [registered trademark], LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network), NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. , It may be executed by any communication. Further, the transmission / reception of information between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is not necessarily limited to wireless communication, and may be wired communication such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), Mini USB, Micro USB, and Lightning.

Hereinafter, the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 provided in the information processing system 100 will be described in detail.

[Composition of flavor suction tool]
FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a flavor suction tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows roughly and conceptually each component included in the flavor suction tool 1, and does not show the exact arrangement, shape, dimensions, positional relationship, etc. of each component and the flavor suction tool 1. Please note. It should also be noted that the flavor aspirator 1 may include components not shown in FIG. 2A, such as cigarette capsules, liquid cartridges and the like.

The sensor 11 indicates, for example, a sensor that detects information regarding the user's suction. The sensor 11 may be any kind of sensor for detecting the user's puff operation, such as a flow rate sensor, a flow velocity sensor, and a pressure sensor. The sensor 11 may be a button pressed by the user to perform a puff operation. The sensor 11 may be, for example, a suction sensor, or may detect the user's suction to the flavor suction tool 1. The sensor 11 may be an airflow sensor or may detect the airflow generated by the user's suction. The sensor 11 may be a GPS sensor that measures the position of the flavor suction tool 1. The sensor 11 may be a motion sensor that detects the movement of the flavor suction tool 1. The motion sensor may be, for example, a gyro sensor for detecting the angle, posture, etc. of the flavor suction tool 1, or an acceleration sensor for detecting the movement of the flavor suction tool 1 in each axial direction. .. The motion sensor may be a combination of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like.

The change unit 12 is a block in which a predetermined change that can be observed externally occurs. The changing unit 12 may be an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits light in a predetermined color, for example, a blue LED, and the predetermined change may be an LED that emits light in a predetermined color, for example, blue. The predetermined color is not limited to blue and may be any color. Further, the predetermined change may be a change in the color of light emission or a change in the intensity of light emission according to the intensity (pressure) of suction sensed by the sensor 11. Further, the changing unit 12 is not limited to the LED, and may be a light source having another configuration that emits light in a predetermined color.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of a schematic appearance of the flavor suction tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement of the changing unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, the flavor suction tool 1 may have a stick shape including, but not limited to, two ends 161 and 162. Here, the user will suck to suck one end 161 of the end. The user may hold the end 161 to be sucked through a cigarette mouthpiece or the like that can be attached to the end 161. When the flavor suction tool 1 has a shape as shown in FIG. 2B, the changing portion 12 is preferably provided at the other end 162 of the above two ends. The changing portion 12 is at least a part of the outer surface of the flavor suction tool 1, and is, for example, a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 2B or an annular shape along the outer circumference of the flavor suction tool 1 (not shown). It may have any shape.

Returning to FIG. 2A, the control unit 13 is a block that causes a predetermined change in the change unit 12 based on at least a signal from the sensor 11. For example, when the magnitude of the signal from the sensor 11 or the strength of suction determined based on the signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 13 causes the changing unit 12 to emit light of a predetermined color. Good. Further, the control unit 13 may change the color of light emission and the intensity of light emission in the changing unit 12 according to, for example, the magnitude of the signal from the sensor 11 or the intensity of suction determined based on the signal. For example, the control unit 13 may increase the intensity of light emission when the suction is strong, and weaken the intensity of light emission when the suction is weak. Further, for example, the control unit 13 may divide the suction strength into a plurality of stages, set a predetermined color for each of the plurality of stages, and emit a predetermined color corresponding to the suction strength. The control unit 13 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer.

The communication unit 14 executes wireless communication with the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 1 or an external device including another computer. For example, the communication unit 14 executes an authentication connection (for example, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth or BLE communication) which is a setting process of a communication connection between the flavor suction device 1 and the external device with the external device. Executes the pairing process when performing.). The authentication connection is, for example, a process required when starting communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the external device. Encrypted communication can be executed between the flavor suction tool 1 and the external device by appropriately performing the authentication connection. The communication unit 11 may receive a request regarding the authentication connection from the external device, or may transmit a request regarding the authentication connection to the external device. The communication unit 14 may be realized by using at least a network interface or the like as a hardware resource. The control unit 13 can transmit various information detected by the sensor 11 to the user terminal 2 and other computers via the communication unit 14. Various types of information transmitted by the control unit 13 to the user terminal 2 and other computers via the communication unit 14 include, for example, output information for outputting the state of the flavor suction tool 1 in the user terminal 2. In addition, the communication unit 14 can receive various types of information transmitted from the user terminal 2 and other computers. The output information may be information indicating the remaining amount of the battery 110.

The flavor suction tool 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes conventional tobacco. The conventional cigarette does not include the sensor 11, the control unit 13, and the communication unit 14, but its combustion unit corresponds to the change unit 12. This is because the conventional cigarette burner undergoes a predetermined change in color and temperature based on the user's puff operation.

When the flavor suction tool 1 is a conventional cigarette (for example, a cigarette), the mouthpiece attached to one end of the cigarette (for example, a mouthpiece for a cigarette) is the sensor 11 and the control unit 13 in FIG. 2A. And all or part of the function of the communication unit 14 may be included. According to this configuration, the mouthpiece can transmit various information such as suction information detected by the sensor 11 to the user terminal 2 and another computer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a flavor suction tool according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the flavor suction tool 1A includes a first member 102 (battery unit) and a second member 104 (cartridge). As shown, as an example, the first member 102 may include a control unit 106, a communication unit 108, a battery 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114. The control unit 13 of FIG. 2A corresponds to the control unit 106 of FIG. 3, the sensor 11 of FIG. 2A corresponds to the sensor 112 of FIG. 3, and the communication unit 14 of FIG. 2A corresponds to the communication unit 108 of FIG. .. Note that, in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first member 102 (battery unit) is described as a configuration included in the flavor suction tool 1A, but is not limited thereto. For example, the configuration included in the first member 102, that is, at least one configuration of the control unit 106, the communication unit 108, the battery 110, the sensor 112, or the memory 114 may be an external configuration of the flavor suction tool 1A.

As an example, the second member 104 may include a reservoir 116, an atomizing portion 118, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, and a mouthpiece portion 122. A part of the components contained in the first member 102 may be contained in the second member 104. A part of the components contained in the second member 104 may be contained in the first member 102. The second member 104 may be configured to be detachable from the first member 102. Alternatively, all the components contained in the first member 102 and the second member 104 may be contained in the same housing instead of the first member 102 and the second member 104.

Reservoir 116 holds an aerosol source. For example, the reservoir 116 is composed of a fibrous or porous material and holds an aerosol source as a liquid in the gaps between the fibers and in the pores of the porous material. For the fibrous or porous material described above, for example, cotton, glass fiber, tobacco raw material, or the like can be used. The reservoir 116 may be configured as a tank for containing the liquid. Aerosol sources are, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. If the flavor aspirator 1A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a drug for the patient to inhale. As another example, the aerosol source may include a tobacco ingredient or an extract derived from the tobacco ingredient that releases a flavoring ingredient upon heating. The reservoir 116 may have a configuration capable of replenishing the consumed aerosol source. Alternatively, the reservoir 116 may be configured so that the reservoir 116 itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. Further, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the aerosol source is a solid, the reservoir 116 may be, for example, a hollow container that does not use a fibrous or porous material.

The atomizing unit 118 is configured to atomize the aerosol source to generate an aerosol. When the puff operation is detected by the sensor 112, the atomizing unit 118 produces an aerosol. For example, a wick (not shown) may be provided to connect the reservoir 116 and the atomizing section 118. In this case, part of the wick passes through the interior of the reservoir 116 and comes into contact with the aerosol source. The other part of the wick extends to the atomization section 118. The aerosol source is carried from the reservoir 116 to the atomizer 118 by the wick's capillary effect. As an example, the atomizing unit 118 includes a heater electrically connected to the battery 110. The heater is arranged in contact with or in close proximity to the wick. When the puff operation is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of the atomizing unit 118 and atomizes the aerosol source by heating the aerosol source carried through the wick. Another example of the atomizing unit 118 may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes an aerosol source by ultrasonic vibration. An air intake flow path 120 is connected to the atomizing portion 118, and the air intake flow path 120 leads to the outside of the flavor suction tool 1A. The aerosol produced in the atomizing section 118 is mixed with the air taken in through the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of aerosol and air is pumped into the aerosol flow path 121, as indicated by arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for transporting a mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated in the atomizing portion 118 to the mouthpiece 122.

The mouthpiece 122 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 121, and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to the outside of the flavor suction tool 1A. The user takes in the air containing the aerosol into the oral cavity by sucking the mouthpiece 122 by holding it.

The communication unit 108 communicates with the user terminal and other computers. The communication unit 108 may be realized by using at least a network interface or the like as a hardware resource.

The battery 110 supplies electric power to each component of the flavor suction tool 1A such as the communication unit 108, the sensor 112, the memory 114, and the atomizing unit 118. The battery 110 may be charged by connecting to an external power source via a predetermined port (not shown) of the flavor suction tool 1A. Only the battery 110 may be removed from the first member 102 or the flavor aspirator 1A or may be replaced with a new battery 110. Further, the battery 110 may be replaced with a new battery 110 by replacing the entire first member 102 with a new first member 102.

The sensor 112 may include a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations in the air intake flow path 120 and / or the aerosol flow path 121, or a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate. The sensor 112 may also include a weight sensor that detects the weight of a component such as the reservoir 116. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect a puffing motion by the user using the flavor suction tool 1A. The sensor 112 may also be configured to integrate the energization time on the atomizing section 118. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the reservoir 116. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the SOC (State of Charge, charging state), current integrated value, voltage, and the like of the battery 110. The current integration value may be obtained by a current integration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage, open circuit voltage) method, or the like. The sensor 112 may also be a user-operable operation button or the like.

The control unit 106 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 106 may be configured to control the operation of the flavor suction tool 1A according to a computer executable command stored in the memory 114. The memory 114 is a storage medium such as a ROM, RAM, or flash memory. In addition to the computer-executable instructions as described above, the memory 114 may store setting information and the like necessary for controlling the flavor suction tool 1A. The memory 114 stores, for example, action information regarding a predetermined action in the flavor suction tool 1A.

The predetermined action in the flavor suction tool 1A includes, for example, the following actions (1) to (5).
(1) The first member 102 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the second member 104 having the atomizing portion 118 for atomizing the aerosol source are connected or reconnected (the first). The first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically (including physically) connected, or the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically connected. Or, if the authentication process is executed when connected mechanically (including physical), this authentication process was successful, etc.)
(2) The puff operation was executed in the flavor suction tool 1A (for example, the atomizing unit 118 heats the heater to atomize the aerosol source, etc.).
(3) Pressing of a predetermined button (not shown) provided on the flavor suction tool 1A has been executed (for example, the flavor suction tool 1A is provided with a predetermined button for resuming wireless communication, and the user When the button is pressed, wireless communication is resumed, etc.)
(4) It is detected that the flavor suction tool 1A is in a predetermined posture (for example, the flavor suction tool 1A is set to a predetermined angle by grasping the movement of the flavor suction tool 1A in each axial direction by the sensor 112. The fact that it has become, etc. is detected, or the vibration of the flavor suction tool 1A is detected by the sensor 112, etc.)
(5) Charging is executed for the battery 110 included in the flavor suction tool 1A (for example, charging is executed in the battery 110 by connecting the flavor suction tool 1A to a charging device (not shown), etc. ) Or, it is detected that the remaining amount of the battery 110 is equal to or more than the predetermined value or less than the predetermined value.

In the case of (5), the predetermined value may be indicated by a ratio such as 70%, or may be indicated by a capacity such as 1000 mAh. The predetermined value may be any value. In this case, the control unit 106 measures the remaining amount of the battery 110 that supplies electric power to the flavor suction tool 1A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The control unit 106 measures the remaining amount of the battery based on the information such as the SOC, the integrated current value, and the voltage of the battery 110 detected by the sensor 112 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. The remaining amount of the battery may be indicated as a percentage (%) of how much of the total amount remains, or other display method may be used.

For example, the memory 114 stores various information such as a control method of the communication unit 108 (modes such as light emission, vocalization, vibration, etc.), a value detected by the sensor 112, and a heating history of the heater by the atomizing unit 118. May be good. The control unit 106 reads information from the memory 114 as needed and uses it for controlling the flavor suction tool 1A, and stores the information in the memory 114 as needed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another schematic configuration of the flavor suction tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the flavor suction tool 1B includes a third member 126 in addition to the configuration of the flavor suction tool 1A of FIG. The third member 126 may include a flavor source 128. As an example, when the flavor suction tool 1B is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 128 may contain a flavor component contained in the cigarette. As shown, the aerosol flow path 121 extends over the second member 104 and the third member 126. The mouthpiece 122 is provided on the third member 126.

The flavor source 128 is a component for imparting a flavor to the aerosol. The flavor source 128 is arranged in the middle of the aerosol flow path 121. The mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated by the atomizing unit 118 (hereinafter, it should be noted that the mixed fluid may be simply referred to as aerosol) flows through the aerosol flow path 121 to the mouthpiece 122. As described above, the flavor source 128 is provided downstream of the atomizing portion 118 with respect to the flow of the aerosol. In other words, the flavor source 128 is located closer to the mouthpiece 122 in the aerosol flow path 121 than the atomizing portion 118. Therefore, the aerosol produced by the atomizing section 118 passes through the flavor source 128 before reaching the mouthpiece 122. When the aerosol passes through the flavor source 128, the flavor component contained in the flavor source 128 is imparted to the aerosol. As an example, when the flavor suction tool 1B is a heat-not-burn tobacco, the flavor source 128 may be derived from tobacco, such as chopped tobacco or a processed product obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into granules, sheets, or powders. .. The flavor source 128 may also be of non-tobacco origin made from plants other than tobacco (eg, mint, herbs, etc.). As an example, flavor source 128 contains a tobacco component. The flavor source 128 may contain a perfume component such as menthol. In addition to the flavor source 128, the reservoir 116 may also contain substances containing flavor components. For example, the flavor suction tool 1B may be configured to hold a tobacco-derived flavoring substance in the flavor source 128 and contain a non-tobacco-derived flavoring substance in the reservoir 116.

The user can take in the air containing the flavored aerosol into the oral cavity by holding the mouthpiece 122 and sucking it.

The control unit 106 is configured to control the

flavor suction tools

1A and 1B (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "flavor suction tool 1") according to the embodiment of the present disclosure by various methods.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the schematic appearance of the flavor suction tool according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is another example of the schematic appearance of the flavor suction tool in a state of holding the aerosol-forming base material according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the flavor suction tool 1 produces an aerosol containing a flavor by heating an aerosol-producing base material such as a suction article having a flavor-generating base material such as an aerosol source and a filler containing the flavor source. Configured to generate. The suction article 140 may be used as an aerosol-producing base material.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the suction article 140 is only an example of an aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol source contained in the aerosol-forming substrate may be a solid or a liquid. The aerosol source may be, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, a liquid such as water, or a mixture thereof. The aerosol source may include a tobacco raw material that releases a flavor component by heating or an extract derived from the tobacco raw material. If the flavor aspirator 1 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug for the patient to inhale. Depending on the application, the aerosol-forming substrate may not contain a flavor source.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flavor suction tool 1 has a top housing 131A, a bottom housing 131B, a cover 132, a switch 133, and a lid 134. The top housing 131A and the bottom housing 131B are connected to each other to form the outermost housing 131 of the flavor suction tool 1. The housing 131 may be sized to fit in the user's hands. In this case, when the user uses the flavor suction tool 1, the user can hold the flavor suction tool 1 by hand and suck the aerosol.

The top housing 131A has an opening (not shown), and the cover 132 is coupled to the top housing 131A so as to close the opening. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 132 has an opening 132B into which the suction article 140 can be inserted. The lid 134 is configured to open and close the opening 132B of the cover 132. Specifically, the lid 134 is attached to the cover 132 and is configured to be movable along the surface of the cover 132 between the first position for closing the opening 132B and the second position for opening the opening 132B. ..

The switch 133 is used to switch the operation of the flavor suction tool 1 on and off. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the user operates the switch 133 with the suction article 140 inserted in the opening 132B to supply electric power from the battery (not shown) to the heating unit (not shown). , The suction article 140 can be heated without burning. When the suction article 140 is heated, an aerosol is generated from the aerosol source contained in the suction article 140, and the flavor of the flavor source is incorporated into the aerosol. The user can suck the aerosol containing the flavor by sucking the portion of the suction article 140 (the portion shown in FIG. 6) protruding from the flavor suction tool 1. In the present specification, the direction in which the aerosol-forming base material such as the suction article 140 is inserted into the opening 132B is referred to as the longitudinal direction of the flavor suction tool 1.

The configuration of the flavor suction tool 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is only an example of the configuration of the flavor suction tool according to the present disclosure. The flavor suction tool according to the present disclosure can generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol-producing base material containing an aerosol source, and the produced aerosol can be sucked by a user in various forms. Can be configured.

[User terminal configuration]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that FIG. 7 shows roughly and conceptually each component included in the user terminal 2, and does not show the exact arrangement, shape, dimensions, positional relationship, etc. of each component and the user terminal 2. I want to. Also note that the user terminal 2 may include components (not shown). The example of the user terminal 2 is one computer such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 21 described later may be realized by a digital camera externally connected to the computer.

The detection unit 21 detects at least a part of the flavor suction tool 1, for example, an externally observable predetermined change occurring in the change unit 12. The detection unit 21 may be realized by using at least a digital camera, a temperature sensor, or the like as hardware resources.

The output unit 22 executes the message output process based on the output information notified from the flavor suction tool 1 shown in FIG. The output unit 22 may execute the voice output process based on the output information notified from the flavor suction tool 1. The output unit 22 displays information indicating that the predetermined change is detected. The output unit 22 may be realized by using at least a display (including, for example, a touch panel display) as a hardware resource.

The input unit 23 receives input from the user. The input unit 23 may be realized by using at least a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel display, or the like as hardware resources.

The recording unit 24 stores programs, information, and the like. The recording unit 24 may be realized by using at least an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory, or the like as hardware resources.

The communication unit 25 communicates with another computer. The communication unit 25 may be realized by using at least a network interface or the like as a hardware resource.

The control unit 26 performs various controls. The control unit 26 may be configured to transmit and receive information via the communication unit 25. The output unit 22 can output information based on the received output information. The control unit 26 may be configured to determine, for example, how to suck the user. The output unit 22 can further display the result of the determination. Further, the control unit 26 may be configured to allow the user to select one of the plurality of sucking methods via the input unit 23. The output unit 22 can further display information based on the selected sucking method. The control unit 26 may be realized by using at least a processor or the like as a hardware resource.

Note that various functions of the user terminal 2 may be realized by using an application running on the user terminal. The user terminal 2 may download an application and realize various functions by the downloaded application. Further, the user terminal 2 may realize various functions by downloading a program for realizing various functions of the user terminal 2 and executing the downloaded program. The user terminal 2 may realize these functions by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8A, the control unit 106 functionally includes a system control unit 200, a battery control unit 202, a cartridge control unit 204, a communication control unit 206, and an interface detection unit 208.

Note that the control unit 106 can be realized, for example, by the CPU or the like executing a program stored in the memory 114 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Further, the control unit 106 may be realized by downloading a program used for processing in the control unit 106 and executing the downloaded program. The control unit 13 shown in FIG. 2A may functionally include a system control unit 200, a battery control unit 202, a cartridge control unit 204, a communication control unit 206, and an interface detection unit 208. Each of the above-mentioned functions included in the control unit 106 or the control unit 13 may be provided in another configuration. For example, at least one configuration of the communication control unit 206 or the cartridge control unit 204 may be provided by, for example, the communication unit 108 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The interface detection unit 208 may be provided with, for example, the sensor 112 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 may be any communication such as short-range wireless communication, but the case of BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication will be described below as an example. ..

The system control unit 200 controls, for example, each function included in the control unit 106 (in the example of FIG. 8, the battery control unit 202, the cartridge control unit 204, the communication control unit 206, and the interface detection unit 208). Further, the system control unit 200 controls execution of various control programs, embedded operating system (OS) programs, and the like, for example. For example, when the system control unit 200 detects various request signals such as a start instruction, it reads a program, an OS code, and the like, allocates the processing time and resources required for executing them, and so on, in the execution unit of the program. Process a process. The system control unit 200 is not limited to these examples, and can control various functions and various processes required for the operation of the flavor suction tool 1.

The battery control unit 202 supplies power from, for example, a battery (described as a battery or the like) provided in the battery 110 of FIGS. 3 and 4 and the flavor suction tool 1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and charges the battery or the like. To control. The battery control unit 202 controls, for example, power supply from a battery or the like to each element such as a heater provided in the flavor suction tool 1 illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6. For example, in the case of controlling the power supply to the heater, the battery control unit 202 is pressed when suction to the suction port 31 illustrated in FIGS. 3 or 4 is detected or the switch 133 illustrated in FIGS. 5 or 6 is pressed. If so, power is supplied from the battery or the like to the heater. Further, for example, the battery control unit 202 controls charging of the battery or the like from an external power source (not shown). Further, the battery control unit 202 may execute, for example, a function of detecting the remaining amount of the battery or a function of protecting the battery. Further, the battery control unit 202 may control the heating of the heater provided in the flavor suction tool 100, for example. The battery control unit 202 is not limited to these examples, and can execute various controls on the battery.

The cartridge control unit 204 determines, for example, the connection state between the first member 102 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the second member 104 including the atomizing unit 118 for atomizing the aerosol source. For example, the cartridge control unit 204 determines whether or not the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically (including physically) connected.

The electrical connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 includes, for example, that the first member 102 and the second member 104 are energized.

Further, the fact that the first member 102 and the second member 104 are mechanically (including physically) connected means that, for example, the first member 102 and the second member 104 are fitted together. By doing so, it includes being connected to each other. Further, when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are mechanically (including physically) connected, for example, the first member 102 and the second member 104 are screwed together. By doing so, it may include being connected to each other. Specifically, the first member 102 has a female connector at a portion adjacent to the second member 104, and the female connector has a spiral groove, while the second member 104 has a spiral groove. , A male connector is provided at a portion adjacent to the first member 102, and the male connector has a spiral protrusion. Then, the first member 102 and the second member 104 are connected by screwing the female connector of the first member 102 and the male connector of the second member 104. The first member 102 may have a male connector, and the second member 104 may have a female connector.

Further, when the cartridge control unit 204 executes the authentication process when, for example, the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically connected, the authentication process is successful. , It is determined that the first member 102 and the second member 104 are connected. On the other hand, when the authentication process fails, the cartridge control unit 204 determines that the first member 102 and the second member 104 are not connected. The details of the authentication process will be described later.

The cartridge control unit 204 determines whether or not a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.) has elapsed after the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released. .. The cartridge control unit 204 counts the elapsed time after detecting that the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 has been released. Information about a predetermined time is stored in the memory 114 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the cartridge control unit 204 refers to the information about the predetermined time stored in the memory 114 and compares the counted elapsed time with the predetermined time.

The cartridge control unit 204 executes the authentication process of the second member 104 (cartridge). The cartridge control unit 204 confirms, for example, the validity of the first member 102 as a connection target with respect to the second member 104. For example, the cartridge control unit 204 refers to the identification information of one or a plurality of second members 104 that can be connected to the first member 102, which are recorded in advance in the memory 114 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thereby, it is determined whether or not the specific second member 104 has the legitimacy as a connection target.

The cartridge control unit 204 has legitimacy for the second member 104 as a connection target based on the expiration date of the aerosol source contained in the reservoir 116 of the second member 104 to which the first member 102 is connected. May be determined. For example, the cartridge control unit 204 acquires information on the expiration date of the aerosol source from the second member 104 when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically connected to each other. .. The cartridge control unit 204 refers to the acquired information on the expiration date, and if the expiration date of the aerosol source contained in the reservoir 116 of the second member 104 to be connected to the first member 102 has not expired, the cartridge control unit 204 has not expired. It is determined that the second member 104 has legitimacy as a connection target. Further, when the expiration date of the aerosol source contained in the reservoir 116 of the second member 104, which is the connection target of the first member 102, has expired, the cartridge control unit 204 sets the second member 104 as the connection target. Judge that it does not have the validity of. Further, the cartridge control unit 204 acquires, for example, the remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of the aerosol source contained in the reservoir 116 of the second member 104, and based on the acquired remaining amount information, the second member as a connection target. The validity of the member 104 may be determined.

The communication control unit 206 is connected to the flavor suction tool 1 based on the connection state between the first member 102 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the second member 104 including the atomizing unit 118 for atomizing the aerosol source. Controls communication with the user terminal 2. The communication control unit 206 can control not only wireless communication but also wired communication.

The communication control unit 206 executes the "authentication connection" which is the setting process of the communication connection between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. The communication control unit 206 authenticates and connects, for example, the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. When the communication control unit 206 executes the authentication connection, the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 are in the "authentication connection state". Bluetooth communication is executed, for example, in a unit called a piconet. In Bluetooth communication, the user terminal 2 is called a "master" and the flavor suction tool 1 is called a "slave". For example, for one master, for example, seven slaves can be connected. For example, the master has the initiative in communication, and information transmission from the master to the slave is executed at an arbitrary timing. On the other hand, the information from the slave to the master is executed based on the instruction from the master (request regarding the authentication connection). In the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2, the user terminal 2 does not necessarily have to take the initiative in the communication. For example, the flavor suction tool 1 may take the initiative in communication, and information may be transmitted from the flavor suction tool 1 to the user terminal 2 at an arbitrary timing.

When establishing encrypted communication between a master and one or more slaves, for example, a shared secret information (link key) generated by a random number is exchanged between the master and the slave. Then, the communication between the master and each slave is encrypted based on the link key. The procedure for such key exchange and establishment of communication connection settings between the master and the slave is "authentication connection".

An example of communication according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. After the authentication connection is completed, the master and the slave execute communication so as to synchronize the timing of information transmission (TX) or the timing of information reception (RX) with each other.

In the communication according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a function called "transmission frequency change" is provided as one of the low power consumption operations. The transmission frequency change is an operation of suppressing power consumption by thinning out the response communication that must respond to the inquiry from the master when the slave does not have the information to be transmitted to the master.

Specifically, normally, when communicating between the slave and the master, the slave needs to respond to the master at each preset communication interval L of the master. For example, when the slave does not respond to the inquiry from the master (for example, when the slave does not respond for the preset number of times of communication interruption), the slave disconnects from the master. However, even when there is no information to be transmitted (for example, updated information), it leads to unnecessary power consumption for the slave to respond to and communicate with the inquiry from the master.

Therefore, if the transmission frequency setting value is set (or the setting is changed) to, for example, "4" in the transmission frequency change, the slave can maintain the communication connection up to 4 times in response to the inquiry from the master even if the slave does not respond. It is possible. In this way, the slave can thin out the response communication and can suppress the power consumption. Even when the communication is thinned out based on the change in the transmission frequency, the slave executes, for example, the communication for maintaining the communication connection with the master with the minimum power consumption.

Further, in the communication according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a function called "forced transmission" is provided. In forced transmission, even if communication is thinned out based on a change in transmission frequency, predetermined information that the slave should send to the master is transmitted to the master at the next transmission timing in the state before thinning out. It is an operation to do. For example, when the slave sets the transmission frequency setting value to "4" by changing the transmission frequency, the response transmission is thinned out. However, by setting forced transmission, even during the communication thinning period (that is, when transmission frequency change is set), transmission should be performed to the master at the next transmission timing in the state before thinning. Information can be sent. As described above, the transmission frequency change and the forced transmission in the communication according to the embodiment of the present invention are operations that enable efficient information transmission while being a low power consumption operation.

The communication control unit 206 may execute the initial setting of the setting contents related to the communication executed between the flavor suction tool 1A and the user terminal 2, or the communication unit 108 or the communication control unit shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 206 may be executed. For example, the initial setting of communication is based on the information recorded in advance in the flavor suction tool 1A, the information separately input by the user, the information included in the request for authentication connection from the user terminal 2, and the like. Will be executed.

Here, the "control" of the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 includes, for example, the "restriction" of the communication. Then, the "restriction" of communication includes, for example, "restricting the transmission of information" between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. Further, the "restriction" of the communication includes, for example, "restricting the authentication connection" which is a setting process of the communication connection between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2.

Further, the "control" of the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 includes, for example, "changing the setting contents related to the communication". Further, "changing the setting contents related to communication" includes, for example, "changing the frequency of communication" between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. Further, "changing the communication frequency" includes, for example, "changing the response frequency" of the flavor suction tool 1 to an inquiry from the user terminal 2. Specifically, the communication control unit 206 may execute wireless communication according to the response frequency to be changed. Further, "changing the communication frequency" includes, for example, "changing the transmission frequency setting value" between the user terminal 2 and the flavor suction tool 1. Specifically, the communication control unit 206 may execute wireless communication according to the transmission frequency setting value to be changed. Further, "changing the communication frequency" includes, for example, "changing the communication interval" between the user terminal 2 and the flavor suction tool 1. Specifically, the communication control unit 206 may execute wireless communication according to the communication interval to be changed.

Further, the "restriction of the authentication connection" includes "waiting for the authentication connection" in the flavor suction tool 1, and includes the flavor suction tool 1 waiting for a response to the request regarding the authentication connection from the user terminal 2.

Further, the "restriction" of the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 includes, for example, the "stop" of the communication. Then, "stopping" the communication includes, for example, "stopping the transmission of information" from the flavor suction tool 1 to the user terminal 2. Further, the "restriction" of the communication includes, for example, "stopping the authentication connection" which is a setting process of the communication connection between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. Specifically, the communication control unit 206 may stop the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2, for example. The communication control unit 206 may control communication so that, for example, the communication unit 108 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 stops transmitting information to the user terminal 2. The communication control unit 206 may control the communication so that the communication unit 108 stops receiving information from the user terminal 2.

By limiting or stopping at least one of the transmission of information and the reception of information, the power consumption of the flavor suction tool 1A is reduced, and the battery consumption is also reduced. For example, since the power consumption of the battery 110 is larger in the transmission of information than in the reception of information, the consumption of the battery 110 can be further reduced by preferentially limiting or stopping the transmission of information.

Note that communication control is not limited to the above example. For example, the control of communication includes prohibiting the transmission of at least a part of the information that can be transmitted to the user terminal 2 by the communication unit 108.

Further, the communication control may allow the communication unit 108 to transmit only the response to the request for the authentication connection to the user terminal 2 to the user terminal 2. The communication control unit 206 may allow the communication unit 108 to receive a request regarding an authentication connection from the user terminal 2, for example, when the flavor suction tool 1 is performing a puff operation. The communication control unit 206 may execute the authentication connection (for example, respond to the request) after the heating of the heater is completed.

The interface detection unit 106 detects a predetermined action in the flavor suction tool 1. The interface detection unit 106 detects at least one of the above-mentioned actions (1) to (5), for example.

The interface detection unit 106 is connected or reconnected to the first member 102 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the second member 104 including the atomizing unit 118 for atomizing the aerosol source. Is detected. The interface detection unit 106 detects that the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically connected by energizing the first member 102 and the second member 104. Further, when the interface detection unit 106 executes the authentication process when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically connected to each other, if the authentication process is successful, the interface detection unit 106 becomes the first. It may be detected that the member 102 of 1 and the member 104 of the second member are connected. The interface detection unit 106 determines that the puff operation has been executed in the flavor suction tool 1A, for example, based on the heating state of the heater included in the atomizing unit 118 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The interface detection unit 106 detects that a predetermined button (not shown) provided on the flavor suction tool 1A has been pressed.

The interface detection unit 106 detects that the flavor suction tool 1 is in a predetermined posture based on the detection result of the sensor 112. Specifically, the interface detection unit 106 indicates that the flavor suction tool 1A has a predetermined angle when, for example, the sensor 112, which is a motion sensor, grasps the movement of the flavor suction tool 1A in each axial direction. Detect. Further, the interface detection unit 106 may detect that the flavor suction tool 1A has vibrated by the sensor 112, which is a motion sensor, for example.

Here, the control unit 106 may use the following method for controlling communication. That is, as an operation in the processing of each function of the control unit 106, each functional element, for example, each unit constituting the control unit 106 of FIG. 8 is treated as one processing or processing group, and the system satisfies the time constraint condition. A method of operating the whole (for example, a method represented by a real-time system) may be used.

For example, when the battery control unit 202 is treated as one processing group and the communication control unit 206 is treated as one processing group, these two processing groups may be required to process at the same time. Specifically, when the communication control unit 206 receives a response request from the user terminal 2 by wireless communication while the puff operation is being executed by the flavor suction tool 1, it is determined in advance which process should be prioritized. There is a need. As an example of prioritizing in the treatment, as the treatment having the highest priority, there is a response to an abnormal state in the flavor suction tool 1. Continuing an example of prioritization, for example, priority is set in the order of heater heating processing, aerosol generation device connection state detection processing, operation detection processing for user operation, and communication response request processing from the user terminal 2. May be good. However, no matter what order the processing priorities are set, it is required that the entire system can be operated so as to satisfy the above-mentioned time constraint condition. The execution time in each process may be predicted in advance so that the time constraint condition can be satisfied, and the order of the processes may be adjusted so that the time constraint can be observed for all the processes having the time constraint condition. According to the above priority setting, the process having a higher priority may execute the process with priority over the process having a lower priority. Further, with respect to the low-priority processing, the high-priority processing may be controlled so as to interrupt the processing even while the low-priority processing is being executed. A process having a higher priority may be executed exclusively for a process having a lower priority.

By using the system operation method in this way, for example, even when the communication control unit 206 receives a response request from the user terminal 2 by wireless communication in a state where the puff operation is executed in the flavor suction tool 1, in advance. It is possible to execute each process at a determined priority and satisfy the time constraint condition.

The above is just an example, and since many methods are disclosed as the system operation method, the method is not particularly limited to the above example as long as it is a method applicable to the present embodiment.

Further, the control unit 106 may control communication as follows. For example, the control unit 106 is in a sleep state (temporarily stopped operation) from a state in which the flavor suction tool 1 is activated (a state in which heating of the heater and other necessary processing can be executed for the puff operation by the user). When the state shifts to the state of waiting in the power saving state), the setting contents related to the communication executed between the flavor suction tool 1A and the user terminal 2 may be changed as the control of the communication. Further, for example, the control unit 106 controls communication when a predetermined period (for example, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.) elapses after the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released. As a result, communication may be stopped. The predetermined period is not limited to 1 minute or 5 minutes, and may be any period and can be set arbitrarily. Even if the control unit 106 stops communication as a control of communication, for example, when a predetermined action that can be determined that the user does not use the flavor suction tool 1 is detected, even when the predetermined period has not elapsed. Good. As a predetermined action in which the user can determine that the flavor suction tool 1 is not used, for example, the third member 126 in the case of the flavor suction tool 1 to FIG. 3 and the suction article 140 in the case of FIG. 6 are removed. However, the action is not limited to this, and any action may be used.

[Communication control processing]
<First Embodiment>
An example of the communication control process according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, in step S1, as a premise of the communication control process, the user first presses, for example, a power button (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the flavor suction tool 1, thereby causing the flavor suction tool 1 to be pressed. To start. The activation process of the flavor suction tool 1 is similarly executed in the communication control process according to each embodiment described later. The activation process of the flavor suction tool 1 is not limited to pressing the power button, and may be, for example, a puff operation for the flavor suction tool 1, and any method as long as the flavor suction tool 1 is activated. May be.

In step S3, the flavor suction tool 1 determines, for example, the connection state between the first member 102 (battery unit) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the second member 104 (cartridge). For example, the cartridge control unit 204 determines whether or not the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically (including physically) connected.

In step S5, the flavor suction tool 1 controls communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 based on the connection state between the first member 102 and the second member 104. For example, when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are not connected (for example, when the connection is disconnected), the flavor suction tool 1 is located between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. Restrict communication. For example, the flavor suction tool 1 may stop the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 as a limitation of communication, and the flavor suction tool 1 has the communication unit 108 shown in FIGS. Transmission of information to the user terminal 2 may be stopped or restricted, or communication may be executed according to the setting contents changed by the communication control unit 206. Further, the flavor suction tool 1 may limit or stop the authentication connection between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 as a communication limitation.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the flavor suction tool 1 controls the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 based on the connection state between the battery unit and the cartridge. Therefore, since the increase in the power consumption of the flavor suction tool 1 can be suppressed, the consumption of the battery 110 included in the flavor suction tool 1 can be reduced.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment is a communication control process when the first member 102 and the second member 104, which are not connected to each other, are connected and then the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is started. Is shown. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the authentication connection is restricted as the control of communication. The limitation of the authentication connection includes waiting for the authentication connection in the flavor suction tool 1.

Here, in the second embodiment, the control of communication is not limited to limiting the authentication connection. The communication control may be, for example, limiting or stopping the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2, and the communication unit 108 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 informs the user terminal 2. May be restricted or stopped, communication may be executed according to the setting contents changed by the communication control unit 206, or the authentication connection may be stopped.

Further, in the second embodiment, the flavor suction tool 1 may change the setting contents related to the wireless communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 as the control of communication. For example, the flavor suction tool 1 may change the response frequency of the flavor suction tool 1 to an inquiry from the user terminal 2 when changing the transmission frequency. Further, for example, the flavor suction tool may change the transmission frequency setting value between the user terminal 2 and the flavor suction tool 1 when changing the transmission frequency. Further, for example, the flavor suction tool may change the communication interval between the user terminal 2 and the flavor suction tool 1 when the transmission frequency is changed. Therefore, when considered per unit time, the transmission and reception of information between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is thinned out, so that the power consumption related to the communication in the flavor suction tool 1 can be reduced. Therefore, the power consumption of the battery 110 of the flavor suction tool 1 is reduced.

In step S11, first, the user activates the first member 102 by, for example, pressing a power button (not shown) provided on the outer surface of the first member 102. The means for activating the first member 102 is not limited to pressing the power button, and may be any means.

In step S13, the flavor suction tool 1 proceeds to step S15 when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are connected (in the case of Yes in step S13). On the other hand, in the flavor suction tool 1, when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are not connected (No in step S13), the first member 102 and the second member 104 are connected. Wait until it is done.

In step S15, the flavor suction tool 1 executes an authentication connection with the user terminal 2. Then, in step S17, the flavor suction tool 1 determines whether or not the authentication connection is completed.

The flavor suction tool 1 proceeds to step S19 when the authentication connection is completed (in the case of Yes in step S17). On the other hand, when the authentication connection with the user terminal 2 is not completed (No in step S17), the flavor suction tool 1 waits until the authentication connection is completed.

In step S19, the flavor suction tool 1 starts transmitting and receiving predetermined information to and from the user terminal 2. The predetermined information includes, for example, suction information and the like.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, after connecting the first member 102 and the second member 104 which are not connected to each other, the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is performed. Start. Therefore, the flavor suction tool 1 starts communication with the user terminal 2 by using the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 as a trigger, so that the first member 102 and the second member 104 When is not connected, the communication with the user terminal 2 can be controlled, and the power consumption related to the communication in the flavor suction tool 1 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the battery 110.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the communication control process is performed when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released and the communication is controlled after the communication with the user terminal 2 is started in the flavor suction tool 1. Shown. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 11 illustrates a case where communication is restricted as communication control. In the third embodiment, the control of communication is not limited to this. Further, since step S21 shown in FIG. 11 is the same as step S1 shown in FIG. 9, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S23, the flavor suction tool 1 executes, for example, an authentication connection with the user terminal 2. When the authentication connection is completed, the flavor suction tool 1 starts transmitting / receiving predetermined information by Bluetooth to / from the user terminal 2.

In step S25, the flavor suction tool 1 proceeds to step S27 when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is disconnected (in the case of Yes). On the other hand, when the flavor suction tool 1 is not disconnected from the first member 102 and the second member 104 (the connection is maintained) (No), the flavor suction tool 1 is the user. The transmission and reception of predetermined information by Bluetooth is continued with the user terminal 2 without restricting the communication with the terminal 2.

In step S27, the flavor suction tool 1 limits communication with the user terminal 2. For example, the flavor suction tool 1 limits the transmission of information from the flavor suction tool 1 to the user terminal 2. In the third embodiment, the limitation of communication is not limited to limiting the transmission of information. The communication restriction may be, for example, to stop the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2, and the communication unit 108 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 transmits information to the user terminal 2. This may be stopped, communication may be executed according to the setting contents changed by the communication control unit 206, and the authentication connection may be restricted or stopped.

In this way, when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is disconnected, the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is restricted, so that the flavor is flavored. The power consumption related to communication in the suction tool 1 can be reduced. Therefore, the power consumption of the battery 110 of the flavor suction tool 1 is reduced.

In the third embodiment, the flavor suction tool 1 may change the setting contents related to wireless communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 as a communication limitation. For example, the flavor suction tool 1 may change the response frequency of the flavor suction tool 1 to an inquiry from the user terminal 2 when changing the transmission frequency. Further, for example, the flavor suction tool may change the transmission frequency setting value between the user terminal 2 and the flavor suction tool 1 when changing the transmission frequency. Further, for example, the flavor suction tool may change the communication interval between the user terminal 2 and the flavor suction tool 1 when the transmission frequency is changed. Therefore, when considered per unit time, the transmission and reception of information between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is thinned out, so that the power consumption related to the communication in the flavor suction tool 1 can be reduced. Therefore, the power consumption of the battery 110 of the flavor suction tool 1 is reduced.

As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when the flavor suction tool 1 starts communication with the user terminal 2 and then the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released, the user Restrict communication with terminal 2. Therefore, when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released, the flavor suction tool 1 limits the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2. Therefore, since the power consumption related to the communication in the flavor suction tool 1 can be reduced, the consumption of the battery 110 can be reduced.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the fourth embodiment, after the flavor suction tool 1 starts communication with the user terminal 2, the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released, and the communication is continued for a certain period of time when the communication is controlled. The communication control process is shown. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 12 illustrates a case where communication is restricted as communication control, but in the fourth embodiment, communication control is not limited to communication restriction. Since steps S31 to S35 and S39 shown in FIG. 12 are the same as steps S21 to S27 shown in FIG. 11, description thereof will be omitted.

In step S37, the flavor suction tool 1 determines that a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.) has elapsed after the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released. (In the case of Yes in step S37), the process proceeds to step S39. On the other hand, in the flavor suction tool 1, a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.) has not elapsed after the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released. When determining (No in step S37), the flavor suction tool 1 communicates with the user terminal 2 by Bluetooth without restricting the communication with the user terminal 2 until a predetermined period elapses. continue. Although not shown in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12, for example, abnormal heat generation of the battery 110 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is caused until communication is restricted, that is, until it is determined that a predetermined period has elapsed. When an abnormality occurs, the flavor suction tool 1 can notify the user terminal 2 of the abnormality of the battery 110.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, after the flavor suction tool 1 starts the communication with the user terminal 2, the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released, and the communication is restricted. At that time, communication is continued for a certain period of time. Therefore, the flavor suction tool 1 prevents the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 from being stopped immediately after the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released. it can. For example, when the user removes the cartridge from the battery unit and then immediately installs a new cartridge in order to replace the cartridge of the flavor suction tool 1, it is not necessary to bother to restrict communication. Therefore, after disconnecting the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104, communication is continued until a predetermined period elapses, and within the predetermined period, a new second member 102 is used. When the member 104 is connected, the communication is continued without limiting the communication. As a result, the flavor suction tool 1 can continue the communication without restricting the communication, for example, when the user replaces the cartridge.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the fifth embodiment, when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released, a predetermined action is taken after the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 is restricted. When it is detected, the communication control process for releasing the communication restriction is shown. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of communication control processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 13 illustrates a case where communication is restricted as communication control, but in the fourth embodiment, communication control is not limited to communication restriction. Since steps S41 to S45 shown in FIG. 13 are the same as steps S31 to S35 shown in FIG. 11, description thereof will be omitted.

In step S47, when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released, the flavor suction tool 1 limits the communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2.

In step S49, when the flavor suction tool 1 detects a predetermined action (in the case of Yes in step S49), the flavor suction tool 1 proceeds to step S51. The flavor suction tool 1 detects at least one of the above-mentioned actions (1) to (5), for example.

For example, in the flavor suction tool 1, the first member 102 and the second member 104 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are electrically or mechanically (including physically) connected or reconnected. Detect that it has been done. The flavor suction tool 1 is certified when the certification process is executed when the first member 102 and the second member 104 are electrically or mechanically (including physically) connected to each other. If the process is successful, it may be detected that the first member 102 and the second member 104 are connected.

Further, the flavor suction tool 1 may detect that a predetermined button (not shown) provided on the flavor suction tool 1 has been pressed. Further, the flavor suction tool 1 may detect that the flavor suction tool 1 is in a predetermined posture based on the detection result of the sensor 112. Further, the flavor suction tool 1 may detect that the battery 110 of the flavor suction tool 1 is in a charged state as one of the predetermined actions, for example.

On the other hand, in step S49, when the flavor suction tool 1 does not detect a predetermined action (No in step S49), it stands by, that is, the flavor suction tool 1 maintains a state in which communication is restricted.

In step S51, the flavor suction tool 1 releases the restriction on communication between the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the flavor suction tool 1 is connected to the flavor suction tool 1 and the user terminal 2 when the connection between the first member 102 and the second member 104 is released. When a predetermined action is detected after the communication between them is restricted, the restriction on communication is released. Therefore, after the communication with the user terminal 2 is once restricted, the flavor suction tool 1 automatically releases the restriction of communication when a predetermined action is detected. Therefore, the degree of freedom regarding the release of the communication restriction once the communication is restricted is increased.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer according to the embodiment of the present invention. An example of a computer hardware configuration that can be used to configure the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, the computer 40 mainly includes a processor 41, a main recording device 42, an auxiliary recording device 43, an input / output interface 44, and a communication interface 45 as hardware resources. These are connected to each other via a bus line 46 including an address bus, an information bus, a control bus, and the like. An interface circuit (not shown) may be appropriately interposed between the bus line 46 and each hardware resource.

The processor 41 controls the entire computer. The main recording device 42 provides a work area for the processor 41, and is a volatile memory such as a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The auxiliary recording device 43 is a non-volatile memory such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory that stores software programs and information. The program, information, and the like are loaded from the auxiliary recording device 43 to the main recording device 42 via the bus line 46 at an arbitrary time.

The input / output interface 44 performs one or both of presenting information and receiving input of information, and is a digital camera, keyboard, mouse, display, touch panel display, microphone, speaker, temperature sensor, or the like. is there.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the collaboration of the hardware resources and software exemplified above allows the computer 40 to function as a desired means, perform a desired step, and achieve a desired function. is there.

Each of the above embodiments is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be modified / improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention also includes an equivalent thereof.

1,1A, 1B ... Flavor suction tool, 2 ... User terminal, 11 ... Sensor, 12 ... Change unit, 13 ... Control unit, 14 ... Communication unit, 21 ... Detection unit, 22 ... Output unit, 23 ... Input unit, 24 ... Recording unit, 25 ... Communication unit, 26 ... Control unit, 100 ... Information processing system, 102 ... First member, 104 ... Second member, 106 ... Control unit, 108 ... Communication unit, 110 ... Battery, 112 ... Sensor, 114 ... Memory, 116 ... Reservoir, 118 ... Atomizing section, 120 ... Air intake flow path, 121 ... Aerosol flow path, 122 ... Mouthpiece, 126 ... Third member, 128 ... Flavor source, 131 ... Housing , 131A ... top housing, 131B ... bottom housing, 132 ... cover, 132B ... opening, 133 ... switch, 134 ... lid, 140 ... suction article, 161, 162 ... end, 200 ... system control unit, 202 ... battery control unit , 204 ... cartridge control unit, 206 ... communication control unit, 208 ... interface detection unit

Claims

A battery unit for an aerosol generator that produces aerosols.
A communication unit that executes wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal,
A control unit for determining a connection state between the battery unit and a cartridge including an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source is provided.
The control unit
Controlling the wireless communication based on the connection state,
Battery unit.
The control unit
When the battery unit and the cartridge are not connected, the wireless communication is restricted.
The battery unit according to claim 1.
The control unit
When the battery unit and the cartridge are not connected, the transmission of information to the user terminal is restricted.
The battery unit according to claim 1 or 2.
The control unit
The battery unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which changes the setting contents related to the wireless communication.
The control unit
The frequency of the wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal is changed.
The battery unit according to claim 4.
The control unit
Changing the response frequency to inquiries from the user terminal,
The battery unit according to claim 4 or 5.
The control unit
The communication interval between the aerosol generator and the user terminal is changed.
The battery unit according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
The control unit
When the battery unit and the cartridge are not connected, the authentication connection, which is the setting process of the communication connection between the aerosol generator and the user terminal, is restricted.
The battery unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The control unit
The authentication process of the cartridge is executed, and the authentication connection is restricted when the authentication process is not completed.
The battery unit according to claim 8.
The control unit
When the connection between the battery unit and the cartridge is disconnected, the wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal is restricted.
The battery unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The control unit
After the connection between the battery unit and the cartridge is disconnected, the communication is maintained for a predetermined period of time.
The battery unit according to claim 10.
The control unit
A predetermined action in the aerosol generator is detected, and when the predetermined action is detected, the restriction on the wireless communication is released.
The battery unit according to claim 11 or 12.
The predetermined action is
Reconnection of the battery unit and the cartridge,
A puff operation in which the user sucks the aerosol using the aerosol generator,
Pressing or pressing a predetermined button provided on the aerosol generator
Including at least one operation of the aerosol generator being in a predetermined position.
The battery unit according to any one of claims 10 to 12.
An aerosol generator that produces aerosols
A communication unit that executes wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal,
A control unit that determines the connection state between the battery unit for the aerosol generator and the cartridge provided with the atomizing unit that atomizes the aerosol source.
The control unit
Controlling the wireless communication based on the connection state,
Aerosol generator.
An information processing method executed by an aerosol generator that generates an aerosol.
A step of executing wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal,
A step of determining the connection state between the battery unit and a cartridge provided with an atomizing unit that atomizes the aerosol source, and
A step of controlling the wireless communication based on the connection state,
Information processing methods, including.
On the computer
A communication function that executes wireless communication between the aerosol generator and the user terminal, and
A program for realizing a control function for determining a connection state between the battery unit and a cartridge provided with an atomizing unit for atomizing an aerosol source.
The control function
Controlling the wireless communication based on the connection state,
program.