WO2024194927A1 - Aerosol generation system, control method, and non-transitory recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a system that makes it possible to further reduce the size of an inhaling device. This aerosol generation system comprises: a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies electric power; an accommodation unit that accommodates a base material containing an aerosol source; a heating unit that uses the electric power supplied from the power supply unit and heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit; and a control unit that controls the power supply to the heating unit, wherein the control unit executes, as a first process, a determination of the state of the accommodation unit on the basis of a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying, to the heating unit, a detection pulse group including one first detection pulse.

Description

Aerosol generating system, control method and non-transitory storage medium

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generation system, a control method, and a non-transitory storage medium.

Inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, that generate substances to be inhaled by users are in widespread use. For example, inhalation devices generate aerosol imparted with flavor components using a substrate that includes an aerosol source for generating aerosol and a flavor source for imparting flavor components to the generated aerosol. Users can taste the flavor by inhaling the aerosol imparted with flavor components generated by the inhalation device. The action of a user inhaling an aerosol is hereinafter also referred to as a puff or a puffing action.

A variety of technologies are being developed to further improve the quality of the user experience when using such suction devices. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that detects the insertion of a substrate into the suction device based on a change in capacitance detected by a capacitance sensor mounted on the suction device.

Special table 2017-510270 publication

However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, the suction device becomes larger due to the inclusion of a capacitance sensor.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that enables further miniaturization of the suction device.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an aerosol generation system is provided that includes a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies power, a storage unit that stores a substrate containing an aerosol source, a heating unit that uses power supplied from the power supply unit to heat the substrate stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the power supply to the heating unit, and the control unit executes, as a first process, determining the state of the storage unit based on the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.

The control unit may determine the state of the storage unit in the first process based on the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in the first group of detection pulses and the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in the second group of detection pulses that follows the first group of detection pulses.

The control unit may, in the first process, determine the state of the storage unit based on the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulses included in the first group of detection pulses and statistical values of one or more of the parameters before the start of application, and the parameters at the start of application of the first detection pulses included in the second group of detection pulses following the first group of detection pulses and statistical values of one or more of the parameters before the start of application.

The group of detection pulses may include one or more second detection pulses, and the one or more parameters before the application of the first detection pulse begins may be acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating section, and the duration of the second detection pulse may be shorter than the duration of the first detection pulse.

The control unit may determine the state of the storage unit in the first process based on the parameters at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the first group of detection pulses and the parameters at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the second group of detection pulses that is next to the first group of detection pulses.

The control unit may, in the first process, determine the state of the storage unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters after the application ends, and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in the second group of detection pulses next to the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters after the application ends.

The group of detection pulses may include one or more second detection pulses, and the one or more parameters after the application of the first detection pulse is terminated may be acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating section, and the duration of the second detection pulse may be shorter than the duration of the first detection pulse.

The first process may include initially applying a third detection pulse to the heating portion, and the duration of the third detection pulse may be longer than the duration of the first detection pulse.

The control unit may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit in the first process based on the temperature of the heating unit or the environmental temperature at the start of the first process.

The control unit may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit during the first process based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit is stopped at the start of the first process.

The control unit may start the first process when a predetermined user action is detected as a trigger, and may terminate the first process if the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition within a predetermined time period after the start of the first process.

The control unit may start a second process when it is determined in the first process that the time series transition of the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit satisfies a predetermined condition, and in the second process, control the operation of the heating unit based on control information for generating an aerosol.

The aerosol generating system may further include the substrate.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation system having a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies power, a storage unit that stores a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a heating unit that heats the substrate stored in the storage unit using the power supplied from the power supply unit, the control method including controlling the power supply to the heating unit, the control method including executing, as a first process, determining the state of the storage unit based on the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory storage medium having stored therein a program executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation system having a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies power, a storage unit that stores a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a heating unit that uses the power supplied from the power supply unit to heat the substrate stored in the storage unit, the program causing the computer to function as a control unit that controls the power supply to the heating unit, and the control unit executing, as a first process, determining the state of the storage unit based on the time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.

As explained above, the present disclosure provides a mechanism that allows for further miniaturization of the suction device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device; 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a first process executed by a suction device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a first process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment. 1 is a graph showing a schematic example of a heating profile. 11 is a diagram for explaining power supply control based on a heating profile. FIG. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining experimental results regarding the suction device according to the present embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a first criterion for determining the state of the container in the first process. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second criterion for determining the state of the container in the first process. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second criterion for determining the state of the container in the first process. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining experimental results regarding the suction device.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant description.

In addition, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by assigning an index containing different letters or numbers after the same reference numeral. For example, multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished as devices 1A, 1B, and 1C as necessary. However, if there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral may be assigned. For example, if there is no need to particularly distinguish between devices 1A, 1B, and 1C, they may be referred to simply as device 1.

1. Configuration example of suction device
The inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a suction device. As shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100 according to this example configuration includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121, a storage unit 140, and a heat insulating unit 144.

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

The sensor unit 112 acquires various information related to the suction device 100. As one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor, or a temperature sensor, and acquires values associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured with an input device such as a button or switch that accepts information input from the user.

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

The storage unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100. The storage unit 114 is configured, for example, from a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Such communication standards may include, for example, standards using Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

The storage section 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 while storing a part of the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The storage section 140 has an opening 142 that connects the internal space 141 to the outside, and stores the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the storage section 140 is a cylindrical body with the opening 142 and the bottom 143 as the bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141. An air flow path that supplies air to the internal space 141 is connected to the storage section 140. An air inlet hole, which is an air inlet to the air flow path, is arranged, for example, on the side of the suction device 100. An air outlet hole, which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.

The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicine. The aerosol source may be a liquid such as polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water, which include a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, or may be a solid which includes a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is stored in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the suction mouth portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via an air flow path (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base portion 151.

The heating unit 121 generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source and atomizing the aerosol source. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the heating unit 121 is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140. When the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate unit 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and/or that specific information has been input. Power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has stopped inhaling and/or that specific information has been input.

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

The above describes an example of the configuration of the suction device 100. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below are possible.

As one example, the heating unit 121 may be configured in a blade shape and disposed so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 may be configured as a combination of two or more of a first heating unit that covers the outer periphery of the storage unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit that covers the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140.

As another example, the storage unit 140 may include an opening/closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens and closes a portion of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141. The storage unit 140 may then open and close the outer shell to accommodate the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 while clamping it. In this case, the heating unit 121 may be provided at the clamping location in the storage unit 140, and may heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 while pressing it.

A configuration example of the suction device 100 has been described above. The heating unit 121 uses power supplied from the power supply unit 111 to heat the stick-shaped substrate 150 (more specifically, the aerosol source contained in the stick-shaped substrate 150) contained in the storage unit 140, thereby generating an aerosol. The control unit 116 then controls the power supply to the heating unit 121. The suction device 100 is an example of an aerosol generation system that generates an aerosol. The combination of the suction device 100 and the stick-shaped substrate 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system.

2. Technical features
2.1. Heating with Insertion Detection
The control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121. In the following, the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is assumed to be the electrical resistance (hereinafter also simply referred to as resistance) of the heating unit 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor constituting the heating unit 121). The control unit 116 obtains the resistance of the heating unit 121 by applying a voltage to the heating unit 121. In the following, it is assumed that the resistance of the heating unit 121 increases as the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases, and the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases as the temperature of the heating unit 121 decreases. That is, in the following description, the resistance and the temperature may be interchangeable.

First, the control unit 116 executes a first process. The first process includes acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121 and judging the state of the storage unit 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In particular, in the first process, the control unit 116 judges whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140.

If it is determined in the first process that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage section 140, the control section 116 ends the first process and executes the second process. The second process includes heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on a heating profile. The heating profile is control information for generating an aerosol. The suction device 100 can generate an aerosol by heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile. The heating profile will be described in detail later.

In the first process, it may be erroneously determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140 even though the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage section 140. Such an erroneous determination may occur when an item other than the stick-shaped substrate 150, such as a cleaning swab, is inserted into the storage section 140, or when outside air is blown into the storage section 140. This is because the resistance of the heating section 121 may change in these cases, just as it does when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140.

The control unit 116 therefore acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 during heating based on the heating profile, and judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In particular, the control unit 116 judges whether or not the judgment in the first process that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 was an erroneous judgment.

If the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140, i.e., if it determines that the determination in the first process is correct, it continues heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile. On the other hand, if the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage unit 140, i.e., if it determines that the determination in the first process is incorrect, it stops heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 based on the heating profile.

With this configuration, when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140, heating of the stick-type substrate 150 can be automatically started and continued. On the other hand, when nothing is inserted into the storage section 140, or when an item other than the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted, heating can be stopped. In this way, by simply inserting the stick-type substrate 150 into the storage section 140, the user can start heating and inhale the aerosol without having to give a separate command to start/stop heating, thereby improving usability.

Furthermore, with this configuration, the heating section 121 for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be used to detect the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150. In other words, there is no need to install another sensor such as a capacitance sensor to detect the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150. This allows the suction device 100 to be further miniaturized.

In the first process, since a voltage is applied to the heating section 121 to obtain the resistance of the heating section 121, the heating section 121 may increase in temperature. In other words, the first process may be considered as a process for heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. However, hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, heating refers to heating based on the heating profile in the second process.

The first and second processes are described in detail below.

(1) First Processing FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the first processing performed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. A graph 30 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example of a time series transition of a voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. The vertical axis of the graph 30 is voltage in volts. The horizontal axis of the graph 30 is time in seconds. A graph 35 shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of a time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in FIG. 2 is applied. The vertical axis of the graph 35 is resistance in ohms. The horizontal axis of the graph 35 is time in seconds. The graph 35 illustrates a case where the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 at the timing indicated by the arrow 39, i.e., 5 seconds after the start of the first processing.

2, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a group of detection pulses 34 including one first detection pulse 31 to the heating unit 121. The pulse here is a wave having a predetermined voltage. In particular, the first detection pulse 31 is a pulse for increasing the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121. The period during which one group of detection pulses 34 is applied is also referred to as a detection cycle below. The period during which the first detection pulse 31 is applied in the detection cycle is also referred to as a temperature rise period. On the other hand, the period during which the first detection pulse 31 is not applied in the detection cycle is also referred to as a temperature fall period. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the duration of the detection cycle is 0.5 seconds, the first 0.1 seconds of the detection cycle is the temperature rise period, and the remaining 0.4 seconds is the temperature fall period.

As shown in FIG. 3, during the temperature rise period, a voltage is applied to the heating section 121, so the temperature of the heating section 121 rises, and the resistance of the heating section 121 also rises accordingly. On the other hand, during the temperature fall period, the application of voltage to the heating section 121 is stopped, so the temperature of the heating section 121 drops, and the resistance of the heating section 121 also drops accordingly. That is, in one detection cycle, the resistance of the heating section 121 fluctuates up and down. As shown in FIG. 3, in the process in which the application of the detection pulse group 34 is repeated, the resistance of the heating section 121 repeatedly rises and falls, and then gradually rises. Here, the voltage and width of the first detection pulse 31 are adjusted so that the resistance of the heating section 121 gradually rises or is maintained at a constant value in the process in which the application of the detection pulse group 34 is repeated.

The control unit 116 determines the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121. In detail, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. On the other hand, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

The time series transition of the resistance of the heating section 121 during the period when the detection pulse group 34 is applied to the heating section 121 differs between the case where the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140 and the case where it is not. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage section 140 during the period from the start of the first process to the elapse of 5 seconds. During this period, the resistance at the start of the application of the first detection pulse 31 is located on line 37, and the resistance at the end of the application of the first detection pulse 31 is located on line 38. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140 during the period after 5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first process. During this period, the resistance at the start of the application of the first detection pulse 31 is located below line 37, and the resistance at the end of the application of the first detection pulse 31 is located below line 38. Therefore, when a change occurs in the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 as illustrated in FIG. 3 during the process of repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. With this configuration, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 with a simple configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first process may include first applying a third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121. The third detection pulse 33 is a pulse for increasing the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121. The duration of the third detection pulse 33 is longer than the duration of the first detection pulse 31. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the duration of the first detection pulse 31 is 0.1 seconds, and the duration of the third detection pulse 33 is 0.5 seconds. With this configuration, the resistance of the heating unit 121 can be increased to a certain degree immediately after the start of the first process. Unless the resistance of the heating unit 121 is in a state where it is somewhat increased, there is a possibility that the resistance of the heating unit 121 will not decrease appropriately during the temperature drop period of the detection cycle. In this regard, with this configuration, the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the detection cycle can be appropriately increased and decreased, so that it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the state of the storage unit 140.

The control unit 116 may start the first process when a predetermined user action is detected as a trigger. The predetermined user action may be any user action that is assumed to result in the stick-type substrate 150 being inserted into the storage unit 140 immediately after the predetermined user action is performed. One example of the predetermined user action is opening the lid that opens and closes the opening 142. Another example of the predetermined user action is lifting the suction device 100. Another example of the predetermined user action is canceling the charging of the suction device 100. The presence or absence of these predetermined user actions may be detected by a sensor provided on the lid, a motion sensor, or the like. With this configuration, the first process may be performed only at the timing when the stick-type substrate 150 may be inserted. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption.

The control unit 116 ends the first process if the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy a predetermined condition until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process. In other words, the control unit 116 stops the first process if it does not determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process. The predetermined time may be set, for example, according to the time that is normally assumed to be required from the time the user performs a predetermined user operation that triggers the start of the first process to the time the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the predetermined time is 10 seconds, and the detection cycle is repeated a maximum of 18 times. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress power consumption within a range that does not deteriorate usability.

On the other hand, the control unit 116 starts the second process when it is determined in the first process that the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. In other words, the control unit 116 starts the second process when it is determined in the first process that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. This configuration makes it possible to improve usability in that it is no longer necessary for the user to give a separate instruction to start heating.

(2) Second Processing In the second processing, the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, and determines the state of the accommodation unit 140. These processing will be described in order below.

- Heating Based on a Heating Profile The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on a heating profile. The control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is realized by controlling the power supply from the power source unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 using the power supplied from the power source unit 111.

The heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. The heating profile specifies the target value of a parameter corresponding to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. An example of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the temperature of the heating unit 121. An example of the target value of a parameter corresponding to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature). The temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change according to the elapsed time from the start of heating. In that case, the heating profile includes information that specifies the time series progression of the target temperature. As another example, the heating profile may include parameters that specify the method of supplying power to the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the power supply parameters). The power supply parameters include, for example, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, or the feedback control method to be adopted. Turning the power supply to the heating unit 121 on/off may be considered as turning the heating unit 121 on/off.

The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.

The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be realized, for example, by known feedback control. The feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller). The control unit 116 may supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulse in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple on/off control in the feedback control. For example, the control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, interrupt heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature.

The temperature of the heating section 121 can be quantified, for example, by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating section 121 (more precisely, the heating resistor that constitutes the heating section 121). This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistor changes depending on the temperature. The electrical resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated, for example, by measuring the amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor. The amount of voltage drop in the heating resistor can be measured by a voltage sensor that measures the potential difference applied to the heating resistor. In another example, the temperature of the heating section 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating section 121.

The period from the start to the end of the process of generating aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 is also referred to as a heating session below. In other words, a heating session is a period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled based on a heating profile. The start of a heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile starts. The end of a heating session is the timing when a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. A heating session includes a pre-heating period in the first half and a puffable period in the second half. The puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The pre-heating period is the period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. Heating performed during the pre-heating period is also referred to as pre-heating.

The notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing at which preheating will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of preheating before the end of preheating, or may notify the user of information indicating that preheating has ended at the timing at which preheating has ended. The notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting an LED or vibrating. The user may refer to such a notification and begin puffing immediately after preheating has ended.

Similarly, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicating the timing when the puffing period will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of the puffing period before the end of the puffing period, or may notify the user of information indicating that the puffing period has ended at the timing when the puffing period has ended. The notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting an LED or vibrating. The user may refer to such a notification and continue puffing until the puffing period ends.

An example of a heating profile will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a graph that shows a schematic example of a heating profile. The horizontal axis of graph 20 is time. The vertical axis of graph 20 is temperature. Line 21 shows the time series progression of the target temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, a heating session may include an initial heating period, an intermediate temperature drop period, and a re-heating period, in that order. The initial heating period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly after the start of heating and is maintained at a high temperature. The intermediate temperature drop period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops after the initial heating period. The re-heating period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises again after the intermediate temperature drop period. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the target temperature rises rapidly to around 300°C during the initial heating period, then drops to around 230°C during the intermediate temperature drop period, and then rises stepwise to around 260°C during the re-heating period. During the intermediate temperature drop period, power supply to the heating unit 121 may be interrupted and heating may be turned off. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the period from the start of heating to the middle of the initial temperature rise period is the pre-heating period, and the period from the middle of the initial temperature rise period to the end of the re-heating period is the puffable period.

Next, power supply control based on a heating profile will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining power supply control based on a heating profile. Graph 40 shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of the time series transition of the voltage applied to the heating section 121 during power supply control based on a heating profile. The vertical axis of graph 40 is voltage in volts. The horizontal axis of graph 40 is time in milliseconds.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a heating pulse group 44 including a measurement pulse 41 to the heating unit 121. The measurement pulse 41 is a pulse applied to measure the resistance of the heating unit 121. The heating pulse group 44 may include one or more heating pulses 42. The heating pulse 42 is a pulse applied to increase the temperature of the heating unit 121.

The period during which one heating pulse group 44 is applied is also referred to as a heating cycle below. The period during which the measurement pulses 41 are applied during the heating cycle is also referred to as a measurement period. On the other hand, the period during which the measurement pulses 41 are not applied during the heating cycle is also referred to as a non-measurement period. During the non-measurement period, the heating pulses 42 may be applied. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the duration of the heating cycle is 50 milliseconds, with the first 3 milliseconds of the heating cycle being the measurement period and the remaining 47 milliseconds being the non-measurement period.

The control unit 116 controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 during the non-measurement period. The configuration here refers to whether or not the heating pulse 42 is applied, and the duration of the heating pulse 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the duration of the heating pulse 42 can be set to any time equal to or less than 47 milliseconds. In addition, the number and start timing of the heating pulses 42 during the non-measurement period can also be set arbitrarily.

In particular, the control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the measurement pulse 41 is applied during the measurement period. Then, based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 acquired during the measurement period and the heating profile, the control unit 116 controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 during the non-measurement period that belongs to the same heating cycle as the measurement period. In so doing, the control unit 116 controls the duty ratio of the heating pulse 42 during the non-measurement period based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated from the resistance of the heating unit 121 and the target temperature specified in the heating profile.

The above-mentioned heating pulse group 44 is applied to the heating unit 121 during the initial heating period and the reheating period of the heating session. On the other hand, the heating pulse group 44 does not have to be applied to the heating unit 121 during the intermediate temperature drop period of the heating session. In that case, whether or not the temperature of the heating unit 121 has dropped to the target temperature during the intermediate temperature drop period may be determined by a separately provided temperature sensor such as a thermistor, or may be simply determined based on the elapsed time since the supply of power to the heating unit 121 was stopped.

- Determining the State of the Storage Unit 140 The control unit 116 determines the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121. In detail, when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. On the other hand, when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140.

The time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 during the period when the heating pulse group 44 is applied to the heating unit 121 differs depending on whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140. As an example, when no stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140, the resistance (i.e., temperature) of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly compared to when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140. Therefore, for example, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 when the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls within the range of the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 expected when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. With this configuration, it becomes possible to determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 with a simple configuration.

It is desirable to judge the state of the storage section 140 early in the pre-heating period of the heating session. This is to prevent empty heating or heating of items other than the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the case where the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the storage section 140 is mistakenly judged in the first process.

(3) Experimental Results The experimental results obtained when the first and second processes were performed will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the experimental results regarding the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. Graph 50 shown in FIG. 6 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating section 121 when the suction device 100 executes the first process and the second process. The vertical axis of graph 50 is resistance in ohms. The horizontal axis of graph 50 is time in seconds. The resistance of the heating section 121 measured at each time point is plotted on graph 50, and consecutive plots in time are connected by lines. Graph 50 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating section 121 when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted at the timing indicated by arrow 59, i.e., 4.5 seconds after the start of the first process.

Referring to graph 50, the resistance of the heating section 121 repeatedly rises and falls, gradually increasing until the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted. Then, immediately after the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted, the resistance of the heating section 121 drops from plot 51A to plot 51B, and from plot 52A to plot 52B. Note that plots 51A and 51B correspond to the resistance of the heating section 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31. Plots 52A and 52B correspond to the resistance of the heating section 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31. Based on this drop in the resistance of the heating section 121, the control section 116 determines that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage section 140. Therefore, the first process ends and the second process begins, and the resistance of the heating section 121 rises rapidly.

(4) Processing Flow Next, the processing flow will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.

7, first, the control unit 116 determines whether a specific user operation has been detected (step S102). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether a user operation to open a cover that opens and closes the opening 142, a user operation to lift the suction device 100, or a user operation to cancel charging of the suction device 100 has been detected by the sensor unit 112.

If it is determined that the specified user operation has not been detected (step S102: NO), the control unit 116 waits until the specified user operation is detected.

If it is determined that a specific user operation has been detected (step S102: YES), the control unit 116 starts the first process (step S104). For example, the control unit 116 first applies the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, and then repeatedly applies the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121.

Then, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 (step S106). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 based on whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.

If it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 (step S106: YES), the control unit 116 ends the first process and starts the second process (step S108). For example, the storage unit 140 repeatedly applies the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage unit 140 (step S106: NO), the control unit 116 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process (step S110). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of the first process.

If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of the first process (step S110: NO), the process returns to step S106.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process (step S110: YES), the control unit 116 ends the first process (step S112). Then, the process ends.

After the second process is started in step S108, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the determination result in the first process is correct (step S114). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 based on whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.

If the result of the first process is determined to be correct, that is, if it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140 (step S114: YES), the control section 116 continues heating based on the heating profile (step S116). When heating based on the heating profile ends, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the result of the first process is erroneous, that is, if it is determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage section 140 (step S114: NO), the control section 116 ends the heating based on the heating profile (step S118). Then, the process ends.

The above describes an example of the flow of processing executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. The notification unit 113 may appropriately notify information indicating the progress of the above-mentioned processing. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify that a first processing has been started, the determination result of the first processing, that a second processing has been started, and the determination result of the second processing.

<2.2. Criteria for determining the accommodation section 140 in the first process>
An example of the criteria for determining the state of the container 140 in the first process will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the first criterion for determining the state of the storage unit 140 in the first process. A graph 60 shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the first process. The vertical axis of the graph 60 is resistance in ohms. The horizontal axis of the graph 60 is time in seconds.

The resistances in plots 61A and 61B in graph 60 are the resistances of the heating section 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31. The resistances in plots 62A and 62B are the resistances of the heating section 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31.

The control unit 116 judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the two detection pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121. The two detection pulse groups 34 used for judging the state of the storage unit 140 are two detection pulse groups 34 that are consecutive in time. In particular, the two detection pulse groups 34 used for judging the state of the storage unit 140 are the two detection pulse groups 34 that are consecutive in time that were most recently applied to the heating unit 121. The control unit 116 repeatedly judges the state of the storage unit 140 while switching between the two detection pulse groups 34 used for judging the state of the storage unit 140 each time it applies a detection pulse group 34. Of the two detection pulse groups 34 that are consecutive in time, the first detection pulse group 34 is also referred to as the first detection pulse group 34, and the detection pulse group 34 next to the first detection pulse group 34 is also referred to as the second detection pulse group 34.

First Condition As an example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. In detail, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted when the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34. Such a condition is also referred to as a first condition hereinafter.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the resistance in plot 61A may correspond to the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34. In that case, the resistance in plot 61B corresponds to the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 61B is less than the resistance in plot 61A. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 61B is equal to or greater than the resistance in plot 61A.

- Second Condition As another example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. In detail, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted when the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34. Such a condition is also referred to as a second condition hereinafter.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the resistance in plot 62A may correspond to the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34. In that case, the resistance in plot 62B corresponds to the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 62B is less than the resistance in plot 62A. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the resistance in plot 62B is equal to or greater than the resistance in plot 62A.

- Supplementary Note: When either the first condition or the second condition is satisfied, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied.

3. Modifications
(1) Second Determination Criterion The determination criterion for the storage unit 140 in the first process is not limited to the first determination criterion described in the above embodiment. Hereinafter, other examples of the determination criterion for the storage unit 140 in the first process will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the second criterion for determining the state of the storage unit 140 in the first process. Graph 70 shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of the time series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process. The vertical axis of graph 70 is voltage in volts. The horizontal axis of graph 70 is time in seconds. Graph 80 shown in FIG. 10 shows an example of the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in FIG. 9 is applied. The vertical axis of graph 80 is resistance in ohms. The horizontal axis of graph 80 is time in seconds.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply a group of detection pulses 34 including one first detection pulse 31 and one or more second detection pulses 32 to the heating unit 121. The second detection pulse 32 is a pulse for acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121. The duration of the second detection pulse 32 is shorter than the duration of the first detection pulse 31. In particular, it is desirable to set the duration of the second detection pulse 32 to an extremely short time so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 does not change even when the second detection pulse 32 is applied to the heating unit 121. This makes it possible to acquire the resistance of the heating unit 121 while lowering the temperature of the heating unit 121 during the temperature drop period.

The resistances in plots 81A, 81B, and 81C in graph 80 are the resistances of the heating section 121 when the application of the first detection pulse 31 begins. The resistances in plots 82A and 82B are the resistances of the heating section 121 when the application of the first detection pulse 31 ends. The resistances in plots 83A to 86A and plots 83B to 86B are obtained when the second detection pulse 32 is applied.

Similar to the first judgment criterion, the control unit 116 judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the first group of detection pulses 34 and the second group of detection pulses 34, which are successive in time, are applied to the heating unit 121.

-Third Condition As an example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on a first statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and a second statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. The first statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 before the start of application. The second statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 before the start of application. The one or more parameters before the start of application of the first detection pulse 31 are acquired when one or more second detection pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately before the first detection pulse 31 is applied to the heating unit 121. As the statistical value here, any statistical value such as an average value, a median value, or a total value may be adopted. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodation unit 140 when the second statistical value is less than the first statistical value. Such a condition is also referred to as a third condition hereinafter.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, if the resistance in plot 81B is the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31, at least the resistance in plot 86A is the resistance before the start of application of the first detection pulse 31. Also, if the resistance in plot 81C is the resistance at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31, at least the resistance in plot 86B is the resistance before the start of application of the first detection pulse 31. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance in plot 81C and the resistance in plot 86B is less than the first statistical value of the resistance in plot 81B and the resistance in plot 86A. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage unit 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance in plot 81C and the resistance in plot 86B is equal to or greater than the first statistical value of the resistance in plot 81B and the resistance in plot 86A.

- Fourth Condition As another example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodation unit 140 based on a third statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and a fourth statistical value related to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34. The third statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the first detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 after the application ends. The fourth statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31 included in the second detection pulse group 34 and the resistance of one or more heating units 121 after the application ends. The one or more parameters after the application of the first detection pulse 31 is completed are acquired when one or more second detection pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately after the application of the first detection pulse 31 to the heating unit 121. As the statistical value here, any statistical value such as an average value, a median value, or a total value may be adopted. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodation unit 140 when the fourth statistical value is less than the third statistical value. Such a condition is also referred to as a fourth condition hereinafter.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, if the resistance in plot 82A is the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31, at least the resistance in plot 83A is the resistance after the end of application of the first detection pulse 31. Also, if the resistance in plot 82B is the resistance at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31, at least the resistance in plot 83B is the resistance after the end of application of the first detection pulse 31. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance in plot 82B and the resistance in plot 83B is less than the third statistical value of the resistance in plot 82A and the resistance in plot 83A. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage unit 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance in plot 82B and the resistance in plot 83B is equal to or greater than the third statistical value of the resistance in plot 82A and the resistance in plot 83A.

- Supplementary Note: When either the third condition or the fourth condition is satisfied, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when both the third condition and the fourth condition are satisfied.

The first and second judgment criteria may be combined as appropriate. For example, the third condition may be adopted for judgment based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31. Furthermore, the second condition may be adopted for judgment based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first detection pulse 31.

According to the second judgment criterion, the number of resistors of the heating section 121 that are referenced to judge the state of the storage section 140 is greater than that of the first judgment criterion. Therefore, compared to the first judgment criterion, the second judgment criterion can suppress a decrease in the accuracy of judging the state of the storage section 140 due to the influence of disturbances.

In particular, the longer the time that has elapsed since the end of application of the first detection pulse 31, the more likely it is that the resistance of the heating section 121 has decreased due to factors other than the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150, such as the blowing of outside air. That is, the resistance of the heating section 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31, such as the resistance in each of plots 81A, 81B, and 81C, may have decreased due to factors other than the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150. For this reason, when making a judgment based on the resistance of the heating section 121 at the start of application of the first detection pulse 31, it is desirable to adopt the second judgment criterion and make a judgment based on the third condition.

(2) Control of the Configuration of Detection Pulse Group 34 Control unit 116 may control the configuration of pulses applied to heating unit 121 in the first process. As one example, control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of second detection pulse 32. As another example, control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of third detection pulse 33. As another example, control unit 116 may control the voltage and/or duration of each of first detection pulse 31, second detection pulse 32, and third detection pulse 33.

The control unit 116 may control the configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process based on the temperature (i.e., resistance) of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process. Here, the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is greatly affected by whether or not so-called chain smoking has been performed, in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is replaced while continuously heating and aerosol is inhaled. The temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is high when chain smoking is performed and low when chain smoking is not performed. In this regard, with this configuration, it is possible to optimize the configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process depending on whether or not chain smoking is performed.

As an example, the control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of the third detection pulse 33 based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process. In detail, when the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 may not apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, and may apply the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 repeatedly up to 20 times. On the other hand, when the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is less than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 may apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, and may apply the detection pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 repeatedly up to 18 times. This is because if the resistance of the heating unit 121 has already increased at the start of the first process, there is no need to apply the third detection pulse 33. With this configuration, it is possible to omit the application of the third detection pulse 33 when chain smoking is performed, thereby suppressing power consumption.

As another example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third detection pulse 33 based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process. In particular, the control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the higher the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process, and may lengthen the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the lower the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process. With this configuration, the duration of the third detection pulse 33 can be set just right, making it possible to reduce power consumption.

Here, it is considered that the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process will decrease the longer the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process (i.e., the time elapsed since heating ended). Therefore, the control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process. With this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effect as when the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process is controlled based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process.

As an example, the control unit 116 may control the presence or absence of the third detection pulse 33 based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process. In particular, the control unit 116 may not apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process is less than a predetermined time, and may apply the third detection pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if the period is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress power consumption by omitting the application of the third detection pulse 33 when chain smoking is performed.

As another example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third detection pulse 33 based on the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process. In particular, the control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the shorter the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process, and may lengthen the duration of the third detection pulse 33 the longer the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process. With this configuration, the duration of the third detection pulse 33 can be set just right, making it possible to reduce power consumption.

The control unit 116 may also control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process based on the environmental temperature at the start of the first process. The environmental temperature is, for example, the outside air temperature, which can be detected by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor. As an example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third detection pulse 33 based on the outside air temperature at the start of the first process. In detail, the control unit 116 may extend the duration of the third detection pulse 33 as the outside air temperature decreases. With this configuration, when the outside air temperature is low and the heating unit 121 is difficult to heat up, the duration of the third detection pulse 33 can be extended to sufficiently heat up the heating unit 121. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the state of the storage unit 140. Note that the pure outside air temperature does not have to be used as the environmental temperature, and the temperature of the suction device 100 (for example, the temperature of a part of the suction device 100 that is somewhat distant from the heating unit 121) may be used as the environmental temperature.

In the above, an example in which the configuration of the third detection pulse 33 is controlled has been described, but the configuration of the first detection pulse 31 or the second detection pulse 32 may be controlled. As an example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the first detection pulse 31 based on at least one of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process, the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process, or the environmental temperature. In this case, it is desirable to set the width of the first detection pulse 31 to a value such that the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually increases or is maintained at a constant value during the process in which the application of the detection pulse group 34 is repeated. Of course, the width of the first detection pulse 31 may be set to a fixed value independent of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process, the length of the period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped at the start of the first process, and the environmental temperature.

Here, the control unit 116 may not apply both the first detection pulse 31 and the second detection pulse 32 in the first process. That is, the control unit 116 may apply a detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse 32, without including the first detection pulse 31 and the third detection pulse 33, to the heating unit 121 in the first process. For example, the control unit 116 may apply a detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse 32 to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. In this case, since heating by the heating unit 121 is not performed, the temperature and resistance of the heating unit 121 continue to decrease, but the manner of decrease differs depending on the state of the storage unit 140. Therefore, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the storage unit 140 based on the manner of decrease in the resistance of the heating unit 121. Experimental results regarding the manner of decrease in the resistance of the heating unit 121 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

11 is a diagram for explaining the experimental results regarding the suction device 100. Graph 90 shows the experimental results of the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 immediately after the heating unit 121 stops heating after the heating unit 121 has sufficiently increased in temperature. The vertical axis of graph 90 is resistance in ohms. The horizontal axis of graph 90 is time in seconds, which indicates the elapsed time from the end of heating. Line 91 shows the experimental results when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140. Line 92 shows the experimental results when nothing is inserted into the storage unit 140 and breathing is continued. Line 93 shows the experimental results when a cleaning swab is inserted into the storage unit 140. As shown by lines 91 to 93, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140, the resistance of the heating unit 121 may drop more rapidly than in other cases. Therefore, when the detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse 32 is applied to the heating unit 121 in the first process, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 if the rate at which the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases exceeds a predetermined threshold. More simply, for example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 if the difference between the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the current time and the resistance R of the heating unit 121 one second ago exceeds a predetermined threshold. Note that, as shown by line 91, the higher the resistance of the heating unit 121, the faster the rate at which the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases. Therefore, the control unit 116 may increase the predetermined threshold as the resistance of the heating unit 121 increases. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the determination.

＜4. Supplementary Information＞
Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can conceive of various modified or amended examples within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

In the above, an example has been described in which the state of the storage unit 140 is determined based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when two detection pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The control unit 116 may determine the state of the storage unit 140 based on the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when three or more detection pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121. For example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 when the first condition or the third condition is continuously satisfied and/or the third condition or the fourth condition is continuously satisfied for three detection pulse groups 34.

In the above, an example has been described in which the resistance of the heating section 121 increases as the temperature of the heating section 121 increases, and the resistance of the heating section 121 decreases as the temperature of the heating section 121 decreases, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The resistance of the heating section 121 may decrease as the temperature of the heating section 121 increases, and the resistance of the heating section 121 may increase as the temperature of the heating section 121 decreases.

In the above, an example has been described in which the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 used to determine the state of the storage unit 140 is the resistance of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 used to determine the state of the storage unit 140 may be the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated based on the resistance of the heating unit 121.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, which is specified in the heating profile, is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The heating profile may also specify a target value of the resistance of the heating unit 121.

The means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In detail, the suction device 100 may have, instead of the heating unit 121, an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, and a susceptor that generates heat by induction heating. For example, the electromagnetic induction source may be arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 may be configured as a susceptor. Alternatively, the susceptor may be configured in a blade shape and arranged so as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the storage unit 140 into the internal space 141.

The series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance, for example, in a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transient storage medium readable by a computer) provided inside or outside each device. Each program is loaded into a RAM when executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, and executed by a processing circuit such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. The computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium. The computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as an ASIC, a general-purpose processor that executes functions by reading a software program, or a computer on a server used in cloud computing. The series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be distributed and processed by multiple computers.

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

Note that the following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
(1)
a power supply unit that stores and supplies power;
A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit;
A control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit;
Equipped with
the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
Aerosol generation systems.
(2)
the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and the parameter at the start of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses.
The aerosol generating system described in (1) above.
(3)
the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the time when application of the first detection pulse included in the first detection pulse group starts and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters before the application starts, and the parameter at the time when application of the first detection pulse included in the second detection pulse group next to the first detection pulse group starts and a statistical value of the one or more parameters before the application starts.
The aerosol generating system described in (1) above.
(4)
the group of sensing pulses includes one or more second sensing pulses;
the one or more parameters before the start of application of the first detection pulse are acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating unit;
a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
The aerosol generating system described in (3) above.
(5)
the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the container unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses.
An aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (4).
(6)
the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of the one or more parameters after the application ends, and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of the one or more parameters after the application ends.
An aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (4).
(7)
the group of sensing pulses includes one or more second sensing pulses;
the one or more parameters after the end of application of the first detection pulse are acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating unit;
a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
The aerosol generating system described in (6) above.
(8)
The first process includes initially applying a third detection pulse to the heating unit;
a duration of the third sensing pulse is longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (7).
(9)
The control unit controls a configuration of pulses to be applied to the heating unit in the first process based on a temperature of the heating unit or an environmental temperature at the start of the first process.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (8).
(10)
the control unit controls a configuration of pulses to be applied to the heating unit in the first process based on a length of a period during which power supply to the heating unit is stopped at the start of the first process.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (8).
(11)
The control unit is
starting the first process when a predetermined user action is detected;
when a time series transition of the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process, the first process is terminated.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (10).
(12)
The control unit is
starting a second process when it is determined in the first process that a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
In the second process, an operation of the heating unit is controlled based on control information for generating an aerosol.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (11).
(13)
The aerosol generating system further comprises the substrate.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (1) to (12).
(14)
1. A computer-implemented control method for controlling an aerosol generation system, comprising:
The aerosol generating system comprises:
a power supply unit that stores and supplies power;
A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit;
having
The control method includes:
Controlling power supply to the heating unit;
Controlling the power supply to the heating unit includes executing, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
Control methods.
(15)
A non-transitory storage medium storing a program executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generating system,
The aerosol generation system comprises:
a power supply unit that stores and supplies power;
A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit;
having
The program causes the computer to function as a control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit,
the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
A non-transitory storage medium that stores a program.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Suction device 111 Power supply unit 112 Sensor unit 113 Notification unit 114 Memory unit 115 Communication unit 116 Control unit 121 Heating unit 140 Storage unit 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom 150 Stick-shaped substrate 151 Substrate unit 152 Suction port unit 31 First detection pulse 32 Second detection pulse 33 Third detection pulse 34 Detection pulse group 41 Measurement pulse 42 Heating pulse 44 Heating pulse group

Claims (15)

a power supply unit that stores and supplies power;
A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit;
A control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit;
Equipped with
the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
Aerosol generation systems. the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the container unit based on the parameter at a time when application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses starts and the parameter at a time when application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses starts.
10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1. the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the containing unit based on the parameter at the time when application of the first detection pulse included in the first detection pulse group starts and a statistical value of one or more of the parameters before the application starts, and the parameter at the time when application of the first detection pulse included in the second detection pulse group next to the first detection pulse group starts and a statistical value of the one or more parameters before the application starts.
10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1. the group of sensing pulses includes one or more second sensing pulses;
the one or more parameters before the start of application of the first detection pulse are acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating unit;
a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
4. The aerosol generating system of claim 3. the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the container unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses.
5. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the control unit, in the first process, determines a state of the accommodation unit based on the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of the one or more parameters after the application ends, and the parameter at the end of application of the first detection pulse included in a second group of detection pulses subsequent to the first group of detection pulses and a statistical value of the one or more parameters after the application ends.
5. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the group of sensing pulses includes one or more second sensing pulses;
the one or more parameters after the end of application of the first detection pulse are acquired when the one or more second detection pulses are applied to the heating unit;
a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
7. The aerosol generating system of claim 6. The first process includes initially applying a third detection pulse to the heating unit;
a duration of the third sensing pulse is longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse;
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The control unit controls a configuration of pulses to be applied to the heating unit in the first process based on a temperature of the heating unit or an environmental temperature at the start of the first process.
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. the control unit controls a configuration of pulses to be applied to the heating unit in the first process based on a length of a period during which power supply to the heating unit is stopped at the start of the first process.
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The control unit is
starting the first process when a predetermined user action is detected;
when a time series transition of the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition until a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process, the first process is terminated.
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The control unit is
starting a second process when it is determined in the first process that a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
In the second process, an operation of the heating unit is controlled based on control information for generating an aerosol.
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The aerosol generating system further comprises the substrate.
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 1. A computer-implemented control method for controlling an aerosol generation system, comprising:
The aerosol generation system comprises:
a power supply unit that stores and supplies power;
A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit;
having
The control method includes:
Controlling power supply to the heating unit;
Controlling the power supply to the heating unit includes executing, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
Control methods. A non-transitory storage medium storing a program executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generating system,
The aerosol generation system comprises:
a power supply unit that stores and supplies power;
A container that contains a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a heating unit that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit by using the power supplied from the power supply unit;
having
The program causes the computer to function as a control unit that controls power supply to the heating unit,
the control unit executes, as a first process, determining a state of the accommodation unit based on a time series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit.
A non-transitory storage medium that stores a program.

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