WO2025022533A1 - Aerosol generation system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of user experience. [Solution] An aerosol generation system comprising: a notification unit for notifying a user of information; an accommodating portion having an internal space and an opening for communicating the internal space with the outside and capable of storing an aerosol source-containing base material inserted from the opening; a lid portion for opening and closing the opening of the accommodating portion; a heating unit for heating the base material accommodated in the accommodating portion; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit, wherein the control unit operates the heating unit and the notification unit on the basis of an initial parameter which is a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit and acquired triggered by the lid portion opening the opening.

Description

Aerosol generation system, control method and program

This disclosure relates to an aerosol generation system, a control method, and a program.

Inhalation devices that generate a substance to be inhaled by a user are widely used. For example, an inhalation device generates an aerosol imparted with a flavor component using a base material containing an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol. A user can taste the flavor by inhaling the aerosol imparted with a flavor component 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. An example of a device classified as an inhalation device is one that is used instead of a so-called cigarette, such as a heated tobacco product. A heated tobacco product is a type of inhalation device that generates an aerosol by heating a solid that contains an aerosol source.

Various 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 uses light to notify users that a substrate has been inserted into the suction device.

International Publication No. 2021/259949

However, the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has only recently been developed, and there is still room for improvement in various respects.

The present disclosure has been made in light of the above problems, and the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the user experience.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generation system is provided that includes a notification unit that notifies a user of information, a storage unit that has an internal space and an opening that connects the internal space to the outside and is capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening, a lid unit that opens and closes the opening of the storage unit, a heating unit that heats the substrate stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit, and the control unit operates the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter that is a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit and is acquired as a trigger when the lid unit opens the opening.

The control unit may monitor whether the time series transition of the parameter satisfies a first judgment criterion when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, and control the notification unit to notify the first information while monitoring whether the first judgment criterion is satisfied, and may control the notification unit to monitor whether the time series transition of the parameter satisfies a second judgment criterion different from the first judgment criterion when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and to notify the first information while monitoring whether the second judgment criterion is satisfied.

The control unit may monitor whether the time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit satisfies the first judgment criterion when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, and may monitor whether the time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses consisting of one or more second detection pulses having a shorter duration than the first detection pulse to the heating unit satisfies the second judgment criterion when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

The control unit may determine whether the manner of oscillation of the parameter corresponding to the repetition of the temperature rise of the heating unit accompanying the application of the first detection pulse and the temperature drop of the heating unit accompanying the cessation of application of the first detection pulse satisfies the first judgment criterion when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, and may determine whether the manner of change of the parameter corresponding to the temperature drop of the heating unit satisfies the second judgment criterion when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

The control unit may notify the second information and start heating by the heating unit based on control information that specifies the time series transition of the target value of the parameter when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature and the first criterion is satisfied, and may notify the second information and start heating by the heating unit based on the control information when the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature and the second criterion is satisfied.

The control unit may notify third information and transition to standby mode if the initial parameters correspond to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature and the first judgment criterion is not met, and may notify third information and transition to standby mode if the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature and the second judgment criterion is not met.

When the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, the control unit may monitor whether a third criterion is met while heating by the heating unit based on the control information is being performed, and if the third criterion is met, continue heating by the heating unit based on the control information, and if the third criterion is not met, notify fourth information, stop heating by the heating unit based on the control information, and transition to the standby mode.

The third criterion may be that the rate of change of the parameter indicated by the relationship between the time elapsed since the heating unit started heating based on the control information and the parameter corresponds to less than a predetermined threshold value.

The third information and the fourth information may be notified in the same manner.

The control unit may, in the standby mode, control the operation of the heating unit to start heating based on the control information when a specified user operation is detected, control the notification unit to notify the second information, and continue heating by the heating unit based on the control information regardless of whether the third judgment criterion is satisfied.

The control unit may cancel the standby mode when the lid closes the opening in the standby mode.

The control unit may determine the state of the storage unit based on the parameters, and may control the notification unit to notify information indicating the progress of the process for determining the state of the storage unit during a period during which the progress continues.

The aerosol generating system may further include the substrate.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a control method executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation system having a notification unit that notifies a user of information, a storage unit that has an internal space and an opening that connects the internal space to the outside and is capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening, a lid unit that opens and closes the opening of the storage unit, and a heating unit that heats the substrate stored in the storage unit, the control method including controlling the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit, and controlling the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit includes operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter that is a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit and is acquired as a trigger when the lid unit opens the opening.

In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program executed by a computer that controls an aerosol generation system, the aerosol generation system having a notification unit that notifies a user of information, a storage unit that has an internal space and an opening that connects the internal space to the outside and is capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening, a lid unit that opens and closes the opening of the storage unit, and a heating unit that heats the substrate stored in the storage unit, the program causing the computer to function as a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit, and the control unit operates the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter that is a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit and is acquired as a trigger when the lid unit opens the opening.

As explained above, this disclosure provides a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the user experience.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device. 1 is an overall perspective view of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state in which a stick-shaped substrate is housed therein. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a first process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment. 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a first process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment. 10 is a graph showing a schematic example of a temperature transition of a heating unit when heating is performed based on 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. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining criteria for determining the state of the container in the first process. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a second process executed by the suction device according to the present embodiment. 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. 13 is a diagram for explaining information notified in a modified example.

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.

1. Configuration example of suction device
- Example of Internal Configuration The suction device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the suction device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the suction 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 tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. 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, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and water, which includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or may be a solid which includes a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. 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.

-External Configuration Example Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 is an overall perspective view of the suction device 100 according to this embodiment in a state in which a stick-type substrate 150 is housed.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the inhalation device 100 has a top housing 11A, a bottom housing 11B, a cover 12, a switch 13, a lid portion 14, an air vent 15, and a cap 16. The top housing 11A and the bottom housing 11B are connected to each other to form the outermost housing 11 of the inhalation device 100. The outer housing 11 is sized to fit in the user's hand. When the user uses the inhalation device 100, the user can hold the inhalation device 100 in their hand and inhale the flavor.

The top housing 11A has an opening (not shown), and the cover 12 is coupled to the top housing 11A so as to close the opening. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 12 has an opening 142 into which the stick-shaped substrate 150 can be inserted. The lid portion 14 is configured to open and close the opening 142 of the cover 12. Specifically, the lid portion 14 is attached to the cover 12, and configured to be movable along the surface of the cover 12 between a first position that closes the opening 142 and a second position that opens the opening 142. In this way, the lid portion 14 can allow or restrict access of the stick-shaped substrate 150 to the interior of the suction device 100 (the internal space 141 shown in FIG. 1).

The switch 13 accepts a user operation of pressing the switch 13. When the switch 13 is pressed, the suction device 100 is triggered to turn on the power or start heating by the heating unit 121.

The ventilation hole 15 is a ventilation hole for introducing air into the internal space 141. The air taken into the inside of the suction device 100 from the ventilation hole 15 is introduced into the internal space 141, for example, from the bottom 143 of the storage section 140. The cap 16 is configured to be detachable from the bottom housing 11B. When the cap 16 is attached to the bottom housing 11B, the ventilation hole 15 is formed between the bottom housing 11B and the cap 16. The cap 16 may have, for example, a through hole or a notch, not shown.

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. Hereinafter, 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. Hereinafter, 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 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 mount 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.

Note that 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 of 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. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the first processing performed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. A graph 30 shown in FIG. 4 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. 5 shows an example of a time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in FIG. 4 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.

As shown in FIG. 4, 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. 4, 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. 5, 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. 5, 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 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. 5, 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. 5, 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. 5 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. 4, 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. 4, 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 has increased to a certain degree, 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, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the state of the storage unit 140.

The detection pulse group 34 may include one or more second detection pulses in addition to the one first detection pulse 31. The second detection pulse is a pulse for acquiring the resistance of the heating section 121. The duration of the second detection pulse 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 to an extremely short time so that the temperature of the heating section 121 does not change even when the second detection pulse is applied to the heating section 121. This makes it possible to acquire the resistance of the heating section 121 while lowering the temperature of the heating section 121 during the temperature drop period.

The resistance of the heating section 121 obtained by the second detection pulse can be used to determine the state of the storage section 140. With this configuration, the state of the storage section 140 can be determined based on a larger number of samples, making it possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of determining the state of the storage section 140 due to, for example, the influence of disturbances.

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. One example of the predetermined user action is opening the lid unit 14 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 in the lid unit 14, a motion sensor, or the like. With this configuration, the first process may be executed 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. 4, 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 below in order.

- 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 resistance of the heating unit 121, which is also referred to as the target resistance below. In addition, the temperature of the heating unit 121 when the resistance of the heating unit 121 is the target resistance, i.e., the temperature corresponding to the target resistance, is also referred to as the target temperature below. 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 transition of the target resistance. As another example, the heating profile may include a parameter that specifies the method of supplying power to the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as a power supply parameter). 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. ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121 may be regarded as ON/OFF of the heating unit 121.

The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 so that the resistance of the heating unit 121 changes in a similar manner to the target resistance 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. Thus, 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 supply a power pulse to the heating unit 121 until the resistance of the heating unit 121 reaches a target resistance, and stop supplying the power pulse when the resistance of the heating unit 121 reaches the target resistance.

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 is started. 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 and a puffable period following the pre-heating period. 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 pre-heating will end. For example, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information predicting the end of pre-heating before the end of pre-heating, or may notify the user of information indicating the end of pre-heating at the timing at which pre-heating ends. The notification to the user may be performed, for example, by lighting an LED (light-emitting diode) or by vibration. The user may refer to such a notification and begin puffing immediately after the end of pre-heating.

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. 6. FIG. 6 is a graph that shows a schematic example of a temperature transition of the heating section 121 when heating is performed based on 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 transition of the temperature of the heating section 121. As shown in FIG. 6, 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 during which the temperature of the heating section 121 rapidly rises and is maintained at a high temperature after heating begins. The intermediate temperature drop period is a period during which the temperature of the heating section 121 drops after the initial heating period. The re-heating period is a period during which the temperature of the heating section 121 rises again after the intermediate temperature drop period. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly to around 300°C during the initial heating period, then falls 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. 6, the period from the start of heating to the middle of the initial heating period is the pre-heating period, and the period from the middle of the initial heating 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. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining power supply control based on a heating profile. Graph 40 shown in FIG. 7 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. 7, 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. 7, the duration of the heating cycle is 50 milliseconds, the first 3 milliseconds of the heating cycle are the measurement period, and the remaining 47 milliseconds are 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. 7, 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 resistance of the heating unit 121 and the target resistance defined 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 a temperature corresponding to the target resistance 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 stop empty heating or heating of items other than the stick-shaped substrate 150 as soon as possible if the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 into the storage section 140 is erroneously judged in the first process.

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

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the experimental results regarding the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. Graph 50 shown in FIG. 8 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. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.

9, 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 the cover unit 14 to open and close 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 change in 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 section 140 (step S106: NO), the control section 116 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first process (step S110). For example, the control section 116 determines whether or not 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.

Above, an example of the flow of processing executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment has been described. 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 in the first process>
An example of the criterion for determining the state of the container 140 in the first process will be described below. Such a criterion will also be referred to as a first criterion below.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the criteria for determining the state of the storage unit 140 in the first process. A graph 60 shown in FIG. 10 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 transition of 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. 10, 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. 10, 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.

<2.3. Criteria in the second process>
The following provides a detailed description of the criterion used in the second process to determine the state of the accommodation section 140. Such a criterion will be hereinafter also referred to as a third criterion.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the second process executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. Graph 70 shown in FIG. 11 shows an example of the time series change in the resistance of the heating section 121 after heating based on the heating profile is started. The vertical axis of graph 70 is resistance in ohms. The horizontal axis of graph 70 is time, more specifically, the elapsed time after heating based on the heating profile is started in seconds. The elapsed time after heating based on the heating profile is started is also referred to as the heating time below.

Line 71 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when heating is started with the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted in the storage unit 140. Line 72 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when heating is started with nothing inserted in the storage unit 140. Line 73 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when heating is started with a dry cotton swab inserted in the storage unit 140. Line 74 shows the time series change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 when heating is started with a wet cotton swab inserted in the storage unit 140.

Comparing line 71 and lines 72 to 74 in FIG. 11, it can be seen that there is a large difference in the rate at which the resistance (i.e., temperature) of the heating unit 121 rises between when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 and when it is not. That is, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140, the rate at which the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises is significantly slower than when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage unit 140.

The control unit 116 may therefore determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140 when the rate of change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 (particularly the rate of increase) indicated by the relationship between the resistance of the heating unit 121 and the heating time is less than a predetermined threshold value. 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 rate of change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 indicated by the relationship between the resistance of the heating unit 121 and the heating time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

As an example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 if the heating time when the resistance of the heating unit 121 reaches the first resistance threshold is equal to or greater than the first time threshold. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage unit 140 if the heating time when the resistance of the heating unit 121 reaches the first resistance threshold is less than the first time threshold. For example, the first resistance threshold may be a resistance corresponding to a temperature that is 99.5% of the highest target temperature. The highest target temperature here is the highest target temperature among the target temperatures defined in the heating profile, and in particular, may be the highest target temperature in the pre-heating period. It is desirable that the first time threshold be set according to the heating time required for the resistance of the heating unit 121 to reach the first resistance threshold when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the first resistance threshold may be 1.5 Ω. The first time threshold may be set to 3.5 seconds. Referring to line 71, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140, the heating time required for the resistance of the heating section 121 to reach 1.5 Ω is about 4.2 seconds. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140. On the other hand, referring to lines 72 to 74, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage section 140, the heating time required for the resistance of the heating section 121 to reach 1.5 Ω is less than 3 seconds. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted into the storage section 140. In this way, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage section 140. Note that these values regarding the first resistance threshold and the first time threshold are merely examples, and any other values may be adopted.

As another example, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 if the resistance of the heating unit 121 is less than the second resistance threshold when the heating time reaches the second time threshold. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage unit 140 if the resistance of the heating unit 121 is equal to or greater than the second resistance threshold when the heating time reaches the second time threshold. For example, the second resistance threshold may be 99.5% of the resistance corresponding to the highest target temperature. The highest target temperature here is the highest target temperature among the target temperatures specified in the heating profile, and in particular, may be the highest target temperature in the pre-heating period. It is desirable that the second time threshold be set according to the heating time required for the resistance of the heating unit 121 to reach the second resistance threshold when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the second resistance threshold may be 1.5 Ω. The second time threshold may be set to 3.5 seconds. Referring to line 71, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140, the resistance of the heating section 121 at the heating time of 3.5 seconds is less than 1.5 Ω. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140. On the other hand, referring to lines 72 to 74, when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage section 140, the resistance of the heating section 121 at the heating time of 3.5 seconds is greater than 1.5 Ω. Therefore, it is possible to determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted in the storage section 140. In this way, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage section 140. Note that these values regarding the second time threshold and the second resistance threshold are merely examples, and any other values may be adopted.

It is desirable that the control unit 116 maintains the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 at a predetermined value during the period until it is determined whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140. As an example, it is desirable that the control unit 116 maintains the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 at a predetermined value during the period from when the heating unit 121 starts heating based on the heating profile until the resistance of the heating unit 121 reaches a first resistance threshold. As another example, it is desirable that the control unit 116 maintains the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 at a predetermined value during the period until the heating time reaches a second threshold. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the influence of changes in the duty ratio from the determination of whether or not the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140, so that it is possible to improve the accuracy of the state determination of the storage unit 140. The predetermined value here may be 100%. In that case, it is possible to shorten the preheating period.

<2.4. Criteria for continuous heating>
There are cases where heating is performed continuously by the heating unit 121. For example, there are cases where so-called chain smoking is performed, in which the stick-shaped substrate 150 is continuously heated while being replaced and an aerosol is inhaled. When such continuous heating is performed, the resistance (i.e., temperature) of the heating unit 121 at the start of heating based on the heating profile becomes higher than when not.

If the same judgment criteria as above are used during continuous heating, the accuracy of judging the state of the storage unit 140 may decrease. Therefore, the control unit 116 judges the state of the storage unit 140 using judgment criteria different from the above during continuous heating. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the accuracy of judging the state of the storage unit 140 during continuous heating. The judgment criteria during continuous heating (hereinafter also referred to as the second judgment criteria) are explained below.

The control unit 116 may determine that continuous heating is occurring when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a predetermined temperature or higher, i.e., when the temperature corresponding to the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 is a predetermined temperature or higher. The initial resistance is the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the initial state, for example, the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first process. The predetermined temperature is set according to the temperature of the heating unit 121 expected when continuous heating is started. Then, when the control unit 116 determines that continuous heating is occurring, the control unit 116 may apply a detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse to the heating unit 121 in the first process. In this case, although the temperature and resistance of the heating unit 121 continue to decrease, 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. The experimental results regarding the manner of decrease in the resistance of the heating unit 121 will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

12 is a diagram for explaining the experimental results regarding the suction device 100 according to this embodiment. 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. Plot 91 shows the experimental results when the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the storage unit 140. Plot 92 shows the experimental results when nothing is inserted into the storage unit 140 and breathing is continued. Plot 93 shows the experimental results when a cleaning swab is inserted into the storage unit 140. As shown in plots 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, the control unit 116 may apply the detection pulse group 34 including only the second detection pulse to the heating unit 121 in the first process, and determine that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted in the storage unit 140 when 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 in the storage unit 140 when the difference between the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the current time and the resistance of the heating unit 121 one second ago exceeds a predetermined threshold. Note that, as shown in the plot 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 above-mentioned predetermined threshold as the resistance of the heating unit 121 increases. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the determination.

If the control unit 116 determines that continuous heating is being performed, it may omit judging the state of the storage unit 140 in the second process. That is, the control unit 116 may start heating based on the heating profile, but may omit judging the state of the storage unit 140 while heating based on the heating profile is being performed. This is because, during continuous heating, heating based on the heating profile is started when the resistance of the heating unit 121 is relatively high, and the accuracy of judging the state of the storage unit 140 based on the third judgment criterion may decrease. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which, despite the stick-shaped substrate 150 being inserted, it is erroneously judged that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is not inserted, causing heating to be stopped.

2.5. Information Notification
The control unit 116 may acquire the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 when the lid unit 14 opens the opening 142. The initial resistance is an example of an initial parameter. The control unit 116 may then operate the heating unit 121 and the notification unit 113 based on the initial resistance of the heating unit 121. As described above, the determination criterion used to determine the state of the storage unit 140 and whether or not to perform the second process are switched depending on the initial resistance of the heating unit 121. In this regard, with this configuration, the user can be notified of information corresponding to the process being performed inside the suction device 100, thereby improving usability.

(1) Control of Heating Unit 121 in Accordance with Initial Resistance The operation of the heating unit 121 in response to the initial resistance is as described above.

When the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature In other words, when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 monitors whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies the first judgment criterion in the first process. In detail, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a group of detection pulses 34 including one first detection pulse 31 to the heating unit 121. Then, the control unit 116 monitors whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the group of detection pulses 34 to the heating unit 121 satisfies the first judgment criterion. In particular, the control unit 116 judges whether or not the vibration mode of the resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponding to the repetition of the temperature rise of the heating unit 121 accompanying the application of the first detection pulse 31 and the temperature drop of the heating unit 121 accompanying the stop of the application of the first detection pulse 31 satisfies the first judgment criterion. The details are as described above with respect to the first judgment criterion.

The control unit 116 starts the second process when the first criterion is met. That is, the control unit 116 starts heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, and monitors whether or not the third criterion is met while heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile is being performed. In particular, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the rate of change in the resistance of the heating unit 121, which is indicated by the relationship between the resistance of the heating unit 121 and the heating time, meets the third criterion. Then, the control unit 116 continues heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile when the third criterion is met. On the other hand, the control unit 116 stops heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile when the third criterion is not met.

On the other hand, if the first judgment criterion is not met, the control unit 116 does not start heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.

When the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature When the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 monitors whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies the second judgment criterion. In particular, when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a group of detection pulses 34 consisting of second detection pulses to the heating unit. Then, the control unit 116 monitors whether or not the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the group of detection pulses 34 to the heating unit 121 satisfies the second judgment criterion. In particular, the control unit 116 judges whether or not the mode of change in the resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponding to a temperature drop of the heating unit 121 satisfies the second judgment criterion. The details are as described above with respect to the second judgment criterion.

If the second criterion is met, the control unit 116 starts heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. On the other hand, if the second criterion is not met, the control unit 116 does not start heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.

(2) Control of Notification Unit 113 in Accordance with Initial Resistance The control unit 116 controls the operation of the notification unit 113 in parallel with controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 in response to the initial resistance.

In detail, when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the first information while monitoring whether the first judgment criterion is satisfied. On the other hand, when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the first information while monitoring whether the second judgment criterion is satisfied. The first information is information indicating that the state of the storage unit 140 is being monitored. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the state of the storage unit 140 is being monitored. For example, the first information may be notified by vibration according to a predetermined vibration pattern or LED illumination according to a predetermined illumination pattern. The vibration pattern here is defined by the strength of the vibration, the length of time for which the vibration is performed, the number of vibrations, and the interval when multiple vibrations are performed. The illumination pattern is defined by the strength of the illumination, the length of time for which the illumination is performed, the color of the illumination, the number of times the illumination is performed, and the interval when multiple illuminations are performed. The notification of the first information may be notified by LED illumination, which also serves as information indicating the remaining battery level. As one example, the greater the remaining battery level, the larger the illuminated area may be, and the smaller the remaining battery level, the smaller the illuminated area may be. As another example, the LED may emit light or not and/or change its illuminated color depending on the remaining battery level. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the remaining battery level while also notifying that the state of the storage section 140 is being monitored.

The control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 to notify the second information when the first criterion is satisfied if the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature. That is, the suction device 100 may start heating based on the heating profile and notify the second information. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 to notify the second information when the second criterion is satisfied if the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature. That is, the suction device 100 may start heating based on the heating profile and notify the second information. The second information is information indicating that heating based on the heating profile has started. For example, the second information may be notified by vibration with a predetermined vibration pattern or LED light emission with a predetermined light emission pattern. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the suction device 100 has recognized that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been inserted into the storage unit 140 and has started heating based on the heating profile.

The control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 to notify the third information when the first judgment criterion is not met when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature. That is, the suction device 100 may notify the third information instead of starting heating based on the heating profile. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 to notify the third information when the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature when the second judgment criterion is not met. That is, the suction device 100 may notify the third information instead of starting heating based on the heating profile. The third information is information indicating that it has been determined that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted and that heating based on the heating profile has not been started. The third information may be notified by vibration with a predetermined vibration pattern or LED light emission with a predetermined light emission pattern. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the suction device 100 has recognized that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has not been inserted in the storage unit 140 and that heating based on the heating profile has not been started.

Here, it is desirable that the first to third information are notified in different ways. In other words, it is desirable that the first to third information are notified with different vibration patterns and/or light emission patterns. With this configuration, it is possible to make the user more aware of the differences in the notified information.

The control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 not to notify information when the third criterion is met. That is, the suction device 100 may continue heating based on the heating profile without notifying any information. With this configuration, it is possible to implicitly notify the user that there is no particular problem with heating by not notifying the user of explicit information. On the other hand, the control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 to notify the fourth information when the third criterion is not met. That is, the suction device 100 may stop heating based on the heating profile and notify the fourth information. The fourth information is information indicating that it has been determined that the stick-type substrate 150 has not been inserted and that heating based on the heating profile has been stopped. The fourth information may be notified by vibration with a predetermined vibration pattern or LED light emission with a predetermined light emission pattern. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the suction device 100 has determined that the stick-type substrate 150 has not been inserted in the storage unit 140 and that heating based on the heating profile has been stopped.

- Standby mode Here, if the first, second, or third judgment criterion is not satisfied, the control unit 116 may transition to a standby mode. The standby mode is an operation mode in which the state of the storage unit 140 is not judged even if the lid unit 14 has the opening 142 open. With this configuration, if the user opens the lid unit 14 but does not insert the stick-type substrate 150, the state judgment of the storage unit 140 is paused, making it possible to reduce power consumption of the suction device 100.

The control unit 116 may control the operation of the heating unit 121 to start heating based on the heating profile when a predetermined user operation is detected in the standby mode, and may control the notification unit 113 to notify the second information. An example of the predetermined user operation is pressing the switch 13. In this case, the control unit 116 may omit the state determination of the storage unit 140. That is, the control unit 116 may start and continue heating by the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile regardless of whether the first to third determination criteria are satisfied. With this configuration, even if time has passed since the lid unit 14 opened the opening 142 and the state determination of the storage unit 140 is paused, the user can manually start heating the stick-shaped substrate 150. Furthermore, the suction device 100 can notify the user that heating based on the heating profile has started by notifying the second information.

When the lid 14 closes the opening 142 in the standby mode, the control unit 116 cancels the standby mode. That is, when the lid 14 reopens the opening 142, the control unit 116 acquires the initial resistance of the heating unit 121, judges the state of the storage unit 140 based on the first to third judgment criteria, and controls the operation of the heating unit 121 and the notification unit 113. With this configuration, the user can start the heating and a series of notification processes involving the detection of the insertion of the stick-shaped substrate 150 by temporarily closing and reopening the lid 14.

The third information and fourth information described above may be notified in the same manner. For example, the light emission pattern and vibration pattern when notifying the third information may be the same as the light emission pattern and vibration pattern when notifying the fourth information. This is because the standby mode is entered regardless of whether the third information or the fourth information is notified, that is, regardless of whether the first, second, or third judgment criterion is not met. With this configuration, it is possible for the user to easily recognize that the standby mode has been entered. In other words, the third information and the fourth information may be considered as information indicating that the standby mode will be entered.

(3) Process Flow FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, first, the sensor unit 112 detects that the opening 142 has opened the lid unit 14 (step S202).

Then, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than a predetermined temperature (step S204). For example, the control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 measured by applying a voltage to the heating unit 121 for a very short period of time as the initial resistance of the heating unit 121. Then, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the temperature corresponding to the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 is lower than the predetermined temperature.

If it is determined that the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to less than the predetermined temperature (step S204: YES), the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the first information and starts monitoring based on the first judgment criterion (step S206). For example, the control unit 116 first applies the third detection pulse 33, and then monitors whether the time series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34 including at least the first detection pulse 31 satisfies the first judgment criterion. The monitoring based on the first judgment criterion may continue for a maximum of 10 seconds. For example, the first information may be notified as an LED light indicating the remaining battery level at the same time that monitoring based on the first judgment criterion is started.

The control unit 116 judges whether the first criterion is satisfied in the monitoring based on the first criterion (step S208). For example, the control unit 116 judges whether the vibration pattern of the resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponding to the repetition of the temperature rise of the heating unit 121 caused by the application of the first detection pulse 31 and the temperature drop of the heating unit 121 caused by the cessation of the application of the first detection pulse 31 satisfies the first criterion.

If it is determined that the first judgment criterion is met (step S208: YES), the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the second information, and controls the operation of the heating unit 121 to start heating based on the heating profile (step S210). For example, the second information can be notified as a short vibration at the same time that heating based on the heating profile is started.

Then, the control unit 116 determines whether or not a third judgment criterion is satisfied (step S212). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the rate of change in the resistance of the heating unit 121, which is indicated by the relationship between the resistance of the heating unit 121 and the heating time, satisfies the third judgment criterion.

If it is determined that the third judgment criterion is met (step S212: YES), the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 to continue heating based on the heating profile (step S214).

Then, when heating based on the heating profile ends, the control unit 116 transitions to standby mode (step S216). Heating based on the heating profile can end when the heating time reaches a predetermined time or when the number of puffs reaches a predetermined number. Then, the process ends.

If it is determined in step S204 that the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (step S204: NO), the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the first information and starts monitoring based on the second criterion (step S218). For example, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies the detection pulse group 34 consisting of only the second detection pulse. The monitoring based on the second criterion can continue for a maximum of 10 seconds. The first information can be notified, for example, as a short-term LED light emission at the same time as starting monitoring based on the second criterion.

In monitoring based on the second criterion, the control unit 116 determines whether the second criterion is satisfied (step S220). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether the state of the decrease in resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the detection pulse group 34 consisting of only the second detection pulse satisfies the second criterion.

If it is determined that the second judgment criterion is met (step S220: YES), the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the second information, and controls the operation of the heating unit 121 to start heating based on the heating profile (step S222). For example, the second information can be notified as a short vibration at the same time that heating based on the heating profile is started.

Then, when heating based on the heating profile ends, the control unit 116 transitions to standby mode (step S224). Then, the process ends.

If it is determined that the first judgment criterion is not met (step S208: NO), or if it is determined that the second judgment criterion is not met (step S220: NO), the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the third information, and transitions to standby mode (step S226). For example, the third information may be notified as a long-term vibration.

If it is determined that the third judgment criterion is not met (step S212: NO), the control unit 116 controls the notification unit 113 to notify the fourth information, and transitions to standby mode (step S226). For example, the fourth information may be notified as a long-term vibration, similar to the third information. Then, the process ends.

<3. 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.

(1) Modifications For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which information is notified at the timing when there is a change in the progress of the state determination process of the storage unit 140, such as the timing when it is determined whether or not the first to third determination criteria are satisfied, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The control unit 116 may control the notification unit 113 to notify information indicating the state of the suction device 100 during a period in which the state continues. An example of the state of the suction device 100 is the progress state of the state determination process of the storage unit 140. Another example of the state of the suction device 100 is the progress state of heating based on the heating profile. With this configuration, it is possible to further improve usability. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, notification of information indicating the state of the suction device 100 will be specifically described.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the information notified in this modified example. In FIG. 14, the information notified in this modified example is added to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13.

First, the case where the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature will be described below. The notification unit 113 may notify the fifth information during the period in which monitoring based on the first criterion is being performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification unit 113 may notify the fifth information during the period from the start of step S206 to the start of step S210. The fifth information is information indicating that monitoring based on the first criterion is being performed.

Furthermore, the notification unit 113 may notify the sixth information during the period during which monitoring based on the third criterion is being performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification unit 113 may notify the sixth information during the period from the start of step S210 to the start of step S214. The sixth information is information indicating that monitoring based on the third criterion is being performed. The sixth information may also serve as information indicating that the temperature of the heating unit 121 has not yet reached 99.5% of the maximum target temperature.

Furthermore, the notification unit 113 may notify the seventh information during the period when monitoring of the state of the storage unit 140 has ended. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification unit 113 may notify the seventh information during the period from the start of step S214 to the start of step S216. The seventh information is information indicating that monitoring of the state of the storage unit 140 has ended. The seventh information may also serve as information indicating that the temperature of the heating unit 121 has reached 99.5% of the maximum target temperature.

Here, it is desirable that the fifth to seventh information are notified in different manners. As one example, the fifth information may be notified by a red LED, the sixth information by a yellow LED, and the seventh information by a blue LED. As another example, the fifth information may be notified by one LED, the sixth information by two LEDs, and the seventh information by three LEDs.

Next, the case where the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature will be described below. The notification unit 113 may notify the eighth information during the period in which monitoring based on the second criterion is being performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification unit 113 may notify the eighth information during the period from after the start of step S218 to before the start of step S222. The eighth information is information indicating that monitoring based on the second criterion is being performed.

Further, the notification unit 113 may notify the ninth information during the period in which the monitoring of the state of the storage unit 140 is terminated. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification unit 113 may notify the ninth information during the period after the start of step S222. The ninth information is information indicating that the monitoring of the state of the storage unit 140 is terminated. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the notification unit 113 may switch the information to be notified from the ninth information to the tenth information at the timing corresponding to the timing of execution of step S214. The timing can be determined based on the resistance of the heating unit 121. The tenth information, like the ninth information, is information indicating that the monitoring of the state of the storage unit 140 is terminated. Furthermore, the ninth information may also serve as information indicating that the temperature of the heating unit 121 is in a state before reaching 99.5% of the maximum target temperature. On the other hand, the tenth information may also serve as information indicating that the temperature of the heating unit 121 is in a state after reaching 99.5% of the maximum target temperature.

Here, it is desirable that the eighth to tenth information are notified in different ways. As one example, the eighth information may be notified by a red LED, the ninth information may be notified by a yellow LED, and the tenth information may be notified by a blue LED. As another example, the eighth information may be notified by one LED, the ninth information may be notified by two LEDs, and the tenth information may be notified by three LEDs.

Moreover, it is desirable that the fifth information and the eighth information are notified in the same manner. Similarly, it is desirable that the sixth information and the ninth information are notified in the same manner. Furthermore, it is desirable that the seventh information and the tenth information are notified in the same manner. With this configuration, it is possible to make the information notified by the notification unit 113 transition in the same manner whether the initial resistance of the heating unit 121 corresponds to a temperature below the predetermined temperature or to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

By notifying the fifth through tenth pieces of information in addition to the first through fourth pieces of information in combination, it is possible to notify the user of more information. As one example, by notifying the fifth and third pieces of information, it is possible to notify the user that insertion detection has failed before the start of heating based on the heating profile. As another example, by notifying the sixth and fourth pieces of information, it is possible to notify the user that insertion detection has failed after heating based on the heating profile has progressed to a certain extent. In this way, even when the third and fourth pieces of information are notified in the same manner, it is possible to notify the user of the difference in the progress of heating based on the heating profile.

(2) Other supplementary notes In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which whether or not the second determination criterion is satisfied is determined based on the rate at which the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases every second, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, whether or not the second determination criterion is satisfied may be determined based on the rate at which the resistance of the heating unit 121 decreases during a period of time that is a long period of time, such as 10 seconds, after the first process is started.

Although an example in which the third information and the fourth information are notified in the same manner has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The third information and the fourth information may be notified in different manners. Considering that the fourth information is notified after heating based on the heating profile has progressed to a certain extent, by notifying the fourth information in a manner different from the third information, it is possible to notify the user that the stick-shaped substrate 150 has been consumed.

Although an example has been described above in which notification of the first to tenth pieces of information is achieved by LED illumination or vibration, the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example, notification of the first to tenth pieces of information may be achieved by the communication unit 115 transmitting information to another device such as a smartphone. In this case, the communication unit 115 may be considered to be included in the notification unit 113.

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 processed in a centralized manner by a single computer, or may be processed in a distributed manner by multiple computers. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, two or more communication means present in one device may be physically realized by one medium.

Furthermore, the processes described in this specification using flowcharts or 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 notification unit that notifies a user of information;
a storage section having an internal space and an opening communicating the internal space with the outside, the storage section being capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening;
A lid portion that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion;
A heating section that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation section;
A control unit that controls operations of the notification unit and the heating unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter, the initial parameter being a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, the initial parameter being acquired using the opening of the opening by the lid unit as a trigger;
Aerosol generation systems.
(2)
The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than a predetermined temperature,
monitoring whether a time series transition of the parameter satisfies a first judgment criterion;
controlling the notification unit to notify first information while monitoring whether the first criterion is satisfied;
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature,
monitoring whether a time series transition of the parameter satisfies a second criterion different from the first criterion;
controlling the notification unit to notify the first information while monitoring whether the second criterion is satisfied;
The aerosol generating system described in (1) above.
(3)
The control unit is
if the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, monitoring whether or not a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit satisfies the first determination criterion;
if the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, monitoring whether or not a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying the group of sensing pulses, which is composed of one or more second sensing pulses having a duration shorter than that of the first sensing pulse, to the heating unit satisfies the second determination criterion;
The aerosol generating system described in (2) above.
(4)
The control unit is
if the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, determining whether or not a vibration pattern of the parameter corresponding to a repetition of a temperature rise of the heating unit accompanying application of the first detection pulse and a temperature drop of the heating unit accompanying stopping of application of the first detection pulse satisfies the first determination criterion;
When the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, it is determined whether or not a change in the parameter corresponding to a temperature decrease of the heating unit satisfies the second determination criterion.
The aerosol generating system described in (3) above.
(5)
The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature,
When the first determination criterion is satisfied, notify second information and start heating by the heating unit based on control information in which a time series transition of a target value of the parameter is specified;
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature,
when the second determination criterion is satisfied, notifying the second information and starting heating by the heating unit based on the control information.
An aerosol generation system described in any one of (2) to (4).
(6)
The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature,
If the first criterion is not satisfied, notify third information and enter a standby mode;
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature,
if the second criterion is not satisfied, notify the third information and transition to the standby mode.
The aerosol generating system described in (5) above.
(7)
The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature,
monitoring whether a third criterion is satisfied while the heating unit is performing heating based on the control information;
Continue heating by the heating unit based on the control information when the third determination criterion is satisfied;
when the third determination criterion is not satisfied, notify fourth information, stop heating by the heating unit based on the control information, and transition to the standby mode.
The aerosol generating system described in (6) above.
(8)
the third determination criterion being that a rate of change in the parameter indicated by a relationship between an elapsed time from when heating by the heating unit based on the control information is started and the parameter corresponds to less than a predetermined threshold value;
The aerosol generating system described in (7) above.
(9)
The third information and the fourth information are notified in the same manner.
The aerosol generation system described in (7) or (8).
(10)
the control unit, in the standby mode, controls an operation of the heating unit to start heating based on the control information when a predetermined user operation is detected, controls the notification unit to notify the second information, and continues heating by the heating unit based on the control information regardless of whether the third determination criterion is satisfied.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (7) to (9).
(11)
The control unit cancels the standby mode when the lid unit closes the opening in the standby mode.
The aerosol generation system described in any one of (6) to (10).
(12)
the control unit determines a state of the storage unit based on the parameters, and controls the notification unit to notify information indicating a progress state of a process for determining the state of the storage unit during a period in which the progress state continues.
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 generation system comprises:
A notification unit that notifies a user of information;
a storage section having an internal space and an opening communicating the internal space with the outside, the storage section being capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening;
A lid portion that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion;
A heating section that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation section;
having
The control method includes:
Controlling operations of the notification unit and the heating unit;
Controlling the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit includes operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter that is a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit and is acquired using the opening of the opening by the lid unit as a trigger.
Control methods.
(15)
A program executed by a computer to control an aerosol generating system,
The aerosol generation system comprises:
A notification unit that notifies a user of information;
a storage section having an internal space and an opening communicating the internal space with the outside, the storage section being capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening;
A lid portion that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion;
A heating section that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation section;
having
The program causes the computer to
a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit;
The control unit is
operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter, the initial parameter being a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, the initial parameter being acquired using the opening of the opening by the lid unit as a trigger;
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 142 Opening 143 Bottom unit 144 Heat insulating unit 150 Stick-shaped substrate 151 Substrate unit 152 Suction port unit 11 Outer housing 12 Cover 13 Switch 14 Lid unit 15 Vent 16 Cap 31 First detection pulse 33 Third detection pulse 34 Detection pulse group 41 Measurement pulse 42 Heating pulse 44 Heating pulse group

Claims (15)

A notification unit that notifies a user of information;
a storage section having an internal space and an opening communicating the internal space with the outside, the storage section being capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening;
A lid portion that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion;
A heating section that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation section;
A control unit that controls operations of the notification unit and the heating unit;
Equipped with
The control unit is
operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter, the initial parameter being a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, the initial parameter being acquired using the opening of the opening by the lid unit as a trigger;
Aerosol generation systems. The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than a predetermined temperature,
monitoring whether a time series transition of the parameter satisfies a first judgment criterion;
controlling the notification unit to notify first information while monitoring whether the first criterion is satisfied;
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature,
monitoring whether a time series transition of the parameter satisfies a second criterion different from the first criterion;
controlling the notification unit to notify the first information while monitoring whether the second criterion is satisfied;
10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1. The control unit is
if the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, monitoring whether or not a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying a group of detection pulses including one first detection pulse to the heating unit satisfies the first determination criterion;
if the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, monitoring whether or not a time series transition of the parameter obtained by repeatedly applying the group of sensing pulses, which is composed of one or more second sensing pulses having a duration shorter than that of the first sensing pulse, to the heating unit satisfies the second determination criterion;
3. The aerosol generating system of claim 2. The control unit is
if the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature, determining whether or not a vibration pattern of the parameter corresponding to a repetition of a temperature rise of the heating unit accompanying application of the first detection pulse and a temperature drop of the heating unit accompanying stopping of application of the first detection pulse satisfies the first determination criterion;
When the initial parameter corresponds to a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, it is determined whether or not a change in the parameter corresponding to a temperature decrease of the heating unit satisfies the second determination criterion.
4. The aerosol generating system of claim 3. The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature,
When the first determination criterion is satisfied, notify second information and start heating by the heating unit based on control information in which a time series transition of a target value of the parameter is specified;
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature,
when the second determination criterion is satisfied, notifying the second information and starting heating by the heating unit based on the control information.
An aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature,
If the first criterion is not satisfied, notify third information and enter a standby mode;
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature equal to or greater than the predetermined temperature,
if the second criterion is not satisfied, notify the third information and transition to the standby mode.
6. The aerosol generating system of claim 5. The control unit is
If the initial parameters correspond to a temperature less than the predetermined temperature,
monitoring whether a third criterion is satisfied while the heating unit is performing heating based on the control information;
Continue heating by the heating unit based on the control information when the third determination criterion is satisfied;
when the third determination criterion is not satisfied, notify fourth information, stop heating by the heating unit based on the control information, and transition to the standby mode.
7. The aerosol generating system of claim 6. the third determination criterion being that a rate of change in the parameter indicated by a relationship between an elapsed time from when heating by the heating unit based on the control information is started and the parameter corresponds to less than a predetermined threshold value;
8. The aerosol generating system of claim 7. The third information and the fourth information are notified in the same manner.
9. An aerosol generating system according to claim 7 or 8. the control unit, in the standby mode, controls an operation of the heating unit to start heating based on the control information when a predetermined user operation is detected, controls the notification unit to notify the second information, and continues heating by the heating unit based on the control information regardless of whether the third determination criterion is satisfied.
An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 7 to 9. The control unit cancels the standby mode when the lid unit closes the opening in the standby mode.
An aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 6 to 10. the control unit determines a state of the storage unit based on the parameters, and controls the notification unit to notify information indicating a progress state of a process for determining the state of the storage unit during a period in which the progress state continues.
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 notification unit that notifies a user of information;
a storage section having an internal space and an opening communicating the internal space with the outside, the storage section being capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening;
A lid portion that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion;
A heating section that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation section;
having
The control method includes:
Controlling operations of the notification unit and the heating unit;
Controlling the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit includes operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter that is a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit and is acquired using the opening of the opening by the lid unit as a trigger.
Control methods. A program executed by a computer to control an aerosol generating system,
The aerosol generation system comprises:
A notification unit that notifies a user of information;
a storage section having an internal space and an opening communicating the internal space with the outside, the storage section being capable of storing a substrate containing an aerosol source inserted through the opening;
A lid portion that opens and closes the opening of the storage portion;
A heating section that heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation section;
having
The program causes the computer to
a control unit that controls the operation of the notification unit and the heating unit;
The control unit is
operating the heating unit and the notification unit based on an initial parameter, the initial parameter being a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, the initial parameter being acquired using the opening of the opening by the lid unit as a trigger;
program.

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