WO2025141885A1 - Inhalation device, control method, and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

An inhalation device (100B) comprises: a heating unit (121B) that heats a stick-type base material (150) containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol; a control unit (116B) that controls the operation of the heating unit on the basis of a first heating profile indicating a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when the heating unit (121B) heats the stick-type base material (150); and a notification unit (113B) that notifies a user of the timing at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended. A communication unit (113B) issues notification of each of a plurality of predetermined timings when the operation of the heating unit is controlled using a second heating profile that is used for evaluation of the flavor of the aerosol by the user.

Description

Suction device, control method, and control system

This disclosure relates to an aspiration device, control method, and control system for aspirating aerosols, gases, etc.

In recent years, technology related to inhalation devices that generate substances to be inhaled by users has been widely developed. For example, inhalation devices generate aerosols using a base material that contains an aerosol source, a flavor source, etc. Then, the user can inhale the aerosol and enjoy the taste.

Here, in order to further improve the smoking taste experienced by users, it is conceivable to evaluate the smoking taste of the aerosol generated by the inhalation device. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 6839181) discloses evaluating the smoking taste of the aerosol generated by each of a number of base materials containing different amounts of acid.

Japanese Patent No. 6839181

Here, factors that change the aerosol taste experienced by the user are not limited to the amount of acid contained in the base material. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is limited to evaluating the taste of aerosols caused by different amounts of acid, and the taste of the aerosol may differ depending on the timing of the user's inhalation, making it difficult for the user to evaluate it.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide technology that can further improve the quality of user experience with suction devices.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an inhalation device is provided that includes a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the substrate, and a notification unit that notifies a user of a timing when it is recommended to inhale the aerosol, and the notification unit notifies each of a plurality of predetermined timings when controlling the operation of the heating unit using a second heating profile that is used for the user to evaluate the taste of the aerosol.

In one embodiment, the notification unit may not notify the timing when the operation of the heating unit is controlled using the first heating profile.

In one embodiment, the second heating profile may include multiple timings during a given period when inhalation is recommended to the user.

In one embodiment, the first and second heating profiles include a first heating period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased from the start of heating, a temperature reduction period in which the temperature of the heating unit is reduced after the first heating period, and a second heating period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased again after the temperature reduction period, and the second heating profile can be configured to have multiple timings for recommending inhalation to the user during the second heating period, which is the predetermined period.

In one embodiment, the second heating profile may have a second heating period, which is the predetermined period, that is shorter than the second heating period of the first heating profile, and the heating rate during the second heating period may be faster than that of the first heating profile.

In one embodiment, the suction device further includes a communication unit that communicates with a user terminal, and the communication unit receives a request signal from the user terminal requesting notification of the timing to the user, and the notification unit can notify the user of the timing when the request signal is received.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a control method executed by an inhalation device including a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, a control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the substrate, and a notification unit that notifies a user of a timing when it is recommended to inhale the aerosol, the control method including a step of notifying each of a plurality of predetermined timings when the operation of the heating unit is controlled using a second heating profile that is used for the user to evaluate the taste of the aerosol.

In one embodiment, the second heating profile may include multiple timings during a given period when inhalation is recommended to the user.

In one embodiment, the first and second heating profiles include a first heating period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased from the start of heating, a temperature reduction period in which the temperature of the heating unit is reduced after the first heating period, and a second heating period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased again after the temperature reduction period, and the second heating profile can be configured to have multiple timings for recommending inhalation to the user during the second heating period, which is the predetermined period.

In one embodiment, the second heating profile may have a second heating period, which is the predetermined period, that is shorter than the second heating period of the first heating profile, and the heating rate during the second heating period may be faster than that of the first heating profile.

In one embodiment, the suction device further includes a communication unit that communicates with a user terminal, and further includes a step of receiving a request signal from the user terminal requesting notification of the timing to the user, and in the step of notifying the timing, when the request signal is received, the suction device can notify the user of the timing.

In order to solve the above problem, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a control system is provided that includes an inhalation device that generates an aerosol by controlling the operation of a heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or target resistance value over time when heating a substrate containing an aerosol source, and a user terminal that is communicatively connected to the inhalation device, the user terminal transmitting a second heating profile to the inhalation device that is used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by the user, and the inhalation device notifying each of a plurality of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended when controlling the operation of the heating unit using the second heating profile received from the user terminal.

In one embodiment, the user terminal receives data from the inhalation device regarding a heating state, which is the operating state of the heating unit using the second heating profile, and can notify each of a number of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended based on the data regarding the heating state.

In one embodiment, the user terminal includes a display unit capable of displaying predetermined information, and the display unit is capable of displaying information relating to each of a number of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended.

In one embodiment, the user terminal transmits a request signal to the suction device requesting notification of the timing to the user, and the suction device can notify the user of the timing when the request signal is received.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide technology that can further improve the quality of the user experience with a suction device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first configuration example of a suction device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second configuration example of the suction device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a user terminal. FIG. 4 is a graph showing a schematic example of a heating profile. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of a control system including the suction device 100 and the user terminal 200. FIG. 6 is a graph showing a schematic example of a dedicated heating profile used for the evaluation. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen display of a user terminal. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an evaluation screen on a user terminal. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of a predetermined heating profile. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in the preparation stage. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in the smoking stage. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process in the evaluation stage.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inhalation device controls the heating process of the substrate using predetermined data called a heating profile to generate an aerosol. A user of the inhalation device can evaluate the taste, smoke volume, temperature, and the like of the aerosol generated from the inhalation device using a user terminal or the like. The inhalation device can also receive a heating profile provided based on the user's evaluation results from the outside and control the heating process of the substrate (hereinafter also referred to as the aerosol source) using the heating profile. Therefore, the inhalation device can execute heating control of the substrate and generate an aerosol based on the heating profile provided based on the user's evaluation results. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inhalation device can generate an aerosol with a taste, smoke volume, temperature, and the like preferred by the user, which can further improve the quality of the user experience.

<<1. Configuration of the suction device>>
An example of the configuration of a suction device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.
The inhalation device is a device that generates a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, the substance generated by the inhalation device is described as an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.

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

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

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

The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113A 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 114A stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

The communication unit 115A 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 116A functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the suction device 100A according to various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor.

The liquid storage unit 123 stores the aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin and propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a medicine.

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

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

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

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

The mouthpiece 124 is a member that is held by the user when inhaling. An air outlet hole 182 is arranged in the mouthpiece 124. By holding the mouthpiece 124 in the mouth and inhaling, the user can take in the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air into the mouth.

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

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

As another example, the suction device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Multiple types of aerosols generated from the multiple types of aerosol sources may be mixed in the air flow path 180 and undergo a chemical reaction to generate further types of aerosols.

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

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

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

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 its 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 100B. An air outlet hole, which is an air outlet from the air flow path to the internal space 141, is arranged, for example, on the bottom 143.

The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source includes a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the inhalation device 100B 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 flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco, or may be a solid containing a flavor component derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. When the stick-type substrate 150 is held in the storage portion 140, at least a part of the substrate portion 151 is stored in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. When the user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his/her 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 substrate portion 151.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating section 121B is configured in a film shape and is arranged to cover the outer periphery of the storage section 140. When the heating section 121B generates heat, the substrate section 151 of the stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

The insulating section 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating section 121B 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 100B. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those shown below are possible.

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

Furthermore, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. In that case, the suction device 100B has at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil that generates a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B. A susceptor that generates heat by induction heating may be provided in the suction device 100B, or may be included in the stick-shaped substrate 150.

The suction device 100B may further include the heating unit 121A, the liquid guide unit 122, the liquid storage unit 123, and the air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air flow path 180 may supply air to the internal space 141. In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141 and is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the user's oral cavity.

In the following, the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B will be referred to as the "suction device 100" without distinction. Similarly, the power supply unit 111A and the power supply unit 111B will be referred to as the "power supply unit 111", the sensor unit 112A and the sensor unit 112B as the "sensor unit 112", the notification unit 113A and the notification unit 113B as the "notification unit 113", the memory unit 114A and the memory unit 114B as the "memory unit 114", the communication unit 115A and the communication unit 115B as the "communication unit 115", the control unit 116A and the control unit 116B as the "control unit 116", and the heating unit 121A and the heating unit 121B as the "heating unit 121".

<<2. Configuration of user terminal>>
An example configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.
3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a user terminal 200 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 200 includes an input unit 210, an output unit 220, a detection unit 230, a communication unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a control unit 260.

The input unit 210 has a function of accepting input of various information. The input unit 210 may include an input device that accepts input of information from a user. Examples of the input device include a button, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a microphone. The input unit 210 may also include various sensors such as an image sensor.

The output unit 220 has a function of outputting information. The output unit 220 may include an output device that outputs information to the user. Examples of the output device include a display device that displays information, a light-emitting device that emits light, a vibration device that vibrates, and a sound output device that outputs sound. An example of a display device is a display. An example of a light-emitting device is an LED (Light Emitting Diode). An example of a vibration device is an eccentric motor. An example of a sound output device is a speaker. The output unit 220 notifies the user of the information by outputting the information input from the control unit 260.

The detection unit 230 has a function of detecting information related to the user terminal 200. The detection unit 230 may detect position information of the user terminal 200. For example, the detection unit 230 receives a GNSS signal from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite (e.g., a GPS signal from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite) and detects position information consisting of the latitude and longitude of the device. The detection unit 230 may detect the movement of the user terminal 200. For example, the detection unit 230 includes a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, and detects angular velocity and acceleration.

The communication unit 240 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the user terminal 200 and other devices. The communication unit 240 performs communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Such communication standards may include, for example, standards using USB (Universal Serial Bus), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area).

The storage unit 250 stores various information. The storage unit 250 is configured, for example, with a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

The control unit 260 functions as a calculation processing device or control device, and controls the overall operation of the user terminal 200 according to various programs. The control unit 260 is realized by an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 260 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the programs and calculation parameters to be used, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. The user terminal 200 executes various processes based on the control of the control unit 260. The processing of information input by the input unit 210, the output of information by the output unit 220, the detection of information by the detection unit 230, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 240, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 250 are examples of processes controlled by the control unit 260. Other processes executed by the user terminal 200, such as the input of information to each component and processing based on information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 260.

The functions of the control unit 260 may be realized using an application. The application may be pre-installed or may be downloaded. The functions of the control unit 260 may be realized by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

<<3. Configuration of heating profile>>
The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. The control of the operation of the heating unit 121 is realized by controlling the power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 by using the power supplied from the power supply unit 111, for example.

The heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. The heating profile specifies parameters related 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 parameter related to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the target temperature). The temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change according to the elapsed time from the start of heating. In that case, the heating profile includes information that specifies the time series transition of the target temperature. As another example, the heating profile may include parameters that specify the method of supplying power to the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the power supply parameters). The power supply parameters include, for example, the voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, or the feedback control method to be adopted. 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 temperature of the heating unit 121 (hereinafter also referred to as the actual temperature) changes in the same manner as the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor experienced by the user when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-shaped substrate 150. Therefore, by controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile, the flavor experienced by the user can be optimized.

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

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

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

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

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

An example of a heating profile will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a graph that shows a schematic example of a heating profile. The horizontal axis of the graph is time. The vertical axis of the graph is temperature. As shown in FIG. 4, the heating session may include a first temperature rise period, a temperature fall period (shown as an "intermediate temperature fall period"), and a second temperature rise period in that order. The first temperature rise period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises rapidly and is maintained at a high temperature after the start of heating. The temperature fall period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls after the first temperature rise period. The second temperature rise period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises again after the temperature fall period. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the target temperature rises rapidly to around 330°C in the first temperature rise period, then falls to around 230°C in the temperature fall period, and then gradually rises to around 300°C in the second temperature rise period. During the temperature fall period, power supply to the heating unit 121 may be interrupted and heating may be turned off. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the pre-heating period is from the start of heating to the middle of the first heating period, and the recommended puff period is from the middle of the first heating period to the end of the second heating period.

<<4. Operation example>>
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol for a user to evaluate. The user terminal 200 is configured to be able to accept an evaluation from the user. The user terminal 200 is further capable of transmitting a heating profile provided based on the user's evaluation result to the suction device 100. In addition, the suction device 100 is configured to be able to perform heating control by the heating profile provided based on the user's evaluation result.

Below, with reference to the drawings, an example of processing of a system including a suction device 100 and a user terminal 200 in one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

Furthermore, in the following, the user inhaling the aerosol generated by the inhalation device 100 will be referred to simply as "inhalation" or "puffing." In addition, in the following, the action of the user inhaling will be referred to as the "puffing action."

When a user using the inhalation device 100 performs a series of puffing actions, it is normal for the user to perform approximately 12 puffing actions. The period of such a series of puffing actions is also referred to as an "inhalation session" or "smoking session." In the control unit 116, the heating action of the heating unit 121 (121A, 121B) in response to a series of puffing actions by the user is pre-designed as an "inhalation session." In other words, the control unit 116 operates the inhalation device 100 according to a pre-defined inhalation session.

Note that an "inhalation session" or "smoking session" may also be referred to as a "heating session." In other words, the period from when the process of generating aerosol using the stick-shaped substrate 150 begins to when it ends corresponds to a heating session. In other words, a heating session is a period during which power supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled based on the heating profile. The start of a heating session is the timing when heating based on the heating profile begins, that is, when heating of the stick-shaped substrate 150 begins. 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 recommended puff period following the pre-heating period.

4-1 Overall Processing Example FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of a control system including the inhalation device 100 and the user terminal 200 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Such a control system is an example of a control system in the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, steps S101 to S105 are a preparation stage for evaluation. In the preparation stage, the inhalation device 100 downloads a dedicated heating profile used for evaluation from the user terminal 200. Next, steps S106 to S112 are an inhalation stage for evaluation. In the inhalation stage, the inhalation device 100 executes heating control using a dedicated heating profile, and the user terminal 200 displays a UI (User Interface) that prompts the user to puff. Finally, steps S113 to S118 are an evaluation stage. In the evaluation stage, the user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI for evaluation and prompts the user to evaluate. Then, the inhalation device 100 downloads a heating profile provided based on the user's evaluation result from the user terminal 200.

In step S101, the suction device 100 accepts a predetermined action for starting the evaluation from the user. The predetermined action is, for example, an action in which the user selects an icon for starting the evaluation displayed on the user terminal 200. The predetermined action may be, for example, a tap action on the screen of the user terminal 200. Note that the predetermined action may be any action that accepts the start of the evaluation from the user. The predetermined action may be, for example, an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the user terminal 200.

In step S102, the user terminal 200 receives a predetermined action from the user and then transmits a dedicated heating profile to be used for evaluation to the suction device 100. The suction device 100 receives the dedicated heating profile to be used for evaluation from the user terminal 200.

The dedicated heating profile used for the evaluation is a heating profile for causing a change in the aerosol's taste. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user actually uses the inhalation device 100 to evaluate the taste of the puffed aerosol. In order for a user to evaluate the aerosol's taste for each puff, it is desirable for the aerosol's taste to change for each puff. Therefore, the dedicated heating profile used for the evaluation is a heating profile that is more likely to cause a change in the aerosol's taste than the heating profile used for normal heating control shown in FIG. 4.

The dedicated heating profile is, for example, a heating profile with a faster heating rate than the heating profile used for normal heating. Since the inhalation device 100 heats the heater according to the heating profile, if the heating profile has a fast heating rate, the heating temperature of the aerosol source can be increased in a short time. It is known that if the heating temperature of the aerosol source differs, the smoking taste of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source also differs. In other words, since the dedicated heating profile has a faster heating rate than the heating profile used for normal heating, the heating temperature of the aerosol source can be increased in a short time, and accordingly, the smoking taste of the generated aerosol can be changed in a short time.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a schematic example of a dedicated heating profile used for evaluation. The horizontal axis of the graph is time. The vertical axis of the graph is temperature. As shown in FIG. 6, the dedicated heating profile used for evaluation has a faster heating rate in the second heating period than, for example, the heating profile used for normal heating shown in FIG. 4. In the normal heating profile shown in FIG. 4, the temperature rises from about 230° C. to about 300° C. during about 260 seconds of the second heating period. In contrast, the dedicated heating profile shown in FIG. 6 rises from about 230° C. to about 330° C. during about 80 seconds of the second heating period. In other words, the dedicated heating profile shown in FIG. 6 has a faster heating rate in the second heating period than, for example, the heating profile used for normal heating shown in FIG. 4.

The inhalation device 100 uses a dedicated heating profile shown in FIG. 6 for heating control, thereby changing the taste of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source in a short period of time. Therefore, when heating is controlled with a dedicated heating profile, the user is more likely to feel a change in the taste of the aerosol being inhaled compared to when heating is controlled with a normal heating profile.

As shown in FIG. 6, the user performs multiple puffs when controlling heating using the dedicated heating profile. In the example of FIG. 6, the timing of seven puffs is set in the second temperature rise period of the dedicated heating profile, and it is assumed that the user will perform seven puffs. Here, by using the dedicated heating profile for heating control, the inhalation device 100 can also change the taste of the generated aerosol in a short period of time. Therefore, the user can feel the change in the taste of the aerosol with each puff, and can evaluate the taste of the aerosol with each puff. In the example of FIG. 6, the user can experience the change in the taste of the aerosol he inhales with each of the seven puffs.

The user's puff timing may be set at equal intervals as shown in FIG. 6, or may be set at any interval. The user's puff timing does not need to be set in advance, and the user may be able to puff at any timing. Furthermore, the number of puffs may be seven as shown in FIG. 6, or may be any number of times.

Furthermore, the dedicated heating profile is not limited to a heating profile with a faster temperature rise rate than the heating profile used for normal heating, as shown in FIG. 6. For example, the dedicated heating profile may be a heating profile that increases the temperature in a stepped manner for each puff, compared to the heating profile used for normal heating. Note that the dedicated heating profile used for evaluation is not limited to these examples, and may be any heating profile as long as it is a heating profile that is likely to cause a change in the smoking taste of the aerosol.

In step S103, the suction device 100 temporarily stores the dedicated heating profile to be used for the evaluation received from the user terminal 200. The suction device 100 temporarily stores the dedicated heating profile in, for example, a volatile memory. Note that the suction device 100 may temporarily store the dedicated heating profile in a non-volatile memory.

The dedicated heating profile used for evaluation is a heating profile that is more likely to cause a change in the smoking taste of the aerosol than a heating profile used for normal heating control. Therefore, the dedicated heating profile used for evaluation is not intended to be used repeatedly. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 can be configured to temporarily store the dedicated heating profile and use it only for heating control for evaluation. Then, when the heating control for evaluation is completed, the inhalation device 100 may delete the dedicated heating profile. Note that the inhalation device 100 does not necessarily need to delete the dedicated heating profile, and may be configured to continue storing the dedicated heating profile while prohibiting repeated use. Note that the inhalation device 100 may be configured to allow the dedicated heating profile to be used repeatedly several times (for example, about two or three times) as necessary.

In step S104, when preparation for heating control for evaluation is complete, the suction device 100 transmits a preparation completion notification to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives the preparation completion notification from the suction device 100.

In step S105, when the user terminal 200 receives a notification of completion of preparation from the suction device 100, it notifies the user that preparation for evaluation is complete. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200, for example, displays a UI indicating that preparation for evaluation is complete. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, information on the display indicating that preparation for evaluation is complete. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user that preparation for evaluation is complete.

In step S106, the suction device 100 receives a predetermined action for starting heating from the user. The predetermined action for starting heating is, for example, an action that the user of the suction device 100 executes on the suction device 100. The predetermined action for starting heating is, for example, an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the suction device 100. The predetermined action for starting heating is, for example, an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the suction device 100 a predetermined number of times and/or for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined number of times may be one or multiple times. The predetermined period of time can be set to any time, for example, two seconds.

The predetermined action for starting heating may be any action that the user performs on the suction device 100. The predetermined action for starting heating may be, for example, the user shaking the suction device 100, tracing a predetermined path or characters using the suction device 100, tapping the suction device 100, etc. Note that the predetermined action for starting heating is not limited to this and may be any action.

The suction device 100 includes a sensor (such as a motion sensor or an acceleration sensor) for detecting the movement of the suction device 100, and uses the sensor to detect a third action on the suction device 100. For example, the motion sensor of the suction device 100 detects the user's action of shaking the suction device 100.

The predetermined action for starting heating may be the user's insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the suction device 100. For example, the user inserts the stick-type substrate 150 into the internal space 141 of the suction device 100. The suction device 100 can detect that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the internal space 141. The insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the internal space 141 of the suction device 100 can be detected by a change in temperature or resistance value of the heating unit 121. The stick-type substrate 150 can also be detected by detecting a change in capacitance based on the insertion of the stick-type substrate 150, or a change in magnetic field or magnetism based on the insertion of the stick-type substrate 150. The stick-type substrate 150 can also be detected by detecting the presence or absence of the stick-type substrate 150 using an infrared sensor. The detection of the stick-type substrate 150 is not limited to these examples and can be detected by any method.

In step S107, when the suction device 100 receives a predetermined action to start heating, the suction device 100 starts heating control based on the dedicated heating profile temporarily stored. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 starts controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the dedicated heating profile temporarily stored in step S103, for example.

In step S108, the suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 of the heating state. The heating state includes the progress of the heating process. The suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 of the heating state, for example, at a predetermined cycle. For example, the suction device 100 may notify, as the heating state, at the end of each period in the heating profile, that the period has ended. Each period in the heating profile is, for example, a first heating period, a cooling period, and a second heating period. Note that the suction device 100 may notify, as the heating state, at the start of each period in the heating profile, that the period has started.

The suction device 100 may notify the user terminal 200 of the puff timing as a notification of the heating state. As shown in FIG. 6, a dedicated heating profile includes, for example, seven puff timings. The suction device 100 may notify the user terminal 200 of the seven puff timings illustrated in FIG. 6 as a notification of the heating state. Note that the suction device 100 may notify the user terminal 200 of the puff timing in addition to notifying the user of the heating state. In this case, the notification of the heating state and the notification of the puff timing are different notifications.

In step S109, the user terminal 200 notifies the user of the puff timing. As shown in FIG. 6, the dedicated heating profile includes, for example, seven puff timings. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200 displays, for example, a UI indicating the puff timing. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, information indicating the puff timing on the display.

The user terminal 200 may notify the user of the puff timing in any manner. The suction device 100 may notify the user of the puff timing. In this case, at least one of the user terminal 200 and the suction device 100 may notify the user of the puff timing. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 displays a UI indicating the puff timing, for example. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user of the puff timing, for example, by making an LED emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user of the puff timing, for example, by making a vibration device vibrate in a predetermined manner. In addition, when the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 notifies the user of the puff timing by, for example, displaying the puff timing on the display. The suction device 100 may notify the user of the puff timing in any manner.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen display of a user terminal. The screen display of the user terminal 200 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a screen display when information indicating puff timing is displayed on a display.

As shown in FIG. 7, the screen display showing the puff timing includes information 221 indicating the number of puffs. The information indicating the number of puffs includes information indicating the current number of puffs and information indicating the total number of puffs. In the example of FIG. 7, the current number of puffs is "3rd" and the total number of puffs is "7 puffs."

The screen display showing the puff timing also includes a roughly oval icon 222 indicating each puff. The icon 222 moves from right to left on the screen as time passes. The screen display showing the puff timing also includes a vertical bar 223 indicating the "current time" displayed in the center of the screen. The user can recognize that it is time to puff when the icon 222 intersects with the bar 223. The screen display showing the puff timing also includes text 224. The text 224 includes, for example, a message saying "Inhale when it vibrates." The "vibrate" included in the text 224 shown in FIG. 7 refers to vibration by the vibration device of the inhalation device 100. The content of the text 224 may be any content as long as it is a message encouraging the user to puff.

As shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 200 displays a screen showing the puff timing. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can perform a puff while referring to the screen display showing the puff timing displayed on the user terminal 200.

In step S110, the suction device 100 ends the heating control based on the dedicated heating profile.

In step S111, when the suction device 100 ends the heating control, it transmits an end notification to the user terminal 200 indicating that the heating control has ended. The user terminal 200 receives the end notification from the suction device 100.

In step S112, if the user terminal 200 receives an end notification indicating that the heating control has ended, it notifies the user that the heating has ended. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200 displays, for example, a UI indicating that the heating control has ended. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, information on the display indicating that the heating control has ended.

In step S113, the user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI for the user to evaluate the taste of the inhaled aerosol. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, an evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol on the display. The user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI that allows the user to select any one of multiple puffs based on the aerosol taste. For example, the user can select the puff that the user felt had the most delicious aerosol taste among the multiple puffs. Also, the user can select the puff that the user felt had the best overall aerosol taste among the multiple puffs. Furthermore, the user can select the puff that the user felt had the greatest amount of aerosol smoke among the multiple puffs. In addition, the user can select the puff that the user felt had the highest aerosol temperature among the multiple puffs. In this way, the user can select any one of the multiple puffs based on various evaluation indices.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an evaluation screen on a user terminal. The screen display of the user terminal 200 shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of an evaluation UI that allows the user to select one puff out of multiple puffs based on the aerosol's smoking taste.

As shown in FIG. 8, the evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol includes icons 225 corresponding to each inhaled puff. The number of icons 225 corresponds to the number of puffs performed by the user in the heating control using the dedicated heating profile. In the example of FIG. 8, the number of icons 225 corresponds to "7", which is the total number of puffs. Each icon 225 can accept a user selection. The user can select one of the multiple icons 225, for example, by tapping on the screen of the user terminal 200. Note that the user's selection of the icon 225 may be accepted in any manner as long as the icon 225 can be selected. In the example of FIG. 8, the icon 225 corresponding to the fourth puff is selected by the user. The color of the icon itself may be changed for the icon 225 selected by the user. For example, the color of the icon itself of the icon 225 selected by the user may be changed to a color different from that of other icons that were not selected. This allows the user to distinguish the selected icon 225 from the others. In addition, when one icon 225 is selected by the user, the other icons may not be selected. This prevents the user from accidentally selecting multiple icons.

As shown in FIG. 8, the evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol may include text 226. For example, text 226 may include a message such as "Please select the puff that tasted good." Note that the content of text 226 may be any content as long as it is a message that prompts the user to select icon 225.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can select one of the multiple puffs performed by the user based on the taste of the aerosol.

In step S114, the user terminal 200 accepts the user's evaluation result. The user terminal 200 accepts the user's evaluation result and identifies a puff selected from among multiple puffs by the user based on the aerosol's smoking taste. In the example of FIG. 8, the user terminal 200 identifies the icon 225 selected by the user from among multiple icons 225, and identifies the puff corresponding to the identified icon 225. In the example of FIG. 8, the icon 225 corresponding to the fourth puff has been selected by the user, and therefore the user terminal 200 identifies it as the fourth puff.

In step S115, the user terminal 200 transmits a predetermined heating profile corresponding to the identified puff to the inhalation device 100. The inhalation device 100 receives the predetermined heating profile from the user terminal 200.

In step S116, the inhalation device 100 stores the predetermined heating profile received from the user terminal 200. Unlike the inhalation device 100 which temporarily stores a dedicated heating profile, the inhalation device 100 stores the predetermined heating profile received from the user terminal 200 in a manner that continues to store the profile unless a request for deletion or overwriting is made. The inhalation device 100 stores the predetermined heating profile received from the user terminal 200 in, for example, non-volatile memory. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 can control heating using the predetermined heating profile in a new smoking session.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the multiple puffs is associated with a predetermined heating profile. For example, each of the seven puffs is associated with a different predetermined heating profile. For example, the first puff is associated with the first heating profile. The second puff is associated with the second heating profile. The third puff is associated with the third heating profile. The fourth puff is associated with the fourth heating profile. In this manner, the Nth puff is associated with the Nth heating profile. The user terminal 200 transmits the predetermined heating profile associated with the puff selected by the user to the inhalation device 100. In the example of FIG. 8, the fourth heating profile associated with the fourth puff selected by the user is transmitted to the inhalation device 100.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined heating profile associated with each of the multiple puffs is a heating profile capable of reproducing a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in each of the multiple puffs in the dedicated heating profile. For example, the first heating profile associated with the first puff is a heating profile capable of reproducing a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the first puff in the dedicated heating profile. Similarly, the second heating profile associated with the second puff is a heating profile capable of reproducing a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the second puff in the dedicated heating profile. Similarly, the Nth heating profile associated with the Nth puff is a heating profile capable of reproducing a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the Nth puff in the dedicated heating profile.

Here, the user selects one puff from among the multiple puffs that gives the aerosol a delicious taste. Therefore, the predetermined heating profile is a heating profile that can reproduce a taste similar to the aerosol taste that the user found delicious. The user terminal 200 transmits the predetermined heating profile that corresponds to the puff selected by the user to the inhalation device 100. Therefore, the predetermined heating profile received by the inhalation device 100 is a heating profile that can reproduce a taste similar to the aerosol taste that the user found delicious.

Note that the multiple puffs do not necessarily have to be associated with different heating profiles. One heating profile may be associated with at least two of the multiple puffs. For example, if heating profile A is associated with the first puff, the same heating profile A may also be associated with the second puff. In this case, heating profile B, which is different from heating profile A, may be associated with the third puff. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the same heating profile A may be associated with the first and second puffs. In this case, heating profile B may be associated with the third puff, heating profile C may be associated with the fourth puff, and heating profile D may be associated with the fifth puff. The same heating profile E may be associated with the sixth and seventh puffs. Note that the heating profiles A, B, C, D, and E are different from each other. In the example of FIG. 8, the user terminal 200 transmits the heating profile C associated with the fourth puff selected by the user to the inhalation device 100.

In this case, the predetermined heating profile associated with the multiple puffs may be a heating profile capable of reproducing the average taste of the aerosol in each of the multiple puffs in the dedicated heating profile. Also, the predetermined heating profile associated with the multiple puffs may be a heating profile capable of reproducing a taste similar to the taste of the aerosol in any one of the multiple puffs in the dedicated heating profile.

9 is a graph showing an example of a predetermined heating profile. The horizontal axis of the graph is time. The vertical axis of the graph is temperature. The heating profile shown in FIG. 9 is a heating profile that maintains a constant temperature during the second heating period. The constant temperature maintained in the predetermined heating profile corresponds to the heating temperature in the puff in the dedicated heating profile. In the fourth puff selected by the user as shown in FIG. 8, the heating temperature in the dedicated heating profile shown in FIG. 6 is, for example, 280° C. In this case, the predetermined heating profile maintains 280° C., which is the heating temperature in the puff in the dedicated heating profile, during the second heating period. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 can maintain heating of the aerosol source at 280° C., which is the heating temperature in the puff selected by the user. In other words, the inhalation device 100 can continue generating aerosols at 280° C., which is the heating temperature in the puff selected by the user, during the second heating period.

It is known that the taste of the generated aerosol changes depending on the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, and when the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is the same, the likelihood that the generated aerosol will have the same taste increases relatively. Therefore, in a new smoking session, the inhalation device 100 can maintain the heating of the aerosol source at 280°C, which is the heating temperature for the puff selected by the user, thereby increasing the likelihood that the user will be able to enjoy the taste of the aerosol generated at 280°C for a long period of time.

The predetermined heating profile may be any heating profile that can reproduce a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the puff selected by the user. The predetermined heating profile may also reproduce a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the puff selected by the user for a certain period of time.

In step S117, when the setting based on the predetermined heating profile is completed, the suction device 100 transmits a setting completion notification to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives the setting completion notification from the suction device 100.

In step S118, when the user terminal 200 receives a setting completion notification from the suction device 100, it notifies the user that the setting has been completed. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200, for example, displays a UI indicating that the setting has been completed. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220, for example, displays information indicating that the setting has been completed on the display. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user that the setting has been completed.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction device 100 downloads a dedicated heating profile to be used for evaluation from the user terminal 200. Therefore, the suction device 100 is able to control heating based on the dedicated heating profile to be used for evaluation. In addition, the suction device 100 temporarily stores the dedicated heating profile, which can prevent the dedicated heating profile from being used repeatedly for heating control.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inhalation device 100 controls heating with a dedicated heating profile. The dedicated heating profile changes the taste of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source in a short period of time. This makes it easier for the user to sense the change in the taste of the aerosol being inhaled, making it easier for the user to evaluate subsequent puffs. In addition, the user terminal 200 notifies the user of the puff timing. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can perform puffing while referring to the screen display indicating the puff timing displayed on the user terminal 200.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can select one of the multiple puffs by the user based on the aerosol taste. In addition, the user terminal 200 transmits a predetermined heating profile corresponding to the identified puff to the inhalation device 100. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can execute new heating control using the predetermined heating profile associated with the puff selected by the user. Here, the predetermined heating profile is a heating profile that can reproduce a smoking taste similar to the aerosol taste in the puff selected by the user. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can enjoy a smoking taste similar to the aerosol taste in the selected puff in a new smoking session.

10 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of the preparation stage among processing examples of the control system including the suction device 100 and the user terminal 200 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing example of the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 10 corresponds to the processing example shown in steps S101 to S105 in Fig. 5.

In step S201, the suction device 100 accepts a predetermined action for starting the evaluation from the user. The predetermined action is, for example, an action in which the user selects an icon for starting the evaluation displayed on the user terminal 200. The predetermined action may be, for example, a tap action on the screen of the user terminal 200. Note that the predetermined action may be any action as long as it accepts the start of the evaluation from the user. The predetermined action may be, for example, an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the user terminal 200.

In step S202, the user terminal 200 requests the number of the downloaded heating profile from the suction device 100. The downloaded heating profile is, for example, a heating profile that the user terminal 200 previously transmitted to the suction device 100. The user terminal 200 requests the number of the previously transmitted heating profile from the suction device 100. The heating profile number is an identifier that can uniquely identify the heating profile.

In step S203, when the number of the downloaded heating profile is requested, the suction device 100 checks whether or not there is a previously downloaded heating profile. If there is a previously downloaded heating profile, the suction device 100 transmits an identifier (in other words, a number) that can uniquely identify the downloaded heating profile to the user terminal 200. On the other hand, if there is no previously downloaded heating profile, the suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 that there is no downloaded heating profile.

In step S204, the user terminal 200 requests the number of the heating profile set as the heating profile to be used for heating control from the suction device 100. The heating profile to be used for heating control is the heating profile to be used for heating the aerosol source when a specified action to start heating is received from the user. By setting the heating profile to be used for heating control, the suction device 100 becomes able to perform heating control using the set heating profile even when multiple heating profiles are stored.

In step S205, when the number of the set heating profile is requested, the suction device 100 transmits to the user terminal 200 the identifier (in other words, the number) of the heating profile that is set as the heating profile to be used for heating control.

In step S206, when the user terminal 200 receives the identifier of the heating profile that has been set from the suction device 100, it notifies the user of information related to the heating profile to be used for the set heating control. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200 displays, for example, a UI that shows information related to the heating profile to be used for the set heating control. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, information related to the heating profile to be used for the set heating control on the display. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user of information related to the heating profile to be used for the set heating control.

In step S207, the user terminal 200 accepts a predetermined action for actually starting the evaluation process from the user. The predetermined action is, for example, an action in which the user selects an icon displayed on the user terminal 200 for actually starting the evaluation process from the user. The predetermined action may be, for example, a tap action on the screen of the user terminal 200. Note that the predetermined action may be any action that accepts an action for actually starting the evaluation process from the user. The predetermined action may be, for example, an action in which the user presses a predetermined button on the user terminal 200.

In step S208, the user terminal 200 requests correction value data from the suction device 100. The correction value data is data related to the characteristics of the heating unit 121 of the suction device 100. Each heating unit 121 of the suction device 100 includes different characteristics. Therefore, even when heating control is performed using the same heating profile, the heating temperature differs for each heating unit 121 depending on the characteristics of the heating unit 121. For this reason, the heating profile used by the suction device 100 needs to be adjusted to an appropriate heating temperature based on data related to the characteristics of the heating unit 121 of the suction device 100 being used. Therefore, the user terminal 200 requests correction value data related to the heating profile from the suction device 100, and adjusts the heating profile to be sent to the suction device 100 based on the data related to the characteristics of the heating unit 121 of the suction device 100.

In step S209, if the correction value data is requested, the suction device 100 transmits the correction value data to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 adjusts the dedicated heating profile to be transmitted to the suction device 100 based on the correction value data received from the suction device 100.

In step S210, the user terminal 200 transmits the dedicated heating profile used for evaluation to the inhalation device 100. The dedicated heating profile may be transmitted and received in one go, or may be divided and transmitted and received multiple times. For example, the user terminal 200 may divide the dedicated heating profile into multiple pieces of data and transmit the divided data multiple times. The dedicated heating profile used for evaluation is a heating profile for causing a change in the smoking taste of the aerosol, as exemplified in FIG. 6. The dedicated heating profile used for evaluation is a heating profile that is more likely to cause a change in the smoking taste of the aerosol than the heating profile used for normal heating control shown in FIG. 4.

In step S211, the suction device 100 temporarily stores the dedicated heating profile to be used for the evaluation received from the user terminal 200. The suction device 100 temporarily stores the dedicated heating profile in, for example, a volatile memory. Note that the suction device 100 may also temporarily store the dedicated heating profile in a non-volatile memory. In this way, the suction device 100 can be configured to temporarily store the dedicated heating profile and use it only for heating control for the evaluation.

In step S212, the user terminal 200 requests the suction device 100 to change the heating profile set as the heating profile to be used for heating control to a dedicated heating profile. The suction device 100 changes the heating profile to be used for heating control to the dedicated heating profile. This allows the suction device 100 to execute heating control using the dedicated heating profile.

In step S213, the suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 that the heating profile set as the heating profile to be used for heating control has been changed to a dedicated heating profile.

In step S214, the suction device 100 sets an evaluation flag. The evaluation flag is a flag indicating that the suction device 100 is executing a process for evaluating the heating profile.

In step S215, when preparation for heating control for evaluation is complete, the suction device 100 transmits a preparation completion notification to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives the preparation completion notification from the suction device 100.

In step S216, when the user terminal 200 receives a notification of completion of preparation from the suction device 100, it notifies the user that preparation for evaluation is complete. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200, for example, displays a UI indicating that preparation for evaluation is complete. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, information on the display indicating that preparation for evaluation is complete. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user that preparation for evaluation is complete.

In step S217, the suction device 100 notifies the user that preparation for evaluation is complete. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI indicating that preparation for evaluation is complete. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that preparation for evaluation is complete, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user that preparation for evaluation is complete, for example, by causing a vibration device to vibrate in a predetermined manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113, for example, displays information indicating that preparation for evaluation is complete on the display, and notifies the user that preparation for evaluation is complete. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that preparation for evaluation is complete.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the suction device 100 downloads a dedicated heating profile to be used for evaluation from the user terminal 200. Therefore, the suction device 100 is able to control heating based on the dedicated heating profile to be used for evaluation. In addition, the suction device 100 temporarily stores the dedicated heating profile, which can prevent the dedicated heating profile from being used repeatedly for heating control.

4-3 Example of a Smoking Stage Processing Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a smoking stage processing among examples of processing of a control system including the inhalation device 100 and the user terminal 200 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The example of processing in the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 11 corresponds to the example of processing shown in steps S106 to S112 in Fig. 5.

In step S301, the suction device 100 receives a predetermined action for starting heating from the user. The predetermined action for starting heating is, for example, an action that the user of the suction device 100 executes on the suction device 100. The predetermined action for starting heating may also be the user inserting the stick-type substrate 150 into the suction device 100.

In step S302, when the suction device 100 receives a predetermined action to start heating, the suction device 100 starts heating control based on a dedicated heating profile that has been temporarily stored. The control unit 116 of the suction device 100 starts controlling the operation of the heating unit 121 based on, for example, the dedicated heating profile that has been temporarily stored.

In step S303, the inhalation device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 that the heating state is the pre-heating state. The pre-heating period is the period from when heating starts to when the recommended puff period starts. The heating performed during the pre-heating period is also called pre-heating.

In step S304, when the user terminal 200 receives notification from the suction device 100 that the device is in a pre-heating state, the user terminal 200 notifies the user that the device is in a pre-heating state. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200 displays, for example, a UI indicating that the device is in a pre-heating state. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, information indicating that the device is in a pre-heating state on the display. Note that the method by which the user terminal 200 notifies the user that the device is in a pre-heating state may be any method.

In step S305, the suction device 100 ends the heating control as preheating. The suction device 100 ends the heating control as preheating and transitions to the recommended puff period.

In step S306, the suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 of the heating state after pre-heating. The heating state includes the progress of the heating control. The suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 of the heating state after pre-heating, for example, at a predetermined cycle. For example, the suction device 100 may notify, as the heating state, at the end of each period in the heating profile, that the period has ended. Each period in the heating profile is, for example, a first heating period, a cooling period, and a second heating period. Note that the suction device 100 may notify, as the heating state, at the start of each period in the heating profile, that the period has started.

In step S307, when the user terminal 200 receives a heating status notification from the inhalation device 100, it notifies the user of information prompting the user to start puffing. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200 displays, for example, a puff start UI that prompts the user to start puffing. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, a puff start UI on the display that prompts the user to start puffing. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user of the puff start UI that prompts the user to start puffing.

In step S308, the user terminal 200 requests notification of the puff timing from the inhalation device 100.

In steps S309, S311, and S313, the inhalation device 100 notifies the user that it is puff time based on the dedicated heating profile. As shown in FIG. 6, the dedicated heating profile includes, for example, seven puff timings. The inhalation device 100 notifies the user that it is puff time each time a puff timing arrives. The notification unit 113 of the inhalation device 100 displays a UI indicating that it is puff time each time a puff timing arrives. The notification unit 113 of the inhalation device 100 notifies the user that it is puff time, for example, by making an LED emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the inhalation device 100 also notifies the user that it is puff time, for example, by making a vibration device vibrate in a predetermined manner. In addition, when the inhalation device 100 has a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 notifies the user that it is puff time, for example, by displaying information indicating that it is puff time on the display. Note that the inhalation device 100 may use any method to notify the user that it is time to puff.

In steps S310, S312, and S314, the user terminal 200 notifies the user of the puff timing. As shown in FIG. 6, the dedicated heating profile includes, for example, seven puff timings. The user terminal 200 notifies the user that it is puff timing each time a puff timing arrives. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200 displays a UI indicating the puff timing, for example, as shown in FIG. 7. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays information indicating the puff timing on the display, for example, as shown in FIG. 7.

In step S315, the suction device 100 ends the heating control based on the dedicated heating profile.

In step S316, when the suction device 100 has ended the heating control, it transmits an end notification to the user terminal 200 indicating that the heating control has ended. The user terminal 200 receives the end notification from the suction device 100.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inhalation device 100 controls heating with a dedicated heating profile. The dedicated heating profile changes the taste of the aerosol generated from the aerosol source in a short period of time. This makes it easier for the user to sense the change in the taste of the aerosol being inhaled, making it easier for the user to evaluate subsequent puffs. In addition, the inhalation device 100 and the user terminal 200 notify the user of the puff timing. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can perform puffing while checking the notification of the puff timing of the inhalation device 100 and referring to the screen display indicating the puff timing displayed on the user terminal 200.

12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process in the evaluation stage among examples of a process of a control system including the suction device 100 and the user terminal 200 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The example of the process in the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 12 corresponds to the example of the process shown in steps S113 to S118 in Fig. 5.

In step S401, the user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI for the user to evaluate the taste of the inhaled aerosol. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220 displays, for example, an evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol on the display. The user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI (in other words, a selection screen) that allows the user to select any one of multiple puffs, as exemplified in FIG. 8. The user can, for example, select the puff that, out of the multiple puffs, gave the user the most delicious aerosol taste.

In step S402, the user terminal 200 accepts the user's evaluation result. The user terminal 200 accepts the user's evaluation result and identifies a puff selected from the multiple puffs by the user based on the aerosol's smoking taste. The user's evaluation, for example, is to select a preferred puff from the multiple puffs by the user. The user's evaluation result is, for example, the selected preferred puff. In the example of FIG. 8, the user terminal 200 identifies the icon 225 selected by the user from the multiple icons 225, and identifies the puff corresponding to the identified icon 225. In the example of FIG. 8, the icon 225 corresponding to the fourth puff has been selected by the user, and therefore the user terminal 200 identifies it as the fourth puff.

In step S403, the user terminal 200 accepts a predetermined operation from the user to start downloading the predetermined heating profile. The predetermined operation to start downloading the predetermined heating profile is, for example, an operation in which the user selects an icon displayed on the user terminal 200 to start downloading the predetermined heating profile. The predetermined operation may be, for example, a tapping action on the screen of the user terminal 200. Note that the predetermined operation may be any action as long as it starts downloading the predetermined heating profile. The predetermined operation may be, for example, an operation in which the user presses a predetermined button on the user terminal 200.

In step S404, the user terminal 200 notifies the server 300 of information related to the selected puff. For example, if the user selects the fourth puff, the user terminal 200 notifies the server 300 of information related to the puff that can be identified as the fourth puff. The notification of information related to the selected puff may include a request for a specified heating profile.

In step S405, the server 300 identifies a predetermined heating profile corresponding to information related to the selected puff. The server 300 is an external device that stores a predetermined heating profile associated with each of the multiple puffs. When the server 300 receives information related to the selected puff from the user terminal 200, it can identify the predetermined heating profile associated with the selected puff. For example, the server 300 can receive information related to a puff that can be identified as the fourth puff from the user terminal 200 and identify a fourth heating profile associated with the fourth puff. Note that each of the multiple puffs may be associated with a different predetermined heating profile, or one predetermined heating profile may be associated with at least two puffs.

In step S406, the server 300 transmits to the user terminal 200 the predetermined heating profile identified based on information about the puff selected by the user. The predetermined heating profile may be transmitted and received in one go, or may be divided and transmitted and received multiple times. For example, the server 300 may divide the predetermined heating profile into multiple pieces of data and transmit the divided data multiple times.

The server 300 transmits, for example, the predetermined heating profile identified in step S403 to the user terminal 200. The predetermined heating profile transmitted by the server 300 to the user terminal 200 is a heating profile associated with the puff selected by the user. The predetermined heating profile is, for example, a heating profile capable of reproducing a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the puff selected by the user. Therefore, the server 300 can transmit, to the user terminal 200, a heating profile capable of reproducing a smoking taste similar to the smoking taste of the aerosol in the puff selected by the user.

In step S407, the user terminal 200 requests correction value data from the suction device 100. The correction value data is data related to the characteristics of the heating unit 121 of the suction device 100. Each heating unit 121 of the suction device 100 includes different characteristics. Therefore, even if heating control is performed using the same heating profile, the heating temperature differs for each heating unit 121 depending on the characteristics of the heating unit 121. For this reason, the heating profile used by the suction device 100 needs to be adjusted to an appropriate heating temperature based on data related to the characteristics of the heating unit 121 of the suction device 100 being used. Therefore, the user terminal 200 requests correction value data related to the heating profile from the suction device 100, and adjusts the heating profile to be sent to the suction device 100 based on the data related to the characteristics of the heating unit 121 of the suction device 100.

In step S408, if correction value data is requested, the suction device 100 transmits the correction value data to the user terminal 200.

In step S409, the user terminal 200 adjusts the predetermined heating profile to be sent to the suction device 100 based on the correction value data received from the suction device 100.

In step S410, the user terminal 200 transmits the predetermined heating profile to the suction device 100. The predetermined heating profile may be transmitted and received in one go, or may be divided and transmitted and received multiple times. For example, the user terminal 200 may divide the predetermined heating profile into multiple pieces of data and transmit the divided data multiple times.

In step S411, the inhalation device 100 stores the predetermined heating profile received from the user terminal 200. Unlike the inhalation device 100 which temporarily stores a dedicated heating profile, the inhalation device 100 stores the predetermined heating profile received from the user terminal 200 in a manner that continues to store the profile unless a request for deletion or overwriting is made. The inhalation device 100 stores the predetermined heating profile received from the user terminal 200 in, for example, non-volatile memory. Therefore, the inhalation device 100 can control heating using the predetermined heating profile in a new smoking session.

In step S412, when the suction device 100 has completed receiving the specified heating profile, the suction device 100 transmits a notification of completion of receiving the specified heating profile to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 receives the notification of completion of receiving the specified heating profile from the suction device 100.

In step S413, the user terminal 200 requests the suction device 100 to change the heating profile set as the heating profile to be used for heating control to a specified heating profile. The suction device 100 changes the heating profile to be used for heating control to the specified heating profile. This allows the suction device 100 to execute heating control using the specified heating profile.

In step S414, the suction device 100 transmits a completion notification of the change in the heating profile setting to the user terminal 200. For example, the suction device 100 notifies the user terminal 200 that the heating profile set as the heating profile to be used for heating control has been changed to a specified heating profile.

In step S415, the suction device 100 clears the evaluation flag. The evaluation flag is a flag indicating that the suction device 100 is executing a process for evaluating the heating profile.

In step S416, when the evaluation flag is cleared, the suction device 100 notifies the user that the evaluation process has been completed. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100, for example, displays a UI indicating that the evaluation process has been completed. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 notifies the user that the evaluation process has been completed, for example, by causing an LED to emit light in a predetermined manner. The notification unit 113 of the suction device 100 also notifies the user that the evaluation process has been completed, for example, by causing a vibration device to vibrate in a predetermined manner. If the suction device 100 includes a display as the notification unit 113, the notification unit 113 displays information indicating that the evaluation process has been completed on the display, for example, to notify the user that the evaluation process has been completed. Note that any method may be used by the suction device 100 to notify the user that the evaluation process has been completed.

In step S417, when the user terminal 200 receives a completion notification of the change in the heating profile settings, it notifies the user that the evaluation-related processing has been completed. The output unit 220 of the user terminal 200, for example, displays a UI indicating that the evaluation-related processing has been completed. For example, if the user terminal 200 has a display as the output unit 220, the output unit 220, for example, displays information on the display indicating that the evaluation-related processing has been completed. Note that any method may be used by the user terminal 200 to notify the user that the evaluation-related processing has been completed.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user terminal 200 displays an evaluation UI for evaluating the taste of the inhaled aerosol. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can select one of the multiple puffs by the user based on the aerosol taste. In addition, the user terminal 200 receives a predetermined heating profile corresponding to the specified puff from the server 300 and then transmits it to the inhalation device 100. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can execute new heating control using the predetermined heating profile associated with the puff selected by the user. Here, the predetermined heating profile is a heating profile that can reproduce a taste similar to the aerosol taste in the puff selected by the user. Therefore, the user of the inhalation device 100 can enjoy a taste similar to the aerosol taste in the selected puff in a new smoking session.

One embodiment of the suction device, control method, and control system of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the drawings, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art could conceive of various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, the specific numerical values described in the above embodiment are merely examples and are not limiting.

The control method described in the above embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer (processor). This program is stored in a computer-readable storage medium and is executed by reading it from the storage medium. This program may be provided in a form stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a flash memory, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. The computer that executes this program can be, for example, one included in the suction device 100 (e.g., a CPU possessed by the suction device 100), but is not limited to this, and may also be one included in another device that can communicate with the suction device 100 (e.g., a smartphone or a server).

This specification describes at least the following items. In parentheses, examples of corresponding components in the above-mentioned embodiment are shown, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[Feature 1]
A heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A, 121B) that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate (cartridge 120, stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source;
A control unit (control units 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of the heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the base material;
A notification unit (notification unit 113, 113A, 113B) that notifies a user of the timing when it is recommended to inhale the aerosol,
the notification unit notifies each of the plurality of predetermined timings when controlling the operation of the heating unit using a second heating profile used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by a user.
Suction device (suction device 100, 100A, 100B).

[Feature 2]
the notification unit does not notify the timing when controlling the operation of the heating unit using the first heating profile.
2. The suction device according to claim 1.

[Feature 3]
The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user within a predetermined period of time.
2. The suction device according to claim 1.

[Feature 4]
the first and second heating profiles include a first temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased from the start of heating, a temperature drop period in which the temperature of the heating unit is decreased after the first temperature rise period, and a second temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased again after the temperature drop period;
The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user during a second heating period, which is the predetermined period.
4. The suction device according to feature 3.

[Feature 5]
The second heating profile has a second temperature rise period, which is the predetermined period, that is shorter than the second temperature rise period of the first heating profile, and a temperature rise rate in the second temperature rise period is faster than that of the first heating profile.
5. The suction device according to claim 4.

[Feature 6]
Further comprising a communication unit (communication unit 115, 115A, 115B) for communication connection with a user terminal (user terminal 200),
The communication unit receives a request signal from the user terminal requesting notification of the timing to a user;
The notification unit notifies the timing when the request signal is received.
6. The suction device according to any one of features 1 to 5.

[Feature 7]
A control method executed by an inhalation device including a heating unit (heating unit 121, 121A, 121B) that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate (cartridge 120, stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source, a control unit (control unit 116, 116A, 116B) that controls the operation of the heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the substrate, and a notification unit (notification unit 113, 113A, 113B) that notifies a user of a timing when it is recommended to inhale the aerosol,
When controlling the operation of the heating unit using a second heating profile used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by a user, a step of notifying each of the plurality of predetermined timings (steps S309, S311, and S313).
Control methods.

[Feature 8]
The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user within a predetermined period of time.
8. The control method according to feature 7.

[Feature 9]
the first and second heating profiles include a first temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased from the start of heating, a temperature drop period in which the temperature of the heating unit is decreased after the first temperature rise period, and a second temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased again after the temperature drop period;
The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user during a second heating period, which is the predetermined period.
9. The control method according to feature 8.

[Feature 10]
The second heating profile has a second temperature rise period, which is the predetermined period, that is shorter than the second temperature rise period of the first heating profile, and a temperature rise rate in the second temperature rise period is faster than that of the first heating profile.
10. The control method according to feature 9.

[Feature 11]
The suction device further includes a communication unit (communication units 115, 115A, 115B) that communicates with a user terminal (user terminal 200),
The method further includes a step of receiving a request signal from the user terminal requesting notification of the timing to a user (step S308);
In the step of notifying the timing, when the request signal is received, the timing is notified.
11. The control method according to any one of features 7 to 10.

[Feature 12]
an inhalation device (inhalation device 100, 100A, 100B) that generates an aerosol by controlling the operation of a heating section (heating section 121, 121A, 121B) based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or target resistance value over time when heating a substrate (cartridge 120, stick-shaped substrate 150) containing an aerosol source;
A user terminal (user terminal 200) that is communicatively connected to the suction device,
The user terminal transmits to the inhalation device a second heating profile used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by the user;
the inhalation device notifies each of a plurality of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended when controlling the operation of the heating unit using the second heating profile received from the user terminal.
Control system.

[Feature 13]
The user terminal,
receiving data from the suction device regarding a heating state, which is a state of operation of the heating unit using the second heating profile;
notifying each of a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation of the aerosol based on the data on the heating state;
13. The control system according to claim 12.

[Feature 14]
The user terminal includes a display unit (output unit 220) capable of displaying predetermined information,
The display unit displays information regarding each of a plurality of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended.
14. The control system according to feature 13.

[Feature 15]
the user terminal transmits, to the suction device, a request signal requesting notification of the timing to a user;
The suction device notifies the timing when the request signal is received.
15. A control system according to any one of features 12 to 14.

100 Suction device 110 Power supply unit 111 Power supply section 112 Sensor section 113 Notification section 114 Storage section 115 Communication section 116 Control section (computer)
120 Cartridge (substrate), 121 Heating section, 122 Liquid guide section, 123 Liquid storage section 124 Mouthpiece 130 Flavoring cartridge, 131 Flavor source 140 Storage section, 141 Internal space, 142 Opening, 143 Bottom section 150 Stick-shaped substrate (substrate), 151 Substrate section, 152 Mouthpiece section 180 Air flow path 200 User terminal 210 Input section 220 Output section, 221 Information indicating the number of puffs, 222 Icon, 223 Bar, 224 Text, 225 Icon 230 Detection section 240 Communication section 250 Storage section 260 Control section 300 Server

Claims (15)

a heating section for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source to generate an aerosol;
a control unit that controls an operation of the heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the base material;
A notification unit that notifies a user of a timing when inhalation of the aerosol is recommended,
the notification unit notifies each of the plurality of predetermined timings when controlling the operation of the heating unit using a second heating profile used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by a user.
Suction device. the notification unit does not notify the timing when controlling the operation of the heating unit using the first heating profile.
2. The suction device of claim 1. The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user within a predetermined period of time.
2. The suction device of claim 1. the first and second heating profiles include a first temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased from the start of heating, a temperature drop period in which the temperature of the heating unit is decreased after the first temperature rise period, and a second temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased again after the temperature drop period;
The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user during a second heating period, which is the predetermined period.
4. The suction device according to claim 3. The second heating profile has a second temperature rise period, which is the predetermined period, that is shorter than the second temperature rise period of the first heating profile, and a temperature rise rate in the second temperature rise period is faster than that of the first heating profile.
5. The suction device according to claim 4. A communication unit that is communicatively connected to a user terminal,
The communication unit receives a request signal from the user terminal requesting notification of the timing to a user;
The notification unit notifies the timing when the request signal is received.
6. A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A control method executed by an inhalation device including: a heating unit that generates an aerosol by heating a substrate containing an aerosol source; a control unit that controls an operation of the heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when the heating unit heats the substrate; and a notification unit that notifies a user of a timing when it is recommended to inhale the aerosol,
When controlling the operation of the heating unit using a second heating profile used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by a user, notifying each of the plurality of predetermined timings.
Control methods. The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user within a predetermined period of time.
The control method according to claim 7. the first and second heating profiles include a first temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased from the start of heating, a temperature drop period in which the temperature of the heating unit is decreased after the first temperature rise period, and a second temperature rise period in which the temperature of the heating unit is increased again after the temperature drop period;
The second heating profile includes a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation to a user during a second heating period, which is the predetermined period.
The control method according to claim 8. The second heating profile has a second temperature rise period, which is the predetermined period, that is shorter than the second temperature rise period of the first heating profile, and a temperature rise rate in the second temperature rise period is faster than that of the first heating profile.
The control method according to claim 9. The suction device further includes a communication unit that is communicatively connected to a user terminal,
The method further includes receiving a request signal from the user terminal requesting notification of the timing to a user;
In the step of notifying the timing, when the request signal is received, the timing is notified.
A control method according to any one of claims 7 to 10. an aspirator that generates an aerosol by controlling the operation of a heating unit based on a first heating profile that indicates a target temperature or a target resistance value over time when heating a substrate containing an aerosol source;
a user terminal in communication with the suction device;
The user terminal transmits to the inhalation device a second heating profile used for evaluating the taste of the aerosol by the user;
the inhalation device notifies each of a plurality of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended when controlling the operation of the heating unit using the second heating profile received from the user terminal.
Control system. The user terminal,
receiving data from the suction device regarding a heating state, which is a state of operation of the heating unit using the second heating profile;
notifying each of a plurality of timings for recommending inhalation of the aerosol based on the data on the heating state;
13. The control system of claim 12. the user terminal includes a display unit capable of displaying predetermined information;
The display unit displays information regarding each of a plurality of timings at which inhalation of the aerosol is recommended.
14. The control system of claim 13. the user terminal transmits, to the suction device, a request signal requesting notification of the timing to a user;
The suction device notifies the timing when the request signal is received.
A control system according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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