WO2022201419A1

WO2022201419A1 - Inhalation device, capsule, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2022201419A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/012507
Authority: WO
Inventors: 彩子鷹谷; 俊一横田; 雅俊千住; 美紀若松
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-03-25
Filing date: 2021-03-25
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: JPWO2022201419A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a flavor inhalation experience tailored to a user's taste even by an inhalation device that atomizes an aerosol source mixed with a flavor source. This inhalation device is provided with: a power supply unit provided with a power supply part; a heating part that receives the supply of power from the power supply part to atomize an aerosol source; an aerosol source storage cartridge provided with an aerosol source storage part for storing the aerosol source; and a flavor source storage cartridge provided with a flavor source storage part to which one or more capsules each including a flavor source enclosed by an outer coating film can be attached. The present invention is configured such that when the outer coating film is broken by external force applied to each capsule in a state in which the flavor source storage cartridge is attached to the aerosol source storage cartridge, each flavor source released is mixed with the aerosol source in the aerosol source storage part in communication with the flavor source storage part, and the aerosol source mixed with the flavor source is atomized by the heating part.

Description

Suction device, capsule, information processing system, information processing method, and program

The present disclosure relates to a suction device, a capsule, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Suction devices that generate flavored gas are widespread and used by many users. Examples of inhalation devices are aerosol generating devices including e-cigarettes and nebulizers. Aerosol generators are usually fitted with elements that contribute to the generation of gas. Examples of such elements are containers containing an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and/or a flavor source for flavoring the aerosol. Each time the aerosol generating device is used to generate gas, the contents of the container will be consumed.

An aerosol generator is known in which a desired flavor is imparted by contacting an atomized aerosol with a flavor component. For example, a device is known in which one or more capsules containing flavor components are placed inside, and the capsules are deformed by the user's smoking, so that the user can check the change in flavor over time. (Patent Document 1). Also, there is known a device in which a user customizes and uses a desired one from a plurality of encapsulated aroma carriers (Patent Document 2).

JP 2015-122990 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-512617

It is desirable to provide a flavor inhalation experience that matches the user's preferences even in an aerosol generator that atomizes an aerosol source mixed with a flavor source. Specifically, it is desirable to be able to know in advance what flavor the user will experience before the flavor source is mixed with the aerosol source.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide an inhalation device that atomizes an aerosol source mixed with a flavor source, the flavor being experienced by the user being able to be known and adjusted in advance. . Specifically, one of the objects is to provide an inhaler capable of estimating in advance the information of the flavor source in the attached capsule and/or the information of the flavor realized as a result of atomization. Another object of the present invention is to provide a flavor source-encapsulated capsule that can be attached to such an inhaler. In addition, another object is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of executing the above process and presenting the determined information to the user.

In order to solve the problems described above, according to the present disclosure, a suction device is provided in a first aspect. The suction device includes a power supply unit including a power supply unit, a heating unit that receives power from the power supply unit to atomize the aerosol source, an aerosol source storage cartridge that includes an aerosol source storage unit that stores the aerosol source, and an external a flavor source containing cartridge having a flavor source containing portion to which one or more capsules encapsulating a flavor source with a skin can be attached. Then, when an external force is applied to each capsule in a state where the flavor source containing cartridge is attached to the aerosol source containing cartridge and each outer film is crushed, each released flavor source communicates with the flavor source containing portion. The aerosol source, which is mixed with the aerosol source in the aerosol source housing section and mixed with the flavor source, is configured to be atomized by the heating section.

According to such a suction device, the user can grasp in advance the flavor that will be inhaled. Specifically, information about the flavor source within the attached capsule and/or the flavor information that the user will experience as a result of atomization can be predetermined. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with a sufficient flavor inhaling experience.

The suction device of the second aspect is the suction device of the first aspect, wherein the capsule has an identification element for identifying the capsule, and each capsule contained in the flavor source container is identified through the identification element. Thus, information on each capsule may be determined.

The suction device of the third aspect is the suction device of the second aspect, and the identification element may be associated with the type of capsule.

The suction device of the fourth aspect may be the suction device of the third aspect, in which the outer shell of the capsule is colored with a color associated with the type of capsule.

A suction device according to a fifth aspect is the suction device according to the second to fourth aspects, wherein the flavor source containing cartridge further includes a window through which each capsule contained in the flavor source container is identified. may be configured to be detectable from the outside of the flavor source containing cartridge.

Further, according to the present disclosure, in a sixth aspect, there is provided a capsule for use in the suction devices of the first to fifth aspects.

According to such a capsule, it is possible to effectively provide the user with a flavor inhalation experience that suits the user's taste.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, in the seventh aspect, an information processing system including a suction device and an information processing device is provided. In such an information processing system, the suction device contains a heating section that atomizes the aerosol source mixed with the flavor source, a flavor source housing section that holds one or more attachable capsules, and the aerosol source. an aerosol source containing portion that receives and mixes each released flavor source with the aerosol source when an external force is applied to each capsule to fracture the outer shell. Further, the information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image of each capsule contained in the flavor source container, an identification element that each capsule has from the acquired image, and detects the detected identification element and the catalog and an output unit for outputting the determined information of each capsule.

According to such an information processing system, the user can grasp in advance the flavor that will be inhaled. Specifically, information about the flavor source within the attached capsule and/or the flavor information that the user will experience as a result of atomization can be predetermined. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with a sufficient flavor inhaling experience.

An information processing system according to an eighth aspect is the information processing system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the identification element of the capsule is associated with the type of capsule, and the outer shell of the capsule is colored in a color corresponding to the type of capsule, The processing unit may be configured to determine the type of the capsule according to the RGB values of the color of the outer coat contained in the acquired image.

An information processing system according to a ninth aspect is the information processing system according to the eighth aspect, wherein the processing unit discriminates a set of the type of each capsule contained in the flavor source container and the number of capsules for each type, based on the catalog. Then, the information of the flavor source is determined for each type, and the output unit outputs the determined information of the flavor source for each type.

An information processing system of a tenth aspect is the information processing system of the ninth aspect, wherein the processing unit estimates the flavor during operation of the suction device based on the discriminated set of capsules and the catalog, and the output unit estimates It may be configured to output the flavor information obtained.

An information processing system of an eleventh aspect is the information processing system of the tenth aspect, wherein the information processing device further includes a first communication unit for communicating with the suction device, and the processing unit is estimated based on the catalog. It may be configured to determine a heating profile associated with the flavor obtained and, via the first communication unit, instruct the suction device to set the determined heating profile.

An information processing system of a twelfth aspect is the information processing system of the tenth aspect or the eleventh aspect, wherein the catalog defines flavor scores according to combinations of an arbitrary number of capsule types, and the processing unit comprises: determining a flavor score for the estimated flavor for the determined set of capsules based on and determining another set that is closest to the determined set of capsules based on the determined flavor score; , may be configured to output another set of determined capsules.

An information processing system according to a thirteenth aspect is the information processing system according to the ninth to twelfth aspects, wherein the information processing device further includes an input unit, and the processing unit inputs the determined set of capsules in advance by the input unit. A determination may be made as to whether or not there is a match with the registered desired pair, and the output unit may be configured to output the determination result.

An information processing system of a fourteenth aspect is the information processing system of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the processing unit extracts sales information for each capsule type based on the catalog, and based on the extracted sales information, Additional information associated with the capsule may be determined, and the output unit may be configured to display the determined additional information.

An information processing system according to a fifteenth aspect is the information processing system according to the ninth to fourteenth aspects, wherein the catalog defines the degree of similarity between any two capsule types, and the processing unit defines in the catalog Based on the obtained similarity, the type of another capsule associated with the type of each capsule contained in the flavor source container is identified, and the output unit outputs information about the type of each of the identified different capsules. may be configured to

An information processing system according to a sixteenth aspect is the information processing system according to the ninth to fifteenth aspects, wherein the processing unit includes, based on a catalog, a predetermined flavor source contained in the flavor source of each capsule housed in the flavor source housing unit. The sum of the amounts of the components may be calculated, the sum of the predetermined amount of the components may be compared to a predetermined threshold, and the output may be configured to display the result of the comparison.

An information processing system of a seventeenth aspect is the information processing system of the seventh to sixteenth aspects, further comprising a server, a second communication unit for connecting the information processing device to the server, and a second communication The department may be configured to receive catalog delivery from the server.

Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided in the eighteenth aspect. Such an information processing method includes the steps of acquiring an image of one or more capsules contained in a flavor source container of a suction device, and identifying each capsule contained in the flavor source container, comprising: A step of detecting an identification element attached to each capsule from the acquired image, and a step of determining a set of the type of each capsule and the number of each type based on the detected identification element, determining, using the catalog, flavor source information for each identified capsule; and using the catalog, the determined set of capsules and the determined flavor source information for each capsule. , a step of estimating a flavor during operation of the suction device, and a step of outputting information on the estimated flavor.

According to this information processing method, the user can grasp in advance the flavor that will be inhaled. Specifically, information about the flavor source in the attached capsule and/or the flavor information that the user will experience as a result of atomization can be predetermined. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with a sufficient flavor inhaling experience.

The information processing method of the nineteenth aspect is the information processing method of the eighteenth aspect, further comprising the step of determining a heating profile associated with the estimated flavor, and instructing the suction device to operate based on the heating profile. and a step.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, in the twentieth aspect, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method of the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect.

1 shows a configuration example of a suction device according to an embodiment. 1B shows a configuration example of the suction device of FIG. 1A. 1B shows an example configuration of a capsule that can be attached to the suction device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B shows a configuration example in which the capsule of FIG. 2 is attached to the suction device of FIG. 1A. 1 illustrates a configuration example of an information processing system according to an embodiment; 1 shows a hardware configuration example of an information processing terminal. 1 shows an example of hardware configuration of a server. 5 shows a functional configuration example implemented in the information processing system of FIG. 4 ; FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration example of a processing unit included in an information processing terminal; 4 shows a processing flow of an example of processing steps of an information processing method according to an embodiment; 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on an information processing terminal; 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on an information processing terminal; FIG. 10 shows a partial processing flow of a modification of the information processing method of FIG. 9; FIG. FIG. 10 shows a partial processing flow of a modification of the information processing method of FIG. 9; FIG. FIG. 10 shows a partial processing flow of a modification of the information processing method of FIG. 9; FIG. FIG. 10 shows a partial processing flow of a modification of the information processing method of FIG. 9; FIG. FIG. 10 shows a partial processing flow of a modification of the information processing method of FIG. 9; FIG. FIG. 10 shows a partial processing flow of a modification of the information processing method of FIG. 9; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions of the same or similar elements may be omitted in the description of each embodiment. Also, the features shown in each embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as long as they are not mutually contradictory. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic and do not necessarily correspond to actual dimensions, proportions, and the like. Even between the drawings, there are cases where portions with different dimensional relationships and ratios are included.

(1) Configuration of Inhalation Device An inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that generates a substance that is inhaled by a user without combustion, and includes an aerosol generation device such as an electronic cigarette or a nebulizer. In particular, inhalation devices broadly include various aerosol generating devices for generating an aerosol or flavored aerosol for inhalation by a user. The inhalant source produced can include non-visible vapors as well as aerosols.

The following describes an example of an aerosol generator that generates a flavored aerosol by atomizing an aerosol source that is premixed with a flavor source.

1A and 1B are schematic diagrams schematically showing a configuration example of the aerosol generator 100. FIG. FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of a configuration example of the aerosol generating device 100. FIG. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the aerosol generating device 100, and some functions thereof are indicated by blocks.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the aerosol generating device 100 is a device that allows a user to inhale a flavored aerosol without combustion, and extends in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as the longitudinal direction A). It has a bar shape extending along it. The aerosol generator 100 is provided along the longitudinal direction A with a power supply unit 110 , an aerosol source containing cartridge 120 , a flavor source containing cartridge 130 and a mouthpiece 140 .

The aerosol source housing cartridge 120 can be attached to the power supply unit 110 . Also, the flavor source containing cartridge 130 can be attached to the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 . Furthermore, a mouthpiece 140 can be attached to the flavor source containing cartridge 130 .

The power supply unit 110 supplies power to operate the aerosol generator 100 . The power supply unit 110 includes an operation unit 118 (for example, buttons) that can be operated by the user on the case portion. After assembling the power supply unit 110 , the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 , the flavor source containing cartridge 130 , and the mouthpiece 140 , the user operates the operation section 118 to turn on the aerosol generator 100 . This makes the aerosol generator 100 operable.

The aerosol source housing cartridge 120 houses the aerosol source inside. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 110, the aerosol source housed inside the aerosol source housing cartridge 120 is heated and atomized without combustion. Further, the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 receives the flavor source discharged from the flavor source containing cartridge 130 and mixes the aerosol source and the flavor source.

The flavor source containing cartridge 130 can be fitted with one or more capsules 135 containing a flavor source with an outer coating. The flavor source containing cartridge 130 may have a transparent window 134 in the case portion. Through the window 134 , the attached capsule 135 can be visually recognized from the outside of the flavor source containing cartridge 130 .

It should be noted that providing the window 134 is optional, and any configuration may be adopted as long as the capsule 135 mounted inside can be visually recognized from the outside when the aerosol generating device 100 is assembled. Instead of or in addition to providing the window 134, the capsule 135 is made visible through an opening (not shown) provided on the mouthpiece 140 side of the flavor source containing cartridge 130 with the mouthpiece 140 removed. good too. Alternatively, the flavor source containing cartridge 130 itself may be made of a transparent member so that the capsule 135 can be viewed from the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the power supply unit 110 of the aerosol generation device 100 includes a power supply unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, and a control unit 116. The aerosol source containing cartridge 120 includes a heating portion 121 , a liquid guiding portion 122 and an aerosol source containing portion (liquid storage portion) 123 . Flavor source containing cartridge 130 includes flavor source containing portion 131 . One or more capsules 135 encapsulating a flavor source with an outer coating are replaceably accommodated inside the flavor source accommodating portion 131 .

An air flow path 180 is formed in the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 , the flavor source containing cartridge 130 and the mouthpiece 140 .

The power supply unit 111 of the power supply unit 110 accumulates power. The power supply unit 111 supplies power to each component of the aerosol generation device 100 based on control by the control unit 116 . The power supply unit 111 is preferably composed of, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

The sensor unit 112 acquires various information for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a microphone condenser, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires a value associated with suction by the user. In another example, the sensor unit 112 may be configured by an input device such as a button and/or switch of the operation unit 118 that accepts input of information from the user.

The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 includes, for example, a light emitting device including one or more light emitting elements (e.g., LED (Light Emitting Diode)), a display device (e.g., display) that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound (e.g., , speaker), or a vibration device that vibrates.

The storage unit 114 stores various information for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The storage unit 114 stores information such as a heating profile that defines a temporal change in temperature of the heating unit 121 in order to operate the aerosol generating device 100 and supply power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. . Further, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a heating section (not shown) capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge 130, and the storage section 114 stores information on a heating profile for operating the heating section. good too. The storage unit 114 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.

The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Such communication standards include, for example, LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), mobile communication networks such as 5G, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). may be adopted. Also, communication with an external device may be performed by connecting a cable such as a micro USB (Universal Serial Bus) through the terminal.

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

For example, when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started a series of puff actions and/or that predetermined information has been input after the power is turned on by the operation unit 118, the control unit 116 turns on the power supply. It is preferable to cause the unit 111 to start supplying power to the heating unit 121 . On the other hand, when the sensor unit 112A detects that the user has finished the series of puffing operations and/or that predetermined information has been input, the control unit 116 instructs the power supply unit 111 to It is better to stop the supply of power to

The heating unit 121 of the aerosol source housing cartridge 120 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and generate an aerosol. Here, the heating portion 121 is composed of a coil and wound around the liquid guiding portion 122 . When the heating part 121 is supplied with power from the power supply part 111 and generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guiding part 122 is atomized to generate an aerosol.

In FIG. 1B, the heating unit 121 is configured integrally with the aerosol source housing cartridge 120, but is not limited to this, and the heating unit 121 may be separate from the aerosol source housing cartridge 120. Further, as described above, the aerosol generator 100 may include a heating section (not shown) capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge 130 in addition to the heating section 121 that heats the aerosol source.

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

The liquid storage unit 123 is an aerosol source storage unit that stores the aerosol source. Aerosol sources are, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. The aerosol source may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived additives (including flavoring ingredients). Note that if the aerosol generating device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug. In this embodiment, the aerosol source mixed with the flavor source is atomized.

The flavor source containing portion 131 of the flavor source containing cartridge 130 contains and holds one or more capsules 135 . Capsule 135 is user attachable. In other words, the user can select the type and number of capsules 135 and attach them to the flavor source storage section 131 . Thereby, the user can give the aerosol a flavor that suits his or her taste.

The user attaches one or more desired capsules 135 (described later) to the flavor source storage section 131 through an opening (not shown) provided at the end on the mouthpiece 140 side. The capsule 135 once installed may be removed by the user and replaced with another capsule 135 . Alternatively, the entire flavor source containing portion 131 containing the capsule 135 in advance may be removed from or attached to the flavor source containing cartridge 130 through an opening (not shown) provided at the end on the mouthpiece 140 side. .

The air flow path 180 is a flow path of air sucked by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inlet hole 181 as an air entrance into the air flow path 180 and an air outflow hole 182 as an air outlet from the air flow path 180 at both ends. Here, in the middle of the air flow path 180, the liquid guide portion 122 is arranged on the upstream side (the side close to the air inflow hole 181), and the flavor source storage portion 131 is arranged on the downstream side (the side close to the air outflow hole 182). are placed. As the user sucks air, the air flowing in from the air inlet 181 is mixed with the flavored aerosol generated by the heating unit 121 and transported to the air outlet 182 as indicated by arrow 190.

The mouthpiece 140 is a member held by the user during the suction operation. An air outlet hole 182 is arranged in the mouthpiece 140 . The user can take the mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity by holding the mouthpiece 140 and sucking. The mouthpiece 140 is preferably detachable from the flavor source containing cartridge 130 . In this case, the end of the mouthpiece 140 that contacts the flavor source containing cartridge 130 may be provided with a liquid-leakage prevention material.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is preferable for the user to apply an external force to the capsule 135 before attaching the mouthpiece 140 to the flavor source containing cartridge 130 (described later).

When the flavor source containing cartridge 130 is attached to the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 , the aerosol source containing portion 123 and the flavor source containing portion 131 are communicated with each other through the communicating portion 129 . Specifically, when the flavor source containing cartridge 130 is attached to the aerosol source containing cartridge 120, the opening (not shown) provided in the aerosol source containing portion 123 and the opening (not shown) provided in the flavor source containing portion 131 are separated. configured to be aligned; As a result, the aerosol source housing portion 123 and the flavor source housing portion 131 are communicated with each other by the communicating portion 129 . As a result, the flavor source released from the flavor source storage section 131 flows into the aerosol source storage section 123 through the communication section 129 (an arrow indicated with reference to reference numeral 129).

From the viewpoint of safety, the aerosol source storage unit 123 is preferably provided with an outflow prevention mechanism that prevents the stored aerosol source from flowing out of the opening. For example, a very small check valve (not shown) may be provided at the opening of the aerosol source container 123 . In another example, a lid that can be opened and closed is provided at the opening of the aerosol source storage section 123, and the opening of the aerosol source storage section 123 is opened only when the flavor source storage cartridge 130 is attached to the aerosol source storage cartridge 120. You may make it

It should be noted that the manner of connecting the aerosol source housing portion 123 and the flavor source housing portion 131 is not limited to the above. In addition to the above, when the flavor source cartridge 130 is attached to the aerosol source cartridge 120, the aerosol source storage section 123 and the flavor source storage section 131 do not have to communicate with each other. In this case, it is preferable that the aerosol source accommodating portion 123 and the flavor source accommodating portion 131 are communicated with each other at the same time as the user applies an external force to the capsule.

For example, when a rod-shaped jig is inserted from the outside into the capsule in the aerosol source housing portion 123 to crush it (described later), the jig should be able to break through the connection surface of the aerosol source housing portion 123 in the insertion direction. may In another example, a part of the connection surface of the aerosol source housing part 123 is formed of a dissolvable material such as paper, and when the flavor source in the capsule flows toward the connection surface, the connection surface A part may be dissolved. As a result, the aerosol source storage section 123 and the flavor source storage section 131 can be communicated for the first time when the user applies an external force to the capsule.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an inhalation device, such as one that atomizes an aerosol source mixed with a flavor source, is configured to attach a capsule at the user's option, thereby adjusting the flavor experienced by the user. can be grasped in advance. If the user then determines that the desired results are not being obtained, the user can replace with another capsule. This can improve the flavor inhalation experience provided to the user.

The configuration example of the suction device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to the above, and can take various configurations as exemplified below.

For example, the aerosol generator 100 may not include the flavor source containing cartridge 130. Alternatively, the flavor source containing cartridge 130 may be contained within the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 . In this case, the mouthpiece 140 is detachably attached to the aerosol source cartridge 120 .

The mouthpiece 140 may be formed integrally with the flavor source containing cartridge 130 instead of being provided separately from the flavor source containing cartridge 130 .

The aerosol source containing cartridge 120 may contain a plurality of types of aerosol sources. Further types of aerosols may be generated by mixing multiple types of aerosols generated from multiple types of aerosol sources and causing chemical reactions in the air flow path 180 .

The means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121. Alternatively, for example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be by vibrational atomization or induction heating. Moreover, although only one heating unit 121 is provided in the example of FIG. 1B, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a plurality of heating units. For example, in addition to the heating section 121, the aerosol generating device 100 may include a heating section (not shown) capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge .

(2) Configuration of Capsule A capsule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The capsule 135 is used in the aerosol generator 100 and is housed in the flavor source housing section 131 of the flavor source housing cartridge 130 .

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration example of the capsule 135. FIG. The illustrated capsule 135 is generally spherical and has an outer skin 136 enclosing a flavor source. The capsule 135 may have any size and shape as long as it can be accommodated in the flavor source accommodation section 131, and can be deformed.

The capsule 135 is preferably a breakable capsule in which the outer coating 136 is crushed and the flavor source is released from the outer coating 136 when an external force is applied. An example of a breakable capsule is a seamless capsule, which may be made by existing methods.

The flavor source contained in the capsule 135 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. Any flavor component may be used as the flavor source, and may include tobacco-derived flavor components such as nicotine and tobacco extract, or non-tobacco-derived flavor components. Examples of flavoring ingredients are menthol, limonene, linalool, menthone, 2,5-dimethylpyridine, 2,6-dimethylpyridine and the like. In the following it is assumed that the flavor source is liquid, but the flavor source may be solid.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a state in which three capsules 135 shown in FIG. 2 are attached to the flavor source containing cartridge 130 of the aerosol generator 100 shown in FIG. 1A. Through a window 134 provided in the flavor source containing cartridge 130, the capsule 135 contained inside the flavor source containing portion 131 can be visually recognized.

As described above, when the flavor source containing cartridge 130 is attached to the aerosol source containing cartridge 120 and an external force (F, F') is applied to each capsule 135, the outer film 136 is crushed and the flavor source is released. be done. One or more flavor sources released from flavor source storage section 131 flow into aerosol source storage section 123 through communication section 129 .

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol source housing portion 123 receives the flavor source that has flowed through the communication portion 129 , resulting in the flavor source being mixed with the aerosol source in the aerosol source housing portion 123 , resulting in the flavor in the aerosol source. source is dissolved. Then, the aerosol source mixed with the flavor source is heated by the heating unit 121 to be atomized. As a result, a flavored aerosol is generated.

The crushed outer coating may dissolve in the aerosol source together with the flavor source, or may remain without dissolving in the aerosol source. Alternatively, the crushed outer coating may remain inside the flavor source container 131 so that only the flavor source is mixed with the aerosol source.

The act of applying an external force (F, F') to the capsule 135 is, for example, the user pinching the flavor source containing cartridge 130 portion of the aerosol generating device 100 with two fingers, and then pressing the outside of the case of the flavor source containing cartridge 130. It is preferable to press the flavor source containing cartridge 130 from the bottom. For this purpose, the case of the flavor source containing cartridge 130 is preferably made of a flexible resin material such as cigarette filter material.

In another example, the act of applying an external force to the capsule 135 may be performed using a jig (for example, a rod-shaped jig). The jig may be built into the aerosol generator 100 or may be separate from the aerosol generator 100 .

For example, a rod-shaped jig may be arranged along the longitudinal direction A from the bottom surface on the power supply unit 110 side inside the flavor source containing cartridge 130 . After the user accommodates the capsule 135 in the flavor source accommodation part 131, when attaching the mouthpiece 140, the flavor source accommodation part 131 is moved inside the case of the flavor source accommodation cartridge 130 so as to push the flavor source accommodation part 131. . Thereby, a rod-shaped jig arranged in the moving direction may be inserted into the capsule 135 to crush the capsule 135 .

Instead of this, the user inserts a rod-shaped jig into the flavor source storage section 131 from an opening (not shown) provided at the end of the flavor source storage section 131 on the mouthpiece 140 side, Capsule 135 may be crushed. After crushing the capsule 135, the user attaches the mouthpiece 140 while preventing the flavor source from leaking from the opening.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, capsule 135 has an identification element for identifying it. Once the capsule 135 contained in the flavor source container 131 is identified through the identification element, the information of the capsule 135 can be determined. This allows the user to easily grasp information about the attached capsule 135 .

For example, identification elements should be associated with various information such as capsule type, sales area, sales period, manufacturer, and price. In particular, the identification element may be associated with the type of capsule. This allows the user to easily grasp the flavor source corresponding to the type of capsule and the flavor experienced by the user through atomization.

Examples of capsule types include, but are not limited to, "menthol capsules," "vanilla-flavored capsules," "coffee-flavored capsules," "limonene capsules," "regular capsules," and "nicotine capsules." ” etc.

An example of an identification element is the color of the capsule 135. In particular, capsule 135 is colored with a color associated with its outer skin 136 . When it is determined that the color of the capsule 135 recognized from the outside is a predetermined color, the type of capsule is determined according to the color. Also, the flavor source corresponding to the type of capsule is discriminated.

It should be noted that when the color of the capsule 135 is recognized from the outside, the color of the capsule 135 recognized changes depending on the surrounding conditions such as the degree of light. Therefore, although the color of the capsule 135 is originally the same, the perceived color of the capsule 135 may change depending on the surrounding conditions. Therefore, when determining the type of the capsule 135 based on the color of the capsule 135 recognized from the outside, it is determined whether the color of the capsule 135 recognized from the outside is within a predetermined range. , the type of capsule is preferably determined according to the predetermined range.

The capsule 135 housed in the flavor source housing portion 131 is visible from the outside of the flavor source housing cartridge 130 through the window 134, and the flavor source housing cartridge 130 is imaged through a camera or the like of a user terminal such as a smartphone. The identification elements of the capsule 135 are then detected by performing processing of the captured image.

Any color may be added to the capsule 135 as an identification element as long as the RGB values of the capsule 135 recognized by the user terminal can be determined in the captured image. Also, when two or more capsules 135 are accommodated in the flavor source accommodating portion 131, two or more RGB values are discriminated to discriminate a set of the capsule type and the number of each type. good.

When capturing an image of the capsule 135, the color of the capsule 135 in the captured image may change depending on the imaging conditions and surrounding conditions. Therefore, although the color of the capsule 135 is originally the same, the color of the capsule 135 in the captured image may change, and as a result, the RGB values of the capsule 135 determined by the user terminal may change. be. Therefore, when determining the capsule type based on the RGB values of the capsule 135, it is determined whether the RGB values of the capsule 135 determined by the user terminal are within a predetermined range. Preferably, the type of capsule is discriminated according to the range of .

A configuration example of the capsule 135 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the capsule 135 is not limited to the above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below can be adopted.

In addition to coloring the outer coating of the identification element as described above, or alternatively, the flavor source contained therein may be colored. In this case, information on the flavor source corresponding to each capsule 135 may be determined from the state after the contents of each capsule 135 are mixed.

Instead of the color of the capsule 135, the identification element is a code such as a barcode (including QR code (registered trademark)) printed on the capsule 135, and an RFID (radio frequency identifier) attached to the capsule 135. tags or chips.

When two or more capsules 135 are accommodated in the flavor source accommodating portion 131, in addition to the set of the capsule type and the number of capsules for each type, an arrangement such as the order of arrangement inside the flavor source accommodating portion 131. may be included in the object of discrimination processing.

The capsule 135 is sold together with or separately from the main body of the aerosol generator 100 (including the power supply unit 110, the aerosol source containing cartridge 120, and the flavor source containing cartridge 130). When the capsules 135 are sold separately from the main body of the aerosol generating device 100, each capsule 135 may be sold individually, or a plurality of capsules may be sold as a set for each capsule type. good. Alternatively, a set in which a plurality of capsules 135 of a plurality of types are packed in advance may be sold. In addition to these, the flavor source container 131 pre-packed with the capsules 135 may be sold.

The user can select and purchase a capsule 135 having a favorite color and/or flavor source, and determine whether or not to actually use the capsule 135 according to the user's situation. can be done. That is, it is possible to provide the user with a flavor inhalation experience that matches his or her taste.

In addition, the capsule 135 will be effectively used, which is advantageous for manufacturers of the aerosol generating device or the capsule 135 as well. That is, the manufacturer can standardize, develop, and manufacture products of various types of capsules 135 according to market conditions and introduce them to the market, and can increase the variety of flavors provided to users. can.

(3) Configuration of information processing system The basic configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the system 1 using the aerosol generator 100 described above. The system 1 is an information processing system that includes an aerosol generator 100 , a user terminal 200 , a server 300 and

networks

400 and 500 .

The aerosol generating device 100 interacts with the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 executes an application 250 for registering or confirming various information regarding the capsule 135 attached to the aerosol generating device 100 . The server 300 cooperates with the application 250 on the user terminal 200 to manage various data related to the user and the application 250 . It should be understood by those skilled in the art that some processing of application 250 may be executed by server 300 .

The network 400 connects the aerosol generating device 100 and the user terminal 200. The connection may be a wireless connection or may be a wired connection. Also, the aerosol generating device 100 and the user terminal 200 may communicate with each other by taking images without going through the network 400 . The network 500 connects the user terminal 200 and the server 300 by a network including radio. In one example, the network may include the Internet. In addition, in the example of FIG. 4 , the aerosol generating device 100 is connected to the server 300 via the user terminal 200 . Alternatively, the aerosol generating device 100 may be directly connected to the server 300 using a mobile communication network such as 5G or a communication standard such as LPWA. In this case, the aerosol generating device 100 can transmit and receive data to and from the user terminal 200 via the server 300 .

A schematic configuration of the user terminal 200 and the server 300, which are components of the system 1, will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration example of the user terminal 200. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration example of the server 300. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 200 constitutes an information processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The user terminal 200 may be, for example, an electronic device such as a smart phone, tablet terminal, laptop computer, personal computer, feature phone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and the like. In addition, the example of the user terminal 200 shown in FIG. 5 assumes a smart phone.

The user terminal 200 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a touch panel 24, a communication interface 27, and an imaging section 28. These elements are electrically connected to each other via bus 29 .

The processor 21 is an arithmetic processing device that controls information processing, controls transmission and reception of data between elements, and executes the information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the processor 21 is a CPU, and executes a program such as the application 250 stored in the storage 23 and developed in the memory 22 to execute the information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to the CPU, the processor 21 of the user terminal 200 may also include a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) and the like.

The memory 22 includes a main memory realized by a volatile memory device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory realized by a non-volatile memory device such as a flash memory and a HDD (Hard Disc Drive). . The memory 22 is used as a work area or the like for the processor 21, and stores a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) executed when an OS (operating system) is started, various setting information, and the like.

The storage 23 stores programs for information processing by the processor 21, the OS, and the like. Also, a database storing various data used for program execution may be constructed in the storage 23 .

The touch panel 24 constitutes an input/output interface. The touch panel 24 constitutes a touch input section 25 and a display section 26 . The touch input unit 25 receives a user's touch operation on the touch panel 24 . The display unit 26 is realized by a liquid crystal display or the like.

The communication interface 27 connects the user terminal 200 to the

networks

400 and 500 and communicates with external devices. The communication interface 27 may include, for example, a near field communication interface such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and/or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). This enables communication with the aerosol generating device 100 .

The imaging unit 28 is composed of an in-camera and an out-camera within the user terminal 200 . That is, the imaging unit 28 has a camera function, and stores images and moving images captured by the user in the storage 23 .

A bus 29 connects each element and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals, and control signals. Those skilled in the art will understand that the user terminal 200 may include various elements in addition to these elements. For example, it may include positional information obtaining means for obtaining positional information of the user terminal 200 and activity amount obtaining means for obtaining the amount of activity of the user (for example, the number of steps, distance traveled, heart rate, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 6, the server 300 may be implemented using general-purpose computers such as workstations and personal computers, for example. Alternatively, it may be logically realized by cloud computing.

The server 300 comprises a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, an input/output interface 34, and a communication interface 35, and these elements are electrically connected to each other through a bus 39.

The processor 31, memory 32, storage 33, communication interface 35, and bus 39 are the same as the processor 21, memory 22, storage 23, communication interface 27, and bus 29 in the user terminal 200 shown in FIG. In the server 300, the input/output interface 14 receives input from information input devices such as a mouse and keyboard, and outputs to output devices such as a display.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the functional configuration implemented in the system 1 shown in FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the processing unit 240 of the user terminal 200 shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. The system 1 includes an aerosol generator 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a user terminal 200 shown in FIG. 5, and a server 300 shown in FIG.

　In addition, in FIGS. 7 and 8, only the main functional configuration implemented in each component of the system 1 is shown in blocks. Those skilled in the art will understand that the functional configuration implemented in the system 1 is not limited to these and may include other functions.

The aerosol generation device 100 includes a storage unit 114, a communication unit 115, and a control unit 116, which are also shown in FIG. 1B.

The storage unit 114 stores information on a heating profile that defines the mode of temperature change over time of the heating unit 121 in order to operate the aerosol generating device 100 by supplying power from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121. Further, when the aerosol generating device 100 includes a heating section capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge 130, the storage section 114 may store information regarding a heating profile for operating the heating section. Note that the heating profile does not necessarily have to be a form of temperature change over time, and may be information designating a constant temperature. The heating profile may include one or more types, and may be configured by controller 116 to enable the desired type of heating profile as appropriate.

The communication unit 115 receives instructions for setting the heating profile from the user terminal 200 via the network 400 .

The control unit 116 sets the instructed heating profile, and controls power supply from the power supply unit 111 to the heating unit 121 according to the heating profile. As a result, the temperature for heating the heating unit 121 is controlled. Further, when the aerosol generating device 100 includes a heating section capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge 130, the heating profile may control the temperature for heating the heating section. The setting of the heating profile may be performed by specifying one desired heating profile by the user terminal 200, or by receiving a file defining another heating profile from the user terminal 200 and setting the other heating profile. heating profile may be set.

The user terminal 200 includes a communication section 210 , an input section 220 , an acquisition section 230 , a processing section 240 and an output section 250 . The processing unit 240 also includes an object recognition unit 241 , a capsule identification unit 242 , a flavor source determination unit 243 , a flavor estimation unit 244 and a heating profile determination unit 245 .

The communication unit 210 supplies an instruction for setting the heating profile to the aerosol generation device 100 via the network 400 using the communication interface 27 . Communication unit 210 also receives distribution of a catalog from server 300 via network 500 through communication interface 27 .

The input unit 220 receives input of various information from the user through the touch input unit 25 of the touch panel 24 . On the other hand, the output unit 250 outputs the result of information processing by the processing unit 240 through the display unit 26 of the touch panel 24 .

The acquisition unit 230 acquires an image of each capsule 135 housed in the flavor source housing unit 131 by the imaging unit 28 through the window 134 provided in the case of the flavor source housing cartridge 130 of the aerosol generator 100 .

The object recognition unit 241 of the processing unit 240 processes the image acquired by the acquisition unit 230 and recognizes the existence (for example, shape and number) of each capsule 135 . Any algorithm can be employed for image processing as long as it can identify one or more identifying elements. For example, an object recognition or object detection algorithm based on AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology may be applied. Specifically, each capsule 135 may be detected through deep learning by a known CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) or RNN (Recurrent Neural Network).

The capsule identification unit 242 of the processing unit 240 detects identification elements that each capsule 135 has. When the identification element is the color of the capsule 135, the RGB (Red Green Blue) value of the outer coating 136 of the capsule 135 is determined. In one example, the color of capsule 135 is determined by integer values from 0 to 255 for each of the colors red, green, and blue.

Also, the capsule identification unit 242 determines information on the capsule 135 by referring to the catalog based on the detected identification element. The information on the capsule 135 also includes information on the type of capsule.

When two or more capsules 135 are stored in the flavor source storage section 131, the capsule identification section 242 preferably identifies a set of the type of each capsule 135 and the number of capsules for each type. Information on the determined capsule 135 is preferably output by the output unit 250 and presented to the user. This allows the user to easily grasp various types of information on the capsule 135 .

Here, it is preferable to determine the type of capsule according to the RGB values of the outer coating 136 of the capsule 135 . For example, assume that the determined RGB values of capsule 135 are (255, 8, 2). On the other hand, if the catalog prescribes that the red color (255, 0, 0) is associated with the capsule type "menthol capsule", the capsule identification unit 242 determines that the capsule type is " It can be identified as a menthol capsule. As a result, the output unit 250 preferably displays on the display unit 26 such as "The capsule currently set is a menthol capsule." In the catalog, each capsule type may be associated with a predetermined range of RGB values, and the capsule type is determined based on the predetermined range that includes the determined RGB values of the capsule 135. Better to

The flavor source determination unit 243 of the processing unit 240 determines information on the flavor source contained in the capsule 135 by referring to the catalog based on the information on the capsule 135 determined by the capsule identification unit 242. Information on the determined flavor source is preferably output by the output unit 250 and presented to the user. When two or more capsules 135 are stored in the flavor source storage unit 131, it is preferable to output the flavor source information to the output unit 250 for each capsule type. This allows the user to easily grasp the content of the flavor source corresponding to the type of capsule.

In the above-mentioned example in which "menthol/capsule" is determined, the flavor source determination unit 243 continues to refer to the catalog. Then, in relation to the determined type of "menthol capsule", it is possible to determine that the flavor source of the capsule 135 is mint (related to menthol).

The flavor estimation unit 244 of the processing unit 240 estimates the flavor generated during the operation of the aerosol generation device 100 by referring to the catalog based on the set of the type of each capsule 135 and the number of capsules for each type. With regard to the plurality of capsules 135, the flavor contents of arbitrary combinations of capsules are specified in the catalog in advance. By referring to pattern information defined in the catalog for a set of the type of each capsule 135 and the number of capsules for each type, the corresponding flavor can be estimated.

The relationship between the capsule combination pattern and the corresponding flavor may be specified in advance in the catalog, or a learning model may be generated in advance and the generated learning model may be used as the flavor estimation unit 244. may be constructed. Specifically, it is preferable to machine-learn the correlation between the combination of patterns and the content of the corresponding flavor using pre-obtained teacher data. At that time, the flavor information may be a numerical value defined according to a predetermined formula or experimental values. Thereby, the flavor estimating section 244 can estimate the details of the flavor according to the input of the capsule combination pattern, and output the result of the estimation.

For example, if it is determined that one "menthol capsule", one "limonene capsule", and one "menthol capsule" are accommodated in the flavor source accommodation unit 131, these It is estimated that 3 capsules achieve a "lemon-mint flavor".

The estimated flavor information is preferably output by the output unit 250 and presented to the user. This further allows the user to easily grasp the flavor that the user will experience during the puffing operation according to the combination of the capsules 135 .

The heating profile determination unit 245 of the processing unit 240 determines the heating profile associated with the estimated flavor by referring to the catalog. The heating profile defines temperature transitions of the heating unit 121 over time, for example, in order to supply power from the power supply unit 111 to heat the heating unit 121 . Further, when the aerosol generating device 100 includes a heating section capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge 130, the heating profile may define temperature transition of the heating section over time. Determining the heating profile may include determining variables such as the temperature range allowed during heating, the heating time, and the number of times of suction. It should be noted that the catalog prescribes that the optimum heating profile is associated in advance with the flavor. In addition, when the aerosol generating device 100 includes a heating unit capable of heating the flavor source containing cartridge 130, the catalog prescribes that the optimum heating profile for operating the heating unit is pre-associated with the flavor. You may have

The server 300 includes a communication unit 310 and a catalog registration unit 320.

The communication unit 310 distributes the catalog from the server 300 to the user terminal 200 via the network 500 using the communication interface 35 .

The catalog registration unit 320 receives catalog information registration through the input/output interface 34 . Catalog registration can be performed at any time the information in the catalog is updated, including when new capsule products are sold.

The catalog information includes general information about the capsule 135. For example, the catalog includes information on capsule types and their corresponding flavor sources, as well as color information (RGB values) associated with the capsule types. Note that the type of capsule may be associated with color information (RGB values) within a predetermined range. It also includes the product name of the capsule 135, sales information (sales area, price, sales period, etc.), detailed information on the content of the flavor source (sweetness, bitterness, stimulation, etc.), information on the main components of the flavor source, and the like. A score (similarity, etc.) in which the content of the flavor source is quantified may be included.

Furthermore, the catalog information includes flavor information that is realized when arbitrary capsules among the plurality of capsules 135 are combined. The catalog information may include a score (flavor score) in which the content of flavor is quantified. In addition, the catalog information includes information on heating profiles associated with flavors. In addition to these, the catalog may contain arbitrary items such as capsule type, sales area, sales period, manufacturer, and price.

The configuration example of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the information processing system is not limited to the system 1 described above, and various configurations such as those exemplified below can be adopted.

For example, if the flavor source (eg, flavor solution) in the capsule 135 itself is colored, the flavor estimating unit 244 may identify the flavor from the color image of the aerosol source in which the flavor source is dissolved. In this case, the catalog further pre-determines the relationship between the color and flavor of the liquid. Thereby, the accuracy of estimation in the flavor estimation unit 244 can be improved.

The aerosol generating device 100 may be provided with a camera. In this case, the image of the capsule 135 housed in the flavor source housing unit 131 is captured by the camera of the aerosol generating device 100 instead of the imaging unit 28 of the user terminal 200. You may make it

Some of the functions implemented by the processing unit 240 of the user terminal 200 may be executed by the server 300 via the network 500.

Instead of the catalog being distributed from the server 300 to the user terminal 200 via the network 500 and stored in the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 accesses the server 300 and refers to the catalog each time it uses the catalog. You may

(4) Configuration of information processing method A processing flow of the information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The processing flow is executed while the user terminal 200 cooperates with the aerosol generating device 100 and the server 300 through communication. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of example processing steps.

It should be noted that each processing step shown here is merely an example, and any other processing steps may be included without being limited to this. Also, the order of each processing step shown here is merely an example, and the order is not limited to this and may be arbitrary in some cases.

Before the processing flow is started, the user has assembled the aerosol generator 100 and accommodated the desired capsule 135 in the flavor source container 131 . When the processing flow is started, the object recognition unit 241 cooperates with the acquisition unit 230 to acquire an image of one or more capsules 135 accommodated in the flavor source accommodation unit 131 of the aerosol generation device 100, The presence of capsule 135 is recognized (step S10).

Subsequently, the capsule identification unit 242 identifies each capsule 135 accommodated in the flavor source accommodation unit 131. Specifically, first, the identification element attached to each capsule 135 is detected from the image acquired in S10 (step S20). Then, the detected identification element is determined (step S30). Here, the RGB values of the outer coating 136 of the capsule 135 are determined. Next, based on the detected identification element, a set of the type of each capsule and the number of capsules for each type is determined (step S40).

Next, the flavor source determination unit 243 determines the flavor source information of each capsule 135 identified in S10 to S30 regarding the type of each capsule by referring to the catalog (step S50).

In response to S50, the flavor estimating unit 244 refers to the catalog, based on the set of capsules 135 determined in S40 and the information on the flavor source of each capsule 135 determined in S50, to generate the aerosol generator. The flavor generated during the operation of 100 is estimated (step S60).

Then, the output unit 250 outputs various information acquired in S40 to S60 to the display unit 26 (step S70). In particular, the output section 250 preferably presents the flavor estimated in S60 to the user. In addition to or instead of outputting various information to the display unit 26 of the user terminal 200 in S70, all or part of the various information is sent to the aerosol generation device 100, and the notification unit 113 is used. may be notified to the user.

For the flavor estimated in S60, the heating profile determination unit 245 determines a heating profile associated with the flavor by referring to the catalog (step S80). It also instructs the aerosol generator 100 to set the aerosol generator 100 with the determined heating profile.

Alternatively, the heating profile associated with the flavor may be set in the aerosol generating device 100 by user selection. In this case, the output unit 250 outputs to the display unit 26 of the user terminal 200 information that enables selection of whether or not to switch to the heating profile determined by the heating profile determination unit 245 . Then, the aerosol generating device 100 may be instructed to set the determined heating profile in the aerosol generating device 100 in response to the input unit 220 receiving an input regarding switching from the user.

This processing flow ends after S80.

10A and 10B are examples of screen images displayed on the user terminal 200 in relation to the information processing method illustrated in FIG. The screen example of FIG. 10A is the capsule information screen D1, and the screen example of FIG. 10B is the capsule details screen D2.

On the capsule information screen D1, information (d10) on a set of capsules 135 recognized to be contained in the flavor source container 131 and information (d12) on the flavor generated when the aerosol generating device 100 operates. is displayed.

The combination information (d10) has been acquired in S40 and S50, and here, the flavor source storage unit 131 currently contains one "nicotine capsule", one "limonene capsule", and one "menthol capsule".・It is displayed that one "capsule" is contained.

In addition, the flavor information (d12) was acquired in S60, and here, it is estimated that the combination indicated in the combination information (d10) will result in a flavor inhalation experience of the flavor of "lemon mint." are displayed.

When the user selects one of the capsule types displayed as the combination information (d10) on the capsule information screen D1, the capsule information screen D1 transitions to the capsule details screen D2. The capsule detail screen D2 displays the product name of one capsule (d20), detailed information on the content of the flavor source (d22), and main components of the flavor source (d24).

Here, "Menthol Capsule" selected on the capsule information screen D1 is displayed as the product name (d20) of the capsule.

The detailed information (d22) on the content of the flavor source is obtained by referring to the catalog in S50, and here, the sweetness, stimulation, and bitterness information of the menthol capsule are displayed on the radar with integer values from 0 to 4, respectively. (2, 4, 1) are displayed in the chart. Note that parameters such as sweetness, stimulation, and bitterness are not limited to these and may be arbitrarily defined. Moreover, the display mode is not limited to the radar chart, and may be arbitrary.

The main components of the flavor source (d24) were also obtained by referring to the catalog in S50. : 0.2 mg/puff) is displayed.

As described above, according to the information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to allow the user to easily grasp the information regarding the capsule 135 . In particular, it is possible to easily grasp the flavor source corresponding to the type of capsule and the flavor experienced by the user through atomization. This allows the user to check the capsule 135 (flavor source) and flavor information before operating the aerosol generator 100, thereby effectively providing a desired flavor inhalation experience.

In addition, since the heating profile can be dynamically set in the aerosol generating device 100 according to various flavors, the quality of the flavor inhalation experience provided to the user can be improved.

An example of the processing flow of the information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above. Of course, in relation to the processing flow, the configuration related to the operation of the processing unit 240 of the user device 200 is not limited to the above. For example, variations such as those further illustrated below may be employed.

(5) Modification Examples of Configuration of Information Processing Method FIGS. 11 to 16 are flowcharts of modification examples of the configuration of the information processing method according to the present embodiment. The processing flow of the modification is executed by the processing unit 240 or the output unit 250 of the user terminal 200, but part or all of it may be executed on the server 300 side, for example. Also, any combination of the modifications exemplified below may be configured in any order.

a) Modification 1
In the description of the previous embodiment, the combination information of the attached capsules 135 was determined at S40 and S50, and then the flavor was estimated at S60. In addition to this, in Modification 1, for example, a combination of the user's "favorite" capsules is registered in advance, and it may be determined whether the combination of actually attached capsules 135 matches the "favorite". .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, following S50, the processing unit 240 extracts the information on the "favorite" capsule set pre-registered by the user through the input unit 220 (step S51). The information of the registered "favorite" capsules is preferably stored in the storage 23 of the user terminal 200 or the storage 33 of the server 300 together with the associated identification information (for example, color).

Next, the processing unit 240 determines whether the set of "favorite" capsules matches the set of the type of capsule 135 and the number of capsules for each type that was determined in S40 (step S52).

If the combination of attached capsules matches the "favorite" information (Yes), proceed directly to S60. On the other hand, if the combination of attached capsules does not match the "favorite" information (No), the output unit 250 outputs a message to the effect that the combination of capsules does not match (step S53). In other words, it is possible that the user has put in the wrong capsule 135, so it is preferable to present the user with a message to the effect that the information does not match the "favorite" information.

According to Modification 1, the user can check the suitability of the combination of the capsules attached by the user before the user starts the suction operation, especially before the capsule is crushed. As a result, it is possible to prevent attachment of the wrong type of capsule and use of a capsule that does not suit the user's preference, and the user can effectively use the capsule.

b) Modification 2
In the description of the previous embodiment, information for the combination of attached capsules was determined at S40 and S50, and then flavor was estimated at S60. In addition to this, in Modification 2, for example, various information associated with each capsule 135 may be extracted and presented to the user as part of the capsule information. The extracted information may be sales information of the capsule 135, for example.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the processing unit 240 also extracts the sales information of the capsule 135 by referring to the catalog when determining the information of the flavor source of the capsule 135 in S50. (Step S54). Sales information for capsule 135 is defined in the catalog associated with capsule 135 and includes, for example, sales period and update information.

Next, the processing unit 240 determines whether additional information is determined by attempting to determine additional information accompanying the capsule 135 based on the extracted sales information (step S55). For example, when it is determined that the sales of the capsule 135 have already ended based on the sales end date during the sales period, additional information indicating that sales have ended is specified. Further, when it is determined that a generic product of the current capsule 135 is on sale based on the update information, additional information indicating that there is a generic product is specified.

If the additional information is specified (Yes), the output unit 250 displays the additional information as a message and presents it to the user (step S56). For example, in the detailed capsule scene D2 in FIG. 10B, it is preferable to present a message to the user such as "Sales of capsules have been discontinued" and "Renewal products are sold separately."

If the additional information is not specified (No), the process proceeds directly to S60.

According to Modification 2, various information about capsules can be presented to the user. In addition, even after the capsule is sold, it is possible to provide the user with the latest information on the capsule according to the situation when the user uses it, so that the user can refer to future consumption behavior.

c) Modification 3
In the description of the previous embodiment, information for the combination of attached capsules was determined at S40 and S50, and then flavor was estimated at S60. In addition, in Modification 3, for the type of capsule 135 attached, it is preferable to suggest to the user another type of capsule that provides a similar flavor inhalation experience.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, following S50, the processing unit 240 identifies another capsule type associated with each attached capsule type based on the similarity scores defined in the catalog. (step S57). Here, the catalog defines any two capsule types by associating them with the degree of similarity between them.

For example, with respect to capsule A of the first type, the similarity of capsule B of the second type is associated with 90%, the similarity of capsule C of the third type is associated with 65%, and the similarity of the fourth type is associated with Assume that it is associated with 70%. In this case, the second type capsule B having the highest degree of similarity to the attached first type capsule A is identified as a similar capsule.

Next, the output unit 250 makes a recommendation to the user by outputting information about the type of the specified capsule (step S58). In the above example, it is preferable that the information of the second type capsule B is displayed on the capsule information screen D1 and/or the capsule detail screen D2 as recommended information for the user.

The value of the degree of similarity between two types of capsules defined in the catalog may be determined by an experiment conducted by the capsule manufacturer. Alternatively, a similarity value is determined by computer evaluation using a predetermined algorithm based on flavor source information (e.g., flavor source content (sweetness, bitterness, stimulus, etc.), main components) regarding the type of capsule. may be

According to Modification 3, it is possible to recommend information on the type of capsule that suits the user's preference to the user, thereby enabling the user to further improve the flavor inhalation experience, and at the same time, the distributor can provide effective advertising. It can be carried out.

d) Modification 4
In the description of the previous embodiment, in S60, the flavor realized by the combination of attached capsules 135 was estimated. In addition to this, in Modification 4, it is preferable to suggest to the user another combination of capsules that provides a flavor inhalation experience close to the estimated flavor.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, following S60, the processing unit 240 refers to the catalog to determine the flavor score of the estimated flavor (step S61). Here, the flavor score is the value for the set of attached capsules estimated at S60.

Specifically, the catalog defines the flavor score according to the combination of any number of capsule types. Here, for example, it is assumed that a set of one capsule A of the first type and one capsule B of the second type is attached. In the catalog, (i) the flavor score of the flavor X when combining one capsule A of the first type and one capsule B of the second type is "20"; The flavor score of the flavor Y when combining two capsules C of three types and one capsule D of the fourth type is "21", and (iii) one capsule of the fifth type It is assumed that the flavor score of the flavor Y when the capsule E and the three capsules F of the sixth type are combined is defined as "53".

Next, the processing unit 240 refers to the catalog to further determine another flavor having a value closest to the determined flavor score (step S62). Processing unit 240 also determines another set of capsule types and the number of capsules for each type for the other determined flavors.

In the previous example, it is determined that the flavor score "21" of flavor Y is the closest value to the flavor score "20" of flavor X. Then, a set of two capsules C of the third type and one capsule D of the fourth type, which is the combination of the flavor Y with the flavor score of "21", is determined.

Next, the output unit 250 makes a recommendation to the user by outputting the other determined set of information (step S64). In the above example, it is preferable to display a set of two capsules C of the third type and one capsule D of the fourth type as recommended information for the user.

According to Modification 4, it is possible to recommend flavor information that suits the user's preference to the user, thereby enabling the user to further improve the flavor inhalation experience, and at the same time, the distributor can carry out effective advertising. can be done.

e) Modification 5
In the description of the previous embodiment, at S60, the flavor realized by the combination of attached capsules was estimated. In addition, in modification 5, for the flavor sources of the attached capsules 135, the sum of the amounts of the predetermined ingredients may be calculated to determine whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, following S60, the processing unit 240 extracts information on the content of a predetermined component for each flavor source in each attached capsule 135 by referring to the catalog. (step S66). For example, in the case of the type of "menthol capsule", by referring to the catalog, it is extracted that only 2 mg/puff of water is contained.

Next, the processing unit 240 calculates the total content of the predetermined component in the attached capsules 135 (step S67). In the previous example, the total amount of water in the entire combination of attached capsules 135 is calculated.

Subsequently, the processing unit 240 determines whether the calculated total amount of the predetermined component is less than a predetermined threshold (step S68). If the total amount of the predetermined component is less than the predetermined threshold (Yes), proceed to S70. In addition, in S70, the total amount of the predetermined component may be presented to the user.

On the other hand, if the total amount of the predetermined component is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (No), the output unit 250 displays a message indicating that the threshold has been exceeded (S69). The predetermined threshold may be set in relation to the quality of the flavor inhalation experience provided to the user. That is, for a given ingredient, if that threshold is exceeded, it can also affect the quality of the flavor inhalation experience.

Depending on the combination of capsules 135 selected by the user, it is conceivable that the total content of the predetermined components contained in the flavor source may become significantly large. It's good. This can improve the flavor inhalation experience provided to the user.

f) Modification 6
In the description of Modification 1 above, the combination of the user's "favorite" capsules registered in advance in S51 is extracted, and then, in S52, it is checked whether the combination of actually attached capsules 135 matches the "favorite". Judged. Alternatively, in Modification 6, for example, it may be determined whether the set of capsules corresponding to the "favorite flavor" selected by the user matches the set of actually attached capsules 135. .

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, following S50, the processing unit 240 extracts information on a set of capsules corresponding to the "favorite flavor" previously selected by the user through the input unit 220 (step S501). . Note that the output unit 250 may display information about each of a plurality of flavors so that the user can select "favorite flavor". Further, in response to the user's selection of "favorite flavor", output unit 250 may display information about the set of capsules 135 corresponding to the "favorite flavor" selected by the user. As a result, the user can select a "favorite flavor" from a plurality of flavors, and recognize the set of capsules 135 to be accommodated in the flavor source storage unit 131 in order to realize the "favorite flavor". be able to.

Next, the processing unit 240 determines whether the set of capsules corresponding to the "favorite flavor" matches the set of the type of the capsule 135 and the number of capsules for each type determined in S40 (step S502). ).

If the combination of the attached capsules matches the "favorite flavor" information (Yes), proceed directly to S60. On the other hand, if the combination of attached capsules does not match the information of "preferred flavor" (No), the output unit 250 outputs a message indicating that the combination of capsules does not match (step S503). That is, since it is conceivable that the user has inserted the capsule 135 incorrectly, it is preferable to present a message to the user to the effect that the information does not match the "favorite flavor" information.

According to Modification 6, it is possible to allow the user to select "favorite flavor" from a plurality of flavors, and before the user starts inhaling, especially before crushing the capsule, the user himself/herself can It is possible to check the suitability of the combination of attached capsules. As a result, the user can recognize a set of capsules corresponding to a favorite flavor, and can prevent attachment of the wrong type of capsule and use of a capsule different from the user's preference, and the user can effectively use the capsule. be able to.

In the above description, suction devices, capsules, information processing systems, and information processing methods according to some embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings. It is understood that the present disclosure can also be embodied as a program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute a method for determining the cartridge type, or as a computer-readable storage medium that stores the program.

Also, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure and modifications thereof that have been described so far are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that changes, additions, improvements, etc., may be made to the embodiments from time to time without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... System, 110... Power supply unit, 111... Power supply part, 120... Aerosol source accommodation cartridge, 120... Heating part, 123... Aerosol source accommodation part, 129... Communication part, 130... Flavor source accommodation cartridge, 131... Flavor source accommodation Part, 134... Window, 135... Capsule, 136... Outer membrane, 140... Mouthpiece,
200 User terminal 28 Imaging unit 210 Communication unit 220 Input unit 230 Acquisition unit 240 Processing unit 241 Object recognition unit 242 Capsule identification unit 243 Flavor source determination unit 244 ... flavor estimation unit 245 ... heating profile determination unit 250 ... output unit 300 ... server 310 ... communication unit 320 ... catalog registration unit

Claims

a power supply unit comprising a power supply;
a heating unit that receives power supply from the power supply unit and atomizes the aerosol source;
an aerosol source containing cartridge comprising an aerosol source containing portion containing an aerosol source;
a flavor source containing cartridge comprising a flavor source containing portion to which one or more capsules enclosing a flavor source with an outer coating can be attached;
When an external force is applied to each of the capsules in a state in which the flavor source-containing cartridge is attached to the aerosol source-containing cartridge, and each of the outer membranes is crushed,
each of the released flavor sources is mixed with the aerosol source in the aerosol source storage unit communicating with the flavor source storage unit;
the aerosol source mixed with the flavor source is atomized by the heating unit;
A suction device, configured to:
The suction device of claim 1, wherein
the capsule has an identification element for identifying the capsule;
A suction device configured such that information on each capsule can be determined by identifying each capsule contained in the flavor source container through the identification element.
The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the identification element is associated with the type of capsule.
A suction device according to claim 3, wherein
An aspiration device, wherein the outer skin of the capsule is colored with a color associated with the type of the capsule.
In the suction device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The flavor source containing cartridge further comprises a window,
A suction device configured such that an identification element of each of the capsules housed in the flavor source housing portion can be detected from the outside of the flavor source housing cartridge through the window.
A capsule for use in the suction device according to claims 1 to 5.
An information processing system comprising a suction device and an information processing device, wherein the suction device
a heating unit that atomizes an aerosol source mixed with a flavor source;
a flavor source containing portion removably containing one or more capsules;
an aerosol source containing portion containing the aerosol source, receiving and mixing with the aerosol source each released flavor source when an external force is applied to each capsule to fracture the outer shell; an aerosol source housing;
wherein the information processing device comprises
an acquisition unit that acquires an image of each of the capsules accommodated in the flavor source accommodation unit;
a processing unit that detects an identification element possessed by each capsule from the acquired image, and determines information of each capsule based on the detected identification element and catalog;
an output unit for outputting the determined information of each capsule;
An information processing system comprising:
In the information processing system according to claim 7,
the identification element of the capsule is associated with a type of the capsule;
The outer membrane of the capsule is colored according to the type of the capsule,
The information processing system, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the type of the capsule according to RGB values of the color of the outer coat included in the acquired image.
In the information processing system according to claim 8,
The processing unit determines a set of the type of each capsule contained in the flavor source containing unit and the number of capsules for each type,
Based on the catalog, determining the information of the flavor source for each of the types,
The output unit outputs information on the determined flavor source for each of the types.
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to claim 9,
The processing unit estimates the flavor during operation of the suction device based on the determined set of capsules and the catalog,
The output unit outputs the estimated flavor information,
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to claim 10,
The information processing device further comprises a first communication unit for communicating with the suction device,
The processing unit
determining a heating profile associated with the estimated flavor based on the catalog;
instructing the suction device to set the determined heating profile via the first communication unit;
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to claim 10 or 11,
The catalog defines flavor scores according to combinations of any number of capsule types,
The processing unit
determining the flavor score for the estimated flavor for the determined set of capsules based on the catalog;
determining another set of capsules that is closest to the determined set of capsules based on the determined flavor score;
the output unit outputs another set of the determined capsules;
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
The information processing device further comprises an input unit,
The processing unit determines whether the determined set of capsules matches a desired set registered in advance by the input unit,
The output unit outputs the result of the determination,
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
The processing unit extracts sales information for each type of capsule based on the catalog,
determining additional information associated with the capsule based on the extracted sales information;
the output unit displays the determined additional information;
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 14,
the catalog defines a degree of similarity between any two of the capsule types;
The processing unit identifies another capsule type associated with the type of each capsule contained in the flavor source container based on the similarity defined in the catalog,
wherein the output unit outputs information about the type of each of the identified different capsules;
An information processing system configured to:
In the information processing system according to any one of claims 9 to 15,
The processing unit
Based on the catalog, calculate the total amount of a predetermined ingredient contained in the flavor source of each capsule contained in the flavor source container;
comparing the total amount of the predetermined component to a predetermined threshold;
the output unit displays the results of the comparison;
An information processing system configured to:
The information processing system according to any one of claims 7 to 16, further comprising a server,
The information processing device comprises a second communication unit for connecting with the server,
An information processing system, wherein a second communication unit is configured to receive delivery of the catalog from the server.
obtaining an image of one or more capsules contained in a flavor source container of a suction device;
identifying each of the capsules contained in the flavor source container,
detecting an identification element attached to each capsule from the acquired image;
determining a set of the type of each capsule and the number of capsules for each type based on the detected identification element;
determining flavor source information for each of the identified capsules using a catalog;
estimating the flavor during operation of the suction device based on the determined set of capsules and the determined flavor source information of each capsule using the catalog;
outputting the estimated flavor information;
A method of processing information, comprising:
19. The information processing method of claim 18, further comprising:
determining a heating profile associated with the estimated flavor;
instructing the suction device to operate based on the heating profile;
A method of processing information, comprising:
A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 18 or 19.