CN113438906A

CN113438906A - Electronic device, information processing device, and program

Info

Publication number: CN113438906A
Application number: CN201980092109.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 芹田和俊; 千住雅俊
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2019-03-13
Filing date: 2019-03-13
Publication date: 2021-09-24
Also published as: US20210337876A1; JPWO2020183683A1; WO2020183683A1; EP3900555A1; EP3900555A4; JP7124202B2

Abstract

An electronic device (30) for generating an aerosol for inhalation, comprising: aerosol generation units (32, 33) for generating an aerosol; a control unit (317a) that controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation units (32, 33); a storage unit (314) that stores a function ID for identifying a function of the electronic device (30); and a transmission unit (317e) that transmits the function ID to the information processing devices (10, 20).

Description

Electronic device, information processing device, and program

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electronic device, an information processing device, and a program.

Background

Conventionally, techniques related to suction apparatuses that generate aerosol for suction have been developed. For example, the following system is disclosed in cited document 1: the user terminal or the server records a suction history of the suction apparatus, and the recorded information is effectively used for managing a usage schedule or a usage frequency of the suction apparatus.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2018/025217

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, recently, as attraction apparatuses have been widely used, various functions have been developed, and accordingly, user preferences have been diversified, and users who use a plurality of attraction apparatuses separately according to their moods and situations have been increasing. In this regard, in the conventional method of managing various functions of the attraction apparatus centering on the apparatus ID for identifying the attraction apparatus, every time the attraction apparatus is newly distributed, all the functions of the attraction apparatus must be managed in association with the apparatus ID of the attraction apparatus, and the burden of management is large.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, an information processing device, and a program that can easily manage functions.

Means for solving the problems

An electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention is an electronic device that generates an aerosol for suction, including: an aerosol generation unit that generates an aerosol; a control unit that controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation unit; a storage unit that stores a function ID for identifying a function of the electronic device; and a transmission unit that transmits the function ID to another information processing apparatus.

According to this aspect, the electronic apparatus can be managed not on a device basis but on a function basis. Therefore, even when a new model of electronic device is introduced, the new model can be easily managed by merely changing the combination of functions.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a program that can easily manage functions.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the function management table.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the management information table.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the suction area management table.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the electronic device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the function registration process of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the management information generation process in the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the control process of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (in the drawings, the same or similar structures are denoted by the same reference numerals.)

(1) System architecture

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a server 10, a user terminal 20, and an electronic device 30 associated with the user terminal 20. The electronic device 30 may be a device that generates an aerosol for suction, for example, also referred to as a "fragrance suction appliance". The electronic device 30 may include, for example, an electronic cigarette, a heated cigarette, a conventional cigarette, a medical nebulizer, and the like. In fig. 1, a dotted line surrounding the user terminal 20 and the electronic device 30 indicates that the user terminal 20 and the electronic device 30 surrounded by the dotted line are associated with each other. The server 10 can mutually transmit and receive data to and from each of the plurality of user terminals 20 by using TCP/IP or the like in a communication protocol via the communication network N. The server 10 may transmit and receive data to and from the electronic device 30 via the communication network N using TCP/IP or the like in a communication protocol. The communication network N is constructed by, for example, the internet, a dedicated communication line (for example, a CATV (Community Antenna Television) line), a mobile communication network (including a base station and the like), and a gateway.

The server 10 provides a predetermined service for managing the functions of the electronic apparatus 30 to the user terminal 20 and the electronic apparatus 30 via the communication network N. The user terminal 20 is a terminal device of a user who uses the predetermined service provided by the server 10. Examples of the user terminal 20 include a Personal computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile information terminal such as a smart phone, a mobile phone, and a game machine. The user terminal 20 stores an application program (application) for utilizing a predetermined service provided by the server 10. For example, the electronic apparatus 30 is associated with the user terminal 20 by registering a device ID of the electronic apparatus 30 in the user terminal 20. The electronic device 30 is connected to the user terminal 20 so as to be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other by short-range wireless communication or the like. In addition, a plurality of electronic devices 30 may be connected to one user terminal 20.

(2) Functional structure

(2-1) Server 10

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, the server 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a processing unit 13.

The communication section 11 has a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 10 to the communication network N. The communication unit 11 transmits the data supplied from the processing unit 13 to the information processing apparatus such as the user terminal 20 and the electronic apparatus 30 via the communication network N. The communication unit 11 supplies data received from information processing devices such as the user terminal 20 and the electronic device 30 via the communication network N to the processing unit 13.

The storage unit 12 includes at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk device, and an optical disk device, for example. The storage unit 12 stores a driver, an operating system program, an application program, data, and the like used for processing by the processing unit 13. The computer program may be installed in the storage unit 12 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM using a known installation program. The storage unit 12 stores, as data, a function management table shown in fig. 3, a management information table shown in fig. 4, an attraction area management table shown in fig. 5, and the like.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the function management table. The function management table is a table created for each user ID, for example, for managing the functions of the electronic apparatus 30. Here, the functions of the electronic device 30 are not particularly limited, and may include, for example, an output function, an aerosol generation function, and a position information function. The output function may include, for example, a display function, a lighting (lighting) function, a vibration function, a sound function, and the like.

As shown in fig. 3, in the first row of the function management table, the "function type" of the function of the electronic apparatus 30, the "detail" of the function in the second row, and the "function ID" for identifying the function are shown in the third row, respectively. The "function type" indicates a type of function of the electronic device 30, and specifically includes, for example, an "aerosol generation function", a "position information function", an "output function", and the like. The "output function" includes, for example, a "display function", a "lighting function", a "vibration function", and a "sound function".

The "aerosol generation function" is indicated as attribute information to which the electronic device 30 belongs when classifying the aerosol generation method by the electronic device 30 based on a predetermined classification criterion. The classification criterion is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the composition of the suction substance, the phase state of the suction substance when not in use, the method of generating an aerosol containing the suction substance, and the heating method. When the classification criterion is "component of attracting substance", the aerosol generation function is classified according to whether or not each of the components contains tobacco, flavor, and the like, for example. When the classification criterion is "the phase state of the suction substance when not used", the aerosol generation function is classified according to, for example, a solid, a liquid, a gas, an intermediate state thereof, a combination thereof, or the like. When the classification criterion is "a method of generating an aerosol containing an attracting substance", the aerosol generation function is classified by, for example, combustion, heating, vaporization, or the like. In the case where the classification criterion is "heating method", the aerosol generation function is classified by, for example, electric heating, heating by a carbon heat source, IH heating, and the like. In the example shown in fig. 3, "T-shape" indicates a type in which tobacco is contained as a component of the suction substance and the tobacco is directly heated at a high temperature by a heater or the like. The "E-type" is a type in which a liquid is contained as a component of an attracting substance without using tobacco, and an aerosol generated by electrically heating the liquid in a device or a dedicated Cartridge (cartidge) is attracted. The "type I" is a type in which tobacco is passed through a liquid by heating and atomizing the liquid without directly heating the tobacco, for example, the tobacco is contained as a component of an attracting substance. The "aerosol generation function" may be expressed by a classification criterion created by appropriately combining a plurality of the classification criteria and other classification criteria. The "location information function" indicates a method of acquiring location information of the electronic device 30, and includes "GPS" and the like, for example. The "display function" indicates a type of a display for displaying an image or the like, and includes, for example, "liquid crystal" indicating a liquid crystal display, "EL (Electroluminescence)" indicating EL, and the like. The "lighting function" indicates the type of a lighting unit that emits Light from a Light-Emitting body, and includes, for example, "LED" indicating an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The "vibration function" indicates the kind of a vibration portion that generates vibration, and includes, for example, "eccentric type" indicating an eccentric motor, and the like. The "audio function" indicates the type of audio output unit for outputting audio, and includes, for example, "D-type" indicating a dynamic speaker, and "C-type" indicating a capacitor-type speaker. In addition, when "detailed" is "none", it means that the function belonging to the "function type" is not included.

The "function type", "details", and "function ID" may be classified in advance by a system administrator, for example. In addition, when a new function that does not belong to any category is introduced, the system administrator may create a new category corresponding to the function.

The function ID received from the electronic apparatus 30, the user terminal 20, or the like is registered in the function management table. For example, as shown in fig. 3, a function ID associated with each device ID may be registered per device ID. In this case, "o" indicates that the electronic apparatus 30 has a function associated with the function ID, and "x" indicates that the electronic apparatus 30 does not have a function associated with the device ID. Unlike fig. 3, all function IDs not associated with the device ID but associated with the user ID may be collectively registered. In this case, ". smallcircle" indicates that the user holds some electronic devices 30 having the function associated with the function ID, and "x" indicates that the user does not hold some electronic devices 30 having the function associated with the function ID.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the management information table. The management information table is a table for managing the suction information and the management information for each type of the aerosol generation function. Here, the suction information includes arbitrary information related to the suction of the aerosol using the electronic device 30 by the user, and may include, for example, the number of times of suction, the suction place, the suction intensity, the type of the aerosol source, the suction time, the type of use, the suction profile (profile), and the like. The management information is information obtained by processing the attraction information by an arbitrary method, and is information for grasping and managing the attraction habits of the user.

The management information table may be a table in which attraction information collected from a plurality of users is collected without identifying the users, and in this case, the management information table shown in fig. 4 may include attraction information collected from a plurality of users and management information generated based on the attraction information. Alternatively, the management information table may be a table in which attraction information collected for each user by identifying the user is collected for each user, and in this case, the management information table shown in fig. 4 may include attraction information on a specific user and management information generated from the attraction information.

As shown in fig. 4, the management information table includes, for example, "function ID", "attraction information", and "management information". The "function ID" is information indicating a function ID relating to the aerosol generation function. The "attraction information" is attraction information associated with the function ID relating to the aerosol generation function. The association method is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, the date and time of the suction performed using the aerosol generation function related to the function ID, information on the suction area, and the like. Here, the attraction area may include, for example, a region to which the user is allowed to attract under legal regulations, and the like, or map information and the like associated with the region. The "management information" may be information obtained by processing the attraction information by any method. For example, the "management information" may be information indicating a result of statistically processing information of a date and time or an attraction area included in the attraction information. For example, in the example shown in fig. 4, the management information table includes "frequency of use", "time zone of frequent use", and "attraction area of frequent use" generated based on the "attraction information" for each function ID. Here, the "use frequency" is information indicating the frequency of using the aerosol generation function related to the device ID, and more specifically, information indicating the ratio of the time period in which the aerosol generation function related to the function ID is used to the total time period of the "attraction information" included in the management information table. The "frequently used time period" is information indicating a time period in which the aerosol generation function related to the function ID is frequently used. Specifically, the "frequently used time zone" may be a time zone in which the frequency of suction (the number of times of suction or the ratio of suction time within a predetermined period) in a certain time zone is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The frequency of attraction for each time slot may be divided into stages (for example, 5 stages) and displayed as "management information". The "frequently used suction area" is information indicating a suction area in which the aerosol generation function related to the function ID is frequently used. Specifically, the "frequently used suction area" may be a suction area in which the frequency of suction in a certain suction area (the number of times of suction in the suction area within a predetermined period or the ratio of suction time) is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. Further, the frequency of the suction for each suction area may be divided into stages (for example, 5 stages) and displayed as "management information". In this way, by collecting the management suction information for each function ID relating to the aerosol generation function, it is possible to grasp which aerosol generation function the user has performed how much suction. Further, by generating management information based on the attraction information for each function ID relating to the aerosol generation function, it is possible to grasp in more detail how much attraction the user has performed with which aerosol generation function.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the suction area management table. The suction area management table is a table for managing the types of aerosol generation functions that can be used for each suction area. As shown in fig. 5, the suction area management table includes, as items, function IDs for "suction area ID", "location", and "aerosol generation function", for example. The "attraction area ID" is an ID for identifying an attraction area. The "location" is information indicating a location of the attraction area, and may be name, address, and location information of the location. "o" included in each cell (cell) in the column of the "function ID" indicates, for example, that the type of aerosol generation function related to the function ID is permitted to be used in the suction area related to the suction area ID. On the other hand, "x" included in each cell of the column of the "function ID" indicates that the type of aerosol generation function related to the function ID is prohibited or prohibited from being used in the suction area related to the suction area ID.

In the example shown in fig. 5, for example, in the suction area having the suction area ID of "E001", the cells of the aerosol generation function having the function ID of "FM-T" (i.e., "T-type" containing tobacco), the aerosol generation function having the function ID of "FM-E" (i.e., "E-type" not containing tobacco), and the aerosol generation function having the function ID of "FM-I" (i.e., "I-type" passing tobacco by heating and atomizing liquid) are all "o". This means that the suction region having the suction region ID "E001" also allows the use of any of "T-type" including tobacco, "E-type" not including tobacco, and "I-type" in which liquid is heated and atomized to pass tobacco. On the other hand, in the suction area having the suction area ID of "E002", the cell of the aerosol generation function having the function ID of "FM-T" (i.e., "T-type" containing tobacco) and the cell of the aerosol generation function having the function ID of "FM-I" (i.e., "I-type" passing tobacco by heating and atomizing liquid) are "x"; the cell of the aerosol generation function having the function ID "FM-E" (i.e., "E type" without tobacco) is "o". This means that in the suction region having the suction region ID of "E002", the use of the "E-type" function not containing tobacco is permitted, but the use of the "T-type" containing tobacco and the "I-type" function of heating and atomizing the liquid to pass the tobacco is not permitted or prohibited.

The processing section 13 has one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The Processing Unit 13 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that controls the overall operation of the server 10. The processing unit 13 controls the operation of the communication unit 11 and the like to execute various processes of the server 10 in appropriate procedures according to a program and the like stored in the storage unit 12. The processing unit 13 executes processing in accordance with programs (drivers, operating system programs, application programs, and the like) stored in the storage unit 12. The processing unit 13 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

The processing unit 13 includes a registration unit 131, a management information generation unit 132, a control information generation unit 133, a transmission unit 134, and a reception unit 135. The registration unit 131 stores various information related to the electronic device 30 and the like in the storage unit 12. For example, the registration unit 131 registers the function ID and the device ID received from the electronic apparatus 30 and/or the user terminal 20 in the function management table described with reference to fig. 3. The management information generating unit 132 generates management information based on the function ID and the attraction information. For example, the management information generating unit 132 may generate the management information based on attraction information collected from a plurality of users without identifying the user, or may generate the management information on a specific user based on attraction information on the user. The control information generation unit 133 generates control information for controlling the electronic device 30 based on the positional information of the electronic device 30, the user terminal 20, and the like, information indicating the aerosol generation function, the suction area information, and the like. The transmission unit 134 transmits various information to other information processing apparatuses and the like via the communication unit 11. For example, the transmission unit 134 transmits the user ID, the device ID, the function ID, the position information, the attraction information, the management information, the control information, a predetermined request signal, and the like to the user terminal 20, the electronic device 30, and the like. The receiving unit 135 receives various information from other information processing apparatuses and the like via the communication unit 11. For example, the receiving unit 135 receives a user ID, a device ID, a function ID, position information, attraction information, management information, control information, a predetermined request signal, and the like from the user terminal 20, the electronic device 30, and the like.

(2-2) user terminal 20

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the user terminal 20 includes, for example, a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, an output unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a processing unit 25.

The communication unit 21 has a communication interface circuit and connects the user terminal 20 to the communication network N. The communication unit 21 transmits the data supplied from the processing unit 25 to the server 10, the electronic device 30, and the like via the communication network N. The communication unit 21 supplies data received from the server 10, the electronic device 30, and the like to the processing unit 25 via the communication network N.

The storage unit 22 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The storage unit 22 stores an operating system program, a driver, an application program, data, and the like used for the processing of the processing unit 25. The various programs may be installed in the storage unit 22 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM using a known installation program. The storage unit 22 may store, as data, a user ID, and a device ID and/or a function ID of the electronic apparatus 30 associated with the user terminal 20.

The output unit 23 is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices that can output the processing result processed by the processing unit 25. When the processing result is output as a video and/or a moving image, the output device is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices capable of displaying the display data written in the frame buffer in accordance with the display data. The output device is not limited, and examples thereof include a touch panel, a touch Display, a monitor (not limited, and examples thereof include a liquid crystal Display, an OELD (Organic electroluminescent Display), and the like), a Head Mounted Display (HDM), a projection map, a hologram, a device capable of displaying an image, text information, and the like in the air (which may be a vacuum), a speaker (audio output), a printer, and the like. In addition, these output devices may also be capable of displaying display data in 3D. The output unit 23 may be a vibration element such as an eccentric motor or a linear resonance actuator that can generate vibration.

The operation unit 24 may be any device, such as a touch panel or key buttons, as long as the user terminal 20 can be operated. The user can input characters, numerals, signs, and the like using the operation unit 24. When the operation section 24 is operated by the user, the operation section 24 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is then supplied to the processing section 25 as an instruction of the user.

The processing unit 25 includes one or more processors and peripheral circuits thereof. The processing unit 25 is a CPU, for example, and controls the overall operation of the user terminal 20. The processing unit 25 controls operations of the communication unit 21, the output unit 23, and the like to execute various processes of the user terminal 20 in appropriate procedures based on a program stored in the storage unit 22, an operation of the operation unit 24, and the like. The processing unit 25 executes processing based on a program (an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, or the like) stored in the storage unit 22. The processing unit 25 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs and the like) in parallel.

The processing unit 25 includes, for example, a registration unit 251, a position information acquisition unit 252, a matching unit 253, a transmission unit 254, and a reception unit 255. The registration section 251 performs a process of registering various information related to the electronic device 30 in the storage section 22. For example, the registration unit 251 registers a function ID and a device ID of the electronic apparatus 30. The position information acquiring unit 252 acquires the position information of the user terminal 20 by, for example, communicating with an artificial satellite via the communication unit 21. As the pairing process, the pairing unit 253 performs wireless Communication with another information processing apparatus such as the user terminal 20, for example, based on any wireless Communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) or NFC (Near Field Communication). For example, the pairing unit 253 transmits and receives a predetermined key (key) to and from the other information processing apparatus, and stores the predetermined key in the storage unit 22. Then, the short-range wireless communication can be realized by transmitting and receiving a packet containing the key. The transmission unit 254 transmits various information to other information processing apparatuses and the like via the communication unit 21. For example, the transmission unit 254 transmits the user ID, the device ID, the function ID, the position information, the attraction information, the management information, the control information, a predetermined request signal, and the like to the server 10, the electronic device 30, and the like. The receiving unit 255 receives various information from other information processing apparatuses and the like via the communication unit 21. For example, the receiving unit 255 receives a user ID, a device ID, a function ID, position information, attraction information, management information, control information, a predetermined request signal, and the like from the server 10, the electronic device 30, and the like.

(2-3) electronic device 30

Next, the structure of the electronic device 30 will be described.

As type 1, the electronic device 30 may also be of the type that heats tobacco directly at high temperatures. Specifically, the electronic device 30 may be configured to generate an aerosol containing a fragrance by heating an aerosol-generating substrate such as a smoking article having a fragrance-generating substrate such as a filler containing an aerosol source and a fragrance source, for example.

As the type 2, the electronic device 30 may be a type that contains a liquid as a component of an attracting substance without using tobacco and attracts an aerosol generated by electrically heating the liquid in the device or a dedicated cartridge.

As type 3, the electronic device 30 may be a type that contains tobacco as a component of the attracting substance and passes through tobacco by heating or atomizing a liquid without directly heating the tobacco.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The example shown in fig. 7 corresponds to the type 3 described above.

As shown in fig. 7, the electronic device 30 includes a 1 st member 31 and a 2 nd member 32. As shown in the figure, the 1 st member 31 may include an output unit 311, a battery 312, a sensor 313, a storage unit 314, a communication unit 315, an operation unit 316, and a processing unit 317, as an example. For example, the 2 nd member 32 may include a reservoir 321, an atomizing unit 322, an air introduction passage 323, an aerosol passage 324, and a mouthpiece 325. A part of the components included in the 1 st member 31 may be included in the 2 nd member 32. A part of the components included in the 2 nd member 32 may be included in the 1 st member 31. The 2 nd member 32 may be detachably attached to the 1 st member 31. Alternatively, all the components included in the 1 st member 31 and the 2 nd member 32 may be included in the same case instead of the 1 st member 31 and the 2 nd member 32.

As shown in fig. 7, the electronic device 30 includes a 3 rd component 33. The 2 nd member 32 and the 3 rd member 33 constitute an aerosol generating portion that generates aerosol. As an example, the 3 rd component 33 may include a scent source 331. For example, when the electronic device 30 is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 331 may contain a flavor component contained in tobacco. The 3 rd member 33 may be detachably attached to the 2 nd member 32. Alternatively, all the components included in the 2 nd member 32 and the 3 rd member 33 may be included in the same case instead of the 2 nd member 32 and the 3 rd member 33.

The reservoir 321 holds an aerosol source. For example, the reservoir 321 is made of a fibrous or porous material, and holds an aerosol source as a liquid in gaps between fibers or pores of the porous material. The fibrous or porous material may be, for example, cotton, glass fiber, or tobacco material. The reservoir 321 may be configured as a tank for storing liquid. The aerosol source is, for example, a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. In the case where the electronic device 30 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a medicament for inhalation by the patient. As another example, the aerosol source may also contain a tobacco material or an extract from a tobacco material that emits a fragrant component upon heating. In this case, an aerosol containing a flavor component is generated even if the 3 rd member 33 is not attached. The reservoir 321 may also have a configuration that enables replenishment of the aerosol source being consumed. Alternatively, the reservoir 321 may be configured to be replaceable when the aerosol source is consumed. The aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. The reservoir 321 in the case where the aerosol source is a solid may be a hollow container without using a fibrous or porous material, for example.

The atomizing unit 322 is configured to atomize the aerosol source to generate the aerosol. When the suction operation is detected by the sensor 313, the atomizing part 322 generates aerosol. For example, a wick (not shown) may be provided to couple the reservoir 321 and the atomizer portion 322. In this case, a portion of the wick opens into the interior of the reservoir 321 and contacts the aerosol source. Another portion of the wick extends to the atomizing area 322. The aerosol source is transported from the reservoir 321 to the aerosolization portion 322 by capillary action of the wick. For example, the atomizing unit 322 includes a heater electrically connected to the battery 312. The heater is configured to be in contact with or proximate to the die. When the suction operation is detected, the control section 317a controls the heater of the atomizing section 322 to atomize the aerosol source by heating the aerosol source conveyed through the wick. Another example of the atomizing unit 322 may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source by ultrasonic vibration. The atomizing unit 322 is connected to an air introduction flow path 323, and the air introduction flow path 323 leads to the outside of the electronic device 30. The aerosol generated in the atomizing area 322 is mixed with the air introduced through the air introduction flow path 323. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air is sent to the aerosol flow path 324 as indicated by an arrow 326. The aerosol flow path 324 has a tubular configuration for conveying a mixed fluid of the aerosol generated in the atomizing area 322 and air to the inhalation area 325.

The fragrance source 331 is a component for imparting fragrance to the aerosol. The flavor source 331 is disposed in the middle of the aerosol flow passage 324. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the atomizing unit 322 (hereinafter, it is noted that the mixed fluid may be simply referred to as aerosol) flows to the mouthpiece 325 through the aerosol flow path 324. Thus, the fragrance source 331 is provided downstream of the atomizing area 322 with respect to the flow of the aerosol. In other words, the fragrance source 331 is located closer to the mouthpiece 325 in the aerosol flow path 324 than the atomizing area 322. Therefore, the aerosol generated by the atomizing area 322 passes through the flavor source 331 and reaches the mouthpiece 325. When the aerosol passes through the fragrance source 331, the fragrant component contained in the fragrance source 331 is imparted to the aerosol. For example, when the electronic device 30 is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 331 may be a tobacco-derived material, such as shredded tobacco or a processed product obtained by molding a tobacco material into a granular, sheet, or powder form. The flavor source 331 may be a non-tobacco material derived from a plant other than tobacco (e.g., mint, vanilla, etc.). For example, the flavor source 331 may contain a flavor component such as menthol. In addition to the fragrance source 331, the reservoir 321 may also have a substance containing a fragrant scent ingredient. For example, the electronic device 30 may be configured to hold a tobacco-derived flavor substance in the flavor source 331 and to contain a non-tobacco-derived flavor substance in the reservoir 321.

The inhalation port portion 325 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 324, and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 324 to the outside of the electronic device 30. As shown, the aerosol flow path 324 extends over the 2 nd and 3

rd members

32, 33. The mouthpiece portion 325 is provided on the 3 rd member 33.

The user can draw air containing the aerosol to which flavor is given into the oral cavity by sucking the air through the mouthpiece 325.

The output unit 311 is implemented by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices capable of outputting the processing result processed by the processing unit 317, and has, for example, a display function, a lighting function, a vibration function, a sound function, and the like. When the processing result is output as a video and/or a moving image, the output device is realized by any one or a combination of all kinds of devices capable of displaying the display data written in the frame buffer in accordance with the display data. The output device includes, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a touch Display, a monitor (not limited to, but an lcd, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) Display, and the like), a Head Mounted Display (HDM), a projection map, a hologram, a device capable of displaying an image, text information, and the like in the air (which may be a vacuum), a speaker (audio output), a printer, and the like. In addition, these output devices may also be capable of displaying display data in 3D. The output unit 33 may be a vibration element such as an eccentric motor or a linear resonance actuator that can generate vibration.

The battery 312 is a power source that stores electric power and supplies electric power to the components of the electronic device 30, such as the output unit 311, the sensor 313, the storage unit 314, and the atomizing unit 322. The battery 312 may be charged by being connected to an external power source via a prescribed port (not shown) of the electronic device 30. Only the battery 312 may be removed from the 1 st part 31 or the electronic device 30, or may be replaced with a new battery 312. Alternatively, the battery 312 may be replaced with a new battery 312 by replacing the entire 1 st member 31 with a new 1 st member 31.

The sensor 313 may include a pressure sensor that detects a change in pressure in the air introduction flow path 323 and/or the aerosol flow path 324, or a flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate. The sensor 313 may additionally include a weight sensor that detects the weight of the structural elements such as the reservoir 321. The sensor 313 may be configured to count the number of puffs taken by a user using the electronic device 30. The sensor 313 may be configured to integrate the energization time to the atomizing unit 322. The sensor 313 may be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the reservoir 321. The sensor 313 may be configured to detect attachment and detachment of the 2 nd component 32 to the 1 st component 31 or attachment and detachment of the 3 rd component 33 to the 2 nd component 32. Sensor 313 may detect SOC (State of Charge), current integrated value, voltage, and the like of battery 312. The current integrated value can be obtained by a current integration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, or the like. The sensor 313 may be an operation button or the like operable by the user.

The storage unit 314 is a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory. The storage unit 314 may store setting data and the like necessary for controlling the electronic device 30, in addition to the above-described computer-executable command. For example, the storage unit 314 may store various data such as a control method (light emission, sound emission, vibration, and the like) of the output unit 311, a value detected by the sensor 313, and a heating history of the atomizing unit 322. The storage unit 314 may store, for example, a user ID, a device ID for identifying the electronic apparatus 30, a function ID for identifying a function of the electronic apparatus 30, and the like.

The communication unit 315 includes a communication interface circuit, and connects the electronic apparatus 30 to the communication network N or the short-range wireless communication network. The communication unit 315 transmits the data supplied from the processing unit 317 to the server 10, the user terminal 20, or the like via the communication network N or the short-range wireless communication network. The communication unit 315 supplies data received from the server 10 or the user terminal 20 via the communication network N or the short-range wireless communication network to the processing unit 317.

The operation unit 316 may be any device as long as it can operate the electronic apparatus 30, for example, a touch panel, a key button, or the like. The user can input characters, numerals, signs, and the like using the operation unit 316. When the operation portion 316 is operated by the user, the operation portion 316 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is then supplied to the processing section 317 as an instruction of the user.

The processing section 317 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The processing section 317 may be configured to control the operation of the electronic apparatus 30 in accordance with a computer-executable command stored in the storage section 314. The processing unit 317 reads data from the storage unit 314 as necessary for controlling the electronic device 30, and stores the data in the storage unit 314 as necessary. The processing unit 317 may include a control unit 317a, a suction information generation unit 317b, a position information acquisition unit 317c, a pairing unit 317d, a transmission unit 317e, and a reception unit 317 f.

The control unit 317a controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation unit (the 2 nd member 32 and the 3 rd member 33). The control unit 317a performs this control by a method corresponding to the aerosol generation method of the electronic apparatus 30.

The attraction information generating unit 317b generates attraction information. The attraction information may include, for example, the number of times of attraction, the attraction place, the attraction strength, the type of aerosol source, the attraction time, the type of use, the attraction profile, and the like. The suction information generating unit 317b generates suction information (for example, the number of times of suction, the suction location, the suction intensity, the suction time, the suction profile, and the like) based on the position information supplied from the position information acquiring unit 317c, a detection signal (described later) corresponding to the type of the aerosol source, a detection signal related to the suction supplied from the sensor 313, and the like.

The position information acquisition unit 317c acquires position information of the electronic device 30 by communicating with a satellite via the communication unit 315, for example.

As the pairing process, the pairing unit 317d performs wireless Communication with another information processing apparatus such as the user terminal 20, for example, based on any wireless Communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) or NFC (Near Field Communication). For example, the pairing unit 317d transmits and receives a predetermined key to and from the other information processing apparatus, and stores the predetermined key in the storage unit 314. Then, the short-range wireless communication can be realized by transmitting and receiving a packet containing the key.

The transmission unit 317e transmits various information to other information processing apparatuses and the like via the communication unit 315. For example, the transmitting unit 317e transmits the user ID, the device ID, the function ID, the position information, the attraction information, the management information, the control information, a predetermined request signal, and the like to the server 10, the user terminal 20, and the like.

The receiving unit 317f receives various information from other information processing apparatuses and the like via the communication unit 315. For example, the receiving unit 317f receives a user ID, a device ID, a function ID, position information, attraction information, management information, control information, a predetermined request signal, and the like from the server 10, the user terminal 20, and the like.

(3) Action processing

Next, the operation process of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to fig. 8 to 10.

(3-1) function registration processing

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the function registration process of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This process is a process of registering the function ID of the electronic device 30 in the user terminal 20 or the server 10 before using the electronic device 30.

First, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 transmits a signal requesting the device ID to the electronic apparatus 30 in response to an operation of the operation unit 24 by the user or the like (S10). At this time, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 may request the electronic apparatus 30 for the device ID together. Next, in response to the signal requesting the function ID, the transmitting unit 317e of the electronic device 30 transmits the function ID of the electronic device 30 stored in the storage unit 314 of the electronic device 30 to the user terminal 20 (S11). If the device ID is also requested in S10, the transmitting unit 317e of the electronic apparatus 30 may also transmit the device ID of the electronic apparatus 30 to the user terminal 20.

Next, the registration unit 251 of the user terminal 20 registers the function ID by storing the function ID received from the electronic device 30 in the storage unit 22 (S12). At this time, when the registration unit 251 of the user terminal 20 receives the device ID of the electronic apparatus 30, the device ID is also stored in the storage unit 22 in association with the function ID, and the function ID is also registered. Next, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 transmits the user ID, the function ID received from the electronic device 30, and a signal requesting registration of the function ID to the server 10 (S13). At this time, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 may transmit the device ID of the electronic apparatus 30 to the server 10 together.

Next, when receiving the function ID of the electronic device 30 and a signal requesting registration of the function ID from the user terminal 20, the registration unit 131 of the server 10 registers the received function ID in, for example, the function management table described with reference to fig. 3 (S14). In this case, the registration unit 131 of the server 10 may register the device ID together in the function management table. The preliminary registration processing is thus ended.

(3-2) management information creation processing

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the management information generation process in the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This processing is processing in which, after attraction information generated when a user attracts using the electronic device 30 is transmitted to the server 10 via the user terminal 20, the server 10 generates management information based on the attraction information.

First, the electronic device 30 executes the suction process in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 34 of the electronic device 30 by the user (S20). Specifically, the control portion 317a of the electronic device 30 controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation portion (the 2 nd member 32 and the 3 rd member 33). Next, the suction information generating unit 317b of the electronic device 30 generates suction information (S21). At this time, the attraction information generation unit 317b may detect any parameter related to attraction, such as the intensity and the number of times of attraction of the electronic device 30 by the user. The position information of the electronic device 30 acquired by the position information acquiring unit 317c may be included in the attraction information. In this way, the suction information generating unit 317b generates, for example, the number of times of suction, the suction location, the suction intensity, the type of aerosol-forming base material, the suction time, the model of use, the suction profile, and the like described above as the suction information.

Next, the transmitting unit 317e of the electronic device 30 transmits the generated attraction information to the user terminal 20 (S22). Next, the registration unit 251 of the user terminal 20 stores the received attraction information in the storage unit 22, and registers the attraction information (S23). In this case, the registration unit 251 may include the position information of the user terminal 20 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 252 of the user terminal 20 in the attraction information. This makes it possible to grasp the position of the attraction location even when the electronic device 30 does not have the position information acquisition function.

Next, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 transmits the attraction information and a signal requesting registration of the attraction information to the server 10 (S24). Next, the registration unit 131 of the server 10 registers the attraction information received from the user terminal 20 in the management information table stored in the storage unit 12 (S25).

Next, the management information generating unit 132 of the server 10 generates management information based on the function ID and the attraction information recorded in the function management table (S26). In this case, the management information generating unit 132 may generate the management information based on attraction information collected from a plurality of users without identifying the user, or may generate the management information on a specific user based on attraction information on the user. As described above, the "management information" may be information obtained by processing the attraction information by any method. For example, the "management information" may be information indicating a result of statistically processing information of a date and time or an attraction area included in the attraction information, or the like. The management information generation processing is thus ended.

(3-3) control processing of the electronic device 30

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the control process of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. This processing is processing in which the server 10 generates control information and the electronic device 30 executes various operations based on the control information.

First, the pairing unit 317d of the electronic device 30 and the pairing unit 253 of the user terminal 20 perform pairing processing (S30). Specifically, the pairing unit 317d of the electronic device 30 and the pairing unit 253 of the user terminal 20 transmit and receive a predetermined key. Then, the pairing unit 317d of the electronic device 30 stores the predetermined key in the storage unit 32 of the electronic device 30, and the pairing unit 253 of the user terminal 20 stores the predetermined key in the storage unit 32.

Next, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 transmits a request signal requesting control information to the server 10 (S32). Here, the request signal may include any information related to the electronic device 30. For example, any one of the device ID of the electronic apparatus 30 and the function ID of the electronic apparatus 30 may be included in the request signal. The function ID of the electronic device 30 may include a function ID related to the aerosol generation function described above. The request signal may include the position information acquired by the electronic device 30 and/or the position information acquired by the user terminal 20.

Next, when receiving a request signal requesting control information from the user terminal 20, the control information generating unit 133 of the server 10 generates control information corresponding to information included in the request signal (S33). For example, when the request signal includes a device ID, the control information generating unit 133 may extract a function ID associated with the device ID with reference to the function management table, and generate control information for controlling a function related to the function ID. For example, when the request signal includes a function ID, the control information generating unit 133 may generate control information for controlling the function related to the function ID with reference to the function management table. For example, when the request signal includes the positional information of the electronic device 30 and/or the user terminal 20, the control information generating unit 133 may determine the suction area based on the positional information, and generate control information for controlling a function (e.g., an aerosol generating function) usable in the determined suction area by referring to the suction area management table stored in the storage unit 12. The control method related to the control information is not particularly limited as long as it relates to the control of the function, and may be, for example, a method for controlling the switching of ON/OFF (ON/OFF) of the function, the adjustment of parameters such as the intensity of the function, and the switching of the mode of the function.

Next, the transmission unit 134 of the server 10 transmits the generated control information to the user terminal 20 (S34). Next, the output unit 23 of the user terminal 20 executes an output process for outputting the content related to the control information, based on the control information received from the server 10 (S35). The output mode and content are not particularly limited, and for example, the output unit 23 of the user terminal 20 may display an aerosol generation function available in the area on a display, or may output sound through a speaker, in a case where the user is in an area that can be attracted to the aerosol generation function.

Next, the transmission unit 254 of the user terminal 20 transmits the control information received from the server 10 to the electronic device 30 (S36). Next, the output unit 311 of the electronic device 30 executes output processing for outputting content related to the control information, based on the control information received from the user terminal 20 (S37). The output mode and content are not particularly limited, and for example, the electronic device 30 may display an aerosol generation function available in the area or a case where the user is in an attractable area on a display, may output a sound through a speaker, or may display the information in a predetermined pattern by lighting an LED or the like according to the notification content. The transmission unit 134 of the server 10 may transmit the generated control information directly to the electronic device 30. Next, when receiving the control information, the control unit 317a of the electronic device 30 executes an operation corresponding to the control information (S38). For example, the control unit 317a controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation unit (the 2 nd member 32 and the 3 rd member 33) based on the control information. The control process is thus ended.

The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The elements, the arrangement, the materials, the conditions, the shapes, the dimensions, and the like of the elements included in the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified, and can be appropriately modified. In addition, structures shown in different embodiments may be partially replaced or combined.

Description of the reference symbols

1 information processing system, 10 server, 11 communication unit, 12 storage unit, 13 processing unit, 131 registration unit, 132 management information generation unit, 133 control information generation unit, 20 user terminal, 21 communication unit, 22 storage unit, 23 output unit, 24 operation unit, 25 processing unit, 251 registration unit, 252 positional information acquisition unit, 253 matching unit, 30 electronic device, 31 st 1 unit, 311 output unit, 312 battery, 313 sensor, 314 storage unit, 315 communication unit, 316 operation unit, 317 processing unit, 317a control unit, 317b suction information generation unit, 317c positional information acquisition unit, 317d matching unit, 317e transmission unit, 317f reception unit, 32 nd 2 unit, 321, 322 atomization unit, 323 air introduction flow path, 324 aerosol flow path, 325 … mouthpiece, 33 … No. 3, 331 … fragrance source.

Claims

1. An electronic device that generates an aerosol for attraction, comprising:

a control unit that controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation unit;

a storage unit that stores a function ID for identifying a function of the electronic apparatus; and

and a transmission unit that transmits the function ID to an information processing apparatus.

2. The electronic device of claim 1,

further comprising the aerosol generation part generating an aerosol.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 or 2,

the transmitting unit transmits the function ID based on a request signal received from the information processing apparatus.

4. The electronic device of any of claims 1-3,

the function of the electronic apparatus related to the function ID is at least one of an aerosol generation function, a position information function, and an output function.

5. The electronic device of claim 4,

the output function includes at least any one of a display function, a lighting function, a vibration function, and a sound function.

6. The electronic device of any of claims 1-5,

the storage section further stores an apparatus ID for identifying the electronic apparatus,

the transmitting unit further transmits the device ID to the information processing apparatus.

7. The electronic device of any of claims 1-6,

the electronic device further includes a generation unit that generates attraction information relating to attraction of the aerosol by the electronic device.

8. The electronic device of claim 7,

the transmitting unit further transmits the attraction information to the information processing apparatus.

9. The electronic device of claim 7 or 8,

the attraction information includes at least any one of the number of times of attraction, attraction place, attraction strength, type of aerosol-forming substrate, attraction time, use model, and attraction profile.

10. The electronic device of any of claims 1-9,

further comprises a receiving unit for receiving control information from the information processing device,

the control unit controls the generation of the aerosol by the aerosol generation unit based on the received control information.

11. A program for causing an information processing apparatus having a storage unit for storing a user ID for identifying a user to execute:

a step of receiving a function ID for identifying a function of an electronic device that generates an aerosol for attraction from the electronic device; and

a step of registering the received function ID in the storage section in association with the user ID.

12. The program according to claim 11, wherein the information processing apparatus is further caused to execute:

and transmitting the user ID and the function ID to another information processing apparatus.

13. The program according to claim 12, wherein the information processing apparatus is further caused to execute:

a step of receiving an apparatus ID for identifying the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus; and

and a step of transmitting the device ID to the other information processing apparatus.

14. The program according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the information processing apparatus is further caused to execute:

a step of receiving, from the electronic device, attraction information relating to attraction of the aerosol by the electronic device; and

and transmitting the attraction information to the other information processing apparatus.

15. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a receiving unit that receives a function ID for identifying a function of an electronic device that generates an aerosol for suction and suction information relating to the suction of the aerosol by the electronic device; and

and a management information generation unit that generates management information based on the function ID and the attraction information.

16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15,

further comprising a transmitting part for transmitting the generated management information.

17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15 or 16,

the receiving part also receives a user ID for identifying a user,

the management information generating unit generates the management information based on the function ID, the attraction information, and the user ID associated with each other.

18. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17,

the receiving section also receives an apparatus ID for identifying the electronic apparatus.

19. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18,

20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 19,

21. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20,

the electronic device further includes a storage unit that stores attraction area information in association with a type of aerosol generation function of the electronic device.

22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21,

the receiving part also receives position information of the electronic device,

the information processing apparatus further includes a control information generation unit that generates control information for controlling the electronic apparatus based on the position information, information indicating the aerosol generation function, and the suction area information when the function of the electronic apparatus related to the function ID includes an aerosol generation function.

23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22,

the information processing apparatus further includes a transmission unit that transmits the control information to another information processing apparatus.

24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 22 or 23,

the control information is control information for controlling at least one of an output function and an aerosol generation function of the electronic apparatus.