EP3871534A1 - Electronic device and method and program for operating electronic device - Google Patents
Electronic device and method and program for operating electronic device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3871534A1 EP3871534A1 EP18938144.5A EP18938144A EP3871534A1 EP 3871534 A1 EP3871534 A1 EP 3871534A1 EP 18938144 A EP18938144 A EP 18938144A EP 3871534 A1 EP3871534 A1 EP 3871534A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- electronic device
- power supply
- voltage
- state
- control unit
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
- A24F40/53—Monitoring, e.g. fault detection
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/90—Arrangements or methods specially adapted for charging batteries thereof
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
- A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
- A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
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- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
- Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
- Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, and a method and a program for operating the electronic device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an electronic device for generating aerosol by heating an aerosol generation base material, a method of operating the electronic device, and a program for causing a processor to execute the method.
- PTL 1 discloses technology in which in an electrically heated smoking system including a primary power supply, and a secondary unit configured to receive and heat a smoking article, and generate aerosol, charging is performed from the primary power supply to a power supply of the secondary unit when the secondary unit is connected to the primary power supply, so that the power supply of the secondary unit has a sufficient capacity to smoke one smoking article.
- However, PTL 1 does not disclose a problem of a decrease in user experience that may be encountered during smoking using the secondary unit that is not sufficiently charged, and technology that may solve such a problem.
- PTL 1:
European Patent No. 2640205 - The present disclosure has an object to provide technology for ameliorating a decrease in user experience that may be encountered when a power supply of an electronic device such as an aerosol generating device is not sufficiently charged.
- According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device including a control unit, and a heating unit that heats an aerosol generation base material with power supplied from a power supply. The control unit is configured so that the power is not supplied from the power supply to the heating unit when a voltage of the power supply is less than a threshold voltage indicating that a sufficient capacity to use up one unused aerosol generation base material remains in the power supply.
- In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to measure a voltage of the power supply during a duration of one voltage pulse generated separately from a voltage pulse for supplying the power from the power supply to the heating unit.
- In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to measure the voltage of the power supply during the duration of first one voltage pulse among voltage pulses for supplying the power from the power supply to the heating unit.
- In an embodiment, a width of the one voltage pulse is 100 ms or less.
- In an embodiment, the one voltage pulse passes through the same path as a path used for supplying the power from the power supply to the heating unit.
- In an embodiment, the heating unit has a shape such that the aerosol generation base material is heated from surroundings.
- In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a recess capable of receiving the aerosol generation base material.
- In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a switching element provided between the power supply and the heating unit. The control unit is configured to switch the switching element to an off state when supply of the power from the power supply to the heating unit is stopped.
- In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to generate a signal for issuing notice to a user when the voltage of the power supply is less than the threshold voltage.
- In an embodiment, the threshold voltage is set to change depending to a remaining capacity of the power supply.
- In an embodiment, when the remaining capacity of the power supply is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the threshold voltage is a first value, and when the remaining capacity of the power supply is less than the predetermined value, the threshold voltage is a second value greater than the first value.
- In an embodiment, the first value is a stable operation voltage of a step-up DC/DC converter.
- In an embodiment, the electronic device further includes the power supply.
- In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating an electronic device, the method including a step of heating an aerosol generation base material with power supplied from a power supply. The power is not suppled from the power supply for the heating when a voltage of the power supply is less than a threshold voltage indicating that a sufficient capacity to use up one unused aerosol generation base material remains in the power supply.
- According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program which, when being executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the above-described method.
- According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there can be provided technology for ameliorating a decrease in user experience that may be encountered when a power supply of an electronic device such as an aerosol generating device is not sufficiently charged.
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Fig. 1A] Fig. 1A is an overall perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. - [
Fig. 1B] Fig. 1B is an overall perspective view of the electronic device in a state where an aerosol generation base material is held, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. - [
Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a smoking article. - [
Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 illustrated inFig. 1A . - [
Fig. 4A] Fig. 4A is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. - [
Fig. 4B] Fig. 4B is a block diagram illustrating how a voltage of a power supply is measured in the electronic device according to the embodiment ofFig. 4A . - [
Fig. 4C] Fig. 4C is a block diagram illustrating how the voltage of the power supply is measured in the electronic device according to the embodiment ofFig. 4A . - [
Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure - [
Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. - [
Fig. 7A] Fig. 7A is a state transition diagram schematically illustrating transitions among a plurality of states that can be made by the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. - [
Fig. 7B] Fig. 7B is a state transition diagram schematically illustrating details of a normal state, an abnormal state, a charging state, and a heating state, and an example of transitions among a plurality of states. - [
Fig. 7C] Fig. 7C is a state transition diagram schematically illustrating details of a normal state, an abnormal state, a charging state, and a smoking-disabled state, and an example of transitions among a plurality of states. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
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Fig. 1A is an overall perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Fig. 1B is an overall perspective view of the electronic device in a state where an aerosol generation base material is held, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, anelectronic device 10 is configured to generate aerosol containing flavor by heating the aerosol generation base material such as a smoking article that has a flavor generation base material such as a filler including an aerosol source and a flavor source, for example. Hereinafter, in the embodiment related toFigs. 1A to 3 , asmoking article 110 is used as the aerosol generation base material. - As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the
smoking article 110 is merely an example of the aerosol generation base material. The aerosol source included in the aerosol generation base material may be solid or liquid. The aerosol source may be liquid, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water. The aerosol source may contain a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from the tobacco raw material, which releases a smoking flavor component when it is heated. When theelectronic device 10 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a drug to be inhaled by a patient. Depending on the intended use, the aerosol generation base material does not necessarily include the flavor source. - As illustrated in
Figs. 1A and1B , theelectronic device 10 includes atop housing 11A, abottom housing 11B, acover 12, aswitch 13, and alid 14. Thetop housing 11A and thebottom housing 11B are connected to each other, to form anoutermost housing 11 of theelectronic device 10. Thehousing 11 may be sized to fit into a user's hand. In this case, when the user uses theelectronic device 10, the user can hold theelectronic device 10 in the hand and suck the aerosol. - The
top housing 11A has an opening (not illustrated), and thecover 12 is joined to thetop housing 11A to close the opening. As illustrated inFig. 1B , thecover 12 has anopening 12a through which thesmoking article 110 can be inserted. - The
lid 14 is configured to open and close theopening 12a of thecover 12. Specifically, thelid 14 is attached to thecover 12, and is configured to be movable along a surface of thecover 12 between a first position where theopening 12a is closed and a second position where theopening 12a is opened. - The
switch 13 is used to switch on and off the operation of theelectronic device 10. For example, when the user operates theswitch 13 in a state where thesmoking article 110 is inserted into theopening 12a as illustrated inFig. 1B , power is supplied to a heating unit (not illustrated) from a battery (not illustrated), whereby thesmoking article 110 can be heated without being combusted. When thesmoking article 110 is heated, aerosol is generated from the aerosol source included in thesmoking article 110, the flavor of the flavor source is drawn into the aerosol. The user can suck the aerosol containing the flavor by sucking a portion of the smoking article 110 (a portion illustrated inFig. 1B ) protruding from theelectronic device 10. Note that in this specification, a direction in which the aerosol generation base material such as thesmoking article 110 is inserted into theopening 12a is referred to as a longitudinal direction of theelectronic device 10. - The configuration of the
electronic device 10 illustrated inFigs. 1A and1B is merely an example of a configuration of the electronic device according to the present disclosure. The electronic device according to the present disclosure can be configured in various forms in which the aerosol can be generated by heating the aerosol generation base material including the aerosol source, and the user can suck the generated aerosol source. - Next, as an example of the aerosol generation base material used in the
electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, the configuration of thesmoking article 110 will be described.Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of thesmoking article 110. In the embodiment illustrated inFig. 2 , thesmoking article 110 includes abase material portion 110A that includes a filler 111 (corresponding to an example of the flavor generation base material) andfirst cigarette paper 112 to be wrapped around thefiller 111, and amouthpiece portion 110B that forms an end portion opposite to thebase material portion 110A. Thebase material portion 110A and themouthpiece portion 110B are connected to each other bysecond cigarette paper 113 different from thefirst cigarette paper 112. However, thebase material portion 110A and themouthpiece portion 110B can be connected to each other using thefirst cigarette paper 112 without using thesecond cigarette paper 113. - The
mouthpiece portion 110B inFig. 2 includes apaper tube unit 114, afilter unit 115, and ahollow segment unit 116 that is arranged between thepaper tube unit 114 and thefilter unit 115. Thehollow segment unit 116 includes, for example, a packed bed having one or a plurality of hollow channels, and a plug wrapper that surrounds the packed bed. Since the packing density of fibers in the packed bed is high, the air and aerosol flow only through the hollow channels and scarcely flow through the packed bed, when being sucked. In thesmoking article 110, to reduce a decrease in aerosol delivery amount due to filtration of the aerosol components in thefilter unit 115, shortening the length of thefilter unit 115 so that thehollow segment unit 116 compensates for the shortened length is effective to increase the aerosol delivery amount. - In the embodiment of
Fig. 2 , themouthpiece portion 110B is constituted by three segments. However, in another embodiment, themouthpiece portion 110B may be constituted by one or two segments, or may be constituted by four or more segments. For example, themouthpiece portion 110B may be also formed without being provided with thehollow segment unit 116, so that thepaper tube unit 114 and thefilter unit 115 are arranged to be adjacent to each other. - In the embodiment illustrated in
Fig. 2 , the length in the longitudinal direction of thesmoking article 110 is preferably 40 to 90 mm, more preferably 50 to 75 mm, and even more preferably 50 to 60 mm. The circumference of thesmoking article 110 is preferably 15 to 25 mm, more preferably 17 to 24 mm or less, and even more preferably 20 to 22 mm. In thesmoking article 110, the length of thebase material portion 110A may be 20 mm, the length of thefirst cigarette paper 112 may be 20 mm, the length of thehollow segment unit 116 may be 8 mm, and the length of thefilter unit 115 may be 7 mm. The length of each of these individual segments can be appropriately changed according to production suitability, required quality, and the like. - In the present embodiment, the
filler 111 of thesmoking article 110 may contain the aerosol source that is heated at a predetermined temperature to generate aerosol. The aerosol source may be of any type, and substances extracted from various natural products and/or their constituents can be selected depending on the intended use. Examples of the aerosol source include glycerin, propylene glycol, triacetin, 1,3-butanediol, and a mixture thereof. The content of the aerosol source in thefiller 111 is not limited to a particular content, and is generally 5% by weight or more and preferably 10% by weight or more, and generally 50% by weight or less and preferably 20% by weight or less, from the viewpoint of sufficiently generating aerosol and imparting a good smoking flavor. - The
filler 111 of thesmoking article 110 in the present embodiment may contain shredded tobacco as the flavor source. The shredded tobacco may be made of any material, and known materials such as lamina and stems can be used. When the circumference of thesmoking article 110 is 22 mm and the length thereof is 20 mm, the range of the content of thefiller 111 in thesmoking article 110 is, for example, 200 to 400 mg, and preferably 250 to 320 mg. The water content of thefiller 111 is, for example, 8 to 18% by weight, and preferably 10 to 16% by weight. With such a water content, the occurrence of winding stain is suppressed, and the winding suitability at the time of manufacturing thebase material portion 110A is improved. There are no particular restrictions on the size of the shredded tobacco used as thefiller 111 and the method of preparing the shredded tobacco. For example, there may be used shredded tobacco obtained by shredding dried tobacco leaves to a width of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. Alternatively, there may be used shredded tobacco obtained by crushing the dried tobacco leaves to have an average particle size of about 20 to 200 µm and making uniform the crushed leaves to form into a sheet, and then shredding the resultant sheet to the width of 0.8 to 1.2 mm. Alternatively, the above-described sheet may be subjected to the gathering process without being shredded, and the resultant product may be used as thefiller 111. Additionally, thefiller 111 may contain one or two or more types of flavors. The flavors may be of any types, but from the viewpoint of imparting a good smoking flavor, the flavor is preferably menthol. - In the present embodiment, the
first cigarette paper 112 and thesecond cigarette paper 113 of thesmoking article 110 can be made of a base paper having a basis weight of, for example, 20 to 65 gsm, and preferably 25 to 45 gsm. The thickness of thefirst cigarette paper 112 and thesecond cigarette paper 113 is not limited to a particular value, but is 10 to 100 µm, preferably 20 to 75 µm, and more preferably 30 to 50 µm, from the viewpoint of rigidity, air permeability, and ease of adjustment during papermaking. - In the present embodiment, the
first cigarette paper 112 and thesecond cigarette paper 113 of thesmoking article 110 may contain a filler. The content of the filler may be 10% by weight or more and less than 60% by weight, and preferably 15 to 45% by weight, with respect to the total weight of thefirst cigarette paper 112 and thesecond cigarette paper 113. In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the amount of the filler is 15 to 45% by weight, with respect to the preferable range of the basis weight (25 to 45 gsm). As the filler, for example, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, kaolin or the like can be used. Paper containing such a filler that is used as a cigarette paper of thesmoking article 110 exhibits a bright white-based color that is preferable from the viewpoint of appearance, and can permanently maintain whiteness. When the cigarette paper contains a large amount of such a filler, for example, the ISO whiteness of the cigarette paper can be set to 83% or more. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of practical use as cigarette paper of thesmoking article 110, it is preferable that thefirst cigarette paper 112 and thesecond cigarette paper 113 have a tensile strength of 8 N / 15 mm or more. This tensile strength can be increased by reducing the content of the filler. Specifically, the tensile strength can be increased when the content of the filler is made smaller than the upper limit of the content of the filler shown in the range of each basis weight described above. - Next, the internal structure of the
electronic device 10 illustrated inFigs. 1A and1B will be described.Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 illustrated inFig. 1A . As illustrated inFig. 3 , theelectronic device 10 includes apower supply unit 20, acircuit unit 30, and aheating unit 40 in an internal space of thehousing 11. Thecircuit unit 30 may include afirst circuit board 31, and asecond circuit board 32 that is electrically connected to thefirst circuit board 31. Thefirst circuit board 31 may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction as illustrated in the figure, for example. In this way, thepower supply unit 20 and theheating unit 40 are partitioned by thefirst circuit board 31. As a result, the heat generated in theheating unit 40 can be prevented from being transferred to thepower supply unit 20. - The
second circuit board 32 may be arranged between thetop housing 11A and thepower supply unit 20, and extend in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of thefirst circuit board 31. Theswitch 13 may be arranged to be adjacent to thesecond circuit board 32. When the user presses theswitch 13, a part of theswitch 13 may come into contact with thesecond circuit board 32. - The
first circuit board 31 and thesecond circuit board 32 include, for example, a microprocessor and the like, and can control the supply of power from thepower supply unit 20 to theheating unit 40. Accordingly, thefirst circuit board 31 and thesecond circuit board 32 can control the heating of thesmoking article 110 by theheating unit 40. - The
power supply unit 20 has apower supply 21 that is electrically connected to thefirst circuit board 31 and thesecond circuit board 32. Thepower supply 21 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Thepower supply 21 is electrically connected to theheating unit 40 via at least one of thefirst circuit board 31 and thesecond circuit board 32. Thereby, thepower supply 21 can supply the power to theheating unit 40 to appropriately heat thesmoking article 110. Furthermore, as illustrated in the figure, thepower supply 21 may be arranged to be adjacent to theheating unit 40 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of theheating unit 40. This can prevent theelectronic device 10 from being lengthened in the longitudinal direction even if the size of thepower supply 21 is increased. - The
electronic device 10 may have a terminal 22 that is connectable to an external power supply. The terminal 22 can be connected to a cable such as a micro-USB, for example. When thepower supply 21 is a rechargeable battery, a current flows from the external power supply to thepower supply 21 by connecting the external power supply to the terminal 22, whereby thepower supply 21 can be charged. Furthermore, the data related to the operation of theelectronic device 10 may be transmitted to an external device by connecting a data transmission cable such as a micro-USB to the terminal 22. - The
heating unit 40 has aheating assembly 41 extending in the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in the figure. Theheating assembly 41 is formed of a plurality of tubular members, and has a tubular body as a whole. Theheating assembly 41 is configured so that a part of thesmoking article 110 can be housed therein, and has a function of defining a flow path of air supplied to thesmoking article 110 and a function of heating thesmoking article 110 from the outer periphery. - A
vent hole 15 through which air flows into theheating assembly 41 is formed in thebottom housing 11B. Specifically, thevent hole 15 is in fluid communication with one end portion (a left end portion inFig. 2 ) of theheating assembly 41. Additionally, theelectronic device 10 has acap 16 that is attachable to or detachable from thevent hole 15. Thecap 16 is configured so that the air can flow into theheating assembly 41 through thevent hole 15 even in a state where thecap 16 is attached to thevent hole 15, and may have, for example, a through hole or a notch (not illustrated). When thecap 16 is attached to thevent hole 15, a substance generated from thesmoking article 11 inserted into theheating assembly 41 can be prevented from falling from thevent hole 15 to the outside of thehousing 11. When thecap 16 is detached, the interior of theheating assembly 41 or the inner side of thecap 16 can be also cleaned. - The other end portion (a right end portion in
Fig. 2 ) of theheating assembly 41 is in fluid communication with theopening 12a illustrated inFig. 1B . A substantially tubularouter fin 17 is provided between thelid 14 having theopening 12a and the other end portion of theheating assembly 41. When thesmoking article 110 is inserted into theelectronic device 10 through theopening 12a of thelid 14 as illustrated inFig. 1B , thesmoking article 110 passes through theouter fin 17, and a part of thesmoking article 110 is arranged inside theheating assembly 41. Therefore, theouter fin 17 is preferably formed such that an opening thereof on the side closer to thelid 14 has a size larger than an opening thereof on the side closer to the other end portion of theheating assembly 41. This facilitates insertion of thesmoking article 110 into theouter fin 17 through theopening 12a. - In a state where the
smoking article 110 is inserted into theelectronic device 10 through theopening 12a as illustrated inFig. 1B , when the user sucks from the portion of thesmoking article 110 protruding from theelectronic device 10, that is, thefilter unit 115 illustrated inFig. 2 , the air flows into theheating assembly 41 through thevent hole 15. The air having flowed thereinto passes through the inside of theheating assembly 41, and reaches the mouth of the user together with the aerosol generated from thesmoking article 110. Therefore, the side closer to thevent hole 15 of theheating assembly 41 is referred to as an upstream side, and the side closer to theopening 12a of the heating assembly 41 (the side closer to the outer fin 17) is referred to as a downstream side. -
Fig. 4A is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Theelectronic device 10 in this example includes acontrol unit 402, and theheating unit 40 that includes components such as theheating assembly 41. Theelectronic device 10 may further include thepower supply 21. Alternatively, theelectronic device 10 may be configured to be connected to another device including thepower supply 21, without being provided with thepower supply 21. Theelectronic device 10 may further include other components such as aswitching element 406, astorage unit 408, anotification unit 410, avoltage sensor 412, and a remainingcapacity sensor 414. The switchingelement 406 is provided between thepower supply 21 and theheating unit 40. The remainingcapacity sensor 414 may be mounted as an integrated circuit (IC) arranged in theelectronic device 10. Alternatively, when theelectronic device 10 is provided with nopower supply 21 and is connected to another device including thepower supply 21, the remainingcapacity sensor 414 may be mounted as the IC arranged in such another device. Theelectronic device 10 may further include avoltage conversion circuit 418 provided between thepower supply 21 and theheating unit 40. Thevoltage conversion circuit 418 may be arranged between the power supply and theswitching element 406. Alternatively, thevoltage conversion circuit 418 may be arranged between the switchingelement 406 and theheating unit 40. As indicated by dotted arrows inFig. 4A , thecontrol unit 402 is configured to control thepower supply 21, the switchingelement 406, thenotification unit 410, thevoltage conversion circuit 418, and the like. Thecontrol unit 402 is also configured to control thestorage unit 408, thevoltage sensor 412, the remainingcapacity sensor 414, and the like, and exchange the information with these components. - The
electronic device 10 may also include arecess 416 capable of receiving the aerosolgeneration base material 110 such as the smoking article. Theheating unit 40 may have a shape such that the aerosolgeneration base material 110 can be heated from surroundings. Theheating unit 40 heats a portion of the aerosolgeneration base material 110 received in therecess 416 with power supplied from thepower supply 21. - The
control unit 402 may be configured to switch on/off the supply of power from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40 in response to the switching on/off of theswitching element 406. In an example, thecontrol unit 402 may be configured to switch theswitching element 406 to the off state, to stop the supply of power from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40. - The
voltage sensor 412 is used to measure a voltage of thepower supply 21. For example, thevoltage sensor 412 may include a resistor connected between output terminals of thepower supply 21, and a sensor that detects the voltage applied across the resistor. Thecontrol unit 402 can obtain the information about the voltage of thepower supply 21 from thevoltage sensor 412. This is merely an example of thevoltage sensor 412. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that thevoltage sensor 412 can have various configurations. - The remaining
capacity sensor 414 is used to measure the remaining capacity of thepower supply 21. For example, the remainingcapacity sensor 414 may include a circuit or the like configured to store an integrated value of the current flowing from thepower supply 21 and calculate the ratio of the current capacity to the capacity in a fully charged state of thepower supply 21 based on the integrated value. Thecontrol unit 402 can obtain, from the remainingcapacity sensor 414, the information about the capacity remaining in thepower supply 21. This is merely an example of the remainingcapacity sensor 414. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the remainingcapacity sensor 414 can have various configurations. - The
voltage conversion circuit 418 is configured to convert the voltage of thepower supply 21. The converted voltage is used for the supply of power to theheating unit 40. Thevoltage conversion circuit 418 may be a step-up DC/DC converter. Alternatively, theelectronic device 10 may be configured not to include thevoltage conversion circuit 418. - In the case where the
electronic device 10 includes thevoltage conversion circuit 418, the switchingelement 406 may be included in thevoltage conversion circuit 418, without being provided separately from thevoltage conversion circuit 418. - The
notification unit 410 operates to issue notice to the user. In an example, thenotification unit 410 may include one or a plurality of LEDs configured to emit light in one or a plurality of colors. Thenotification unit 410 may also include a speaker configured to issue notice by sound. Thenotification unit 410 may also include a display configured to issue notice by a display on the display. - The
storage unit 408 can stores various data related to the operation of theelectronic device 10. For example, thestorage unit 408 may store the information obtained from thevoltage sensor 412 and the remainingcapacity sensor 414. Thestorage unit 408 may also store the information about a heating procedure of theheating unit 40 suitable for theelectronic device 10. - In an example, each of the
control unit 402, the switchingelement 406, thestorage unit 408, thenotification unit 410, thevoltage sensor 412 and the remainingcapacity sensor 414 may be included in any of thefirst circuit board 31 and thesecond circuit board 32 illustrated inFig. 3 . -
Fig. 4B is a block diagram illustrating how the voltage of thepower supply 21 is measured in the electronic device according to the embodiment ofFig. 4A . Thecontrol unit 402 may generate a voltage pulse (or a current pulse) different from a voltage pulse (or a current pulse) that is used for supplying the power to theheating unit 40 to heat the aerosolgeneration base material 110 and measure the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the duration of the voltage pulse. In an example, thecontrol unit 402 causes theswitching element 406 to be in an on state for a predetermined period of time Δt1 (for example, 60 ms). After a lapse of Δt1, thecontrol unit 402 causes theswitching element 406 to be in an off state. A value of Δt1 may be stored in thestorage unit 408 in advance. In this way, as illustrated in the figure, the voltage pulse of the duration Δt1 is generated, and passes through a path from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40. Thecontrol unit 402 measures the voltage of thepower supply 21 using thevoltage sensor 412 during the duration Δt1 of the voltage pulse. In this example, the number and duration of voltage pulses to be generated are set so that the temperature of theheating unit 40 is hardly increased. For example, the number of voltage pulses is preferably one, and the duration of the voltage pulse is preferably 100 ms or less. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-described number and duration of the voltage pulses to be generated can be appropriately set. -
Fig. 4C is a block diagram illustrating how the voltage of thepower supply 21 is measured in the electronic device according to the embodiment ofFig. 4A . Thecontrol unit 402 may measure the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the duration of first one voltage pulse among the voltage pulses (or the current pulses) that are used for supplying the power to theheating unit 40 to heat the aerosolgeneration base material 110. In an example, thecontrol unit 402 turns on/off theswitching element 406, whereby a series of voltage pulses used for heating theheating unit 40 can be generated. Thecontrol unit 402 may repeat the control for causing theswitching element 406 to be in the on state for a predetermined period of time Δt2 (for example, 60 ms), and causing theswitching element 406 to be in the off state after a lapse of Δt2. A value of Δt2 may be stored in thestorage unit 408 in advance. Alternatively, thecontrol unit 402 may adjust the value of Δt2 so that the temperature of theheating unit 40 becomes a desired value. This control enables the series of voltage pulses each having the duration Δt2 to pass through the path from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40, as illustrated in the figure. Thecontrol unit 402 may measure the voltage of thepower supply 21 using thevoltage sensor 412 during the duration Δt2 of the first voltage pulse (the pulse indicated by a bold line inFig. 4C ) among the series of voltage pulses. The duration of the voltage pulse is preferably 100 ms or less. In another example, thecontrol unit 402 may measure the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the duration of a first plurality (for example, two, three or the like) of voltage pulses among the series of voltage pulses. - Hereinafter, details of operation of the
electronic device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be further described. -
Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of theelectronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process inFig. 5 corresponds to the example ofFig. 4B . All the steps will be described as being performed by thecontrol unit 402 of theelectronic device 10. However, it should be noted that at least some of the steps may be performed by another component in theelectronic device 10. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the present embodiment, when being executed by a processor such as thecontrol unit 402, can be implemented as a program that causes the processor to perform the method or as a computer readable storage medium storing the same program. The same can also apply to the example described in the context ofFig. 6 which will be described later. - The process starts at
step 502. Thecontrol unit 402 determines whether an aerosol generation request is detected. In an example, when theswitch 13 is pressed, thecontrol unit 402 may determine that the aerosol generation request is detected. In another example, theelectronic device 10 may be configured to determine that the aerosol generation request is detected based on detecting user's suction. For example, theelectronic device 10 may include the pressure sensor, and thecontrol unit 402 may detect the user's suction based on a change in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. - When the aerosol generation request is not detected ("N" in step 502), the process returns to the point before
step 502. When the aerosol generation request is detected ("Y" in step 502), the process proceeds to step 504. - In
step 504, thecontrol unit 402 generates a voltage pulse different from the voltage pulse for supplying the power to theheating unit 40. In an example, thecontrol unit 402 may cause theswitching element 406 to be in the on state for a predetermined period of time. In this way, the voltage pulse having a duration is generated, the duration being equal to the predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time is preferably 100 ms or less, and is, for example, 60 ms. The information about the predetermined period of time may be stored in thestorage unit 408. Thecontrol unit 402 may acquire the information about the predetermined period of time from thestorage unit 408, and generate the above-described voltage pulse based on the acquired information. As can be appreciated from the example ofFig. 4B , the generated voltage pulse passes through the same path as the path used for supplying the power from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40. - The process proceeds to step 506, and the
control unit 402 measures the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the above-described duration of the voltage pulse. In an example, thevoltage sensor 412 may include the resistor connected between the output terminals of thepower supply 21. Thecontrol unit 402 acquires a voltage across the resistor as the voltage of thepower supply 21. Thecontrol unit 402 may measure the voltage of thepower supply 21 one or a plurality of times during the duration. Thecontrol unit 402 can obtain the voltage of thepower supply 21 when the current actually flows between thepower supply 21 and theheating unit 40, by measuring the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the duration of the voltage pulse. Accordingly, the voltage of thepower supply 21 can be measured accurately in the same situation as when the power is supplied from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40 and the aerosolgeneration base material 110 is heated by theheating unit 40, as compared with the case where the voltage of thepower supply 21 is simply measured without generating the voltage pulse. - The process processes to step 508, and the
control unit 402 determines whether the voltage of thepower supply 21 measured instep 506 is less than a threshold voltage indicating that the sufficient capacity to use up one unused aerosolgeneration base material 110 remains in thepower supply 21. - In an example, the above-described threshold voltage may be a fixed value stored in the
storage unit 408. The tests on heating of the aerosolgeneration base material 110 by theelectronic device 10 and user's suction may be preliminarily performed under various environments in which the ambient temperature ranges from a low temperature (for example, 0°C) to a high temperature (for example, 40°C). As a result of the tests, the voltage of thepower supply 21 when the sufficient capacity to use up one unused aerosolgeneration base material 110 remains in thepower supply 21 in any environment may be set as the above-described fixed value. - The above-described threshold voltage may be set to change depending on the remaining capacity of the
power supply 21. As described above, the remaining capacity of thepower supply 21 may be measured using the remainingcapacity sensor 414. When the remaining capacity of thepower supply 21 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the threshold voltage may be a first value. When the remaining capacity of thepower supply 21 is less than the predetermined value, the threshold voltage may be a second value greater than the first value. - In an example, when the remaining capacity of the
power supply 21 is equal to or greater than 25%, thecontrol unit 402 may set the threshold voltage to the first value (for example, 2282 mV). When theelectronic device 10 includes thevoltage conversion circuit 418 and thevoltage conversion circuit 418 is a step-up DC/DC converter, the above-described first value may be a stable operation voltage of the step-up DC/DC converter. This can prevent the operation of theelectronic device 10 including the step-up DC/DC converter from being unstable, when the remaining capacity of thepower supply 21 is sufficient to use up one unused aerosolgeneration base material 110. - When the remaining capacity of the
power supply 21 is less than 25%, thecontrol unit 402 may also set the threshold voltage to the second value (for example, 2408 mV). The second value may be a value enabling one unused aerosolgeneration base material 110 to be used up even under high temperature environment. - When the voltage of the
power supply 21 is less than the threshold voltage ("Y" in step 508), the process proceeds to step 510. Instep 510, thecontrol unit 402 operates not to supply the power from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40. For example, thecontrol unit 402 may control so that the switchingelement 406 does not reach the on state (the switchingelement 406 is kept in the off state). At this time, thecontrol unit 402 may generate a signal for issuing the notice to the user. In an example, thecontrol unit 402 may control thenotification unit 410 to issue, to the user, the notice that the sufficient capacity to use up one aerosolgeneration base material 110 does not remain in thepower supply 21. The notice may be issued in various forms such as light emission from an LED or the like, voice output from a speaker or the like, vibration by a vibrator, and display on a display. - When the voltage of the
power supply 21 is equal to or greater than the threshold voltage ("N" in step 508), the process proceeds to step 512. Instep 512, thecontrol unit 402 operates to supply the power from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40, and heat the aerosolgeneration base material 110 to generate the aerosol. - According to the embodiment of
Fig. 5 , when the sufficient capacity to use up one of unused aerosol generation base material 110 (for example, one smoking article) does not remain in thepower supply 21, the user can know it in advance. Accordingly, the user does not have to experience such a discomfort that the aerosol is no longer generated before the aerosolgeneration base material 110 is used up. In this way, according to the present embodiment, a decrease in user experience that may be encountered when thepower supply 21 of theelectronic device 10 such as an aerosol generating device is not sufficiently charged can be prevented or ameliorated. -
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of theelectronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process inFig. 6 corresponds to the example ofFig. 4C . The process ofstep 602 is the same as the process ofstep 502 inFig. 5 . - In
step 604, thecontrol unit 402 generates the voltage pulse for supplying the power to theheating unit 40. Thecontrol unit 402 may repeat causing theswitching element 406 to be in the on state for a certain period of time and causing theswitching element 406 to be in the off state for a certain period of time. In this way, a series of voltage pulses as illustrated inFig. 4C are generated, and supplied to theheating unit 40 to generate the aerosol. In this case, the duration of one voltage pulse is equal to the above-described period of time. The duration of the voltage pulse may change depending on an operation status of theelectronic device 10. For example, thecontrol unit 402 may adjust the duty ratio of the voltage pulse so that the temperature of theheating unit 40 becomes a desired temperature. When the duty ratio of the voltage pulse is adjusted, the duration of the voltage pulse also changes. The information about the duration may be stored in thestorage unit 408. The information about the duration stored in thestorage unit 408 may be updated each time the duration changes. In another example, the duration of voltage pulse generated first instep 604 may be a fixed value. The fixed value is preferably 100 ms or less, and is, for example, 60 ms. The information about the fixed value may be stored in thestorage unit 408. In this case, thecontrol unit 402 may acquire the information about the fixed value from thestorage unit 408, and generate the above-described first voltage pulse based on this information. - In
step 606, thecontrol unit 402 measures the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the duration of the first voltage pulse among the series of voltage pulses generated for supplying the power to theheating unit 40. A method of measuring the voltage of thepower supply 21 is as described above. In another example, thecontrol unit 402 may measure the voltage of thepower supply 21 during the duration of a plurality of (for example, two, three or the like) first voltage pulses among the series of voltage pulses. - The process of
steps 608 to 612 is the same as the process ofsteps 508 to 512 inFig. 5 . - Similarly to the embodiment of
Fig. 5 , according to the embodiment ofFig. 6 , a decrease in user experience that may be encountered when thepower supply 21 of theelectronic device 10 such as an aerosol generating device is not sufficiently charged can be prevented or ameliorated. -
Fig. 7A is a state transition diagram schematically illustrating transitions among a plurality of states that can be made by the electronic device 10 (or thecontrol unit 402 of the electronic device 10) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. - As illustrated in the figure, the states of the
electronic device 10 may include anormal state 702, anabnormal state 704, a chargingstate 706, aheating state 708, and a smoking-disabled state 710. Thenormal state 702 is a normal stand-by state. Theabnormal state 704 is a state where any error occurs and thus theelectronic device 10 does not operate normally. The chargingstate 706 is a state where thepower supply 21 of theelectronic device 10 is charged. Theheating state 708 is a state where theheating unit 40 is heated with the power supplied from thepower supply 21 to theheating unit 40. The smoking-disabled state 710 is a state where one aerosol generation base material (for example, one smoking article) cannot be used up. - Various arrows illustrated in the figure each indicate an example of a trigger for making the transition from a certain state to another state. These are merely examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other various triggers can be used for the state transitions.
- When the temperature abnormality such as too high temperature of the
heating unit 40 is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the abnormal state 704 (arrow A1). When the normalization of the temperature is confirmed, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from theabnormal state 704 to the normal state 702 (arrow A2). When any system error is detected as another trigger, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from thenormal state 702 to the abnormal state 704 (arrow A3). When the system state is reset, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from theabnormal state 704 to the normal state 702 (arrow A4). In an example, the state reset may be performed by pressing an action button such as theswitch 13 for a period of time longer than that of a normal long press. - When the connection of an element such as a micro-USB cable which is used for charging the
power supply 21 of theelectronic device 10 is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the charging state 706 (arrow A5). When the detachment of the micro-USB cable or the like is detected or the state reset is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the chargingstate 706 to the normal state 702 (arrow A6). - When a slide cover such as the
cover 12 is opened and the action button is pressed long when theelectronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the heating state 708 (arrow A7). When there is detected completion of smoking (aerosol suction), a cancelling operation, long pressing of the action button, a state reset, connection of the micro-USB cable, or the like, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from theheating state 708 to the normal state 702 (arrow A8). In an example, the cancelling operation may be performed by opening or closing the slide cover, connecting the micro-USB cable, or the like. - When it is detected the remaining capacity of the
power supply 21 is insufficient when theelectronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the smoking-disabled state 710 (arrow A9). The transition indicated by the arrow A9 is related to the process ofstep 510 in the embodiment ofFig. 5 . When the reset is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the smoking-disabled state 710 to the normal state 702 (arrow A10). - When it is detected the remaining capacity of the
power supply 21 is insufficient when theelectronic device 10 is in theheating state 708, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the smoking-disabled state 710 (arrow A11). The transition indicated by the arrow A11 is related to the process ofstep 610 in the embodiment ofFig. 6 . When the system error is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from theheating state 708 to the abnormal state 704 (arrow A12). - When the connection of the micro-USB cable is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the smoking-disabled state 710, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the charging state 706 (arrow A13). When the system error, the temperature abnormality, or the like is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the smoking-disabled state 710 to the abnormal state 704 (arrow A14). - When the system error, the temperature abnormality, or the like is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the chargingstate 706, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the abnormal state 704 (arrow A15). -
Fig. 7B is a state transition diagram schematically illustrating details of thenormal state 702, theabnormal state 704, the chargingstate 706, and theheating state 708, and an example of transitions among a plurality of states. - The
normal state 702 may include states such as asleep 702A, a stand-by (IDLE) 702B, a setstate display mode 702C, and a preheating stand-by state 702D. Theabnormal state 704 may include states such as a temporary use-disabled state 704A, and an automatic returnimpossible state 704B. The chargingstate 706 may include states such as a battery-(power supply) chargingstate 706A. In the battery-chargingstate 706A, theelectronic device 10 may make a display related to the charging state. Theheating state 708 may include states such as a preheating 708A, and asmoking mode 708B. In the preheating 708A, theelectronic device 10 may make a display related to a preheating time. In thesmoking mode 708B, theelectronic device 10 may make a display related to a smoking time. - When the temperature abnormality or the like is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the temporary use-disabled state 704A (arrow B1). When the normalization of the temperature is confirmed, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the temporary use-disabled state 704A to the normal state 702 (arrow B2). When the system error is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the automatic returnimpossible state 704B (arrow B3). When the reset is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the normal state 702 (arrow B4). - When the connection of the micro-USB cable is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in thenormal state 702, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the charging state 706 (arrow B5). When the detachment of the micro-USB cable is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the normal state 702 (arrow B6). - When the reset is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the chargingstate 706, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the normal state (arrow B7). - When an instruction to start the preheating is issued by long pressing of the action button when the
electronic device 10 is in the preheating stand-by state 702D, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the preheating 708A (arrow B8). When the action button is pressed long in the state of the preheating 708A, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the preheating stand-by state 702D (arrow B9). - When there is detected opening/closing of the slide cover, pressing of the action button, connection of the micro-USB cable, or the like when the
electronic device 10 is in the state ofsleep 702A, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the state of the stand-by 702B (arrow B10). When a predetermined period of time (for example, 15 sec.) lapses, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the state of the stand-by 702B to the state of thesleep 702A (arrow B11). - When the slide cover is opened when the
electronic device 10 is in the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the preheating stand-by state 702D (arrow B12). When the cancelling operation is performed, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the preheating stand-by state 702D to the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B (arrow B13). Alternatively, when a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 min.) lapses, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the preheating stand-by state 702D to the state of thesleep 702A (arrow B14). - When short pressing of the action button is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B, theelectronic device 10 makes the transitions to the setstate display mode 702C (arrow B15). When the cancelling operation is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from setstate display mode 702C to the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B (arrow B16). Alternatively, when the display of the set state is completed or short pressing or long pressing of the action button is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from setstate display mode 702C to the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B (arrow B17). - When the preheating is completed when the
electronic device 10 is in the state of the preheating 708A, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to thesmoking mode 708B (arrow B18). When there is detected a predetermined number of times (for example, 14 times) of puff actions, a lapse of a predetermined period of time (for example, 210 sec.), long pressing of the action button, or the like, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from thesmoking mode 708B to the preheating stand-by state 702D (arrow B19). - When the cancelling operation is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the state of the preheating 708A, theelectronic device 10 makes the transitions to the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B (arrow B20). When the reset is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in theheating state 708, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the normal state 702 (arrow B21). When the cancelling operation is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in thesmoking mode 708B, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the state of thesleep 702A or the stand-by 702B (arrow B22). -
Fig. 7C is a state transition diagram schematically illustrating details of anormal state 702, anabnormal state 704, a chargingstate 706, and a smoking-disabled state 710, and an example of transitions among a plurality of states. - The smoking-
disabled state 710 may include states such as asleep 710A, a stand-by (IDLE) 710B, and a setstate display mode 710C. - When the temperature abnormality or the like is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the smoking-disabled state 710, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the temporary use-disabled state 704A (arrow C1). When the normalization of the temperature is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the temporary use-disabled state 704A to the smoking-disabled state 710 (arrow C2). When the system error is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in the smoking-disabled state 710, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the automatic returnimpossible state 704B (arrow C3). When the connection of the micro-USB cable is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the smoking-disabled state 710 to the charging state 706 (arrow C4). - When the detachment of the micro-USB cable is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the chargingstate 706, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the normal state 702 (arrow C5). When the system error is detected when theelectronic device 10 is in the chargingstate 706, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the abnormal state 704 (arrow C7). - When the reset is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the smoking-disabled state 710, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the normal state 702 (arrow C6). When there is detected opening/closing of the slide cover, pressing of the action button, connection of the micro-USB cable, or the like when theelectronic device 10 is in the state of thesleep 710A, theelectronic device 10 makes the transitions to the state of the stand-by 710B (arrow C8). When a predetermined period of time (for example, 15 sec.) lapses, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the state of the stand-by 710B to the state of thesleep 710A (arrow C9). - When short pressing of the action button is detected when the
electronic device 10 is in the state of thesleep 710A or the stand-by 710B, theelectronic device 10 makes the transitions to the setstate display mode 710C (arrow C10). When the cancelling operation is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from setstate display mode 710C to the state of thesleep 710A or the stand-by 710B (arrow C11). Alternatively, when the display of the set state is completed or short pressing or long pressing of the action button is detected, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from setstate display mode 710C to the state of thesleep 710A or the stand-by 710B (arrow C12). - When there is detected opening/closing of the slide cover, pressing of the action button, connection of the micro-USB cable, or the like when the
electronic device 10 is in the state ofsleep 702A, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition to the state of the stand-by 702B (arrow C13). When a predetermined period of time (for example, 15 sec.) lapses, theelectronic device 10 makes the transition from the state of the stand-by 702B to the state of thesleep 702A (arrow C14). - Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is to be understood that the embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that modifications, addition, improvements, and the like of the embodiments can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, and should be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
- 10 ... Electronic device, 11 ... Housing, 11A ... Top housing, 11B ... Bottom housing, 12 ... Cover, 12a ... Opening, 13 ... Switch, 14 ... Lid, 15 ... Vent hole, 16 ... Cap, 17 ... Outer fin, 20 ... Power supply unit, 21 ... Power supply, 22 ... Terminal, 30 ... Circuit unit, 31 ... First circuit board, 32 ... Second circuit board, 40 ... Heating unit, 41 ... Heating assembly, 110 ... Aerosol generation base material or smoking article, 110A ... Base material portion, 110B ... Mouthpiece portion, 111 ... Filler, 112 ... First cigarette paper, 113 ... Second cigarette paper, 114 ... Paper tube unit, 115 ... Filter unit, 116 ... Hollow segment unit, 402 ... Control unit, 406 ... Switching element, 408 ... Storage unit, 410 ... Notification unit, 412 ... Voltage sensor, 414 ... Remaining capacity sensor, 416 ... Recess, 418 ... Voltage conversion circuit, 702 ... Normal state, 704 ... Abnormal state, 706 ... Charging state, 708 ... Heating state, 710 ... Smoking-disabled state, 702A ... Sleep, 702B ... Stand-by, 702C ... Set state display mode, 702D ... Preheating stand-by state, 704A ... Temporary use-disabled state, 704B ... Automatic return impossible state, 706A ... Battery-charging state, 708A ... Preheating, 708B ... Smoking mode, 710A ... Sleep, 710B ... Stand-by, 710C ... Set state display mode
Claims (15)
- An electronic device, comprising:a control unit; anda heating unit that heats an aerosol generation base material with power supplied from a power supply,wherein the control unit is configured so that the power is not supplied from the power supply to the heating unit when a voltage of the power supply is less than a threshold voltage indicating that a sufficient capacity to use up one unused aerosol generation base material remains in the power supply.
- The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit is configured to measure a voltage of the power supply during a duration of one voltage pulse generated separately from a voltage pulse for supplying the power from the power supply to the heating unit. - The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein
the control unit is configured to measure the voltage of the power supply during the duration of first one voltage pulse among voltage pulses for supplying the power from the power supply to the heating unit. - The electronic device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
a width of the one voltage pulse is 100 ms or less. - The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein
the one voltage pulse passes through the same path as a path used for supplying the power from the power supply to the heating unit. - The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the heating unit has a shape such that the aerosol generation base material is heated from surroundings. - The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
a recess capable of receiving the aerosol generation base material. - The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:a switching element provided between the power supply and the heating unit,wherein the control unit is configured to switch the switching element to an off state when supply of the power from the power supply to the heating unit is stopped.
- The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein
the control unit is configured to generate a signal for issuing notice to a user when the voltage of the power supply is less than the threshold voltage. - The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein
the threshold voltage is set to change depending on a remaining capacity of the power supply. - The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
when the remaining capacity of the power supply is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the threshold voltage is a first value, and when the remaining capacity of the power supply is less than the predetermined value, the threshold voltage is a second value greater than the first value. - The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein
the first value is a stable operation voltage of a step-up DC/DC converter. - The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising:
the power supply. - A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:heating an aerosol generation base material with power supplied from a power supply,wherein the power is not suppled from the power supply to the heating unit when a voltage of the power supply is less than a threshold voltage indicating that a sufficient capacity to use up one unused aerosol generation base material remains in the power supply.
- A program, when being executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method according to claim 14.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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PCT/JP2018/039854 WO2020084757A1 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2018-10-26 | Electronic device and method and program for operating electronic device |
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EP3871534A1 true EP3871534A1 (en) | 2021-09-01 |
EP3871534A4 EP3871534A4 (en) | 2022-07-13 |
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EP18938144.5A Pending EP3871534A4 (en) | 2018-10-26 | 2018-10-26 | Electronic device and method and program for operating electronic device |
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EP (1) | EP3871534A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP7136913B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN113056209A (en) |
TW (1) | TW202015558A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020084757A1 (en) |
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WO2022130562A1 (en) | 2020-12-17 | 2022-06-23 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Suction device and program |
US11789476B2 (en) | 2021-01-18 | 2023-10-17 | Altria Client Services Llc | Heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating devices including intra-draw heater control, and methods of controlling a heater |
WO2022230322A1 (en) * | 2021-04-28 | 2022-11-03 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Aerosol generation device, control method, and computer program |
WO2022239511A1 (en) * | 2021-05-10 | 2022-11-17 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Power supply unit for aerosol generation device |
CN113412968A (en) * | 2021-05-27 | 2021-09-21 | 深圳麦时科技有限公司 | Atomization control method, charging equipment, atomization equipment and electronic atomization system |
JPWO2023112182A1 (en) * | 2021-12-15 | 2023-06-22 | ||
WO2023238267A1 (en) * | 2022-06-08 | 2023-12-14 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Flavor inhaler or aerosol generation device, and operation method and program for same |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US5372148A (en) * | 1993-02-24 | 1994-12-13 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Method and apparatus for controlling the supply of energy to a heating load in a smoking article |
JP5560534B2 (en) * | 2008-04-11 | 2014-07-30 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Electronic device, electronic device control program, and threshold setting method |
EP2454956A1 (en) | 2010-11-19 | 2012-05-23 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | An electrically heated smoking system comprising at least two units |
AU2012360817B2 (en) * | 2011-12-30 | 2017-09-07 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Aerosol generating device with improved temperature distribution |
EP2701268A1 (en) * | 2012-08-24 | 2014-02-26 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Portable electronic system including charging device and method of charging a secondary battery |
US20150122274A1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2015-05-07 | Sis Resources, Ltd. | Electronic cigarette overheating protection |
CN106231934B (en) * | 2014-04-30 | 2020-10-27 | 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 | Aerosol-generating device with battery indication |
KR101837885B1 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2018-03-12 | 니뽄 다바코 산교 가부시키가이샤 | Non-combustion-type flavor inhaler and computer-readable medium |
WO2018000190A1 (en) * | 2016-06-28 | 2018-01-04 | Shenzhen Seefaa Scitech Co., Ltd. | Device and method for using different video formats in live video chat |
TW201800020A (en) * | 2016-06-29 | 2018-01-01 | 菲利浦莫里斯製品股份有限公司 | An electrically operated aerosol-generating system with a rechargeable power supply |
WO2018138749A1 (en) * | 2017-01-24 | 2018-08-02 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Inhalation device and method and program for operating same |
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2018
- 2018-10-26 EP EP18938144.5A patent/EP3871534A4/en active Pending
- 2018-10-26 WO PCT/JP2018/039854 patent/WO2020084757A1/en active Application Filing
- 2018-10-26 CN CN201880099048.9A patent/CN113056209A/en active Pending
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WO2020084757A1 (en) | 2020-04-30 |
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EP3871534A4 (en) | 2022-07-13 |
TW202015558A (en) | 2020-05-01 |
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