EP4588376A1

EP4588376A1 - Supplemental member that can be attached to and detached from aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: EP4588376A1
Application number: EP22958708.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takashi Fujiki; Ryo Yoshida
Original assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Current assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date: 2022-09-12
Filing date: 2022-09-12
Publication date: 2025-07-23
Also published as: US20250204608A1; JP7846949B2; WO2024057373A1; CN119923200A; JPWO2024057373A1; KR20250054128A

Abstract

In the present disclosure, a supplemental member that can be attached to and detached from an aerosol generation device comprising a control unit, a battery, and a heating unit for heating an aerosol source is provided with a storage unit that stores a control sequence for specifying heating by the heating unit.

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an additional member attachable to and detachable from an aerosol generating device.

Background Art

An aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol source including a flavoring agent or the like, and a secondary battery built in a main body is used as its power supply. A cover member can be attached to the aerosol generating device from the viewpoint of designability, or the like.

Citation List

Patent Literature

PTL 1: International Publication No. 2019-084161
PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-073135

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

Currently, a profile used to heat an aerosol source (hereinafter, referred to as "heating profile") is determined in advance. There is also an aerosol generating device including two heating modes having different amounts of aerosol produced; however, a user is able to just select any one of a plurality of modes determined in advance.
The present disclosure provides a technology for making it possible to select a mode other than a mode prepared in advance for an aerosol generating device in light of the above problem.

Solution to Problem

An aspect of the present disclosure provides an additional member attachable to and detachable from an aerosol generating device including a controller, a battery, and a heater that heats an aerosol source. The additional member includes a memory that stores a control sequence defining heating operation with the heater.
A second control sequence different from the control sequence stored in the aerosol generating device may be stored in the memory.
When the memory is rewritable, a second control sequence downloaded from an external terminal or the aerosol generating device may be written to the memory.
A communicator that acquires the second control sequence by communicating with the external terminal or the aerosol generating device may be further included.
A main body attached may cover part of a surface of the aerosol generating device.
Attachment of the main body to the aerosol generating device may be one of conditions that the aerosol source is allowed to be heated by the heater.
A switch provided in the aerosol generating device may be allowed to be operated by a user pushing the switch.
A main body attached to the aerosol generating device may provide a unified appearance with a part not covered with the main body in the aerosol generating device in a state where generation of an aerosol is possible.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to select a mode other than a mode prepared in advance for an aerosol generating device.

Brief Description of Drawings

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a front-side view of an aerosol generating device from diagonally above.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a front-side view of the aerosol generating device from diagonally below.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a view of the aerosol generating device from diagonally above with a shutter removed.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a front view of a main device in a state where a front panel is removed.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a back view of the front panel removed from the main device.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a front panel attachment detection operation that is executed by a controller of the main device.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile update process that is executed by the controller of the main device in a first embodiment.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a diagram that illustrates an update of a heating profile through replacement of the front panel.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile saving process that is executed by the controller of the main device in a second embodiment.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a diagram that illustrates addition of a heating profile through replacement of the front panel.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile interchange process that is executed by the controller of the main device in a third embodiment.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a diagram that illustrates an interchange of heating profiles through replacement of the front panel.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile interchange process that is executed by the controller of the main device in a fourth embodiment.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a diagram that illustrates switching of a heating profile through replacement of the front panel.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile replacement process that is executed by the controller of the main device in a fifth embodiment.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a diagram that illustrates an interchange of heating profiles through replacement of the front panel.
[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the internal configuration of an aerosol generating device used in a sixth embodiment.
[Fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the electrical circuit configuration of the front panel used in the sixth embodiment.
[Fig. 20] Fig. 20 is a diagram that illustrates a usage example of the front panel in the sixth embodiment.
[Fig. 21] Fig. 21 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the internal configuration of an aerosol generating device used in a seventh embodiment.
[Fig. 22] Fig. 22 is a diagram that schematically illustrates an electrical connection relation between the front panel and the main device, used in the seventh embodiment.
[Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a USB charging operation that is executed by the controller.
[Fig. 24] Fig. 24 is a timing chart that illustrates a USB charging operation.

Description of Embodiments

Hereinafter, embodiments related to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Like reference signs are assigned to the same portions in the drawings.

<Terms>

Aerosol generating devices according to embodiments each are one mode of an electronic cigarette.
In the following description, a material that is generated by the aerosol generating devices is referred to as aerosol. An aerosol means a mixed element of minute liquid or solid particles suspended in gas with air or other gas.
In each of the embodiments, the aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol without combustion will be described.
In the following description, an action that a user inhales an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device is referred to as "inhalation" or "puff".
In each of the embodiments, the aerosol generating device to which a solid aerosol source can be attached will be described. A casing that houses a solid aerosol source is also referred to as "capsule" or "stick substrate" according to a product form. Capsules and stick substrates are consumables. Therefore, a guide for replacement is set for capsules and stick substrates.

Initially, an appearance example of an aerosol generating device 1 that is used in a first embodiment will be described.
Fig. 1 is a front-side view of the aerosol generating device 1 from diagonally above.
Fig. 2 is a front-side view of the aerosol generating device 1 from diagonally below.
Fig. 3 is a view of the aerosol generating device 1 from above with a shutter 30 removed.
Fig. 4 is a front view of a main device 20 in a state where a front panel 10 is removed.
Fig. 5 is a back view of the front panel 10 removed from the main device 20.
The aerosol generating device 1 that is used in the present embodiment has such a size that a user is able to hold the aerosol generating device 1 with one hand.
The aerosol generating device 1 includes the main device 20, the front panel 10 attached to the front of the main device 20, and the shutter 30 disposed at the top surface of the main device 20 and operable so as to slide along the top surface.
The front panel 10 is a member that is attachable to and detachable from the main device 20. Attachment and detachment of the front panel 10 are performed by a user.
The front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 covers a front part of the main device 20 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In other words, after the front panel 10 is attached as well, a part other than the front part of the main device 20 can be viewed from an outside. For example, the side surface, back surface, top surface, and bottom surface of the main device 20 can be viewed from an outside after the front panel 10 is attached as well.
As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 is continuous and flush with the side surface, top surface, and bottom surface of the main device 20 without any step and provides a unified appearance.
In this way, one of the roles of the front panel 10 is decoration. The side surface, top surface, and bottom surface of the main device 20 are examples of the part not covered with the front panel 10.
A window 10B is provided in the front panel 10. The window 10B is provided at a position facing a light-emitting element of the main device 20 side. In the case of the first embodiment, a light emitting diode (LED) 20A (see Fig. 4) is used as the light-emitting element.
The window 10B in the first embodiment is made of a raw material that transmits light. Alternatively, the window 10B may be a slit that extends through from a front surface to a back surface. Turning-on and blinking of the light-emitting element indicate the status or the like of the operation of the aerosol generating device 1. The status of the operation also includes an error. Turning-on and blinking of the light-emitting element are controlled by a controller 206 (see Fig. 6) (described later).
The front panel 10 plays not only a role as decoration but also a role of buffering propagation of heat released from the main device 20 or the like. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, generation of an aerosol is permitted only when the front panel 10 is attached to the main device 20. In other words, the front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 provides a unified appearance with the main device 20 in a state where generation of an aerosol is possible.
Furthermore, the front panel 10 plays a role in protecting the main device 20 from dirt, flaw, or the like.
The front panel 10 used in the present embodiment deforms when a user pushes a position below the window 10B with a finger tip and returns to an original form when the user stops pushing.
A memory 101 that stores a heating profile is installed on the inner side of the front panel 10 used in the present embodiment. The heating profile here is an example of a control sequence defining heating operation.
The memory 101 is, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The semiconductor memory here is, for example, a read only memory (ROM) or a flash memory. Terminals and a wiring pattern that allow the controller 206 (see Fig. 6) to access the memory 101 through terminals on the main device 20 side when the front panel 10 is attached to the main device 20 are also provided on the inner side of the front panel 10. Hereinafter, the memory 101 is also referred to as external memory.
As in the case of a contactless integrated circuit (IC) card, a heating profile stored in the memory 101 may be allowed to be read by the main device 20 by contactless power supply, such as electromagnetic induction.
The front panel 10 in the present embodiment is an example of the additional member. A main body panel 10A that provides the appearance of the front panel 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is an example of the main body.
A type C universal serial bus (USB) connector 21 is provided at the bottom surface side of the main device 20. The shape or type of the USB connector 21 is an example. In other words, the USB connector 21 may be a USB other than type C. In the case of the first embodiment, the USB connector 21 is, for example, used to charge a power supply 201 (see Fig. 6) built in the main device 20.
A hole 22 for inserting a stick substrate 210 (see Fig. 6) that houses an aerosol source is provided at a top surface part of the main device 20. In the stick substrate 210 used in the present embodiment, a solid aerosol source is housed in a paper cylinder molded in a substantially cylindrical shape. The hole 22 is exposed when the shutter 30 is caused to slide to an open position and is hidden when the shutter 30 is caused to slide to a closed position.
In the case of the first embodiment, the hole 22 has a cylindrical shape substantially the same type as the stick substrate 210. The diameter of an opening part of the hole 22 is such a dimension that the stick substrate 210 can be inserted. In other words, the diameter of the stick substrate 210 is such a dimension that the stick substrate 210 can be inserted into the hole 22.
For example a magnet is attached to the back surface of the shutter 30. On the other hand, a Hall IC is attached to the main device 20 in a movable range of the shutter 30.
A Hall IC is a magnetic sensor made up of a Hall element, an operational amplifier, and the like, and outputs a voltage according to the strength of a magnetic field that crosses the Hall element.
In the present embodiment, the open or closed state of the shutter 30 is detected from a change in voltage output from the Hall IC as a result of a slide of the shutter 30. In other words, whether the shutter 30 is at the open position or the closed position is detected.
A button 20B is disposed at substantially the center of the front surface of the main device 20. As described above, the button 20B is allowed to be operated in a state where the front panel 10 remains attached.
The button 20B is, for example, used to turn on or off the power of the main device, turn on or off the supply of electric power to a heater 207 (see Fig. 6) that heats an aerosol source, provide pairing instructions for Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.
When the button 20B is pressed and held (for example, pressed for five seconds or longer) in a state where the front panel 10 is removed from the main device 20, a reset function activates.
In the present embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used as Bluetooth.
Magnets 20C used to attach the front panel 10 are disposed at the upper part and lower part of the front surface of the main device 20. The magnets 20C are provided at positions facing magnets 10C provided on the inner side of the front panel 10. When, for example, the magnets 10C of the front panel 10 are N-poles, the magnets 20C of the main device 20 side are S-poles. Due to the attraction between the magnets, the front panel 10 is attachably and detachably attached to the main device 20.
Any one of the magnet 10C and the magnet 20C may be iron or another magnetic piece of metal. Attachment of the front panel 10 to the main device 20 is detected by the Hall IC provided at the main device 20 side.
Other than the above, various electronic components needed to generate an aerosol are built in the main device 20. In this meaning, the main device 20 is an example of an electronic device specialized to generate an aerosol. In the narrow meaning, the main device 20 is referred to as aerosol generating device.

Fig. 6 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device 1. Fig. 6 illustrates a state where the stick substrate 210 is set in the main device 20. The internal configuration illustrated in Fig. 6 aims to illustrate electronic components provided in the front panel 10 and the main device 20 and a positional relationship of them. Therefore, the appearance of the electronic components and the like illustrated in Fig. 6 does not necessarily coincide with the above-described appearance view.
As illustrated in Fig. 6, the memory 101 that stores a heating profile is provided in the front panel 10. Electric power needed to read a heating profile is supplied from the main device 20 with a contact or contactless power supply method.
For example, a method with mechanical contact of an electrode, a method of mechanical contact with a spring-loaded electrode pin (pogo pin), or a method of coupling of a connector, is used for contact power supply.
For example, supply of electric power using an electromagnetic induction method, such as a Qi standard and a near field communication (NFC), or supply of electric power using an electric field induction method is used for contactless power supply.
Incidentally, because supply of electric power from the main device 20 side may be performed only when a heating profile is read from the front panel 10 in order to reduce consumption of a battery that makes up the power supply 201.
The main device 20 includes the power supply 201, a sensor 202, a notifier 203, a memory 204, a communicator 205, the controller 206, a heater 207, a heat insulator 208, and a holder 209.
As described above, Fig. 6 illustrates a state where the stick substrate 210 is held by the holder 209. In this state, an aerosol is inhaled by a user.
The power supply 201 of the present embodiment is a unit that supplies electric power to the main device 20. The power supply 201, for example, stores electric power by using a lithium ion secondary battery or a capacitor.
The secondary battery 201A (see Fig. 20) can be charged from an external power supply. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, a commercial power supply and a mobile battery are assumed as external power supplies.
The sensor 202 is an electronic component that detects various pieces of information on the main device 20.
Examples of the sensor 202 include a pressure sensor, such as a microphone capacitor, and a flow sensor. The sensor 202 serving as a sensor outputs detected information to the controller 206. When, for example, a change in atmospheric pressure resulting from inhalation or flow of air is detected, the sensor 202 outputs a numeric value indicating inhalation of a user to the controller 206.
The sensor 202 is, for example, an input device that receives input from a user. The input device is, for example, a button or a switch. In the present embodiment, the button 20B (see Fig. 4) is used as the input device.
The button 20B is used to, for example, switch the on and off states of a main power or switch the start and stop of power supply to the heater 207 (that is, the start and stop of generating an aerosol).
The content of instructions of a user is output from the sensor 202 to the controller 206. The button 20B is not only an example of the button but also an example of the switch.
Other than the above, the sensor 202 can be a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater 207. The temperature sensor, for example, detects the temperature of the heater 207 in accordance with the electric resistance value of a conductive track of the heater 207. The detected electric resistance value is output from the sensor 202 to the controller 206. The controller 206 calculates the temperature of the heater 207 in accordance with the electric resistance value. In other words, the controller 206 calculates the temperature of the stick substrate 210 held by the holder 209.
Other than the above, the sensor 202 can be a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like, that detects insertion of the stick substrate 210 to the holder 209.
The sensor 202 can be an optical color sensor, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, or the like, for individual identification of the stick substrate 210.
The sensor 202 can be a biometric sensor that measures the heart rate or the like of a user, a fingerprint sensor used to unlock, or the like.
The sensor 202 can be an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, that detects the motion of a user.
The notifier 203 is an electronic component that notifies a user of various pieces of information on the main device 20. The notifier 203 can be the LED 20A or another light-emitting device. For example, the LED 20A emits light in a different pattern when the power supply 201 needs to be charged, when the power supply 201 is being charged, or when there is an abnormality in the main device 20.
Patterns here include a difference in color, a difference in timing for turning on or turning off, and the like.
The notifier 203 may be made up of a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibration device that vibrates the main device 20, or the like, together with the above-described light-emitting device or instead of the light-emitting device. The light-emitting device, the display device, the sound output device, the vibration device, and the like are examples of the notifier that notifies information.
Other than the above, the notifier 203 may notify a user of a state where inhalation of an aerosol is allowed. This notification is provided when the temperature of the stick substrate 210 heated by the heater 207 reaches a predetermined temperature.
The memory 204 stores various pieces of information regarding the operation of the main device 20. The memory 204 is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium, such as a flash memory.
Examples of the information stored in the memory 204 include an operating system (OS), firmware (FW), and other programs. A heating profile to be used to heat the stick substrate 210 that is an aerosol source is stored in the memory 204. A heating profile is a data file that defines a temporal change in target temperature after the start of heating operation. In the case of the first embodiment, one heating profile is stored in the memory 204.
Other than the above, examples of the information stored in the memory 204 include information on control over electronic components. The information on control is information on inhalation of a user, such as the number of times of inhalation, inhalation time, and an accumulated inhalation time period.
The communicator 205 is a communication interface for implementing communication between the main device 20 and another device. The communicator 205 communicates with another device in a system that conforms with a selected wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of the communication standard here include a wireless LAN, a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).
For example, the communicator 205 transmits information on inhalation of a user to a smartphone.
The communicator 205 downloads from a server an update program and a profile that defines a change in the temperature of the heater 207 in a heating mode.
The communicator 205 reads the heating profile from the memory 101 of the front panel 10.
The controller 206 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control device and controls the operation of the main device 20 in accordance with various programs. The controller 206 in the present embodiment also controls an operation to read the heating profile from the memory 101 of the front panel 10.
A control signal is transmitted through a signal line different from the power supply line. For example, a serial communication method, such as an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communication method, a serial peripheral interface (SPI) communication method, and a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) communication method, is used for communication in the main device 20.
The controller 206 is implemented by, for example, an electronic circuit, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a digital signal processor (DSP).
The controller 206 may include a ROM that stores programs, computation parameters, and the like and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily stores parameters and the like that vary as needed.
The controller 206 executes various processes and controls through running programs.
Examples of the processes and controls here include rewriting the heating profile, supplying electric power from the power supply 201 to another electronic component, charging the power supply 201, detecting information with the sensor 202, notifying information with the notifier 203, storing and reading information with the memory 204, and transmitting and receiving information by the communicator 205.
Other than the above, the controller 206 also controls input of information to an electronic component, a process based on information output from an electronic component, and the like.
The holder 209 is a substantially cylindrical casing. In the present embodiment, a space inside the holder 209, defined by an inner wall and a bottom surface, is referred to as an internal space 209A. The internal space 209A has a substantially columnar shape.
The holder 209 has an opening 209B that communicates the internal space 209A with an outside. The stick substrate 210 is inserted into the internal space 209A through the opening 209B. The stick substrate 210 is inserted until its distal end contacts with a bottom 209C.
The stick substrate 210 is only partially accommodated in the internal space 209A. A state where the stick substrate 210 is accommodated in the internal space 209A is referred that the stick substrate 210 is held in the internal space 209A.
The holder 209 is formed such that the inside diameter of at least part of the holder 209 in an axial direction is smaller than the outside diameter of the stick substrate 210.
Therefore, an outer periphery of the stick substrate 210 inserted in the internal space 209A receives pressure from the inner wall of the holder 209. With this pressure, the stick substrate 210 is held in the internal space 209A.
The holder 209 also has the function to define a flow path for air passing through the stick substrate 210. An air inlet hole that is an inlet for air into the flow path is disposed at, for example, the bottom 209C. The opening 209B is an air outlet hole that is an outlet for air.
In the case of the present embodiment, only part of the stick substrate 210 is held by the holder 209, and the remaining part protrudes outward from a casing. Hereinafter, the part held by the holder 209 is referred to as substrate 210A, and the part protruding from the casing is referred to as inhalation port 210B.
An aerosol source is housed in at least the substrate 210A. The aerosol source is a material that is atomized when heated to generate an aerosol.
The aerosol source contains not only shredded tobacco but also a substance derived from tobacco, such as a processed substance and the like obtained by forming tobacco raw material into a granular form, a sheet form, or a powder form.
Furthermore, the aerosol source may contain a substance not derived from tobacco and produced from a plant other than tobacco, such as mint and a herb. For example, the aerosol source may contain a flavoring agent component, such as menthol.
When the main device 20 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may contain a medicine for a patient to inhale. The aerosol source is not limited to a solid and may be, for example, a polyhydric alcohol or a liquid, such as water. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include glycerine and propylene glycol.
At least part of the inhalation port 210B is held in the mouth of a user during inhalation.
When the user inhales with the inhalation port 210B in his or her mouth, air flows into the internal space 209A through the air inlet hole. Air flowing in passes through the internal space 209A and the substrate 210A and reaches the inside of the mouth of the user. Air that reaches the inside of the mouth of the user contains an aerosol generated in the substrate 210A.
The heater 207 is made up of a heater or another heat generator. The heater 207 is made of a selected raw material, such as a metal and polyimide. The heater 207 is formed in, for example, a film shape and attached to the outer periphery of the holder 209.
When the heater 207 produces heat, the aerosol source included in the stick substrate 210 is heated and atomized. The atomized aerosol source is mixed with air or the like to generate an aerosol.
In the case of Fig. 6, a part around the outer circumference of the stick substrate 210 is initially heated, and a range heated gradually moves to around the center.
Therefore, atomization of the aerosol source begins around the outer circumference of the stick substrate 210 and gradually moves to around the center.
The heater 207 produces heat by using electric power supplied from the power supply 201. When, for example, predetermined user input is detected through the sensor 202, supply of electric power to the heater 207 is permitted. User input here is operation to the shutter 30 (see Fig. 1) or the button 20B (see Fig. 4). However, supply of electric power to the heater 207 needs a precondition that the front panel 10 (see Fig. 1) is attached to the main device 20. By attaching the front panel 10, a temperature transferred to the hand of a user can be decreased as compared to when the front panel 10 is not attached.
When the temperature of the stick substrate 210 heated by the heater 207 reaches a predetermined temperature, inhalation by a user is allowed. Inhalation of an aerosol by a user is detected by a flow sensor or the like of the sensor 202, and is saved in the memory 204.
After that, when the predetermined user input is detected by the sensor 202, supply of electric power to the heater 207 is stopped. A method in which electric power is supplied to the heater 207 in a period during which inhalation by a user is detected by the sensor 202 and electric power supplied to the heater 207 is stopped when inhalation by the user is not detected by the sensor 202 may be adopted.
In the example of Fig. 6, the heater 207 is disposed outside the stick substrate 210. Alternatively, the heater 207 may be a blade-type piece of metal inserted into the stick substrate 210 for use or may be a piece of metal built in the stick substrate 210. When a piece of metal that acts as the heater 207 is built in the stick substrate 210, an induction heating coil just needs to be disposed around the holder 209.
The heat insulator 208 is a member that reduces propagation of heat generated in the heater 207 to surroundings. Therefore, the heat insulator 208 is disposed so as to cover at least the outer periphery of the heater 207.
The heat insulator 208 is made of, for example, a vacuum heat insulator, an aerogel heat insulator, or the like. A vacuum heat insulator is, for example, a heat insulator of which heat conduction by gas is brought close to zero as much as possible by wrapping glass wool, silica (silicon powder), and the like with a resin film into a high-vacuum state.

Hereinafter, a processing operation example that is executed by the controller 206 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 (see Fig. 6) will be described.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of an attachment detection operation for the front panel 10, which is executed by the controller 206 of the main device 20. The operation is an operation that is executed not only before heating operation of the heater 207 (see Fig. 6) is started but also after heating is started and is constantly executed in a background. A sign "S" shown in the drawing means step.
Initially, the controller 206 determines whether the front panel 10 (see Fig. 1) is attached to the main device 20 (see Fig. 1) (step 1).
When the front panel 10 is attached to the main device 20, an affirmative result is obtained in step 1. On the other hand, when removed from the front panel 10 from the front of the main device 20, a negative result is obtained in step 1. Attachment or detachment of the front panel 10 is determined in accordance with an output signal of the Hall IC.
When an affirmative result is obtained in step 1, the controller 206 cancels a prohibited state of heating of an aerosol source with the heater 207 (step 2).
However, cancellation of a prohibited state of heating and start of heating are different. Heating of the stick substrate 210 (see Fig. 6) that is an aerosol source is started when the button 20B (see Fig. 4) is pressed from the front panel 10 and held for a second or longer.
When a negative result is obtained in step 1, the controller 206 controls heating of an aerosol source with the heater 207 to a prohibited state (step 3).
When step 2 or step 3 is executed, the controller 206 returns to step 1 and repeats the determination as to whether the front panel 10 is attached to the main device 20.
With this attachment detection operation, a user does not need to directly touch the main device 20 during heating operation.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile update process that is executed by the controller 206 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 (see Fig. 6) in the first embodiment.
The heating profile update process is, for example, launched by a user performing specific operation. Examples of the specific operation here include restarting in a state where the front panel 10 is attached, restarting in a state where the front panel 10 is removed, multiple number of times of attachment and detachment of the front panel, and a predetermined number of times of operation of the button 20B in a state where the front panel 10 is attached.
The heating profile update process may be launched when time scheduled in a program is detected or when a specific event is detected in a case where instructions are received from a smartphone or another terminal paired with the main device 20.
Initially, the controller 206 determines whether a heating profile is stored in an external memory (step 11). In other words, the controller 206 determines whether a heating profile is present in an external memory identified by a device manager. The external memory here is a storage medium not built in the main device 20. In the case of the present embodiment, the memory 101 of the front panel 10 is assumed as an external memory.
When the memory 101 is not provided in the front panel 10 or when a heating profile is not stored in the memory 101, a negative result is obtained in step 11. In this case, the controller 206 ends the launched update process.
In contrast, when a heating profile is stored in the external memory, an affirmative result is obtained in step 11. In this case, the controller 206 determines whether a heating profile not present in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is present in the external memory (step 12).
When there is no heating profile different from the heating profile of the main device 20 side is not present in the external memory, for example, when two heating profiles are the same, a negative result is obtained in step 12. In this case, the controller 206 ends the launched update process.
On the other hand, when there is a heating profile different from that of the main device 20 side in the external memory, an affirmative result is obtained in step 12. In this case, the controller 206 determines whether to update the heating profile currently in use with the heating profile of the external memory (step 13).
An update of the heating profile, for example, follows instructions from a user.
In advance of instructions from a user, the user is notified of a state where an update of the heating profile is allowed.
When the main device 20 includes a display panel capable of displaying text and the like, a question, such as "The heating profile currently in use is a standard profile, and is allowed to be updated with a heating profile with a larger amount of aerosol generated. Do you make an update?" is displayed on the display panel.
When the main device 20 includes no display panel, the controller 206 may notify a user of a state where the update of the heating profile is possible by light emission or blinking of the LED 20A (see Fig. 4) or may notify a user of a state where the update of the heating profile is possible by buzzer or sound, or may notify a user of a state where the update of the heating profile is possible by vibration.
When, for example, instructions for an update are not detected or instructions to avoid an update are detected through operation of the button 20B (see Fig. 4) or the like, a negative result is obtained in step 13.
When instructions for an update are not detected in a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds) from notification, it may be regarded as instructions to avoid an update. This is because, in the first place, an update of the heating profile is a low-frequency process.
When a negative result is obtained in step 13, the controller 206 ends the launched update process.
On the other hand, when instructions to execute the update process are issued from a user, an affirmative result is obtained in step 13. In this case, the controller 206 reads the heating profile of the external memory and overwrites the heating profile in the memory 204 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 (step 14).
Through this overwriting, the heating profile update process ends. Thus, heating of the stick substrate 210 is performed in accordance with the updated heating profile from next inhalation of aerosol.
Attachment of the front panel 10, in which the heating profile is stored in the memory 101, to the main device 20 may be regarded as instructions to update the heating profile from a user. In this case, when an affirmative result is obtained in step 12, step 14 is automatically started.
Fig. 9 is a diagram that illustrates an update of a heating profile through replacement of the front panel 10.
The memory 101 is not installed in the front panel 10 before replacement. "Heating profile 1" is stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20. The "heating profile 1" here is, for example, a standard heating profile (hereinafter, also referred to as "standard profile") prepared at the time of sale. A heating mode using the standard profile is referred to as "standard mode".
In this state, the front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 is removed and is replaced with the front panel 10 in which "heating profile 2" is stored in the memory 101.
The "heating profile 2" is, for example, a heating profile with which a larger amount of aerosol is generated than with the standard profile. A heating mode using the "heating profile 2" is referred to as "high mode". In the high mode, a larger amount of electric power is consumed than in the standard mode, but a larger amount of aerosol can be generated than in the standard mode during a single inhalation.
When an update of the heating profile is executed after attachment of the new front panel 10, the heating profile stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is overwritten with the "heating profile 2".
Thus, it is possible to generate an aerosol in the high mode different from the standard mode.
In a case where the heating profile in use is the "heating profile 2", the heating mode can be returned from the high mode to the standard mode by attaching the front panel 10 in which the "heating profile 1" (that is, the standard profile) is stored.
When the front panel 10 in which a heating profile different from the "heating profile 1" or the "heating profile 2" is stored is attached to the main device 20, a user is able to select a heating profile according to his or her preference through replacement of the front panel 10. For example, it is possible to select a long-lasting mode in which the number of times of inhalation of a single stick substrate 210 is greater than that in the standard mode or an economy mode in which electric power consumption is small.

In the present embodiment, a case where a plurality of heating profiles is allowed to be stored in the main device 20 will be described.
The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the main device 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile saving process that is executed by the controller 206 of the main device 20 in the second embodiment. Fig. 10 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 8.
In the case of Fig. 10, when an affirmative result is obtained in step 11, whether a heating profile not present in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is present in the external memory is determined (step 12).
When the heating profile stored in the external memory is stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20, a negative result is obtained in step 12. In this case, the controller 206 ends the launched update process.
In contrast, when the heating profile stored in the external memory is not stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20, an affirmative result is obtained in step 12. In this case, the controller 206 determines whether to add the heating profile of the external memory to the memory 204 of the main device 20 (step 21).
Addition of the heating profile, for example, follows instructions from a user.
In this case as well, presence of an addable heating profile needs to be notified to a user as a precondition for instructions.
When the main device 20 includes a display panel capable of displaying text and the like, a question, such as "A new heating profile is found in the front panel. Do you add the new heating profile to the main device?", is displayed on the display panel.
When the main device 20 includes no display panel, the controller 206 may notify a user of the fact that a new heating profile is found through light emission or blinking of the LED 20A (see Fig. 4) or may notify a user of the fact that a new heating profile is found through buzzer or sound.
When, for example, instructions for addition are not detected or instructions to avoid addition are detected through operation of the button 20B (see Fig. 4) or the like, a negative result is obtained in step 21.
When instructions for addition are not detected in a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds) from notification, it may be regarded as instructions to avoid addition.
When a negative result is obtained in step 21, the controller 206 ends the launched update process.
On the other hand, when instructions to execute the addition process are issued from a user, an affirmative result is obtained in step 21. In this case, the controller 206 reads the target heating profile in the external memory and adds the heating profile in the memory 204 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 (step 22).
When a plurality of heating profiles not stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is found in the front panel 10 and only some of the found heating profiles are allowed to be added to the memory 204 of the main device 20, a function of asking a user whether to designate a heating profile to be added is prepared. For example, designation of a heating profile to be added through display on a display is allowed to be received. With this function, it is possible to avoid addition of heating profiles not used by a user to the main device 20.
Through this addition, the heating profile addition process ends. Thus, in the main device 20, a heating profile is allowed to be selected from next inhalation of aerosol.
When a heating profile not present in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is found in the memory 101 of the front panel 10, the controller 206 may automatically add a new heating profile to the memory 204 of the main device 20 without waiting for the determination of step 21.
Fig. 11 is a diagram that illustrates addition of a heating profile through replacement of the front panel 10. In Fig. 11, a case where a plurality of heating profiles is allowed to be stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is assumed.
The memory 101 is not installed in the front panel 10 before replacement. Only the "heating profile 1" is stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
In this state, the front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 is removed and is replaced with the front panel 10 in which the "heating profile 2" is stored in the memory 101.
The "heating profile 2" stored in the replaced front panel 10 is a heating profile not present in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
In Fig. 11, the newly found "heating profile 2" is added to the memory 204 of the main device 20. As a result, the "heating profile 1" and the "heating profile 2" are stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
In this way, when a plurality of heating profiles is stored in the main device 20, a user is, for example, able to select a heating profile used to generate an aerosol from among the plurality of heating profiles including the standard profile each time of inhalation.

In the case of the second embodiment, when a new heating profile is found in the front panel 10, the found heating profile is added to the memory 204 of the main device 20; however, the number of heating profiles allowed to be stored in the memory 204 can be conceivably limited.
In the present embodiment, a method of making it possible to use a new heating profile even when there are constraints on the number of heating profiles allowed to be stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 will be described.
The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the main device 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment. The memory 101 in the front panel 10 is a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. For example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) is used for the semiconductor memory here. When rewriting using the RAM provided in the controller 206 of the main device 20 is possible, a flash memory can be used as the memory 101.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile interchange process that is executed by the controller 206 of the main device 20 in the third embodiment. Fig. 12 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 10.
In the case of Fig. 12, a processing operation until an affirmative result is obtained in step 21 is the same as that of the second embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, a different part will be described.
When an affirmative result is obtained in step 21, the controller 206 determines whether the number of heating profiles stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 has reached an upper limit number (step 31).
When the number of heating profiles stored has not reached the upper limit number, a negative result is obtained in step 31. In this case, for example, there is a case where the number of heating profiles allowed to be stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is two and the number of heating profiles actually stored is one.
At this time, the controller 206 reads the target heating profile in the external memory and adds the heating profile to the memory 204 of the main device 20 (step 22).
In contrast, when the number of heating profiles stored has reached the upper limit number, an affirmative result is obtained in step 31. In this case, an affirmative result is obtained in step 31.
In this case, the controller 206 moves one of the heating profiles stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 to the external memory (step 32). A heating profile to be moved is, for example, designated by a user. Designation of a heating profile to be moved is, for example, received through a display.
When movement of the standard profile is blocked, a heating profile other than the standard profile is moved to the memory 101 of the front panel 10. Thus, a free space for storing a new heating profile is prepared in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
Since the heating profile having been stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10, the heating profile in use is not lost.
Other than the above, a heating profile of which the date and time of storage in the memory 204 is older may be moved to the front panel 10 or, conversely, a heating profile of which the date and time of storage in the memory 204 is newer may be moved to the front panel 10.
When a new heating profile found in the front panel 10 is overwritten to the memory 204 of the main device 20, a target heating profile to be interchanged may be not "moved" but "copied".
Subsequently, the controller 206 saves a heating profile, different from the moved heating profile, in the memory 204 of the main device 20 (step 33).
Through execution of step 22 or step 33, the heating profile interchange process ends. Thus, in the main device 20, a new heating profile is allowed to be selected from next inhalation of aerosol.
When the number of heating profiles found in step 12 is multiple, a function of asking a user whether to select a target heating profile to be saved is prepared, as described above.
On the other hand, when a heating profile not present in the memory 204 of the main device 20 is found in the memory 101 of the front panel 10, a new heating profile may be automatically interchanged with the heating profile stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 without waiting for the determination of step 21.
Incidentally, in operation, at the time of execution of step 32, there can occur shortage of free space needed to write a new heating profile in the external memory.
For this reason, a process of determining excess or shortage of free space of the external memory may be provided before execution of step 32.
Incidentally, when there is a shortage of the free space of the external memory, addition of a heating profile from the front panel 10 to the main device 20 itself may be stopped. In other words, step 32 and step 33 do not need to be executed.
In this case, a user may be notified of the fact that a heating profile is not written to the main device 20. For example, "Because of shortage of the capacity of the external memory, an update of the heating profile is stopped" or the like is displayed on the display.
When there is a shortage of the free space of the external memory, only step 32 may be skipped and the heating profile of the memory 204 of the main device 20 may be overwritten with a single heating profile not stored in the main device 20 instead of step 33. In this case, one of the heating profiles in use is lost, but a user is able to enjoy heating an aerosol source with a new heating profile by attaching the front panel 10.
Other than the above, of the heating profiles stored in the external memory, a heating profile of which the version is the oldest except the heating profile to be saved in the main device 20, a heating profile of which the date of storage is the oldest, a heating profile of which the frequency of use is the lowest, or the like may be overwritten with a heating profile to be moved from the main device 20. In this case, because the overwritten heating profile is lost, a mechanism of allowing a user to confirm in advance a target heating profile to be overwritten may be adopted. For example, it may be possible to select a list of heating profiles stored in the front panel 10, a heating profile to be moved to the main device 20, and a heating profile to be overwritten on the display.
Other than the above, the heating profile of the external memory and the heating profile of the main body device 20 may be interchanged. Specifically, in a state where a heating profile to be moved to the external memory is temporarily saved in the RAM of the main device 20, the heating profile of the external memory may be saved in the memory 204 of the main device 20, and then, of the heating profiles of the external memory, the heating profile moved to the main device 20 may be overwritten with the heating profile temporarily saved in the RAM of the main device 20. Thus, even when there is a shortage of the capacity of the external memory used to write a new heating profile, a heating profile in use is not lost.
Fig. 13 is a diagram that illustrates an interchange of heating profiles through replacement of the front panel 10. Fig. 13 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 11.
In the case of Fig. 13, the "heating profile 1" and the "heating profile 2" are stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 before an interchange of the heating profiles. On the other hand, the "heating profile 1" and "heating profile 5" are stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10.
In this case, the "heating profile 5" and the "heating profile 2" are to be interchanged.
The "heating profile 1" and the "heating profile 5" are stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 after an interchange.
On the other hand, the "heating profile 1", the "heating profile 2", and the "heating profile 5" are stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10.
In this way, because of the constraints of the number of storable heating profiles, even when one of the heating profiles stored in the main device 20 is interchanged with the heating profile stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10, the "heating profile 2" deleted from the main device 20 is saved in the memory 101 of the front panel 10.
For this reason, when the front panel 10 is removed from the main device 20 and attached again, the "heating profile 2" can be interchanged with the "heating profile 5" of the main device 20 this time.
In the case of the present embodiment, the front panel 10 can be used to store heating profiles to be used by a user.

In the present embodiment, a case where generation of an aerosol is controlled by using a heating profile stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10 will be described.
The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the main device 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment. The memory 101 of the front panel 10 may be not rewritable as long as the memory 101 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile interchange process that is executed by the controller 206 of the main device 20 in the fourth embodiment. Fig. 14 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 8.
In the case of Fig. 14, a processing operation until an affirmative result is obtained in step 12 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, a different part will be described.
When an affirmative result is obtained in step 12, the controller 206 asks a user whether to use the heating profile of the external memory for heating operation (step 41).
When the main device 20 includes a display panel capable of displaying text and the like, a question, such as "The heating profile currently in use is a standard profile, but there is a heating profile with which the amount of generation of aerosol is greater in the front panel. Do you switch the heating profile?" is displayed on the display panel.
When the main device 20 does not include a display panel, the controller 206 may ask whether to switch the heating profile through sound.
Subsequently, the controller 206 determines whether to use the heating profile of the external memory for generation of an aerosol (step 42).
This determination follows instructions of a user.
When, for example, instructions for switching are not detected or instructions to avoid switching are detected through operation of the button 20B (see Fig. 4) or the like, a negative result is obtained in step 42.
When instructions for switching are not detected in a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds) from notification, it may be regarded as instructions to avoid switching.
When a negative result is obtained in step 42, the controller 206 ends the launched switching process.
On the other hand, when instructions to execute the switching process are issued from a user, an affirmative result is obtained in step 42. In this case, the controller 206 switches the heating profile used to generate an aerosol to the external memory (step 43).
With this switching, in generating an aerosol next time and thereafter, the heating profile stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10 is read and used.
When replacement of the front panel 10 is regarded as an intention to replace the heating profile like a case where the front panel 10 and the heating profile are in a one-to-one correspondence with each other, step 43 may be automatically executed when an affirmative result is obtained in step 12.
In the present embodiment, a case where a heating profile is stored in the main device 20 is used as a precondition. Alternatively, a case where no heating profile is stored in the main device 20 may be assumed. In other words, a heating profile may be saved only in the front panel 10, and, when the front panel 10 is attached, the heating profile saved in the front panel 10 may be read onto the main device 20 and used to generate an aerosol.
In this case, step 41 to step 43 may be skipped.
Fig. 15 is a diagram that illustrates switching of a heating profile through replacement of the front panel 10.
The memory 101 is not installed in the front panel 10 before replacement. The "heating profile 1" is stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
In this state, the front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 is removed and is replaced with the front panel 10 in which the "heating profile 2" is stored in the memory 101.
When switching of the heating profile is executed by attachment of the new front panel 10, the heating profile stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 remains the "heating profile 1".
Then, at the time of inhalation of aerosol, the heating profile of the front panel 10 is read onto the main device 20, and used for heating control over the stick substrate 210.
According to this embodiment, even when rewriting of the heating profile of the memory 204 of the main device 20 is prohibited or addition of a new heating profile is prohibited, it is possible to increase the types of heating profiles selectable by a user by using the front panel 10.

In the present embodiment, a case where a heating profile of the front panel 10 and a heating profile of the main device 20 are interchanged will be described.
The hardware configuration and functional configuration of the main device 20 are the same as those of the first embodiment.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a heating profile replacement process that is executed by the controller 206 of the main device 20 in the fifth embodiment. Fig. 16 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 8.
In the case of Fig. 16, a processing operation until an affirmative result is obtained in step 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, a different part will be described.
When an affirmative result is obtained in step 13, the controller 206 copies the heating profile stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 to the RAM (step 51). In the case of the present embodiment, the RAM is part of the controller 206. The RAM may be provided in the memory 204 of the main device 20 as an area different from a nonvolatile storage area in which the heating profile is stored.
Subsequently, the controller 206 reads the heating profile of the external memory and overwrites the heating profile in the memory 204 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 (step 14).
After that, the controller 206 overwrites the heating profile stored in the RAM to the external memory (step 52).
Through execution of step 52, the heating profile interchange process ends. In other words, the heating profile stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10 and the heating profile stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20 are interchanged with each other.
Thus, in the main device 20, a new heating profile is allowed to be selected from next inhalation of aerosol.
Fig. 17 is a diagram that illustrates an interchange of heating profiles through replacement of the front panel 10. Fig. 17 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 9.
The memory 101 is not installed in the front panel 10 before replacement. Only the "heating profile 1" is stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
In this state, the front panel 10 attached to the main device 20 is removed and is replaced with the front panel 10 in which the "heating profile 2" is stored in the memory 101.
The "heating profile 2" stored in the replaced front panel 10 is a heating profile not present in the memory 204 of the main device 20.
In Fig. 17, the newly found "heating profile 2" is stored in the memory 204 of the main device 20, and the "heating profile 1" of the main device 20 is stored in the memory 101 of the front panel 10. In other words, the "heating profile 1" and the "heating profile 2" are interchanged with each other between the front panel 10 and the main device 20.
Through this interchange, at the time of storing a new heating profile in the main device 20, the existing heating profile is not lost. In other words, a user is able to return to the heating profile before an interchange any time.

In the present embodiment, a configuration capable of operating in a state where the front panel 10 is removed from the main device 20 will be described.
Fig. 18 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device 1 used in the sixth embodiment. Fig. 18 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 6.
The difference between Fig. 18 and Fig. 6 is that not only the memory 101 but also a communicator 102 and a power supply 103 are provided in the front panel 10. Hereinafter, only the difference will be described.
The communicator 102 in the present embodiment is capable of not only communication with the main device 20 but also wireless communication with other external terminals.
The communicator 102 in the present embodiment has at least a function of transmitting a heating profile to the main device 20, a function of receiving a heating profile from the main device 20, and a function of receiving a heating profile from an external terminal.
For example, the communicator 102 uses a wired or wireless communication method that conforms with a selected communication standard for communication. Examples of the communication standard here include a wireless local area network (LAN), a serial signal line, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).
The power supply 103 is a battery that supplies electric power to the memory 101 and communicator 102 of the front panel 10. The power supply 103 may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. Examples of the primary battery include a lithium battery and an alkaline battery. Examples of the secondary battery include a lithium ion secondary battery and a capacitor.
Fig. 19 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the electrical circuit configuration of the front panel 10 used in the sixth embodiment.
As illustrated in Fig. 19, the power supply 103 is made up of a battery 103A and a buck-boost DC-DC circuit 103B. The buck-boost DC-DC circuit 103B is a circuit that generates 3.3 V system power supply Vsys regardless of the output voltage of the battery 103A and supplies the system power supply Vsys to the memory 101 and the communicator 102. In this way, in the front panel 10 in the present embodiment, the memory 101 and the communicator 102 are operable with electric power supplied even in a state where the front panel 10 is removed from the main device 20.
Fig. 20 is a diagram that illustrates a usage example of the front panel 10 in the sixth embodiment. In Fig. 20, the front panel 10 removed from the main device 20 (see Fig. 1), a server 300 that distributes a heating profile, a smartphone 310A that a user A of the front panel 10 uses, and a smartphone 310B that another user B uses are drawn.
Six-type heating profiles are stored in the server 300 illustrated in Fig. 20. The user A has downloaded "heating profile 6" from the server 300 to the smartphone 310A via a network N. Then, the downloaded "heating profile 6" has been written to the front panel 10.
With this mechanism, a user downloads a preferred heating profile from the server 300 and writes the heating profile to the front panel 10. Thus, it is possible to switch the heating profile to be used to heat the stick substrate 210 with any one of the methods of the above-described first to fourth embodiments.
A business operator that provides the stick substrate 210 also uses this mechanism to make it possible to distribute a heating profile suitable for heating a new stick substrate 210 to the smartphone 310A of the user A from the server 300.
The user A is also able to get "heating profile 10" not held by him or herself, written to his or her own front panel 10 from the smartphone 310B of the user B.
In this way, in the case of the present embodiment, even when the main device 20 is not present on hand, a new heating profile can be written to the front panel 10. As a result, it is possible to, for example, update the heating profile of the main device 20 via the front panel 10.

In the present embodiment, a secondary battery is used as the power supply 103 (see Fig. 16) of the front panel 10.
Fig. 21 is a diagram that schematically illustrates the internal configuration of the aerosol generating device 1 used in the seventh embodiment. Fig. 21 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 18.
The difference between Fig. 21 and Fig. 18 is that a charging circuit 104 that charges the power supply 103 with electric power supplied from the main device 20 and a level indicator 105 that measures the level of electric power stored in the power supply 103 are provided in the front panel 10. Hereinafter, only the difference will be described.
Fig. 22 is a diagram that schematically illustrates an electrical connection relation between the front panel 10 and the main device 20, used in the seventh embodiment. Fig. 22 assigns corresponding reference signs to corresponding parts of Fig. 19.
Fig. 22 illustrates a secondary battery 201A and a power supply unit 201B as the components of the power supply 201 of the main device 20.
The power supply unit 201B is a circuit component that performs switching of a power supply path and conversion of voltage level according to an operation mode.
The power supply unit 201B outputs, for example, 3.3 V system power supply to a power supply line to which the sensor 202 (see Fig. 21), the notifier 203 (see Fig. 21) except the LED 20A (see Fig. 4), the memory 204 (see Fig. 21). the communicator 205 (see Fig. 21), and the controller 206 (see Fig. 21) are connected. The power supply unit 201B outputs , for example, 5 V to a power supply line to which the LED 20A is connected and outputs, for example, 4.2 V to a power supply line to which the heater 207 is connected.
When the secondary battery 201A is charged from an external power supply, the power supply unit 201B outputs, for example, 4.2 V to a power supply line to which the secondary battery 201A is connected.
A commercial power supply and a mobile battery are assumed as external power supplies here.
Because a USB cable is used to supply electric power from a commercial power supply or a mobile battery, a feeder terminal corresponding to them is indicated by VUSB in Fig. 20.
On the other hand, the front panel 10 includes the memory 101, the communicator 102, the power supply 103, the charging circuit 104, and the level indicator 105.
The charging circuit 104 here is a circuit for charging a secondary battery 103C of the power supply 103 with electric power supplied from the main device 20 side.
In the case of the present embodiment, the charging circuit 104 is made up of, for example, a boost DC-DC circuit. The charging circuit 104 supplies a voltage of, for example, 4.2 V to the secondary battery 103C when electric power is supplied from the main device 20. A circuit that prevents backflow of current is provided in the charging circuit 104.
Contact power supply or contactless power supply is used to supply electric power from the main device 20 to the charging circuit 104. For example, a method with mechanical contact of an electrode, a method of mechanical contact with a spring-loaded electrode pin (pogo pin), or a method of coupling of a connector, is used for contact power supply.
For example, supply of electric power using an electromagnetic induction method, such as a Qi standard and a near field communication (NFC), or supply of electric power using an electric field induction method is used for contactless power supply.
The operation of the charging circuit 104 is controlled by the controller 206 of the main device 20. The SPI communication method or the UART communication method is used to transmit a control signal. For example, BLE is used as a communication line.
The level indicator 105 is a circuit that calculates the level of the secondary battery 103C in accordance with a power supply current IBAT, a power supply voltage VBAT, or the like, that appears in a power supply line of the secondary battery 103C. Calculation of the level by the level indicator 105 may be performed, for example, at a predetermined period or timing or may be performed only when instructions are issued from the controller 206 of the main device 20. The calculated level is transmitted to the main device 20 through the communicator 102.
A system power supply Vsys needed for the operations of the memory 101, the communicator 102, and the level indicator 105 is supplied from the buck-boost DC-DC circuit 103B.
Hereinafter, a charging operation of the secondary battery 103C of the front panel 10 peculiar to the present embodiment will be described.
Fig. 23 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a USB charging operation that is executed by the controller 206.
Initially, the controller 206 determines whether connection of USB is detected (step 61).
When a negative result is obtained in step 61, the controller 206 repeats the determination of step 61.
On the other hand, when an affirmative result is obtained in step 61, the controller 206 starts charging the secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 and the secondary battery 103C of the front panel 10 (step 62). Actual charging may adopt a method in which any one of the secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 and the secondary battery 101A of the front panel 10 is charged to a full capacity first and subsequently the other one is charged to a fully capacity. The secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 and the secondary battery 101A of the front panel 10 may be charged in parallel.
Subsequently, the controller 206 determines whether the two secondary batteries 103C, 201A each have a full-charge voltage (step 63).
When any one of the two has not reached a full-charge voltage, a negative result is obtained in step 63. On the other hand, when both the two secondary batteries 103C, 201A have reached a full-charge voltage, an affirmative result is obtained in step 63.
When a negative result is obtained in step 63, the controller 206 determines whether the USB cable is disconnected (step 64).
When the USB cable remains connected, a negative result is obtained in step 64. On the other hand, when the USB cable is disconnected during charging, an affirmative result is obtained in step 64.
When a negative result is obtained in step 64, the controller 206 returns to step 63 and repeats the determination of step 63.
When an affirmative result is obtained in step 63 or when an affirmative result is obtained in step 64, the controller 206 stops charging the secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 and the secondary battery 103C of the front panel 10 (step 65).
After that, the controller 206 ends the USB charging operation.
Fig. 24 is a timing chart that illustrates a USB charging operation. The abscissa axis of the timing chart represents time, the upper half of the ordinate axis represents the level of the secondary battery 201A in the main device 20, and the lower half of the ordinate axis represents the level of the secondary battery 103C in the front panel 10.
In the case of Fig. 24, the secondary battery 103C and the secondary battery 201A in an initial state T1 both are in a full state of charge.
Time T2 indicates a state where the level of the secondary battery 103C of the front panel 10 and the level of the secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 have decreased.
When the USB cable is connected in this state, USB charging is started.
As a result, not only the secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 but also the secondary battery 103C of the front panel 10 is recovered to a full state of charge at time T3 when USB charging ends.
In this way, in the case of the present embodiment, the secondary battery 103C of the front panel 10 can be charged at the same time when the secondary battery 201A of the main device 20 is charged.
As a result, a user is able to download or write a heating profile by using the front panel 10 without being particularly conscious of replacement of the battery of the front panel 10.

(1) The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described; however, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments. It is obvious from the appended claims that the technical scope of the present disclosure also encompasses the above-described embodiments with various modifications or improvements.
(2) In the above-described embodiments, the case where a seam part between the front panel 10 and the main device 20 is continuously flush without any step and provides a unified appearance has been described. Alternatively, a step, a cutout, or the like may be provided at a seam part when there is a unity of appearance with the main device 20.
(3) In the above-described embodiments, the case where the aerosol source is solid has been described. Alternatively, the aerosol source may be liquid. When the aerosol source is liquid, a method in which an aerosol source is guided to a capillary called wick using capillarity and the aerosol source is vaporized by heating a coil wound around the wick is adopted.
(4) In the above-described embodiments, the aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating a solid aerosol source has been described. Alternatively, an aerosol generating device may generate an aerosol by individually heating a solid aerosol source and a liquid aerosol source. The aerosol generating device of this type is also called a hybrid aerosol generating device.
(5) In the above-described first embodiment, the front panel 10 including the memory 101 has been described. Alternatively, the additional member may be a USB memory that can be connected to the USB connector 21 of the main device 20.
(6) In the above-described embodiments, an example in which generation of an aerosol is permitted when the front panel 10 is attached to the main device 20 has been described. Alternatively, the main device 20 may be configured to be capable of generating an aerosol even in a state where the front panel 10 is not attached.
In this case, attachment of the front panel 10 to the main device 20 is used to expand the function executable in the main device 20. For example, the main device 20 in a state where the front panel 10 is removed operates only on the built-in secondary battery 201A (see Fig. 20), and the main device 20 to which the front panel 10 with a secondary battery is attached has an enabled function of using electric power from the battery (the primary battery, the secondary battery 103C) of the front panel 10.
(7) In the above-described embodiments, a state where generation of an aerosol is possible has been described as an example of the aerosol generating device 1 (main device 20) in an operable state; however, the aerosol generating device 1 (main device 20) in an operable state is not limited thereto. For example, even when it is not possible to generate an aerosol due to shortage of electric power but when another function is operating, it is the aerosol generating device 1 (main device 20) in an operable state. Examples of another function here include a function of checking and presenting the level of the secondary battery 201A or the like, a function of acquiring and presenting a history of inhalation, and a function of communicating with an external terminal.
(8) In the above-described embodiments, an example in which the front panel 10 in a state of being attached to the main device 20 is pushed to be deformed and the button 20B provided at the main device 20 is operated has been described. Alternatively, a method other than deforming the front panel 10 may be used to input instructions to the main device 20.

For example, the front panel 10 may include a touch panel and information indicating operation of a user to the touch panel may be notified to the controller 206 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 via a communicator (not illustrated).
For example, a switch or a button may be disposed at the front panel 10, and presence or absence or the like of operation to them may be notified to the controller 206 (see Fig. 6) of the main device 20 via a communicator (not illustrated). The touch panel, the switch, or the like here is an example of the operating portion.
A heat shield structure is adopted to a surface member or inside of the main device 20 of this type.

The present disclosure includes the following configuration.

(1) An additional member attachable to and detachable from an aerosol generating device including a controller, a battery, and a heater that heats an aerosol source, the additional member including a memory that stores a control sequence defining heating operation with the heater.
(2) In the additional member according to (1), a second control sequence different from the control sequence stored in the aerosol generating device is stored in the memory.
(3) In the additional member according to (1) or (2), when the memory is rewritable, a second control sequence downloaded from an external terminal or the aerosol generating device is written to the memory.
(4) The additional member according to (3) further including a communicator that acquires the second control sequence by communicating with the external terminal or the aerosol generating device.
(5) In the additional member according to any one of (1) to (4), a main body attached covers part of a surface of the aerosol generating device.
(6) In the additional member according to any one of (1) to (5), attachment of the main body to the aerosol generating device is one of conditions on which the aerosol source is allowed to be heated by the heater.
(7) In the additional member according to any one of (1) to (6), a switch provided in the aerosol generating device is allowed to be operated by a user pushing the switch.
(8) In the additional member according to any one of (1) to (7), a main body attached to the aerosol generating device provides a unified appearance with a part not covered with the main body in the aerosol generating device in a state where generation of an aerosol is possible.

Reference Signs List

1 aerosol generating device
10 front panel
10A main body panel
10B window
10C,20C magnet
20 main device
20A LED
20B button
21 USB connector
22 hole
30 shutter
101, 204 memory
102,205 communicator
103, 201 power supply
103A battery
103B buck-boost DC-DC circuit
103C, 201A secondary battery
104 charging circuit
105 level indicator
202 sensor
203 notifier
206 controller
207 heater
208 heat insulator
209 holder
210 stick substrate

Claims

An additional member attachable to and detachable from an aerosol generating device including a controller, a battery, and a heater that heats an aerosol source, the additional member comprising
a memory that stores a control sequence defining heating operation with the heater.
The additional member according to claim 1, wherein
a second control sequence different from the control sequence stored in the aerosol generating device is stored in the memory.
The additional member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
when the memory is rewritable, a second control sequence downloaded from an external terminal or the aerosol generating device is written to the memory.
The additional member according to claim 3, further comprising
a communicator that acquires the second control sequence by communicating with the external terminal or the aerosol generating device.
The additional member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
a main body attached covers part of a surface of the aerosol generating device.
The additional member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
attachment of a main body to the aerosol generating device is one of conditions that the aerosol source is allowed to be heated by the heater.
The additional member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
a switch provided in the aerosol generating device is allowed to be operated by a user pushing the switch.
The additional member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
a main body attached to the aerosol generating device provides a unified appearance with a part not covered with the main body in the aerosol generating device in a state where generation of an aerosol is possible.