Classifications

• • 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
• • 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
  • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• • 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
• • 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
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
• • 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
• • 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
  • A24F40/57—Temperature control
• • 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
  • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device (referred to below as an "aerosol-generating device, etc.") for generating one or both of a flavor and an aerosol (referred to below as an "aerosol, etc.”) by heating one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source (referred to below as an "aerosol source, etc.”).
• an aerosol-generating device for generating one or both of a flavor and an aerosol (referred to below as an "aerosol, etc.”) by heating one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source (referred to below as an "aerosol source, etc.”).
• an inhalation device employs an aerosol source for generating an aerosol, and a substrate including a flavor source or the like for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol, to generate an aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted.
• an inhalation device employs an aerosol source for generating an aerosol, and a substrate including a flavor source or the like for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol, to generate an aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted.
• the user can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the aerosol to which the flavor component has been imparted, generated by the inhalation device.
• the battery operating voltage (the voltage between both terminals of the battery while electricity is flowing) generally decreases as battery output rises. Accordingly, when the maximum temperature of the heater is to be increased in an aerosol-generating device, etc. configured in the manner described above for detecting an error on the basis of battery voltage, it may be determined that an error has occurred during power supply to the heater, so that there is an erroneous transition to the abovementioned mode. When there is a transition to this mode in such a case, heating by the heater will be stopped, even though it cannot be said that an error has occurred, and proper use of the aerosol-generating device, etc. will be impeded.
• the present disclosure takes account of the situation described above, and the problem addressed thereby lies in providing an aerosol-generating device, etc. capable of avoiding a restriction on power supply when the voltage of a power source such as a battery temporarily drops due to power consumption by a heating unit comprising a heater or the like.
• an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device, comprising: a heating unit configured to heat one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source; a power source; and a control unit configured to perform control so that supply of power from the power source is restricted on the basis of a determination that a voltage of the power source is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period, characterized in that the predetermined period includes at least part of a period in which heating by the heating unit is performed using power from the power source.
• a device constituting one embodiment may have a mode which limits consumption of power from the power source, and is not canceled until a first predetermined operation is performed, and a restriction on power supply from the power source may be realized by transitioning to said mode.
• the first predetermined operation may include connecting the device to an external power source in order to charge the power source.
• a device constituting one embodiment may further comprise a power source IC for the power source, the power source IC being configured so that the device transitions to the abovementioned mode as a result of the control unit sending a predetermined command to the power source IC, and the control unit may further be configured so as not to send the predetermined command to the power source IC during the predetermined period.
• control unit may further be configured so that, during the predetermined period, the voltage of the power source is not acquired or a comparison between the voltage of the power source and the predetermined voltage is not made.
• the predetermined voltage may be a voltage for determining whether or not the power source is in a state of over-discharge.
• the threshold for determining whether or not the power source is in a state of over-discharge may be 2.8 V.
• the predetermined period may include the entire period in which heating by the heating unit is performed using power from the power source.
• the predetermined period may include a period from implementation of a second predetermined operation, indicating an instruction to start heating by the heating unit of the device, until implementation of a third predetermined operation indicating that one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source is absent from the device.
• a device constituting one embodiment may further comprise: a cover configured so that the device is capable of holding a substrate comprising one or both of the flavor source and the aerosol source only in an open state; and a button for receiving an instruction to start heating by the heating unit, the second predetermined operation may include depression of the button, and the third predetermined operation may include closing of the cover.
• the predetermined period may include a period in which the control unit controls the heating unit in accordance with a heating profile.
• the predetermined period may include a period, within the period in which the control unit controls the heating unit in accordance with a heating profile, in which a target temperature of the heating unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature.
• an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method implemented by a control unit of a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit configured to heat one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source; and a power source, the method comprising a step of performing control so that supply of power from the power source is restricted on the basis of a determination that a voltage of the power source is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period, characterized in that the predetermined period includes at least part of a period in which heating by the heating unit is performed using power from the power source.
• an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program for causing a control unit of a device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit configured to heat one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source; and a power source, to implement a step of performing control so that supply of power from the power source is restricted on the basis of a determination that a voltage of the power source is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period, characterized in that the predetermined period includes at least part of a period in which heating by the heating unit is performed using power from the power source.
• An embodiment of the present disclosure makes it possible to avoid a restriction on power supply when a power source voltage temporarily drops due to power consumption by a heating unit.
• an aerosol source is assumed to contain a substance which is also a flavor source
• a flavor source is assumed to contain a substance which is also an aerosol source.
• a flavor inhaler is also assumed to generate an aerosol in addition to a flavor
• an aerosol-generating device is also assumed to generate a flavor in addition to an aerosol.
• a first embodiment of the present disclosure constitutes an aerosol-generating device, etc. capable of avoiding a restriction on power supply when a power source voltage temporarily drops due to power consumption by a heating unit.
• FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram schematically showing a first configuration example of an aerosol-generating device, etc.
• an aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A according to this configuration example comprises: a power source unit 111, a sensor unit 112, a notification unit 113, a memory unit 114, a communication unit 115, a control unit 116, a heating unit 121A, a holding portion 140, and a heat insulating portion 144.
• the power source unit 111 stores power and supplies power to each component of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A in accordance with control performed by the control unit 116.
• the power source unit 111 may comprise a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery serving as a power source, for example. Accordingly, the power source unit 111 may comprise a charging system for charging the rechargeable battery. This charging system may be a charging terminal or a contactless charging coil, etc.
• the sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information relating to the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• the sensor unit 112 may comprise a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user.
• the sensor unit 112 may comprise an input device, such as a button or a switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
• the sensor unit 112 may comprise a vibration sensor such as an accelerometer for sensing vibration.
• the sensor unit 112 may comprise a sensor such as a microswitch or a Hall sensor for sensing whether a cover is open or closed, the cover being opened/closed when a substrate 150 (to be described later) is inserted into and withdrawn from the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• a sensor such as a microswitch or a Hall sensor for sensing whether a cover is open or closed, the cover being opened/closed when a substrate 150 (to be described later) is inserted into and withdrawn from the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information.
• the notification unit 113 may comprise a vibration device configured to generate vibration to be felt by the user.
• the vibration may have any purpose, and may be to stimulate the user or notify the user of some kind of information, but this should not be construed as limiting.
• the notification unit 113 may comprise a device configured to stimulate the user in another way, for example a device comprising an acoustic element or a light-emitting element.
• the notification unit 113 may comprise a display device for displaying messages.
• the memory unit 114 stores various types of information for operation of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A.
• the memory unit 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.
• the memory unit 114 may comprise a volatile memory providing a working area for control afforded by the control unit 116.
• the communication unit 115 may be a communication interface (including an electronic circuit for communication, etc., which may comprise a communication module or antenna; the same hereinafter) capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards which may be adopted include: Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Sigfox, and LoRA-WAN, etc.
• the communication unit 115 may be configured to communicate with an external device (not depicted).
• the control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, controlling all operations within the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A in accordance with various programs.
• the control unit 116 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit including a microprocessor (referred to below as a "processor") or the like, for example.
• a substrate 150 is used in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A.
• the substrate 150 has a stick-type shape in fig. 1A , but this does not mean that the shape of the substrate 150 is limited to such a shape.
• the substrate 150 comprises a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152.
• the substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source, etc. It should be noted that the aerosol source, etc. is not limited to a liquid and may equally be a solid in this configuration example. In a state in which the substrate 150 is being held in the holding portion 140, at least a portion of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in an internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from an opening 142.
• the substrate 150 may include a plurality of types of aerosol sources, etc. Other types of aerosols, etc. may be generated by a plurality of types of aerosols, etc. generated from the plurality of types of aerosol sources, etc. being mixed to cause a chemical reaction.
• the holding portion 140 has the internal space 141, and holds the substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the substrate 150 in the internal space 141.
• the holding portion 140 has the opening 142 allowing the internal space 141 to communicate with the outside, and holds the substrate 150 which has been inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142.
• the holding portion 140 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141.
• the holding portion 140 also has a function for defining a flow path for air supplied to the substrate 150.
• An air inflow hole which is an inlet for air to the flow path is disposed in the bottom portion 143, for example.
• the opening 142 forms an air outflow hole, which is an outlet for air from the flow path.
• the heating unit 121A comprises a heater for heating the substrate 150 to thereby atomize the aerosol source, etc. to generate the aerosol, etc.
• the heating unit 121A is configured in a film shape and is disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121A generates heat, the substrate portion 151 of the substrate 150 is heated from the outer circumference, generating the aerosol, etc.
• the heating unit 121A generates heat when supplied with power from the power source unit 111.
• electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has started inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input. The supply of electricity may then be stopped when the sensor unit 112 detects that the user has finished inhaling and/or that predetermined information has been input.
• the heat insulating portion 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 121A to other components.
• the heat insulating portion 144 is configured from a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
• Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram schematically showing a second configuration example of an aerosol-generating device, etc.
• components which are substantially the same as those of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A are assigned the same reference signs.
• an aerosol-generating device, etc. 100B according to this configuration example comprises some components which are substantially the same as those of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100A, and a heating unit 121B.
• the heating unit 121B has a similar structure to the heating unit 121A according to the first configuration example. However, in the example shown in fig. 1B , the heating unit 121B has a blade-like form and is arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 141 from the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140. In this case, the blade-like heating unit 121B is inserted into the substrate portion 151 of the substrate 150. Then, when the heating unit 121B generates heat, the substrate portion 151 of the substrate 150 is heated from the inside, generating the aerosol, etc.
• Aerosol-generating devices, etc. 100A and 100B (referred to below as the "aerosol-generating device, etc. 100") were described above.
• the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 is of course not limited to the configuration described above and it may have various configurations which are illustrated below.
• the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 may comprise a heating unit arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140, unlike the heating units 121A and 121B. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 may comprise a heating unit configuration which is a combination of two or more from among: a first heating unit (heating unit 121A) covering the outer circumference of the holding portion 140, a blade-like second heating unit (heating unit 121B), and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140.
• the holding portion 140 may comprise an opening/closing mechanism such as a slider or a hinge for opening/closing part of a casing, i.e., a cover, that forms the internal space 141.
• the holding portion 140 may be configured so that opening of the cover enables the substrate 150 to be inserted into and withdrawn from the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• the cover may be configured so that it cannot be closed in a state in which the substrate 150 is inserted. In other words, the cover may be configured so that the substrate can be held in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 only when the cover is in an open state.
• the accommodating portion 140 may comprise an opening/closing mechanism such as a hinge for opening/closing part of a casing that forms the internal space 141. By opening/closing the casing, the accommodating portion 140 may then receive and grip the stick-type substrate 150 which has been inserted into the internal space 141.
• the heating unit 121B may be provided on the gripping part of the accommodating portion 140, and may heat the stick-type substrate 150 while pressing same.
• the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 121B.
• the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
• the inhalation device 100B comprises at least an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil for generating a magnetic field, instead of the heating unit 121B.
• a susceptor which generates heat by means of induction heating may be provided in the inhalation device 100B, or may be contained in the stick-type substrate 150.
• the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 has a mode (referred to below as "shipment mode", which is the name used by those skilled in the art) which limits power consumption of a battery when a product is being transported after shipment, and when an error has occurred.
• shipment mode power supply from the power source unit 111 to other components included in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 is zero or almost zero.
• shipment mode may be a mode which is not canceled until a predetermined operation is performed.
• Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a more detailed configuration example of part of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 for implementing shipment mode.
• the power source IC 230 may be configured to measure or acquire the state of the power source 210 (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, charging rate (SOC: state of charge), extent of deterioration (SOH: state of health), and relative charging rate (RSOC: relative SOC)).
• SOC state of charge
• SOH state of health
• RSOC relative charging rate
• the thick lines in fig. 2 denote a power supply pathway.
• the power source 210 is configured to supply power to each component of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100, including the control unit 116, via the power source IC 230.
• the charging system 220 is configured to supply power (that is, to apply a charging voltage and supply a charging current) for charging the power source 210, via the power source IC 230.
• the power source IC 230 may be configured so that a constant voltage is output and so that the voltage from one or both of the power source 210 and the charging system 220 is stabilized by being stepped down or stepped up.
• the power source IC 230 may be configured to output various voltages so that a suitable voltage is applied to each component.
• the thin lines in fig. 2 denote transmission pathways for various signals including control signals. Accordingly, the power source IC 230 is controlled by means of the control unit 116 through the control signals, and is also configured to provide the state of the power source 210 to the control unit 116 as a signal.
• the power source IC 230 is capable of stopping power supply to each component of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100, including the control unit 116, based on a predetermined command being sent from the control unit 116 by way of a control signal. That is to say, the configuration above makes it possible to realize shipment mode in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• control unit 116 may acquire the voltage of the power source 210 and send the predetermined command to the power source IC 230 on the basis of a determination that this voltage is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.
• the power source IC 230 may detect that the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 is connected to an external power source via the charging system 220, by detecting e.g. the voltage for charging the power source 210 from the charging system 220. According to the configuration above, the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 may therefore resume power supply to each component of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 based solely on the operation of connecting the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 to an external power source via a USB (universal serial bus) cable, for example. Moreover, the power source IC 230 may resume power supply to each component of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 based on a different operation.
• USB universal serial bus
• the power source IC 230 may resume power supply to each component of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 based solely on operation of this input device. That is to say, the power source IC 230 may cancel shipment mode based solely on a predetermined operation (referred to below as a "first predetermined operation") such as an operation to connect the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 to an external power source or an operation on the abovementioned input device, in other words, the power source IC 230 may be configured so as not to cancel shipment mode until the first predetermined operation is performed.
• a predetermined operation referred to below as a "first predetermined operation”
• control unit 116 Processing implemented by control unit 116
• Fig. 3 is a flowchart of exemplary processing 300 for appropriately restricting power supply. It should be noted that implementation of the exemplary processing 300 may be started at any timing. Implementation of the exemplary processing 300 may be started in response to shipment mode being canceled, for example, but this does not mean that the timing at which implementation of the exemplary processing 300 is started is limited thereto. Furthermore, the exemplary processing 300 may be implemented independently of other processing. In other words, other processing may be implemented without awaiting completion of the exemplary processing 300.
• 310 denotes a step of performing control so that supply of power from the power source 210 is restricted on the basis of a determination that the voltage of the power source 210 is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period.
• step 310 Specific processing for realizing step 310 will be described below.
• Fig. 4A is a flowchart of first exemplary processing 400A for controlling power supply restriction, which may be included in step 310.
• step 410A denotes a step of acquiring the voltage of the power source 210.
• the control unit 116 may acquire the voltage of the power source 210 by communicating with the power source IC 230. Furthermore, the control unit 116 may also acquire the voltage of the power source 210 from a battery remaining power meter which monitors this voltage. It should be noted that the voltage acquired in step 410A is the operating voltage of the power source 210 because power is at least being supplied from the power source 210 in order to operate the control unit 116.
• 420A denotes a step of determining whether the voltage of the power source 210 acquired in step 410A is less than a predetermined voltage ("less than” may also include “equal to or less than”).
• the predetermined voltage in step 420A may be a voltage for determining whether or not the power source 210 is in a state of over-discharge.
• a predetermined voltage may be 2.8 V. If the voltage of the power source 210 is deemed to be less than the predetermined voltage, the processing advances to step 430A, otherwise the processing returns to step 410A.
• processing may be configured to advance to step 430A for the first time when the voltage of the power source 210 is less than the predetermined voltage for a predetermined consecutive number of times in step 420A.
• the predetermined number of times may be any number of times, e.g. three times.
• This predetermined period may therefore be a period in which a large amount of power is being supplied from the power source 210 to the heating unit 121A or 121B (referred to below as the "heating unit 121"), and there is a possibility of a temporary drop in the operating voltage of the power source 210.
• Any means may be used to determine whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• the determination as to whether the predetermined period is in progress may be made on the basis of a flag which is set by means of exemplary processing 500A-500C which will be described later, for example, but this does not mean that the means for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress is limited thereto.
• step 410A If it is determined that the predetermined period is in progress, the processing returns to step 410A, otherwise, the processing advances to step 440A.
• 440A denotes a step of sending to the power source IC 230 a predetermined command for causing a transition to shipment mode.
• step 310 is realized by utilizing shipment mode.
• Fig. 4B is a flowchart of second exemplary processing 400B for controlling power supply restriction, which may be included in step 310.
• the second exemplary processing 400B includes the same steps as in the first exemplary processing 400A but the order of implementation of those steps differs in part. The main difference will be described below.
• a step 430B of determining whether the predetermined period is in progress is first of all implemented, and the processing advances to step 410B if it is determined that the predetermined period is in progress, otherwise the processing repeats step 430B. Furthermore, in step 420B, if it is determined that the voltage of the power source 210 is less than the predetermined voltage ("less than” may also include “equal to or less than"), a step of sending a predetermined command for causing a transition to shipment mode to the power source IC 230 is immediately implemented.
• step 310 is realized by utilizing shipment mode. Furthermore, according to the second exemplary processing 400B, it will be understood that, while the predetermined period is deemed to be in progress, that is to say, during the predetermined period, the voltage of the power source 210 is not acquired, and no comparison is made between that voltage and the predetermined voltage.
• step corresponding to 410B in which the voltage of the power source 210 is acquired, is implemented immediately before step 430B, in which it is determined whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• step 310 is realized by utilizing shipment mode. Furthermore, according to the third exemplary processing, it will be understood that, while the predetermined period is deemed to be in progress, that is to say, during the predetermined period, no comparison is made between the voltage of the power source 210 and a predetermined threshold.
• Fig. 5A is a flowchart of first exemplary processing 500A for setting and clearing a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• Implementation of the first exemplary processing 500A may be started at any timing.
• the first exemplary processing 500A may be started in response to the cover being opened in order to insert the substrate 150 into the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100, for example, but this does not mean that the start timing for implementation of the first exemplary processing 500A is limited to such a timing.
• the control unit 116 is capable of sensing that the cover is open by means of a sensor included in the sensor unit 112.
• the second predetermined operation in the first exemplary processing 500A may indicate an instruction to start heating by the heating unit 121.
• the second predetermined operation may comprise, for example, pressing an input device provided in the sensor unit 112, for example pressing a button (including a long press), but this does not mean that the second predetermined operation is limited to this. If it is determined that the second predetermined operation has been performed, the processing advances to step 520A, otherwise step 510A is repeated.
• the second predetermined operation may comprise detecting insertion of said substrate 150.
• the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 is capable of automatically starting heating by the heating unit 121 in response to automatic detection of insertion of the substrate 150.
• Various methods may be used in order to detect insertion of the substrate 150, for example: detecting the presence of the substrate 150 by means of an optical sensor; detecting a change in pressure by means of a pressure sensor when the substrate 150 is inserted; detection using a change in temperature of the heater based on insertion of the substrate 150; and detecting an induced current produced by insertion of the substrate 150.
• the flag denotes a step of setting a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• the flag may be set by any means.
• a predetermined value e.g. 1
• the area of the memory unit 114 corresponding to the flag may be initialized using a value (e.g., 0) other than the predetermined value before the start of implementation of the first exemplary processing 500A.
• 530A denotes a step of starting control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with a heating profile.
• the heating profile and control of the heating unit 121 in accordance therewith will be described later.
• control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile is implemented independently of the first exemplary processing 500A. In other words, when control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile is started in step 530A, the processing advances to step 540A without awaiting completion of this control.
• the 540A denotes a step of determining whether a third predetermined operation has been performed in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• the third predetermined operation may indicate that an aerosol source, etc. is absent from the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• the third predetermined operation may comprise detecting withdrawal of said substrate 150.
• the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 is capable of automatically terminating heating by the heating unit 121 in response to automatic detection of withdrawal of the substrate 150.
• the third predetermined operation may be closure of the cover, for example. This is because the cover is constructed so as to be capable of holding the substrate 150 when the cover is open, thereby enabling the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 to be configured so that closure of the cover indicates that there is no substrate 150, which means that neither a flavor source nor an aerosol source is present.
• control unit 116 is capable of sensing that the cover is closed by means of a sensor included in the sensor unit 112. In any case, this does not mean that the third predetermined operation is limited to the above. If it is determined that the third predetermined operation has been performed, the processing advances to step 550A, otherwise step 540A is repeated.
• 550A denotes a step of clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• a value e.g., 0
• a value other than the predetermined value in step 520A may be stored in the area corresponding to the flag, but this is not limiting.
• Fig. 5B is a flowchart of second exemplary processing 500B for setting and clearing a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• the second exemplary processing 500B is a variant of the first exemplary processing 500A, and is the same as the first exemplary processing 500A in regard to the start timing for implementation thereof.
• step 510B denotes a step of determining whether a predetermined operation has been performed in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100.
• the predetermined operation is the same as the second predetermined operation in step 510A. If it is determined that the predetermined operation has been performed, the processing advances to step 520B, otherwise step 510B is repeated.
• step 520B denotes a step of setting a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress, and is the same as step 520A.
• 530B denotes a step of starting control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile, and is the same as step 530A.
• control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile may be configured so that a flag indicating that this control has ended is set when said control has ended, and control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile is deemed to have ended on the basis of this flag being set at the point in time when step 540B is implemented.
• control in accordance with the heating profile may be deemed to have ended on the basis of a target temperature of the heating profile being 0°C at the time of or subsequent to implementation of step 540B.
• the means for determining whether control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile has ended is not limited to the above. If it is determined that control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile has ended, the processing advances to step 550B, otherwise step 540B is repeated.
• 550B denotes a step of clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress, and is the same as step 550A.
• Fig. 5C is a flowchart of third exemplary processing 500C for setting and clearing a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• the third exemplary processing 500C is a variant of the second exemplary processing 500B, and is the same as the second exemplary processing 500B in regard to the start timing for implementation thereof.
• step 510C denotes a step of determining whether a predetermined operation has been performed in the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100, and is the same as step 510B. If it is determined that the predetermined operation has been performed, the processing advances to step 520C, otherwise step 510C is repeated.
• step 520C denotes a step of starting control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile, and is the same as step 530B.
• 530C denotes a step of determining whether the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is greater than a first predetermined temperature ("greater than” may also include “equal to or greater than”).
• the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is a target temperature of the heating unit 121 in the heating profile at the time of implementation of step 530C. As will be described later, there is a possibility that the operating voltage of the power source 210 will drop as the target temperature of the heating unit 121 increases.
• the first predetermined temperature may be a temperature (e.g., 300°C) which is smaller than the temperature at which there is a possibility of the operating voltage of the power source 210 being equal to or less than a predetermined voltage for determining that the power source 210 is in a state of over-discharge. If it is determined that the target temperature of the heating unit 121 is greater than the first predetermined temperature, the processing advances to step 535C, otherwise the processing advances to step 540C. It should be noted that any of the following determinations (1) to (3) may be made in step 530C, rather than the determination as to whether the target temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.
• step 530C (1) a determination may be made as to whether or not the heating profile being used to control the heating unit 121 is a predetermined heating profile. If the heating profile being used to control the heating unit 121 is deemed to be the predetermined heating profile, the processing advances to step 535C, otherwise the processing advances to step 540C. Furthermore, in step 530C: (2) a determination may be made as to whether or not a voltage applied to the heater is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the voltage applied to the heater is deemed to be equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the processing advances to step 535C, otherwise the processing advances to step 540C.
• step 530C (3) a determination may be made as to whether or not the power applied to the heater is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the power applied to the heater is deemed to be equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the processing advances to step 535C, otherwise the processing advances to step 540C.
• step 535C denotes a step of setting a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress, and is the same as step 520A. If the flag is already set, however, step 535C may be a step in which no processing takes place.
• the second predetermined temperature may be a temperature (e.g., 300°C) which is smaller than the temperature at which there is a possibility of the operating voltage of the power source 210 being equal to or less than a predetermined voltage for determining that the power source 210 is in a state of over-discharge.
• the second predetermined temperature may be the same as or different from the first predetermined temperature. If it is determined that the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is less than the second predetermined temperature, the processing advances to step 545C, otherwise the processing advances to step 550C.
• step 545C denotes a step of clearing a flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress, and is the same as step 550B. If the flag is already cleared, however, step 545C may be a step in which no processing takes place.
• step 550C denotes a step of determining whether control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile has ended, and is the same as step 540B. If it is determined that control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile has ended, the third exemplary processing 500C is terminated, otherwise the processing returns to step 530C.
• the heating profile is a graph (e.g., the graph represented by the solid line in fig. 6 ) representing changes over time of the target temperature resulting from control of the heating unit 121.
• the temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be achieved by known feedback control, for example.
• the control unit 116 of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 may supply the heating unit 121 with power from the power source 210 via the power source IC 230, in the form of a pulse afforded by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM).
• PWM pulse width modulation
• PFM pulse frequency modulation
• the control unit 116 can perform temperature control of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulse.
• the control unit 116 may measure or estimate the temperature of the heating unit 121, and control the power, e.g., the duty ratio, supplied to the heating unit 121 on the basis of a difference between the measured or estimated temperature of the heating unit 121 and a target temperature, etc.
• the feedback control may be PID control, for example.
• the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance of a heating resistive element constituting the heating unit 121B, for example. This is because the electrical resistance of the heating resistive element varies with temperature.
• the electrical resistance of the heating resistive element can be estimated by measuring the amount of voltage drop at the heating resistive element, for example.
• the amount of voltage drop at the heating resistive element can be measured by a voltage sensor measuring a potential difference applied to the heating resistive element.
• the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by means of a temperature sensor installed in the sensor unit 112, close to the heating unit 121.
• control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile in the present disclosure means controlling the power supplied to the heating unit 121 so that the actual temperature of the heating unit 121 at a given point in time approaches the target temperature at the corresponding point in time in the heating profile.
• an instruction to start heating by the heating unit 121 is received, and when power supply from the power source 210 to the heating unit 121 is started, the control unit 116 first of all controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 toward a first target temperature TA1 during a first period P1. That is to say, the control unit 116 heats the heating unit 121 from an initial temperature toward the first target temperature TA1. In the first period P1, when the heating unit 121 reaches the first target temperature TA1, the control unit 116 performs control so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 is maintained at the first target temperature TA1.
• the first target temperature TA1 may be approximately 320°C in this embodiment.
• the target temperature of approximately 320°C is higher than the conventional target temperature of approximately 300°C, for example, and the power source 210 needs to output a greater amount of power than conventionally in order to cause the heating unit 121 to reach this temperature.
• the power source 210 attempts to cause a greater flow of current, therefore increasing the voltage drop caused by internal resistance of the power source 210, which in turn further reduces the operating voltage of the power source 210.
• the operating voltage of the power source 210 will be equal to or less than the predetermined voltage for determining whether or not the abovementioned state of over-discharge has arisen, despite this state of over-discharge not arising.
• the first period P1 may typically be in a range of 35-55 seconds, although this varies according to the state of heating of the heating unit 121 and the substrate 150, and the ambient temperature, etc.
• the control unit 116 is preferably configured to be capable of changing the length of the first period P1 on the basis of the speed of temperature increase of the heating unit 121 in the first period P1. More specifically, an initial temperature increase period P1a of the first period P1 may be configured to be variable based on the rate of temperature increase of the heating unit 121.
• the control unit 116 is preferably configured to change the period P1 so that the length of the period P1 decreases as the period from the start of heating by the heating unit 121 until a predetermined temperature is reached becomes shorter.
• the first period P1 ends when a predetermined period (P1b) has elapsed once the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaches the first target temperature TA1. That is to say, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases rapidly, the period P1a from a time point T0 at the start of power supply to the heating unit 121 until the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaches the first target temperature TA1 will be shorter.
• the predetermined period (P1b) is preferably 25-41 seconds, and may typically be 33 seconds.
• the variable range of the first period P1, more specifically the variable range of P1a+P1b, preferably has a predetermined upper limit value.
• the upper limit value of P1a+P1b is preferably 40-60 seconds, and may typically be 50 seconds.
• the control unit 116 then controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 toward a second target temperature TA2 which is lower than the first target temperature TA1 during the second period P2 following the first period P1. That is to say, the control unit 116 controls the heating unit 121 so as to reduce the temperature of the heating unit 121 from the first target temperature TA1, and maintain the temperature at the second target temperature TA2.
• the second target temperature TA2 is preferably in a range of 190-210°C, and may typically be 200°C.
• the second period P2 is preferably in a range of 100-160 seconds, and may typically be 130 seconds.
• the second period P2 is preferably longer than the first period P1 and a third period P3 which will be described below.
• the second period is a period in which the temperature is kept higher than in the third period P3, and is therefore a period in which the aerosol, etc. can be stably supplied.
• the period in which the aerosol, etc. can be stably supplied can be made relatively long as a result.
• the control unit 116 may have a first OFF period in which the supply of power to the heating unit 121 is stopped from the end of the first period P1 to the initial part of the second period P2. By providing the first OFF period, the temperature reduction from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 can be achieved in the shortest time.
• the control unit 116 may also continue measuring the temperature of the heating unit 121 during the first OFF period. In this case, the control unit 116 may be configured to resume power supply to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the heating unit 121 has dropped to around the second target temperature TA2.
• the first OFF period is preferably a time interval in which a typical user would not perform two or more inhalation actions. If the user were to perform two or more inhalation actions during the OFF period, then the temperature of the heating unit 121 might sharply drop and fall well below the second target temperature TA2. This would risk reducing the amount of aerosol, etc. generated from the substrate 150. Assuming that the time interval of normal inhalation actions by a typical user is around 20 seconds, then the first OFF period is preferably in a range of 15-20 seconds, for example.
• the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 may be set so that the temperature reduction from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 afforded by natural cooling during the first OFF period takes place within the abovementioned time range.
• the control unit 116 may also be configured to measure the elapsed time of the first OFF period, and to force a resumption in power supply to the heating unit 121 once the first OFF period has reached a predetermined upper limit value.
• the upper limit value of the first OFF period in this case is preferably 15-20 seconds.
• the control unit 116 then controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 toward a third target temperature TA3 which is lower than the second target temperature TA2 during the third period P3 following the second period P2. That is to say, the control unit 116 controls the heating unit 121 so as to further reduce the temperature of the heating unit 121 from the second target temperature TA2, and maintain the temperature at the third target temperature TA3.
• the third target temperature TA3 is preferably in a range of 175-190°C, and may typically be 185°C.
• the third period P3 is preferably in a range of 30-90 seconds, and may typically be 60 seconds. It is possible to further reduce the power consumed in the third period P3 by further reducing the target temperature in the third period P3.
• a temperature difference ( ⁇ T12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is preferably greater than a temperature difference ( ⁇ T23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3.
• the power consumed by the heating unit 121 is greater in the second period P2 than in the third period P3, so making the temperature difference ( ⁇ T12) at the transition from the first period P1 to the second period P2 greater than the temperature difference ( ⁇ T23) at the transition from the second period P2 to the third period P3 leads to a reduction in power consumption throughout all periods.
• ⁇ T12/ ⁇ T23 is therefore preferably greater than 1.
• ⁇ T12/ ⁇ T23 therefore preferably has a predetermined upper limit value.
• the upper limit value of ⁇ T12/ ⁇ T23 may be 2.5, for example.
• ⁇ T12/ ⁇ T23 is preferably 1.0-2.5, and may typically be 2.0.
• the control unit 116 may have a second OFF period in which the supply of power to the heating unit 121 is stopped from the end of the second period P2 to the initial part of the third period P3. By providing the second OFF period, the temperature reduction from the second target temperature TA2 to the third target temperature TA3 can be achieved in the shortest time.
• the control unit 116 may also continue measuring the temperature of the heating unit 121 during the second OFF period. In this case, the control unit 116 may be configured to resume power supply to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the heating unit 121 has dropped to around the third target temperature TA3.
• the second OFF period is preferably a time interval in which a typical user would not perform two or more inhalation actions, and is preferably in a range of 15-20 seconds, for example.
• the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3 may be set so that the temperature reduction from the second target temperature TA2 to the third target temperature TA3 afforded by natural cooling during the second OFF period takes place within the abovementioned time range.
• the control unit 116 may also be configured to measure the elapsed time of the second OFF period, and to force a resumption in power supply to the heating unit 121 once the second OFF period has reached a predetermined upper limit value.
• the temperature difference ( ⁇ T12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is greater than the temperature difference ( ⁇ T23) between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3, but this relationship is also preferable from the point of view of making the first OFF period and the second OFF period values which are as close as possible.
• the rate of temperature reduction during natural cooling is greater in a high-temperature zone than in a low-temperature zone, so the temperature difference ( ⁇ T12) between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2, which belongs to a high-temperature zone, needs to be made relatively large in order to make the first OFF period and the second OFF period as close as possible.
• the first OFF period would always be shorter than the second OFF period, so in theory the two OFF periods could no longer be the same.
• a ratio of the difference between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 to the difference between the second target temperature TA2 and the third target temperature TA3 is preferably less than 2.5. This is to ensure that the difference between the first target temperature TA1 and the second target temperature TA2 is not excessively large so that the aerosol can be stably generated during the middle of the period in which puffing is enabled.
• the heating unit 121 may also be preferable for the heating unit 121 to be controlled at the third target temperature TA3, without passing from the first target temperature TA1 through the second target temperature TA2. In this case, however, the period running from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3 (second OFF period) is relatively long. Power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped during the period from the first target temperature TA1 to the third target temperature TA3, so if the user performs multiple inhalation actions within this period, there is a risk that the temperature of the heating unit 121 will fall far below the third temperature.
• the durations of the OFF periods in which power supply to the heating unit 121 is stopped can be made relatively short, therefore making it possible to prevent an excessive reduction in the temperature of a smoking article due to multiple inhalation actions, preventing unstable aerosol generation as a result.
• the control unit 116 stops power supply to the heating unit 121 at the same time as the third period P3 ends. Moreover, the user can still experience the aerosol due to residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the substrate 150 until a predetermined period has elapsed, even after power supply to the heating unit 121 has stopped.
• the heat of the heating unit 121 will have been sufficiently transmitted to the inside of the substrate 150.
• a fixed amount of aerosol can therefore be generated simply by the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the substrate 150.
• aerosol generation tends to be unstable in the fourth period P4, in the same way as for the first OFF period and the second OFF period, so the fourth period P4 is preferably a time interval in which a user would not perform two or more inhalation actions.
• the fourth period P4 is therefore preferably 5-15 seconds, and may typically be 10 seconds.
• T1 in fig. 6 corresponds to a time point at which it is determined that the second predetermined operation has been performed in step 510A
• T2 corresponds to a time point at which it is determined that the third predetermined operation has been performed in step 540A.
• p1 corresponds to a predetermined period established in accordance with the first exemplary processing 500A for setting and clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• T3 in fig. 6 corresponds to a time point at which control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile is deemed to have ended in step 540B.
• p2 corresponds to a predetermined period established in accordance with the second exemplary processing 500B for setting and clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• Th in fig. 6 corresponds to the first predetermined temperature in step 530C
• T4 thus corresponds to a time point at which the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is deemed to be greater than the first predetermined temperature in step 530C
• Th also corresponds to the second predetermined temperature in step 540C
• T5 thus corresponds to a time point at which the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is deemed to be less than the second predetermined temperature in step 540C.
• p3 corresponds to a predetermined period established in accordance with the third exemplary processing 500C for setting and clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• the predetermined periods p1, p2 and p3 all include at least part of the period (P1 + P2 + P3) in which heating by the heating unit 121 is performed using power from the power source 210. It will especially be understood that the predetermined period p1 includes the entire period in which heating by the heating unit 121 is performed using power from the power source 210.
• Fig. 7 shows another exemplary heating profile.
• an instruction to start heating by the heating unit 121 is received, and when power supply from the power source 210 to the heating unit 121 is started, the control unit 116 first of all controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 toward a first target temperature TA1 during a first period P1. That is to say, the control unit 116 heats the heating unit 121 from an initial temperature toward the first target temperature TA1. In the first period P1, when the heating unit 121 reaches the first target temperature TA1, the control unit 116 performs control so that the temperature of the heating unit 121 is maintained at the first target temperature TA1.
• the first target temperature TA1 may be approximately 320°C in this embodiment.
• the target temperature of approximately 320°C is higher than the conventional target temperature of approximately 300°C, for example, and the power source 210 needs to output a greater amount of power than conventionally in order to cause the heating unit 121 to reach this temperature.
• the power source 210 attempts to cause a greater flow of current, therefore increasing the voltage drop caused by internal resistance of the power source 210, which in turn further reduces the operating voltage of the power source 210.
• the operating voltage of the power source 210 will be equal to or less than the predetermined voltage for determining whether or not the abovementioned state of over-discharge has arisen, despite this state of over-discharge not arising.
• the first period P1 may typically be in a range of 20-60 seconds, although this varies according to the state of heating of the heating unit 121 and the substrate 150, and the ambient temperature, etc.
• the control unit 116 is preferably configured to be capable of changing the length of the first period P1 on the basis of the speed of temperature increase of the heating unit 121 in the first period P1. More specifically, an initial temperature increase period P1a of the first period P1 may be configured to be variable based on the rate of temperature increase of the heating unit 121.
• the control unit 116 is preferably configured to change the period P1 so that the length of the period P1 decreases as the period from the start of heating by the heating unit 121 until a predetermined temperature is reached becomes shorter.
• the first period P1 ends when a predetermined period (P1b) has elapsed after the temperature of the heating unit 121 reached the first target temperature TA1. That is to say, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 increases rapidly, the period P1a from a time point T0 at the start of power supply to the heating unit 121 until the temperature of the heating unit 121 reaches the first target temperature TA1 becomes shorter.
• the predetermined period (P1b) is preferably 10-40 seconds, and may typically be 20 seconds.
• the variable range of the first period P1, more specifically the variable range of P1a+P1b, preferably has a predetermined upper limit value.
• the upper limit value of P1a+P1b is preferably 40-60 seconds, and may typically be 50 seconds.
• the control unit 116 then controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 toward a second target temperature TA2 which is lower than the first target temperature TA1 during the second period P2 following the first period P1. That is to say, the control unit 116 controls the heating unit 121 so as to reduce the temperature of the heating unit 121 from the first target temperature TA1, and reduce this temperature to the second target temperature TA2.
• the second target temperature TA2 is preferably in a range of 210-250°C, and may typically be 230°C.
• the second period P2 is preferably in a range of 10-40 seconds, and may typically be 20 seconds. It is possible to reduce the power consumed in the second period P2 by reducing the target temperature in the second period P2.
• the control unit 116 may have a first OFF period in which the supply of power to the heating unit 121 is stopped from the end of the first period P1 to the initial part of the second period P2. By providing the first OFF period, the temperature reduction from the first target temperature TA1 to the second target temperature TA2 can be achieved in the shortest time.
• the control unit 116 may also continue measuring the temperature of the heating unit 121 during the first OFF period. In this case, the control unit 116 may be configured to resume power supply to the heating unit 121 when the temperature of the heating unit 121 has dropped to around the second target temperature TA2.
• the control unit 116 then controls the temperature of the heating unit 121 toward a third target temperature TA3 which is higher than the second target temperature TA2 during the third period P3 following the second period P2. That is to say, the control unit 116 controls the heating unit 121 so as to increase the temperature of the heating unit 121 from the second target temperature TA2, and maintain the temperature at the third target temperature TA3.
• the third target temperature TA3 is preferably in a range of 230-320°C, and may typically be 270°C.
• the third period P3 is preferably in a range of 120-360 seconds, and may typically be 240 seconds.
• the heat of the heating unit 121 will have been sufficiently transmitted to the inside of the substrate 150.
• a fixed amount of aerosol can therefore be generated simply by the residual heat of the heating unit 121 and the substrate 150.
• T1 in fig. 7 corresponds to a time point at which it is determined that the second predetermined operation has been performed in step 510A
• T2 corresponds to a time point at which it is determined that the third predetermined operation has been performed in step 540A.
• p1 corresponds to a predetermined period established in accordance with the first exemplary processing 500A for setting and clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• T3 in fig. 7 corresponds to a time point at which control of the heating unit 121 in accordance with the heating profile is deemed to have ended in step 540B.
• p2 corresponds to a predetermined period established in accordance with the second exemplary processing 500B for setting and clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• Th in fig. 7 corresponds to the first predetermined temperature in step 530C
• T4 accordingly corresponds to a time point at which the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is deemed to be greater than the first predetermined temperature in step 530C
• Th also corresponds to the second predetermined temperature in step 540C
• T5 accordingly corresponds to a time point at which the current target temperature of the heating unit 121 is deemed to be less than the second predetermined temperature in step 540C.
• p3 corresponds to a predetermined period established in accordance with the third exemplary processing 500C for setting and clearing the flag for determining whether the predetermined period is in progress.
• the predetermined periods p1, p2 and p3 all include at least part of the period (P1 and P3) in which heating by the heating unit 121 is performed using power from the power source 210.
• a second embodiment of the present disclosure constitutes a method comprising a step 310 in which the control unit 116 of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 performs control so that supply of power from the power source 210 is restricted on the basis of a determination that the voltage of the power source 210 is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period.
• a third embodiment of the present disclosure constitutes a program which causes the control unit 116 of the aerosol-generating device, etc. 100 to implement a step 310 in which control is performed so that supply of power from the power source 210 is restricted on the basis of a determination that the voltage of the power source 210 is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period.
• the control unit 116 is realized by an electronic circuit comprising a processor, and the program therefore corresponds to a computer program.
• a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure constitutes a computer-readable storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
• a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device, comprising: a heating unit configured to heat one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source;
• the device as disclosed in feature 2, wherein the first predetermined operation includes connecting the device to an external power source in order to charge the power source.
• control unit is further configured so that, during the predetermined period, the voltage of the power source is not acquired or a comparison between the voltage of the power source and the predetermined voltage is not made.
• the predetermined voltage is a voltage for determining whether or not the power source is in a state of over-discharge.
• the predetermined period includes the entire period in which heating by the heating unit is performed using power from the power source.
• the predetermined period includes a period from implementation of a second predetermined operation, indicating an instruction to start heating by the heating unit of the device, until implementation of a third predetermined operation indicating that one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source is absent from the device.
• the device as disclosed in feature 9, the device further comprising:
• the predetermined period includes a period in which the control unit controls the heating unit in accordance with a heating profile.
• the predetermined period includes a period, within the period in which the control unit controls the heating unit in accordance with a heating profile, in which a target temperature of the heating unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature.
• a method implemented by a control unit of a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit configured to heat one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source; and a power source,
• a program for causing a control unit of a device which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit configured to heat one or both of a flavor source and an aerosol source, and a power source, to implement a step of performing control so that supply of power from the power source is restricted on the basis of a determination that a voltage of the power source is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage, excluding in a predetermined period, characterized in that the predetermined period includes at least part of a period in which heating by the heating unit is performed using power from the power source.

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• 2022
  • 2022-12-14 EP EP22968449.3A patent/EP4635337A1/de active Pending
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  • 2022-12-14 JP JP2024564028A patent/JPWO2024127537A1/ja active Pending
  • 2022-12-14 KR KR1020257020756A patent/KR20250114063A/ko active Pending
• 2023
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