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
  • A24F40/60—Devices with integrated user interfaces
• • 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
• • 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

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to an electronic device and an aerosol-generating device.
• PTL 1 discloses an aerosol-generating device which, when an error signal generated by means of a control unit on the basis of data in response to a fault arising in a power source unit is received, outputs light and/or sound, for example, in accordance with the error signal. It is then indicated that the notification unit may be a light-emitting device, such as an LED, for example.
• PTL 2 discloses an aerosol-generating device in which a control unit generates an error signal based on contents and causes of abnormal states, and a notification unit provides a notification commensurate with the error signal. It is then indicated that the notification unit is, for example, a light-emitting diode.
• a cover may be attached to an electronic device having a simple display unit for providing a simple display, for the purpose of protection thereof, etc. In this case, it may not be necessary for a display to be provided by the simple display unit, depending on the type of cover, and power will be wasted if a display is provided by the simple display unit in such a case.
• the objective of the present disclosure lies in reducing power wastage caused by display by a simple display unit when a cover is attached, regardless of the type of cover.
• the present disclosure provides an electronic device comprising: a simple display unit for providing a simple display; and a control unit for performing control so that a display by the simple display unit is provided when a cover is not attached, wherein, when the cover is attached, the control unit establishes whether or not there should be a display by the simple display unit, depending on the type of cover.
• the types of cover may include: a first cover having a detailed display unit for providing a detailed display, and a second cover not having the detailed display unit, and the control unit may perform control so that a display by the simple display unit is not provided when the first cover is attached, and a display by the simple display unit is provided when the second cover is attached.
• the first cover may be a cover which conceals the simple display unit as a result of said cover being attached, or may be a cover which does not conceal the simple display unit even when said cover is attached.
• control unit may set the simple display unit in a display-disabled state when the first cover is attached.
• the first cover may include: a third cover which conceals the simple display unit as a result of said cover being attached, and a fourth cover which does not conceal the simple display unit even when said cover is attached, and the control unit may perform control so that a display by the simple display unit is not provided when the third cover is attached, and a display by the simple display unit is provided when the fourth cover is attached. Furthermore, in this case, the control unit may set the simple display unit in a display-disabled state when the third cover is attached.
• an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source by means of electrical supply from a power source; a simple display unit for providing a simple display; and a control unit for performing control so that a display by the simple display unit is provided when a cover is not attached, wherein, when the cover is attached, the control unit establishes whether or not there should be a display by the simple display unit, depending on the type of cover.
• the present disclosure makes it possible to reduce power wastage caused by display by a simple display unit when a cover is attached, regardless of the type of cover.
• Fig. 1A and 1B are overall perspective views of an aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment.
• Fig. 1A shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above
• Fig. 1B shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises a front cover 10, a main body housing 20 to/from which the front cover 10 can be attached/detached, and a shutter 50.
• the front cover 10 and the main body housing 20 are constructed as separate members.
• the front cover 10 comprises a display window 60 and a display device 70 on a surface thereof.
• each type of front cover 10 may be constructed using designs with different patterns and colors on the outside surface thereof, and using different materials, etc. A user may appropriately select a front cover of a type matching their preference.
• the main body housing 20 accommodates a main body 30 of the aerosol-generating device 1.
• the main body housing 20 comprises an external connection terminal 80 such as a USB (universal serial bus) type-C connector.
• the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20 to configure an outermost housing 40 of the aerosol-generating device 1.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 can be made more fashionable.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 comprises the front cover 10, so that even if the main body 30 generates heat, the heat released to the outside can be mitigated. That is to say, the front cover 10 functions to provide insulation from heat generated by a heating unit of the main body 30.
• the front cover 10 is also formed so that the surface thereof is roughly a curved surface. When the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the front cover 10 then defines an internal space together with the surface of the main body housing 20.
• the housing 40 should be of a size that fits in the user's hand.
• the user holds the aerosol-generating device 1 in one hand, with fingertips in contact with the surface of the front cover 10. Furthermore, by pressing on the surface of the front cover 10 with the fingertips, the user can make the front cover 10 deform so as to indent toward the main body housing 20. As a result of such deformation of the front cover 10, a protrusion provided on the front cover 10 comes into contact with an operation button provided on the surface of the main body housing 20, and the operation button is thereby depressed. That is to say, the part of the surface of the front cover 10 which is pressed in by the fingertips forms a button area 15.
• the button area 15 needs to be simultaneously pressed using several fingers, for example, in order for the user to cause the front cover 10 to deform.
• a greater pressure is required than when a user uses a single finger to depress a single button provided protruding from the surface of the housing. That is, the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment is advantageous in that it is possible to prevent unintended erroneous operation by the user, including erroneous depression of the operation button while the aerosol-generating device 1 is inside a bag.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 is also advantageous in terms of being tamper-proof (child-resistant).
• the main body housing 20 comprises an opening through which a stick-type substrate is inserted, but this opening is closed off by the shutter 50 in the drawings of fig. 1A and 1B .
• the shutter 50 has a sliding mechanism capable of moving along the surface of the outer casing between a first position for closing the opening and a second position for opening the opening.
• opening/closing of the opening may be detected by providing a sensor (not depicted) in the vicinity of the first position and/or the second position.
• a magnet is disposed on the shutter 50, and opening/closing of the opening is detected by means of a magnetic sensor.
• the opening is opened by the user sliding the shutter 50 along a side face with a finger.
• the user can insert the stick-type substrate.
• the user can then turn on the power source of the aerosol-generating device 1 by pressing the surface of the front cover 10 with the fingers to depress the operation button.
• the display window 60 is formed by a transparent material which transmits light from one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) arranged inside the main body 30, as will be described later.
• the display device 70 is an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, or the like, which is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60.
• the display device 70 displays status information, etc. of the main body 30 in the form of text or images.
• the display device 70 may be a non-transparent display or may be a transparent display.
• Fig. 2A and 2B are overall perspective views of another example of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to this embodiment.
• Fig. 2A shows an overall perspective view from diagonally above
• Fig. 2B shows an overall perspective view from diagonally below.
• the display device 70 was provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60 on the front cover 10, but in fig. 2A and 2B , the display device 70 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 on the front cover 10.
• the display device 70 is a non-transparent display here. In this case, the display window 60 need not be provided because, even if the light from the LED were to pass through the display window 60, the user would still not be able to see that light. Meanwhile, if the display device 70 is a transparent display, then the display window 60 may be provided because the user will be able to see the light from the LED that has passed through the display window 60.
• Fig. 3A and 3B are external appearance views of the front cover 10 and the main body housing 20 of the aerosol-generating device 1.
• Fig. 3A shows an external appearance view of the inside surface of the front cover 10
• fig. 3B shows an external appearance view of the outside surface of the main body housing 20.
• a magnet 11, a protrusion 12, a magnet 13, and a magnet 14 are arranged along the longitudinal direction on the inside surface of the front cover 10.
• the magnet 11 and the magnet 14 are attracted to the main body housing 20 by the magnetic force (magnetic attraction) thereof.
• the front cover 10 is held on the main body housing 20 by this means.
• the protrusion 12 depresses an operation button 22 provided on the surface of the main body housing 20.
• the magnet 13 is constructed as a magnetic field applying portion for applying a magnetic field to a sensor unit of the main body 30. That is to say, a magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 detects the magnetic force of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 to thereby detect the front cover 10.
• a magnet 21, a through-hole 25, the operation button 22, and a magnet 24 are arranged along the longitudinal direction from the shutter 50 side on the outside surface of the main body housing 20. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor 23 is provided at a position lying between the operation button 22 and the magnet 24 along the longitudinal direction on the inside surface of the main body housing 20 (on a board at substantially zero distance from the inside surface, to be more precise).
• the magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23 and magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 correspond to the magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14, respectively, of the front cover 10. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the magnet 21, operation button 22, magnetic sensor 23, and magnet 24 are respectively aligned with and facing the magnet 11, protrusion 12, magnet 13, and magnet 14.
• the magnet 21 and the magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 are respectively attracted to the magnet 11 and the magnet 14 of the front cover by means of the magnetic force (magnetic attraction) thereof. That is to say, the magnet 11 and magnet 21 and the magnet 14 and magnet 24 are attracted to each other so that the front cover 10 is attachably held on the main body housing 20. It should be noted that the magnet 11 and magnet 14 of the front cover 10 and the magnet 21 and magnet 24 of the main body housing 20 should be formed by permanent magnets.
• the operation button 22 is provided on the surface to which the front cover 10 is attached. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, the operation button 22 is covered by the front cover 10 and is depressed by means of the protrusion 12 of the front cover 10. This enables the power source of the aerosol-generating device 1 to be switched on and off, for example.
• the magnetic sensor 23 detects a magnetic force based on the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13 on the front cover 10.
• the magnetic sensor 23 should be a Hall sensor configured using a Hall element. This enables attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20 to be detected.
• the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 is arranged so as to face the magnet 13 of the front cover 10 with the inside surface of the main body housing 20 interposed, in a state in which the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20. That is to say, when the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20, a distance between the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 and the magnet 13 of the front cover 10 is minimized.
• the magnetic sensor 23 of the main body housing 20 is configured so as not to detect the magnetic fields generated by each of the two magnets 21 and 24 of the main body housing 20.
• the magnetic sensor 23 should be arranged at a position on the inside surface of the main body housing 20 away from the two magnets 21 and 24 on the outside surface of the main body housing 20. As a result, the magnetic fields from the two magnets 21 and 24 can be made to have substantially zero effect on the magnetic sensor 23.
• the main body housing 20 should also be configured so that the distance of separation between the magnetic sensor 23 and the magnet 24 (or the magnet 21) is greater than the distance between the magnet 13 and the magnetic sensor 23 in a state in which the front cover 10 is attached to the main body housing 20.
• the front cover 10 when attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20 is detected, it is possible to appropriately consider only the effect of the magnetic field applied from the magnet 13, without taking account of the effect of the magnetic field of the magnet 24.
• the through-hole 25 is an opening aligned with one or more LEDs disposed inside the main body 30, and allows light from the LED to pass through to the display window 60 of the front cover 10. This allows a user to see the light from the outside surface of the front cover 10.
• Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration example of the aerosol-generating device 1.
• a stick-type substrate 90 comprising a flavor-generating substrate such as a filling material containing an aerosol source and a flavor source constituting an inhalation component source is inserted into the aerosol-generating device 1, for example.
• the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid and may equally be a solid.
• the inserted stick-type substrate 90 generates an aerosol containing a flavoring as a result of being heated from the outer circumference thereof.
• the front cover 10 comprises a notification unit 101, a memory unit 102, and a communication unit 103.
• the notification unit 101 notifies the user of the information.
• the notification unit 101 is configured as the display device 70 such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL, for example, but it may equally be a sound output device for outputting sound or a vibration device which vibrates, or the like.
• the notification unit 101 may notify information using a different notification means from a notification unit 303 of the main body 30, provided that the notification unit 101 notifies information in more detail than the notification unit 303 of the main body 30.
• the notification unit 303 of the main body 30 is an LED, for example, then the notification unit 101 may notify information in more detail than the LED by using a large number of vibration patterns.
• the notification unit 101 is an example of the detailed display unit for providing a detailed display.
• the memory unit 102 stores information relating to the front cover 10.
• the information relating to the front cover 10 includes information indicating whether the front cover 10 comprises the display device 70. Furthermore, when the front cover 10 comprises the display device 70, the information relating to the front cover 10 includes: information indicating the position on the front cover 10 where the display device 70 is provided; and information indicating whether the display device 70 is a transparent display or a non-transparent display.
• the communication unit 103 uses NFC (near field communication) as a short-range wireless communication standard
• the memory unit 102 is realized by a memory function such as an NFC tag.
• NFC tags are tags which comprise an antenna for communication using NFC, and an IC (integrated circuit) chip for performing processing for communication using NFC.
• the memory unit 102 may be realized by a ROM (read-only memory).
• the communication unit 103 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any short-range wireless communication standard.
• NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be adopted as the short-range wireless communication standard.
• the communication unit 103 is realized by the communication function of an NFC tag.
• the communication unit 103 may perform communication by means of mechanical contact of electrodes, mechanical contact afforded by spring-loaded electrode pins (pogo pins), or connector coupling.
• the main body 30 comprises: a control unit 300, a power source unit 301, a sensor unit 302, a notification unit 303, a memory unit 304, a communication unit 305, a holding portion 310, a heating unit 311, and a heat insulating portion 312.
• the control unit 300 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, controlling all operations within the aerosol generating device 1 in accordance with various programs.
• the control unit 300 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
• the power source unit 301 stores electrical power.
• the power source unit 301 then supplies the electrical power to each component of the aerosol generating device 1 in accordance with control performed by the control unit 300.
• the power source unit 301 may be configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.
• the sensor unit 302 acquires various types of information relating to the aerosol generating device 1.
• the sensor unit 302 is configured by 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 302 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
• the sensor unit 302 detects attachment of the front cover 10 to the main body housing 20.
• the sensor unit 302 is configured by the magnetic sensor 23, for example.
• the sensor unit 302 detects that the front cover 10 comprising the magnetic field applying portion (e.g., a magnet and/or a magnetic body) for applying a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor 23 is in the vicinity of the sensor unit 302.
• the magnetic field applying portion e.g., a magnet and/or a magnetic body
• the notification unit 303 notifies the user of the information.
• the notification unit 303 is configured as a display unit comprising a light-emitting element such as an LED, for example, but it may equally be a sound output device for outputting sound or a vibration device which vibrates, or the like.
• the notification unit 303 may notify information using a different notification means from the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10, provided that the notification unit 303 notifies information more simply than the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10.
• the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10 is a liquid crystal display, for example, then the notification unit 303 may notify information more simply than the liquid crystal display by using a small number of vibration patterns.
• the notification unit 303 is an example of the simple display unit for providing a simple display.
• the LED notifies operating information of the aerosol-generating device 1 using a predetermined mode of light emission, for example. Specifically, the LED emits light in order to present the user with information including: whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is powered on, the state of progress of preheating, the status of inhalation (remaining time for which inhalation is possible, etc.), and the current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device 1 (e.g., inhalation mode and/or communication mode, etc.).
• a predetermined mode of light emission for example.
• the LED emits light in order to present the user with information including: whether the aerosol-generating device 1 is powered on, the state of progress of preheating, the status of inhalation (remaining time for which inhalation is possible, etc.), and the current operating mode of the aerosol-generating device 1 (e.g., inhalation mode and/or communication mode, etc.).
• the memory unit 304 stores various types of information for operation of the aerosol generating device 1.
• the memory unit 304 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example. Furthermore, the memory unit 304 also stores programs such as firmware, in addition to computer-executable instructions for operating the aerosol-generating device 1.
• the communication unit 305 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., for example, may be adopted as the communication standard in the case of wireless communication. Furthermore, a data communication cable is connected through the external connection terminal 80 in the case of wired communication. Data associated with operation of the aerosol-generating device 1 is input/output to/from an external device by this means.
• the communication function of the communication unit 305 may be activated on opening of an opening 314 by the shutter 50, and the communication unit 305 may start communication with an external terminal by using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. Furthermore, communication with the external terminal may be terminated during communication on closing of the opening 314 by the shutter 50.
• a Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection between the communication unit 305 and the external terminal may especially be a BLE (Bluetooth low energy) connection.
• the communication unit 10 is a communication interface capable of performing communication with the front cover 10 in accordance with any short-range wireless communication standard.
• NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. may be adopted as the short-range wireless communication standard.
• the communication unit 305 may perform communication by means of mechanical contact of electrodes, mechanical contact afforded by spring-loaded electrode pins (pogo pins), or connector coupling.
• the holding portion 310 has an internal space 313, and holds the stick-type substrate 90 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 90 in the internal space 313.
• the holding portion 310 has an opening 314 allowing the internal space 313 to communicate with the outside, and holds the stick-type substrate 90 which has been inserted into the internal space 313 from the opening 314.
• the holding portion 310 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 314 and a bottom portion 315 serving as a bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 313. It should be noted that, in the present description, a direction of insertion of the stick-type substrate 90 into the internal space 313 is the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating device 1.
• the holding portion 310 has a pressing portion and a non-pressing portion along the longitudinal direction on an inside wall of the internal space 313.
• the pressing portion presses the stick-type substrate 90 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
• the stick-type substrate 90 is then pinched by the holding portion 310 while being pressed and deformed by the pressing portion.
• the stick-type substrate 90 is heated from the outer circumference thereof by means of the heating unit 311 while being pressed.
• a gap (not depicted) is formed between the non-pressing portion and the stick-type substrate 90.
• the opening 314 and the bottom portion 315 are joined in communication through the gap by this means.
• the holding portion 310 also has a function for defining a flow path for air supplied to the stick-type substrate 90.
• the opening 314 constitutes an air inflow hole 316 which is an inlet for air into this flow path.
• the gap between the non-pressing portion and the stick-type substrate 90 constitutes the air inflow hole 316, to be more precise.
• the air that has flowed in from the air inflow hole 316 as the user inhales passes through the stick-type substrate 90 along the arrows shown by the dotted lines, and is carried to an air outflow hole 317 which is an outlet for the air from the flow path.
• the stick-type substrate 90 comprises a substrate portion 91 and a mouthpiece portion 92.
• the substrate portion 91 contains an aerosol source.
• at least a portion of the substrate portion 91 is accommodated in the internal space 313, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 92 protrudes from the opening 314.
• the stick-type substrate 90 is an example of a substrate that contains an aerosol source.
• the heating unit 311 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol.
• the heating unit 311 is configured in a film shape and disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding portion 310. Then, when the heating unit 311 generates heat, the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 is heated from the outer circumference and an aerosol is generated.
• the heating unit 311 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 301.
• electricity may be supplied when the sensor unit 302 detects that the user has started inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and/or that predetermined information has been input.
• the supply of electricity may then be stopped when the sensor unit 302 detects that the user has finished inhaling, that a predetermined user input operation has been received, and/or that predetermined information has been input.
• the heating unit 311 is an example of a heating unit for heating a substrate by means of electrical supply from a power source.
• the heat insulating portion 312 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 311 to other components.
• the heat insulating portion 312 is configured from a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
• the aerosol generating device 1 was described above.
• the aerosol generating device 1 is of course not limited to the configuration described above and it may have various configurations which are illustrated below.
• the heating unit 311 may have a blade-like form and may be arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 313 from the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310. In that case, the blade-like heating unit 311 is inserted into the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 and heats the substrate portion 91 of the stick-type substrate 90 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 311 may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310. Furthermore, the heating unit 311 may be configured by a combination of two or more from among a first heating unit covering the outer circumference of the holding portion 310, a blade-like second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 315 of the holding portion 310.
• the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 311.
• the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
• control unit 300 performs the following first display control to third display control. It should be noted that, in the following, a liquid crystal display will be described as an example of the notification unit 101 of the front cover 10, and an LED will be described as an example of the notification unit 303 of the main body 30.
• the control unit 300 performs display control so that a display by the LED is provided when the front cover 10 is not attached, and, when the front cover 10 is attached, the control unit 300 establishes whether or not there should be a display by the LED, depending on the type of front cover 10.
• control unit 300 performs second display control when the types of front cover 10 include a first front cover having a liquid crystal display, and a second front cover not having a liquid crystal display. Specifically, as the second display control, the control unit 300 performs display control so that a display by the LED is not provided when the first front cover is attached, and a display by the LED is provided when the second front cover is attached.
• the control unit 300 further performs third display control when the first front cover includes: a third front cover which conceals the LED as a result of said third front cover being attached, and a cover which does not conceal the LED even when said fourth front cover is attached.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 performs display control so that a display by the LED is not provided when the third front cover is attached, and a display by the LED is provided when the fourth front cover is attached.
• a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 when the front cover 10 is not attached will be described first of all in regard to the first display control.
• Fig. 5 shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case.
• Fig. 5 shows an external appearance view of the outside surface of the main body housing 20, in the same way as fig. 3B .
• the through-hole 25 is provided on the outside surface of the main body housing 20.
• the through-hole 25 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the through-hole 25 in the drawing.
• providing a display by means of the LED includes setting the LED in a display-enabled state so that when there is no information to be displayed at that point in time, a display by the LED will be provided if information to be displayed is generated.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 may switch the LED ON when the front cover 10 is not attached.
• a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 when a front cover 10 not having a liquid crystal display is attached will be described next in regard to the second display control.
• Fig. 6 shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case.
• Fig. 6 is an overall perspective view from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A .
• the display window 60 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10.
• the display window 60 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawing.
• providing a display by means of the LED includes setting the LED in a display-enabled state so that when there is no information to be displayed at that point in time, a display by the LED will be provided if information to be displayed is generated.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 may also keep the LED switched ON when a front cover 10 not having a liquid crystal display is attached.
• a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 when a front cover 10 is attached that conceals the LED as a result of said front cover 10 being attached will be described next in regard to the third display control.
• Fig. 7 shows a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case.
• Fig. 7 is also an overall perspective view from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A .
• the display device 70 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10 at a position overlapping the display window 60.
• the display device 70 is a non-transparent liquid crystal display here. That is to say, the display device 70 conceals the display window 60 and also conceals the through-hole 25.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown by the diagonal hatching within the display device 70 in the drawing.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 does not provide a display by means of the LED because the through-hole 25 is concealed and the light from the LED cannot be seen from the outside.
• a display by the LED not being provided includes setting the LED in a display-disabled state so that when there is no information to be displayed at that point in time, a display by the LED will not be provided even if information to be displayed is generated.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 may switch the LED OFF when a front cover 10 is attached that conceals the LED as a result of said front cover 10 being attached.
• the front cover 10 was assumed to conceal the LED due to the display device 70 being provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, but this is not limiting. Even if the display device 70 is not provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, the front cover 10 may still conceal the LED if a display window 60 is not provided in the front cover 10.
• a display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 when a front cover 10 is attached that does not conceal the LED even when said front cover 10 is attached will be described next in regard to the third display control.
• Fig. 8 shows a first display example of the aerosol-generating device 1 in the above case.
• Fig. 8 is also an overall perspective view from diagonally above the aerosol-generating device 1, similarly to fig. 1A .
• the display window 60 is provided on the outside surface of the front cover 10, and the display device 70 is provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60.
• the display window 60 transmits light from the LED disposed inside the main body 30, and the display device 70 is a non-transparent liquid crystal display in this case.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown by the diagonal hatching within the display device 70 in the drawing.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 also provides a display by means of the LED, as shown by the dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawing.
• providing a display by means of the LED includes setting the LED in a display-enabled state so that when there is no information to be displayed at that point in time, a display by the LED will be provided if information to be displayed is generated.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 may also keep the LED switched ON when a front cover 10 is attached that does not conceal the LED even when said front cover 10 is attached.
• a second display example may also be considered as a variant example of the first display example.
• Fig. 9 shows a second display example of the aerosol-generating device 1.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 provides a display by means of the liquid crystal display, as shown by the diagonal hatching within the display device 70 in the drawing, similarly to fig. 8 .
• the display control differs from the third display control, and the aerosol-generating device 1 does not provide a display by the LED, as indicated by the absence of dot hatching inside the display window 60 in the drawing.
• a display by the LED not being provided includes setting the LED in a display-disabled state so that when there is no information to be displayed at that point in time, a display by the LED will not be provided even if information to be displayed is generated.
• the aerosol-generating device 1 may switch the LED OFF when a front cover 10 is attached that does not conceal the LED even when said front cover 10 is attached.
• the front cover 10 was assumed not to conceal the LED due to the display device 70 being provided at a position not overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, but this is not limiting. Even if the display device 70 is provided at a position overlapping the display window 60 of the front cover 10, the front cover 10 may still be assumed not to conceal the LED if the display device 70 is configured as a transparent display.
• a first operation example and a second operation example will be considered as operation examples of the control unit 300 of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment.
• the first operation example is an operation example in which the display of fig. 8 is provided when a front cover 10 is attached that does not conceal the LED even when said front cover 10 is attached.
• the first operation example is an operation example for when all of the first display control, the second display control, and the third display control are performed.
• the second operation example is an operation example in which the display of fig. 9 is provided when a front cover 10 is attached that does not conceal the LED even when said front cover 10 is attached.
• the second operation example may be understood as an operation example in which, when a front cover 10 having a liquid crystal display is attached, there is no LED display regardless of whether the liquid crystal display conceals the LED.
• the second operation example is an operation example for when the first display control and the second display control are performed, and the third display control is not performed.
• Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the first operation example of the control unit 300 of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment.
• the control unit 300 first of all determines whether the front cover 10 is attached (step 351). For example, the control unit 300 determines whether the front cover 10 is attached, based on whether the magnetic sensor 23 has detected a magnetic force from the magnet 13 of the front cover 10. If it is determined here that the front cover 10 is not attached, the control unit 300 performs control to provide an LED display (step 354). For example, the control unit 300 switches the LED ON to enable display by the LED.
• the control unit 300 determines whether this front cover 10 has a liquid crystal display (step 352). For example, the control unit 300 receives, by means of the communication unit 305, information from the communication unit 103 of the front cover 10 which was stored in the memory unit 102 of the front cover 10, indicating whether the front cover 10 has a liquid crystal display. The control unit 300 then determines whether the front cover 10 has a liquid crystal display, based on the received information. If it is determined here that the front cover 10 does not have a liquid crystal display, then the control unit 300 performs control to provide an LED display (step 354). For example, the control unit 300 switches the LED ON to enable display by the LED.
• step 352 If it is determined in step 352 that the front cover 10 has a liquid crystal display, then the control unit 300 determines whether this liquid crystal display conceals the LED (step 353). For example, the control unit 300 receives, by means of the communication unit 305, information from the communication unit 103 of the front cover 10 which was stored in the memory unit 102 of the front cover 10, including information indicating the position of the liquid crystal display, and information indicating whether the liquid crystal display is transparent or non-transparent. The control unit 300 then determines whether the liquid crystal display conceals the LED, based on the received information. If it is determined here that the liquid crystal display does not conceal the LED, then the control unit 300 performs control to provide an LED display (step 354). For example, the control unit 300 switches the LED ON to enable display by the LED.
• step 353 If it is determined in step 353 that the liquid crystal display conceals the LED, then the control unit 300 performs control so as not to provide an LED display (step 355). For example, the control unit 300 switches the LED OFF to disable display by the LED. In this case, the control unit 300 performs control to provide a display by means of the liquid crystal display.
• control unit 300 performed control to provide an LED display when it was determined in step 353 that the liquid crystal display did not conceal the LED, but this is not limiting. Even if it is determined in step 353 that the liquid crystal display does not conceal the LED, the control unit 300 may still perform control so as not to provide an LED display if it is determined that the front cover 10 conceals the LED for a reason such as no display window 60 being provided.
• Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the second operation example of the control unit 300 of the aerosol-generating device 1 according to the embodiment.
• the flowchart of fig. 11 constitutes the flowchart of fig. 10 with the step 353 removed.
• steps 351, 352, 354 and 355 of fig. 10 are respectively denoted by steps 371, 372, 373 and 374 in fig. 11 .
• step 371 and the processing according to the result thereof are the same as the content of the determination processing of step 351 in fig. 10 and the processing according to the result thereof.
• the content of the determination processing of step 372 is the same as the content of the determination processing of step 352 in fig. 10 .
• step 372 If it is determined in step 372 that the front cover 10 does not have a liquid crystal display, then the control unit 300 performs control to provide an LED display (step 373). For example, the control unit 300 switches the LED ON to enable display by the LED.
• step 372 If it is determined in step 372 that the front cover 10 has a liquid crystal display, then the control unit 300 performs control so as not to provide an LED display (step 374). For example, the control unit 300 switches the LED OFF to disable display by the LED. In this case, the control unit 300 performs control to provide a display by means of the liquid crystal display.
• this embodiment was applied to a heated cigarette was described above, but this is not limiting.
• This embodiment is applied to various aerosol-generating devices for inhalation of an aerosol, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers.
• the inhalation component which is generated may also include gases such as an invisible vapor, in addition to an aerosol.
• This embodiment may further be applied to electronic devices in general, other than aerosol-generating devices.
• a display by the LED is provided when the front cover 10 is not attached, and, when the front cover 10 is attached, it is established whether or not there should be a display by the LED, depending on the type of front cover 10.
• the embodiment makes it possible to reduce power wastage caused by display by the LED when the front cover 10 is attached, regardless of the type of front cover 10.
• the present disclosure includes the following features.
• 1...Aerosol-generating device 10... Front cover, 20... Main body housing, 30... Main body, 40... Housing, 50... Shutter, 60... Display window, 70... Display device, 80... External connection terminal, 101... Notification unit, 102... Memory unit, 103... Communication unit, 300... Control unit, 301... Power source unit, 302... Sensor unit, 303... Notification unit, 304... Memory unit, 305... Communication unit, 310... Holding portion, 311... Heating unit, 312... Heat insulating portion

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=91484494

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2022
  • 2022-12-12 EP EP22968371.9A patent/EP4635345A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-12-12 CN CN202280102506.6A patent/CN120282724A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-12-12 JP JP2024563779A patent/JPWO2024127459A1/ja active Pending
  • 2022-12-12 WO PCT/JP2022/045667 patent/WO2024127459A1/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2022-12-12 KR KR1020257018961A patent/KR20250094730A/ko active Pending

Patent Citations (2)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events