EP4666888A1 - Aerosol generation system, control method, and non-transitory recording medium - Google Patents

Aerosol generation system, control method, and non-transitory recording medium

Info

Publication number
EP4666888A1
EP4666888A1 EP23928512.5A EP23928512A EP4666888A1 EP 4666888 A1 EP4666888 A1 EP 4666888A1 EP 23928512 A EP23928512 A EP 23928512A EP 4666888 A1 EP4666888 A1 EP 4666888A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heating unit
sensing pulse
processing
aerosol
accommodating portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23928512.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Manabu Yamada
Yasunobu Inoue
Ryo Tamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP4666888A1 publication Critical patent/EP4666888A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • A24F40/51—Arrangement of sensors
    • 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
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A24F40/57—Temperature control

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating system, a control method, and a non-transitory recording medium.
  • 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 action by which the user inhales the aerosol will also be referred to below as "puffing" or a "puffing action”.
  • PTL 1 discloses technology for sensing insertion of a substrate into an inhalation device based on a change in capacitance detected by a capacitive sensor fitted in the inhalation device.
  • the inhalation device is fitted with the capacitive sensor and is proportionately larger as a result.
  • the present disclosure takes account of the abovementioned problem, and the objective of the present disclosure lies in providing an arrangement enabling an inhalation device to be made even more compact.
  • an aerosol-generating system comprising: a power source unit for storing and supplying power; an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion; and a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, wherein, as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
  • control unit may determine the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
  • control unit may determine the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application.
  • the first processing may comprise initially applying a third sensing pulse to the heating unit, and a duration of the third sensing pulse may be longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  • the aerosol-generating system may further comprise the substrate.
  • the present disclosure provides an arrangement enabling an inhalation device to be made even more compact.
  • elements having substantially the same functional configuration may also be distinguished by using the same code followed by an index comprising different alphabetic or numeric characters.
  • a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished, as necessary, as devices 1A, 1B and 1C.
  • devices 1A, 1B and 1C are also referred to simply as device 1 when there is no need to distinguish between devices 1A, 1B and 1C.
  • An inhalation device is a device for generating a substance to be inhaled by a user.
  • the substance generated by the inhalation device will be described as being an aerosol. Additionally, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.
  • the sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information relating to the inhalation device 100.
  • the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a capacitor microphone, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user.
  • the sensor unit 112 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
  • the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information.
  • the notification unit 113 is configured by a light-emitting device which emits light, a display device which displays images, a sound output device which outputs sound, or a vibrating device which vibrates, etc., for example.
  • the memory unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the inhalation device 100.
  • the memory portion 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.
  • the communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard.
  • Examples of communication standards that may be used include standards that employ Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) (registered trademark), NFC (Near-Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), for example.
  • the control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operation within the inhalation device 100 in accordance with various programs.
  • the control unit 116 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
  • the accommodating portion 140 has an internal space 141, and holds a stick-type substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141.
  • the accommodating portion 140 has an opening 142 allowing the internal space 141 to communicate with the outside, and accommodates the stick-type substrate 150 which has been inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142.
  • the accommodating portion 140 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines the columnar internal space 141.
  • An air flow passage for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the accommodating portion 140.
  • An air inflow hole which is an inlet for air into the air flow path, is disposed in a side surface of the inhalation device 100, for example.
  • An air outflow hole which is an outlet for air from the air flow passage to the internal space 141, is disposed in the bottom portion 143, for example.
  • the stick-type substrate 150 comprises a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152.
  • the substrate portion 151 contains an aerosol source.
  • the aerosol source comprises a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. If the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug.
  • the aerosol source may, for example, be a liquid such as water or a polyhydric alcohol, for example glycerol or propylene glycol, containing the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or may be a solid including the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component.
  • the heating unit 121 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol.
  • the heating unit 121 has a film-like form and is arranged so as to cover the outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 is heated from the outer circumference and an aerosol is generated.
  • the heating unit 121 generates heat when supplied with electricity 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 121 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.
  • the inhalation device 100 is, of course, not limited to the configuration described above, and may adopt various configurations, such as those illustrated below by way of example.
  • the heating unit 121 may have a blade-like form and may be arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 141 from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140. In that case, the blade-like heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 and heats the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 may be configured by a combination of two or more from among a first heating unit covering the outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140, a blade-like second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.
  • 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 that has been inserted into the internal space 141.
  • the heating unit 121 may be provided on the part of the accommodating portion 140 gripping the stick-type substrate 150, and may heat the stick-type substrate 150 while pressing same.
  • the heating unit 121 generates an aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150 (more specifically, the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150) accommodated in the accommodating portion 140, by using the power supplied from the power source unit 111.
  • the control unit 116 then controls electrical supply to the heating unit 121.
  • the inhalation device 100 is an example of an aerosol-generating system for generating an aerosol.
  • the combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may also be considered to be an aerosol-generating system.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121.
  • the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is assumed hereinafter to be the electrical resistance (also referred to below simply as the resistance) of the heating unit 121 (a heating resistive element constituting the heating unit 121, to be more precise).
  • the control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 by applying a voltage to the heating unit 121. It is assumed hereinafter that the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises as the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises, and that the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls as the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls. That is to say, resistance and temperature may be treated as interchangeable in the description below.
  • the control unit 116 implements first processing to start with.
  • the first processing comprises acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121 and determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the control unit 116 especially determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the control unit 116 terminates the first processing then implements second processing.
  • the second processing comprises heating the stick-type substrate 150 based on a heating profile.
  • a heating profile is control information for generating an aerosol.
  • the inhalation device 100 is capable of generating an aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile. The heating profile will be described in detail later.
  • the control unit 116 therefore acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 during heating based on the heating profile, and determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In particular, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the determination in the first processing that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 is an incorrect determination.
  • the control unit 116 continues heating of the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile. Meanwhile, if it has been determined that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140, that is, if the determination in the first processing is judged to be incorrect, the control unit 116 stops heating of the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile.
  • the heating unit 121 for heating the stick-type substrate 150 is also possible for the heating unit 121 for heating the stick-type substrate 150 to be utilized to sense insertion of the stick-type substrate 150. That is to say, there is no need for another sensor such as a capacitive sensor to be fitted in order to sense insertion of the stick-type substrate 150. This allows the inhalation device 100 to be made even more compact.
  • the heating unit 121 may heat up as a result of a voltage being applied to the heating unit 121 in order to acquire the resistance of the heating unit 121. That is to say, the first processing may be understood as processing for heating the stick-type substrate 150. However, unless specifically stated otherwise, it will be assumed hereinafter that heating denotes heating based on the heating profile in the second processing.
  • FIG. 2 and 3 are diagrams to illustrate the first processing implemented by the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment.
  • a graph 30 shown in fig. 2 shows an example of a time-series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 30 denotes voltage and the units are volts.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 30 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • a graph 35 shown in fig. 3 shows an example of a time-series transition of resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in fig. 2 is applied.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 35 denotes resistance and the units are ohms.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 35 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • the graph 35 depicts a case in which the stick-type substrate 150 was inserted into the accommodating portion 140 at the timing indicated by the arrow 39, that is, 5 seconds after the start of the first processing.
  • the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a sensing pulse group 34 including one first sensing pulse 31 to the heating unit 121.
  • a "pulse" as referred to here is a wave having a predetermined voltage.
  • the first sensing pulse 31 is a pulse for raising the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • a period during which one sensing pulse group 34 is applied will also be referred to below as a sensing cycle.
  • a period of the sensing cycle during which the first sensing pulse 31 is applied will also be referred to as a temperature-increase period.
  • a period of the sensing cycle during which the first sensing pulse 31 is not applied will also be referred to as a temperature-reduction period.
  • the duration of the sensing cycle is 0.5 seconds, with the first 0.1 seconds of the sensing cycle being the temperature-increase period and the remaining 0.4 seconds being the temperature-reduction period.
  • a voltage is applied to the heating unit 121 in the temperature-increase period, so the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises and there is also an associated increase in the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • application of the voltage to the heating unit 121 is paused in the temperature-reduction period, so the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls and there is also an associated reduction in the resistance of the heating unit 121. That is to say, the resistance of the heating unit 121 fluctuates up and down in one sensing cycle.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises while repeatedly moving up and down in the process of the sensing pulse group 34 being repeatedly applied.
  • the voltage and span of the first sensing pulse 31 are adjusted so that the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises or is maintained at a constant value in the process of the sensing pulse group 34 being repeatedly applied.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the sensing pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121. To be more specific, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
  • the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the period during which the sensing pulse group 34 is applied to the heating unit 121 varies according to whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the period until 5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing is when the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located on a line 37
  • the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located on a line 38.
  • the period after 5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing is when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located below the line 37, and the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located below the line 38.
  • the control unit 116 therefore determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when a change such as illustrated in fig. 3 has occurred in the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 during the process of repeatedly applying the sensing pulse group 34.
  • This simple configuration makes it possible to determine whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the first processing may comprise initially applying a third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121.
  • the third sensing pulse 33 is a pulse for raising the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 is longer than the duration of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the duration of the first sensing pulse 31 is 0.1 seconds and the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 is 0.5 seconds. This configuration makes it possible to raise the resistance of the heating unit 121 to a certain extent immediately after the start of the first processing.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 is not increased to a certain extent, it is possible that the resistance of the heating unit 121 will not fall to a suitable extent in the temperature-reduction period of the sensing cycle.
  • This configuration enables suitable increases and reductions in the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the sensing cycle and therefore makes it possible to determine the state of the accommodating portion with greater accuracy.
  • the control unit 116 may be triggered to start the first processing after detecting a predetermined user operation.
  • the predetermined user operation may be a user operation which would presumably lead to the stick-type substrate 150 being inserted into the accommodating portion 140 immediately after this predetermined user operation has been performed.
  • An example of the predetermined user operation would be opening a cover for opening/closing the opening 142.
  • Another example of the predetermined user operation would be lifting the inhalation device 100.
  • Another example of the predetermined user operation would be stopping charging of the inhalation device 100.
  • a sensor provided on the cover or a motion sensor, etc. may be used to detect whether or not these predetermined user operations have been performed. This configuration enables the first processing to be implemented only at a timing at which the stick-type substrate 150 could be inserted. It is therefore possible to restrict power consumption.
  • the control unit 116 terminates the first processing if the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy a predetermined condition before a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing. In other words, the control unit 116 stops the first processing if it is not determined that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 before the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  • the predetermined time should be set according to the time which it would normally be expected to take for the user to insert the stick-type substrate 150 after performing the predetermined user operation which triggers the start of the first processing, for example. In the example shown in fig. 2 , the predetermined time is 10 seconds, and the sensing cycle is repeated a maximum of 18 times. This configuration makes it possible to restrict power consumption without adversely affecting usability.
  • control unit 116 starts the second processing when it is determined that the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 has satisfied a predetermined condition in the first processing.
  • control unit 116 starts the second processing when it is determined in the first processing that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • control unit 116 controls operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile and determines the state of the accommodating portion 140.
  • the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.
  • the operation of the heating unit 121 is controlled by controlling electrical supply from the power source unit 111 to the heating unit 121.
  • the heating unit 121 heats the stick-type substrate 150 using power supplied from the power source unit 111.
  • the heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated.
  • the heating profile defines a target value of a parameter corresponding to a temperature at which the aerosol source is heated.
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 is an example of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated.
  • a target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (also referred to below as the "target temperature") is an example of a target value of a parameter corresponding to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated.
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change in accordance with the time elapsed from the start of heating.
  • the heating profile includes information defining a time-series transition of the target temperature.
  • the heating profile may comprise a parameter (hereinafter also referred to as a power supply parameter) defining how power is supplied to the heating unit 121.
  • the power supply parameters include, for example, a voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, or a method of feedback control to be employed. ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121 may be considered as ON/OFF of the heating unit 121.
  • the control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 such that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (also referred to below as the "actual temperature") transitions similarly to the target temperature defined in the heating profile.
  • the heating profile is typically designed such that, when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type substrate 150, the flavor tasted by the user is optimized. The flavor tasted by the user can therefore be optimized by controlling operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.
  • the temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be realized by known feedback control, for example.
  • the feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller).
  • the control unit 116 may cause power from the power source unit 111 to be supplied to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In that case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulses in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple on/off control in the feedback control.
  • control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, interrupt heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature falls below the target temperature.
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (a heating resistive element constituting the heating unit 121, to be more precise), for example. This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistive element varies with temperature.
  • the electrical resistance value 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 a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating unit 121.
  • a heating session is a period of time during which electrical supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled on the basis of the heating profile.
  • the beginning of the heating session is the timing at which heating based on the heating profile is started.
  • the end of the heating session is the timing at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated.
  • the heating session comprises a first-half preheating period and a second-half puffing-possible period.
  • the puffing-possible period is the period of time during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated.
  • the preheating period is the period from when heating is started until the puffing-possible period is started. Heating performed in the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.
  • the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicative of the timing at which the preheating ends. For example, the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information announcing the end of the preheating period before the preheating period ends, or notifies the user of information indicating that the preheating has ended at the timing at which the preheating has ended.
  • the notification to the user may be given by lighting an LED or by means of vibrations, for example. By referring to such notification, the user is able to take a puff immediately after the end of the preheating.
  • the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicative of when the puffing-possible period ends. For example, the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information announcing the end of the puffing-possible period before the puffing-possible period ends, or notifies the user of information indicating that the puffing-possible period has ended at the timing at which the puffing-possible period has ended.
  • the notification to the user may be given by lighting an LED or by means of vibrations, for example. By referring to such notification, the user is able to take puffs until the end of the puffing-possible period.
  • Fig. 4 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile.
  • the horizontal axis of the graph 20 denotes time.
  • the vertical axis of the graph 20 denotes temperature.
  • the line 21 denotes a time-series transition of the target temperature.
  • the heating session may include an initial temperature-increase period, an intermediate temperature-reduction period, and a temperature re-increase period in succession.
  • the initial temperature-increase period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rapidly rises after the start of heating and is kept at a high temperature.
  • the intermediate temperature-reduction period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops after the initial temperature-increase period.
  • the temperature re-increase period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 is once again increased after the intermediate temperature-reduction period.
  • the target temperature rapidly increases to around 300°C during the initial temperature-increase period, then drops to around 230°C during the intermediate temperature-reduction period, after which the temperature increases stepwise to around 260°C during the temperature re-increase period.
  • electrical supply to the heating unit 121 may be interrupted and heating may be turned OFF. In the example shown in fig.
  • the period from the start of heating to partway through the initial temperature-increase period is the preheating period, and the period from part way through the initial temperature-increase period to the end of the temperature re-increase period is the puffing-possible period.
  • Fig. 5 is a diagram to illustrate electrical supply control based on the heating profile.
  • a graph 40 shown in fig. 5 shows an example of a time-series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 during electrical supply control based on the heating profile.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 40 denotes voltage and the units are volts.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 40 denotes time and the units are milliseconds.
  • the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a heating pulse group 44 including a measurement pulse 41 to the heating unit 121.
  • the measurement pulse 41 is a pulse which is applied in order to measure the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the heating pulse group 44 may comprise one or more heating pulses 42.
  • the heating pulse 42 is a pulse which is applied in order to raise the temperature of the heating unit 121.
  • a period during which one heating pulse group 44 is applied will also be referred to below as a heating cycle.
  • a period of the heating cycle during which the measurement pulse 41 is applied will also be referred to as a measurement period.
  • a period of the heating cycle during which the measurement pulse 41 is not applied will also be referred to as a non-measurement period.
  • the heating pulse 42 may be applied in the non-measurement period.
  • the duration of the heating cycle is 50 ms, with the first 3 ms of the heating cycle being the measurement period and the remaining 47 ms being the non-measurement period.
  • the control unit 116 controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 in the non-measurement period.
  • the configuration as referred to here means whether or not the heating pulse 42 is applied and the duration of the heating pulse 42.
  • the duration of the heating pulse 42 may be set at any time of 47 ms or less.
  • the number and start timing of heating pulses 42 in the non-measurement period may also be freely set.
  • control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the measurement pulse 41 is applied in the measurement period.
  • the control unit 116 then controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 in the non-measurement period belonging to the same heating cycle as the measurement period, based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 acquired in that measurement period and on the heating profile.
  • the control unit 116 controls the duty ratio of the heating pulse 42 in the non-measurement period, based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated from the resistance of the heating unit 121, and the target temperature defined in the heating profile.
  • the heating pulse group 44 described above is applied to the heating unit 121 during the initial temperature-increase period and the temperature re-increase period of the heating session. Meanwhile, the heating pulse group 44 need not be applied to the heating unit 121 during the intermediate temperature-reduction period of the heating session.
  • a temperature sensor such as a thermistor which is provided separately may be used to determine whether or not the temperature of the heating unit 121 has fallen to the target temperature in the intermediate temperature-reduction period, or else this determination can be easily made on the basis of the time elapsed since electrical supply to the heating unit 121 was stopped.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121. To be more specific, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
  • the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the period during which the heating pulse group 44 is applied to the heating unit 121 varies according to whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the resistance (i.e., the temperature) of the heating unit 121 rises more sharply when no stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 than when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the control unit 116 therefore determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 fits within a range of a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 which would be expected when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted.
  • This simple configuration makes it possible to determine whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the state of the accommodating portion 140 is preferably determined at the start of the preheating period of the heating session. This is to prevent empty heating or heating of an article other than the stick-type substrate 150 if insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the accommodating portion 140 has been incorrectly determined in the first processing.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram to illustrate experimental results relating to the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment.
  • a graph 50 shown in fig. 6 shows a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the inhalation device 100 implemented the first processing and the second processing.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 50 denotes resistance and the units are ohms.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 50 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 measured at each time point is plotted on the graph 50, with lines joining successive plots in time.
  • the graph 50 depicts the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the stick-type substrate 150 was inserted at the timing indicated by the arrow 59, i.e., at the time when 4.5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises while repeatedly moving up and down during the time until the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted. Immediately after the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted, the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls from the plot 51A to the plot 51B and from the plot 52A to the plot 52B. It should be noted that the plots 51A and 51B correspond to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31. The plots 52A and 52B correspond to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 based on this drop in resistance of the heating unit 121. Consequently, the first processing is terminated and the second processing is started, and the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises sharply.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing implemented by the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment.
  • the control unit 116 first of all determines whether or not the predetermined user operation has been detected (step S102). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not a user operation to open the cover for opening/closing the opening 142, a user operation to lift the inhalation device 100, or a user operation to stop charging of the inhalation device 100 has been detected by means of the sensor unit 112.
  • step S102 If it is determined that no predetermined user operation has been detected (step S102: NO), the control unit 116 stands by until the predetermined user operation is detected.
  • step S104 the control unit 116 starts the first processing (step S104). For example, the control unit 116 initially applies the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 and then repeatedly applies the sensing pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121.
  • the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 (step S106). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 based on whether or not the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the sensing pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • step S106 If it is determined that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 (step S106: YES), the control unit 116 terminates the first processing and starts the second processing (step S108). For example, the accommodating portion 140 repeatedly applies the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.
  • step S106 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing. For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  • step S110: NO If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed from the start of the first processing (step S110: NO), the processing returns to step S106.
  • step S110 YES
  • the control unit 116 terminates the first processing (step S112). The processing ends after this.
  • control unit 116 determines whether or not the determination result in the first processing is correct (step S114). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 based on whether or not the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • step S114 If it has been determined that the determination result in the first processing is correct, that is to say, if it has been determined that the stick-type substrate is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 (step S114: YES), the control unit 116 continues heating based on the heating profile (step S116). The processing ends when the heating based on the heating profile ends.
  • step S114 if it has been determined that the determination result in the first processing is incorrect, that is to say, if it has been determined that the stick-type substrate is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 (step S114: NO), the control unit 116 terminates heating based on the heating profile (step S118). The processing ends after this.
  • the notification unit 113 may provide an appropriate notification of information indicating the progress of the processing above.
  • the notification unit 113 may provide notifications of the start of the first processing, the determination result in the first processing, the start of the second processing, and the determination result in the second processing.
  • Fig. 8 is a diagram to illustrate a first determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing.
  • a graph 60 shown in fig. 8 shows an example of a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the first processing.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 60 denotes resistance and the units are ohms.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 60 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • the resistance at the plots 61A and 61B in the graph 60 is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the resistance at the plots 62A and 62B is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when two sensing pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121.
  • the two sensing pulse groups 34 which are used to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 are two consecutive sensing pulse groups 34.
  • the two sensing pulse groups 34 which are used to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 are the two consecutive sensing pulse groups 34 which were most recently applied to the heating unit 121.
  • the control unit 116 repeats a determination of the state of the accommodating portion 140 while switching the two sensing pulse groups 34 which are used to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140.
  • the first of the two consecutive sensing pulse groups 34 will also be referred to as a first sensing pulse group 34
  • the sensing pulse group 34 following the first sensing pulse group 34 will also be referred to as a second sensing pulse group 34.
  • control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34.
  • control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted when the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34. This condition will also be referred to below as the first condition.
  • the resistance at the plot 61A may correspond to the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34.
  • the resistance at the plot 61B corresponds to the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 61B is less than the resistance at the plot 61A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 61B is equal to or greater than the resistance at the plot 61A.
  • control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34.
  • control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted when the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34. This condition will also be referred to below as the second condition.
  • the resistance at the plot 62A may correspond to the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34.
  • the resistance at the plot 62B corresponds to the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 62B is less than the resistance at the plot 62A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 62B is equal to or greater than the resistance at the plot 62A.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied. Additionally, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied.
  • the determination standard for the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing is not limited to the first determination standard described in the embodiment above. Another example of a determination standard for the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing will be described below with reference to fig. 9 and 10 .
  • Fig. 9 and 10 are diagrams to illustrate a second determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing.
  • a graph 70 shown in fig. 9 shows an example of a time-series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 70 denotes voltage and the units are volts.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 70 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • a graph 80 shown in fig. 10 shows an example of a time-series transition of resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in fig. 9 is applied.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 80 denotes resistance and the units are ohms.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 80 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply sensing pulse groups 34 including one first sensing pulse 31 and one or more second sensing pulses 32 to the heating unit 121.
  • the second sensing pulse 32 is a pulse for acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the duration of the second sensing pulse 32 is shorter than the duration of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the duration of the second sensing pulse 32 is preferably set at such an extremely short time that there is no change in the temperature of the heating unit 121 even if the second sensing pulse 32 is applied to the heating unit 121. This allows the resistance of the heating unit 121 to be acquired while the temperature of the heating unit 121 is falling in the temperature-reduction period.
  • the resistance at the plots 81A, 81B and 81C in the graph 80 is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the resistance at the plots 82A and 82B is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the resistance at the plots 83A-86A and the plots 83B-86B is acquired when the second sensing pulses 32 are applied.
  • the control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the consecutive first sensing pulse group 34 and second sensing pulse group 34 are applied to the heating unit 121, in the same way as for the first determination standard.
  • control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: a first statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and a second statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34.
  • the first statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 before the start of application.
  • the second statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 before the start of application.
  • One or more of the parameter before the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 are acquired when one or more second sensing pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately before said first sensing pulse 31 is applied to the heating unit 121. Any statistical value such as the mean, median, or total may be adopted as the statistical value here.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the second statistical value is less than the first statistical value. This condition will also be referred to below as the third condition.
  • the resistance at the plot 81B is the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31
  • at least the resistance at the plot 86A is a resistance before the start of application of said first sensing pulse 31.
  • the resistance at the plot 81C is the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31
  • at least the resistance at the plot 86B is a resistance before the start of application of said first sensing pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81C and the resistance at the plot 86B is less than the first statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81B and the resistance at the plot 86A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81C and the resistance at the plot 86B is equal to or greater than the first statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81B and the resistance at the plot 86A.
  • control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: a third statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and a fourth statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34.
  • the third statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 after the end of application.
  • the fourth statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 after the end of application.
  • One or more of the parameter after the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 are acquired when one or more second sensing pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately after said first sensing pulse 31 is applied to the heating unit 121. Any statistical value such as the mean, median, or total may be adopted as the statistical value here.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the fourth statistical value is less than the third statistical value. This condition will also be referred to below as the fourth condition.
  • the resistance at the plot 82A is the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31
  • at least the resistance at the plot 83A is a resistance after the end of application of said first sensing pulse 31.
  • the resistance at the plot 82B is the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31
  • at least the resistance at the plot 83B is a resistance after the end of application of said first sensing pulse 31.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82B and the resistance at the plot 83B is less than the third statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82A and the resistance at the plot 83A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82B and the resistance at the plot 83B is equal to or greater than the third statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82A and the resistance at the plot 83A.
  • the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if one of the third condition and the fourth condition is satisfied. Additionally, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if both the third condition and the fourth condition are satisfied.
  • the first determination standard and the second determination standard may be suitably combined.
  • the third condition may be adopted in relation to a determination based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • the second condition may be adopted in relation to a determination based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • a greater number of resistances of the heating unit 121 are referenced in order to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 with the second determination standard than with the first determination standard.
  • the second determination standard therefore makes it possible to suppress a drop in the accuracy of determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 due to the effects of interference, as compared to the first determination standard.
  • the control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. As an example, the control unit 116 may control whether or not a second sensing pulse 32 is applied. As another example, the control unit 116 may control whether or not a third sensing pulse 33 is applied. As another example, the control unit 116 may control the voltage and/or duration of each of the first sensing pulse 31, the second sensing pulse 32, and the third sensing pulse 33.
  • the control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing based on the temperature (i.e., resistance) of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is considerably affected by whether or not the aerosol is being inhaled with continuous heating while the stick-type substrate 150 is being replaced, that is, by whether or not the user is "chain smoking".
  • the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is lower when the user is not chain smoking than when the user is chain smoking. In this regard, such a configuration makes it possible to optimize the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing according to whether or not the user is chain smoking.
  • control unit 116 may control whether or not the third sensing pulse 33 is applied, based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply the sensing pulse groups 34 to the heating unit 121 a maximum of 20 times, without application of the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature.
  • the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply the sensing pulse groups 34 to the heating unit 121 a maximum of 18 times, with application of the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is less than a predetermined temperature.
  • control unit 116 may control the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 the higher the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, and may lengthen the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 the lower the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. This configuration allows the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 to be set at the correct level, making it possible to limit power consumption.
  • the control unit 116 may therefore control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing based on the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. This configuration makes it possible to demonstrate the same advantages as when the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing is controlled on the basis of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • control unit 116 may control whether or not the third sensing pulse 33 is applied, based on the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • the control unit 116 need not apply the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is less than a predetermined time, and may apply the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if this period of stoppage of electrical supply is equal to or greater than the predetermined time.
  • This configuration makes it possible to limit power consumption by omitting application of the third sensing pulse 33 when the user is chain smoking.
  • control unit 116 may control the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 based on the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 as the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing becomes shorter, and may lengthen the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 as the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing becomes longer. This configuration allows the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 to be set at the correct level, making it possible to limit power consumption.
  • control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing based on the ambient temperature at the start of the first processing.
  • the ambient temperature may be the external air temperature, for example, and may be detected by means of a temperature sensor such as a thermistor.
  • the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 based on the external air temperature at the start of the first processing.
  • the control unit 116 may lengthen the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 as the external air temperature becomes lower. This configuration makes it possible to sufficiently raise the temperature of the heating unit 121 by lengthening the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 when the external air temperature is low and the heating unit 121 heats up less readily.
  • the true external air temperature need not be used as the ambient temperature, and the temperature of the inhalation device 100 (e.g., the temperature of a part of the inhalation device 100 a certain distance away from the heating unit 121) may equally be used as the ambient temperature.
  • the configuration of the third sensing pulse 33 is controlled, but the configuration of the first sensing pulse 31 or the second sensing pulse 32 may equally be controlled.
  • the control unit 116 may control the duration of the first sensing pulse 31 based on at least any one of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, and the ambient temperature.
  • the span of the first sensing pulse 31 is preferably set at a value such that the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises or is maintained at a constant value in the process of the sensing pulse group 34 being repeatedly applied.
  • the span of the first sensing pulse 31 may be set at a fixed value independently of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, and the ambient temperature.
  • control unit 116 need not apply both the first sensing pulse 31 and the second sensing pulse 32 in the first processing. That is to say, the control unit 116 may apply the sensing pulse group 34 including only the second sensing pulse 32, without the first sensing pulse 31 or the third sensing pulse 33, to the heating unit 121 in the first processing.
  • the control unit 116 may apply the sensing pulse group 34 including only the second sensing pulse 32 to the heating unit 121 if the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature. There is no heating provided by the heating unit 121 in this case, and although the temperature and resistance of the heating unit 121 continue to fall, the manner of this fall varies according to the state of the accommodating portion 140.
  • the control unit 116 may therefore determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on the manner of the fall in resistance of the heating unit 121. Experimental results relating to the manner of the fall in resistance of the heating unit 121 will be described with reference to fig. 11 .
  • FIG. 11 is a diagram to illustrate experimental results relating to the inhalation device 100.
  • a graph 90 shows experimental results of a time-series change in resistance of the heating unit 121 immediately after heating by the heating unit 121 has been stopped once the heating unit 121 has sufficiently heated up.
  • the vertical axis in the graph 90 denotes resistance and the units are ohms.
  • the horizontal axis in the graph 90 denotes time, and the units are seconds showing elapsed time from the end of heating.
  • a line 91 shows the experimental results with the stick-type substrate 150 inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • a line 92 shows the experimental results with continuous blowing into the accommodating portion 140 and nothing inserted therein.
  • a line 93 shows the experimental results with a cotton swab for cleaning inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 sometimes drops more sharply than in other cases.
  • the control unit 116 may therefore determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if a rate of reduction of the resistance of the heating unit 121 exceeds a predetermined threshold when the sensing pulse group 34 including only the second sensing pulse 32 is applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing.
  • control unit 116 may, for example, determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if a difference between the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the current time and a resistance R of the heating unit 121 from 1 second before exceeds the predetermined threshold. Note that the rate of reduction of the resistance of the heating unit 121 tends to accelerate as the resistance of the heating unit 121 becomes higher. The control unit 116 may therefore increase the predetermined threshold as the resistance of the heating unit 121 becomes higher. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determination.
  • the state of the accommodating portion 140 is determined based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when two sensing pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example.
  • the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when three or more sensing pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121. For example, in the case of three sensing pulse groups 34, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the first condition or third condition is continuously satisfied and/or the third condition or fourth condition is continuously satisfied.
  • the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises as the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises, and the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls as the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is equally possible for the resistance of the heating unit 121 to fall as the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises, and for the resistance of the heating unit 121 to rise as the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls.
  • the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 which is used in order to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 is the resistance of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example.
  • the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 which is used in order to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 may be the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated on the basis of the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • a parameter relating to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated is a target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example.
  • the heating profile may also define a target value of the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 121.
  • the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.
  • the inhalation device 100 may comprise, instead of the heating unit 121, an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil for generating a magnetic field, and a susceptor which generates heat by means of induction heating.
  • the electromagnetic induction source may be arranged to cover the outer periphery of the accommodating portion 140.
  • the accommodating portion 140 may then be configured as a susceptor.
  • the susceptor may have a blade-like form and may be arranged to protrude into the internal space 141 from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.
  • each device described in the present description may be realized by using software, hardware, or any combination of software and hardware.
  • Programs constituting the software are prestored on a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) provided internally or externally to each device, for example.
  • a recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, etc.
  • the computer programs may be distributed via a network, for example, without the use of a recording medium.
  • the computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as ASIC, a general-purpose processor which executes functions by reading software programs, or a computer on a server used for cloud computing, etc.
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • the series of processes performed by each device described in the present description may be processed in a distributed manner by multiple computers.
  • processing described using flowcharts and sequence diagrams in the present description need not necessarily be implemented in the order depicted. Some processing steps may be implemented in parallel. Furthermore, additional processing steps may be employed and some processing steps may be omitted.

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  • Control Of Resistance Heating (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

Provided is a system that makes it possible to further reduce the size of an inhaling device. This aerosol generation system comprises: a power supply unit that accumulates and supplies electric power; an accommodation unit that accommodates a base material containing an aerosol source; a heating unit that uses the electric power supplied from the power supply unit and heats the base material accommodated in the accommodation unit; and a control unit that controls the power supply to the heating unit, wherein the control unit executes, as a first process, a determination of the state of the accommodation unit on the basis of a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit obtained by repeatedly applying, to the heating unit, a detection pulse group including one first detection pulse.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating system, a control method, and a non-transitory recording medium.
    • BACKGROUND ART
  • Inhalation devices that generate substances to be inhaled by users, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, are widely used. For example, 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 action by which the user inhales the aerosol will also be referred to below as "puffing" or a "puffing action".
  • Various technical developments are underway for the purpose of further improving the quality of a user experience when using such an inhalation device. PTL 1 below, for example, discloses technology for sensing insertion of a substrate into an inhalation device based on a change in capacitance detected by a capacitive sensor fitted in the inhalation device.
    • CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE
  • PTL 1: JP 2017-510270 A
    • SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM
  • In the technology disclosed in PTL 1 above, however, the inhalation device is fitted with the capacitive sensor and is proportionately larger as a result.
  • Accordingly, the present disclosure takes account of the abovementioned problem, and the objective of the present disclosure lies in providing an arrangement enabling an inhalation device to be made even more compact.
    • SOLUTION TO PROBLEM
  • In order to solve the problem above, one aspect of the present invention provides an aerosol-generating system comprising: a power source unit for storing and supplying power; an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion; and a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, wherein, as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
  • In the first processing, the control unit may determine the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
  • In the first processing, the control unit may determine the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application.
  • The sensing pulse group may comprise one or more second sensing pulses, one or more of said parameter before the start of application of the first sensing pulse may be acquired when one or more of the second sensing pulses are applied to the heating unit, and a duration of the second sensing pulse may be shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  • In the first processing, the control unit may determine the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
  • In the first processing, the control unit may determine the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter after the end of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter after the end of application.
  • The sensing pulse group may comprise one or more second sensing pulses, one or more of said parameter after the end of application of the first sensing pulse may be acquired when one or more of the second sensing pulses are applied to the heating unit, and a duration of the second sensing pulse may be shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  • The first processing may comprise initially applying a third sensing pulse to the heating unit, and a duration of the third sensing pulse may be longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  • The control unit may control a configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit in the first processing based on the temperature of the heating unit or ambient temperature at the start of the first processing.
  • The control unit may control a configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit in the first processing based on the length of a period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit at the start of the first processing.
  • The control unit may be triggered to start the first processing after a predetermined user operation has been detected, and may terminate the first processing if a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition before a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  • The control unit may start second processing when it is determined that the time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit has satisfied a predetermined condition in the first processing, and may control operation of the heating unit based on control information for generating an aerosol, in the second processing.
  • The aerosol-generating system may further comprise the substrate.
  • Furthermore, in order to solve the problem above, another aspect of the present invention provides a control method implemented by means of a computer for controlling an aerosol-generating system, wherein the aerosol-generating system comprises: a power source unit for storing and supplying power; an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion, and wherein the control method comprises controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, and controlling electrical supply to the heating unit comprises implementing, as the first processing, a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
  • Furthermore, in order to solve the problem above, another aspect of the present invention provides a non-transitory recording medium storing a program executed by means of a computer for controlling an aerosol-generating system, wherein the aerosol-generating system comprises:
    a power source unit for storing and supplying power; an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion, and wherein the program causes the computer to function as a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, and, as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
    • ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
  • As described above, the present disclosure provides an arrangement enabling an inhalation device to be made even more compact.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
    • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an inhalation device.
    • Fig. 2 is a diagram to illustrate first processing implemented by an inhalation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
    • Fig. 3 is a diagram to illustrate first processing implemented by the inhalation device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 4 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile.
    • Fig. 5 is a diagram to illustrate electrical supply control based on the heating profile.
    • Fig. 6 is a diagram to illustrate experimental results relating to the inhalation device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing implemented by the inhalation device according to the embodiment.
    • Fig. 8 is a diagram to illustrate a first determination standard for determining a state of an accommodating portion in the first processing.
    • Fig. 9 is a diagram to illustrate a second determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion in the first processing.
    • Fig. 10 is a diagram to illustrate the second determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion in the first processing.
    • Fig. 11 is a diagram to illustrate experimental results relating to the inhalation device.
    DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
  • Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings. It should be noted that components having substantially the same functional configuration will be assigned the same reference numbers in the description and drawings to avoid giving a duplicate description.
  • In this description and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may also be distinguished by using the same code followed by an index comprising different alphabetic or numeric characters. For example, a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished, as necessary, as devices 1A, 1B and 1C. However, if there is no need to specifically distinguish between each of the plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference sign is assigned. For example, devices 1A, 1B and 1C are also referred to simply as device 1 when there is no need to distinguish between devices 1A, 1B and 1C.
    • 1. Configuration example of inhalation device
  • An inhalation device is a device for generating a substance to be inhaled by a user. Hereinafter, the substance generated by the inhalation device will be described as being an aerosol. Additionally, the substance generated by the inhalation device may be a gas.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a configuration example of an inhalation device. As shown in fig. 1, an inhalation device 100 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 121, an accommodating portion 140, and a heat insulating portion 144.
  • The power source unit 111 stores electrical power. The power source unit 111 then supplies the electrical power to each component of the inhalation device 100 in accordance with control performed by the control unit 116. The power supply portion 111 may be configured by a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example.
  • The sensor unit 112 acquires various types of information relating to the inhalation device 100. As an example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a capacitor microphone, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor, etc., and acquires values associated with inhalation by a user. As another example, the sensor unit 112 is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, for accepting input of information from the user.
  • The notification unit 113 notifies the user of information. The notification unit 113 is configured by a light-emitting device which emits light, a display device which displays images, a sound output device which outputs sound, or a vibrating device which vibrates, etc., for example.
  • The memory unit 114 stores various types of information for the operation of the inhalation device 100. The memory portion 114 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example.
  • The communication unit 115 is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards that may be used include standards that employ Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) (registered trademark), NFC (Near-Field Communication), or LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), for example.
  • The control unit 116 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operation within the inhalation device 100 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 116 is realized by a CPU (central processing unit) or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example.
  • The accommodating portion 140 has an internal space 141, and holds a stick-type substrate 150 while accommodating a portion of the stick-type substrate 150 in the internal space 141. The accommodating portion 140 has an opening 142 allowing the internal space 141 to communicate with the outside, and accommodates the stick-type substrate 150 which has been inserted into the internal space 141 from the opening 142. For example, the accommodating portion 140 is a cylindrical body comprising the opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 serving as a bottom surface, and defines the columnar internal space 141. An air flow passage for supplying air to the internal space 141 is connected to the accommodating portion 140. An air inflow hole, which is an inlet for air into the air flow path, is disposed in a side surface of the inhalation device 100, for example. An air outflow hole, which is an outlet for air from the air flow passage to the internal space 141, is disposed in the bottom portion 143, for example.
  • The stick-type substrate 150 comprises a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The substrate portion 151 contains an aerosol source. The aerosol source comprises a tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. If the inhalation device 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug. The aerosol source may, for example, be a liquid such as water or a polyhydric alcohol, for example glycerol or propylene glycol, containing the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component, or may be a solid including the tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor component. In a state in which the stick-type substrate 150 is held in the accommodating portion 140, at least part of the substrate portion 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Then, when the user holds the mouthpiece portion 152 protruding from the opening 142 in their mouth and inhales, air flows into the internal space 141 via the air flow passage, which is not illustrated in the drawings, and reaches the inside of the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 151.
  • The heating unit 121 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source, thereby generating the aerosol. In the example shown in fig. 1, the heating unit 121 has a film-like form and is arranged so as to cover the outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121 generates heat, the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 is heated from the outer circumference and an aerosol is generated. The heating unit 121 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 111. By way of example, 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 121 to other components. For example, the heat insulating portion 144 is configured from a vacuum heat insulating material or an aerogel heat insulating material, or the like.
  • A configuration example of the inhalation device 100 has been described above. The inhalation device 100 is, of course, not limited to the configuration described above, and may adopt various configurations, such as those illustrated below by way of example.
  • As one example, the heating unit 121 may have a blade-like form and may be arranged so as to protrude into the internal space 141 from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140. In that case, the blade-like heating unit 121 is inserted into the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 and heats the substrate portion 151 of the stick-type substrate 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating unit 121 may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140. Furthermore, the heating unit 121 may be configured by a combination of two or more from among a first heating unit covering the outer circumference of the accommodating portion 140, a blade-like second heating unit, and a third heating unit covering the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.
  • As another example, 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 that has been inserted into the internal space 141. In that case, the heating unit 121 may be provided on the part of the accommodating portion 140 gripping the stick-type substrate 150, and may heat the stick-type substrate 150 while pressing same.
  • A configuration example of the inhalation device 100 has been described above. The heating unit 121 generates an aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150 (more specifically, the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate 150) accommodated in the accommodating portion 140, by using the power supplied from the power source unit 111. The control unit 116 then controls electrical supply to the heating unit 121. The inhalation device 100 is an example of an aerosol-generating system for generating an aerosol. The combination of the inhalation device 100 and the stick-type substrate 150 may also be considered to be an aerosol-generating system.
    • 2. Technical Features 2.1 Heating associated with sensing insertion
  • The control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121. The parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 is assumed hereinafter to be the electrical resistance (also referred to below simply as the resistance) of the heating unit 121 (a heating resistive element constituting the heating unit 121, to be more precise). The control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 by applying a voltage to the heating unit 121. It is assumed hereinafter that the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises as the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises, and that the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls as the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls. That is to say, resistance and temperature may be treated as interchangeable in the description below.
  • The control unit 116 implements first processing to start with. The first processing comprises acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121 and determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In the first processing, the control unit 116 especially determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • If it is determined in the first processing that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140, the control unit 116 terminates the first processing then implements second processing. The second processing comprises heating the stick-type substrate 150 based on a heating profile. A heating profile is control information for generating an aerosol. The inhalation device 100 is capable of generating an aerosol by heating the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile. The heating profile will be described in detail later.
  • Here, it is possible for there to be an incorrect determination in the first processing that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140, despite the stick-type substrate 150 not being inserted in the accommodating portion 140. This kind of incorrect determination may arise when an article other than the stick-type substrate 150, such as a cotton swab for cleaning, is inserted in the accommodating portion 140, or when external air is blown into the accommodating portion 140. This is because the resistance of the heating unit 121 can also change in such cases, in the same way as when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • The control unit 116 therefore acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 during heating based on the heating profile, and determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on the acquired resistance of the heating unit 121. In particular, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the determination in the first processing that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 is an incorrect determination.
  • If it has been determined that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140, that is, if the determination in the first processing is judged to be correct, the control unit 116 continues heating of the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile. Meanwhile, if it has been determined that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140, that is, if the determination in the first processing is judged to be incorrect, the control unit 116 stops heating of the stick-type substrate 150 based on the heating profile.
  • By virtue of this configuration, it is possible to automatically start and continue heating of the stick-type substrate 150 when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140. Meanwhile, heating can be stopped when there is nothing inserted in the accommodating portion 140 or when an article other than the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted. It is thus possible to improve usability in that heating is started without the user giving a separate instruction to start/stop heating if the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140, therefore allowing the user to inhale the aerosol.
  • By virtue of this configuration, it is also possible for the heating unit 121 for heating the stick-type substrate 150 to be utilized to sense insertion of the stick-type substrate 150. That is to say, there is no need for another sensor such as a capacitive sensor to be fitted in order to sense insertion of the stick-type substrate 150. This allows the inhalation device 100 to be made even more compact.
  • It should be noted that, in the first processing, the heating unit 121 may heat up as a result of a voltage being applied to the heating unit 121 in order to acquire the resistance of the heating unit 121. That is to say, the first processing may be understood as processing for heating the stick-type substrate 150. However, unless specifically stated otherwise, it will be assumed hereinafter that heating denotes heating based on the heating profile in the second processing.
  • The first processing and the second processing will be described in detail below.
    • (1) First processing
  • Fig. 2 and 3 are diagrams to illustrate the first processing implemented by the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment. A graph 30 shown in fig. 2 shows an example of a time-series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. The vertical axis in the graph 30 denotes voltage and the units are volts. The horizontal axis in the graph 30 denotes time and the units are seconds. A graph 35 shown in fig. 3 shows an example of a time-series transition of resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in fig. 2 is applied. The vertical axis in the graph 35 denotes resistance and the units are ohms. The horizontal axis in the graph 35 denotes time and the units are seconds. The graph 35 depicts a case in which the stick-type substrate 150 was inserted into the accommodating portion 140 at the timing indicated by the arrow 39, that is, 5 seconds after the start of the first processing.
  • As shown in fig. 2, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a sensing pulse group 34 including one first sensing pulse 31 to the heating unit 121. A "pulse" as referred to here is a wave having a predetermined voltage. In particular, the first sensing pulse 31 is a pulse for raising the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121. A period during which one sensing pulse group 34 is applied will also be referred to below as a sensing cycle. A period of the sensing cycle during which the first sensing pulse 31 is applied will also be referred to as a temperature-increase period. Meanwhile, a period of the sensing cycle during which the first sensing pulse 31 is not applied will also be referred to as a temperature-reduction period. In the example shown in fig. 2, the duration of the sensing cycle is 0.5 seconds, with the first 0.1 seconds of the sensing cycle being the temperature-increase period and the remaining 0.4 seconds being the temperature-reduction period.
  • As shown in fig. 3, a voltage is applied to the heating unit 121 in the temperature-increase period, so the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises and there is also an associated increase in the resistance of the heating unit 121. Meanwhile, application of the voltage to the heating unit 121 is paused in the temperature-reduction period, so the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls and there is also an associated reduction in the resistance of the heating unit 121. That is to say, the resistance of the heating unit 121 fluctuates up and down in one sensing cycle. As shown in fig. 3, the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises while repeatedly moving up and down in the process of the sensing pulse group 34 being repeatedly applied. Here, the voltage and span of the first sensing pulse 31 are adjusted so that the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises or is maintained at a constant value in the process of the sensing pulse group 34 being repeatedly applied.
  • The control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the sensing pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121. To be more specific, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
  • The time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the period during which the sensing pulse group 34 is applied to the heating unit 121 varies according to whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140. In the example shown in fig. 3, the period until 5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing is when the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140. During that period, the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located on a line 37, and the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located on a line 38. Meanwhile, in the example shown in fig. 3, the period after 5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing is when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140. During that period, the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located below the line 37, and the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 is located below the line 38. The control unit 116 therefore determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when a change such as illustrated in fig. 3 has occurred in the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 during the process of repeatedly applying the sensing pulse group 34. This simple configuration makes it possible to determine whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • As shown in fig. 2, the first processing may comprise initially applying a third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121. The third sensing pulse 33 is a pulse for raising the temperature of the heating unit 121 while acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121. The duration of the third sensing pulse 33 is longer than the duration of the first sensing pulse 31. In the example shown in fig. 2, the duration of the first sensing pulse 31 is 0.1 seconds and the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 is 0.5 seconds. This configuration makes it possible to raise the resistance of the heating unit 121 to a certain extent immediately after the start of the first processing. If the resistance of the heating unit 121 is not increased to a certain extent, it is possible that the resistance of the heating unit 121 will not fall to a suitable extent in the temperature-reduction period of the sensing cycle. This configuration enables suitable increases and reductions in the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the sensing cycle and therefore makes it possible to determine the state of the accommodating portion with greater accuracy.
  • The control unit 116 may be triggered to start the first processing after detecting a predetermined user operation. The predetermined user operation may be a user operation which would presumably lead to the stick-type substrate 150 being inserted into the accommodating portion 140 immediately after this predetermined user operation has been performed. An example of the predetermined user operation would be opening a cover for opening/closing the opening 142. Another example of the predetermined user operation would be lifting the inhalation device 100. Another example of the predetermined user operation would be stopping charging of the inhalation device 100. A sensor provided on the cover or a motion sensor, etc. may be used to detect whether or not these predetermined user operations have been performed. This configuration enables the first processing to be implemented only at a timing at which the stick-type substrate 150 could be inserted. It is therefore possible to restrict power consumption.
  • The control unit 116 terminates the first processing if the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy a predetermined condition before a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing. In other words, the control unit 116 stops the first processing if it is not determined that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 before the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing. The predetermined time should be set according to the time which it would normally be expected to take for the user to insert the stick-type substrate 150 after performing the predetermined user operation which triggers the start of the first processing, for example. In the example shown in fig. 2, the predetermined time is 10 seconds, and the sensing cycle is repeated a maximum of 18 times. This configuration makes it possible to restrict power consumption without adversely affecting usability.
  • Meanwhile, the control unit 116 starts the second processing when it is determined that the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 has satisfied a predetermined condition in the first processing. In other words, the control unit 116 starts the second processing when it is determined in the first processing that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140. This configuration makes it possible to improve usability in that there is no need for the user to give a separate instruction to start heating.
    • (2) Second processing
  • In the second processing, the control unit 116 controls operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile and determines the state of the accommodating portion 140. These processing operations will be described in order below.
    • - Heating based on the heating profile
  • The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile. The operation of the heating unit 121 is controlled by controlling electrical supply from the power source unit 111 to the heating unit 121. The heating unit 121 heats the stick-type substrate 150 using power supplied from the power source unit 111.
  • The heating profile is control information for controlling the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. The heating profile defines a target value of a parameter corresponding to a temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. The temperature of the heating unit 121 is an example of the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. A target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121 (also referred to below as the "target temperature") is an example of a target value of a parameter corresponding to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated. The temperature of the heating unit 121 may be controlled to change in accordance with the time elapsed from the start of heating. In this case, the heating profile includes information defining a time-series transition of the target temperature. As another example, the heating profile may comprise a parameter (hereinafter also referred to as a power supply parameter) defining how power is supplied to the heating unit 121. The power supply parameters include, for example, a voltage applied to the heating unit 121, ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121, or a method of feedback control to be employed. ON/OFF of the power supply to the heating unit 121 may be considered as ON/OFF of the heating unit 121.
  • The control unit 116 controls the operation of the heating unit 121 such that the temperature of the heating unit 121 (also referred to below as the "actual temperature") transitions similarly to the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed such that, when the user inhales the aerosol generated from the stick-type substrate 150, the flavor tasted by the user is optimized. The flavor tasted by the user can therefore be optimized by controlling operation of the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.
  • The temperature control of the heating unit 121 can be realized by known feedback control, for example. The feedback control may be, for example, PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential Controller). The control unit 116 may cause power from the power source unit 111 to be supplied to the heating unit 121 in the form of pulses by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In that case, the control unit 116 can control the temperature of the heating unit 121 by adjusting the duty ratio of the power pulses in the feedback control. Alternatively, the control unit 116 may perform simple on/off control in the feedback control. For example, the control unit 116 may perform heating by the heating unit 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, interrupt heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and resume heating by the heating unit 121 when the actual temperature falls below the target temperature.
  • The temperature of the heating unit 121 can be quantified by measuring or estimating the electrical resistance value of the heating unit 121 (a heating resistive element constituting the heating unit 121, to be more precise), for example. This is because the electrical resistance value of the heating resistive element varies with temperature. The electrical resistance value 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. In another example, the temperature of the heating unit 121 can be measured by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor installed near the heating unit 121.
  • The period from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick-type substrate 150 is also referred to hereinafter as a heating session. In other words, a heating session is a period of time during which electrical supply to the heating unit 121 is controlled on the basis of the heating profile. The beginning of the heating session is the timing at which heating based on the heating profile is started. The end of the heating session is the timing at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. The heating session comprises a first-half preheating period and a second-half puffing-possible period. The puffing-possible period is the period of time during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is expected to be generated. The preheating period is the period from when heating is started until the puffing-possible period is started. Heating performed in the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.
  • The notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicative of the timing at which the preheating ends. For example, the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information announcing the end of the preheating period before the preheating period ends, or notifies the user of information indicating that the preheating has ended at the timing at which the preheating has ended. The notification to the user may be given by lighting an LED or by means of vibrations, for example. By referring to such notification, the user is able to take a puff immediately after the end of the preheating.
  • Similarly, the notification unit 113 may notify the user of information indicative of when the puffing-possible period ends. For example, the notification unit 113 notifies the user of information announcing the end of the puffing-possible period before the puffing-possible period ends, or notifies the user of information indicating that the puffing-possible period has ended at the timing at which the puffing-possible period has ended. The notification to the user may be given by lighting an LED or by means of vibrations, for example. By referring to such notification, the user is able to take puffs until the end of the puffing-possible period.
  • An example of the heating profile will be described with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a graph schematically showing an example of a heating profile. The horizontal axis of the graph 20 denotes time. The vertical axis of the graph 20 denotes temperature. The line 21 denotes a time-series transition of the target temperature. As shown in fig. 4, the heating session may include an initial temperature-increase period, an intermediate temperature-reduction period, and a temperature re-increase period in succession. The initial temperature-increase period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 rapidly rises after the start of heating and is kept at a high temperature. The intermediate temperature-reduction period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 drops after the initial temperature-increase period. The temperature re-increase period is a period in which the temperature of the heating unit 121 is once again increased after the intermediate temperature-reduction period. In the example shown in fig. 4, the target temperature rapidly increases to around 300°C during the initial temperature-increase period, then drops to around 230°C during the intermediate temperature-reduction period, after which the temperature increases stepwise to around 260°C during the temperature re-increase period. During the intermediate temperature-reduction period, electrical supply to the heating unit 121 may be interrupted and heating may be turned OFF. In the example shown in fig. 4, the period from the start of heating to partway through the initial temperature-increase period is the preheating period, and the period from part way through the initial temperature-increase period to the end of the temperature re-increase period is the puffing-possible period.
  • Electrical supply control based on the heating profile will be described next with reference to fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram to illustrate electrical supply control based on the heating profile. A graph 40 shown in fig. 5 shows an example of a time-series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 during electrical supply control based on the heating profile. The vertical axis in the graph 40 denotes voltage and the units are volts. The horizontal axis in the graph 40 denotes time and the units are milliseconds.
  • As shown in fig. 5, the control unit 116 repeatedly applies a heating pulse group 44 including a measurement pulse 41 to the heating unit 121. The measurement pulse 41 is a pulse which is applied in order to measure the resistance of the heating unit 121. The heating pulse group 44 may comprise one or more heating pulses 42. The heating pulse 42 is a pulse which is applied in order to raise the temperature of the heating unit 121.
  • A period during which one heating pulse group 44 is applied will also be referred to below as a heating cycle. A period of the heating cycle during which the measurement pulse 41 is applied will also be referred to as a measurement period. Meanwhile, a period of the heating cycle during which the measurement pulse 41 is not applied will also be referred to as a non-measurement period. The heating pulse 42 may be applied in the non-measurement period. In the example shown in fig. 5, the duration of the heating cycle is 50 ms, with the first 3 ms of the heating cycle being the measurement period and the remaining 47 ms being the non-measurement period.
  • The control unit 116 controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 in the non-measurement period. The configuration as referred to here means whether or not the heating pulse 42 is applied and the duration of the heating pulse 42. As shown in fig. 5, the duration of the heating pulse 42 may be set at any time of 47 ms or less. Furthermore, the number and start timing of heating pulses 42 in the non-measurement period may also be freely set.
  • In particular, the control unit 116 acquires the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the measurement pulse 41 is applied in the measurement period. The control unit 116 then controls the configuration of the heating pulse 42 in the non-measurement period belonging to the same heating cycle as the measurement period, based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 acquired in that measurement period and on the heating profile. At this time, the control unit 116 controls the duty ratio of the heating pulse 42 in the non-measurement period, based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated from the resistance of the heating unit 121, and the target temperature defined in the heating profile.
  • It should be noted that the heating pulse group 44 described above is applied to the heating unit 121 during the initial temperature-increase period and the temperature re-increase period of the heating session. Meanwhile, the heating pulse group 44 need not be applied to the heating unit 121 during the intermediate temperature-reduction period of the heating session. In this case, a temperature sensor such as a thermistor which is provided separately may be used to determine whether or not the temperature of the heating unit 121 has fallen to the target temperature in the intermediate temperature-reduction period, or else this determination can be easily made on the basis of the time elapsed since electrical supply to the heating unit 121 was stopped.
    • - Determining the state of the accommodating portion 140
  • The control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121. To be more specific, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
  • The time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the period during which the heating pulse group 44 is applied to the heating unit 121 varies according to whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140. As an example, the resistance (i.e., the temperature) of the heating unit 121 rises more sharply when no stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 than when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140. The control unit 116 therefore determines that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 fits within a range of a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 which would be expected when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted. This simple configuration makes it possible to determine whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140.
  • It should be noted that the state of the accommodating portion 140 is preferably determined at the start of the preheating period of the heating session. This is to prevent empty heating or heating of an article other than the stick-type substrate 150 if insertion of the stick-type substrate 150 into the accommodating portion 140 has been incorrectly determined in the first processing.
    • (3) Experimental results
  • Experimental results from implementing the first processing and the second processing will be described with reference to fig. 6.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram to illustrate experimental results relating to the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment. A graph 50 shown in fig. 6 shows a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the inhalation device 100 implemented the first processing and the second processing. The vertical axis in the graph 50 denotes resistance and the units are ohms. The horizontal axis in the graph 50 denotes time and the units are seconds. The resistance of the heating unit 121 measured at each time point is plotted on the graph 50, with lines joining successive plots in time. The graph 50 depicts the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the stick-type substrate 150 was inserted at the timing indicated by the arrow 59, i.e., at the time when 4.5 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  • Referring to the graph 50, the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises while repeatedly moving up and down during the time until the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted. Immediately after the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted, the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls from the plot 51A to the plot 51B and from the plot 52A to the plot 52B. It should be noted that the plots 51A and 51B correspond to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31. The plots 52A and 52B correspond to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31. The control unit 116 determines that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 based on this drop in resistance of the heating unit 121. Consequently, the first processing is terminated and the second processing is started, and the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises sharply.
    • (4) Processing flow
  • The processing flow will be described next with reference to fig. 7.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing implemented by the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment.
  • As shown in fig. 7, the control unit 116 first of all determines whether or not the predetermined user operation has been detected (step S102). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not a user operation to open the cover for opening/closing the opening 142, a user operation to lift the inhalation device 100, or a user operation to stop charging of the inhalation device 100 has been detected by means of the sensor unit 112.
  • If it is determined that no predetermined user operation has been detected (step S102: NO), the control unit 116 stands by until the predetermined user operation is detected.
  • If it is determined that a predetermined user operation has been detected (step S102: YES), the control unit 116 starts the first processing (step S104). For example, the control unit 116 initially applies the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 and then repeatedly applies the sensing pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121.
  • The control unit 116 then determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 (step S106). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 based on whether or not the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the sensing pulse group 34 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • If it is determined that the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 (step S106: YES), the control unit 116 terminates the first processing and starts the second processing (step S108). For example, the accommodating portion 140 repeatedly applies the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 based on the heating profile.
  • Meanwhile, if it is determined that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 (step S106: NO), the control unit 116 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing (step S110). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  • If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed from the start of the first processing (step S110: NO), the processing returns to step S106.
  • Meanwhile, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing (step S110: YES), the control unit 116 terminates the first processing (step S112). The processing ends after this.
  • After the second processing has been started in step S108, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the determination result in the first processing is correct (step S114). For example, the control unit 116 determines whether or not the stick-type substrate 150 has been inserted into the accommodating portion 140 based on whether or not the time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 obtained by repeatedly applying the heating pulse group 44 to the heating unit 121 satisfies a predetermined condition.
  • If it has been determined that the determination result in the first processing is correct, that is to say, if it has been determined that the stick-type substrate is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 (step S114: YES), the control unit 116 continues heating based on the heating profile (step S116). The processing ends when the heating based on the heating profile ends.
  • Meanwhile, if it has been determined that the determination result in the first processing is incorrect, that is to say, if it has been determined that the stick-type substrate is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 (step S114: NO), the control unit 116 terminates heating based on the heating profile (step S118). The processing ends after this.
  • An example of the flow of processing implemented by means of the inhalation device 100 according to the embodiment was described above. The notification unit 113 may provide an appropriate notification of information indicating the progress of the processing above. For example, the notification unit 113 may provide notifications of the start of the first processing, the determination result in the first processing, the start of the second processing, and the determination result in the second processing.
    • 2.2. Determination standard for accommodating portion 140 in first processing
  • An example of a determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing will be described below.
  • Fig. 8 is a diagram to illustrate a first determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing. A graph 60 shown in fig. 8 shows an example of a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 in the first processing. The vertical axis in the graph 60 denotes resistance and the units are ohms. The horizontal axis in the graph 60 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • The resistance at the plots 61A and 61B in the graph 60 is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31. The resistance at the plots 62A and 62B is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • The control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when two sensing pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121. The two sensing pulse groups 34 which are used to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 are two consecutive sensing pulse groups 34. In particular, the two sensing pulse groups 34 which are used to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 are the two consecutive sensing pulse groups 34 which were most recently applied to the heating unit 121. Each time a sensing pulse group 34 is applied, the control unit 116 repeats a determination of the state of the accommodating portion 140 while switching the two sensing pulse groups 34 which are used to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140. The first of the two consecutive sensing pulse groups 34 will also be referred to as a first sensing pulse group 34, and the sensing pulse group 34 following the first sensing pulse group 34 will also be referred to as a second sensing pulse group 34.
    • - First condition
  • As an example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34. To be more specific, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted when the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34. This condition will also be referred to below as the first condition.
  • In the example shown in fig. 8, the resistance at the plot 61A may correspond to the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34. In that case, the resistance at the plot 61B corresponds to the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 61B is less than the resistance at the plot 61A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 61B is equal to or greater than the resistance at the plot 61A.
    • - Second condition
  • As another example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34. To be more specific, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted when the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34 is less than the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34. This condition will also be referred to below as the second condition.
  • In the example shown in fig. 8, the resistance at the plot 62A may correspond to the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34. In that case, the resistance at the plot 62B corresponds to the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 62B is less than the resistance at the plot 62A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the resistance at the plot 62B is equal to or greater than the resistance at the plot 62A.
    • - Supplementary information
  • The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied. Additionally, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied.
    • 3. Variant example (1) Second determination standard
  • The determination standard for the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing is not limited to the first determination standard described in the embodiment above. Another example of a determination standard for the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing will be described below with reference to fig. 9 and 10.
  • Fig. 9 and 10 are diagrams to illustrate a second determination standard for determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 in the first processing. A graph 70 shown in fig. 9 shows an example of a time-series transition of the voltage applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. The vertical axis in the graph 70 denotes voltage and the units are volts. The horizontal axis in the graph 70 denotes time and the units are seconds. A graph 80 shown in fig. 10 shows an example of a time-series transition of resistance of the heating unit 121 when the voltage shown in fig. 9 is applied. The vertical axis in the graph 80 denotes resistance and the units are ohms. The horizontal axis in the graph 80 denotes time and the units are seconds.
  • As shown in fig. 9, the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply sensing pulse groups 34 including one first sensing pulse 31 and one or more second sensing pulses 32 to the heating unit 121. The second sensing pulse 32 is a pulse for acquiring the resistance of the heating unit 121. The duration of the second sensing pulse 32 is shorter than the duration of the first sensing pulse 31. In particular, the duration of the second sensing pulse 32 is preferably set at such an extremely short time that there is no change in the temperature of the heating unit 121 even if the second sensing pulse 32 is applied to the heating unit 121. This allows the resistance of the heating unit 121 to be acquired while the temperature of the heating unit 121 is falling in the temperature-reduction period.
  • The resistance at the plots 81A, 81B and 81C in the graph 80 is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31. The resistance at the plots 82A and 82B is the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31. The resistance at the plots 83A-86A and the plots 83B-86B is acquired when the second sensing pulses 32 are applied.
  • The control unit 116 determines the state of the accommodating portion 140 based a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when the consecutive first sensing pulse group 34 and second sensing pulse group 34 are applied to the heating unit 121, in the same way as for the first determination standard.
    • - Third condition
  • As an example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: a first statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and a second statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34. The first statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 before the start of application. The second statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 before the start of application. One or more of the parameter before the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31 are acquired when one or more second sensing pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately before said first sensing pulse 31 is applied to the heating unit 121. Any statistical value such as the mean, median, or total may be adopted as the statistical value here. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the second statistical value is less than the first statistical value. This condition will also be referred to below as the third condition.
  • In the example shown in fig. 10, if we assume that the resistance at the plot 81B is the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31, then at least the resistance at the plot 86A is a resistance before the start of application of said first sensing pulse 31. Furthermore, if we assume that the resistance at the plot 81C is the resistance at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31, then at least the resistance at the plot 86B is a resistance before the start of application of said first sensing pulse 31. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81C and the resistance at the plot 86B is less than the first statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81B and the resistance at the plot 86A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the second statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81C and the resistance at the plot 86B is equal to or greater than the first statistical value of the resistance at the plot 81B and the resistance at the plot 86A.
    • - Fourth condition
  • As another example, the control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on: a third statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34; and a fourth statistical value relating to the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34. The third statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the first sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 after the end of application. The fourth statistical value is a statistical value of the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 included in the second sensing pulse group 34, and of one or more resistances of the heating unit 121 after the end of application. One or more of the parameter after the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31 are acquired when one or more second sensing pulses 32 are applied to the heating unit 121 immediately after said first sensing pulse 31 is applied to the heating unit 121. Any statistical value such as the mean, median, or total may be adopted as the statistical value here. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the fourth statistical value is less than the third statistical value. This condition will also be referred to below as the fourth condition.
  • In the example shown in fig. 10, if we assume that the resistance at the plot 82A is the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31, then at least the resistance at the plot 83A is a resistance after the end of application of said first sensing pulse 31. Furthermore, if we assume that the resistance at the plot 82B is the resistance at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31, then at least the resistance at the plot 83B is a resistance after the end of application of said first sensing pulse 31. The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82B and the resistance at the plot 83B is less than the third statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82A and the resistance at the plot 83A. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is not inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the fourth statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82B and the resistance at the plot 83B is equal to or greater than the third statistical value of the resistance at the plot 82A and the resistance at the plot 83A.
    • - Supplementary information
  • The control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if one of the third condition and the fourth condition is satisfied. Additionally, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if both the third condition and the fourth condition are satisfied.
  • The first determination standard and the second determination standard may be suitably combined. For example, the third condition may be adopted in relation to a determination based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31. Furthermore, the second condition may be adopted in relation to a determination based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
  • A greater number of resistances of the heating unit 121 are referenced in order to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 with the second determination standard than with the first determination standard. The second determination standard therefore makes it possible to suppress a drop in the accuracy of determining the state of the accommodating portion 140 due to the effects of interference, as compared to the first determination standard.
  • In particular, the longer the time that has elapsed from the end of application of the first sensing pulse 31, the greater the possibility of a drop in the resistance of the heating unit 121 for reasons other than insertion of the stick-type substrate 150, such as external air being blown in. That is to say, there is a possibility of a drop in the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31, such as the resistance at each of the plots 81A, 81B and 81C, for reasons other than insertion of the stick-type substrate 150. Therefore, the second determination standard is preferably adopted and a determination based on the third condition is preferably made in the case of a determination based on the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the start of application of the first sensing pulse 31.
    • (2) Controlling the configuration of the sensing pulse group 34
  • The control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. As an example, the control unit 116 may control whether or not a second sensing pulse 32 is applied. As another example, the control unit 116 may control whether or not a third sensing pulse 33 is applied. As another example, the control unit 116 may control the voltage and/or duration of each of the first sensing pulse 31, the second sensing pulse 32, and the third sensing pulse 33.
  • The control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing based on the temperature (i.e., resistance) of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. Here, the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is considerably affected by whether or not the aerosol is being inhaled with continuous heating while the stick-type substrate 150 is being replaced, that is, by whether or not the user is "chain smoking". The temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is lower when the user is not chain smoking than when the user is chain smoking. In this regard, such a configuration makes it possible to optimize the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing according to whether or not the user is chain smoking.
  • As an example, the control unit 116 may control whether or not the third sensing pulse 33 is applied, based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. To be more specific, the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply the sensing pulse groups 34 to the heating unit 121 a maximum of 20 times, without application of the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature. Meanwhile, the control unit 116 may repeatedly apply the sensing pulse groups 34 to the heating unit 121 a maximum of 18 times, with application of the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121, if the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is less than a predetermined temperature. This is because there is no need to apply the third sensing pulse 33 if the resistance of the heating unit 121 is already high at the start of the first processing. This configuration makes it possible to limit power consumption by omitting application of the third sensing pulse 33 when the user is chain smoking.
  • As another example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 based on the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. To be more specific, the control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 the higher the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, and may lengthen the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 the lower the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. This configuration allows the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 to be set at the correct level, making it possible to limit power consumption.
  • It is considered here that the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing will become lower as the length of a period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing (i.e., the time elapsed from the end of heating) increases. The control unit 116 may therefore control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing based on the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. This configuration makes it possible to demonstrate the same advantages as when the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing is controlled on the basis of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing.
  • As an example, the control unit 116 may control whether or not the third sensing pulse 33 is applied, based on the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. To be more specific, the control unit 116 need not apply the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is less than a predetermined time, and may apply the third sensing pulse 33 to the heating unit 121 if this period of stoppage of electrical supply is equal to or greater than the predetermined time. This configuration makes it possible to limit power consumption by omitting application of the third sensing pulse 33 when the user is chain smoking.
  • As another example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 based on the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing. To be more specific, the control unit 116 may shorten the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 as the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing becomes shorter, and may lengthen the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 as the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing becomes longer. This configuration allows the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 to be set at the correct level, making it possible to limit power consumption.
  • Furthermore, the control unit 116 may control the configuration of the pulses applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing based on the ambient temperature at the start of the first processing. The ambient temperature may be the external air temperature, for example, and may be detected by means of a temperature sensor such as a thermistor. As an example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 based on the external air temperature at the start of the first processing. To be more specific, the control unit 116 may lengthen the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 as the external air temperature becomes lower. This configuration makes it possible to sufficiently raise the temperature of the heating unit 121 by lengthening the duration of the third sensing pulse 33 when the external air temperature is low and the heating unit 121 heats up less readily. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy of determining the state of the accommodating portion 140. It should be noted that the true external air temperature need not be used as the ambient temperature, and the temperature of the inhalation device 100 (e.g., the temperature of a part of the inhalation device 100 a certain distance away from the heating unit 121) may equally be used as the ambient temperature.
  • In the example described above, the configuration of the third sensing pulse 33 is controlled, but the configuration of the first sensing pulse 31 or the second sensing pulse 32 may equally be controlled. As an example, the control unit 116 may control the duration of the first sensing pulse 31 based on at least any one of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, and the ambient temperature. In this case, the span of the first sensing pulse 31 is preferably set at a value such that the resistance of the heating unit 121 gradually rises or is maintained at a constant value in the process of the sensing pulse group 34 being repeatedly applied. Of course, the span of the first sensing pulse 31 may be set at a fixed value independently of the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, the length of the period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing, and the ambient temperature.
  • Here, the control unit 116 need not apply both the first sensing pulse 31 and the second sensing pulse 32 in the first processing. That is to say, the control unit 116 may apply the sensing pulse group 34 including only the second sensing pulse 32, without the first sensing pulse 31 or the third sensing pulse 33, to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. For example, the control unit 116 may apply the sensing pulse group 34 including only the second sensing pulse 32 to the heating unit 121 if the temperature of the heating unit 121 at the start of the first processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined temperature. There is no heating provided by the heating unit 121 in this case, and although the temperature and resistance of the heating unit 121 continue to fall, the manner of this fall varies according to the state of the accommodating portion 140. The control unit 116 may therefore determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on the manner of the fall in resistance of the heating unit 121. Experimental results relating to the manner of the fall in resistance of the heating unit 121 will be described with reference to fig. 11.
  • Fig. 11 is a diagram to illustrate experimental results relating to the inhalation device 100. A graph 90 shows experimental results of a time-series change in resistance of the heating unit 121 immediately after heating by the heating unit 121 has been stopped once the heating unit 121 has sufficiently heated up. The vertical axis in the graph 90 denotes resistance and the units are ohms. The horizontal axis in the graph 90 denotes time, and the units are seconds showing elapsed time from the end of heating. A line 91 shows the experimental results with the stick-type substrate 150 inserted in the accommodating portion 140. A line 92 shows the experimental results with continuous blowing into the accommodating portion 140 and nothing inserted therein. A line 93 shows the experimental results with a cotton swab for cleaning inserted in the accommodating portion 140. As shown by the lines 91-93, when the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140, the resistance of the heating unit 121 sometimes drops more sharply than in other cases. The control unit 116 may therefore determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if a rate of reduction of the resistance of the heating unit 121 exceeds a predetermined threshold when the sensing pulse group 34 including only the second sensing pulse 32 is applied to the heating unit 121 in the first processing. Put more simply, the control unit 116 may, for example, determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 if a difference between the resistance of the heating unit 121 at the current time and a resistance R of the heating unit 121 from 1 second before exceeds the predetermined threshold. Note that the rate of reduction of the resistance of the heating unit 121 tends to accelerate as the resistance of the heating unit 121 becomes higher. The control unit 116 may therefore increase the predetermined threshold as the resistance of the heating unit 121 becomes higher. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determination.
    • 4. Supplementary information
  • Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure were described in detail above with reference to the appended drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to those examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs will be able to conceive of a number of variant examples or modified examples within the scope of the technical concept disclosed in the claims, and any such variant examples or modified examples are naturally understood to fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
  • In the example described above, the state of the accommodating portion 140 is determined based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when two sensing pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The control unit 116 may determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 based on a time-series transition of the resistance of the heating unit 121 when three or more sensing pulse groups 34 are applied to the heating unit 121. For example, in the case of three sensing pulse groups 34, the control unit 116 may determine that the stick-type substrate 150 is inserted in the accommodating portion 140 when the first condition or third condition is continuously satisfied and/or the third condition or fourth condition is continuously satisfied.
  • In the example described above, the resistance of the heating unit 121 rises as the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises, and the resistance of the heating unit 121 falls as the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is equally possible for the resistance of the heating unit 121 to fall as the temperature of the heating unit 121 rises, and for the resistance of the heating unit 121 to rise as the temperature of the heating unit 121 falls.
  • In the example described above, the parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 which is used in order to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 is the resistance of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit 121 which is used in order to determine the state of the accommodating portion 140 may be the temperature of the heating unit 121 calculated on the basis of the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • The embodiment above described an example in which a parameter relating to the temperature at which the aerosol source is heated, as defined in the heating profile, is a target value of the temperature of the heating unit 121, but the present disclosure is not limited to such an example. The heating profile may also define a target value of the resistance of the heating unit 121.
  • The means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating provided by the heating unit 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating. To be more specific, the inhalation device 100 may comprise, instead of the heating unit 121, an electromagnetic induction source such as a coil for generating a magnetic field, and a susceptor which generates heat by means of induction heating. For example, the electromagnetic induction source may be arranged to cover the outer periphery of the accommodating portion 140. The accommodating portion 140 may then be configured as a susceptor. Alternatively, the susceptor may have a blade-like form and may be arranged to protrude into the internal space 141 from the bottom portion 143 of the accommodating portion 140.
  • It should be noted that the series of processes performed by each device described in the present description may be realized by using software, hardware, or any combination of software and hardware. Programs constituting the software are prestored on a recording medium (more specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) provided internally or externally to each device, for example. When the programs are then executed, for example, by a computer for controlling each device described in the present description, the programs are read into a RAM and executed by means of a processing circuit such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, etc. Furthermore, the computer programs may be distributed via a network, for example, without the use of a recording medium. Furthermore, the computer may be an application-specific integrated circuit such as ASIC, a general-purpose processor which executes functions by reading software programs, or a computer on a server used for cloud computing, etc. Furthermore, the series of processes performed by each device described in the present description may be processed in a distributed manner by multiple computers.
  • Furthermore, the processing described using flowcharts and sequence diagrams in the present description need not necessarily be implemented in the order depicted. Some processing steps may be implemented in parallel. Furthermore, additional processing steps may be employed and some processing steps may be omitted.
  • The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.
    1. (1) An aerosol-generating system comprising: a power source unit for storing and supplying power;
      • an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source;
      • a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion; and
      • a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit,
      • wherein
      • as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
    2. (2) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in (1) above, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
    3. (3) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in (1) above, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application.
    4. (4) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in (3) above, wherein the sensing pulse group comprises one or more second sensing pulses,
      • one or more of said parameter before the start of application of the first sensing pulse are acquired when one or more of the second sensing pulses are applied to the heating unit, and
      • a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
    5. (5) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
    6. (6) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter after the end of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter after the end of application.
    7. (7) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in (6) above, wherein the sensing pulse group comprises one or more second sensing pulses,
      • one or more of said parameter after the end of application of the first sensing pulse are acquired when one or more of the second sensing pulses are applied to the heating unit, and
      • a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
    8. (8) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the first processing comprises initially applying a third sensing pulse to the heating unit, and
      a duration of the third sensing pulse is longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
    9. (9) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the control unit controls a configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit in the first processing based on the temperature of the heating unit or ambient temperature at the start of the first processing.
    10. (10) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the control unit controls a configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit in the first processing based on the length of a period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit at the start of the first processing.
    11. (11) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the control unit is triggered to start the first processing after a predetermined user operation has been detected, and
      terminates the first processing if a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition before a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing.
    12. (12) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (11) above, wherein the control unit starts second processing when it is determined that the time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit has satisfied a predetermined condition in the first processing, and
      controls operation of the heating unit based on control information for generating an aerosol, in the second processing.
    13. (13) The aerosol-generating system as disclosed in any one of (1) to (12) above, further comprising the substrate.
    14. (14) A control method implemented by means of a computer for controlling an aerosol-generating system, wherein the aerosol-generating system comprises:
      • a power source unit for storing and supplying power;
      • an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and
      • a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion,
      • and wherein
      • the control method comprises
      • controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, and
      • controlling electrical supply to the heating unit comprises implementing, as the first processing, a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
    15. (15) A non-transitory recording medium storing a program executed by means of a computer for controlling an aerosol-generating system, wherein
      the aerosol-generating system comprises:
      • a power source unit for storing and supplying power;
      • an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and
      • a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion,
      • and wherein
      • the program causes the computer to function as a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, and, as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
    REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
    • 100 Inhalation device
    • 111 Power source unit
    • 112 Sensor unit
    • 113 Notification unit
    • 114 Memory unit
    • 115 Communication unit
    • 116 Control unit
    • 121 Heating unit
    • 140 Accommodating portion
    • 141 Internal space
    • 142 Opening
    • 143 Bottom portion
    • 150 Stick-type substrate
    • 151 Substrate portion
    • 152 Mouthpiece portion
    • 31 First sensing pulse
    • 32 Second sensing pulse
    • 33 Third sensing pulse
    • 34 Sensing pulse group
    • 41 Measurement pulse
    • 42 Heating pulse
    • 44 Heating pulse group

Claims (15)

  1. An aerosol-generating system comprising: a power source unit for storing and supplying power;
    an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source;
    a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion; and
    a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit,
    wherein,
    as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
  2. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
  3. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the start of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter before the start of application.
  4. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sensing pulse group comprises one or more second sensing pulses,
    one or more of said parameter before the start of application of the first sensing pulse are acquired when one or more of the second sensing pulses are applied to the heating unit, and
    a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  5. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: the abovementioned parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group; and the abovementioned parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group.
  6. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in the first processing, the control unit determines the state of the accommodating portion based on: a statistical value of the parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter after the end of application; and a statistical value of the parameter at the end of application of the first sensing pulse included in a second sensing pulse group following the first sensing pulse group, and of one or more of said parameter after the end of application.
  7. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensing pulse group comprises one or more second sensing pulses,
    one or more of said parameter after the end of application of the first sensing pulse are acquired when one or more of the second sensing pulses are applied to the heating unit, and
    a duration of the second sensing pulse is shorter than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  8. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first processing comprises initially applying a third sensing pulse to the heating unit, and
    a duration of the third sensing pulse is longer than a duration of the first sensing pulse.
  9. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit controls a configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit in the first processing based on the temperature of the heating unit or ambient temperature at the start of the first processing.
  10. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit controls a configuration of pulses applied to the heating unit in the first processing based on the length of a period of stoppage of electrical supply to the heating unit at the start of the first processing.
  11. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit
    is triggered to start the first processing after a predetermined user operation has been detected, and
    terminates the first processing if a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition before a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first processing.
  12. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit
    starts second processing when it is determined that the time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit has satisfied a predetermined condition in the first processing, and
    controls operation of the heating unit based on control information for generating an aerosol, in the second processing.
  13. The aerosol-generating system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising the substrate.
  14. A control method implemented by means of a computer for controlling an aerosol-generating system, wherein
    the aerosol-generating system comprises:
    a power source unit for storing and supplying power;
    an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and
    a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion,
    and wherein
    the control method comprises
    controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, and
    controlling electrical supply to the heating unit comprises implementing, as the first processing, a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
  15. A non-transitory recording medium storing a program executed by means of a computer for controlling an aerosol-generating system, wherein
    the aerosol-generating system comprises:
    a power source unit for storing and supplying power;
    an accommodating portion for accommodating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and
    a heating unit which uses power supplied from the power source unit to heat the substrate accommodated in the accommodating portion,
    and wherein
    the program causes the computer to function as a control unit for controlling electrical supply to the heating unit, and, as the first processing, the control unit implements a determination of a state of the accommodating portion based on a time-series transition of a parameter corresponding to a temperature of the heating unit, which is obtained by repeatedly applying a sensing pulse group including one first sensing pulse to the heating unit.
EP23928512.5A 2023-03-17 2023-03-17 Aerosol generation system, control method, and non-transitory recording medium Pending EP4666888A1 (en)

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KR102231228B1 (en) * 2017-05-26 2021-03-24 주식회사 케이티앤지 Apparatus and method for generating aerosol having cigarette insertion detection function
CN110731125B (en) * 2017-06-30 2022-04-15 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Induction heating device for an aerosol-generating system
US11614720B2 (en) * 2018-11-19 2023-03-28 Rai Strategic Holdings, Inc. Temperature control in an aerosol delivery device
JP7569842B2 (en) * 2019-08-23 2024-10-18 フィリップ・モーリス・プロダクツ・ソシエテ・アノニム Aerosol generating device with means for detecting at least one of the insertion of an aerosol generating article into the device or the removal of an aerosol generating article from the device - Patent Application 20070123333

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JP2017510270A (en) 2014-03-21 2017-04-13 ブリティッシュ アメリカン タバコ （インヴェストメンツ） リミテッドＢｒｉｔｉｓｈ Ａｍｅｒｉｃａｎ Ｔｏｂａｃｃｏ （Ｉｎｖｅｓｔｍｅｎｔｓ） Ｌｉｍｉｔｅｄ Apparatus for heating smoking material and article for smoking material

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