JP7311631B2 - Control device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device, control method, and program.

Inhalation devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, that produce a substance that is inhaled by the user are widespread. For example, the suction device uses a base material including an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol to generate an aerosol imparted with a flavor component. A user can enjoy the flavor by inhaling the flavor component-applied aerosol generated by the suction device.

In recent years, collection of information on suction devices has been considered for use in marketing and the like. As an example of technology for collecting information on a suction device from a suction device, Patent Document 1 below discloses that information is transmitted via a wired connection path each time a suction device is wired for recharging. Techniques are disclosed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-507477

However, in the technique described in Patent Literature 1, all the information of the suction device is collected. Therefore, even information that the user does not wish to provide may be collected without the user's knowledge, and there is a risk of inflicting unforeseen disadvantages on the user.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of selectively collecting information on a suction device.

In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, the acquired suction information is transmitted every time suction information, which is information acquired regarding suction performed using a suction device, is acquired. The control unit controls a transmission process, which is a process for transmitting the suction information, and the control unit determines the transmission source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information that satisfies an exclusion condition set by a user from being transmitted in the transmission process. A controller is provided for controlling.

The exclusion conditions include a first exclusion condition regarding a situation in which the suction information was acquired, and the control unit removes the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied from the transmission target. The source may be controlled to be excluded.

The first exclusion condition may include that the time at which the suction information was acquired is included in the period set by the user.

The start time of the period may be the time when an operation instructing to exclude the suction information from the transmission target is received.

The length of the period may be set by the user.

The time period may be reserved by the user.

The first exclusion condition may include that the position at which the suction information was acquired is included in the range of positions set by the user.

The suction information includes a plurality of pieces of information, the exclusion condition includes a second exclusion condition specifying a portion of the plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information to be excluded from the transmission target, The control unit selects a part of information specified in the second exclusion condition among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied, as the transmission target. The source may be controlled to exclude from.

The suction information may include information that cannot be set as information to be excluded from the transmission target under the second exclusion condition.

The transmission process includes a first transmission process in which the suction device transmits the suction information to a terminal device associated with the suction device, and a terminal device transmits the suction information to a collection device that collects the suction information. A second transmission process may be included, and the exclusion condition may be set for each of the first transmission process and the second transmission process.

The control unit may control the transmission source to discard the suction information excluded from the transmission target.

The control unit stores the suction information excluded from the transmission target, and when the user permits transmission of the stored suction information, the control unit transmits the permitted suction information. You may control the source.

The transmission process includes a process in which the suction device transmits the suction information to a collection device that collects the suction information, and the control unit excludes the suction information that satisfies the exclusion condition from the transmission targets. You may control the source.

In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, each time suction information, which is information acquired regarding suction performed using a suction device, is acquired, the acquired suction controlling transmission processing, which is processing for transmitting information, wherein controlling the transmission processing excludes the suction information that satisfies an exclusion condition set by a user from being transmitted in the transmission processing. A control method is provided that includes controlling a source of the aspiration information.

In order to solve the above-described problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, a computer is operated every time suction information, which is information obtained regarding suction performed using a suction device, is obtained. The control unit functions as a control unit that controls transmission processing, which is processing for transmitting the suction information, and the control unit excludes the suction information that satisfies an exclusion condition set by the user from being transmitted in the transmission processing. A program is provided for controlling the source of the aspiration information.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a mechanism capable of selectively collecting information on suction devices.

It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the 1st structural example of a suction device. It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the 2nd structural example of a suction device. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of an exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal device according to the embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of an exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal device according to the embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of an exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal device according to the embodiment; It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the 1st transmission process performed by the suction device which concerns on this embodiment. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of second transmission processing executed by the terminal device according to the present embodiment;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, thereby omitting redundant description.

In addition, in this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by attaching different letters after the same reference numerals. For example, a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished like suction devices 100A and 100B as necessary. However, when there is no particular need to distinguish between a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are used. For example, the suction devices 100A and 100B are simply referred to as the suction device 100 when there is no particular need to distinguish between them.

<<1. Configuration example of suction device >>
A suction device is a device that produces a substance that is suctioned by a user. In the following description, it is assumed that the substance produced by the suction device is an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance produced by the suction device may be a gas.

(1) First Configuration Example FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a first configuration example of the suction device. As shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100A according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 110, a cartridge 120, and a flavoring cartridge . The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply section 111A, a sensor section 112A, a notification section 113A, a storage section 114A, a communication section 115A, and a control section 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating section 121A, a liquid guide section 122, and a liquid storage section 123. As shown in FIG. Flavoring cartridge 130 includes flavor source 131 and mouthpiece 124 . An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130 .

The power supply unit 111A accumulates power. The power supply unit 111A supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100A under the control of the control unit 116A. The power supply unit 111A may be composed of, for example, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

The sensor unit 112A acquires various information regarding the suction device 100A. As an example, the sensor unit 112A is configured by a pressure sensor such as a microphone condenser, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires a value associated with suction by the user. As another example, the sensor unit 112A is configured by an input device, such as a button or switch, that receives information input from the user.

113 A of notification parts notify a user of information. The notification unit 113A is configured by, for example, a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

The storage unit 114A stores various information for the operation of the suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A is configured by, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.

The communication unit 115A is a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like, for example, can be adopted as such a communication standard.

The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operations within the suction device 100A according to various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor.

The liquid reservoir 123 stores an aerosol source. An aerosol is generated by atomizing the aerosol source. Aerosol sources are, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. The aerosol source may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavoring ingredients. If the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may contain a medicament.

The liquid guide section 122 guides the aerosol source, which is the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 123, from the liquid storage section 123 and holds it. The liquid guide part 122 is a wick formed by twisting a fibrous material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as porous ceramic. In that case, the aerosol source stored in liquid reservoir 123 is guided by the capillary effect of the wick.

The heating unit 121A heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and generate an aerosol. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the heating section 121A is configured as a coil and wound around the liquid guide section 122 . When the heating part 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid guide part 122 is heated and atomized to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when supplied with power from the power supply unit 111A. As an example, power may be supplied when the sensor unit 112A acquires that the user has started sucking and/or that predetermined information has been input. The power supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 112A acquires that the user has finished sucking and/or that predetermined information has been input.

Flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor components to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 may contain tobacco-derived or non-tobacco-derived flavor components.

The air flow path 180 is a flow path for air drawn by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inlet hole 181 as an air entrance into the air flow path 180 and an air outflow hole 182 as an air outlet from the air flow path 180 at both ends. In the middle of the air flow path 180, the liquid guide portion 122 is arranged on the upstream side (closer to the air inlet hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is arranged on the downstream side (closer to the air outlet hole 182). The air that flows in through the air inflow hole 181 as the user inhales is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A, passes through the flavor source 131, and is transported to the air outflow hole 182 as indicated by the arrow 190. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air passes through the flavor source 131, the flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 is imparted to the aerosol.

The mouthpiece 124 is a member held by the user when inhaling. An air outlet hole 182 is arranged in the mouthpiece 124 . The user can take the mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity by holding the mouthpiece 124 and sucking.

The configuration example of the suction device 100A has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100A is not limited to the above, and various configurations exemplified below can be adopted.

As an example, suction device 100A may not include flavoring cartridge 130 . In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with a mouthpiece 124 .

As another example, the suction device 100A may include multiple types of aerosol sources. Further types of aerosols may be generated by mixing multiple types of aerosols generated from multiple types of aerosol sources in the air flow path 180 and causing chemical reactions.

Further, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating section 121A. For example, the means of atomizing the aerosol source may be vibrational atomization or induction heating. Alternatively, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may atomize the liquid by generating SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) using a piezoelectric element substrate having comb-shaped electrode pairs.

(2) Second Configuration Example FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a second configuration example of the suction device. As shown in FIG. 2, the suction device 100B according to this configuration example includes a power supply unit 111B, a sensor unit 112B, a notification unit 113B, a storage unit 114B, a communication unit 115B, a control unit 116B, a heating unit 121B, a holding unit 140, and A heat insulating portion 144 is included.

Each of the power supply unit 111B, the sensor unit 112B, the notification unit 113B, the storage unit 114B, the communication unit 115B, and the control unit 116B is substantially the same as the corresponding components included in the suction device 100A according to the first configuration example. is.

The holding part 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick-shaped base material 150 while accommodating a part of the stick-shaped base material 150 in the internal space 141 . The holding part 140 has an opening 142 that communicates the internal space 141 with the outside, and holds the stick-shaped substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142 . For example, the holding portion 140 is a cylindrical body having an opening 142 and a bottom portion 143 as a bottom surface, and defines a columnar internal space 141 . The holding part 140 also has a function of defining a flow path for air supplied to the stick-shaped substrate 150 . An air inlet hole, which is an inlet of air to such a channel, is arranged, for example, in the bottom portion 143 . On the other hand, the air outflow hole, which is the exit of air from such a channel, is the opening 142 .

The stick-type substrate 150 includes a substrate portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152 . Substrate portion 151 includes an aerosol source. In addition, in this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to liquid, and may be solid. When the stick-shaped base material 150 is held by the holding part 140 , at least part of the base material part 151 is accommodated in the internal space 141 and at least part of the mouthpiece part 152 protrudes from the opening 142 . When the user sucks the mouthpiece 152 protruding from the opening 142, air flows into the internal space 141 from an air inlet hole (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base member 151.

The heating section 121B has the same configuration as the heating section 121A according to the first configuration example. However, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating portion 121B is formed in a film shape and arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the holding portion 140. As shown in FIG. Then, when the heating part 121B generates heat, the base material part 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

The heat insulating portion 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating portion 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating part 144 is made of a vacuum heat insulating material, an airgel heat insulating material, or the like.

The configuration example of the suction device 100B has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the suction device 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations exemplified below can be adopted.

As an example, the heating part 121</b>B may be configured in a blade shape and arranged to protrude from the bottom part 143 of the holding part 140 into the internal space 141 . In this case, the blade-shaped heating part 121B is inserted into the base material part 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 and heats the base material part 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 from the inside. As another example, the heating portion 121B may be arranged to cover the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140 . Further, the heating part 121B is a combination of two or more of the first heating part covering the outer periphery of the holding part 140, the blade-shaped second heating part, and the third heating part covering the bottom part 143 of the holding part 140. may be configured as

As another example, the holding part 140 may include an opening/closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens/closes a portion of the outer shell that forms the internal space 141 . The holding part 140 may hold the stick-shaped base material 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening and closing the outer shell. In that case, the heating part 121B may be provided at the holding part 140 at the holding part 140 and heat the stick-shaped base material 150 while pressing it.

Moreover, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121B. For example, the means of atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.

In addition, the suction device 100B may further include a heating portion 121A, a liquid guide portion 122, a liquid storage portion 123, and an air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example. may also serve as an air inflow hole to the internal space 141 . In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141, is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

<<2. one embodiment>>
<2.1. Configuration example>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , system 1 includes suction device 100 , terminal device 200 and server 300 .

Wireless communication is possible between the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 . On the other hand, terminal device 200 and server 300 can communicate via network 90 . The network 90 is any wired/wireless communication network, including, for example, the Internet.

The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are related devices. For example, the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are related in that they are used by the same user. Also, for example, the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are related in that they are associated in advance by pairing or the like for wireless communication.

(1) Suction Device The suction device 100 is a device that produces a substance that is sucked by a user. A user using the suction device 100 to suck the substance produced by the suction device 100 is hereinafter simply referred to as a suction (puff).

In this embodiment, the suction device 100 can take any of the first configuration example and the second configuration example described above. That is, the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration similar to either the suction device 100A or the suction device 100B, or a modified example of these configuration examples.

In the following, of the configuration of the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment, points to be supplemented or emphasized with respect to the configurations of the suction device 100A and the suction device 100B described in the above configuration examples will mainly be described.

The control unit 116 according to this embodiment controls the communication unit 115 to transmit various information for the operation of the terminal device 200 to the terminal device 200 .

(2) Terminal Device The terminal device 200 is an information processing device operated by a user. The terminal device 200 functions as a device that interfaces with a user (hereinafter also referred to as a UI device). For example, the terminal device 200 is configured by a smartphone, tablet terminal, wearable device, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal device 200 includes a sensor section 210 , a notification section 220 , a communication section 230 , a storage section 240 and a control section 250 .

The sensor unit 210 acquires various information regarding the terminal device 200 . The sensor unit 210 then outputs the acquired information to the control unit 250 . Sensor unit 210 includes an input unit that receives input of information from the user. The input unit includes, for example, at least one of buttons, a keyboard, a touch panel, or a microphone. Sensor unit 210 also includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of terminal device 200 . The position information acquisition unit, for example, receives a GNSS signal from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite (for example, a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite) and obtains position information consisting of the latitude and longitude of the device. get.

The notification unit 220 notifies the user of information. Notification unit 220 includes at least one of a display device that displays information, a light emitting device that emits light, a vibration device that vibrates, or a sound output device that outputs sound. An example of a display device is a display. An example of a light emitting device is an LED. An example of a vibration device is an eccentric motor. An example of a sound output device is a speaker. The notification unit 220 notifies the user of the information input from the control unit 250 by outputting the information. For example, the notification unit 220 displays information to be notified to the user, emits light in a light emission pattern according to the information to be notified to the user, vibrates in a vibration pattern according to the information to be notified to the user, or notifies the user. Information to be played is output by voice.

The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and other devices. The communication unit 230 performs communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. As such a communication standard, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like can be adopted. Typically, the communication unit 230 wirelessly transmits and receives information to and from the suction device 100 .

The storage unit 240 stores various information for the operation of the terminal device 200 . The storage unit 240 is configured by, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.

The control unit 250 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls overall operations within the terminal device 200 according to various programs. The control unit 250 is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor, for example. In addition, the control unit 250 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs to be used, calculation parameters, and the like, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that change as appropriate. The terminal device 200 executes various processes under the control of the control unit 250 . Processing of information acquired by the sensor unit 210, notification of information by the notification unit 220, transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 230, and storage and reading of information by the storage unit 240 are examples of processing controlled by the control unit 250. . Other processes executed by the terminal device 200 such as information input to each component and processing based on information output from each component are also controlled by the control unit 250 . Note that the functions of the control unit 250 may be implemented using an application. The application may be pre-installed or downloaded. Also, the functions of the control unit 250 may be realized by PWA (Progressive Web Apps).

(3) Server The server 300 is a device that collects suction information, which will be described later. The server 300 has a database that accumulates the collected suction information. The server 300 is operated by, for example, a company that collects suction information and uses the collected suction information for marketing and the like. Server 300 is an example of a collection device in the present invention.

<2.2. Technical features>
(1) Collection of suction information The server 300 collects suction information. The suction information is information acquired regarding suction performed using the suction device 100 . The suction information is acquired by at least one of the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 . The suction information can also be regarded as a usage history of the suction device 100 .

The suction information is obtained each time the user performs suction. However, the user may inhale multiple times at once. For example, when one stick-shaped substrate 150 is heated, it is often the case that the stick-shaped substrate 150 is sucked multiple times at once until the stick-shaped substrate 150 is completely consumed. The suction information may be information acquired regarding a plurality of times of suction performed collectively at one time. Of course, the suction information may be information obtained for one suction. Alternatively, the suction information may be information acquired regarding suction performed within a predetermined time period, such as hourly or daily.

Aspiration information may include multiple pieces of information. An example of information that can be included in the suction information will be described below.

Aspiration information may include the number of puffs. The number of puffs is the number of times of suction performed by the user using the suction device 100 . The number of puffs is acquired by the sensor unit 112 as, for example, the number of times the sensor unit 112 of the suction device 100 acquires negative pressure associated with suction by the user.

Aspiration information may include remaining cartridge capacity. The cartridge remaining amount is the remaining amount of the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123 of the suction device 100A. The cartridge remaining amount is acquired by the sensor unit 112 of the suction device 100, for example.

Suction information may include remaining battery power. The remaining battery level is the remaining amount of electric power accumulated in the power supply unit 111 of the suction device 100 . The remaining battery level is acquired by the sensor unit 112 of the suction device 100, for example.

Aspiration information may include location information. The position information here is information indicating the position where the user has performed suction using the suction device 100 . Position information is acquired by the sensor unit 210 of the terminal device 200 .

Aspiration information may include the device usage time. The device use time is the date and time when the user performed suction using the suction device 100 . The device usage time is acquired by the sensor unit 112 of the suction device 100, for example.

In addition, the suction information may be user identification information, identification information of the suction device 100 (that is, the power supply unit 110), identification information of the cartridge 120, identification information of the flavoring cartridge 130, or identification information of the stick-type substrate 150. etc., may include a variety of information.

(2) Transmission of Suction Information and Temporary Suspension of Transmission The suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment perform a transmission process, which is a process of transmitting the acquired suction information each time the suction information is acquired. .

Transmission processing related to suction information includes first transmission processing in which the suction device 100 transmits suction information to the terminal device 200 . In the first transmission process, the source of the suction information is the suction device 100 . The suction device 100 transmits the acquired suction information to the terminal device 200 every time it acquires the suction information.

The transmission processing related to suction information includes second transmission processing in which the terminal device 200 transmits suction information to the server 300 . In the second transmission process, the source of the suction information is the terminal device 200 . The terminal device 200 transmits the acquired suction information to the server 300 each time it acquires the suction information. Acquiring the suction information by the terminal device 200 may include at least one of receiving the suction information from the suction device 100 and acquiring the suction information by the sensor unit 210 . That is, the terminal device 200 may transmit the suction information received from the suction device 100 to the server 300 every time the terminal device 200 receives the suction information. Moreover, the terminal device 200 may transmit the suction information acquired by the sensor unit 210 to the server 300 each time it acquires the suction information. When the suction information is acquired by both the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200, the terminal device 200 receives the information from the suction device 100 and sends the suction information to the server 300 every time the sensor unit 210 acquires the information. You may send.

Transmission processing regarding suction information is executed based on control by the control device. The control device controls each of the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200, which are the senders of the suction information, so as to execute desired processing. In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 shall function as a control device. In this case, the suction device 100 executes the first transmission process based on control by the terminal device 200 . On the other hand, the terminal device 200 executes the second transmission process based on control by the terminal device 200 itself.

An exclusion condition may be set by the user regarding the transmission process related to suction information. The exclusion condition is a condition for excluding suction information from transmission targets. The source of the suction information excludes the suction information that satisfies the exclusion condition from the transmission targets in the transmission process. That is, the sender of the suction information does not send the suction information that satisfies the exclusion condition. On the other hand, the sender of the suction information sets the suction information that does not satisfy the exclusion condition as a transmission target in the transmission process. That is, the sender of the suction information sends suction information that does not satisfy the exclusion conditions. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent collection of suction information that the user does not want collected. An example of exclusion conditions will be described in detail below.

- First Exclusion Condition The exclusion condition may include a first exclusion condition regarding the situation in which the aspiration information was acquired. The sender of the suction information excludes the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied from the transmission targets. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent suction information that is acquired in a situation where the user does not want the information to be collected.

The first exclusion condition may include that the time when the suction information is acquired is included in the period set by the user. Such periods are hereinafter also referred to as exclusion periods. The sender of the suction information excludes the suction information acquired after the start time of the exclusion period from the transmission target, and returns the suction information acquired after the end time of the exclusion period to the transmission target. As the exclusion period, for example, a period may be set in which the user may be disadvantaged if it becomes known that he/she has sucked during that period. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid disadvantages that may be exerted on the user due to collection of suction information. Note that the exclusion period does not necessarily have to be a period in which the user can be disadvantaged, and can be set arbitrarily by the user. Further, with such a configuration, it is possible to automatically resume transmission of suction information after the exclusion period.

The start time of the exclusion period may be the time when an operation instructing to exclude the suction information from transmission targets is accepted. The operation is input to the terminal device 200 by the user and acquired by the sensor unit 210, for example. Such a configuration allows the user to immediately start the exclusion period. Therefore, for example, when the user is about to inhale, it is possible to exclude the inhalation information about such inhalation from being transmitted.

The length of the exclusion period may be set by the user. As an example, the terminal device 200 may accept an operation to specify the length of the exclusion period. As another example, the terminal device 200 may accept an operation to specify the end time of the exclusion period. In this case, the time from the start time of the exclusion period to the specified end time is set as the length of the exclusion period. With such a configuration, it is possible to set the length of the exclusion period to a length desired by the user.

The exclusion period may be reserved by the user. For example, the terminal device 200 may accept an operation to preset the start time of the exclusion period and the length of the exclusion period. With this configuration, when a period that occurs periodically, such as working hours, is set as an exclusion period, it is possible to reduce the operation load for setting the exclusion period.

The first exclusion condition may include that the position where the suction information was acquired is included in the range of positions set by the user. Such a range of positions is also referred to below as an excluded range of positions. The transmission source of the suction information excludes the suction information acquired at the positions included in the excluded position range from the transmission targets, and returns the suction information acquired at the positions outside the excluded position range to the transmission targets. As the excluded position range, for example, a position range that may disadvantage the user if it becomes known that the user has aspirated in that position range can be set. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid disadvantages that may be exerted on the user due to collection of suction information. Note that the excluded position range does not necessarily have to be a position range that can disadvantage the user, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, with such a configuration, when the user moves out of the excluded position range, it is possible to automatically restart the transmission of the suction information.

-Second exclusion condition The exclusion condition may include a second exclusion condition that designates a part of the information to be excluded from the transmission target among the plurality of information included in the suction information. The sender of the suction information, among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information acquired in a situation in which the first exclusion condition is satisfied, transmits a part of the information specified in the second exclusion condition from the transmission target. exclude. On the other hand, the sender of the suction information selects, among the plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information acquired in the situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied, information that is not specified in the second exclusion condition as a transmission target. do. With such a configuration, it is possible to limit the information to a part that the user does not want to collect among the plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information, and to exclude the information from the transmission targets.

The suction information may include information that cannot be set as information to be excluded from transmission targets under the second exclusion condition. That is, part of the plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information may always be the object of transmission. Such information includes information for detecting an abnormality of the suction device 100, such as the temperature of the heating unit 121, for example. With such a configuration, it is possible to always collect useful information for public purposes such as protecting the safety of users.

(3) First Transmission Process and Second Transmission Process An exclusion condition is set for each of the first transmission process and the second transmission process. The exclusion condition set for the first transmission process and the exclusion condition set for the second transmission process may be the same or different. For example, at least part of the suction information transmitted from the suction device 100 to the terminal device 200 is excluded from transmission to the server 300 by the second exclusion condition set for the second transmission process. Examples of such information include information that is displayed by the terminal device 200 so that the user can review his or her suction history, and which is not desired to be collected by the server 300 . With such a configuration, it is possible to realize flexible transmission processing according to the user's request.

(4) Abandonment/storage The sender of the aspiration information may discard the aspiration information excluded from the transmission target. As an example, suction information excluded from transmission targets in the first transmission process may be discarded by the suction device 100 . As another example, the terminal device 200 may discard the suction information excluded from the transmission target in the second transmission process. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to protect the user's privacy more strongly.

The sender of the suction information may store the suction information excluded from the transmission targets. In that case, the source of the aspiration information may transmit the permitted aspiration information if the stored aspiration information is permitted to be transmitted by the user. As an example, the suction device 100 stores the suction information excluded from the transmission target in the first transmission process, and when the transmission permission is obtained later, the suction information for which the transmission permission is obtained is sent to the terminal device. 200. As another example, the terminal device 200 stores the suction information excluded from the transmission target in the second transmission process, and when the transmission permission is obtained later, the terminal device 200 stores the suction information for which the transmission permission is obtained. Send to server 300 . With such a configuration, for example, the user can quickly exclude suction information from transmission targets, and then selectively transmit transmittable information while slowly referring to the content of suction information that has not been transmitted. .

(5) UI
Hereinafter, an example of a UI (User Interface) for accepting settings of exclusion conditions will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of an exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. The setting screen 10 is a UI for setting the first exclusion condition. The setting screen 10 includes an upper screen 11 and a lower screen 14 .

The upper portion 11 of the screen is a UI for setting exclusion conditions for the first transmission process. When the ON button 12 is selected, transmission of suction information from the suction device 100 to the terminal device 200 is permitted. That is, no exclusion condition is set for the first transmission process, and the suction information is transmitted to the terminal device 200 each time it is acquired. On the other hand, when the OFF button 13 is selected, transmission of suction information from the suction device 100 to the terminal device 200 is stopped. That is, the exclusion period starts at the timing when the OFF button 13 is selected.

A lower portion 14 of the screen is a UI for setting exclusion conditions for the second transmission process. When the ON button 15 is selected, transmission of suction information from the terminal device 200 to the server 300 is permitted. That is, no exclusion condition is set for the second transmission process, and the suction information is transmitted to the server 300 each time it is acquired. On the other hand, when the OFF button 16 is selected, transmission of suction information from the terminal device 200 to the server 300 is stopped. That is, the exclusion period starts when the OFF button 16 is selected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. The setting screen 20 is a UI for setting an exclusion period in the first exclusion condition. By operating the drum-roll UI 21 on the setting screen 20, the user can set the time displayed in the central portion 22 as the length of the exclusion period. When the OK button 23 is selected, setting of the length of the exclusion period is completed. Note that the setting screen 20 can be displayed when the OFF button 13 or the OFF button 16 is selected on the setting screen 10 .

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of an exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. The setting screen 30 is a UI for setting the second exclusion condition. A plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information are listed on the setting screen 30. By selecting the ON button/OFF button for each piece of information, it is set whether each piece of information is to be transmitted or excluded from transmission. can do. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the ON button is selected for the number of puffs, the remaining cartridge amount, the remaining battery amount, and the device usage time, so these items of information are to be transmitted. On the other hand, since the OFF button is selected for the position information, the position information is excluded from the transmission targets. When the OK button 31 is selected, setting of the second exclusion condition is completed.

Note that the setting screen 30 can be displayed when the OFF button 13 or the OFF button 16 is selected on the setting screen 10 . In this case, after the OFF button 13 or the OFF button 16 is selected on the setting screen 10, the transmission of the information set to be excluded from transmission stops at the timing when the setting of the information to be excluded from transmission is completed on the setting screen 30. and the exclusion period begins.

Alternatively, when the OK button 31 is selected on the setting screen 30, the setting screen 20 may be displayed. In this case, information excluded from transmission targets on the setting screen 30 is not transmitted during the exclusion period set on the setting screen 20 .

(6) Flow of Processing An example of the flow of processing for transmitting suction information will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

- First Transmission Processing FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of the first transmission processing executed by the suction device 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the suction device 100 first acquires suction information (step S102). Next, the suction device 100 determines whether or not the first exclusion condition is set (step S104). When it is determined that the first exclusion condition is not set (step S104: NO), the suction device 100 transmits the acquired suction information to the terminal device 200 (step S108). After that, the process returns to step S102 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first exclusion condition is set (step S104: YES), the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the suction device 100 determines whether or not the suction information acquired in step S102 was acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition was satisfied (step S106). For example, the suction device 100 determines whether or not suction information is acquired at a time within the exclusion period. If it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is not satisfied (step S106: NO), the suction device 100 transmits the suction information acquired in step S102 to the terminal device 200 ( step S108). After that, the process returns to step S102 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied (step S106: YES), the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the suction device 100 determines whether or not a second exclusion condition is set (step S110). When it is determined that the second exclusion condition is not set (step S110: NO), the suction device 100 excludes the suction information acquired in step S102 from transmission targets. That is, the suction device 100 does not transmit the suction information acquired in step S102 to the terminal device 200 (step S112). After that, the process returns to step S102 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second exclusion condition is set (step S110: YES), the suction device 100 removes part of the suction information acquired in step S102 specified by the second exclusion condition. is excluded from the transmission targets, and other information is transmitted to the terminal device 200 (step S114). After that, the process returns to step S102 again.

- Second Transmission Processing FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second transmission processing executed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not suction information has been received from the suction device 100 (step S201). If it is determined that the suction information has not been received (step S201: NO), the process returns to step S201 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the suction information has been received (step S201: YES), the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the terminal device 200 acquires suction information (step S202). The suction information acquired by the terminal device 200 is, for example, suction information that is not included in the suction information received from the suction device 100, and may include position information, device usage time, and the like. Next, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the first exclusion condition is set (step S204). When it is determined that the first exclusion condition is not set (step S204: NO), the terminal device 200 transmits the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202 to the server 300. (Step S208). After that, the process returns to step S201 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first exclusion condition is set (step S204: YES), the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information obtained in step S202 were obtained in a situation where the first exclusion condition was satisfied (step S206 ). For example, when position information is acquired in step S202, the terminal device 200 determines whether the acquired position information corresponds to a position within the exclusion position range. If it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is not satisfied (step S206: NO), the terminal device 200 collects the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202. The information is transmitted to the server 300 (step S208). After that, the process returns to step S201 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied (step S206: YES), the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the second exclusion condition is set (step S210). When it is determined that the second exclusion condition is not set (step S210: NO), the terminal device 200 excludes the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202 from transmission targets. (Step S212) . That is, the terminal device 200 does not transmit to the server 300 the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202. After that, the process returns to step S201 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second exclusion condition is set (step S210: YES), the terminal device 200 selects the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202 as Part of the information specified in the exclusion condition of 2 is excluded from the transmission target, and other information is transmitted to the server 300 (step S214 ). After that, the process returns to step S201 again.

<<3. Supplement >>
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can conceive of various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the suction device 100 and the server 300 communicate via the terminal device 200, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the suction device 100 may be connected to the network 90 and the suction device 100 and the server 300 may communicate without going through the terminal device 200 . In that case, the transmission processing related to the suction information includes processing in which the suction device 100 transmits the suction information to the server 300 . Then, the suction device 100 excludes suction information that satisfies the exclusion condition from being transmitted from the suction device 100 to the server 300 . With this configuration, even when the suction device 100 directly communicates with the server 300, it is possible to prevent collection of suction information that the user does not want collected.

For example, in the above embodiment, the terminal device 200 functions as a control device, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, either the suction device 100 or the server 300 may function as the control device. Furthermore, a device other than the suction device 100, the terminal device 200, and the server 300 may function as the control device. In addition, the suction device 100 functions as a control device that controls the first transmission process, and the terminal device 200 functions as a control device that controls the second transmission process. may be shared by

For example, in the above embodiments, the terminal device 200 functions as a UI device, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the suction device 100 may function as a UI device.

For example, in the above embodiment, regarding the second exclusion condition, the suction information is transmitted each time it is acquired, and only part of the suction information is transmitted when the second exclusion condition is set. However, the invention is not limited to such examples. Part of the suction information may be transmitted even when the second exclusion condition is not set. Then, when the second exclusion condition is set, a further portion of the suction information may be transmitted.

A series of processes by each device described in this specification may be realized using any of software, hardware, and a combination of software and hardware. Programs constituting software are stored in advance in a recording medium (non-transitory media) provided inside or outside each device, for example. Each program, for example, is read into a RAM when executed by a computer, and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Also, the above computer program may be distributed, for example, via a network without using a recording medium.

Also, the processes described in this specification using flowcharts and sequence diagrams do not necessarily have to be executed in the illustrated order. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. Also, additional processing steps may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

1 system 90 network 100 suction device 110 power supply unit 111 power supply unit 112 sensor unit 113 notification unit 114 storage unit 115 communication unit 116 control unit 120 cartridge 121 heating unit 122 liquid guide unit 123 liquid storage unit 124 mouthpiece 130 flavor imparting cartridge 131 flavor Source 140 Holding Part 141 Internal Space 142 Opening 143 Bottom Part 144 Heat Insulating Part 150 Stick-type Substrate 151 Substrate Part 152 Inlet Portion 180 Air Flow Path 181 Air Inlet 182 Air Outlet 200 Terminal Device 210 Sensor Part 220 Notification Part 230 Communication Part 240 storage unit 250 control unit 300 server

Claims (14)

A control unit for controlling transmission processing, which is processing for transmitting the acquired suction information each time suction information, which is information acquired regarding suction performed using the suction device, is acquired,
The control unit controls a transmission source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information that satisfies an exclusion condition set by a user from a transmission target in the transmission process ,
the suction information includes a plurality of pieces of information;
The exclusion conditions include a first exclusion condition relating to the situation in which the suction information was acquired, and a second exclusion specifying a part of information to be excluded from the transmission target among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information. including conditions and
The control unit transmits part of the information specified in the second exclusion condition among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied. A controller that controls the source to exclude from consideration . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the first exclusion condition includes that the time at which the suction information is acquired is included in the period set by the user. The control device according to claim 2 , wherein the start time of the period is the time when an operation instructing to exclude the suction information from the transmission target is received. 4. The controller of claim 3 , wherein the length of the period is set by the user. 3. The controller of claim 2 , wherein said time period is reserved by said user. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the first exclusion condition includes that the position where the suction information is acquired is included in the range of positions set by the user. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the suction information includes information that cannot be set as information to be excluded from the transmission target under the second exclusion condition. The transmission process includes a first transmission process in which the suction device transmits the suction information to a terminal device associated with the suction device, and a terminal device transmits the suction information to a collection device that collects the suction information. including a second transmission process;
8. The control device according to claim 7 , wherein said exclusion condition is set for each of said first transmission process and said second transmission process. The terminal device displays information excluded from transmission targets to the collection device in the second transmission process, among the suction information received from the suction device in the first transmission process.
A control device according to claim 8 . The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the control unit controls the transmission source to discard the suction information excluded from the transmission target. The control unit stores the suction information excluded from the transmission target, and when the user permits transmission of the stored suction information, the control unit transmits the permitted suction information. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , which controls a transmission source. The transmission process includes a process in which the suction device transmits the suction information to a collection device that collects the suction information,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the control unit controls the transmission source so as to exclude the suction information that satisfies the exclusion condition from the transmission targets. Controlling transmission processing, which is processing for transmitting the acquired suction information each time suction information, which is information acquired regarding suction performed using a suction device, is acquired;
including
controlling the transmission process includes controlling a transmission source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information that satisfies an exclusion condition set by a user from a transmission target in the transmission process;
the suction information includes a plurality of pieces of information;
The exclusion conditions include a first exclusion condition relating to the situation in which the suction information was acquired, and a second exclusion specifying a part of information to be excluded from the transmission target among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information. including conditions and
Controlling the transmission source of the suction information includes selecting one specified in the second exclusion condition among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied. including controlling the transmission source to exclude the information of the part from the transmission target;
control method. the computer,
A control unit that controls transmission processing, which is processing for transmitting the acquired suction information each time suction information, which is information acquired regarding suction performed using a suction device, is acquired,
function as
The control unit controls a transmission source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information that satisfies an exclusion condition set by a user from a transmission target in the transmission process ,
the suction information includes a plurality of pieces of information;
The exclusion conditions include a first exclusion condition relating to the situation in which the suction information was acquired, and a second exclusion specifying a part of information to be excluded from the transmission target among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information. including conditions and
The control unit transmits part of the information specified in the second exclusion condition among a plurality of pieces of information included in the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied. A program that controls the source to be excluded from consideration .

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