JPWO2020174629A1 - Flavor component generation control device, flavor component generation device, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of a suction experience provided by a flavor component generating device. SOLUTION: A flavor component generating device having a mounting portion to which an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added is detachably mounted by consuming the accumulated contents is controlled. The flavor component generation control device for each of the plurality of elements that have been mounted on the mounting portion, the identification information of the elements and the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added. A flavor component generation control device comprising: a control unit that controls a process of associating a parameter indicating the consumption amount of a substance with a storage unit and storing the gas in the storage unit. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

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

Flavor component generators such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers that generate a gas to which a flavor component sucked by a user is applied have become widespread. The flavor component generator is equipped with elements that contribute to the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added, such as an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor to the aerosol. The contents accumulated in the element are consumed each time gas is generated. The user can taste the flavor together with the gas by sucking the gas to which the flavor component is added (hereinafter, also referred to as puff) generated by these flavor component generation devices.

In order to effectively utilize the elements while providing the user with a sufficient suction experience, it is desirable that the elements are replaced when the contents accumulated in the elements are completely consumed. As an example of the technique for that, Patent Document 1 below counts the number of suctions performed using a device that heats and enables suction of the inserted smoking article, and the number of suctions reaches a predetermined maximum number of suctions. A technique for notifying the user of such a case is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-93877

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it seems that it is possible to promote the exchange of smoking articles at an appropriate timing. However, considering that the smoking article can be replaced with another smoking article before the number of suctions reaches the maximum number of suctions, it is not always possible to encourage the replacement of the smoking article at an appropriate time. For example, at the timing when the cumulative number of suctions before replacement and the number of suctions after replacement reaches the maximum number of suctions, that is, before the number of suctions after replacement reaches the maximum number of suctions, for smoking articles after replacement. Replacement is urged when the contents remain. This can degrade the quality of the suction experience provided to the user.

Therefore, 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 further improving the quality of the suction experience provided by the flavor component generating device. There is something in it.

In order to solve the above problems, according to a certain aspect of the present invention, by consuming the accumulated contents, an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added can be attached and detached. A flavor component generation control device that controls a flavor component generation device having a mounting portion to be mounted, and for each of a plurality of the elements that have been mounted on the mounting portion, identification information of the element and a flavor component. The flavor component generation is characterized by having a parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the gas is added, and a control unit for controlling the process of storing the contents in the storage unit in association with the parameter. A control device is provided.

The control unit may control a process of notifying information indicating that the element has reached the exchange timing when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value. ..

When the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the control unit stops supplying electric power to the gas generation unit that generates a gas to which a flavor component is added by the element. You may control the processing to be performed.

The control unit may control a process of canceling the attachment of the element to the attachment unit when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value.

The control unit may control a process of opening an electric circuit included in the element when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value.

When the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the control unit may delete the identification information and the parameter stored for the element from the storage unit.

The control unit deletes the identification information and the parameter stored for the element from the storage unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches the threshold value. You may.

When the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the control unit associates the identification information of the element with the information indicating that the element has been used. You may memorize it in.

The control unit may set the threshold value based on the elapsed time from the time when the content of the element is first consumed.

The control unit may set the threshold value to a smaller value as the elapsed time increases.

The control unit may control the amount of decrease in the threshold value per unit time based on the history of the environment surrounding the element.

The control unit may acquire the identification information of the element based on the reading result of the information code attached to the element.

The control unit may acquire the identification information of the element based on the reading result of the information stored in the storage medium attached to the element.

The control unit may acquire the identification information of the element based on the detection result of the shape of the element.

The control unit may acquire the identification information of the element based on the detection result of the component contained in the element.

The control unit may acquire the identification information of the element based on the detection result of the flavor component contained in the flavor source of the element.

The element may include an aerosol source.

The element may include a flavor source having a flavor component imparted to the gas.

The parameter may be the cumulative number of consumptions of the contents.

The parameter may be the cumulative consumption time of the contents.

The parameter indicates the total consumption of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added in the state where the element is attached to the flavor component generator and other flavor component generators. You may.

The storage unit may be provided in an external device connected to the flavor component generation control device via a network.

The storage unit may be provided in the element.

A plurality of the elements can be mounted on the mounting portion, and the control unit is a gas in which a flavor component is imparted to a part of the selected elements among the plurality of the elements mounted on the mounting portion. May contribute to the generation of.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents is provided. For each of the detachably mounted mounting portion and the plurality of the elements that have been mounted on the mounting portion, the identification information of the elements and the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added. Provided is a flavor component generating device, characterized by having a parameter indicating the consumption amount of a substance and a control unit for controlling a process of associating and storing the food in a storage unit.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents is provided. A control method for controlling a flavor component generating device having a mounting portion that is detachably mounted, the identification information of the element and identification information of the element for each of a plurality of the elements that have been mounted on the mounting portion. A control method comprising: controlling a process of associating a parameter indicating the amount of consumption of the contents consumed in the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added and storing it in a storage unit. Provided.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents is provided. A computer for controlling a flavor component generating device having a detachably mounted mounting portion is provided with identification information of the element and a flavor component for each of a plurality of the elements that have been mounted on the mounting portion. A program for functioning as a control unit for controlling a process of associating a parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas and storing the contents in the storage unit is provided.

As described above, the present invention provides a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of the suction experience provided by the flavor component generator.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the suction device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the appearance structure of the suction device which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the authentication method of the element which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the authentication method of the element which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the authentication method of the element which concerns on the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the process of canceling the attachment of a capsule to the accommodating part which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the aerosol generation processing executed in the suction apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

<< 1. Outline of the proposed technology >>
The proposed technique relates to a flavor component generation control device. The flavor component generation control device is a device that controls the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added by the flavor component generation device. The flavor component generating device has a mounting portion to which an element configured to contribute to the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is applied by consuming the accumulated contents is mounted, and is mounted on the mounting portion. By consuming the contents accumulated in the element, a gas with a flavor component is generated. In particular, the flavor component generation control device consumes the element identification information and the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added, for each of the plurality of elements that have been attached to the flavor component generation device. It controls the process of associating a parameter indicating the amount with the storage unit and storing it in the storage unit. As a result, the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added is managed for each element.

In the proposed technique, even if the contents are replaced with another element before the contents are completely consumed (hereinafter, also referred to as the end of life or used), the consumption amount of the contents of the replaced element is determined. It is managed separately from the consumption of the contents of the element before exchange. Therefore, when the element is replaced, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the suction experience, such as the replacement is promoted even though the content of the replaced element remains. Then, it becomes possible to promote the exchange at the timing when the contents of the element after the exchange are completely consumed.

<< 2. Configuration example >>
(1) Internal Configuration Hereinafter, a configuration example of the suction device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a suction device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100 includes a first member 110 and a second member 120. As shown, as an example, the first member 110 may include a notification unit 111, a battery 112, a sensor 113, a storage unit 114, and a control unit 115. As an example, the second member 120 may include a reservoir 121, an atomizing section 122, an air intake flow path 123, an aerosol flow path 124, and a mouthpiece section 125. A part of the components contained in the first member 110 may be contained in the second member 120. A part of the components included in the second member 120 may be included in the first member 110. The second member 120 may be configured to be detachable from the first member 110. Alternatively, all the components contained in the first member 110 and the second member 120 may be contained in the same housing instead of the first member 110 and the second member 120.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the suction device 100 includes a third member 130. As an example, the third member 130 may include a flavor source 131. As an example, when the suction device 100 is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 131 may contain a flavor component contained in the cigarette. The third member 130 may be configured to be detachable from the second member 120. Alternatively, all the components contained in the second member 120 and the third member 130 may be contained in the same housing instead of the second member 120 and the third member 130. Further, a part of the components contained in the first member 110 or the second member 120 may be included in the third member 130.

The reservoir 121 holds an aerosol source. For example, the reservoir 121 is made of a fibrous or porous material and holds an aerosol source as a liquid in the gaps between the fibers and in the pores of the porous material. For the above-mentioned fibrous or porous material, for example, cotton, glass fiber, tobacco raw material, or the like can be used. The reservoir 121 may be configured as a tank for containing the liquid. The aerosol source is, for example, a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or a liquid such as water. If the aspirator 100 is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also contain a drug for the patient to inhale. As another example, the aerosol source may include a tobacco material or an extract derived from the tobacco material that releases a flavor component by heating. In this case, an aerosol containing a flavor component is produced even if the third member 130 is not attached. The reservoir 121 may have a configuration capable of replenishing the consumed aerosol source. Alternatively, the reservoir 121 may be configured so that the reservoir 121 itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. Further, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, but may be a solid. When the aerosol source is a solid, the reservoir 121 may be, for example, a hollow container that does not use a fibrous or porous material.

The atomizing unit 122 is configured to atomize an aerosol source to produce an aerosol. When the suction operation is detected by the sensor 113, the atomizing unit 122 produces an aerosol. For example, a wick (not shown) may be provided to connect the reservoir 121 and the atomizing section 122. In this case, a portion of the wick passes through the interior of the reservoir 121 and comes into contact with the aerosol source. The other part of the wick extends to the atomization section 122. The aerosol source is carried from the reservoir 121 to the atomizer 122 by the wick's capillary effect. As an example, the atomizing unit 122 includes a heater electrically connected to the battery 112. The heater is placed in contact with or in close proximity to the wick. When the suction operation is detected, the control unit 115 controls the heater of the atomizing unit 122 and atomizes the aerosol source by heating the aerosol source carried through the wick. Another example of the atomizing unit 122 may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes an aerosol source by ultrasonic vibration. An air intake flow path 123 is connected to the atomization unit 122, and the air intake flow path 123 leads to the outside of the suction device 100. The aerosol produced in the atomizing section 122 is mixed with the air taken in through the air intake flow path 123. The aerosol-air mixed fluid is pumped into the aerosol flow path 124, as indicated by arrow 126. The aerosol flow path 124 has a tubular structure for transporting the mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated in the atomizing portion 122 to the mouthpiece portion 125.

The flavor source 131 is a component for imparting flavor to the aerosol. The flavor source 131 is arranged in the middle of the aerosol flow path 124. The mixed fluid of aerosol and air generated by the atomizing unit 122 (hereinafter, it should be noted that the mixed fluid may be simply referred to as an aerosol) flows through the aerosol flow path 124 to the mouthpiece 125. As described above, the flavor source 131 is provided downstream of the atomizing portion 122 with respect to the flow of the aerosol. In other words, the flavor source 131 is located closer to the mouthpiece 125 in the aerosol flow path 124 than the atomizing portion 122. Therefore, the aerosol produced by the atomizing portion 122 passes through the flavor source 131 and then reaches the mouthpiece portion 125. When the aerosol passes through the flavor source 131, the flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 is imparted to the aerosol. As an example, when the suction device 100 is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 131 may be derived from tobacco, such as chopped tobacco or a processed product obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into granules, sheets, or powder. The flavor source 131 may also be of non-tobacco origin made from plants other than tobacco (eg, mint, herbs, etc.). As an example, flavor source 131 contains a nicotine component. The flavor source 131 may contain a perfume component such as menthol. In addition to the flavor source 131, the reservoir 121 may also have a substance containing a flavor component. For example, the suction device 100 may be configured to hold a tobacco-derived flavoring substance in the flavor source 131 and contain a non-tobacco-derived flavoring substance in the reservoir 121.

The mouthpiece 125 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 124 and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 124 to the outside of the suction device 100. As shown, the aerosol flow path 124 extends across the second member 120 and the third member 130. The mouthpiece 125 is provided in the third member 130.

The user can take in the air containing the flavored aerosol into the oral cavity by holding the mouthpiece 125 and sucking it.

The notification unit 111 may include a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), a display, a speaker, a vibrator, and the like. The notification unit 111 is configured to give some notification to the user by light emission, display, vocalization, vibration, or the like, if necessary. Further, the notification unit 111 may include a communication device, and may transmit information to another device such as a smartphone and notify the user of the information via the other device.

The battery 112 is a power source that stores electric power and supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100 such as the notification unit 111, the sensor 113, the storage unit 114, and the atomization unit 122. The battery 112 may be rechargeable by connecting to an external power source via a predetermined port (not shown) of the suction device 100. Only the battery 112 may be removed from the first member 110 or the suction device 100 or may be replaced with a new battery 112. Further, the battery 112 may be replaced with a new battery 112 by replacing the entire first member 110 with a new first member 110.

The sensor 113 may include a pressure sensor that detects pressure fluctuations in the air intake flow path 123 and / or the aerosol flow path 124, or a flow rate sensor that detects the flow rate. The sensor 113 may also include a weight sensor that detects the weight of components such as the reservoir 121. The sensor 113 may also be configured to count the number of puffs by the user using the suction device 100. The sensor 113 may also be configured to integrate the energization time to the atomizing unit 122. The sensor 113 may also be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the reservoir 121. The sensor 113 may also be configured to detect the attachment / detachment of the second member 120 to / from the first member 110 or the attachment / detachment of the third member 130 to / from the second member 120. The sensor 113 may also be configured to detect the SOC (State of Charge, state of charge), current integrated value, voltage, and the like of the battery 112. The current integration value may be obtained by a current integration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, or the like. The sensor 113 may also be a user-operable operation button or the like.

The control unit 115 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or a microcomputer. The control unit 115 may be configured to control the operation of the suction device 100 according to a computer executable instruction stored in the storage unit 114. The storage unit 114 is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a flash memory. In addition to the computer-executable instructions as described above, the storage unit 114 may store setting data and the like necessary for controlling the suction device 100. For example, even if the storage unit 114 stores various data such as a control method of the notification unit 111 (modes such as light emission, vocalization, vibration, etc.), a value detected by the sensor 113, and a heating history of the atomization unit 122. good. The control unit 115 reads data from the storage unit 114 as necessary and uses it for controlling the suction device 100, and stores the data in the storage unit 114 as necessary.

Hereinafter, the first member 110 is also referred to as a power supply unit 110, the second member 120 is also referred to as a cartridge 120, and the third member 130 is also referred to as a capsule 130.

(2) Appearance Configuration Next, the appearance configuration of the suction device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance configuration of the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment. According to the external configuration example shown in FIG. 2, each of the power supply unit 110, the cartridge 120, and the capsule 130 is formed in a columnar shape.

The power supply unit 110 has a male connector 116 at one end. The male connector 116 has a spiral protrusion extending along the circumferential direction. Further, the cartridge 120 has a female connector 127 at one end. The female connector 127 has a spiral groove extending along the circumferential direction. The cartridge 120 and the power supply unit 110 are connected by screwing the male connector 116 and the female connector 127. That is, the cartridge 120 is detachably attached to the power supply unit 110.

The cartridge 120 has an accommodating portion 128 that forms a columnar space at the opposite end of the end having the female connector 127. The capsule 130 includes a mouthpiece 132 having the same or substantially the same diameter as the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120, and an insertion portion 133 having a diameter smaller than that of the mouthpiece 132. The insertion portion 133 is inserted into the accommodating portion 128 and fitted. That is, the capsule 130 is detachably attached to the cartridge 120. The user attaches the cartridge 120 to the power supply unit 110, holds the capsule 130 in the cartridge 120, and sucks the air by holding the mouthpiece 132 to take in the air containing the flavored aerosol into the oral cavity. be able to.

(3) Supplement According to the proposed technology, in the flavor component generating device, an element that contributes to the generation of a gas to which the flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents is detachably attached to the mounting portion. Has. Then, the flavor component generation device generates a gas to which the flavor component is added according to the control by the flavor component generation control device. As an example, the capsule 130 may correspond to an element. In this case, the power supply unit 110 corresponds to the flavor component generation control device, and the cartridge 120 corresponds to the flavor component generation device. The flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 corresponds to the content, the accommodating portion 128 corresponds to the mounting portion, and the aerosol corresponds to the gas. The flavor component generation device may include a flavor component generation control device, in which case the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 correspond to the flavor component generation device. Hereinafter, the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 are collectively referred to as a suction device 100, and the capsule 130 is detachably attached to the suction device 100.

<< 3. Technical features >>
(1) Authentication The control unit 115 authenticates an element mounted on the suction device 100. Specifically, the control unit 115 authenticates the capsule 130 mounted on the cartridge 120. Authentication here refers to acquiring identification information for identifying a mounted element. Hereinafter, an example of the element authentication method will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3 to 5 are diagrams for explaining an example of an element authentication method according to the present embodiment.

The control unit 115 may acquire the identification information of the element based on the reading result of the information code attached to the element. FIG. 3 shows a capsule 130A having an information code 134 attached to the outer wall of the insertion portion 133. The information code 134 stores identification information unique to the capsule 130A. The information code 134 may be a bar code or the like in addition to the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. For example, an image sensor for reading the information code 134 is provided on the inner wall of the accommodating portion 128 of the cartridge 120, and the information code 134 of the capsule 130A mounted on the accommodating portion 128 is read. Then, the control unit 115 acquires the identification information of the capsule 130A based on the reading result of the information code 134.

As another example, the control unit 115 may acquire the identification information of the element based on the reading result of the information stored in the storage medium attached to the element. FIG. 4 shows a capsule 130B having a storage medium 135 attached to the outer wall of the insertion portion 133. The storage medium 135 is, for example, an RF tag in RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) technology, and can read and write information using short-range wireless communication (for example, NFC (Near Field Communication)). For example, the power supply unit 110 or the cartridge 120 is provided with a wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device receives identification information from the storage medium 135 of the capsule 130B mounted on the accommodating unit 128. Then, the control unit 115 acquires the identification information of the capsule 130B based on the reception result from the storage medium 135.

According to the authentication method described above, the capsule 130 is uniquely identified. That is, according to the identification information described above, the capsule 130 can be uniquely identified.

Here, the capsule 130 can be replaced with a capsule 130 having another type of flavor before it reaches the end of its life, with the aim of tasting different types of flavor. For this purpose, replacement with capsules 130 having the same flavor is unlikely to occur. Therefore, even if the capsule 130 is not uniquely identified, it is sufficient if the flavor type of the capsule 130 (hereinafter, also referred to as the capsule 130 type) is identified and the consumption amount of the contents is managed for each flavor type. It can be said that there is. Hereinafter, a method for identifying the capsule 130 according to the type of flavor will be described. That is, according to the identification information described below, the type of flavor possessed by the capsule 130 can be identified.

The control unit 115 may acquire the identification information of the capsule 130 based on the detection result of the shape of the capsule 130. FIG. 5 shows capsules 130C and 130D in which the shape of the insertion portion 133 differs depending on the type of flavor. The insertion portion 133 of the capsule 130C has a cylindrical shape, whereas the insertion portion 133 of the capsule 130D has a shape consisting of a cylinder and a truncated cone whose diameter decreases toward the end. The shape of the capsule 130 is determined by, for example, the pressure applied to the inner wall of the accommodating portion 128 or the inner wall of the accommodating portion 128 and the outer wall of the insertion portion 133 detected by a pressure sensor (for example, a microphone capacitor) provided in the accommodating portion 128. It is detected based on the pressure of the space formed. Then, the control unit 115 acquires the identification information of the capsule 130 based on the detection result of the shape of the capsule 130. As another example, the shape of the capsule 130 may be detected by a sensor 113 (for example, a microphone capacitor) included in the power supply unit 110. For example, the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 are provided with a space for communicating the sensor 113 and the accommodating portion 128, and the shape of the capsule 130 can be detected based on the air pressure in the space.

As another example, the control unit 115 may acquire the identification information of the capsule 130 based on the detection result of the component contained in the capsule 130. The components contained in the capsule 130 are detected by, for example, a chemical sensor provided in the accommodating portion 128 and capable of detecting a chemical substance. Then, the control unit 115 acquires the identification information of the capsule 130 based on the detection result of the chemical substance. As an example, the chemical substance may be a flavor component, the chemical sensor may be an odor sensor, and the control unit 115 identifies the capsule 130 based on the detection result of the flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 of the capsule 130. May be obtained. The flavor component (that is, odor) contained in the flavor source 131 is different for each type of capsule 130. The flavor component contained in the flavor source 131 is detected by, for example, an odor sensor provided in the accommodating portion 128. Of course, the chemical substance detected by the chemical sensor is not limited to the flavor component, and may be a substance without flavor. The component contained in the capsule 130 (for example, the flavor component contained in the flavor source 131) may be detected by the sensor 113 (for example, a chemical sensor or an odor sensor) included in the power supply unit 110. For example, the power supply unit 110 and the cartridge 120 are provided with a space for communicating the sensor 113 and the accommodating portion 128, and the component contained in the capsule 130 can be detected based on the chemical substance detected from the space.

The authentication method for the capsule 130 is not limited to the example described above, and any authentication method may be adopted. Further, a plurality of authentication methods may be used in combination.

(2) Management of consumption parameters The control unit 115 controls the identification information of the elements and the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added for each of the plurality of elements that have been attached to the attachment unit. Controls the process of associating a parameter indicating the consumption amount of the above (hereinafter, also referred to as a consumption amount parameter) with the storage unit to store the information. For example, when the capsule 130 is attached to the suction device 100, the control unit 115 acquires the identification information of the attached capsule 130, and then refers to the acquired identification information to the storage unit to consume the capsule 130. Get the quantity parameter. Such a consumption parameter indicates the amount of content already consumed in the capsule 130. Then, when the puff operation is performed by the user, the control unit 115 adds a consumption parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the puff operation to the acquired consumption parameter, and the consumption parameter after the addition. Is stored in the storage unit. In this way, the control unit 115 updates the consumption parameter stored in the storage unit each time the puff operation is performed.

The consumption parameter may be the cumulative number of consumptions of the contents stored in the element. In other words, the consumption parameter may be the cumulative number of suctions (number of puffs) by the user.

The consumption parameter indicates the total consumption of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added, with the element attached to the flavor component generator and other flavor component generators. May be good. For example, it is assumed that the capsule 130 is attached to a suction device 100 and removed after the puffing operation is performed, and then attached to a different suction device 100 and the suction operation is performed. In that case, the total of the consumption parameters related to the suction operation performed with the capsule 130 attached to each suction device 100 is stored in the storage unit. Thereby, for example, even when the puff operation is performed while exchanging the capsule 130 between friends, the consumption of the contents performed across the plurality of suction devices 100 is traced and the consumption parameter is updated. It becomes possible to do. In this case, a storage medium is attached to the element as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the consumption parameter is stored in the storage medium, and the consumption parameter stored in the storage medium is stored every time the puff operation is performed. It is desirable to be updated. As a result, the consumption parameter related to the suction operation performed in the state of being attached to the suction device 100 is not shared with the other suction devices 100 by communication or the like, and the suction device 100 is straddled. It is possible to easily trace the consumption of the contents.

An example of the table stored in the storage unit is shown in Table 1 below. In the example shown in Table 1, the cumulative number of puffs is stored for each capsule 130.

− Location of the storage unit for storing the consumption parameter The storage unit may be built in the power supply unit 110. That is, the consumption parameter may be stored in the storage unit 114.

The storage unit may be provided in an external device connected to the suction device 100 via a network. For example, the storage unit is stored in a server on the cloud. In this case, for example, each time the puff operation is performed, the suction device 100 communicates with the server on the cloud to update the consumption parameter. From the viewpoint of reducing the amount of communication, communication may be performed every time the puff operation is performed a predetermined number of times.

The storage unit may be configured as a storage medium that can be inserted into and removed from the power supply unit 110. Examples of such a storage medium include a flash memory such as a card type memory. As a countermeasure against running out of battery, it is conceivable to carry a spare power supply unit 110. Even if the power supply unit 110 is replaced due to a dead battery, the removable storage medium is inserted into the replaced power supply unit 110 so that the consumption parameters can be continuously managed before and after the replacement. It becomes.

The storage unit may be present in the element. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the storage medium 135 may be attached to the element, and the consumption parameter may be stored in the storage medium. In this case, as described above, it is possible to easily trace the consumption of the contents performed across the plurality of suction devices 100.

(3) Processing according to the consumption parameter The control unit 115 controls the processing according to the consumption parameter of the capsule 130 mounted on the suction device 100. Specifically, the control unit 115 determines whether or not the consumption parameter stored in the storage unit reaches the threshold value in association with the identification information of the capsule 130 mounted on the suction device 100, and processes according to the determination result. To control.

The threshold value here is a value indicating that the contents accumulated in the element can be exhausted if the value is equal to or higher than the threshold value. For example, if the cumulative number of puffs is less than the life determination threshold, it is determined that the life has not been reached, and if the cumulative number of puffs is equal to or more than the life determination threshold, it is determined that the life has been reached. That is, the threshold value is the cumulative number of puffs required to use up the contents accumulated in the element. The threshold value may be set according to the identification information of the element. Hereinafter, such a threshold value is also referred to as a life determination threshold value. Further, determining whether or not the consumption parameter has reached the life determination threshold is also referred to as life determination.

-Processing when the consumption parameter does not reach the life determination threshold When the consumption parameter does not reach the life determination threshold (for example, the consumption parameter is less than the life determination threshold), the control unit 115 generates an aerosol. And update the consumption parameter according to the aerosol generation. For example, the control unit 115 supplies electric power to the atomization unit 122 (corresponding to the gas generation unit), causes the atomization unit 122 to generate an aerosol, and increments (+1) the cumulative number of puffs.

− First processing when the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value When the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value (for example, the consumption amount parameter is equal to or greater than the life determination threshold value), the control unit 115 controls the aerosol. Do not generate. For example, the control unit 115 stops the supply of electric power to the atomization unit 122. For the capsule 130 whose consumption parameter has reached the life determination threshold (life has been reached or has been used), no flavor component is added even if an aerosol is produced. In this regard, by stopping the supply of electric power to the atomizing unit 122, it is possible to prevent the aerosol to which the flavor component is not applied from being sucked by the user, and to prevent unnecessary consumption of the aerosol source, which is wasteful. It is possible to prevent power consumption.

When the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value, the control unit 115 may control the process of notifying the information indicating that the capsule 130 has reached the replacement timing. The control unit 115 controls the notification unit 111 to cause the LED to emit light in a predetermined light emission pattern, display a predetermined image on the display, or vibrate the vibrating element. Further, the control unit 115 may notify the user of such information via the other device by transmitting information indicating that the capsule 130 has reached the exchange timing to another device such as a smartphone. Such notification makes it possible to encourage the user to replace the capsule 130 at an appropriate time.

When the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value, the control unit 115 may control the process of canceling the attachment of the capsule 130 to the storage unit 128. This point will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the process of canceling the attachment of the capsule 130 to the accommodating portion 128 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the insertion portion 133 of the capsule 130 is inserted into the accommodating portion 128. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the state in which the mouthpiece 132 is in contact with the edge 128A of the accommodating portion 128 is also referred to as a mounting state. On the other hand, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 6, the state in which the mouthpiece 132 is separated from the edge 128A of the accommodating portion 128 is also referred to as a non-attached state. When the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 6, the bottom 128B of the accommodating portion 128 slides toward the internal space of the accommodating portion 128, and the capsule 130 is accompanied by the accommodating portion 128. Is pushed out from. In this way, the attachment of the capsule 130 to the accommodating portion 128 is eliminated. The sliding of the bottom 128B of the housing 128 is realized, for example, by exerting an elastic force in the direction of the internal space of the housing 128 by the elastic member provided on the back side of the bottom 128B. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to forcibly replace the capsule 130.

-Second processing when the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value When the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value, the control unit 115 stores the identification information and the consumption parameter stored for the capsule 130. You may delete it from. This makes it possible to secure free space in the storage unit. Here, the control unit 115 may delete the identification information and the consumption amount parameter stored for the capsule 130 from the storage unit after a predetermined time has elapsed after the consumption amount parameter reaches the life determination threshold value. As a result, even if the user accidentally attaches the used capsule 130 to the suction device 100 before the lapse of a predetermined time, the first process described above when the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value. Can be executed. It is desirable that the predetermined time here is set to a sufficient time, for example, about one week, which is a time required for the user to dispose of the capsule 130 after it is used up.

When the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value, the control unit 115 may store the identification information of the capsule 130 and the information indicating that it has been used in the storage unit in association with each other. Then, when the identification information of the capsule 130 attached to the suction device 100 is stored in the storage unit in association with the information indicating that the capsule 130 has been used, the control unit 115 has the consumption parameter described above. The first process when the life determination threshold is reached is executed. Thereby, even if the user accidentally attaches the used capsule 130 to the suction device 100, the first process described above when the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value can be executed. Further, since the capsule 130 once used becomes unusable, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use such that the contents of the capsule 130 (that is, the flavor source 131) are illegally replaced and reused.

-Others The control unit 115 may control a process of notifying information based on the consumption parameter stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the capsule 130 mounted on the suction device 100. For example, the control unit 115 controls the notification unit 111 to notify the user of information based on the consumption parameter. The information based on the consumption parameter includes the consumption parameter itself or the information indicating the remaining amount of the contents calculated from the consumption parameter. For example, the former is the cumulative number of puffs (that is, the number of puffs so far), and the latter is the number of remaining puffs until the life determination threshold is reached. As a result, the user can perform the puff operation while checking the usage status of the capsule 130 at any time.

(4) Processing Flow An example of the processing flow executed in the suction device 100 will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the aerosol generation process executed in the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the control unit 115 acquires the capsule 130 identification information attached to the suction device 100 (step S102). Next, the control unit 115 acquires the consumption amount parameter stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the capsule 130 mounted on the suction device 100 (step S104). The control unit 115 waits for processing while the puff operation is not performed (step S106 / NO). On the other hand, when the puff operation is performed (step S106 / YES), the control unit 115 determines whether or not the consumption parameter has reached the life determination threshold value (step S108). When it is determined that the consumption parameter has reached the life determination threshold value (step S108 / YES), the control unit 115 does not generate the aerosol (step S110). On the other hand, when it is determined that the consumption parameter has not reached the life determination threshold value (step S108 / NO), the control unit 115 generates an aerosol (step S112). Then, the control unit 115 updates the information by incrementing the consumption parameter stored in the storage unit (step S114).

<< 4. Modification example >>
(1) First Modification Example Although the capsule 130 has been described above as an element, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the cartridge 120 may correspond to an element. In that case, the control unit 115 corresponds to the flavor component generation control device, and the other configuration of the power supply unit 110 corresponds to the flavor component generation device. The aerosol source contained in the reservoir 121 corresponds to the contents, the male connector 116 corresponds to the mounting portion, and the aerosol corresponds to the gas. The flavor component generation device may include a flavor component generation control device, in which case the power supply unit 110 corresponds to the flavor component generation device.

The technical features when the cartridge 120 corresponds to the element are the same as the technical features when the capsule 130 corresponds to the element described in the above embodiment. Hereinafter, points to be particularly mentioned among the technical features when the cartridge 120 corresponds to an element will be specifically described.

-Authentication The control unit 115 authenticates the cartridge 120 by the same method as the above-mentioned authentication method described for the capsule 130. For example, the control unit 115 may acquire the identification information of the cartridge 120 based on the reading result of the information code attached to the cartridge 120. Further, the control unit 115 may acquire the identification information of the cartridge 120 based on the reading result of the information stored in the storage medium attached to the cartridge 120. The information code and the storage medium may be provided, for example, in the female connector 127 of the cartridge 120. Of course, the authentication method of the cartridge 120 is not limited to the example described above, and any authentication method may be adopted.

-Management of consumption parameters The control unit 115 manages the consumption parameters of the cartridge 120 in the same manner as the above-mentioned consumption parameter management method described for the capsule 130. For example, the control unit 115 determines the identification information of the cartridge 120 and the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added for each of the plurality of cartridges 120 that have been mounted on the mounting unit. It controls the process of associating the indicated consumption parameter with the storage unit and storing it in the storage unit.

An example of the table stored in the storage unit in this modification is shown in Table 2 below. In the example shown in Table 2, the cumulative number of puffs is stored for each cartridge 120 and each capsule 130.

-Processing according to the consumption parameter The control unit 115 controls the processing according to the consumption parameter of the cartridge 120 mounted on the power supply unit 110. Specifically, the control unit 115 determines whether or not the consumption parameter stored in the storage unit in association with the identification information of the cartridge 120 mounted on the power supply unit 110 reaches the life determination threshold value, and responds to the determination result. Control the processing. The details of the processing according to the determination result are as described above.

(2) Second modified example This modified example is an example in which aging deterioration of the element is taken into consideration.

The control unit 115 sets the life determination threshold value based on the elapsed time from the time when the content of the element is first consumed. The time when the contents of the element are first consumed is, for example, the time when the puffing operation is first performed with the capsule 130 attached to the suction device 100. The control unit 115 sets the life determination threshold value to a smaller value as the elapsed time becomes longer. The cartridge 120 and the capsule 130 may deteriorate over time as the elapsed time from the first use increases. Then, as the deterioration over time progresses, the number of times the aerosol can be generated and the number of times the flavor component can be applied to the aerosol can decrease. In this regard, by setting the life determination threshold value to a smaller value as the elapsed time becomes longer, it becomes possible to determine the life with a smaller cumulative number of puffs as the element deteriorates over time.

In order to take the aging deterioration into consideration in the life determination, the control unit 115 determines the element identification information, the information on the elapsed time from the first use, and the life of each of the plurality of elements that have been mounted on the mounting unit. The determination threshold value is associated with the storage unit and stored in the storage unit. The information regarding the elapsed time from the first use may be information indicating the elapsed time itself or information indicating the date and time at the time of the first use. Further, the life determination threshold value is initially stored as an initial value, and then updated to a smaller value as the elapsed time from the first use becomes longer. The control unit 115 reads out the life determination threshold value stored in the storage unit and uses it at the time of life determination, or updates the life determination threshold value according to the elapsed time from the first use.

An example of the table stored in the storage unit in this modification is shown in Table 3 below. In the example shown in Table 3, the cumulative number of puffs, the number of days elapsed since the first use, and the life determination threshold are stored for each cartridge 120 and each capsule 130.

According to the example shown in Table 3, the life determination threshold value is updated from the initial value of 50 to 45 for the capsule C which has passed 30 days or more from the first use. Further, for the cartridge B 150 days or more after the first use, the life determination threshold value is updated from the initial value of 250 to 240.

The control unit 115 may set a life determination threshold value based on the history of the environment surrounding factors such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and weather. For example, the control unit 115 may set a life determination threshold value in consideration of the speed of progress of aging deterioration, which may differ depending on the environment, based on the history of the environment surrounding the element. Specifically, the control unit 115 may control the reduction range of the life determination threshold value per unit time based on the history of the environment surrounding the element. For example, the control unit 115 increases the decrease in the life determination threshold value per unit time when the element is placed in a hot and humid environment, and the life per unit time when the element is placed in a low temperature and dry environment. Decrease the amount of decrease in the judgment threshold. As another example, the control unit 115 increases the amount of decrease in the life determination threshold value per unit time when placed in a low-pressure environment such as a mountain. As another example, in an environment where the flavor component leaks out even if the wind is strong and the capsule 130 is not sucked by the user, the control unit 115 increases the amount of decrease in the life determination threshold value per unit time of the capsule 130. As a history of the environment surrounding the element, the information detected by the sensor 113 while the element is attached to the suction device 100 is associated with the element identification information and stored in the storage unit 114.

(3) Third Modified Example In the above embodiment, it has been described that the consumption parameter is the cumulative number of consumptions of the contents accumulated in the element, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The consumption parameter may be the cumulative consumption time of the contents stored in the element. More simply, the life of the element may be determined not only by the number of times the content is consumed, but also by the consumption time of the content (corresponding to the suction time by the user).

When power is supplied to the atomizing unit 122, an aerosol is generated, and then a flavor component is added to the aerosol. Therefore, the energization time of the atomizing unit 122 and the consumption time of the aerosol source and the flavor component are in a corresponding relationship. be. Therefore, the total energization time to the atomizing unit 122 (hereinafter, total energization time) may be used as a consumption amount parameter. For example, the control unit 115 may determine that the capsule 130 has reached the end of its life when the total energization time reaches 100 seconds, and may determine that the cartridge 120 has reached the end of its life when it reaches 500 seconds.

(4) Fourth Modification Example The cartridge 120 may include a fuse in an electric circuit to which the atomizing unit 122 is connected. Such a fuse blows when a current of a predetermined value or more flows. In that case, the electric circuit to which the atomizing unit 122 is connected is opened, and it becomes impossible to supply electric power to the atomizing unit 122. When the control unit 115 determines that the cartridge 120 has reached the end of its life, the control unit 115 may permanently disable the cartridge 120 by controlling a process of blowing a fuse by passing a large current. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use such that the contents of the used cartridge 120 (that is, the aerosol source) are illegally replaced and reused.

(5) Fifth Modification Example In the above embodiment, an example in which one capsule 130 is attached to the suction device 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, a plurality of capsules 130 may be attached to the accommodating portion 128. In that case, the control unit 115 generates a gas in which a flavor component sucked by the user is added to a selected part (one or more) of the capsules 130 of the plurality of capsules 130 mounted on the suction device 100. To contribute to. The selection of the capsule 130 may be performed by the user or may be performed by the control unit 115. For example, the control unit 115 passes the aerosol generated by the cartridge 120 only in a part of the capsules 130 selected by the user among the plurality of capsules 130 mounted on the suction device 100. That is, only a part of the capsules 130 attached to the suction device 100 may impart the flavor component to the aerosol. For such control, for example, an on-off valve capable of opening and closing an independent aerosol flow path 124 and each aerosol flow path 124 for the number of mountable capsules 130 is provided in the cartridge 120, and the on-off valve is opened and closed. Control may be realized. The on-off valve may be opened and closed by the user. In this case, the user can easily enjoy a plurality of kinds of flavors without exchanging the capsule 130. Only a part of the capsules 130 to which the flavor component is added to the aerosol is processed according to the consumption amount parameter, and the consumption amount parameter is updated.

<< 5. Summary >>
As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. As described above, according to the present embodiment, by consuming the accumulated contents, an element configured to contribute to the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added is detachably attached. A flavor component generation control device for controlling a flavor component generation device having a portion is provided. In particular, the flavor component generation control device according to the present embodiment has identification information for each of the plurality of capsules 130 that have been mounted on the mounting portion, and the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added. It is stored in the storage unit in association with the parameter indicating the consumption amount of. As a result, the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added is managed for each element.

The case where the element is a capsule 130 will be described. Even if the capsule 130 once attached is replaced with another capsule 130 before it is used up, the consumption parameter of the capsule 130 after the replacement is managed separately from the consumption parameter of the capsule 130 before the replacement. NS. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the quality of the suction experience, such as promotion of replacement even though the contents remain in the capsule 130 after replacement. Then, it is possible to prompt the replacement of the capsule 130 at the timing when the contents of the capsule 130 after the replacement are completely consumed. The same is true when the element is the cartridge 120.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present invention belongs can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims. , These are also naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the consumption parameter used for determining the life is a parameter that directly indicates the consumption, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the consumption amount parameter may be a parameter that indirectly indicates the consumption amount, and specifically, may be a parameter that indicates the remaining amount of the contents accumulated in the element. Parameters indicating the remaining amount of the contents accumulated in the element include, for example, the number of remaining puffs until the life is reached, or the remaining energization time until the life is reached. The life determination threshold value in this case is a value indicating that the contents accumulated in the element can be exhausted if it is equal to or less than the value, and is, for example, 0. For example, when the number of remaining puffs exceeds the life determination threshold value, it is determined that the life has not been reached, and when the number of remaining puffs is equal to or less than the life determination threshold value, it is determined that the life has been reached. The initial value of the remaining amount can be set based on the identification information of the element. Further, the life determination threshold value can be gradually updated to a large value according to the deterioration over time.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the gas generated by the flavor component generating device and to which the flavor component is applied is an aerosol has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the gas generated by the flavor component generator and imparted with the flavor component may be invisible vapor.

The suction device 100 described in the present specification may be realized as a single device, or a part or all of the suction device 100 may be realized as a separate device. For example, among the functional configurations of the suction device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, the function of the control unit 115 may be mounted on an information processing device such as a smartphone or a server connected to the suction device 100 via a network or the like. good. In that case, the suction device 100 transmits various information such as a reading result of the information code attached to the element and a detection result of the puff operation to the information processing device. Next, the information processing apparatus authenticates the element based on the received information, updates the consumption amount parameter according to the puff operation, and further determines whether or not the consumption amount parameter has reached the life determination threshold value. Next, the information processing apparatus provides control information according to whether or not the consumption parameter has reached the life determination threshold value (for example, an instruction to execute the first process when the consumption parameter reaches the life determination threshold value). It is generated and the generated control information is transmitted to the suction device 100. Then, the suction device 100 executes the process instructed in the control information received from the information processing device.

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

Further, the processes described with reference to the flowchart and the sequence diagram in the present specification do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown in the drawings. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. Further, additional processing steps may be adopted, and some processing steps may be omitted.

100 Suction device 110 First member, power supply unit 111 Notification unit 112 Battery 113 Sensor 114 Storage unit 115 Control unit 116 Male connector 120 Cartridge 120 Second member 121 Reservoir 122 Atomizing unit 123 Air intake flow path 124 Aerosol flow path 125 Mouthpiece 127 Female connector 128 Accommodating part 128A Edge part 128B Bottom part 130 Third member, capsule 131 Flavor source 132 Mouthpiece part 133 Insertion part 134 Information code 135 Storage medium

Claims (27)

Flavor component generation that controls a flavor component generator having a mounting part to which elements configured to contribute to the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents are detachably mounted. It ’s a control device,
For each of the plurality of elements that have been attached to the attachment portion, the identification information of the elements and the parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added are provided. A control unit that controls the process of associating and storing in the storage unit,
A flavor component production control device, characterized in that it has. The control unit is characterized in that when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the control unit controls a process of notifying information indicating that the element has reached the exchange timing. The flavor component generation control device according to claim 1. When the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the control unit stops supplying electric power to the gas generation unit that generates a gas to which the flavor component is added by the element. The flavor component generation control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing is controlled. The claim is characterized in that the control unit controls a process of canceling the attachment of the element to the attachment unit when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value. Item 6. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. One of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit controls a process of opening an electric circuit included in the element when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value. The flavor component generation control device according to the section. The control unit is characterized in that when the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the identification information and the parameter stored for the element are deleted from the storage unit. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control unit deletes the identification information and the parameters stored for the element from the storage unit after a predetermined time has elapsed from the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaching the threshold value. The flavor component generation control device according to claim 6, characterized in that. When the parameter stored in association with the identification information of the element reaches a threshold value, the control unit associates the identification information of the element with the information indicating that the element has been used. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information is stored in the same. The control unit according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the control unit sets the threshold value based on the elapsed time from the time when the content of the element is first consumed. Flavor component generation control device. The flavor component generation control device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit sets the threshold value to a smaller value as the elapsed time becomes longer. The flavor component generation control device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit controls the amount of decrease in the threshold value per unit time based on the history of the environment surrounding the element. The flavor component according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit acquires the identification information of the element based on the reading result of the information code attached to the element. Generation control device. One of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit acquires the identification information of the element based on the reading result of the information stored in the storage medium attached to the element. The flavor component generation control device according to. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the control unit acquires the identification information of the element based on the detection result of the shape of the element. The flavor component generation control according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the control unit acquires the identification information of the element based on the detection result of the component contained in the element. Device. The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the control unit acquires the identification information of the element based on the detection result of the flavor component contained in the flavor source of the element. Flavor component generation control device. The flavor component production control device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the element includes an aerosol source. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the element includes a flavor source having a flavor component imparted to a gas. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the parameter is the cumulative number of times the contents are consumed. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the parameter is the cumulative consumption time of the contents. The parameter indicates the total consumption of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added in the state where the element is attached to the flavor component generator and other flavor component generators. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the flavor component generation control device is characterized. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the storage unit is provided in an external device connected to the flavor component generation control device via a network. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the storage unit is included in the element. A plurality of the elements can be mounted on the mounting portion.
The control unit is characterized in that it contributes to the generation of a gas in which a flavor component is added to a part of the selected elements among the plurality of the elements mounted on the mounting unit. The flavor component generation control device according to any one of the above. A mounting part on which an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which a flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents is detachably mounted.
For each of the plurality of elements that have been attached to the attachment portion, the identification information of the elements and the parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added are provided. A control unit that controls the process of associating and storing in the storage unit,
A flavor component generating device, characterized in that it has. Control to control a flavor component generator having a mounting portion to which an element configured to contribute to the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is imparted by consuming the accumulated contents is detachably mounted. It ’s a method,
For each of the plurality of elements that have been attached to the attachment portion, the identification information of the elements and the parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added are provided. Controlling the process of associating and storing in the storage unit,
A control method comprising: A computer that controls a flavor component generator having a mounting part to which an element configured to contribute to the generation of a gas to which the flavor component is added by consuming the accumulated contents is detachably mounted.
For each of the plurality of elements that have been attached to the attachment portion, the identification information of the elements and the parameter indicating the consumption amount of the contents consumed in the generation of the gas to which the flavor component is added are provided. A control unit that controls the process of associating and storing in the storage unit,
A program to function as.

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