WO2021130902A1

WO2021130902A1 - Control device, control method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2021130902A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/050845
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雅俊千住; 和俊芹田; 有香菅野; 彩子鷹谷
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2019-12-25
Filing date: 2019-12-25
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Also published as: EP4039110A4; JP7311631B2; JPWO2021130902A1; EP4039110A1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mechanism with which it is possible to collect information of a suction device selectively. [Solution] A control device comprising a control section that controls a transmission process of transmitting suction information, which is information acquired with regard to suction carried out using a suction device, each time the suction information is acquired. The control section controls a transmission source of the suction information so that the suction information satisfying an exclusion condition set by a user is excluded from the suction information to be transmitted in the transmission process.

Description

Control devices, control methods, and programs

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

Suction devices that generate substances that are sucked by users, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers, are widely used. For example, the suction device uses a base material containing an aerosol source for producing an aerosol, a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the produced aerosol, and the like to generate an aerosol to which the flavor component is added. The user can taste the flavor by sucking the aerosol to which the flavor component is added, which is generated by the suction device.

In recent years, it has been considered to collect information on suction devices for use in marketing and the like. As an example of the technique for collecting the information of the suction device from the suction device, in the following Patent Document 1, each time the suction device is wiredly connected for recharging, the information is transmitted via the wired connection path. The technology is disclosed.

Special Table 2015-507477

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, all the information on the suction device was collected. Therefore, even information that the user does not want to provide may be collected without the user's knowledge, which may give the user an unexpected disadvantage.

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 selectively collecting information on a suction device.

In order to solve the above problem, according to a certain viewpoint of the present invention, every time the suction information which is the information acquired about the suction performed by using the suction device is acquired, the acquired suction information is transmitted. The control unit includes a control unit that controls the transmission process, which is a process of performing the process, and the control unit sets the source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition set by the user from the transmission target in the transmission process. A control device is provided to control.

The exclusion condition includes a first exclusion condition relating to a situation in which the suction information is acquired, and the control unit transmits the suction information acquired in a situation in which the first exclusion condition is satisfied from the transmission target. The source may be controlled to exclude.

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

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

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

The period may be reserved by the user.

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

The suction information includes a plurality of information, and the exclusion condition includes a second exclusion condition that specifies some information to be excluded from the transmission target among the plurality of information included in the suction information. The control unit transmits a part of the information specified in the second exclusion condition among the plurality of information included in the suction information acquired in the situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied. 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 is a first transmission process in which the suction device transmits the suction information to a terminal device related to the suction device, and the suction information is transmitted to a collection device in which the terminal device collects the suction information. The exclusion condition may be set for each of the first transmission process and the second transmission process, including the second transmission process.

The control unit may control the transmission source so as 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 is permitted to transmit the stored suction information, the control unit is requested to transmit the permitted suction information. You may control the source.

The transmission process includes a process of transmitting the suction information to a collection device in which the suction device collects the suction information, and the control unit excludes the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition from the transmission target. You may control the source.

Further, in order to solve the above problem, according to another viewpoint of the present invention, every time the suction information which is the information acquired about the suction performed by using the suction device is acquired, the acquired suction is performed. Controlling the transmission process, including controlling the transmission process, which is a process of transmitting information, excludes the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition set by the user from the transmission target in the transmission process. A control method is provided that includes controlling the source of the suction information.

Further, in order to solve the above problem, according to another viewpoint of the present invention, the computer is acquired every time the suction information which is the information acquired about the suction performed by using the suction device is acquired. It functions as a control unit that controls the transmission process, which is a process of transmitting the suction information, and the control unit excludes the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition set by the user from the transmission target in the transmission process. A program is provided that controls the source of the suction information.

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

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. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the exclusion condition setting screen displayed by the terminal apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the 1st transmission processing executed by the suction device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the 2nd transmission processing executed by the terminal apparatus which concerns on this 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, so that duplicate description will be omitted.

Further, in the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different alphabets after the same reference numerals. For example, a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished as necessary, such as

suction devices

100A and 100B. However, if it is not necessary to distinguish each of a plurality of elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are given. For example, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the

suction devices

100A and 100B, the suction device 100 is simply referred to as the suction device 100.

<< 1. Configuration example of suction device >>
The suction device is a device that produces a substance that is sucked by the user. In the following, the substance produced by the suction device will be described as being 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 a 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 130. The power supply unit 110 includes a power supply unit 111A, a sensor unit 112A, a notification unit 113A, a storage unit 114A, a communication unit 115A, and a control unit 116A. The cartridge 120 includes a heating unit 121A, a liquid induction unit 122, and a liquid storage unit 123. The flavoring cartridge 130 includes a flavor source 131 and a mouthpiece 124. An air flow path 180 is formed in the cartridge 120 and the flavoring cartridge 130.

The power supply unit 111A stores electric power. Then, the power supply unit 111A supplies electric power to each component of the suction device 100A based on the control by 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 related to the suction device 100A. As an example, the sensor unit 112A is composed of a pressure sensor such as a microphone capacitor, 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 composed of an input device such as a button or a switch that receives input of information from the user.

The notification unit 113A notifies the user of the information. The notification unit 113A is composed of, for example, a light emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, a vibrating vibration device, and the like.

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

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

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

The liquid storage unit 123 stores the aerosol source. The atomization of the aerosol source produces an aerosol. Aerosol sources are, for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin and propylene glycol, and liquids such as water. Aerosol sources may contain flavor components derived from tobacco or non-tobacco. If the suction device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug.

The liquid induction unit 122 guides and holds the aerosol source, which is the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 123, from the liquid storage unit 123. The liquid induction unit 122 is a wick formed by twisting a fiber material such as glass fiber or a porous material such as a porous ceramic. In that case, the aerosol source stored in the liquid storage unit 123 is induced by the wick's capillary effect.

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 unit 121A is configured as a coil and is wound around the liquid induction unit 122. When the heating unit 121A generates heat, the aerosol source held in the liquid induction unit 122 is heated and atomized to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 121A generates heat when power is supplied from the power supply unit 111A. As an example, power may be supplied when the user has started suction and / or the input of predetermined information is acquired by the sensor unit 112A. Then, when the user has finished the suction and / or the input of predetermined information is acquired by the sensor unit 112A, the power supply may be stopped.

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

The air flow path 180 is a flow path of air sucked by the user. The air flow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inflow hole 181 which is an inlet of air into the air flow path 180 and an air outflow hole 182 which is an outlet of air from the air flow path 180 at both ends. In the middle of the air flow path 180, the liquid guiding portion 122 is arranged on the upstream side (the side close to the air inflow hole 181), and the flavor source 131 is arranged on the downstream side (the side close to the air outflow hole 182). The air flowing in from the air inflow hole 181 due to the suction by the user is mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121A, and is transported to the air outflow hole 182 through the flavor source 131 as shown by the arrow 190. When the mixed fluid of the aerosol and the 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 that can be held by the user during suction. An air outflow hole 182 is arranged in the mouthpiece 124. The user can take in the mixed fluid of aerosol and air into the oral cavity by holding the mouthpiece 124 and sucking it.

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, the suction device 100A does not have to include the flavoring cartridge 130. In that case, the cartridge 120 is provided with the mouthpiece 124.

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

Further, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be oscillating atomization or induction heating. In addition, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be a means for atomizing a liquid by generating SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) using a piezoelectric element substrate having a comb-shaped electrode pair.

(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 holding unit 140. Includes insulation 144.

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

The stick-type base material 150 includes a base material portion 151 and a mouthpiece portion 152. The base material portion 151 contains an aerosol source. In this configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, but may be a solid. In a state where the stick-type base material 150 is held by the holding portion 140, at least a part of the base material portion 151 is housed in the internal space 141, and at least a part of the mouthpiece portion 152 protrudes from the opening 142. Then, when the user holds and sucks the mouthpiece 152 protruding from the opening 142, air flows into the internal space 141 from an air inflow hole (not shown) and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the base material 151.

The heating unit 121B has the same configuration as the heating unit 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 is arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the holding portion 140. Then, when the heating unit 121B generates heat, the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150 is heated from the outer circumference to generate an aerosol.

The heat insulating portion 144 prevents heat transfer from the heating portion 121B to other components. For example, the heat insulating portion 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 portion 121B may be configured in a blade shape and may be arranged so as to project from the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140 into the internal space 141. In that case, the blade-shaped heating portion 121B is inserted into the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150, and the base material portion 151 of the stick-type base material 150 is heated from the inside. As another example, the heating portion 121B may be arranged so as to cover the bottom portion 143 of the holding portion 140. Further, the heating unit 121B is a combination of two or more of a first heating unit that covers the outer periphery of the holding unit 140, a blade-shaped second heating unit, and a third heating unit that covers the bottom portion 143 of the holding unit 140. It may be configured as.

As another example, the holding portion 140 may include an opening / closing mechanism such as a hinge that opens / closes a part of the outer shell forming the internal space 141. Then, the holding portion 140 may sandwich the stick-type base material 150 inserted in the internal space 141 by opening and closing the outer shell. In that case, the heating unit 121B may be provided at the holding portion of the holding unit 140 and may be heated while pressing the stick-type base material 150.

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

Further, the suction device 100B may further include a heating unit 121A, a liquid induction unit 122, a liquid storage unit 123, and an air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example, and the air outflow hole 182 of the air flow path 180. 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 user's oral cavity.

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

Wireless communication is possible between the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200. On the other hand, the terminal device 200 and the server 300 can communicate with each other via the 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 devices that are related to each other. For example, the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are related in that they are used by the same user. Further, 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 generates a substance to be sucked by a user. The user sucking the substance produced by the suction device 100 using the suction device 100 is also simply referred to as suction (puff) below.

In the present embodiment, the suction device 100 may take any configuration example of the first configuration example or the second configuration example described above. That is, the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as either the suction device 100A or the suction device 100B, or a modification of these configuration examples.

In the following, among the configurations 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 each of the above configuration examples will be mainly described.

The control unit 116 according to the present embodiment controls the communication unit 115 and transmits 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 (hereinafter, also referred to as a UI device) that serves as an interface with the user. For example, the terminal device 200 is composed of a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, or the like.

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

The sensor unit 210 acquires various information related to the terminal device 200. Then, the sensor unit 210 outputs the acquired information to the control unit 250. The 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 a button, a keyboard, a touch panel, or a microphone. In addition, the sensor unit 210 includes a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating the position of the terminal device 200. The position information acquisition unit receives, for example, 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 the information. The notification unit 220 includes at least one of a display device for displaying information, a light emitting device for emitting light, a vibrating device for vibrating, and a sound output device for outputting sound. An example of a display device is a display. An example of a light emitting device is an LED. An example of a vibrating 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 by outputting the information input from the control unit 250. For example, the notification unit 220 displays information to be notified to the user, emits light in a light emitting 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. The information to be output is output by voice.

The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information between the terminal device 200 and another device. 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 composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory.

The control unit 250 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control device, and controls the overall operation in the terminal device 200 according to various programs. The control unit 250 is realized by, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. In addition, the control unit 250 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs to be used, calculation parameters, and the like, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing parameters and the like that change as appropriate. The terminal device 200 executes various processes based on the control by the control unit 250. The processing of information acquired by the sensor unit 210, the notification of information by the notification unit 220, the transmission and reception of information by the communication unit 230, and the storage and reading of information by the storage unit 240 are examples of the processing controlled by the control unit 250. .. Other processes executed by the terminal device 200, such as input of information to each component and processing based on the information output from each component, are also controlled by the control unit 250. The function of the control unit 250 may be realized by using an application. The application may be pre-installed or downloaded. Further, the function 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 for accumulating 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 or the like. The server 300 is an example of the collecting 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 by 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.

Suction information is acquired each time the user sucks. However, the user may suck a plurality of times at a time. For example, when one stick-type base material 150 is heated, it is often sucked a plurality of times at a time until one stick-type base material 150 is completely consumed. The suction information may be information acquired for a plurality of suctions performed at one time. Of course, the suction information may be the information acquired for one suction. In addition, the suction information may be information acquired regarding suction performed within a predetermined time, such as one hour unit or one day unit.

The suction information may include a plurality of pieces of information. Hereinafter, an example of information that can be included in the suction information will be described.

The suction information may include the number of puffs. The number of puffs is the number of suctions performed by the user using the suction device 100. The number of puffs is acquired by the sensor unit 112, for example, as the number of times the sensor unit 112 of the suction device 100 has acquired a negative pressure due to suction by the user.

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

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

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

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

In addition, the suction information includes user identification information, suction device 100 (that is, power supply unit 110) identification information, cartridge 120 identification information, flavoring cartridge 130 identification information, or stick-type base material 150 identification information. It can contain various information such as.

(2) Transmission of suction information and temporary stop 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. ..

The transmission process related to the suction information includes a first transmission process in which the suction device 100 transmits the 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 each time the suction information is acquired.

The transmission process related to the suction information includes a second transmission process in which the terminal device 200 transmits the 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 the suction information is acquired. 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 each time the terminal device 200 receives the suction information. Further, the terminal device 200 may transmit the suction information acquired by the sensor unit 210 to the server 300 each time it is acquired. When the suction information is acquired by both the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200, the terminal device 200 sends the suction information to the server 300 each time the information is received from the suction device 100 and the information is acquired by the sensor unit 210. You may send it.

The transmission process related to suction information is executed based on the control by the control device. The control device controls each of the suction device 100 and the terminal device 200, which are sources of suction information, so as to perform a desired process. In this embodiment, the terminal device 200 functions as a control device. In this case, the suction device 100 executes the first transmission process based on the control by the terminal device 200. On the other hand, the terminal device 200 executes the second transmission process based on the control of the terminal device 200 itself.

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

-First exclusion condition The exclusion condition may include the first exclusion condition regarding the situation in which the suction information is acquired. The source of the suction information excludes the suction information acquired in the situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied from the transmission target. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the suction information acquired in a situation that the user does not want to collect from being 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 a period is also referred to as an exclusion period below. The source 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 that may be disadvantageous to the user if it becomes known that the suction has been performed during that period. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that may be given to the user by collecting the suction information. The exclusion period does not necessarily have to be a period that can be disadvantageous to the user, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, with such a configuration, it is possible to automatically restart the transmission of the suction information after the exclusion period.

The start time of the exclusion period may be the time when the operation instructing to exclude the suction information from the transmission target is accepted. The operation is input to the terminal device 200 by the user, for example, and is acquired by the sensor unit 210. With such a configuration, the user can immediately start the exclusion period. Therefore, for example, it is possible to exclude the suction information about such suction from the transmission target at the timing when the user tries to suck.

The length of the exclusion period may be set by the user. As an example, the terminal device 200 may accept an operation for specifying the length of the exclusion period. As another example, the terminal device 200 may accept an operation for designating 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, the length of the exclusion period can be set 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 of presetting the start time of the exclusion period and the length of the exclusion period. With such a configuration, when a period that occurs regularly 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 is acquired is included in the range of the position set by the user. The range of such positions is also referred to as an exclusion position range below. The source of the suction information excludes the suction information acquired at the position included in the exclusion position range from the transmission target, and returns the suction information acquired at the position outside the exclusion position range to the transmission target. As the exclusion position range, for example, a position range that may be disadvantageous to the user if it becomes known that the suction is performed in the position range can be set. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that may be given to the user by collecting the suction information. The exclusion position range does not necessarily have to be a position range that can be disadvantageous to the user, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, with such a configuration, when the user moves out of the exclusion position range, the transmission of the suction information can be automatically restarted.

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

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

(3) First transmission process and second transmission process Exclusion conditions are 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 a part of the suction information transmitted by the suction device 100 to the terminal device 200 is excluded from the transmission target to the server 300 by the second exclusion condition set for the second transmission process. Examples of such information include information displayed by the terminal device 200 in order for the user to look back on his / her own suction history, which is not desired to be collected by the server 300. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize a flexible transmission process according to the user's request.

(4) Discard / Memory The source of the suction information may discard the suction information excluded from the transmission target. As an example, the suction information excluded from the transmission target in the first transmission process may be discarded by the suction device 100. As another example, the suction information excluded from the transmission target in the second transmission process may be discarded by the terminal device 200. With such a configuration, it is possible to more strongly protect the privacy of the user.

The source of the suction information may store the suction information excluded from the transmission target. In that case, the source of the suction information may transmit the permitted suction information when the user is permitted to transmit the stored suction information. 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 device 100 for which the transmission permission is obtained is stored in the terminal device. Send to 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 suction information for which the transmission permission has been obtained is stored. Send to server 300. With such a configuration, for example, the user can quickly exclude the suction information from the transmission target, and then selectively transmit the information that can be transmitted while slowly referring to the contents of the suction information that was not transmitted. ..

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

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 a screen upper portion 11 and a screen lower portion 14.

The upper part 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, the exclusion condition is not 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, the transmission of suction information from the suction device 100 to the terminal device 200 is stopped. That is, the exclusion period is started at the timing when the OFF button 13 is selected.

The lower part 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, the exclusion condition is not 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, the transmission of suction information from the terminal device 200 to the server 300 is stopped. That is, the exclusion period is started at the timing 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 the exclusion period in the first exclusion condition. The user can set the time displayed in the central portion 22 as the length of the exclusion period by operating the drum roll type UI 21 on the setting screen 20. When the OK button 23 is selected, the setting of the length of the exclusion period is completed. The setting screen 20 may 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 the 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 information included in the suction information is listed on the setting screen 30, and by selecting the ON button / OFF button for each, it is possible to set whether each information is to be transmitted or excluded from the transmission target. can do. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the ON button is selected for the number of puffs, the remaining amount of the cartridge, the remaining amount of the battery, and the device usage time, these 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 target. When the OK button 31 is selected, the setting of the second exclusion condition is completed.

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 as the non-transmission target is stopped from the timing when the setting of the information to be excluded from the transmission is completed on the setting screen 30. And the exclusion period begins.

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

(6) Process Flow An example of the flow of the suction information transmission process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

-First Transmission Process FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the first transmission process executed by the suction device 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, the suction device 100 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, when 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 is acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied (step S106). For example, the suction device 100 determines whether or not the suction information has been acquired at a time within the exclusion period. When it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in the 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 suction device 100 (step S106: NO). Step S108). After that, the process returns to step S102 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in the 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 the 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 the transmission target. 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, when it is determined that the second exclusion condition is set (step S110: YES), the suction device 100 is a part of the suction information acquired in step S102 specified in the second exclusion condition. Information is excluded from the transmission target, 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 the 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, when 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 acquired in step S202 are acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied (step S206). ). For example, when the position information is acquired in step S202, the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the acquired position information corresponds to a position within the exclusion position range. When it is determined that the suction information is acquired in the situation where the first exclusion condition is not satisfied (step S206: NO), the terminal device 200 receives the suction information received in step S201 and the suction 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, when it is determined that the suction information has been acquired in the 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 the transmission target. .. That is, the terminal device 200 does not transmit the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202 to the server 300. After that, the process returns to step S201 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second exclusion condition is set (step S210: YES), the terminal device 200 is the third of the suction information received in step S201 and the suction information acquired in step S202. Some information specified in the exclusion condition of 2 is excluded from the transmission target, and other information is transmitted to the server 300 (step S212). After that, the process returns to step S201 again.

<< 3. Supplement >>
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 such 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 idea described in the claims. , These are also naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the suction device 100 and the server 300 communicate with each other via the terminal device 200, but the present invention is not limited to such an 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 with each other without going through the terminal device 200. In that case, the transmission process related to the suction information includes a process in which the suction device 100 transmits the suction information to the server 300. Then, the suction device 100 excludes the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition from the transmission target from the suction device 100 to the server 300. With such a configuration, even when the suction device 100 directly communicates with the server 300, it is possible to prevent the suction information that the user does not want to collect from being collected.

For example, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the terminal device 200 functions as a control device, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, either the suction device 100 or the server 300 may function as a control device. Furthermore, other devices that are neither the suction device 100, the terminal device 200, or the server 300 may function as the control device. In addition, the suction device 100 functions as a control device for controlling the first transmission process, and the terminal device 200 functions as a control device for controlling the second transmission process. May be shared by.

For example, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the terminal device 200 functions as a UI device, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the suction device 100 may function as a UI device.

For example, in the above embodiment, it has been described that, regarding the second exclusion condition, the suction information is transmitted every time the suction information is acquired, and when the second exclusion condition is set, only a part of the suction information is transmitted. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. Even when the second exclusion condition is not set, a part of the suction information may be transmitted. Then, when the second exclusion condition is set, a further part of the suction information may be transmitted.

Note that the series of processes by each device described in the present specification may be realized by using any of software, hardware, and a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance in, for example, a recording 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 recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, or the like. Further, the above-mentioned computer program may be distributed via, for example, a network without using a recording medium.

Further, the processes described in the present specification using the flowchart and the sequence diagram do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown. Some processing steps may be performed in parallel. Further, additional processing steps may be adopted, 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 induction unit 123 Liquid storage unit 124 Mouthpiece 130 Flavoring cartridge 131 Flavor Source 140 Holding part 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom 14 Insulation part 150 Stick type base material 151 Base material part 152 Suction part 180 Air flow path 181 Air inflow hole 182 Air outflow hole 200 Terminal device 210 Sensor part 220 Notification part 230 Communication part 240 Storage 250 Control 300 Server

Claims

Each time the suction information, which is the information acquired about the suction performed by using the suction device, is acquired, the control unit for controlling the transmission process, which is the process of transmitting the acquired suction information, is provided.
The control unit is a control device that controls the source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition set by the user from the transmission target in the transmission process.
The exclusion condition includes a first exclusion condition relating to the situation in which the suction information was acquired.
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the transmission source so as to exclude the suction information acquired in a situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied from the transmission target.
The control device according to claim 2, wherein the first exclusion condition includes the time when the suction information is acquired is included in the period set by the user.
The control device according to claim 3, wherein the start time of the period is a time when an operation for instructing the suction information to be excluded from the transmission target is accepted.
The control device according to claim 4, wherein the length of the period is set by the user.
The control device according to claim 3, wherein the period is reserved by the user.
The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the first exclusion condition includes the position where the suction information is acquired is included in the range of the position set by the user.
The suction information includes a plurality of pieces of information.
The exclusion condition includes a second exclusion condition that specifies some information to be excluded from the transmission target among the plurality of information included in the suction information.
The control unit transmits a part of the information specified in the second exclusion condition among the plurality of information included in the suction information acquired in the situation where the first exclusion condition is satisfied. The control device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the source is controlled so as to be excluded from the target.
The control device according to claim 8, 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 is a first transmission process in which the suction device transmits the suction information to a terminal device related to the suction device, and the suction information is transmitted to a collection device in which the terminal device collects the suction information. Including the second transmission process
The control device according to claim 9, wherein the exclusion condition is set for each of the first transmission process and the second transmission process.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit controls the transmission source so as 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 is permitted to transmit the stored suction information, the control unit is requested to transmit the permitted suction information. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which controls the source.
The transmission process includes a process of transmitting the suction information to a collection device in which the suction device collects the suction information.
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit controls the transmission source so as to exclude the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition from the transmission target.
Controlling the transmission process, which is the process of transmitting the acquired suction information each time the suction information, which is the information acquired about the suction performed by using the suction device, is acquired.
Including
Controlling the transmission process includes controlling the source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition set by the user from the transmission target in the transmission process.
Computer,
A control unit that controls the transmission process, which is a process of transmitting the acquired suction information each time the suction information, which is the information acquired about the suction performed by using the suction device, is acquired.
To function as
The control unit is a program that controls the source of the suction information so as to exclude the suction information satisfying the exclusion condition set by the user from the transmission target in the transmission process.