WO2023058739A1

WO2023058739A1 - Flavor inhalation instrument or aerosol generation device

Info

Publication number: WO2023058739A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/037546
Authority: WO
Inventors: 拓也白石; 歩後藤
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-10-08
Filing date: 2022-10-07
Publication date: 2023-04-13

Abstract

Provided is a configuration for a flavor inhalation instrument or the like, with which it is possible to detect the motion of the flavor inhalation instrument or the like more accurately.　A flavor inhalation instrument 100 or the like comprises: a housing 2400; a heating unit that heats a flavor source or an aerosol source; and an inertia sensor 2420 that detects a change in angular velocity or acceleration. The inertia sensor 2420 is disposed inside the housing 2400 at a location out of contact with the heating unit.

Description

Flavor inhaler or aerosol generator

This application relates to flavor inhalers or aerosol generators (hereinafter referred to as "flavor inhalers, etc."). More particularly, the present application relates to flavor inhalers and the like that are controlled based on the movement of the flavor inhalers and the like.

It should be noted that the flavor sucking device is a device for sucking flavor, and includes, but is not limited to, electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn cigarettes, and conventional cigarettes. An "aerosol generator" is a device for inhaling the generated aerosol, and includes, but is not limited to, electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn cigarettes, and medical nebulizers. Flavor inhalers and the like also include so-called RRP (Reduced-Risk Products).

Unlike cigarettes, flavor inhalers such as heated cigarettes are often equipped with electronic devices, and in recent years have become more multi-functional. Along with the multi-functionalization, flavor suction devices equipped with motion sensors have been developed in order to detect dropping of the flavor suction device or to detect a specific motion of the flavor suction device by the user.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-58212 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-509339 WO2020/008028 WO2020/234053

However, the use of motion sensors in flavor suction devices can turn on/off specific functions such as detecting the fall of the flavor suction device or detecting a specific preset action of the user to unlock the flavor suction device. stay off. It is desired to provide users with various values of the flavor suction device by controlling the functions of the flavor suction device based on the motion data obtained by the motion sensor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and one of its tasks is to provide a flavor suction device or the like that is controlled based on the movement of the flavor suction device or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device, being a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising: a vibrator; a sensor configured to detect movement of said device; and an input representing said detected movement A device comprising: a converter configured to convert data into vibration data for vibrating the vibrator; and a controller configured to vibrate the vibrator based on the vibration data. provided.

In one embodiment, the input data may include data representing acceleration or angular velocity of the sensed movement.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit may be further configured to use a representative value included in the input data.

In one embodiment, using the representative value included in the input data can include converting the representative value into the vibration intensity of the vibrator.

In one embodiment, using the representative value included in the input data can include converting the representative value into a vibration pattern of the vibrator.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit divides the input data into a plurality of data representing the motion detected in each time period of a plurality of time periods, and a representative data included in each divided data. It may be further configured to convert the values into vibration strengths of the oscillator at different times.

In one embodiment, the sensor may be further configured to sense motion of the device about at least a first axis and a second axis, wherein the input data is sensing motion about the first axis and the second axis. at least first input data and second input data respectively representing said motions made.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit converts the first input data into a vibration intensity of the vibrator, converts the second input data into a vibration pattern of the vibrator, or converts the second input data into a vibration pattern of the vibrator. may be further configured to select one of a plurality of predetermined vibration patterns as the vibration pattern of the vibrator based on the above.

In one embodiment, the vibration pattern may be specified by at least one of vibration time, vibration pause time, and vibration intensity correction coefficient.

In one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to vibrate the vibrator based on the vibration data when the device is being sucked.

In one embodiment, the control unit may be further configured to vibrate the vibrator based on the vibration data such that the strength of the suction is proportional to the vibration strength of the vibrator. .

In one embodiment, the control unit records a suction time, which is a length of time during which the suction is performed, and vibrates the vibrator based on the vibration data according to the suction time. It may be further configured to vary the thickness.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator with a vibrator, comprising the steps of detecting movement of said device; into vibration data for vibrating the vibrator; and vibrating the vibrator based on the vibration data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a processor of a device, which may be a flavored inhaler or an aerosol generator with a vibrator, is provided with the steps of detecting movement of said device and input data representing said detected movement, said A program is provided for executing a step of converting into vibration data for vibrating a vibrator, and a step of vibrating the vibrator based on the vibration data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising a sensor configured to detect movement of said device and input data representing said detected movement, said A device comprising: a converter configured to convert into function data for controlling a function of a device; and a controller configured to control the function of the device based on the function data. be done.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit may be further configured to convert continuous values included in the input data into continuous values or discrete values included in the functional data.

In one embodiment, the function of the device includes one or more of a function of heating to generate flavor, a function of emitting sound, a function of emitting light, and a function of displaying a predetermined display. be able to.

In one embodiment, using a representative value included in the input data may be further configured to convert the representative value into a strength associated with the function of the device.

In one embodiment, using representative values included in the input data may be further configured to transform the representative values into a pattern associated with the function of the device.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit divides the input data into a plurality of data representing the motion detected in each time period of a plurality of time periods, and a representative data included in each divided data. It may be further configured to convert values into intensities associated with the function of the device at different times.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit converts the first input data into an intensity related to the function of the device and converts the second input data into a pattern related to the function of the device, or and selecting one of a plurality of predetermined patterns as a pattern related to the function of the device based on the second input data.

In one embodiment, the pattern associated with the function of the device is identified by at least one of the time the function is active, the time the function is inactive, and an intensity correction factor associated with the function. can be anything.

A device that is an embodiment may be configured such that heating is performed to generate a flavor, and the input data is obtained when the heating is not performed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a device, which may be a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising: detecting movement of said device; A control method is provided that includes converting into functional data for controlling a function, and controlling said function of said device based on said functional data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a processor of a device, which may be a flavored inhaler or an aerosol generator, receives the steps of sensing movement of said device and providing input data representative of said sensed movement to control the functions of said device. A program is provided that causes the steps of converting into functional data for performing and controlling the functionality of the device based on the functional data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising: an oscillator; an inertial sensor; A device comprising: a storage section storing vibration data for vibrating a vibrator; and a control section configured to read out the vibration data from the storage section and vibrate the vibrator based on the vibration data. provided.

In one embodiment, the vibration data may include values related to vibration intensity or vibration time.

In one embodiment, the storage unit may store the inertia data. The device may further comprise a converter configured to read the inertia data from the storage and convert the inertia data to the vibration data.

In one embodiment, the inertial sensor may be an angular velocity sensor, and the inertial data may include data representing angular velocity.

In one embodiment, the inertial sensor may be an angular velocity sensor, and the inertial data may include data representing angular velocity. When the angular velocity is equal to or less than a predetermined minimum value, the conversion unit converts data representing the angular velocity into vibration data including a predetermined minimum vibration intensity or a predetermined minimum vibration time. and converting the data representing the angular velocity into vibration data including a predetermined maximum vibration intensity or a predetermined maximum vibration time when the angular velocity is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum value. may

In one embodiment, the inertial sensor may be an angular velocity sensor, and the inertial data may include data representing angular velocity. The conversion unit may be configured to convert data representing an angular velocity of 10 dps or more among the data representing the angular velocity into the vibration data.

In one embodiment, the angular velocity sensor may have a sampling rate of 1 Hz or more and 1 kHz or less.

In one embodiment, the device may further include a communication unit configured to communicate the inertial data and/or the vibration data with the outside.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an external device that cooperates with the above-described flavor inhalers and the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a communication unit configured to receive input data from said device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, representing movement of said device sensed by sensors in said device; a conversion unit configured to convert the input data into vibration data for vibrating a vibrator in the device or function data for controlling a function of the device; An apparatus is provided, further configured to transmit vibration data or said functional data to said device.

In one embodiment, the input data may include data representing acceleration or angular velocity of the detected movement.

In one embodiment, using the representative value included in the input data may include converting the representative value into vibration intensity of the oscillator or intensity related to the function of the device.

In one embodiment, using the representative value included in the input data may include converting the representative value into a vibration pattern of the vibrator or a pattern related to the function of the device.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit divides the input data into a plurality of data representing the motion detected in each time period of a plurality of time periods, and a representative data included in each divided data. It may further be arranged to convert values into vibration intensity of the oscillator at different times or intensity associated with the function of the device.

In one embodiment, the sensor may be configured to sense movement of the device about at least a first axis and a second axis. The input data may include at least first input data and second input data representing the sensed movement about the first axis and the second axis, respectively.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit converts the first input data into the vibration intensity of the oscillator or the intensity related to the function of the device, and converts the second input data into the vibration pattern of the oscillator or the device. or one of a plurality of vibration patterns predetermined as the vibration pattern of the vibrator based on the second input data, or a pattern related to the function of the device in advance It may be further configured to select one of a plurality of defined patterns.

In one embodiment, the vibration pattern may be specified by at least one of vibration time, vibration pause time, and vibration intensity correction coefficient. The pattern for the function of the device may be specified by at least one of the time the function is active, the time the function is inactive, and a correction factor for the intensity of the function. good.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a charging section configured to charge a rechargeable power source within the device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling a device configured to communicate with a device, be it a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, wherein movement of said device sensed by a sensor within said device is represented. receiving input data from the device; converting the input data into vibration data for vibrating a vibrator in the device or function data for controlling a function of the device; transmitting data or said functional data to said device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device configured to communicate with a device, which may be a flavored inhaler or an aerosol generator, is provided with input data representative of movements of said device sensed by sensors in said device, said receiving from a device; converting the input data into vibration data for vibrating a vibrator in the device or functional data for controlling a function of the device; and the vibration data or the functional data. to the device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device, being a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising: a vibrator; a sensor configured to detect movement of said device; and an input representing said detected movement Data is transmitted to an external device, and vibration data for vibrating the vibrator or functional data for controlling the function of the device, which is obtained by converting the input data, is received from the external device. and a controller configured to vibrate the vibrator based on the vibration data or control the function of the device based on the function data. be done.

In one embodiment, the control unit further vibrates the vibrator based on the vibration data or controls the function of the device based on the function data when the suction of the device is performed. may be configured.

In one embodiment, the control unit vibrates the vibrator based on the vibration data such that the strength of the suction is proportional to the vibration strength of the vibrator, or the function data and such that the strength of the suction is proportional to the strength associated with the function of the device.

In one embodiment, the control unit records a suction time, which is a length of time during which the suction is performed, and vibrates the vibrator based on the vibration data according to the suction time. The device may be further configured to vary the length of time that the function of the device functions based on the performance data or the function data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a device, which is a flavored inhaler or an aerosol generator with a vibrator, comprising: detecting movement of said device; sending the data to an external device; and transmitting the vibration data for vibrating the vibrator or the function data for controlling the function of the device obtained by converting the input data to the external device. and vibrating the transducer based on the vibration data or controlling the function of the device based on the function data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator equipped with a vibrator, detects movement of the device, and transmits input data representing the detected movement to an external device. a step of transmitting, and a step of receiving, from the external device, vibration data for vibrating the vibrator or function data for controlling the function of the device, which is obtained by converting the input data; and vibrating the vibrator based on the vibration data or controlling the function of the device based on the function data.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device that is a flavored inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising at least one sensory stimulus element configured to provide sensory stimulation to a user, and and a controller configured to operate the at least one sensory stimulation element when the sensor acquires input data representative of the sensed movement. be done.

In one embodiment, the at least one element may include at least one of a vibrator, a light emitting element and an acoustic element.

In one embodiment, the sensor may be further configured to obtain the input data when the device is not generating an aerosol by heating.

In one embodiment, the device may comprise two or more sensory stimulation elements configured to provide sensory stimulation to a user. The controller may be configured to further activate a sensory stimulation element of the two or more sensory stimulation elements that is different from the at least one sensory stimulation element while the sensor is activated.

In one embodiment, the device may further comprise a converter configured to convert the input data into sensory stimulation data for functioning the at least one sensory stimulation element.

In one embodiment, using the representative value included in the input data may include converting the representative value into intensity related to sensory stimulation of the at least one sensory stimulation element.

In one embodiment, using the representative value included in the input data may include converting the representative value into a pattern related to sensory stimulation of the at least one sensory stimulation element.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit divides the input data into a plurality of data representing the motion detected in each time period of a plurality of time periods, and a representative data included in each divided data. It may be further configured to convert the values into intensities associated with sensory stimulation of the at least one sensory stimulation element at different times.

In one embodiment, the sensor may be further configured to sense movement of the device about at least a first axis and a second axis. The input data may include at least first input data and second input data representing the sensed movement about the first axis and the second axis, respectively.

In one embodiment, the conversion unit converts the first input data into intensity related to sensory stimulation of the at least one sensory stimulation element, and converts the second input data into sensory stimulation of the at least one sensory stimulation element. or select one of a plurality of patterns related to sensory stimulation predetermined as patterns related to sensory stimulation of the at least one sensory stimulation element based on the second input data. may be configured.

In one embodiment, the pattern of sensory stimulation is specified by at least one of a time period during which the sensory stimulation element is active, a time period during which the sensory stimulation element is inactive, and a correction factor for the intensity of the sensory stimulation. It may be

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a device, which may be a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprising detecting movement of said device and obtaining input data representing said detected movement. activating at least one sensory stimulation element configured to provide sensory stimulation to a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a device, which may be a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, detecting movement of said device; and activating at least one sensory stimulation element configured to provide sensory stimulation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a configuration of a flavor suction device or the like that can more accurately detect movement of the flavor suction device or the like.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device, which is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator, comprises a housing, a heating element for heating the flavor source or the aerosol source, and an inertial sensor for detecting changes in angular velocity or acceleration. wherein the inertial sensor is arranged in the housing at a position that does not come into contact with the heating unit.

In one embodiment, one of the three mutually orthogonal coordinate axes of the inertial sensor may be arranged substantially parallel to any one of the three mutually orthogonal coordinate axes of the housing.

In one embodiment, the housing has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness having a substantially rectangular surface, and the three coordinate axes in the housing each have a longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular shape as a Z axis, and the When the lateral direction of the substantially rectangular shape is the Y axis and the direction orthogonal to the Z axis and the Y axis is the X axis, the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis of the inertial sensor are respectively aligned with the housing. The housing and the inertial sensor may be arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis in .

In one embodiment, the housing has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a button or a light-emitting element on the surface of the housing, and the three coordinate axes in the housing are respectively longitudinal directions of the substantially cylindrical shape. is the Z-axis, the direction perpendicular to the button or light-emitting element is the Y-axis, and the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis and the Y-axis is the X-axis, the X-axis and Y-axis of the inertial sensor , Z-axis of the housing may be substantially parallel to the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the housing.

In one embodiment, a microcontroller may be further provided, and the inertial sensor may be attached to a substrate on which the microcontroller is attached.

In one embodiment, a microcontroller may be further provided, and the inertial sensor may be attached to a substrate different from the substrate on which the microcontroller is attached.

In one embodiment, at least part of the surface of the inertial sensor opposite to the surface in contact with the substrate to which the inertial sensor is attached may be covered with a heat insulating material.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a battery, and the inertial sensor is compared to the battery to provide more power to the user than the battery when the user inhales a substance produced by the flavor inhaler or the aerosol generator. may be arranged at a position close to .

In one embodiment, the inertial sensor may be an angular velocity sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the structural example, such as the flavor suction instrument by embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the structural example, such as the flavor suction instrument by embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the simplified structural example, such as the flavor inhaler by embodiment of this invention. 4 is a graph plotting values contained in exemplary input data; 4 is a graph plotting values contained in exemplary input data; It is the figure which schematized the vibration intensity. It is a table showing a plurality of predetermined vibration patterns. It is a table showing a plurality of predetermined vibration patterns. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for vibrating a vibrator based on vibration data; 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for vibrating a vibrator based on vibration data; 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for vibrating a vibrator based on vibration data; 10 is a graph plotting changes in pressure sensed by a pressure sensor; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary vibration mode of a vibrator; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary vibration mode of a vibrator; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary vibration mode of a vibrator; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary vibration mode of a vibrator; 1 is a flow chart of a control method for a flavor inhaler or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the simplified structural example, such as the flavor inhaler by embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary processing for controlling a functional subject based on functional data; 4 is a flowchart of exemplary processing for controlling a functional subject based on functional data; 4 is a flowchart of exemplary processing for controlling a functional subject based on functional data; 1 is a flow chart of a control method for a flavor inhaler or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the simplified structural example of the flavor inhaler etc. and external device by embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the flavor inhaler and the like and the external device according to the embodiment of the present invention; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows typically the simplified structural example, such as the flavor inhaler by embodiment of this invention. 1 is a flow chart of a control method for a flavor inhaler or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention; It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation|movement, such as a flavor inhaler by embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation|movement, such as a flavor inhaler by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of hardware constitutions, such as a flavor inhaler by an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a user holds the flavor inhaler or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of sensors in the flavor inhaler or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of sensors in the flavor inhaler or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of sensors in the flavor inhaler or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of sensors in the flavor inhaler or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of sensors in the flavor inhaler or the like according to the embodiment of the present invention; It is a figure showing an example of hardware constitutions, such as a flavor inhaler by an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of hardware constitutions, such as a flavor inhaler by an embodiment of the present invention.

1 First Embodiment of the Present Invention A flavor inhaler or the like according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a device that produces a substance to be inhaled by a user. In the following description, it is assumed that the substance generated by the flavor inhaler or the like is an aerosol. Alternatively, the substance produced by the flavor inhaler or the like may be a gas other than an aerosol.

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

The cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130 are examples of "refills" to be described later. In this embodiment, at least a portion of one or both of the

refills

120 and 130 is colored according to the type of refill. Moreover, the color according to the type is not limited to the refill, and may be any component attached to the flavor suction device 100A, such as the flavor suction device.

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

The sensor unit 112A acquires various kinds of information about the flavor suction device 100A. The sensor unit 112A may include a pressure sensor such as a microphone condenser, a flow rate sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like, and acquires a value associated with suction by the user. Further, the sensor unit 112A may include an input device such as a button or switch that receives input of information from the user. Additionally, the sensor portion may include a sensor configured to detect movement of a flavor suction device or the like.

The notification unit 113A notifies the user of information. 113 A of notification parts in this embodiment contain the display which displays a message. The notification unit 113A includes, for example, a light-emitting device or light-emitting element that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device or acoustic element that outputs sound, or a vibrator configured to provide sensory stimulation to the user. A vibration device or the like may be included.

The storage unit 114A stores various information for the operation of the flavor suction device 100A. The storage unit 114A is configured by, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory. Storage unit 114A may include a volatile memory that provides a work area for control by control unit 116A.

The communication unit 115A can include a communication interface (including a communication module) conforming to a predetermined LPWA wireless communication standard or a wireless communication standard with similar restrictions. As such a communication standard, Sigfox, LoRA-WAN, etc. can be adopted. The communication unit 115A may be a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like, for example, can be adopted as such a communication standard.

The control unit 116A functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the general operations within the flavor inhaler 100A according to various programs. The control unit 116A is realized by electronic circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. Note that the control unit 116A is A conversion unit 117A, which will be described in detail later, can be included.

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

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

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

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

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

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

An example configuration of the flavor suction device 100A has been described above. Of course, the structure of 100A, such as a flavor suction instrument, is not limited to the above, and can take various structures illustrated below.

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

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

Also, the means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heating unit 121A. For example, the means of atomizing the aerosol source may be vibrational atomization or induction heating.

1-2 Second Configuration Example FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram schematically showing a second configuration example of the flavor inhaler or the like. As shown in FIG. 1B, the flavor inhaler or the like 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, and a holding unit 140. , and the heat insulating portion 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 corresponding component included in the flavor inhaler 100A according to the first configuration example. is identical to

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

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

The heating section 121B has the same configuration as the heating section 121A according to the first configuration example. However, in the example shown in FIG. 1B, the heating portion 121B is configured in a film shape and arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the holding portion 140. As shown in FIG. Then, when the heating part 121B generates heat, the base material part 151 of the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated from the outer periphery, and an aerosol is generated.

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

A configuration example of the flavor suction device 100B has been described above. Of course, the configuration of the flavor inhaler or the like 100B is not limited to the above, and various configurations exemplified below can be employed.

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

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

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

In addition, the flavor inhaler or the like 100B may further include a heating portion 121A, a liquid guiding portion 122, a liquid storing portion 123, and an air flow path 180 according to the first configuration example. The hole 182 may also serve as an air inflow hole to the internal space 141 . In this case, the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the heating unit 121A flows into the internal space 141, is further mixed with the aerosol generated by the heating unit 121B, and reaches the oral cavity of the user.

1-3 Simplified Configuration Example FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a simplified configuration example in which only components particularly related to one embodiment of the present invention are extracted from the above-described

flavor suction device

100A or 100B. It is a diagram. Accordingly, 200 indicates a flavor inhaler or the like 100A or 100B.

210 indicates the above-described oscillator included in the

notification unit

113A or 113B. Note that the vibrator 210 may be considered separate from the

notification unit

113A or 113B. In the following description, it is assumed that the vibration of the vibrator 210 is controlled by PWM, and that the vibration intensity is proportional to the PWM duty ratio. However, it will be appreciated that the oscillation of transducer 210 may be controlled in other ways.

220 denotes the above-described sensor configured to detect movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 included in the

sensor section

112A or 112B. This sensor may be an inertial sensor (motion sensor) such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor (gyro sensor). The sampling rate of the angular velocity sensor may be 1 Hz or more and 1 kHz or less. Inertial data acquired by the inertial sensor may be stored in

storage unit

114A or 114B.

230 indicates the

conversion unit

117A or 117B described above included in the

control unit

116A or 116B. Note that the conversion unit 230 may be considered separate from the

control unit

116A or 116B. The conversion unit 230 is configured to convert data representing the movement detected by the sensor 220 into data for vibrating the vibrator 210 . Here, the former data can be regarded as an input for outputting the latter data or for vibrating the vibrator 210, and hence hereinafter referred to as "input data". Further, the latter data is data for vibrating the vibrator 210, so it is hereinafter referred to as "vibration data". The

conversion unit

117A or 117B may read the inertia data from the

storage unit

114A or 114B as input data. The vibration data may be stored in

storage unit

114A or 114B.

240 indicates the

control unit

116A or 116B. Note that the control unit 240 may be considered to be the

control unit

116A or 116B with the conversion unit 230 removed. The control unit 240 is configured to vibrate the vibrator 210 based on the vibration data. At that time, the control unit 240 may read the vibration data from the

storage unit

114A or 114B.

1-4 Sensor 220 and Input Data The sensor 220 is configured to repeatedly detect movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 . The period at which the sensor 220 detects the movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 may be constant or variable. Since the sensor 220 may be an inertial sensor such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor as described above, the input data representing the movement of the flavor suction device 200 is the value of the acceleration or angular velocity of the movement of the flavor suction device 200. , the time at which the value was detected or an index attached to the value. The input data may be configured such that the lower indexed values are values of acceleration or angular velocity of movement of the flavor inhaler, etc. 200 sensed more recently. It should be appreciated that the index may be omitted and not included in the input data. Further, the sensor 220 may be configured to detect only movements with acceleration or angular velocity values greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

The sensor 220 has multiple axes defined, generally three axes that are orthogonal to each other. Accordingly, the input data may include data representing movement of the flavor inhaler, etc. 200 about each of the plurality of axes sensed by the sensor 220 . Hereinafter, the data representing the movement of the flavor suction device 200 or the like with respect to each axis will be referred to as "partial input data". The partial input data may include acceleration or angular velocity values of movement of the flavor inhaler, etc. 200 about one axis. Note that the motion about an axis is a motion defined with an axis as a reference, such as a motion along an axis or a motion rotating around an axis. Accordingly, the acceleration or angular velocity values of motion about an axis may be acceleration values along the axis or angular velocity values rotating about the axis. FIG. 3 is a graph 300 plotting values contained in exemplary input data. The vertical axis of the graph 300 corresponds to acceleration or angular velocity values, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time or index as described above. Each of 310A-310C shows a plot of values contained in each partial input data.

The input data can include only data representing the movement of the flavor suction device 200, etc., about a specific axis among the multiple axes. As such a particular axis, for example, the axis for which the maximum acceleration or angular velocity value is sensed by sensor 220 within a predetermined time period may be selected. Alternatively, such a particular axis may be selected as the axis that has the greatest sum of absolute values of acceleration or angular velocity sensed by sensor 220 within a predetermined time period.

The input data can include data representing a composite of motions of the flavor suction device 200 or the like about a plurality of axes. Such synthesis may be done, for example, by summing the acceleration or angular velocity values of movement of the flavor inhaler, etc. 200 sensed by the sensor 220 at the same time or timing for each of the multiple axes.

The input data can include data representing the movement of the flavor suction device 200 or the like that has undergone predetermined processing. For example, the input data may include the values of the acceleration or angular velocity of the movement of the flavor suction device 200 after taking a moving average and smoothing.

The input data includes values of acceleration or angular velocity of movement of the flavor suction device 200, etc., detected by the sensor 220 at different times or timings. Therefore, the input data may be partitioned into a plurality of data each representing the detected motion in each of the plurality of time periods, each including a value of acceleration or angular velocity of the motion in each time period. can be done. Each of 320A-320C in FIG. 3 indicates a time period corresponding to each segmented data. The length of the time period corresponding to each segmented data may be constant or may be different.

1-5 Conversion Unit 230 and Vibration Data 1-5-1 Simple Conversion Approach Vibration data may include values representing multiple vibration intensities, each corresponding to vibration of the vibrator 210 at a different time or timing. can. Such a value D[] can be obtained by the following formula.
D[i]= _Dmin +( _Dmax - _Dmin )*(A[i] _-Amin )/( _Amax - _Amin ) (1)
where D _min is the minimum value defined for the vibration intensity, D _max is the maximum value defined for the vibration intensity, A _min is the minimum value defined for the input data, and A _max is the input data A[i] is the i-th value included in the input data, and D[i] is the i-th value representing the vibration intensity. i may be considered equal to the index described above. Further, when the input data represents motion about a plurality of axes, A[i] may be the i-th value included in one partial input data among the plurality of partial input data. The i-th value of the synthesized data (for example, the total value of the i-th values included in each partial input data) may be used. Note that the minimum and maximum values defined for the input data may be the minimum and maximum values that the input data may contain, respectively. Also, D _min , D _max , A _min and A _max can be arbitrarily set as parameters. Note that the conversion unit 230 using the formula (1) can be considered to be configured to convert A[], which is a continuous value included in the input data, to D[], which is a continuous value included in the vibration data. be understood.

Further, when the input data is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum value (A[i]≦A _min ), the conversion unit 230 converts the input data to vibration data including the predetermined minimum vibration intensity (D _min ). can be converted to When the input data is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum value (A[i]≧A _max ), the conversion unit 230 converts the input data into vibration data including a predetermined maximum vibration intensity (D _max ). You may

A _max and A _min may be set in various ways. For example, A _max and A _min may be initially set in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 . Alternatively, A _max and A _min may be automatically set by the control unit 240 or the like based on the movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 associated with the use of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 by the user. Alternatively, the flavor inhaler or the like 200 may have Amax and Amin setting modes. In this case, the user is instructed from the flavor suction device 200 or an external device communicating with the flavor suction device 200 to intentionally shake the flavor suction device 200 strongly and weakly, or The controller 240 may set A _max and A _min based on the movement of the flavor inhaler 200 or the like at that time.

According to such vibration data, the detected movement of the flavor suction device 200 can be directly converted into vibration of the vibrator 210, as will be described later.

Further, when the flavor inhaler or the like 200 has a plurality of vibrators, vibration data for each vibrator may be converted using different partial input data.

1-5-2 Box Approach The converter 230 can be further configured to use representative values contained in the input data. Using the representative value included in the input data may be converting the representative value included in the input data into the vibration intensity or vibration pattern of the vibrator 210 .

The representative value included in the input data is the value of motion acceleration or angular velocity included in the input data (each partial input data among multiple partial input data when the input data represents motion about multiple axes). may be the maximum value, the extreme value (for example, the maximum value), the average value, the median value, the predetermined number or the middle value included in the data (hereinafter referred to as "maximum value etc."). Also, the representative value may be obtained for each piece of data divided as described above. Therefore, a plurality of representative values can be obtained from the input data.

It should be noted that the extreme value may be obtained by the method described below. FIG. 4 is a graph 400 plotting values contained in exemplary input data (which may be considered partial input data). The vertical axis of the graph 400 corresponds to acceleration or angular velocity values, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time or index as described above. 410 indicates a predetermined threshold, and 420A to 420C indicate portions of the exemplary data that are equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold 410. FIG. The data of such portions 420A-420C of the exemplary data can be respectively partitioned data, and the maximum values 430A-430C in each of the portions 420A-420C are respectively referred to as partitioned data (420A-420C). 420C). Note that when extrema are obtained by such an approach, the number of extrema obtained will vary depending on what value the predetermined threshold 410 is set to.

If there are multiple maximum values, etc., the maximum values, etc. may be sorted in descending order, and a predetermined number of maximum values, etc., may be used as the representative value.

1-5-2-1 Vibration Intensity Vibration data can include a value representing a reference vibration intensity (hereinafter referred to as “reference vibration intensity”) when vibrating the vibrator 210 . Such a value D _ref can be obtained by the following formula.
_Dref = _Dmin +( _Dmax - _Dmin )*( _Arep - _Amin )/( _Amax - _Amin ) (2)
Here, A _rep is a representative value of the input data (one partial input data out of multiple partial input data when the input data represents motion about multiple axes), and D _ref represents the reference vibration intensity. value. Note that A _rep can be obtained from A[ ], which is the continuous value included in the input data. It will be appreciated that the vibration data can be considered to be configured to convert to discrete values, D _ref .

In addition, when the representative value of the input data is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum value (A _rep ≤ A _min ), the conversion unit 230 converts the input data to the vibration including the predetermined minimum vibration intensity (D _min ). can be converted to data. When the representative value of the input data is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum value (A _rep ≧A _max ), the conversion unit 230 transforms the input data into vibration data including a predetermined maximum vibration intensity (D _max ). may be converted. As noted above, A _max and A _min may be set in various ways.

Also, the vibration data can include values representing a plurality of reference vibration intensities, and such values D _ref [ ] can be obtained by the following equation.
_Dref [j]= _Dmin +( _Dmax - _Dmin )*( _Arep [j] _-Amin )/( _Amax - _Amin ) (3)
where A _rep [j] is the j-th representative value of the input data (one partial input data of multiple partial input data if the input data represents motion about multiple axes), and D _ref [j] is a value representing the j-th reference vibration intensity. Note that A _rep [j] can be obtained from A[ ], which is a continuous value included in the input data. ] to D _ref [j], the discrete values that the vibration data contains.

Further, when the representative value of the input data is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum value (A _rep [j]≦A _min ), the conversion unit 230 converts the input data to the predetermined minimum vibration intensity (D _min ). may be converted to vibration data including If the representative value of the input data is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum value (A _rep [j]≧A _max ), the conversion unit 230 converts the input data to a predetermined maximum vibration intensity (D _max ). It may be converted into vibration data.

1-5-2-2 Vibration Pattern The vibration data can include values representing the vibration pattern when vibrating the vibrator 210 . The vibration pattern may be specified by at least one of a vibration time, a vibration pause time, and a vibration intensity correction factor, which will be described later. , an index described later for selecting one vibration pattern. It should be understood that the vibration pattern may be specified by other parameters in addition to or instead of the vibration time, vibration pause time, and vibration intensity correction factor. For example, the vibration pattern described later with respect to the index is also specified by the vibration intensity or the reference vibration intensity.

1-5-2-2-1 Vibration Time and Vibration Rest Time The control section 240 can vibrate the vibrator 210 in a manner that repeats a period of vibration and a period of rest of the vibration. Therefore, as described above, the value representing the vibration pattern may include one or both of the vibration time, which is the length of the period of vibration, and the vibration rest time, which is the length of the period of resting the vibration. can.

The vibration time T[] can be obtained by the following formula.
T[k]=T _min + (T _max −T _min )×(A _rep [k]−A _min )/(A _max −A _min ) (4)
where T _min is the specified minimum length of the vibration time, T _max is the specified maximum length of the vibration time, and A _rep [k] is the input data (the When representing motion about an axis, it is the k-th representative value of one partial input data among a plurality of partial input data), and C[k] is the k-th vibration intensity correction coefficient. Note that T _min and T _max can be arbitrarily set as parameters. Note that A _rep [k] can be obtained from A[ ], which is the continuous value included in the input data. ] to T[k], the discrete values that the vibration data contains.

In addition, when the representative value of the input data is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum value (A _rep ≤ A _min ), the conversion unit 230 converts the input data to vibration including the predetermined minimum vibration time (T _min ). can be converted to data. When the representative value of the input data is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum value (A _rep ≧A _max ), the conversion unit 230 transforms the input data into vibration data including a predetermined maximum vibration time (T _max ). may be converted. As noted above, A _max and A _min may be set in various ways.

The vibration pause time Z[] can be obtained by the following formula.
Z[k]= _T0 -T[k] (5)
Here, T ₀ is the length of one cycle consisting of one vibrating period and one vibrating rest period. Note that _T0 can be arbitrarily set as a parameter. In addition, as described above, T[k] can be obtained from A[], which is a continuous value included in the input data. It will be appreciated that A[ ], which is a continuous value, can be viewed as being configured to transform Z[k], which is a discrete value comprising vibration data.
Also, the vibration pause time Z[] may be a fixed value.

1-5-2-2-2 Vibration Strength Correction Coefficient The control section 240 can derive one or more vibration strengths from one reference vibration strength. Therefore, as described above, the value representing the vibration pattern can include a vibration intensity correction factor for deriving the vibration intensity. The vibration intensity correction coefficient C[] can be obtained by the following formula.
C[k]=C ₀ ×(A _rep [k]−A _min )/(A _max −A _min ) (6)
where C ₀ is a predetermined correction factor and A _rep [k] is the input data (one partial input data of multiple partial input data if the input data represents motion about multiple axes). It is the k-th representative value, and C[k] is the k-th vibration intensity correction coefficient. Other variables are the same as in equation (1). Note that _C0 can be arbitrarily set as a parameter. Further, since A _rep [k] can be obtained from A[ ], which is a continuous value included in the input data, the conversion unit 230 using Equation (6) also uses A[ ], which is a continuous value included in the input data. ] to C[k], the discrete values that the vibration data contains.

Any method can be used to derive the vibration intensity, and the value of the derived vibration intensity can be obtained, for example, by multiplying the value of the reference vibration intensity by the vibration intensity correction coefficient. Alternatively, the derived value D _dev [] of the vibration intensity can be obtained by, for example, the following equation.
D _dev [k]=D _min +(D _ref −D _min )×C[k] (7)
where D _dev [k] is the k-th derived vibration intensity value.
Also, D _ref [k] may be used instead of D _ref .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one reference vibration strength and three derived vibration strengths. 510A shows a block that schematically represents one reference vibration intensity. 510B, 510C, and 510D are three vibration strengths derived by multiplying the value of the reference vibration strength 510A by predetermined vibration strength correction factors C[1], C[2], and C[3], respectively. shows a schematic block. In this figure, C[1]=1, C[2]=1.2, and C[3]=0.5, and the heights of blocks 510A-510D correspond to vibration intensity values.

The value representing the vibration pattern may be the vibration time, the vibration pause time, and the vibration intensity correction coefficient associated with each representative value. The vibration pattern PT[k] expressed by the k-th representative value can be expressed as follows, for example.
PT[k]=(T[], Z[], C[])
For example, if all of the vibration time, vibration rest time, and vibration intensity correction coefficient are obtained from the same representative value,
PT[k]=(T[k], Z[k], C[k])
becomes.
In this case, there is a vibration pattern for each representative value. Also, one or more of the vibration time, vibration pause time, and vibration intensity correction coefficient may be set to fixed values.

1-5-2-2-3 Index for selecting one vibration pattern Alternatively, the value representing the vibration pattern is an index value for selecting one of a plurality of predetermined vibration patterns. There may be. The value of such an index may be equal to the number of representative values included in the input data (one partial input data of multiple partial input data if the input data represents motion about multiple axes). Alternatively, the value of such an index is determined by comparing a representative value included in the input data (one partial input data out of multiple partial input data if the input data represents motion about multiple axes) with a threshold. may be For example, if i _max is the number of predetermined vibration patterns (maximum value of the index), 1 is set when the representative value is less than a predetermined first threshold, and less than a predetermined first threshold or more and a second threshold. , . . . , i max -1 if it is equal to _or greater than the predetermined (i _max −2)th threshold and less than the predetermined (i _max −1)th threshold, and the predetermined (i _max − 1) If i_max is equal to or greater than the threshold, _{i_max} may be used as the value of the index. Since the number of representative values can be obtained from A[ ], which is the continuous value included in the input data, the conversion unit 230 using such a method also uses A[], which is the continuous value included in the input data. can be considered to be configured to transform the values of the indices, which are the discrete values contained in the vibration data.

Each of such a plurality of vibration patterns may be specified by one or more of vibration time, vibration pause time and vibration intensity correction coefficient, vibration intensity, or reference vibration intensity. In other words, the index may uniquely determine one or more of the vibration time, vibration pause time, vibration intensity correction coefficient, vibration intensity, and reference vibration intensity.

FIGS. 6A and 6B each represent a table representing a plurality of predetermined vibration patterns when the number of predetermined vibration patterns (maximum index value) is five.

In FIG. 6A, the first vibration pattern is specified by one vibration intensity correction factor of 1, the second vibration pattern is specified by two vibration intensity correction factors of 0.5 and 1, and the third vibration pattern is specified by specified by three vibration intensity correction factors of 0.3, 0.5 and 1, the fourth vibration pattern is specified by four vibration intensity correction factors of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1; The fifth vibration pattern is specified by five vibration intensity correction factors of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.

The first vibration pattern in FIG. 6B is identified by one vibration intensity value of 80, the second vibration pattern is identified by two vibration intensity values of 40 and 80, and the third vibration pattern is 24, 48. and 80, a fourth vibration pattern is specified by four vibration intensity values of 24, 40, 56 and 80, and a fifth vibration pattern is 16, 32, 48, 64. and 80.

1-5-2-3 Others The conversion unit 230 can obtain the value representing the vibration intensity and the value representing the vibration pattern based on different partial input data. That is, the conversion unit 230 converts one of the plurality of partial input data (hereinafter referred to as “first input data”) into the vibration intensity of the vibrator 210, and converts another of the plurality of partial input data. One (hereinafter referred to as "second input data") may be converted into a vibration pattern. Furthermore, one of the second input data and another partial input data different from the first input data and the second input data (hereinafter referred to as "third input data") may be converted into a vibration pattern. That is, for example, the vibration duration specifying the vibration pattern may be determined from the second input data, and the vibration intensity correction coefficient specifying the vibration pattern may be determined from the third input data. Alternatively, one of a plurality of predetermined vibration patterns can be selected as the vibration pattern of the vibrator 210 based on the second input data.

When the flavor inhaler or the like 200 has a plurality of vibrators, the vibration data for each vibrator is generated using one or more of the first input data, the second input data and the third input data. may be converted.

The conversion unit 230 may be configured not to use values included in the input data that are less than a predetermined threshold value or not included in a predetermined range for generating vibration data. For example, if the sensor 220 is an angular velocity sensor and the input data includes data representing angular velocities, the conversion unit 230 may convert data representing angular velocities of 10 dps or more into vibration data. Alternatively, the conversion unit 230 may be configured to generate vibration data by assuming that a value included in the input data that is less than a predetermined threshold value or not included in a predetermined range is a predetermined value.

The converter 230 may be configured to generate input data based on the output from the sensor 220 to generate vibration data. Conversion unit 230 may be configured to store input data in

storage unit

114A or 114B and convert the stored input data into vibration data.

The conversion unit 230 may be configured to store the generated vibration data in the

storage unit

114A or 114B. Note that the control unit 240 may be configured to use stored vibration data generated in the past. Also, the vibration data may be editable in the flavor inhaler, etc. 200 or by an external device thereof.

The conversion unit 230 may be configured to be able to select a method of converting input data into vibration data. Note that the control unit 240 may be configured to vibrate the vibrator 210 based on vibration data converted by a different method, and to be able to confirm the mode of vibration.

The

communication unit

115A or 115B may be configured to communicate inertial data and/or vibration data with the outside.

1-6 Concerning Control Unit 240 Hereinafter, a method for causing the control unit 240 to vibrate the vibrator 210 based on vibration data will be described.

1-6-1 Simple Transformation Approach FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary process 700 executed by the controller 240 to vibrate the vibrator 210 based on vibration data.

710 indicates a step of determining whether the user has started inhaling in the flavor inhaling instrument 200 or the like. Any method can be used to determine whether or not the suction has started. In particular, the controller 240 may determine that the suction has started when the pressure intensity P, which will be described later, becomes less than a predetermined threshold value. If it is determined that aspiration has begun, processing proceeds to step 720;

　720 indicates a step of sequentially acquiring the vibration intensity values D[] included in the vibration data.

　730 indicates a step of vibrating the vibrator 210 for a predetermined time with the obtained vibration intensity. The predetermined time will be described later.

740 indicates a step of determining whether or not the user has finished inhaling in the flavor inhaling instrument 200 or the like. Any method can be used to determine whether or not the suction has ended. For example, the above-described pressure sensor can be used for determination. In particular, the controller 240 may determine that the suction has ended when the strength P of the pressure described above is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If it is determined that aspiration is over, the process ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 750 .

　750 indicates a step of determining whether the vibration intensity value D[] can still be obtained from the vibration data. If all the vibration intensity values D[ ] have not yet been obtained from the vibration data, the control unit 240 can determine that the vibration intensity values D[ ] can still be obtained from the vibration data. If it is determined that the vibration intensity value D[ ] can still be obtained from the vibration data, the process returns to step 720; otherwise, the process ends.

According to the exemplary process 700, the vibrator 210 can be vibrated based on the vibration data while the flavor suction device 200 is sucking. Further, according to the exemplary process 700 , the detected movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 can be directly converted into vibration of the vibrator 210 .

The predetermined time in step 730 may be, for example, equal to the length of the cycle in which the sensor 220 detects the movement of the flavor suction device 200 or the like. In this case, the detected movement of the flavor inhaler 200 and the vibration of the vibrator 210 can be temporally synchronized.

Alternatively, the predetermined time in step 730 may be changed according to the suction time, which is the length of time during which the flavor suction device 200 is sucking. For example, the predetermined time in step 730 is set so that the length of time from when step 720 is first executed until a No determination is made in step 750 is equal to the suction time so that it is shorter than the suction time. Alternatively, it may be set to be longer than the suction time. In this case, the length of time during which the vibrator 210 vibrates is compressed or expanded depending on the suction time. The control unit 240 can record the length of time that the user has been sucking in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 in the past, and the length of such time (or the average length of such time) statistical values such as values) can be used as the aspiration time. The length of time during which the user has been sucking the flavor suction device 200 in the past is the length of the period from when the above-described pressure P becomes less than the predetermined threshold until it becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold. It's okay.

Alternatively, the vibration intensity value D[] included in the vibration data acquired in step 720 may be optional. In this case, the value D[] of the vibration intensity included in the vibration data may be obtained by thinning out at predetermined intervals. For example, when the vibration intensity value D[] included in the vibration data is acquired by thinning out every two values, the vibration intensity values acquired until a No determination is made in step 750 are D[1], D[2 ], D[4], D[5], D[7], . not.). The thinning interval may be set arbitrarily, and may be set according to the suction time or suction intensity. Also, the thinning interval may be variable. For example, the thinning interval may be changed according to the suction strength. If the suction strength is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the thinning interval is every other interval; if the suction strength is equal to or greater than the second threshold and less than the first threshold, the thinning interval is every two; If it is less than n, the thinning interval may be set to every n. The threshold interval can be linear or arbitrary. The thinning interval according to the suction strength may be set by measuring the suction strength a predetermined number of times during one suction, or by measuring the suction strength in real time during one suction. It may be done by

1-6-2 Box approach 1
FIG. 8A is a flowchart of exemplary processing 800A for vibrating vibrator 210 based on vibration data, executed by control unit 240 .

810A shows a step of determining whether the user has started inhaling in the flavor inhaling instrument 200 or the like. Step 810A may be similar to step 710; If it is determined that aspiration has begun, processing proceeds to step 820A, otherwise processing returns to step 810A.

820A indicates a step of determining the vibration intensity and the vibration time when vibrating the vibrator 210. FIG. A method for determining the vibration intensity and the vibration time will be described later.

830A indicates a step of vibrating the vibrator 210 with the determined vibration time and the determined vibration intensity.

　840A shows the step of determining the vibration rest time. A method for determining the vibration pause time will be described later.

　850A shows the step of waiting for the determined vibration rest time.

860A indicates a step of determining whether the user has finished inhaling the flavor in the flavor inhaling instrument 200 or the like. Step 860 may be similar to step 740 . If it is determined that the suction is over, the process ends, otherwise the process returns to step 820A.

1-6-2-1 Determination of Vibration Intensity In step 820A, one of the one or more reference vibration intensities whose value is included in the vibration data is sequentially and cyclically determined as the vibration intensity. can be selected.

Alternatively, in step 820A, one of the one or more vibration intensities derived based on one or more vibration intensity correction coefficients specified by the value of the reference vibration intensity and the vibration pattern included in the vibration data is sequentially selected. and cyclically can be selected as the vibration intensity to be determined.

Alternatively, in step 820A, one or more vibration intensities derived based on one or more vibration intensity correction coefficients of the vibration pattern selected by the value of the reference vibration intensity included in the vibration data and the index included in the vibration data. can be selected sequentially and cyclically as the vibration intensity to be determined.

Alternatively, in step 820A, one of the one or more vibration intensities of the vibration pattern selected by the index contained in the vibration data can be sequentially and cyclically selected as the determined vibration strength. .

Alternatively, in step 820A, the vibration strength determined based on the vibration data as described above, and the vibration strength corrected according to the suction strength, can be used as the vibration strength finally determined.

FIG. 9 is a graph 900 plotting changes in pressure sensed by a pressure sensor. The vertical axis of graph 900 corresponds to the value of sensed pressure and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. 910 indicates the value of pressure before suction is applied, i.e. atmospheric pressure. The suction strength P can be obtained by the following formula.
P=p ₀ −p (8)
where p ₀ is the value of the pressure before aspiration is performed, ie the value of the atmospheric pressure, and p is the value of the pressure sensed when the corresponding step is performed.

The vibration intensity value D _determined finally determined in step 820A can be obtained by the following equation.
_Ddetermined = _Ddata *P/ _Pstn (9)
Here, D _data is a vibration strength value determined based on the vibration data as described above, and P _stn is a reference suction strength. Note that P _stn may be the assumed maximum suction strength P _max , and P _max may be experimentally obtained by any method such as sucking as strongly as possible with a flavor suction device or the like. Also, P _stn may be the assumed normal strength of suction, and such strength values may be literature values. Also, P _stn may be automatically set by the control unit 240 or the like based on the suction of the flavor suction device or the like 200 by the user. Alternatively, the flavor inhaler, etc. 200 may have a P _stn setting mode. In this case, the user is instructed to suck the flavor suction device or the like 200 from the flavor suction device or the like 200 or from an external device communicating with the flavor suction device or the like 200, and based on the suction strength at that time, The control unit 240 may set P _stn . According to the vibration intensity value D _determined determined in this way, the control unit 240 vibrates the vibrator 210 based on the vibration data so that the suction strength and the vibration strength of the vibrator 210 are proportional. It will be configured to allow

1-6-2-2 Determination of Vibration Time In step 820A, a predetermined length of time may be determined as the vibration time.

Alternatively, in step 820A, the vibration time included in the vibration data may be used as the determined vibration time.

1-6-2-3 Regarding Determination of Vibration Rest Time In step 840A, a predetermined length of time may be determined as the vibration rest time.

Alternatively, in step 840A, the vibration rest time included in the vibration data may be used as the determined vibration rest time.

Alternatively, step 840A may determine the vibration pause time according to the strength of the suction. Such a vibration pause time Z can be obtained as follows.
Z=Z _max −(Z _max −Z _min )×P/P _max (10)
where Z _min is the minimum predetermined vibration rest time and Z _max is the maximum predetermined vibration rest time.

It should be noted that the determination of the vibration pause time may be made together with the determination of the vibration time and the vibration intensity in step 820A.

1-6-3 Box approach 2
Further, the vibration intensity, vibration time, and vibration pause time may be determined in advance from vibration data including the reference vibration intensity and the vibration pattern and stored. In this case, when suction is detected, the control unit 240 reads one or more different stored vibration intensities, vibration times, and vibration pause times, and reads out one or more different vibration intensities and vibrations. The vibrator can be vibrated according to the time and the vibration pause time.

FIG. 8B is a flowchart of another exemplary process 800B for vibrating the vibrator 210 based on vibration data, which is executed by the control unit 240. FIG.

810B shows a step of determining whether the user has started inhaling in the flavor inhaling instrument 200 or the like. Step 810B may be similar to step 710; If it is determined that aspiration has started, processing proceeds to step 820B, otherwise processing returns to step 810B.

820B indicates a step of acquiring the values of the vibration intensity, vibration time, and vibration pause time for vibrating the vibrator 210 from the

storage unit

114A or 114B. The acquired vibration intensity, vibration time and vibration rest time are each selected from one or more different vibration intensities, vibration times and vibration rest times previously determined by the method described above and stored in the

storage unit

114A or 114B. can be one.

830B indicates a step of vibrating the vibrator 210 with the obtained vibration time and the obtained vibration intensity.

　840B shows a step of waiting for the acquired vibration rest time.

850B indicates a step of determining whether the user has finished inhaling in the flavor inhaling instrument 200 or the like. Step 850B may be similar to step 740; If it is determined that aspiration has ended, the process ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 860B.

860B shows the step of determining whether values for vibration intensity, vibration time and vibration rest time can still be obtained. In step 860B, if there is one or more different vibration intensities, vibration times, and vibration rest times stored in

storage unit

114A or 114B that have not yet been acquired, the vibration intensities, vibration times, and vibration rest times have not yet been acquired. It can be determined that the value can be obtained. If it is determined that the vibration intensity, vibration time and vibration dwell time values can still be obtained, the process returns to step 820B, otherwise the process ends.

1-6-4 Specific Examples of Vibration Aspects of Vibrator 210 1-6-4-1 Vibration Rest Time Based on 3 Vibration Intensities and Pressure FIG. 1000 is a schematic diagram representing an exemplary vibration behavior 1000 of the vibrator 210 when determined and the vibration pause time is determined in step 840 as a function of the strength of the suction.

1000A is a graph showing temporal changes in the vibration mode of the vibrator 210 . The vertical axis of graph 1000A corresponds to vibration intensity, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Accordingly, 1010A indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 vibrates, and 1020A indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 does not vibrate. One vibrating period 1010A and one non-vibrating period 1020A to the right thereof correspond to one execution of steps 820-850 of example process 800. FIG. It will be appreciated that in graph 1000, vibrations of three different vibration intensities appear repeatedly in sequence.

1000B is a graph showing changes in the suction strength of the flavor suction device 200, etc. The vertical axis of the graph 1000B corresponds to suction strength, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. The horizontal axis of graph 1000A and the horizontal axis of 1000B are common.

As is clear from the

graphs

1000A and 1000B, the length of the non-vibrating period 1020A changes according to the strength of the suction. It will be appreciated that the length of is shortened.

1-6-4-2 Vibration Dwell Time Based on Vibration Intensity Number 1 and Pressure FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary vibration mode 1100 of the vibrator 210 when the vibration pause time is determined according to the suction strength in step 840. FIG.

1100A is a graph showing temporal changes in the vibration mode of the vibrator 210. FIG. The vertical axis of graph 1100A corresponds to vibration intensity, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Therefore, 1110A indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 vibrates, and 1120A indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 does not vibrate. One vibrating period 1110A and one non-vibrating period 1120A to the right thereof correspond to one execution of steps 820-850 of example process 800. FIG. It will be appreciated that in graph 1100 only vibrations of one vibration intensity appear repeatedly.

1100B is a graph showing changes in the suction strength of the flavor suction device 200, etc. The vertical axis of the graph 1100B corresponds to suction strength, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Note that the horizontal axis of graph 1100A and the horizontal axis of 1100B are common.

As is clear from the

graphs

1100A and 1100B, the length of the non-vibrating period 1120A changes according to the strength of the suction. It will be appreciated that the length of is shortened.

1-6-4-3 Vibration Intensity Number 1 and Pressure Based Vibration Intensity and Vibration Pause Time FIG. and the vibration intensity is corrected according to the strength of suction in step 820A, and the vibration pause time is determined according to the strength of suction in step 840A. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram representing an embodiment 1200A;

1202A is a graph representing temporal changes in the vibration mode of the vibrator 210 . The vertical axis of graph 1202A corresponds to vibration intensity, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Accordingly, 1210A indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 vibrates, and 1220A indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 does not vibrate. One vibrating period 1210A and one non-vibrating period 1220A to its right correspond to one execution of steps 820A to 850A of exemplary process 800A.

1204A is a graph showing changes in the strength of suction of the flavor suction device 200 and the like. The vertical axis of graph 1204A corresponds to suction strength, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Note that the horizontal axis of graph 1202A and the horizontal axis of 1204A are common.

It will be understood that the graph 1200A shows vibration strength proportional to the strength of suction. Also, as is clear from

graphs

1202A and 1204A, the length of non-vibrating period 1220A changes according to the strength of suction. More specifically, the stronger the strength of suction, the less vibration there is. It will be appreciated that period 1220A is shortened in length.

1-6-4-4 Vibration Intensity Number 3 and Pressure Based Vibration Intensity and Vibration Pause Time FIG. 1200B is a schematic diagram 1200B representing an exemplary vibration behavior of the vibrator 210 when corrected according to the strength of the suction and the vibration pause time is determined according to the strength of suction in step 840A.

1202B is a graph representing temporal changes in the vibration mode of the vibrator 210 . The vertical axis of graph 1202B corresponds to vibration intensity, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Therefore, 1210B indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 vibrates, and 1220B indicates each period during which the vibrator 210 does not vibrate. One vibrating period 1210B and one non-vibrating period 1220B to its right correspond to one execution of steps 820A to 850A of exemplary process 800A.

1204B is a graph showing changes in the strength of suction of the flavor suction device 200 and the like. The vertical axis of graph 1204B corresponds to suction strength, and the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Note that the horizontal axis of graph 1202B and the horizontal axis of 1204B are common.

It will be understood that the graph 1200B shows vibration strength proportional to the strength of suction. Also, as is clear from the

graphs

1202B and 1204B, the length of the non-vibrating period 1220B changes according to the strength of the suction. It will be appreciated that period 1220B is shortened in length.

1-7 Overall Control Flow of Flavor Inhaler 200 FIG.

1310 indicates a step of detecting movement of the flavor suction device 200 or the like. This step may be performed by a sensor 220 included in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 . Note that this step may be considered to be executed by the processor included in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 using the sensor 220 . The step of detecting the movement of the flavor suction device 200 may be performed after a predetermined operation (such as pressing a button) on the flavor suction device 200 by the user, or may be performed at various other timings. .

1320 indicates a step of converting input data representing the detected movement of the flavor suction device 200 into vibration data for vibrating the vibrator 210 included in the flavor suction device 200 . This step may be executed by the conversion unit 230 included in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 . Note that this step may be considered to be executed by the processor included in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 as the conversion unit 230 .

1330 indicates a step of vibrating the vibrator 210 based on the vibration data obtained in step 1320 . This step may be executed by the control unit 240 included in the flavor inhaler or the like 200, and may include the exemplary process 700 or 800 described above. Note that this step may be considered to be executed by the processor included in the flavor inhaler or the like 200 as the controller 240 . The step of vibrating the vibrator 210 based on the vibration data may be executed while the user is sucking the flavor suction device or the like 200, or when the user performs a predetermined operation (such as pressing a button) on the flavor suction device or the like 200. It may be executed in response, or at various other timings. After creating the vibration data, the control unit 240 may automatically vibrate the vibrator 210 based on the vibration data so that the user can check the vibration data.

It goes without saying that the control method 1300 may be executed by the processor of the flavor inhaler or the like 200 as a program.

The

power supply section

111A or 111B of the flavor inhaler 200 may include a rechargeable battery. In that case, the battery may be charged by a charging device electrically connected to the flavor suction device 200 or the like. In addition to the charging unit, the charging device may include at least one of the vibrator, sensor, conversion unit, control unit, and the like similar to the constituent elements shown in FIG. When the flavor inhaler or the like 200 is connected to a charging device such as those described above, at least some of the steps of the control method 1300 may be performed by components within the charging device.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the user moves the flavor inhaler or the like, various vibration data are generated. Based on the generated vibration data, the flavor inhaler or the like can be vibrated in various manners. Therefore, the user can inhale the flavor inhaler or the like while feeling vibrations in a wide variety of manners, including those that the user cannot expect. Therefore, user experience can be improved.

2 Second Embodiment of the Present Invention The flavor inhaler or the like according to the first embodiment is configured to vibrate the vibrator based on vibration data converted from input data. On the other hand, the flavor inhaler or the like according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured to control a predetermined function of the flavor inhaler or the like based on the vibration data converted from the input data. be. Therefore, the flavor inhaling instrument or the like according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be the same as the flavor inhaling instrument or the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except that the vibrator is not required.

The flavor inhaler and the like according to the second embodiment will be described below. In the following explanation, what corresponds to vibration data is called "function data", what corresponds to "vibration strength" is called "function strength", what corresponds to vibration patterns is called "function pattern", and "vibration data" is called "function data". What corresponds to time is called "function time", what corresponds to vibration pause time is called "function pause time", and what corresponds to vibration strength correction coefficient is called "function strength correction coefficient". Therefore, the content and derivation method of the function data, function strength, function pattern, function time, function pause time, and function strength correction coefficient shall be the vibration data, vibration strength, vibration pattern, vibration time, vibration rest time, and vibration strength correction coefficient. They may be the same.

2-1 Simplified Configuration Example FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a simplified configuration example in which only components particularly related to the present embodiment are extracted from the above-described

flavor suction device

100A or 100B. . Accordingly, 1400 indicates the flavor inhaler or the like 100A or 100B.

　1410 indicates the functional entity controlled in this embodiment. This functional entity is, for example, the

heating unit

121A or 121B, the light emitting device or light emitting element that emits light included in the

notification unit

113A or 113B, the display device that displays the image included in the

notification unit

113A or 113B, or the

notification unit

113A or 113B. It is a sound output device or an acoustic element that outputs a sound containing, but is not limited to these.

It should be noted that the functional strength of the light-emitting device or light-emitting element may control one or both of the intensity of light emission and the color of light emission (different colors can be assigned according to the functional strength). The functional strength of a sound output device or sound device controls at least one of sound intensity, pitch, and type of sound (different sounds can be assigned according to the functional strength). It can be. The functional strength of the display device includes at least one of display hue, display brightness, display saturation, and displayed information (including images. Different information is displayed depending on the functional strength). It may be controlled. The functional strength of the

heating unit

121A or 121B is determined by the temperature of the

heating unit

121A or 121B, the current flowing through the

heating unit

121A or 121B, the voltage applied to the

heating unit

121A or 121B, and the power supplied to the

heating unit

121A or 121B. may control one or more of

1420 indicates the same as sensor 220 .

1430 indicates the same as the conversion unit 230 .

　1440 is similar to the control part 240 except that it controls the functional subject 1410 based on the function data instead of vibrating the vibrator based on the vibration data.

2-2 Simple Transformation Approach FIG. 15 is a flow chart of an exemplary process 1500 executed by the controller 1440 for controlling the functional entity 1410 based on functional data.

1510 indicates a step of determining whether the function of the functional subject 1410 should be executed in the flavor inhaler or the like 1400 . This determination may be arbitrary, depending on the entity of functional entity 1410 . For example, this determination may be whether a button or switch included in

sensor unit

112A or 112B has been pressed. Alternatively, if the functional subject 1410 is the

heating unit

121A or 121B, this determination may be, for example, determination of whether suction has started. If so, processing continues at step 1520 , otherwise processing returns to step 1510 .

　1520 indicates a step of sequentially acquiring the value of the function intensity (corresponding to D[] for the vibration intensity) included in the function data.

　1530 indicates a step of controlling the functional entity 1410 with the functional strength whose value is obtained for a predetermined period of time.

1540 indicates a step of determining whether the execution of the function of the functional entity 1410 should be terminated in the flavor inhaler 1400 or the like. This determination may be arbitrary, depending on the entity of functional entity 1410 . For example, this determination may be determination of whether a button or switch included in the

sensor unit

112A or 112B has been pressed again. Alternatively, if the function subject 1410 is the

heating unit

121A or 121B, this determination may be, for example, determination of whether the suction has ended. If it is determined that execution of the function should end, processing ends, otherwise processing proceeds to step 1550 .

　1550 shows the step of determining whether the functional strength value can still be obtained from the functional data. If all the functional strength values have not yet been obtained from the functional data, the control unit 1440 can determine that the functional strength values can still be obtained from the functional data. If it is determined that the functional strength value can still be obtained from the functional data, the process returns to step 1520, otherwise the process ends.

According to the example processing 1500, the detected movement of the flavor suction device 1400 can be directly reflected in the control of the functional subject 1410.

2-3 Box approach (Part 1)
FIG. 16A is a flow chart of exemplary process 1600A executed by control unit 1440 for controlling function agent 1410 based on function data.

1610A shows the step of determining whether the function of the functional entity 1410 should be executed in the flavor inhaler 1400 or the like. Step 1610A may be similar to step 1510; If it is determined that the function should be performed, processing proceeds to step 1620A, otherwise processing returns to step 1610A.

1620A shows the step of determining the functional intensity and functional time for controlling the functional entity 1410. FIG.

1630A shows the step of controlling the function subject 1410 with the determined function time and the determined function strength.

1640A shows the step of determining the downtime.

1650A shows the step of waiting for the determined downtime.

1660A shows the step of determining whether the execution of the function of the functional entity 1410 should be terminated in the flavor inhaler 1400 or the like. Step 1660A may be similar to step 1540. If it is determined that execution of the function should end, processing ends, otherwise processing returns to step 1620A.

2-4 Box approach (Part 2)
Moreover, the functional intensity, the functional duration, and the functional pause duration may be determined and stored in advance from functional data including the reference functional intensity and the functional pattern. In this case, when it is determined that the function should be executed, the control unit 240 reads out the stored one or more different functional strengths, the functional time and the functional pause time, and reads out the one or more different functional strengths. , the function time and the function pause time can control the function entity 1410 .

FIG. 16B is a flowchart of an exemplary process 1600B for controlling the functional entity 1410 based on functional data, which is executed by the control unit 1440. FIG.

1610B shows a step of determining whether the function of the functional entity 1410 should be executed in the flavor inhaler or the like 1400 . Step 1610B may be similar to step 1510 . If so, processing continues at step 1620B, otherwise processing returns to step 1610B.

1620B indicates a step of acquiring the values of the function intensity, function time and function pause time for controlling the function subject 1410 from the

storage unit

114A or 114B. The acquired functional strength, functional time and functional downtime are each one of one or more different functional strengths, functional time and functional downtime pre-determined and stored in the

storage unit

114A or 114B by the method as described above. can be one.

1630B shows the step of controlling the function subject 1410 with the obtained function time and the obtained function intensity.

1640B shows the step of waiting for the acquired downtime.

1650B shows a step of determining whether the execution of the function of the functional entity 1410 should be terminated in the flavor inhaler 1400 or the like. Step 1650B may be similar to step 1540. If it is determined that execution of the function should end, processing proceeds to step 1660B, otherwise processing returns to step 1620B.

1660B shows the step of determining whether values for functional intensity, functional time and functional pause time can still be obtained. In step 1660B, if there is one or more different functional strengths, functional durations, and functional pause durations stored in

storage unit

114A or 114B that have not yet been acquired, the functional strength, functional duration, and functional pause duration are It can be determined that the value can be obtained. If it is determined that values for functional strength, functional time, and inactive time can still be obtained, processing returns to step 1620B, otherwise processing ends.

2-5 Overall Control Flow of Flavor Inhaler 1400 FIG.

1710 indicates a step of detecting the movement of the flavor suction device 1400 or the like. This step may be performed by a sensor 1420 included in the flavor inhaler or the like 1400 . It should be noted that this step may be considered to be executed by the processor included in the flavor inhaler or the like 1400 using the sensor 1420 . For safety, this step is preferably performed when the

heating unit

121A or 121B is not functioning.

1720 indicates the step of converting input data representing the detected movement of the flavor suction device or the like 1400 into functional data for controlling the functional subject 1410 included in the flavor suction device or the like 1400 . This step may be performed by the conversion unit 1430 included in the flavor inhaler or the like 1400 . Note that this step may be considered to be executed by the processor included in the flavor inhaler 1400 as the conversion unit 1430 .

1730 indicates the step of controlling the functional entity 1410 based on the functional data obtained in step 1420. FIG. This step may be executed by the control unit 1440 included in the flavor inhaler or the like 1400, and may include the exemplary process 1500 or 1600 described above. Note that this step may be considered to be executed by the processor included in the flavor inhaler 1400 as the controller 1440 . The step of controlling the function entity 1410 based on the functional data may be executed while the user is sucking the flavor suction device or the like 1400, or may be executed in response to a predetermined operation (such as pressing a button) on the flavor suction device or the like 1400 by the user. It may be executed in response, or at various other timings. Also, after creating the functional data, the control unit 1440 may automatically control the functional subject 1410 based on the functional data so that the user can check the functional data.

It goes without saying that the control method 1700 may be executed by the processor of the flavor suction device 1400 or the like.

The

power source section

111A or 111B of the flavor suction device 1400 may include a rechargeable battery. In that case, the battery may be charged by a charging device electrically connected to the flavor suction device 1400 or the like. The charging device may include, in addition to the charging unit, at least one of the same functional entity as the components shown in FIG. 14, a sensor, a conversion unit, a control unit, and the like. When a flavor inhaler or the like 1400 is connected to a charging device such as those described above, at least some of the steps of the control method 1400 may be performed by components within the charging device.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the user moves the flavor inhaler or the like, various functional data are generated. A component, such as a flavor inhaler, can be caused to function in a wide variety of ways based on the generated functional data. Therefore, the user can inhale the flavor inhaler or the like while feeling stimulation in a wide variety of ways, including those that the user cannot expect. Therefore, user experience can be improved.

3 Third Embodiment of the Present Invention 3-1 Simplified Configuration Example FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a simplified configuration example by extracting only constituent elements particularly related to the third embodiment of the present invention. be.

FIG. 18 shows a flavor inhaling instrument 1800 and an external device 1810 according to this embodiment. The flavor inhaler or the like 1800 includes a vibrator 1802 , a functional entity 1803 , a sensor 1804 , a control section 1806 and a communication section 1808 . The flavor inhaler or the like 1800 may include both the vibrator 1802 and the functional subject 1803, or may include only one of them. The flavor suction device or the like 1800 may be the flavor suction device or the like 100A or 100B, or may be another flavor suction device or the like including the configuration shown in FIG.

The vibrator 1802 may have the same configuration, function, etc. as the vibrator 210 described with reference to FIG. The functional entity 1803 may have the same configuration, functions, etc. as the functional entity 1410 described in relation to the second embodiment. Sensor 1804 may have a configuration, function, etc. similar to sensor 220 described in connection with FIG. 2 or sensor 1420 described in connection with the second embodiment. A sensor 1804 detects movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 . Input data representing the movement may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 .

The communication unit 1808 can include a communication interface (including a communication module) conforming to a predetermined LPWA wireless communication standard or a wireless communication standard with similar restrictions. As such a communication standard, Sigfox, LoRA-WAN, etc. can be adopted. The communication unit 1808 may be a communication interface capable of performing communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like, for example, can be adopted as such a communication standard. The flavor inhaler or the like 1800 can communicate with an external device 1810 via a communication unit 1808 . For example, the communication unit 1808 transmits input data representing movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 detected by the sensor 1804 to the external device 1810 . The communication unit 1808 also receives, from the external device 1810, vibration data for vibrating the vibrator 1802 or functional data for controlling the functional subject 1803, which is obtained by converting input data in the external device 1810. .

The control unit 1806 may be considered to be the

control unit

116A or 116B with the conversion unit 230 or the conversion unit 1430 removed. The controller 1806 is configured to vibrate the transducer 1802 or control the functional subject 1803 based on vibration data received from the external device 1810 .

The external device 1810 includes a conversion unit 1812 and a communication unit 1814. The external device 1810 includes a controller 1816 that is configured to control components within the external device 1810 such as the conversion portion 1812 and the communication portion 1814 .

The external device 1810 is a personal computer (PC), a server, a mobile phone (including a smart phone), a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a wearable computer, and a device configured to be able to communicate with the flavor inhaler or the like 1800. Various other devices are also possible. The external device 1810 may be a device for charging the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 and may have a charging portion configured to charge a rechargeable battery within the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 .

The communication unit 1814 may have the same functions as the communication unit 1808. The external device 1810 can communicate with the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 via the communication unit 1814 . For example, the communication unit 1814 receives input data representing movement of the flavor suction device, etc. 1800 detected by the sensor 1804 from the flavor suction device, etc. 1800 .

The conversion unit 1812 may have the same function as the conversion unit 230 or the conversion unit 1430. The conversion unit 1812 is configured to convert the input data received by the communication unit 1814 into vibration data for vibrating the vibrator 1802 or functional data for controlling the functional entity 1803 . The input data and vibration data or function data may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) within the external device 1810 . Input data and vibration data or function data may be editable by external device 1810 . The communication unit 1814 transmits the vibration data or the function data to the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 . The communication portion 1814 may also transmit vibration data or functional data to various devices other than the flavor inhaler 1800 and the like, which are capable of communicating with the external device 1810 . For example, the user of the external device 1810 transmits favorite vibration data or function data stored in the storage unit of the external device 1810 to a friend's smartphone or the like, thereby sharing the vibration data or function data with the friend. can do.

The sensor 1804 and input data are similar to the sensor 220 described in Sections 1-4 or the sensor 1420 and input data described in connection with the second embodiment, respectively, so detailed descriptions are omitted here. .

The conversion unit 1812 is similar to the conversion unit 230 described in section 1-5 or the conversion unit 1430 described in relation to the second embodiment, except that it is arranged in the external device 1810 . The vibration data generated by the converter 1812 is similar to the vibration data described in Sections 1-5. The functional data generated by the conversion unit 1812 is similar to the functional data described in relation to the second embodiment. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the conversion unit 1812, vibration data, and function data are omitted here.

The control unit 1806 is the same as the control unit 240 described in section 1-6 or the control unit 1440 described in relation to the second embodiment, so detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

3-2 Control Method of Flavor Sucking Instrument 1800 and External Device 1810 FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the flavor sucking instrument 1800 and external device 1810 according to the present embodiment.

At step 1910 , the flavor suction device 1800 detects movement of the flavor suction device 1800 . Step 1910 may be performed by the sensor 1804 or may be performed by the controller 1806 via the sensor 1804, for example.

At step 1912 , the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 transmits input data representing the detected movement to the external device 1810 . Step 1912 may be executed by the communication unit 1808 or may be executed by the control unit 1806 via the communication unit 1808, for example.

At step 1914 , the external device 1810 receives input data from the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 . Step 1914 may be executed by the communication unit 1814 or may be executed by the control unit 1816 via the communication unit 1814, for example.

In step 1916, the external device 1810 converts the input data into vibration data for vibrating the vibrator 1802 in the flavor suction device or the like 1800 or function data for controlling the functional entity 1803 in the flavor suction device or the like 1800. do. Step 1916 may be executed by the conversion unit 1812 , or may be executed by the control unit 1816 via the conversion unit 1812 , for example.

At step 1918, the external device 1810 transmits vibration data or functional data to the flavor suction device 1800 or the like. Step 1918 may be executed by the communication unit 1814 or may be executed by the control unit 1816 via the communication unit 1814, for example.

At step 1920 , the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 receives vibration data or functional data from the external device 1810 . Step 1920 may be executed by the communication unit 1808 or may be executed by the control unit 1806 via the communication unit 1808, for example.

At step 1922, the flavor inhaler or the like 1800 vibrates the vibrator 1802 based on the vibration data, or controls the function subject 1803 based on the function data. Step 1922 may be performed by controller 1806 .

A program stored in a storage unit or the like of the flavor suction device 1800 may cause the flavor suction device 1800 to execute

steps

1910, 1912, 1920 and 1922.

A program stored in the storage unit or the like of the external device 1810 may cause the external device 1810 to execute

steps

1914, 1916 and 1918.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, at least part of the work performed in the flavor suction device or the like in the first or second embodiment (for example, conversion from input data to vibration data or function data) conversion) is performed in the external device. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the flavor inhaler and the like. In addition, various created vibration data or function data can be stored and managed in an external device.

4 Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention Apart from or in addition to the above-described embodiments, the flavor suction device or the like of the present invention may include input data representing the detected movement of the flavor suction device or the like. may be configured to activate at least one sensory stimulation element that provides sensory stimulation to a user when the sensor is acquiring the

In the following description of the fourth embodiment, "sensory stimulation data" includes vibration data in the first embodiment or functional data in the second embodiment, and "sensory stimulation intensity" is the vibration intensity in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Including the functional intensity in the embodiment, "sensory stimulation pattern" includes the vibration pattern in the first embodiment or the functional pattern in the second embodiment, and "sensory stimulation time" is the vibration time in the first embodiment or the second embodiment , "sensory stimulation pause time" includes the vibration pause time in the first embodiment or the function pause time in the second embodiment, and "sensory stimulation intensity correction factor" is the vibration intensity correction factor in the first embodiment Alternatively, it includes the functional strength correction coefficient in the second embodiment. The contents and derivation methods of the sensory stimulation data, sensory stimulation intensity, sensory stimulation pattern, sensory stimulation time, sensory stimulation pause time, and sensory stimulation intensity correction coefficient in the fourth embodiment are the same as the vibration data, vibration intensity, and vibration in the first embodiment. Contents and derivation method of pattern, vibration time, vibration pause time, and vibration intensity correction coefficient, or contents and derivation of function data, function intensity, function pattern, function time, function pause time, and function intensity correction coefficient in the second embodiment It may be the same as the method.

4-1 Simplified Configuration Example FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a simplified configuration example in which only components particularly related to the present embodiment are extracted from the above-described

flavor suction device

100A or 100B. . Accordingly, 2000 indicates a flavor inhaler or the like 100A or 100B.

The flavor inhaler or the like 2000 includes at least one element 2010 (hereinafter also referred to as “sensory stimulation element 2010”) configured to give sensory stimulation to the user, a sensor 2020, a conversion section 2030, and a control section 2040. Prepare.

The sensory stimulation element 2010 is one of the vibrator 210 or the functional entity 1410 described above that can provide sensory stimulation. Therefore, the sensory stimulation element 2010 is, for example, the vibrator 210, the light emitting device or light emitting element that emits light included in the

notification unit

113A or 113B, the display device that displays the image included in the

notification unit

113A or 113B, or the notification unit 113A. Alternatively, it includes, but is not limited to, a sound output device or an acoustic element that outputs the sound included in 113B.

The sensor 2020 is the

sensor

220 or 1420 described above. The sensor 2020 is configured to detect movement of the flavor suction device, etc. 2000 . Sensor 2020 operates as described in the embodiments above. Further, the sensor 2020 may be configured to acquire input data when the flavor inhaler or the like 2000 is not generating flavors or aerosols by heating. As with the embodiments described above, the input data may include data representing the acceleration or angular velocity of the sensed motion.

The control unit 2040 is the

control unit

240 or 1440 described above. Controller 2040 is configured to cause sensory stimulation element 2010 to function when sensor 2020 is acquiring input data representing the sensed movement. The control unit 2040 operates as described in each of the above embodiments. Sensory stimulation element 2010 may comprise two or more sensory stimulation elements configured to provide sensory stimulation to a user. In that case, the control unit 2040 may be configured to further function a sensory stimulation element different from the at least one sensory stimulation element described above among the two or more sensory stimulation elements while the sensor 2020 is operating. good.

The conversion unit 2030 is the

conversion unit

230 or 1430 described above. The conversion unit 2030 is configured to convert input data into sensory stimulation data for functioning the sensory stimulation element 2010 .

As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, the conversion unit 2030 may be configured to convert the value of the input data as it is into the sensory stimulation intensity. In this case, the movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 2000 detected by the sensor 2020 can be directly given to the user in real time. The input data may also be data representing a combination of motions of the flavor inhaler 200 or the like about a plurality of axes. Such a composite may be, for example, the sum of values sensed by sensor 2020 at the same time or timing for each axis of multiple axes.

As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, the conversion unit 2030 may be configured to use representative values included in the input data. As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, using the representative value included in the input data converts the representative value into the sensory stimulation intensity (intensity related to sensory stimulation) of the sensory stimulation element 2010. may include In addition, as described with regard to the first and second embodiments, using the representative value included in the input data allows the representative value to correspond to the sensory stimulation pattern (pattern related to sensory stimulation) of the sensory stimulation element 2010. It may include converting.

As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, the transformation unit 2030 partitions the input data into a plurality of data each representing the detected motion in each of the plurality of time periods. may be configured to In addition, the conversion section 2030 may be configured to convert representative values included in each of the divided data into sensory stimulation intensities of the sensory stimulus elements 2010 at different timings.

As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, the sensor 2020 may be configured to detect movement of the flavor inhaler or the like 2000 about at least the first and second axes. The input data may include at least first input data and second input data representing sensed motion about the first axis and the second axis, respectively.

As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, the conversion unit 2030 converts the first input data into the sensory stimulation intensity of the sensory stimulation element 2010 and the second input data into the sensory stimulation intensity of the sensory stimulation element 2010 . Alternatively, it may be configured to select one of a plurality of predetermined sensory stimulation patterns as the sensory stimulation pattern of the sensory stimulation element 2010 based on the second input data.

As described with respect to the first and second embodiments, the sensory stimulation pattern includes a sensory stimulation time (time during which the sensory stimulation element functions), a sensory stimulation pause time (time during which the sensory stimulation element is paused), At least one of sensory stimulus intensity correction coefficient (correction coefficient of intensity related to sensory stimulus) may be included.

4-2 Control Method of Flavor Inhaler 2000 FIG. 21 is a flow chart of a control method 2100 of the flavor inhaler 2000 .

The control method 2100 may be started in response to activation of the input mode of the flavor inhaler or the like 2000 . For example, the user presses a button provided on the flavor suction device 2000, the user shakes the flavor suction device 2000 a predetermined number of times (for example, shakes the flavor suction device 2000 three times within a predetermined period of time), and the flavor suction device 2000 The input mode of the flavor inhaler or the like 2000 may be activated in response to receiving a mode change instruction from an external device such as a communicating smartphone. Activation and termination of the input mode may be notified to the user by operating a vibrator, acoustic element, light emitting element, or the like provided in the flavor inhaler or the like 2000 .

The flavor inhaler or the like 2000 may be configured not to execute the control method 2100 while power is supplied to the

heating unit

121A or 121B. The flavor inhaler, etc. 2000 may be configured not to perform the control method 2100 while the stick-shaped substrate 150 is inserted into the flavor inhaler, etc. 100B.

At step 2110, the sensor 2020 detects movement of the flavor inhaler 2000 or the like. Step 2110 may be executed by sensor 2020 or may be executed by controller 2040 via sensor 2020 .

At step 2120, the control unit 2040 causes the sensory stimulation element 2010 to function while acquiring input data representing the detected movement. In one example, if the sensory stimulation element 2010 includes a light-emitting element, in step 2120, the control unit 2040 controls the lighting mode (color, blinking cycle, etc.) of the light-emitting element during power supply to the

heating unit

121A or 121B. , the light-emitting element may be lit. During the input mode, how the sensory stimulation elements 2010 function when the movement of the flavor inhaling instrument or the like 2000 is detected is how the sensory stimulation elements 2010 function when the movement of the flavor inhaling instrument or the like 2000 is not detected. may differ from For example, if the sensory stimulation element 2010 includes a vibrator or an acoustic element in addition to the light emitting element, the light emitting element may be constantly illuminated during the input mode, while the movement of the flavor inhaler, etc. 2000 may be controlled during the input mode. The transducer or acoustic element may also function only when detected.

The length of the period during which the input data is acquired in process 2100 may be predetermined. The length of the period during which the input data is acquired may be selected from a plurality of preset candidates. The length of the period during which the input data is acquired may be set by the user operating a button on the flavor inhaler 2000 or by sending an instruction from an external device. The period during which the input data is acquired may be 1-20 seconds, preferably 3-10 seconds.

A program stored in a storage unit or the like of the flavor suction device 2000 may cause the flavor suction device 2000 to execute the control method 2100 .

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of operations performed by the control unit 2040 of the flavor inhaler 2000. FIG.

At step 2210, the control unit 2040 determines whether the sensor 2020 is currently acquiring input data representing the detected movement. If sensor 2020 is not currently acquiring input data representing the detected movement (No in step 2210), processing returns to step 2210 before. If sensor 2020 is currently acquiring input data representing detected motion (Yes in step 2210 ), processing proceeds to step 2220 .

At step 2220 , the control unit 2040 acquires the sensory stimulation intensity value included in the sensory stimulation data of the sensory stimulation element 2010 . Step 2220 is similar to step 720 in FIG. 7 or step 1520 in FIG. 15, so detailed description is omitted here.

At step 2230, the control unit 2040 causes the sensory stimulation element 2010 to function for a predetermined sensory stimulation time and with the acquired sensory stimulation intensity. Since step 2230 is similar to step 730 or step 1530, detailed description is omitted here.

At step 2240, the control unit 2040 determines whether the sensor 2020 has finished operating. If sensor 2020 has been activated (Yes in step 2240), the process ends. If sensor 2020 has not finished operating (No at step 2240 ), the process returns to before step 2220 .

A program stored in the storage unit or the like of the flavor suction device 2000 may cause the flavor suction device 2000 to execute the processing 2200 .

According to the processing 2200, when the flavor inhaling instrument or the like is not being inhaled, the sensory stimulation element is activated while the user is performing an action such as shaking the flavor inhaling instrument or the like, thereby providing the user with sensory stimulation. can give This allows the user to perceive that the flavor inhaler or the like is acquiring the input data based on the user's motion.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of operations performed by the control unit 2040 of the flavor inhaler 2000. FIG.

The processing of step 2310 is the same as the processing of step 2210.

At step 2320, the control unit 2040 determines the sensory stimulation intensity and the sensory stimulation time for causing the sensory stimulation element 2010 to function. Step 2320 is similar to step 820 in FIG. 8 or step 1620 in FIG. 16, so detailed description is omitted here.

At step 2330, the control unit 2040 causes the sensory stimulation element 2010 to function with the determined sensory stimulation time and the determined sensory stimulation intensity. Since step 2330 is similar to step 830 or step 1630, detailed description is omitted here.

At step 2340 , the control unit 2040 determines the sensory stimulation pause time of the sensory stimulation element 2010 . Since step 2340 is similar to step 840 or step 1640, detailed description is omitted here.

At step 2350, the control unit 2040 causes the sensory stimulation element 2010 to wait for the determined sensory stimulation pause time. Since step 2350 is similar to step 850 or step 1650, detailed description is omitted here.

At step 2360, the control unit 2040 determines whether the sensor 2020 has finished operating. If sensor 2020 has been activated (Yes in step 2360), the process ends. If sensor 2020 has not finished actuating (No at step 2360 ), processing returns to before step 2320 .

A program stored in the storage unit or the like of the flavor suction device 2000 may cause the flavor suction device 2000 to execute the processing 2300 .

According to the process 2300, when the flavor suction device or the like is not being sucked, the sensory stimulation element is activated while the user is doing an action such as shaking the flavor suction device or the like, thereby providing the user with sensory stimulation. can give This allows the user to perceive that the flavor inhaler or the like is acquiring the input data based on the user's motion.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the user moves the flavor inhaler or the like, various sensory stimulation data are generated. A sensory stimulation element, such as a flavor inhaler, can be caused to function in a wide variety of ways based on the sensory stimulation data generated while the user is moving the flavor inhaler or the like. Therefore, the user perceives that the movement of the flavor inhaler or the like is detected by the sensor, that input data representing the movement is generated, and that sensory stimulation data is generated based on the input data. can do. In addition, even when the user is not inhaling the flavor inhaler or the like, the user can feel stimulation in a wide variety of ways, including those that the user cannot anticipate. Therefore, user experience can be improved.

5 Fifth Embodiment of the Present Invention An example of the hardware configuration of the flavor inhaler and the like according to each of the above-described embodiments will be described below. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the flavor suction device 100 (100A, 100B), and in particular, a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the housing 2400 of the flavor suction device 100 and the sensor 2420. is.

In this example, the housing 2400 of the flavor inhaler or the like 100 has a thick, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having two substantially parallel and substantially rectangular paired

surfaces

2401 and 2402 . In FIG. 24, the three coordinate axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system (right-handed coordinate system) in housing 2400, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, are indicated by solid lines, and the three-dimensional coordinate system (right-handed coordinate system) in sensor 2420 ), the three coordinate axes, the X′-axis, Y′-axis and Z′-axis, are indicated by dashed lines. For example, the flavor inhaler 100 shown in FIG. 24 is held by the user with a thumb and a finger other than the thumb, such as the index finger, as shown in FIG. Assuming that the housing 2400 is sandwiched (in the Y-axis direction) while touching the two substantially

parallel surfaces

2411 and 2412 that constitute the thickness portion, the user can hold the housing 2400 around the X-axis as a flavor inhaler or the like. 100, the vertical movement of the user's wrist is detected, the Z-axis is the axis for detecting the internal and external movement of the user's wrist, and the Y-axis is the twisting movement of the user's wrist. can correspond to the axes that detect the . Here, "twisting of the wrist" means an action of rotating the hand (wrist) about the direction from the user's elbow to the wrist. In addition, "up and down of the wrist" refers to the action of rotating the wrist around the axis perpendicular to the palm (or the action of moving the arm with the elbow as the axis of rotation, with the little finger at the bottom and the index finger at the top). means In addition, "inside/outside (movement) of the wrist" means the action of bending the wrist inward or extending it outward about a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction from the user's elbow to the wrist and parallel to the palm of the user ( hereinafter the same). In this example, the case 2400 and the sensor 2420 are described as a right-handed coordinate system as the three-dimensional coordinate system, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a left-handed coordinate system, or they may be different.

In this example, the three coordinate axes of the housing 2400 are the Z-axis in the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular surface of the housing 2400, the Y-axis in the lateral direction of the substantially rectangular surface, and the Z-axis and the Y-axis (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the substantially rectangular shape and the thickness direction of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped) is defined as the X-axis. In FIG. 24, the three coordinate axes X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis in the housing 2400 are substantially parallel to the three coordinate axes X'-axis, Y'-axis, and Z'-axis in the sensor 2420. A housing 2400 and a sensor 2420 are arranged. In this way, when the directions of the three coordinate axes in the housing 2400 and the directions of the three coordinate axes in the sensor 2420 match, the vibration (data) detected by the sensor 2420 is directly transferred to the housing 2400. This is preferable because it becomes vibration (data) and the processing for vibration detection is simplified. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. Since the positional relationship between the three coordinate axes is known in advance, the vibration data detected by the sensor 2420 is combined with the data indicating the difference caused by the positional relationship to calculate the direction and strength of the vibration of the housing 2400. It is possible to

24 is just an example, for example, any one of the three coordinate axes X'-axis, Y'-axis, and Z'-axis in the sensor 2420 may correspond to the three coordinate axes X in the housing 2400. It may be arranged substantially parallel to either the axis, the Y axis, or the Z axis. Even in this case, the coordinate axes of the housing 2400 and the coordinate axes of the sensor 2420, which are arranged substantially parallel, do not require complicated calculations for the vibration data detected by the sensor 2420. The processing for 100 oscillations can be reduced.

Note that the sensor 2420 is included in the sensor section 112A in FIG. 1A or 112B in FIG. 1B, and the sensor 2420 in FIG. 24 may be considered as the sensor section 112A or the sensor section 112B. Examples of sensor 2420 may include sensor 220, sensor 1420, and sensor 1804 described above.

In the above description of FIG. 24, the description of "approximately" means that it does not have to match strictly (the same applies hereinafter). For example, "substantially parallel" and "substantially perpendicular" mean that some deviation from the parallel or perpendicular position is allowed. The deviation may be, for example, about 10°.

Next, an arrangement example of the sensor 2420 in the flavor inhaler 100 will be described. 26 to 30 are diagrams showing an arrangement example of the sensor 2420 in the flavor inhaler 100 or the like. 26 to 28 illustrate the flavor suction device 100B of FIG. 1B as an example, and FIGS. 29 and 30 describe the flavor suction device 100A of FIG. 1A as an example.

In FIG. 26, the stick-type base material 150 of the flavor suction device 100B, the battery 111B (corresponding to the power supply unit 111B in FIG. 1B, the same applies hereinafter), the sensor 2420 (sensor unit 112B), the microcontroller 116B (control unit in FIG. 1B) 116B, and so on) is shown. Note that the sensor 2420 (112B) is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the heating unit that heats the stick-shaped substrate 150 in the housing of the flavor inhaler or the like 100B (the same applies to FIGS. 27 to 30 described later). .

Also, in FIG. 26, the sensor 2420 (112B) and the microcontroller 116B are arranged on the same printed circuit board 2630. FIG. On the other hand, in FIGS. 27 and 28, the sensor 2420 (112B) and the microcontroller 116B are arranged on different printed circuit boards 2630, respectively. Specifically, a first printed circuit board 2630a and a second printed circuit board 2630b are connected to each other by a flexible circuit board 2640, a microcontroller 116B is disposed on the first printed circuit board 2630a, and a sensor 2420 ( 112B) are arranged on the second printed circuit board 2630b.

Here, the sensor 2420 (112B) can be arranged at various positions of the flavor suction device 100B. However, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the sensor 2420 (112B) is located closer to the user than the battery 111B when the user inhales a substance produced by the flavor inhaler 100B, such as a flavor inhaler, compared to the battery 111B. 142), a specific motion of the flavor inhaler or the like 100B by the user is likely to be detected.

First, the flavor inhaler 100B is a device for a user to inhale substances such as aerosols generated by the flavor inhaler 100B. It is assumed that the flavor inhaler or the like 100B will be held so that the mold substrate 150 can be easily held in the mouth. That is, it is assumed that the opening 142 is held upward during suction. At this time, the position of the user's wrist (or elbow) is below the position of the opening 142 . When the user shakes the flavor suction device 100B, the closer the sensor 2420 (112B) is to the opening 142, the farther it is from the user's wrist (or elbow). Applied vibrations are easier to detect.

Furthermore, it is generally assumed that the battery 111B is the heaviest among the components of the flavor suction device 100B. (or the center of gravity of the battery 111B). Therefore, since the sensor 2420 (112B) is arranged at a position closer to the opening 142 than the battery 111B (or the center of gravity of the battery 111B), the user can grip the vicinity of the battery 111B and shake the flavor inhaler or the like 100B. When vibration is applied to the flavor inhaling instrument 100B by an operation, it can be expected that the vibration will be detected more easily. In other words, the sensor 2420 (112B) is arranged at a position closer to the opening 142 than the center of gravity of the flavor suction device 100B. You can also say The position of the sensor 2420 (112B) described above in the flavor inhaler or the like 100B is the same in FIG. 28 described later.

In the examples of FIGS. 26 and 27, similarly to FIG. 24, the housing of the flavor inhaler 100B is a thick, substantially rectangular parallelepiped having two substantially parallel and substantially rectangular surfaces. There, the X'-axis, Y'-axis, and Z'-axis of the sensor 2420 (112B) are substantially parallel to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the housing of the flavor suction device 100B, respectively. 100B, such as a suction instrument, and the sensor 2420 (112B) may be arranged. In this case, FIGS. 26 and 27, as well as FIG. 28, which will be described later, show the flavor suction when viewed from a direction facing one substantially rectangular surface (corresponding to the surface 2401 or surface 2402 of FIG. 24) of the flavor suction instrument or the like 100B. It is a figure which illustrates an internal structure of 100B, such as a tool.

Also, in the example shown in FIG. 28, the sensor 2420 (112B) and the microcontroller 116B are arranged on different printed circuit boards 2630, as in the example of FIG. That is, microcontroller 116B is located on a first printed circuit board 2630a and sensor 2420 (112B) is located on a second printed circuit board 2630b. In the example of FIG. 28, the first printed circuit board 2630a and the microcontroller 116B are perpendicular to the substantially rectangular plane (YZ plane in FIG. 24) of the casing of the

flavor suction device

100B and 24 are oriented parallel to the XZ plane. In addition, the second printed circuit board 2630b and the sensor 2420 (112B) are perpendicular to the substantially rectangular surface (YZ plane in FIG. 24) of the housing of the flavor inhaler 100B and on the XY plane in FIG. arranged in a parallel direction. In this way, by arranging the microcontroller 116B and/or the sensor 2420 (112B) in a direction perpendicular to the substantially rectangular surface of the housing of the flavor suction device 100B, Since the area occupied by the suction device or the like 100B in the substantially rectangular plane is reduced, the overall size of the flavor suction device or the like 100B can be reduced. 27 and 28, when the sensor 2420 (112B) and the microcontroller 116B are arranged on different printed

circuit boards

2630a and 2630b, respectively, the sensor 2420 (112B) is Compared to the battery 111B, when the user inhales a substance generated by the flavor inhaler 100B, the battery 111B is closer to the user (closer to the opening 142 or the stick-shaped base material 150). , the position of sensor 2420 (112B) can be determined without affecting the position or size of battery 111B.

In addition, in the sensor 2420 (112B) arranged on the second printed circuit board 2630b, at least one surface of the sensor 2420 (112B) opposite to the surface in contact with the second printed circuit board 2630b to which the sensor 2420 (112B) is attached. The part may be covered with insulation 2650 . In the flavor inhaler 100B, the stick-shaped base material 150 is heated by a heating unit (not shown) to generate an aerosol. At least part of the surface of is covered with heat insulating material 2650, so that sensor 2420 (112B) can be protected from heat generated by the heating unit. This makes it possible to reduce failures and malfunctions of the sensor 2420 (112B).

Next, another arrangement example of the sensor 2420 in the flavor inhaler 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. FIG. In FIG. 29, the cartridge 120 and the flavor imparting cartridge 130 of the flavor suction device 100A (simplified and integrated in FIG. 29. The same applies to FIG. 30.), the battery 111A (the power supply unit in FIG. 1) 111A, the same applies hereinafter), a sensor (sensor unit) 112A, and a microcontroller 116A (corresponds to the control unit 116A in FIG. 1, the same applies hereinafter). Sensor 112A and microcontroller 116A are located on the same printed circuit board 2930. FIG. On the other hand, in FIG. 30, sensor 112A and microcontroller 116A are each located on a different printed circuit board 2930. FIG. More specifically, first printed circuit board 2930a and second printed circuit board 2930b are connected together by flexible board 2940, microcontroller 116A is located on first printed circuit board 2930a, and sensor 112A is located on first printed circuit board 2930a. are arranged on the second printed circuit board 2930b.

In the examples of FIGS. 29 and 30, similarly to FIG. 24, the housing of the flavor suction device 100A may have a thick, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having two substantially parallel substantially rectangular surfaces. . FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of such a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a housing 3100 and a sensor 3120 are arranged in the same positional relationship as in FIG. 29 in the flavor inhaler 100A. Here, sensor 3120 corresponds to sensor 2420 (1112A) in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 31, the housing 3100 of the flavor inhaler or the like 100A has a thick, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having two substantially parallel and substantially rectangular paired

surfaces

3101 and 3102, but the housing The length of the two substantially

rectangular surfaces

3101 and 3102 of 3100 in the longitudinal direction is several times longer than the length of the

surfaces

3101 and 3102 in the lateral direction, and the shape as a whole is elongated. 31, the three coordinate axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system (right-handed coordinate system) in housing 3100, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, are indicated by solid lines, and the three-dimensional coordinate system (right-handed coordinate system) in sensor 3120 ), the three coordinate axes, the X′-axis, Y′-axis and Z′-axis, are indicated by dashed lines. For example, using the flavor inhaler 100A shown in FIG. 31, the user touches the two

surfaces

3101 and 3102 with a thumb and a finger other than the thumb, such as the index finger, and moves the thickness of the housing 3100 (in the X-axis direction). 2) Assuming that the housing 3100 is gripped in a sandwiched manner, the X-axis of the housing 3100 is the axis for detecting the twisting movement of the user's wrist when the user grips the flavor suction instrument 100A, and the Z-axis is the axis for detecting the movement of the user's wrist. An axis that detects inward and outward movement of a user's wrist may correspond to an axis that detects up and down movement of the user's wrist. In this example, the case 3100 and the sensor 3120 are described as a right-handed coordinate system as a three-dimensional coordinate system, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a left-handed coordinate system, or they may be different.

In the example of FIG. 30, the first printed circuit board 2930a and the microcontroller 116A are oriented substantially parallel to the substantially rectangular surface (YZ plane in FIG. 24) of the housing of the flavor suction device 100A. is. In addition, the second printed circuit board 2930b and the sensor 112A are perpendicular to the substantially rectangular surface (YZ plane in FIG. 24) of the housing of the flavor suction device 100A and parallel to the XY plane in FIG. placed in the direction. However, as in the example of FIG. 28, the first printed circuit board 2930a and the microcontroller 116A are also perpendicular to the substantially rectangular surface (YZ plane in FIG. 24) of the housing of the flavor inhaler 100A, and It may be arranged in a direction parallel to the XZ plane in FIG. In this way, by arranging the microcontroller 116A and/or the sensor 112A so as to be perpendicular to the substantially rectangular surface of the housing of the flavor suction device 100B, each element can be a flavor suction device. Since the area occupied by the substantially rectangular surface of 100A is reduced, the overall size of 100A, such as the flavor inhaler, can be reduced. Also, by arranging the microcontroller 116A and/or the sensor 112A perpendicularly (parallel to the XY plane) to the longitudinal direction of the flavor suction device 100A, each element occupies the substantially rectangular surface of the flavor suction device 100A. Since the area is reduced, it is possible to reduce the overall size of the flavor inhaler 100A.

Also, in FIGS. 29 and 30, as described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 28, the sensor 112A is more sensitive to the battery 111A than the battery 111A when the user inhales the substance generated by the flavor inhaler 100A. If it is placed at a position closer to the user (a position closer to the mouthpiece 124) than the user's specific movement (motion) of the flavor inhaler 100A or the like is likely to be detected.

In addition, the flavor inhaler or the like 100A in FIG. 1A may have a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a front view of a case where the flavor inhaler or the like 100A has an elongated substantially cylindrical shape. In the example of FIG. 32, the flavor inhaler or the like 100A has a substantially cylindrical housing 3200 and has a button 3205 on the side thereof for user operation. Here, for example, assuming that the surface of the button 3205 is substantially flat, the linear direction orthogonal to this surface is the Y-axis of the housing 3200, and the longitudinal direction of the elongated substantially cylindrical housing 3200 is the Z-axis. In the coordinate system, the X-axis direction is the lateral direction of the housing 3200 (the diameter direction of the bottom surface of the substantially cylindrical (substantially columnar) shape). Also, at this time, the three coordinate axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system (right-handed coordinate system) in the sensor 3220, the X'-axis, the Y'-axis, and the Z'-axis, are as indicated by broken lines in FIG. The sensor 3220 may be arranged substantially parallel to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the housing 3200 . In this way, when the directions of the three coordinate axes of the housing 3200 and the directions of the three coordinate axes of the sensor 3220 match, the vibration (data) detected by the sensor 3220 is directly transferred to the housing 3200. This is preferable because it becomes vibration (data) and the processing for vibration detection is simplified. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and the directions of the three coordinate axes in the housing 3200 and the directions of the three coordinate axes in the sensor 3220 may not match.

Also, in FIG. 32, assuming that the user grips the housing 3200 with the thumb in contact with the button 3205 so that the user can operate the button 3205 with the thumb, the housing 3200 around the X-axis can be manipulated by the user. The axis for detecting the vertical movement of the user's wrist when the suction device or the like 100 is gripped, the Z axis for detecting the internal and external movement of the user's wrist, and the Y axis for the user's wrist. Each axis can correspond to an axis for detecting a twist movement (however, this is just an example, and it may be determined as appropriate to which movement of the user's wrist each axis corresponds to. In FIGS. 24 and 31, as well). In addition, when the flavor suction device 100A does not have the button 3205, and the side surface 3201 of the substantially cylindrical housing 3200 is provided with a logo or LED, that portion is assumed to be flat. , three axes of the housing 3200 may be set in the same manner as in FIG. Note that the “substantially cylindrical shape” means that the housing 3200 as a whole may have a substantially cylindrical shape, and does not have to be strictly cylindrical.

In each example described above, the sensor 2420 may be an inertial sensor (motion sensor) such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor (gyro sensor). Further, the axes detected by the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor may be any one of 1 to 3 axes. Also, the detection range of the angular velocity sensor is not limited to a specific range, but is preferably ±100 to ±5000 dps, more preferably ±300 to ±2000 dps.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms within the scope of its technical ideas.

In addition, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments, but includes all embodiments that achieve effects equivalent to those intended by the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the invention is not limited to the combination of inventive features defined by each claim, but may be defined by any desired combination of the particular features of each of the disclosed features. .

100A, 100B, 200, 1400, 1800, 2000... Flavor inhaler, etc. 110...

Power supply unit

111A, 111B...

Power supply unit

112A, 112B...

Sensor unit

113A, 113B...

Notification unit

114A, 114B...

Storage unit

115A, 115B, 1808, 1814...

communication section

116A, 116B, 240, 1440, 1806, 1816, 2040... control

section

117A, 117B, 230, 1430, 1812, 2030... conversion section 120...

cartridge

121A, 121B... heating section 122... liquid guide section 123... Liquid storage part 124 Mouthpiece 130 Flavor imparting cartridge 131 Flavor source 140 Holding part 141 Internal space 142 Opening 143 Bottom 144 Heat insulating part 150 Stick-shaped base material 151 Base material part 152 Mouthpiece part 180 Air flow path 181 Air inflow hole 182

Air outflow hole

210, 1802

Vibrator

220, 1420, 1804, 2020, 2420, 3120, 3220

Sensor

1410, 1803 Main function 1810 External device 2010

Sensory stimulation element

2400, 3100, 3200...

Housing

2630, 2630a, 2630b, 2930, 2930a, 2930b... Printed

circuit board

2640, 2940... Flexible board 2650... Heat insulating material 3205... Button

Claims

A device that is a flavor inhaler or an aerosol generator,
a housing;
a heating unit that heats the flavor source or the aerosol source;
an inertial sensor that detects changes in angular velocity or acceleration,
The device according to claim 1, wherein the inertial sensor is arranged in the housing at a position that does not come into contact with the heating unit.
2. The device of claim 1, comprising:
The device, wherein any one of three mutually orthogonal coordinate axes in the inertial sensor is arranged substantially parallel to any one of three mutually orthogonal coordinate axes in the housing.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein
The housing has a thick, substantially cuboid shape with a substantially rectangular surface,
The three coordinate axes in the housing are respectively defined by the longitudinal direction of the substantially rectangular shape as the Z axis, the lateral direction of the substantially rectangular shape as the Y axis, and the direction perpendicular to the Z axis and the Y axis as the X axis. The housing and the inertial sensor are arranged such that the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the inertial sensor are substantially parallel to the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the housing, respectively. is located on the device.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein
The housing has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a button or a light-emitting element on the surface of the housing, and the three coordinate axes in the housing have the Z axis in the longitudinal direction of the substantially cylindrical shape, When the direction perpendicular to the button or light-emitting element is the Y-axis, and the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis and the Y-axis is the X-axis, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the inertial sensor are: A device, wherein the housing and the inertial sensor are arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis of the housing, respectively.
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
further equipped with a microcontroller,
The device, wherein the inertial sensor is attached to a substrate on which the microcontroller is attached.
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
further equipped with a microcontroller,
The device, wherein the inertial sensor is mounted on a substrate different from the substrate on which the microcontroller is mounted.
A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
A device according to claim 1, wherein at least part of a surface of the inertial sensor opposite to a surface in contact with a substrate to which the inertial sensor is attached is covered with a heat insulating material.
A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
the device has a battery;
The device, wherein the inertial sensor is positioned closer to the user than the battery when the user inhales a substance produced by the flavor inhaler or the aerosol generator compared to the battery.
A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The device, wherein the inertial sensor is an angular rate sensor.