INHALATION DEVICE, SUBSTRATE, AND CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

 Provided is an arrangement making it possible to further improve the quality of the user experience pertaining to an inhalation device. This inhalation device is provided with: a power source unit (111) for supplying power; a heating unit (121) for using power supplied from the power source unit (111) to heat a substrate containing an aerosol source; a measurement unit (172) for measuring a measurement value corresponding to the temperature of the heating unit (121); an operation unit (171), which is different from the heating unit (121), that runs on power supplied from the power source unit (111); and a control unit (116) for controlling operation of the heating unit (121) on the basis of heating settings stipulating a time series transition in a target temperature that is a target value for the temperature of the heating unit (121), so that the temperature of the heating unit (121) corresponding to the measurement value will transition in a manner similar to the target temperature. The control unit (116) implements correction processing to correct the measurement value in response to the start of power supply to the operation unit (171) from the power source unit (111).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhaler device, a substrate, and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Inhaler devices, such as e-cigarettes and nebulizers, that generate material to be inhaled by a user are widespread. For example, an inhaler device generates an aerosol having a flavor component imparted thereto, by using a substrate including an aerosol source for generating the aerosol, a flavor source for imparting the flavor component to the generated aerosol, and the like. A user is able to enjoy the flavor by inhaling the aerosol having the flavor component imparted thereto, which is generated by the inhaler device. An action of a user inhaling an aerosol will be hereinafter also referred to as a puff or a puff action.

[0003] An inhaler device may be equipped with various devices in addition to a heater that heats an aerosol source. For example, the following Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of notifying a user of information by vibration of a vibration motor mounted in an inhaler device.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP 2020-516262 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0005] In a small device such as an inhaler device, simultaneous operations of a plurality of devices may cause various inconveniences. However, the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1 does not consider such inconveniences at all.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above issue, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of user experience regarding an inhaler device.

Solution to Problem

[0007] To solve the above issue, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inhaler device including a power supply configured to supply electric power; a heater configured to heat a substrate including an aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply; a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater; an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater; and a controller configured to control, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature. The controller is configured to perform, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value.

[0008] The correction process may include setting a correction subject period in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion; and when the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the measurement value.

[0009] The controller may be configured to set the correction subject range in accordance with the measurement value measured last time or the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from start of heating.

[0010] The correction process may include any one of correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction to the measurement value measured before the measurement value serving as a subject of correction, correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation, or correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by moving average.

[0011] The heating setting may include a plurality of periods each of which has, set therein, the target temperature, and the controller may be configured to select, in accordance with a period corresponding to an elapsed time from start of heating among the plurality of periods in the heating setting, a method for correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction in the correction process.

[0012] The controller may be configured to, in a period in which the target temperature does not change among the plurality of periods, correct the measurement value serving as a subject of correction to the measurement value measured before the measurement value serving as a subject of correction.

[0013] The controller may be configured to, in a period in which the target temperature changes among the plurality of periods, correct the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation or moving average.

[0014] The controller may be configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in the correction subject range reaches a first predetermined number.

[0015] The controller may be configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in a period other than the correction subject period is included in an error determination range reaches a second predetermined number, and the first predetermined number may be greater than the second predetermined number.

[0016] The correction subject range may include a range of a first threshold value or more and a range of less than a second threshold value, and the error determination range may include a range of a third threshold value or more and a range of less than a fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being smaller than the first threshold value, the fourth threshold value being greater than the second threshold value.

[0017] The correction subject period may be a period from when supply of electric power to the operation portion is started to when a predetermined sampling number of the measurement values are measured.

[0018] The correction subject period may be a period from start to stop of supply of electric power to the operation portion.

[0019] The controller may be configured to perform the correction process in response to an aerosol generated by heating the aerosol source being inhaled.

[0020]  The controller may be configured to perform the correction process in response to an amount of change in an amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

[0021] The correction process may include setting a correction subject period in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding the predetermined threshold value; and when the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the measurement value.

[0022] The controller may be configured to couple a first correction subject period and a second correction subject period to each other when the first correction subject period and the second correction subject period overlap each other, the first correction subject period being the correction subject period that is set in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, the second correction subject period being the correction subject range that is set in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

[0023] The controller may be configured to perform the correction process in accordance with an operation of the operation portion performed by supply of electric power to the operation portion.

[0024] The operation portion may be a vibration element or a light-emitting element.

[0025] To solve the above issue, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substrate that is to be heated by an inhaler device and that includes an aerosol source. The inhaler device includes a power supply configured to supply electric power; a heater configured to heat the substrate including the aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply; a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater; an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater; and a controller configured to control, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature. The controller is configured to perform, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value.

[0026] To solve the above issue, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for controlling an inhaler device. The inhaler device includes a power supply configured to supply electric power; a heater configured to heat a substrate including an aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply; a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater; and an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater. The control method includes performing, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value; and controlling, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0027] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a mechanism capable of further improving the quality of user experience regarding an inhaler device.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0028] 

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inhaler device according to a configuration example.

[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a partial circuit configuration of an inhaler device according to a first embodiment.

[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a graph showing an ideal transition of the resistance value of a heater when control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1.

[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a graph showing an example of an actual transition of the resistance value of the heater.

[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a graph showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of the timing at which electric power is supplied to a vibration element 171 in the graph shown in Fig. 4.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a graph showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of the timing at which electric power is supplied to the vibration element 171 in the graph shown in Fig. 4.

[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process executed by the inhaler device according to the embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the specification and the drawings, structural elements having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description will be omitted.

<1. Configuration example of inhaler device>

[0030] An inhaler device generates material to be inhaled by a user. In the example described below, the material generated by the inhaler device is an aerosol. Alternatively, the material generated by the inhaler device may be gas.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the inhaler device according to a configuration example. As illustrated in Fig. 1, an inhaler device 100 according to the present configuration example includes a power supply 111, a sensor 112, a notifier 113, a memory 114, a communicator 115, a controller 116, a heater 121, a holder 140, and a heat insulator 144.

[0032] The power supply 111 stores electric power. The power supply 111 supplies electric power to the structural elements of the inhaler device 100 under the control of the controller 116. The power supply 111 may be a rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

[0033] The sensor 112 acquires various items of information regarding the inhaler device 100. In an example, the sensor 112 may be a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor, and acquire a value generated in accordance with the user's inhalation. In another example, the sensor 112 may be an input device that receives information input by the user, such as a button or a switch.

[0034] The notifier 113 provides information to the user. The notifier 113 may be a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device that displays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device that vibrates.

[0035] The memory 114 stores various items of information for operation of the inhaler device 100. The memory 114 may be a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.

[0036] The communicator 115 is a communication interface capable of communication in conformity with any wired or wireless communication standard. Such a communication standard may be, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0037] The controller 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control circuit, and controls the overall operations of the inhaler device 100 in accordance with various programs. The controller 116 includes an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, for example.

[0038] The holder 140 has an internal space 141, and holds a stick substrate 150 in a manner partially accommodated in the internal space 141. The holder 140 has an opening 142 that allows the internal space 141 to communicate with outside. The holder 140 holds the stick substrate 150 that is inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142. For example, the holder 140 may be a tubular body having the opening 142 and a bottom 143 on its ends, and may define the pillar-shaped internal space 141. The holder 140 also has a function of defining a flow path of air supplied to the stick substrate 150. An air inlet hole, which is an inlet of air to the flow path, is disposed in the bottom 143, for example. On the other hand, an air outlet hole, which is an outlet of air from the flow path, is the opening 142.

[0039] The stick substrate 150 includes a substrate 151 and an inhalation port 152. The substrate 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source is a liquid such as polyhydric alcohol or water. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol source may include a flavor component that is either derived from tobacco or not derived from tobacco. For the inhaler device 100 that is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a medicine. In the present configuration example, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. The stick substrate 150 held by the holder 140 includes the substrate 151 at least partially accommodated in the internal space 141 and the inhalation port 152 at least partially protruding from the opening 142. When the user inhales with the inhalation port 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his/her mouth, air flows into the internal space 141 through the air inlet hole (not illustrated), and the air and an aerosol generated from the substrate 151 reach inside the mouth of the user

[0040] The heater 121 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol source and generate the aerosol. In the example illustrated in Fig. 1, the heater 121 has a film-like shape and surrounds the outer circumference of the holder 140. Subsequently, heat produced from the heater 121 heats the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 from the outer circumference, generating the aerosol. The heater 121 produces heat when supplied with electric power from the power supply 111. In an example, the electric power may be supplied in response to the sensor 112 detecting a start of the user's inhalation and/or an input of predetermined information. Subsequently, the supply of the electric power may be stopped in response to the sensor 112 detecting an end of the user's inhalation and/or an input of predetermined information.

[0041] The heat insulator 144 prevents heat from transferring from the heater 121 to the other structural elements. For example, the heat insulator 144 may be a vacuum heat insulator or an aerogel heat insulator.

[0042] The configuration example of the inhaler device 100 has been described above. The inhaler device 100 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured in various ways as exemplified below.

[0043] In an example, the heater 121 may have a blade-like shape, and may be disposed so that the heater 121 protrudes from the bottom 143 of the holder 140 toward the internal space 141. In this case, the heater 121 having the blade-like shape is inserted into the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 from its inside. In another example, the heater 121 may be disposed so that the heater 121 covers the bottom 143 of the holder 140. In still another example, the heater 121 may be implemented as a combination of two or more selected from a first heater that covers the outer circumference of the holder 140, a second heater having the blade-like shape, and a third heater that covers the bottom 143 of the holder 140.

[0044] In another example, the holder 140 may include an opening/closing mechanism that at least partially opens and closes an outer shell defining the internal space 141. Examples of the opening/closing mechanism include a hinge. In addition, the holder 140 may accommodate the stick substrate 150 while sandwiching the stick substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening and closing the outer shell. In this case, the heater 121 may be at the sandwiching position of the holder 140 and may produce heat while pressing the stick substrate 150.

[0045] In addition, means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited to heating by the heater 121. For example, the means for atomizing the aerosol source may be induction heating.

[0046] The inhaler device 100 and the stick substrate 150 cooperate with each other to generate an aerosol to be inhaled by the user. Thus, the combination of the inhaler device 100 and the stick substrate 150 may be regarded as an aerosol generation system.

<2. First embodiment>

(1) Circuit configuration

[0047] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a partial circuit configuration of the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a vibration element 171 and a measurer 172.

[0048] The vibration element 171 is a device that vibrates. The vibration element 171 may be, for example, an eccentric motor. The vibration element 171 vibrates when supplied with electric power. The vibration element 171 is an example of an operation portion that operates by using electric power supplied from the power supply 111 and that is different from the heater 121. The vibration element 171 is included in the notifier 113 and vibrates to notify a user of various items of information.

[0049] The measurer 172 measures a physical quantity corresponding to the temperature of the heater 121. Hereinafter, the physical quantity measured by the measurer 172 will be also referred to as a measurement value. The measurer 172 outputs the measurement value to the controller 116. An example of the measurement value is a resistance value of the heater 121. The resistance value of the heater 121 (more specifically, a heating resistor constituting the heater 121) changes according to the temperature of the heating resistor. The resistance value of the heating resistor can be estimated by, for example, measuring a voltage drop in the heating resistor. The voltage drop in the heating resistor can be obtained by measuring a potential difference applied to the heating resistor. That is, the measurer 172 may measure a voltage drop in the heater 121 and measure, based on the measured voltage drop, the resistance value of the heater 121.

[0050] The power supply 111 supplies electric power to the vibration element 171 and the heater 121. The power supply 111 includes a circuit for switching a power supply destination. In accordance with control by the controller 116, ON/OFF of supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171 and ON/OFF of supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the heater 121 are switched.

[0051] The controller 116 controls supply of electric power by the power supply 111. Specifically, the controller 116 transmits, to the power supply 111, a control signal for controlling a power supply destination and a power supply amount (for example, the duty ratio of electric power pulses or the like described below) of the power supply 111. In an example, the controller 116 controls supply of electric power to the heater 121, based on a measurement value detected by the measurer 172. The heater 121 heats the stick substrate 150 (that is, the aerosol source) by using the electric power supplied from the power supply 111 to generate an aerosol.

(2) Heating profile

[0052] The controller 116 controls the operation of the heater 121, based on a heating setting. The control of the operation of the heater 121 is implemented by controlling supply of electric power from the power supply 1 1 1 to the heater 121. The heating setting is information defining a time-series transition of a target temperature, which is a target value of the temperature of the heater 121. Hereinafter, such a heating setting is also referred to as a heating profile.

[0053] The controller 116 controls the operation of the heater 121 such that the temperature of the heater 121 corresponding to the measurement value measured by the measurer 172 (hereinafter also referred to as an actual temperature) changes in a manner similar to the target temperature defined in the heating profile. The heating profile is typically designed to optimize the flavor that a user tastes when the user inhales an aerosol generated from the stick substrate 150. Thus, controlling of the operation of the heater 121 based on the heating profile makes it possible to optimize the flavor that the user tastes.

[0054] The heating profile includes one or more combinations of a target temperature and information indicating a timing at which the target temperature is to be reached. The controller 116 controls the operation of the heater 121 while switching the target temperature in accordance with the elapse of time from the start of heating based on the heating profile. Specifically, the controller 116 controls the operation of the heater 121, based on the difference between a current actual temperature and a target temperature corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of heating based on the heating profile. The operation control of the heater 121 can be implemented by, for example, known feedback control. The feedback control may be, for example, proportional-integral-differential controller (PID controller). The controller 116 may cause electric power from the power supply 111 to be supplied to the heater 121 in the form of pulses generated by pulse width modulation (PWM) or pulse frequency modulation (PFM). In this case, the controller 116 is capable of controlling the operation of the heater 121 by adjusting the duty ratio or frequency of electric power pulses in the feedback control. Alternatively, the controller 116 may perform simple ON/OFF control in the feedback control. For example, the controller 116 performs heating by the heater 121 until the actual temperature reaches the target temperature. The controller 116 may stop the heating by the heater 121 when the actual temperature reaches the target temperature, and may perform the heating by the heater 121 again when the actual temperature becomes lower than the target temperature.

[0055] A period from the start to the end of the process of generating an aerosol using the stick substrate 150 will be hereinafter also referred to as a heating session. In other words, the heating session is a period during which supply of electric power to the heater 121 is controlled based on the heating profile. The start of the heating session is a timing at which heating based on the heating profile is started. The end of the heating session is a timing at which a sufficient amount of aerosol is no longer generated. The heating session includes a first preheating period and a latter puffable period. The puffable period is a period during which a sufficient amount of aerosol is assumed to be generated. The preheating period is a period from the start of heating to the start of the puffable period. The heating performed in the preheating period is also referred to as preheating.

[0056] The heating profile may include a plurality of periods each of which has, set therein, a target temperature. Control may be performed such that a target temperature set in a certain period is reached at a certain timing in the period, or control may be performed such that the target temperature is reached at the end of the period. In any case, it is possible to change the actual temperature of the heater 121 in a manner similar to the transition of the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0057] An example of the heating profile is shown in Table 1 below.

[Table 1]

Table 1. Example of heating profile
Period		Elapsed time from start of heating	Target temperature	Resistance value corresponding to target temperature
Large classification	Small classification
Initial temperature rise period	Temperature rise period	0 sec. to 20 sec.	300°C	1.35 Ω
	Temperature maintaining period	20 sec. to 40 sec.	300°C	1.35 Ω
Intermediate temperature drop period	Temperature drop period	40 sec. to 50 sec.	250°C	1.25 Ω
Temperature re-rise period	Temperature maintaining period	50 sec. to 150 sec.	250°C	1.25 Ω
	Temperature rise period	150 sec. to 250 sec.	280°C	1.30 Ω
	Temperature maintaining period	250 sec. to 350 sec.	280°C	1.30 Ω
Heating termination period	Temperature drop period	Thereafter	-	-

[0058] An ideal transition of the resistance value of the heater 121 when the controller 116 performs control in accordance with the heating profile shown in Table 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a graph showing an ideal transition of the resistance value of the heater 121 when control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1. The horizontal axis of this graph represents time (seconds). The vertical axis of this graph represents the resistance value of the heater 121. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the resistance value of the heater 121 changes in a manner similar to the transition of the resistance value corresponding to the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0059] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes an initial temperature rise period at the beginning. The initial temperature rise period is a period during which the temperature of the heater 121 rises from an initial temperature to a predetermined temperature. The initial temperature is the temperature of the heater 121 at the start of heating. The predetermined temperature is a temperature at which the temperature of the stick substrate 150 is assumed to generate a sufficient amount of aerosol. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the resistance value of the heater 121 rapidly rises to 1.35 Ω in the initial temperature rise period, and then maintains 1.35 Ω. Accordingly, the actual temperature of the heater 121 rapidly rises to 300°C in the initial temperature rise period, and then maintains 300°C. The period during which the temperature of the heater 121 rises is also referred to as a temperature rise period, and the period during which the temperature of the heater 121 is maintained is also referred to as a temperature maintaining period. This configuration makes it possible to end preheating early and start the puffable period early. In Fig. 3, the preheating period ends after 30 seconds from the start of heating.

[0060] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes an intermediate temperature drop period that follows the initial temperature rise period. The intermediate temperature drop period is a period during which the temperature of the heater 121 drops. The intermediate temperature drop period is constituted by a temperature drop period during which the temperature of the heater 121 drops. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the resistance value of the heater 121 drops from 1.35 Ω to 1.25 Ω in the intermediate temperature drop period. Accordingly, the actual temperature of the heater 121 drops to 250°C in the intermediate temperature drop period. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated by the remaining heat of the heater 121 and the stick substrate 150. Here, if the heater 121 is maintained at a high temperature, the aerosol source included in the stick substrate 150 is rapidly consumed, which may cause deterioration of flavor, such as excessively strong flavor tasted by the user. In this regard, the intermediate temperature drop period provided in the middle makes it possible to avoid such deterioration of flavor and improve the quality of puff experience of the user. In the intermediate temperature drop period, supply of a small amount of electric power to the heater 121 may be continued such that the temperature of the heater 121 drops. This is for measurement of the resistance value in the intermediate temperature drop period.

[0061] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes a temperature re-rise period that follows the intermediate temperature drop period. The temperature re-rise period is a period after the temperature of the heater 121 drops, and is a period during which the temperature of the heater 121 rises. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the resistance value of the heater 121 first maintains 1.25 Ω, then rises to 1.30 Ω, and then maintains 1.30 Ω. Accordingly, the actual temperature of the heater 121 maintains 250°C, then rises to 280°C, and then maintains 280°C. As described above, the temperature re-rise period of the heating profile may include a temperature maintaining period at the beginning, which is followed by a temperature rise period, and include a temperature maintaining period at the end. If the temperature of the heater 121 is continuously decreased, the temperature of the stick substrate 150 is also decreased. Thus, the amount of aerosol generated reduces, and the flavor tasted by the user may be deteriorated. In addition, as the heating profile progresses toward the end, the remaining amount of the aerosol source included in the stick substrate 150 decreases, and thus the amount of aerosol generated tends to reduce even if heating is continued at the same temperature. In this regard, re-rise of the temperature and an increase in the amount of aerosol generated in the latter half of the heating profile make it possible to compensate for a decrease in the amount of aerosol generated caused by a decrease in the remaining amount of the aerosol source. Accordingly, even in the latter half of the heating profile, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the flavor that the user tastes.

[0062] As shown in Table 1, the heating profile includes a heating termination period at the last. The heating termination period is a period that follows the temperature re-rise period, and is a period during which heating is not performed. The target temperature need not necessarily be set. In the heating termination period, supply of electric power to the heater 121 ends, and the temperature of the heater 121 drops. Even in this case, a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated for a while by the remaining heat of the heater 121 and the stick substrate 150. In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the puffable period, that is, the heating session, ends after 340 seconds from the start of heating.

(3) Notification

[0063] The controller 116 controls the vibration element 171 to notify the user of various items of information. For example, the controller 116 may notify the user of the timing at which the puffable period starts and the timing at which the puffable period ends. Furthermore, the controller 116 may notify the user of the timing that is a predetermined time before the end of the puffable period (for example, the timing at which supply of electric power to the heater 121 ends). In this case, the user is able to take a puff in the puffable period with reference to the notification.

[0064] The controller 116 may control supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171, based on the elapsed time from the start of heating by the heater 121. In an example, the controller 116 may vibrate the vibration element 171 after 30 seconds from the start of heating, as a notification of the timing at which the puffable period starts. In another example, the controller 116 may vibrate the vibration element 171 after 310 seconds from the start of heating, as a notification of the timing that is a predetermined time before the end of the puffable period. This configuration makes it possible to easily provide a notification of the timing at which a puff is to be taken.

[0065] The controller 116 may control supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171, based on the resistance value measured by the measurer 172. In an example, the controller 116 may vibrate the vibration element 171 10 seconds after the resistance value reaches 1.35 Ω in the initial temperature rise period, as a notification of the timing at which the puffable period starts. In another example, the controller 116 may vibrate the vibration element 171 60 seconds after the resistance value reaches 1.30 Ω in the temperature re-rise period, as a notification of the timing that is a predetermined time before the end of the puffable period. There is a possibility that the actual temperature of the heater 121 does not change in the manner defined in the heating profile due to an influence of an environmental temperature or the like. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to provide a notification indicating that a puff is to be taken, at an appropriate timing according to the transition of the actual temperature of the heater 121.

[0066] The controller 116 may control supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171, based on the number of times an aerosol generated by the heater 121 heating the aerosol source is inhaled. In an example, the controller 116 may vibrate the vibration element 171 when the number of puffs from the start of the puffable period reaches a predetermined number, as a notification of the timing at which the puffable period ends. As the number of puffs that are taken increases, the aerosol source of the stick substrate 150 is consumed more and exhausted earlier. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to provide a notification of the end of the puffable period at an appropriate timing according to the consumption speed of the aerosol source.

(4) Technical issues

[0067] The vibration element 171 and the heater 121 share the power supply 111. Thus, noise may occur in the resistance value of the heater 121 measured by the measurer 172 in accordance with supply of electric power to the vibration element 171. This point will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6.

[0068] Fig. 4 is a graph showing an example of an actual transition of the resistance value of the heater 121. The horizontal axis of this graph represents time (seconds). The vertical axis of this graph represents the resistance value of the heater 121 measured by the measurer 172. This graph shows an actual transition of the resistance value of the heater 121 measured by the measurer 172 in a case where control is performed based on the heating profile shown in Table 1 and where the vibration element 171 vibrates after 30 seconds and 310 seconds from the start of heating. The vibration element 171 vibrates after 30 seconds and 310 seconds from the start of heating, as a notification of the timing at which the puffable period starts and a notification of the timing that is a predetermined time before the end of the puffable period.

[0069] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the resistance value of the heater 121 changes in a manner similar to the ideal transition illustrated in Fig. 3, but fluctuates slightly up and down. One reason of the slight up and down of the resistance value of the heater 121 is that the measurer 172 samples the resistance value at a predetermined sampling period, and the controller 116 controls supply of electric power at the sampling period. However, a relatively large fluctuation occurs at the timing of supplying electric power to the vibration element 171. This point will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 and 6.

[0070] Figs. 5 and 6 are graphs showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of the timing at which electric power is supplied to the vibration element 171 in the graph shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 illustrates an actual transition of the heater 121 in the vicinity of 30 seconds after the start of heating. In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, a fluctuation of 0.02 Ω occurs immediately after the timing at which electric power is supplied to the vibration element 171. Fig. 6 illustrates an actual transition of the heater 121 in the vicinity of 31 0 seconds after the start of heating. In the example illustrated in Fig. 6, a fluctuation of 0.03 Ω occurs immediately after the timing at which electric power is supplied to the vibration element 171.

[0071] A factor of such a relatively large fluctuation is the occurrence of noise caused by supply of electric power to the vibration element 171. When supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 starts, the current load on the power supply 111 increases stepwise. As a transient response of the current load, the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 fluctuates. Specifically, at the moment at which the current load increases due to supply of electric power to the vibration element 171, a large fluctuation occurs in the voltage of the power supply 111. In accordance with the instantaneous fluctuation of the voltage, fluctuation (that is, noise) occurs in the resistance value measured by the measurer 172. For this reason, noise occurs in the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 immediately after electric power is supplied to the vibration element 171 that shares the power supply 111 with the heater 121.

[0072] The noise occurred in the resistance value adversely affects the operation control of the heater 121. In this case, it is difficult to realize a temperature transition as designed in the heating profile, and the user experience may deteriorate. When a function of determining an error in accordance with a resistance value is implemented in the inhaler device 100, an error may be erroneously determined. In this case, measures such as stop of heating, which are originally unnecessary, are executed, and the user is subjected to a disadvantage.

[0073] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, measures are taken against noise occurred in the resistance value to prevent the occurrence of these inconveniences and improve the quality of user experience.

(5) Measures against noise

[0074] The controller 116 performs a process of correcting the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 (hereinafter also referred to as a correction process) in accordance with the start of supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171. Correcting of the resistance value having noise makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience resulting from the occurrence of noise in the resistance value and to improve the quality of user experience.

[0075] The correction process includes setting a correction subject period in accordance with the start of supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171, and when the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the resistance value. The correction subject period is a period during which the measured resistance value may be corrected. Limiting of the correction subject period makes it possible to reduce the processing load. The correction subject range is the range of the resistance value in which noise is supposed to have occurred. Setting of the correction subject range makes it possible to correct the resistance value in which noise is supposed to have occurred and eliminate an influence of noise.

Setting of correction subject period

[0076] The correction subject period may be a period from when supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 is started to when a predetermined sampling number of resistance values are measured. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, large noise occurs immediately after supply of electric power to the vibration element 171, and then the fluctuation of the resistance value converges. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to limit the correction subject period to a period during which large noise may occur due to supply of electric power to the vibration element 171. Thus, the processing load can be reduced.

[0077] The correction subject period may be a period from the start to the stop of supply of electric power to the vibration element 171. This configuration makes it possible to include the entire period during which noise may occur due to supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 in the correction subject period. Thus, it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of inconvenience resulting from the occurrence of noise in the resistance value.

Setting of correction subject range

[0078] The controller 116 may set the correction subject range in accordance with the resistance value measured last time. For example, at a certain sampling time, the controller 116 sets, as a correction subject range, a range in which the difference from the resistance value measured at the immediately preceding sampling time exceeds a predetermined value. That is, the controller 116 may correct the resistance value measured at a certain sampling time when the difference between the resistance value measured at the certain sampling time and the resistance value measured at the immediately preceding sampling time exceeds a predetermined value. This configuration makes it possible to monitor the occurrence of noise while updating the correction subject range in accordance with fluctuation of the resistance value. Such setting of the correction subject range is particularly effective in a period during which the resistance value is assumed to change, that is, a period during which the target temperature in the heating profile changes (that is, a temperature rise period and a temperature drop period).

[0079] The controller 116 may set the correction subject range in accordance with the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating. For example, the controller 116 sets, as a correction subject range, a range in which the difference from the resistance value corresponding to the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating exceeds a predetermined value. This configuration makes it possible to monitor the occurrence of noise while reducing the update frequency of the correction subject range. Such setting of the correction subject range is particularly effective in a period during which the resistance value is assumed not to change, that is, a period during which the target temperature in the heating profile does not change (that is, a temperature maintaining period).

[0080] In response to a puff being taken, the temperature of the heater 121 temporarily drops. Thus, in response to a puff being detected, the controller 116 may switch the method for setting the correction subject range. For example, the controller 116 may set the correction subject range in accordance with the resistance value measured last time during a predetermined period from the detection of a puff, and may set the correction subject range in accordance with the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating during the other periods.

[0081] The controller 116 may select a method for setting the correction subject range in accordance with a period in the heating profile corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating. This configuration makes it possible to set the correction subject range while performing switching to an effective setting method for each period defined in the heating profile. This makes it possible to more appropriately eliminate an influence of noise.

[0082] Specifically, the controller 116 may set the correction subject range in accordance with the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating in the period during which the target temperature does not change, that is, in the temperature maintaining period. This configuration makes it possible to perform more effective correction in the temperature maintaining period.

[0083] On the other hand, in the period during which the target temperature changes, that is, in a temperature rise period and a temperature drop period, the controller 116 may set the correction subject range in accordance with the resistance value measured last time. This configuration makes it possible to perform more effective correction in the temperature rise period and the temperature drop period.

Method for correcting resistance value

[0084] Various methods can be employed for correcting a resistance value serving as a subject of correction. An example thereof will be described below. A resistance value serving as a subject of correction is a resistance value measured in the correction subject period and is a resistance value included in the correction subject range.

[0085] The controller 116 may correct the resistance value serving as a subject of correction to a resistance value measured before the resistance value serving as a subject of correction. For example, the controller 116 corrects the resistance value serving as a subject of correction to the correction value measured last time. Such a correction method is particularly effective in a period during which the resistance value is assumed not to change, that is, a period during which the target temperature in the heating profile does not change (that is, a temperature maintaining period).

[0086] The controller 116 may correct the resistance value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation. Alternatively, the controller 116 may correct the resistance value serving as a subject of correction by moving average. In any case, the controller 116 is capable of correcting the resistance value serving as a subject of correction so as to follow a rough tendency of the change in the resistance value. Such a correction method is particularly effective in a period during which the resistance value is assumed to change, that is, a period during which the target temperature in the heating profile changes (that is, a temperature rise period and a temperature drop period).

[0087] The controller 116 may select a method for correcting the resistance value serving as a subject of correction in the correction process in accordance with a period in the heating profile corresponding to an elapsed time from the start of heating. This configuration makes it possible to correct the resistance value serving as a subject of measurement while performing switching to an effective correction method for each period defined in the heating profile. This makes it possible to more appropriately eliminate an influence of noise.

[0088] Specifically, in a period during which the target temperature does not change, that is, in a temperature maintaining period, the controller 116 may correct the resistance value serving as a subject of correction to a resistance value measured before the resistance value serving as a subject of correction. This configuration makes it possible to perform more effective correction in the temperature maintaining period.

[0089] On the other hand, in a period during which the target temperature changes, that is, in a temperature rise period and a temperature drop period, the controller 116 may correct the resistance value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation or moving average. This configuration makes it possible to perform more effective correction in the temperature rise period and the temperature drop period.

Error process

[0090] The controller 116 may prohibit heating by the heater 121 when the number of times the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 in the correction subject period is included in the correction subject range (simply, the number of times the resistance value is corrected) reaches a first predetermined number. Prohibiting heating by the heater 121 refers to stopping heating when heating is in progress, and not performing heating even if a user operation of providing an instruction to start heating is performed in the future. The controller 116 may prohibit heating by the heater 121 when the number of times the resistance value is corrected in one correction subject period reaches the first predetermined number Alternatively, the controller 116 may prohibit heating by the heater 121 when the total number of times the resistance value is corrected in a plurality of correction subject periods set during heating based on one heating profile reaches the first predetermined number. If the number of times of correction is too large, there is a possibility that not noise but some error has occurred in the heater 121. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to determine an error of the heater 121 and enhance the safety of the user

[0091] In particular, the controller 116 may prohibit heating by the heater 121 when the number of times the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 in the correction subject period is consecutively included in the correction subject range reaches the first predetermined number. When the resistance value is consecutively included in the correction subject range, there is a high probability that some error has occurred in the heater 121. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to further enhance the safety of the user.

[0092] On the other hand, the controller 116 may prohibit heating by the heater 121 when the number of times the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 in a period other than the correction subject period is included in an error determination range reaches a second predetermined number. The error determination range is a range of the resistance value in which a failure is supposed to have occurred in the heater 121. The error determination range may be set by a method similar to the method for setting the correction subject range. This configuration makes it possible to determine an error of the heater 121 and enhance the safety of the user even in a period during which no electric power is supplied to the vibration element 171.

[0093] The controller 116 may set the error determination range more strictly than the correction subject range. Specifically, when the correction subject range includes a range of a first threshold value or more and a range of less than a second threshold value, the error determination range includes a range of a third threshold value or more and a range of less than a fourth threshold value. The third threshold value is smaller than the first threshold value, and the fourth threshold value is greater than the second threshold value. That is, when the resistance value measured in the correction subject period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the controller 116 corrects the resistance value. When the resistance value measured in a period other than the correction subject period is equal to or greater than the third threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, the controller 116 determines that an error has occurred. When the resistance value measured in the correction subject period is smaller than the second threshold value, the controller 116 corrects the resistance value. When the resistance value measured in a period other than the correction subject period is smaller than the fourth threshold value greater than the second threshold value, the controller 116 determines that an error has occurred. In the correction subject period, the resistance value fluctuates more greatly due to an influence of noise than in a period other than the correction subject period. In this regard, as a result of setting the correction subject range less strictly than the error determination range, it is possible to prevent a fluctuation of the resistance value caused by an influence of noise from being erroneously determined as an error.

[0094]  Here, the first predetermined number is desirably set to be greater than the second predetermined number. This is because the occurrence of noise in the resistance value according to supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 is not an error. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the occurrence of noise is erroneously determined as an error and the user is subjected to a disadvantage.

(6) Flow of process

[0095] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process executed by the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0096] As illustrated in Fig. 7, first, the controller 116 determines whether a puff request has been detected (step S102). The puff request is a user operation requesting generation of an aerosol (i.e., an instruction to start heating). An example of the puff request is an operation on the inhaler device 100, such as an operation on a switch or the like provided in the inhaler device 100. Another example of the puff request is insertion of the stick substrate 150 into the inhaler device 100. The insertion of the stick substrate 150 into the inhaler device 100 may be detected by a capacitive proximity sensor that detects the capacitance in a space near the opening 142, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in the internal space 141, or the like.

[0097] If it is determined that a puff request has not been detected (NO in step S102), the controller 116 waits until a puff request has been detected.

[0098] On the other hand, if it is determined that a puff request has been detected (YES in step S102), the controller 116 controls the operation of the heater 121 to start heating based on the heating profile (step S104). For example, the controller 116 starts a process of controlling supply of electric power from the power supply 111 such that the actual temperature of the heater 121 corresponding to the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 changes in a manner similar to the target temperature defined in the heating profile.

[0099] Subsequently, the controller 116 determines whether an error condition is satisfied (step S106). An example of the error condition is that the number of times the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 in the correction subject period is included in the correction subject range reaches a first predetermined number Another example of the error condition is that the number of times the resistance value measured by the measurer172 is included in the error determination range reaches a second predetermined number.

[0100] If it is determined that the error condition is satisfied (YES in step S106), the controller 116 prohibits heating by the heater 121 (step S108). Thereafter, the process ends.

[0101] If it is determined that the error condition is not satisfied (NO in step S106), the controller 116 determines whether an end condition is satisfied (step S110). An example of the end condition is that the elapsed time from the start of heating has reached a predetermined time. Another example of the end condition is that the number of puffs from the start of heating has reached a predetermined number.

[0102] If it is determined that the end condition is satisfied (YES in step S110), the controller 116 ends the heating based on the heating profile (step S112). Thereafter, the process ends.

[0103] If it is determined that the end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S110), the controller 116 determines whether to start supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 (step S114). For example, the controller 116 determines to start supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 when the timing at which the puffable period starts and the timing that is a predetermined time before the end of the puffable period have come.

[0104] If it is determined that supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 is not to be started (NO in 114), the process returns to step S106.

[0105] If it is determined that supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 is to be started (YES in 114), the controller 116 starts supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 and sets a correction subject period (step S116). For example, the controller 116 sets, as a correction subject period, a predetermined period from when supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 is started.

[0106] Subsequently, the controller 116 determines whether a current time is within the correction subject period (step S118).

[0107] If it is determined that the current time is out of the correction subject period, that is, the correction subject period has ended (NO in step S118), the process returns to step S106.

[0108] If it is determined that the current time is within the correction subject period (YES in step S118), the controller 116 determines whether the resistance value of the heater 121 measured by the measurer 172 is included in the correction subject range (step S120).

[0109] If it is determined that the resistance value of the heater 121 is not included in the correction subject range (NO in step S120), the process returns to step S118.

[0110] If it is determined that the resistance value of the heater 121 is included in the correction subject range (YES in step S120), the controller 116 corrects the resistance value included in the correction subject range (step S122). For example, the controller 116 corrects the resistance value serving as a subject of correction to the resistance value measured last time, or corrects the resistance value by linear interpolation or moving average.

[0111] Subsequently, the controller 116 controls heating based on the heating profile in accordance with the corrected resistance value (step S124). Thereafter, the process returns to step S118.

<3. Second embodiment>

[0112] In the present embodiment, a correction process is performed on the resistance value of the heater 121 in consideration of a temperature drop of the heater 121 caused by a puff.

[0113] In response to a value generated in accordance with a puff being detected by the sensor 112, the controller 116 determines that a puff has been taken. An example of a value generated in accordance with a puff is a temperature drop in an air flow path to the holder 140, detected by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor disposed in the air flow path. When a deep puff (a puff with a large amount of inhalation) is taken, the temperature greatly drops, and when a shallow puff (a puff with a small amount of inhalation) is taken, the temperature slightly drops.

[0114] The controller 116 performs a correction process in response to a puff being taken. When a puff is taken, the temperature of the heater 121 as well as the air flow path drops, and thus the resistance value of the heater 121 changes. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to more appropriately eliminate an influence of noise in consideration of the change in the resistance value resulting from an influence of a puff.

[0115] Specifically, the controller 116 may set a correction subject range in response to a puff being taken. For example, the controller 116 estimates the amount of decrease in the resistance value of the heater 121 caused by a puff in accordance with a temperature drop in the air flow path. The controller 116 may decrease the correction subject range that is set in accordance with the start of supply of electric power to the vibration element 171, by the amount of decrease in the resistance value caused by a puff.

[0116] In addition, the controller 116 may correct the resistance value serving as a subject of correction in response to a puff being taken. For example, in the case of correcting the resistance value serving as a subject of correction by moving average, the controller 116 may apply moving average only to the value obtained after a puff is taken.

<4. Third embodiment>

[0117] In the present embodiment, when the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply 111 to the heater 121 greatly changes, a correction process is performed on the resistance value of the heater 121 in consideration of the change.

[0118] The controller 116 performs a correction process in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply 111 to the heater 121 exceeding a predetermined threshold value. When the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121 greatly changes, the resistance value of the heater 121 also greatly changes. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to more appropriately eliminate an influence of noise in consideration of the change in the resistance value caused by a large change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121.

[0119] An example of a factor causing a large change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121 is a deep puff. When a deep puff is taken, the temperature of the heater 121 greatly decreases, and the difference from the target temperature increases. Thus, the duty ratio of the electric power pulses supplied to the heater 121 is controlled to be increased. Accordingly, noise may occur in the resistance value of the heater 121 measured by the measurer 172.

[0120] Thus, the controller 116 performs a correction process in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121 exceeding a predetermined threshold value. The correction process includes setting a correction subject period in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply 111 to the heater 121 exceeding a predetermined threshold value, and when the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the resistance value. The setting of the correction subject period, the setting of the correction subject range, the method for correcting the resistance value, and the error process may be performed in a manner similar to those in the first embodiment. This configuration makes it possible to appropriately eliminate an influence of noise that occurs due to a large change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121.

[0121] The correction subject period set in accordance with the start of supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the vibration element 171 described in the first embodiment is also referred to as a first correction subject period. On the other hand, the correction subject range set in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply 111 to the heater 121 exceeding a predetermined threshold value described in the present embodiment is also referred to as a second correction subject period. When the first correction subject period and the second correction subject period overlap each other, the controller 116 couples the first correction subject period and the second correction subject period to each other. For example, a case is assumed in which the vibration element 171 vibrates and the first correction subject period starts during a period from when the second correction subject period starts in response to a deep puff to when the second correction subject periods ends. In this case, the controller 116 performs a correction process by regarding a period from the start of the second correction subject period to the end of the first correction subject period as a series of correction subject periods. This configuration makes it possible to appropriately eliminate an influence of noise even when a large change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121 and vibration of the vibration element 171 simultaneously occur.

<5. Supplementary description>

[0122] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing examples. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs are able to conceive of various modifications or variations within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, and it is understood that such modifications or variations also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0123] For example, in the above embodiments, a description has been given of an example in which a heating profile is information defining a time-series transition of a target temperature, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the heating profile may be information defining a time-series transition of a target value of the resistance value of the heater 121. In this case, the controller 116 controls the operation of the heater 121 such that the measured resistance value changes in a manner similar to the resistance value defined in the heating profile.

[0124] For example, in the above embodiments, a description has been given of an example in which the power supply 111 is constituted by a rechargeable battery, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The power supply 111 may include a voltage adjustment device such as a step-up/down converter and a low drop out (LDO) regulator, in addition to the battery. In this case, the power supply that supplies electric power to the heater 121, the vibration element 171, and the measurer 172 may be the same battery or voltage adjustment device, or at least a part thereof may be different. Even when a voltage adjustment device is included, the input value thereof is supplied from the battery, and thus a voltage fluctuation may occur even when the heater 121, the vibration element 171, and the measurer 172 are supplied with electric power from different power supplies. That is, even when the power supply 111 includes a voltage adjustment device, and the heater 121, the vibration element 171, and the measurer 172 are supplied with electric power from different power supplies, a voltage fluctuation occurs as long as electric power is supplied from the same power supply 111. When electric power is supplied via the same voltage adjustment device, noise of the resistance value measured by the measurer 172 caused by supply of electric power to the vibration element 171 is more likely to occur than when electric power is supplied via different voltage adjustment devices.

[0125] For example, in the above embodiment, a description has been given of an example in which supply of a small amount of electric power to the heater 121 is continued even in the intermediate temperature drop period, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. In the intermediate temperature drop period, supply of electric power to the heater 121 may be stopped. In this case, the temperature of the heater 121 may be separately detected by a temperature sensor such as a thermistor and may be used for the control of the heater 121. Regarding the temperature sensor, it is desirable to take measures in terms of hardware for suppressing the occurrence of noise caused by supply of electric power to the vibration element 171. This is because the above-described correction process need not be applied to the temperature of the heater 121 detected by the temperature sensor. In an example, the temperature sensor, and the heater 121 and the vibration element 171 may be supplied with electric power via different voltage adjustment devices. In another example, a capacitor may be disposed between the power supply 111 and the temperature sensor.

[0126] For example, in the third embodiment described above, taking a deep puff is an example of a factor causing a large change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. Another factor is that heating is started from a state in which heating by the heater 121 is stopped. For example, when supply of electric power to the heater 121 is restarted in the temperature re-rise period after supply of electric power to the heater 121 is stopped in the intermediate temperature drop period, the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121 greatly changes, and noise may occur in the resistance value of the heater 121 measured by the measurer 172. Thus, the controller 116 may perform a correction process in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied to the heater 121 exceeding a predetermined threshold value in accordance with switching from heating-OFF to heating-ON. The details of the correction process are as described in the third embodiment. At the switching from heating-OFF to heating-ON, the temperature of the heater 121 greatly rises. Thus, it is desirable to obtain a resistance value by supplying a small amount of electric power to the heater 121 immediately before switching to heating-ON, and to use the resistance value obtained immediately before switching to heating-ON as a corrected resistance value at the time of correcting the resistance value serving as a subject of correction. Alternatively, it is desirable to use, as a corrected resistance value, a resistance value measured immediately after switching to heating-ON and at least before the influence of noise caused by a transient response reaches a peak. This is because the resistance value measured immediately after switching to heating-ON and at least before the influence of noise caused by a transient response reaches a peak is considered to be less influenced by the noise caused by the transient response than the resistance value measured thereafter.

[0127] For example, in the above embodiments, a description has been given of an example in which the vibration element 171 vibrates at the timing related to the start and end of the puffable period, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The vibration element 171 may vibrate at any timing during heating by the heater 121.

[0128] For example, in the above embodiments, a description has been given of the vibration element 171 as an example of an operation portion that operates by using electric power supplied from the power supply 111 and that is different from the heater 121, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The controller 116 may control the process of correcting the resistance value in accordance with the start of supply of electric power to any operation portion that operates by using electric power supplied from the power supply 111. An example of the operation portion is a light-emitting element, which is a device that emits light. Other examples of the operation portion include a display device that displays an image and a sound output device that outputs sound.

[0129] For example, in the above embodiments, a description has been given of an example in which the correction process is controlled in accordance with the start of supply of electric power to the operation portion, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the correction process may be controlled in accordance with the operation of the operation portion performed when electric power is supplied to the operation portion. Specifically, the controller 116 may set the length of the correction subject period or select the method for correcting the resistance value in accordance with the vibration pattern (amplitude, vibration interval, or the like) of the vibration element 171. The current load on the power supply 111 may vary depending on the vibration pattern. In this regard, this configuration makes it possible to more appropriately eliminate an influence of noise.

[0130] For example, in the above embodiments, a description has been given of an example in which the measurement value measured by the measurer 172 is the resistance value of the heater 121, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The measurement value measured by the measurer 172 may be the temperature of the heater 121. The measurement value measured by the measurer 172 may be a voltage drop in the heater 121.

[0131] A series of processes performed by the individual devices described in this specification may be implemented by using any of software, hardware, and a combination of software and hardware. Programs constituting the software are stored in advance in, for example, a recording medium (specifically, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) provided inside or outside each device. Each program is read into a RAM and is executed by a processor such as a CPU when being executed by a computer that controls each device described in this specification, for example. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a flash memory, or the like. In addition, the foregoing computer programs may be distributed via a network, for example, without using a recording medium.

[0132] In addition, the process described using a flowchart and a sequence diagram in this specification need not necessarily be executed in the illustrated order. Some processing steps may be executed in parallel. In addition, an additional processing step may be employed, and some processing steps may be omitted.

[0133]  The following configurations also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) An inhaler device including:

a power supply configured to supply electric power;

a heater configured to heat a substrate including an aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply;

a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater;

an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater; and

a controller configured to control, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature, wherein

the controller is configured to perform, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value.

(2) The inhaler device according to (1) above, wherein
the correction process includes:

setting a correction subject period in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion; and

when the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the measurement value.

(3) The inhaler device according to (2) above, wherein
the controller is configured to set the correction subject range in accordance with the measurement value measured last time.

(4) The inhaler device according to (2) above, wherein
the controller is configured to set the correction subject range in accordance with the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from start of heating.

(5) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (4) above, wherein
the correction process includes correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction to the measurement value measured before the measurement value serving as a subject of correction.

(6) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (4) above, wherein
the correction process includes correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation.

(7) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (4) above, wherein
the correction process includes correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by moving average.

(8) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (4) above, wherein

the heating setting includes a plurality of periods each of which has, set therein, the target temperature, and

the controller is configured to select, in accordance with a period corresponding to an elapsed time from start of heating among the plurality of periods in the heating setting, a method for correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction in the correction process.

(9) The inhaler device according to (8) above, wherein
the controller is configured to, in a period in which the target temperature does not change among the plurality of periods, correct the measurement value serving as a subject of correction to the measurement value measured before the measurement value serving as a subject of correction.

(10) The inhaler device according to (8) or (9) above, wherein
the controller is configured to, in a period in which the target temperature changes among the plurality of periods, correct the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation or moving average.

(11) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (10) above, wherein
the controller is configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in the correction subject range reaches a first predetermined number

(12) The inhaler device according to (11) above, wherein
the controller is configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is consecutively included in the correction subject range reaches the first predetermined number.

(13) The inhaler device according to (11) or (12) above, wherein

the controller is configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in a period other than the correction subject period is included in an error determination range reaches a second predetermined number, and

the first predetermined number is greater than the second predetermined number.

(14) The inhaler device according to (13) above, wherein

the correction subject range includes a range of a first threshold value or more and a range of less than a second threshold value, and

the error determination range includes a range of a third threshold value or more and a range of less than a fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being smaller than the first threshold value, the fourth threshold value being greater than the second threshold value.

(15) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (14) above, wherein
the correction subject period is a period from when supply of electric power to the operation portion is started to when a predetermined sampling number of the measurement values are measured.

(16) The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (14) above, wherein
the correction subject period is a period from start to stop of supply of electric power to the operation portion.

(17) The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (16) above, wherein
the controller is configured to perform the correction process in response to an aerosol generated by heating the aerosol source being inhaled.

(18) The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (17) above, wherein
the controller is configured to perform the correction process in response to an amount of change in an amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

(19) The inhaler device according to (18) above, wherein
the correction process includes:

setting a correction subject period in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding the predetermined threshold value; and

when the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the measurement value.

(20) The inhaler device according to (19) above, wherein
the controller is configured to couple a first correction subject period and a second correction subject period to each other when the first correction subject period and the second correction subject period overlap each other, the first correction subject period being the correction subject period that is set in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, the second correction subject period being the correction subject range that is set in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

(21) The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (20) above, wherein
the controller is configured to perform the correction process in accordance with an operation of the operation portion performed by supply of electric power to the operation portion.

(22) The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (21) above, wherein
the controller is configured to control, based on the measurement value, supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion.

(23) The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (22) above, wherein
the controller is configured to control, based on an elapsed time from start of heating by the heater or the number of times an aerosol generated by heating the aerosol source is inhaled, supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion.

(24) The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (23) above, wherein
the operation portion is a vibration element or a light-emitting element.

(25) A substrate that is to be heated by an inhaler device and that includes an aerosol source, the inhaler device including:

a power supply configured to supply electric power;

a heater configured to heat the substrate including the aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply;

a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater;

an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater; and

a controller configured to control, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature, wherein

the controller is configured to perform, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value.

(26) A control method for controlling an inhaler device,

the inhaler device including:

a power supply configured to supply electric power;

a heater configured to heat a substrate including an aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply;

a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater; and

an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater,

the control method including:

performing, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value; and

controlling, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature.

Reference Signs List

[0134] 

100

inhaler device

111

power supply

112

sensor

113

notifier

114

memory

115

communicator

116

controller

121

heater

140

holder

141

internal space

142

opening

143

bottom

144

heat insulator

150

stick substrate

151

substrate

152

inhalation port

171

vibration element

172

measurer

Claims

1. An inhaler device comprising:

a power supply configured to supply electric power;

a heater configured to heat a substrate including an aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply;

a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater;

an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater; and

a controller configured to control, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature, wherein

the controller is configured to perform, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value.

2. The inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein
the correction process includes:

setting a correction subject period in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion; and

when the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the measurement value.

3. The inhaler device according to claim 2, wherein
the controller is configured to set the correction subject range in accordance with the measurement value measured last time or the target temperature corresponding to an elapsed time from start of heating.

4. The inhaler device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein
the correction process includes any one of correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction to the measurement value measured before the measurement value serving as a subject of correction, correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation, or correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by moving average.

5. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein

the heating setting includes a plurality of periods each of which has, set therein, the target temperature, and

the controller is configured to select, in accordance with a period corresponding to an elapsed time from start of heating among the plurality of periods in the heating setting, a method for correcting the measurement value serving as a subject of correction in the correction process.

6. The inhaler device according to claim 5, wherein
the controller is configured to, in a period in which the target temperature does not change among the plurality of periods, correct the measurement value serving as a subject of correction to the measurement value measured before the measurement value serving as a subject of correction.

7. The inhaler device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein
the controller is configured to, in a period in which the target temperature changes among the plurality of periods, correct the measurement value serving as a subject of correction by linear interpolation or moving average.

8. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein
the controller is configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in the correction subject range reaches a first predetermined number

9. The inhaler device according to claim 8, wherein

the controller is configured to prohibit heating by the heater when the number of times the measurement value measured by the measurer in a period other than the correction subject period is included in an error determination range reaches a second predetermined number, and

the first predetermined number is greater than the second predetermined number.

10. The inhaler device according to claim 9, wherein

the correction subject range includes a range of a first threshold value or more and a range of less than a second threshold value, and

the error determination range includes a range of a third threshold value or more and a range of less than a fourth threshold value, the third threshold value being smaller than the first threshold value, the fourth threshold value being greater than the second threshold value.

11. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein
the correction subject period is a period from when supply of electric power to the operation portion is started to when a predetermined sampling number of the measurement values are measured.

12. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein
the correction subject period is a period from start to stop of supply of electric power to the operation portion.

13. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein
the controller is configured to perform the correction process in response to an aerosol generated by heating the aerosol source being inhaled.

14. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein
the controller is configured to perform the correction process in response to an amount of change in an amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

15. The inhaler device according to claim 14, wherein
the correction process includes:

setting a correction subject period in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding the predetermined threshold value; and

when the measurement value measured by the measurer in the correction subject period is included in a correction subject range, correcting the measurement value.

16. The inhaler device according to claim 15, wherein
the controller is configured to couple a first correction subject period and a second correction subject period to each other when the first correction subject period and the second correction subject period overlap each other, the first correction subject period being the correction subject period that is set in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, the second correction subject period being the correction subject range that is set in response to the amount of change in the amount of electric power supplied from the power supply to the heater exceeding the predetermined threshold value.

17. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein
the controller is configured to perform the correction process in accordance with an operation of the operation portion performed by supply of electric power to the operation portion.

18. The inhaler device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein
the operation portion is a vibration element or a light-emitting element.

19. A substrate that is to be heated by an inhaler device and that includes an aerosol source, the inhaler device comprising:

a power supply configured to supply electric power;

a heater configured to heat the substrate including the aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply;

a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater;

an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater; and

a controller configured to control, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature, wherein

the controller is configured to perform, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value.

20. A control method for controlling an inhaler device,

the inhaler device comprising:

a power supply configured to supply electric power;

a heater configured to heat a substrate including an aerosol source by using electric power supplied from the power supply;

a measurer configured to measure a measurement value corresponding to a temperature of the heater; and

an operation portion configured to operate by using electric power supplied from the power supply, the operation portion being different from the heater,

the control method comprising:

performing, in accordance with start of supply of electric power from the power supply to the operation portion, a correction process of correcting the measurement value; and

performing, based on a heating setting defining a time-series transition of a target temperature which is a target value of the temperature of the heater, an operation of the heater such that the temperature of the heater corresponding to the measurement value changes in a manner similar to the target temperature.

Drawing