AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE

Abstract

 An aerosol-generating device 1 comprises: a heating unit for heating an aerosol source; a housing 11 which accommodates the heating unit and comprises a top face 15 provided with an opening for insertion of the aerosol source or a delivery port through which the heated aerosol source is delivered to the outside, a right side face 14 provided in a direction intersecting the top face 15, and a top right curved face 19 provided between the top face 15 and the right side face 14; a contact sensor 100 for detecting an action on the top right curved face 19; and a control unit for performing processing in response to an action detected by the contact sensor 100.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating device.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The device disclosed in PTL 1, for example, comprises: a heating assembly configured to heat an aerosol-generating material; an input interface configured to accept input to select an operating mode from among several operating modes; and a control device. The control device is configured to detect actions on the input interface, and to cause the heating assembly to start heating of the aerosol-generating material in response to the action detected on the input interface.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

[0003] [PTL 1] JP 2022-524198 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In order for the user to perform input actions, such as the input action to start heating by the heating unit, while gripping the aerosol-generating device, it would be desirable to place the component that enables the user to perform input actions (the input interface in PTL 1) in a place that is easy to operate even while gripping the aerosol-generating device.
The objective of the present disclosure lies in providing an aerosol-generating device with which a user can easily perform input actions.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0005] The present disclosure which was completed on the basis of this objective lies in an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit for heating an aerosol source; a housing which accommodates the heating unit and comprises a first face provided with an opening for insertion of the aerosol source or a delivery port through which the heated aerosol source is delivered to the outside, a second face provided in a direction intersecting the first face, and a third face provided between the first face and the second face; a contact sensor for detecting an action on the third face; and a control unit for performing processing in response to an action detected by the contact sensor.
Here, the opening may be provided on one end side of the first face, and the second face may be provided on the other end side of the first face.
Furthermore, the opening may be provided in the center of the first face, and the second face may be provided around the first face.
Furthermore, the control unit may perform processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor in a direction from the first face side to the second face side.
Furthermore, the control unit may start heating by the heating unit when the abovementioned movement action has been performed.
Furthermore, the control unit may perform processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor in a direction from the second face side to the first face side.
Furthermore, the control unit may stop heating by the heating unit when the movement action has been accepted.
Furthermore, the control unit may be configured not to perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor while heating by the heating unit is in progress.
Furthermore, the control unit may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor when a predetermined event has been detected, even if heating by the heating unit is in progress.
Furthermore, the control unit may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor only within a predetermined time after the predetermined event was detected.
Furthermore, the control unit may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor according to whether the opening is open or closed.
Furthermore, the control unit may start heating when the opening is open and a predetermined action to start heating by the heating unit has been performed on the contact sensor, and may be configured not to start heating when the opening is closed, even if this predetermined action is performed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0006] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide an aerosol-generating device with which a user can easily perform input actions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] 

[Fig. 1] is an exemplary diagram in which an aerosol-generating device is viewed from diagonally above from the front.

[Fig. 2] is an exemplary diagram in which the aerosol-generating device is viewed from diagonally above from the rear.

[Fig. 3] is an exemplary diagram in which a main body with a cover removed is viewed from a front side.

[Fig. 4] is an exemplary diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the aerosol-generating device.

[Fig. 5] shows an example of swiping actions performed by a user on a contact sensor.

[Fig. 6] shows an example of the relationship between swiping actions on the contact sensor and switching of the state of the generating device.

[Fig. 7] shows an example of the generating device being held in the right hand.

[Fig. 8] shows an example of the generating device being held in the left hand.

[Fig. 9] is a flowchart showing an example of heating-stop processing performed by the control unit.

[Fig. 10] shows an example of the schematic configuration of a generating device according to a fifth embodiment.

[Fig. 11] shows an example of swiping actions performed by a user on a contact sensor according to the fifth embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Fig. 1 is an exemplary diagram in which an aerosol-generating device 1 is viewed from diagonally above from the front.
Fig. 2 is an exemplary diagram in which the aerosol-generating device 1 is viewed from diagonally above from the rear.
Fig. 3 is an exemplary diagram in which a main body 10 with a cover 9 removed is viewed from a front side.
Fig. 4 is an exemplary diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the aerosol-generating device 1.
The aerosol-generating device (also referred to below simply as a "generating device") 1 comprises: a main body 10 having a heating unit 80 for heating a substrate 1000 that contains an aerosol source; and a cover 9 which is detachable from the main body 10.

(Main body 10)

[0009] The main body 10 comprises a housing 11 forming a substantially cuboid internal space for accommodating the heating unit 80, etc. The cover 9 covers one face of the housing 11. Among the six faces of the housing 11, the face to which the cover 9 is attached will be referred to as a front face 12, the side face on the left-hand side as seen from the front face 12 side will be referred to as a left side face 13, the side face on the right-hand side will be referred to as a right side face 14, the face on the upper side will be referred to as a top face 15, and the face on the lower side will be referred to as a bottom face 16. Furthermore, among the six faces of the housing 11, the face other than the front face 12 connecting to the left side face 13, right side face 14, top face 15 and bottom face 16 will be referred to as a rear face 17. The cover 9 covers the front face 12 of the housing 11, while the left side face 13, right side face 14, top face 15, bottom face 16, and rear face 17 are exposed to the outside while the cover 9 is attached.

[0010] An opening 92 (to be described later) is formed in part of the top face 15 on the left side face 13 side.
The housing 11 furthermore has curved faces which are provided between pairs of faces among the front face 12, left side face 13, right side face 14, top face 15, bottom face 16, and rear face 17. For example, a top left curved face 18 is provided between the left side face 13 and the top face 15. Furthermore, a top right curved face 19 is provided between the left side face 14 and the top face 15.

[0011] According to the configuration above, the opening 92 is provided on the left side face 13 side (which is an example of one end side) of the top face 15, and the top left curved face 18 is provided on the left side face 13 side of the opening 92. The top right curved face 19 is then provided on the right side face 14 side (which is an example of the other end side) of the top face 15. As shown in fig. 3, the top right curved face 19 has a smaller curvature than the top left curved face 18 as seen from the front face 12 side. In other words, the radius of curvature of the top right curved face 19 is greater than the radius of curvature of the top left curved face 18, and the top right curved face 19 changes more gently than the top left curved face 18.

[0012] As shown in fig. 4, the main body 10 comprises: a power source unit 20, a sensor unit 30, a notification unit 40, a memory unit 50, a communication unit 60, a control unit 70, a heating unit 80, a heat insulating portion 85, and a holding portion 90. The power source unit 20, sensor unit 30, notification unit 40, memory unit 50, communication unit 60, control unit 70, heating unit 80, and heat insulating portion 85 are accommodated inside the housing 11. Furthermore, the main body 10 comprises a shutter 94 (see fig. 1) which is disposed on the top face 15 and can be slidably moved along the top face 15.
The components will be described in order below.

[0013] ((Power source unit 20))

[0014] The power source unit 20 comprises a battery for storing electrical power. A rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery may be given as an example of the battery. The battery may be charged by being connected to an external power source by means of a cable or the like connected to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal (not depicted). Furthermore, the battery may also be charged by means of wireless power transmission technology, without being connected to a power transmission-side device. Additionally, it may also be possible to remove only the battery from the main body 10, and it may be possible to replace said battery with a new battery.

((Sensor unit 30))

[0015] The sensor unit 30 detects various types of information relating to the main body 10. The sensor unit 30 then outputs the detected information to the control unit 70. As an example, the sensor unit 30 is configured by a pressure sensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow rate sensor or a temperature sensor. When the sensor unit 30 has detected a numerical value associated with inhalation by a user, the sensor unit 30 then outputs, to the control unit 70, information indicating that the user has inhaled. Furthermore, the sensor unit 30 detects the temperature of the heating unit 80 and outputs the detected temperature to the control unit 70.

[0016] Furthermore, the sensor unit 30 comprises a contact sensor 100 for detecting that the user is touching the main body 10. The contact sensor 100 functions as an input device for accepting input of information from the user. The contact sensor 100 then outputs to the control unit 70 the information input by the user. The contact sensor 100 will be described in detail later.

((Notification unit 40))

[0017] The notification unit 40 notifies the user of information. As an example, the notification unit 40 is configured by a light-emitting device such as an LED (light-emitting diode). In that case, the notification unit 40 emits light with different light emission patterns when the battery in the power source unit 20 needs to be charged, when the battery is in the process of charging, and when there is an abnormality in the main body 10, etc. The light emission patterns as referred to here generally include colors and timing of illumination/extinguishing. Instead of or as well as a light-emitting device, the notification unit 40 may also be configured by a display device for displaying images, a sound output device for outputting sounds, or a vibration device which vibrates, etc.

[0018] A display window 98 for transmitting the light emitted by the light-emitting device such as an LED which is an example of the notification unit 40 is formed in the front face 12 of the housing 11, and the light-emitting device is provided behind the display window 98.

((Memory unit 50))

[0019] The memory unit 50 stores various types of information for operation of the generating device 1. The memory unit 50 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, for example. Information relating to the operating system (OS) of the generating device 1, such as the content of control by the control unit 70 of various types of components, is an example of the information stored in the memory unit 50. Another example of the information stored in the memory unit 50 is information relating to inhalation by the user, such as number of inhalations, times of inhalation, and cumulative inhalation time. Furthermore, another example of the information stored in the memory unit 50 is information relating to a control sequence defining temporal changes in target temperature of the heating unit 80 during heating by the heating unit 80. The memory unit 50 may store information relating to several types of control sequences with different temporal changes in target temperature of the heating unit 80.

((Communication unit 60))

[0020] The communication unit 60 is a communication interface for sending and receiving information between the generating device 1 and another device. The communication unit 60 performs communication conforming to any wired or wireless communication standard. Examples of communication standards which may be used include wireless LAN (local area network), wired LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. For example, the communication unit 60 receives new OS information from a server in order to update the OS information stored in the memory unit 50.

((Control unit 70))

[0021] The control unit 70 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, controlling overall operation within the generating device 1 in accordance with various programs. The control unit 70 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor, for example. The control unit 70 may also include a ROM (read-only memory) for storing programs and computation parameters, etc. which are used, and a RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing suitably changing parameters, etc. The generating device 1 implements various types of processing on the basis of control performed by the control unit 70. Examples of processing controlled by the control unit 70 include: supply of electricity from the power source unit 20 to other components; charging of the power source unit 20; detection by the sensor unit 30; notification of information by the notification unit 40; storage and reading of information by the memory unit 50; and sending/receiving of information by the communication unit 60. Other processing implemented by the generating device 1, such as processing based on input of information to each component and information output from each component, are also controlled by means of the control unit 70.

((Heating unit 80))

[0022] The heating unit 80 heats the aerosol source and thereby atomizes the aerosol source to generate an aerosol. The heating unit 80 is formed by any material such as a metal or polyimide. For example, the heating unit 80 is configured in a film shape and disposed so as to cover the outer circumference of the holding portion 90. When the heating unit 80 generates heat, the aerosol source contained in the substrate 1000 is then heated from the outer circumference of the substrate 1000 and atomized, generating the aerosol. The heating unit 80 generates heat when supplied with electricity from the power source unit 20, heating the substrate 1000. When the temperature of the substrate 1000 heated by means of the heating unit 80 has reached a predetermined temperature, inhalation by the user is then possible. After this, the electrical supply may be stopped when the sensor unit 30 has detected that there has been predetermined user input.

((Heat insulating portion 85))

[0023] The heat insulating portion 85 prevents heat transfer from the heating unit 80 to other components of the generating device 1. The heat insulating portion 85 is disposed so as to cover at least the outer circumference of the heating unit 80. For example, the heat insulating portion 85 is configured by a vacuum insulating material or an aerogel insulating material, etc. It should be noted that a vacuum insulating material is a heat insulating material in which a state of high vacuum is created by wrapping glass wool and silica (silicon powder), etc. in a resin film, for example, so that heat conduction by gas is as close as possible to zero.

((Holding portion 90))

[0024] The holding portion 90 comprises: a columnar internal space 91 provided inside the housing 11; and an opening 92 formed on the top face 15 of the housing 11 in order to allow the internal space 91 to communicate with the outside. The internal space 91 is a columnar body having a bottom portion 93 serving as a bottom face. The holding portion 90 is configured so that the inner diameter of at least part of the columnar body in a height direction is smaller than the outer diameter of the substrate 1000, and is capable of holding the substrate 1000, which has been inserted from the opening 92 into the internal space 91, so as to press the substrate 1000 from the outer circumference thereof. The holding portion 90 also has a function for defining a flow path for air passing through the substrate 1000. An air inflow hole which is an inlet for air into the flow path is disposed in the bottom portion 93, for example. Meanwhile, the opening 92 forms an air outflow hole, which is an outlet for air from the flow path. The opening 92 is exposed by sliding the shutter 94 to an open position, and hidden by sliding the shutter 94 to a closed position.

((Shutter 94))

[0025] The shutter 94 has a magnet on a rear face thereof. Meanwhile, a magnetic sensor (not depicted) of the sensor unit 30 is attached to the top face 15 of the housing 11 in a range of mobility of the shutter 94. The magnetic sensor is a Hall IC formed by a Hall element and an operational amplifier, etc., and outputs a voltage commensurate with the intensity of the magnetic field passing across the Hall element. In this embodiment, the control unit 70 detects opening and closing of the shutter 94 from a change in the voltage output from the magnetic sensor accompanying sliding of the shutter 94.

((Configuration example of external appearance of main body 10))

[0026] As shown in fig. 3, the main body 10 comprises an upper magnet 95 and a lower magnet 96, which are two magnets provided so as to be exposed from the front face 12 of the housing 11 and are used for joining with the cover 9. The upper magnet 95 and the lower magnet 96 have a cylindrical shape which is circular when seen from the front. The centers of the circles of the upper magnet 95 and the lower magnet 96 are aligned in the vertical direction, with the upper magnet 95 being provided on an upper portion of the main body 10 and the lower magnet 96 being provided on a lower portion of the main body 10.

[0027] The main body 10 comprises the display window 98 between the upper magnet 95 and the lower magnet 96, the display window 98 transmitting light from a plurality of LEDs to a display window 9a (to be described later) in the cover 9. The display window 98 is a window provided at a position corresponding to positions of the plurality of LEDs disposed inside the housing 11 of the main body 10, and transmits the light from the plurality of LEDs to the display window 9a in the cover 9. This allows a user to see the light from the outside surface of the cover 9.

(Cover 9)

[0028] The cover 9 is a plate-shaped light-transmitting member which is shaped so as to cover the front face 12 of the housing 11 of the main body 10, and so as not to form a step with the left side face 13, right side face 14, top face 15, and bottom face 16 of the housing 11. The cover 9 thus has a decorative function, forming an integrated external appearance with the left side face 13, right side face 14, top face 15, and bottom face 16 of the housing 11. The cover 9 furthermore has a function of suppressing propagation of heat released from the main body 10. The cover 9 comprises the display window 9a which transmits light from the plurality of LEDs provided in the main body 10.

(Substrate 1000)

[0029] The substrate 1000 is a stick-shaped member. The substrate 1000 comprises a substrate portion 1001 and a mouthpiece portion 1002.
The substrate portion 1001 contains an aerosol source. The aerosol source is atomized by heating so as to generate an aerosol. The aerosol source may be, for example, a tobacco-derived substance such as cut tobacco, or a processed product obtained by molding a tobacco raw material into a granular form, a sheet form, or a powder form. Furthermore, the aerosol source may also contain a non-tobacco-derived substance produced from a plant other than tobacco (e.g., mint or herb, etc.). As one example, the aerosol source may contain a flavoring component such as menthol. When the generating device 1 is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may contain a drug to be inhaled by a patient. It should be noted that the aerosol source is not limited to a solid, and may equally be a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerol or propylene glycol, and a liquid such as water, for example. In a state in which the substrate 1000 is being held in the holding portion 90, at least part of the substrate portion 1001 is accommodated in the internal space 91 of the holding portion 90.

[0030] The mouthpiece portion 1002 is a member which is held in the user's mouth during inhalation. In a state in which the substrate 1000 is being held in the holding portion 90, at least part of the mouthpiece portion 1002 protrudes from the opening 92. When the user then inhales with the mouthpiece portion 1002, which protrudes from the opening 92, held in the mouth, air flows into the holding portion 90 from the air inflow hole which is not depicted. The air which has flowed in passes through the internal space 91 of the holding portion 90, that is, through the substrate portion 1001, and reaches the user's mouth together with the aerosol generated from the substrate portion 1001.

{Contact sensor 100}

[0031] The contact sensor 100 will be described in detail below.
The contact sensor 100 detects the position at which a user's finger F contacted the top right curved face 19. Examples of methods of detection used by the contact sensor 100 include capacitive, resistive film, surface acoustic wave, infrared, electromagnetic induction, and load sensing. For example, when the contact sensor 100 uses a capacitive detection method, the contact sensor 100 has a matrix of numerous electrodes running in a direction from the top face 15 toward the right side face 14 and in a front-rear direction (the direction orthogonal to the page in fig. 3), and the surface thereof is always covered by slight static electricity. When the finger F touches the top right curved face 19, the finger F then attracts the static electricity covering the surface of the contact sensor 100. The contact sensor 100 determines positional coordinates of where the finger F is touching by identifying the place where static electricity was attracted, and sends the positional coordinates to the control unit 70 via an internal bus.

[0032] The contact sensor 100 is disposed on a lower side of a top right wall 191 of the housing 11 that forms the top right curved face 19 (on the inner side of the housing 11 in other words). The contact sensor 100 has a rectangular shape when seen in a direction orthogonal to the top right curved face 19, and is arranged so that the surface thereof is parallel to the top right curved face 19. The contact sensor 100 can be arranged inside the housing 11 because the contact sensor 100 uses the detection method described above. The contact sensor 100 then enables the user to perform input actions by touching the top right curved face 19 with their finger F. Furthermore, the top right curved face 19 has the same shape in the location where the contact sensor 100 is arranged on the inside of the generating device 1, and in the location where the contact sensor 100 is not arranged. That is to say, the location on the top right curved face 19 where the contact sensor 100 is arranged on the inside and the location where the contact sensor 100 is not arranged are formed so as to be indistinguishable on the surface in both a visual and a tactile sense.

[0033] The control unit 70 determines what kind of action was performed on the contact sensor 100 based on information sent from the contact sensor 100.
The control unit 70 determines that a swiping action was performed when it has been detected that the contact position of the finger F moved over the top right curved face 19 (in other words moved along the top right curved face 19). Furthermore, the control unit 70 determines that a tapping action was performed when there was an action in which the finger F contacted the top right curved face 19 and the finger F was moved away from the top right curved face 19 within a reference time (e.g. 2 seconds), without performing a swiping action.

[0034] Swiping actions will be described in detail below.
Fig. 5 shows an example of swiping actions performed by the user on the contact sensor 100. It should be noted that in fig. 5, the position of the finger F before movement for the input action is represented by a broken line, and the position of the finger F after movement is represented by a solid line.

[0035] As shown in fig. 5(a), the control unit 70 determines that a first-movement swiping action was performed when information has been sent from the contact sensor 100 indicating that the finger F moved in a direction from the top face 15 side toward the right side face 14 side (this may be referred to below as a "first direction"). As shown in fig. 5(b), the control unit 70 determines that a second-movement swiping action was performed when information has been sent from the contact sensor 100 indicating that the finger F moved in a direction from the right side face 14 side toward the top face 15 side (this may be referred to below as a "second direction").

[0036] Fig. 6 shows an example of the relationship between swiping actions on the contact sensor 100 and switching of the state of the generating device 1.
The control unit 70 controls operation of the generating device 1 on the basis of actions on the contact sensor 100.
If the generating device 1 is in sleep mode, for example, the generating device 1 is activated and switched to active mode when the control unit 70 has determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. Furthermore, if the generating device 1 is in active mode, the generating device 1 is switched to sleep mode when the control unit 70 has determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed. Moreover, in an example that may be given, if the generating device 1 is in sleep mode, the generating device 1 is in a state where most functions cannot be used, except for the function of determining actions on the contact sensor 100, for example. Furthermore, in an example that may be given, if the generating device 1 is in active mode, the generating device 1 is in a state where most functions can be used, except for the function of heating by the heating unit 80.

[0037] Furthermore, if the generating device 1 is in active mode, heating by the heating unit 80 is started when the control unit 70 has determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. The control unit 70 then stops heating after the heating unit 80 has performed heating in accordance with the control sequence, which is stored in the memory unit 50 and defines temporal changes in the target temperature of the heating unit 80 during heating by the heating unit 80. Note that the control unit 70 may start heating by the heating unit 80 on the condition that the cover 9 is attached to the main body 10.
Furthermore, while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, heating by the heating unit 80 is stopped when the control unit 70 has determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed.

[0038] Moreover, when an instruction based on a swiping action for controlling mode switching of the generating device 1 or operation of the heating unit 80 has been accepted, the control unit 70 may notify the user via the notification unit 40 that the instruction has been accepted. For example, if the generating device 1 is in active mode, heating by the heating unit 80 is started and a vibration device is also caused to vibrate when the control unit 70 has determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. Alternatively, the control unit 70 may also cause a sound to be output from a sound output device, or may cause a light-emitting device to emit light, instead of or as well as causing the vibration device to vibrate.

[0039] As described above, the generating device 1 comprises: the heating unit 80 for heating the aerosol source; and the housing 11 which accommodates the heating unit 80 and comprises the top face 15 (example of a first face) provided with the opening 92 for insertion of the aerosol source, the right side face 14 (example of a second face) provided in a direction intersecting the top face 15, and the top right curved face 19 (example of a third face) provided between the top face 15 and the right side face 14. The generating device 1 furthermore comprises: the contact sensor 100 for detecting actions on the top right curved face 19; and the control unit 70 for performing processing in response to actions detected by the contact sensor 100.
By virtue of the generating device 1 configured in the manner above, the contact sensor 100 can be arranged inside the housing 11, and it is therefore possible to better inhibit inflow of water droplets to the housing 11 as compared to a configuration in which there is a gap between a button-type switch and a housing, for example.

[0040] Fig. 7 shows an example of the generating device 1 being held in the right hand.
As shown in fig. 7, while the user is gripping the generating device 1 having the configuration above in their right hand, the user can perform swiping actions with their right thumb on the top right curved face 19 of the generating device 1. By virtue of the generating device 1, the user is therefore able to perform swiping actions more easily than by performing swiping actions on a face of the housing 11 other than the top right curved face 19.

[0041] Fig. 8 shows an example of the generating device 1 being held in the left hand.
Furthermore, as shown in fig. 8, while the user is gripping the generating device 1 having the configuration above in their left hand, the user can perform swiping actions with their left thumb on the top right curved face 19 of the generating device 1. By virtue of the generating device 1, the user is therefore able to perform swiping actions more easily than by performing swiping actions on a face of the housing 11 other than the top right curved face 19.

[0042] Here, the opening 92 is provided on one end side (the left side in fig. 7) of the top face 15, and the right side face 14 is provided on the other end side (the right side in fig. 7) of the top face 15. It is therefore possible to increase the space for placement of the contact sensor 100 while also making the housing 11 more compact as compared to a configuration in which the opening 92 is provided in the center of the top face 15 in the lateral direction, for example.

[0043] The control unit 70 performs processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor 100 in a direction from the top face 15 side to the right side face 14 side. The control unit 70 then starts heating by the heating unit 80 when this movement action has been performed. In other words, when it has been determined that a first-movement swiping action on the top right curved face 19 was performed, the control unit 70 starts heating by the heating unit 80 in accordance with the processing stored in association with the first-movement swiping action. The first-movement swiping action performed with the thumb on the top right curved face 19 is similar to the action of spinning a striker wheel to light a lighter, for example. It will therefore be easy for the user to remember that the first-movement swiping action is the action to start heating by the heating unit 80, so the user can start heating by the heating unit 80 with high precision.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 70 performs processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor 100 in a direction from the right side face 14 side to the top face 15 side. The control unit 70 then stops heating by the heating unit 80 when this movement action has been performed. In other words, when it has been determined that a second-movement swiping action on the top right curved face 19 was performed, the control unit 70 stops heating by the heating unit 80 in accordance with the processing stored in association with the second-movement swiping action. The second-movement swiping action performed with the thumb on the top right curved face 19 is an action in the opposite direction to the action of spinning a striker wheel to light a lighter, for example. It will therefore be easy for the user to remember that the second-movement swiping action is the action to stop heating by the heating unit 80, so the user can stop heating by the heating unit 80 with high precision.

[0045] It should be noted that in the embodiment described above, when it has been determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed during sleep mode, the control unit 70 switches the generating device 1 to active mode, and when it has been determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed during active mode, the control unit 70 switches the generating device 1 to sleep mode. However, mode switching between sleep mode and active mode need not involve determining that a first-movement or second-movement swiping action was performed. For example, if the generating device 1 is in sleep mode, the control unit 70 may switch to active mode when it has been determined that a tapping action was performed.

<Second Embodiment>

[0046] The control unit 70 of the generating device according to the second embodiment (which is not depicted) performs different processing from that of the generating device 1 according to the first embodiment. The same reference signs are used for components having the same function in the first and second embodiments, and those components will not be described in detail again.

[0047] The control unit 70 is configured so that processing is not performed in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 while the heating unit 80 is performing heating. That is to say, after heating has been started by the heating unit 80, the heating is stopped after the heating unit 80 has performed heating in accordance with the control sequence, which is stored in the memory unit 50 and defines temporal changes in the target temperature of the heating unit 80 during heating by the heating unit 80, but the control unit 70 does not stop heating by the heating unit 80 while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, even if it has been determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed. Alternatively, the control unit 70 is configured not to accept information relating to positional coordinates of where the finger F is touching which is sent from the contact sensor 100. This makes it possible to inhibit the heating unit 80 from stopping heating due to an accidental user action.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 70 may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 when a predetermined event has been detected.
An example of a predetermined event that may be given is a double tapping action (two consecutive tapping actions in other words) having been performed on the contact sensor 100. That is to say, when it has been determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed following a determination that a double tapping action was performed on the contact sensor 100 while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, the control unit 70 stops heating by the heating unit 80.

[0049] Another example of the predetermined event that may be given is a double tapping action being performed on the generating device according to the second embodiment (not limited to a double tapping action on the top right curved face 19). That is to say, when it has been determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed following a determination that a double tapping action was performed on the generating device while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, the control unit 70 stops heating by the heating unit 80. Moreover, in an example that may be given, the control unit 70 determines whether or not a double tapping action was performed on the generating device, based on output from an acceleration sensor of the sensor unit 30.

[0050] In addition, when the control unit 70 performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 after detecting a predetermined event, the control unit 70 may be configured to perform the processing in response to the action on the contact sensor 100 only within a predetermined time (e.g. 5 seconds) after the predetermined event was detected. That is to say, while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, heating by the heating unit 80 is stopped when the control unit 70 has detected a predetermined event and it has been determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed within a predetermined time. Meanwhile, when it has been determined that a swiping action was performed after the predetermined time has elapsed, even though the predetermined event was detected while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, the control unit 70 does not stop heating by the heating unit 80. Alternatively, the control unit 70 is configured not to accept information sent from the contact sensor 100 after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0051] An example of heating-stop processing performed by the control unit 70 will be described below with the aid of a flowchart.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of heating-stop processing performed by the control unit 70. While heating by the heating unit 80 is in progress, the control unit 70 repeatedly performs heating-stop processing at preset fixed intervals of time (e.g. 1 mmsec).
The control unit 70 determines whether or not a predetermined event has been detected (S901). If the predetermined event has been detected (YES in S901), the control unit 70 determines whether or not a second-movement swiping action was performed (S902). If a second-movement swiping action was performed (YES in S902), the control unit 70 then stops heating by the heating unit 80 (S903).

[0052] Meanwhile, if a second-movement swiping action was not performed (NO in S902), the control unit 70 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S904). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S904), the control unit 70 performs the processing of S902 and onward. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S904), the control unit 70 terminates the heating-stop processing.

[0053] If the predetermined event is not detected in the processing of S901 (NO in S901), the control unit 70 determines whether or not a timing has been reached where heating should be stopped in accordance with the control sequence (S905). If the timing at which heating should be stopped has been reached (YES in S905), the control unit 70 stops heating by the heating unit 80 (S903). On the other hand, if the timing at which heating should be stopped has not been reached (NO in S905), the control unit 70 terminates the heating-stop processing.

[0054] As described above, in the generating device according to the second embodiment, the control unit 70 does not perform processing in response to actions on the contact sensor 100 while heating by the heating unit 80 is in progress. This makes it possible to inhibit the heating unit 80 from stopping heating due to an accidental user action.
The control unit 70 may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 when a predetermined event has been detected, even if heating by the heating unit 80 is in progress. Processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 is performed after an intentional user action, thereby offering greater convenience. In this case also, the control unit 70 performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 only within a predetermined time after the predetermined event was detected. This makes it possible to inhibit stoppage of heating by the heating unit 80 when the predetermined event has occurred without being intended by the user.

<Third Embodiment>

[0055] The control unit 70 of the generating device according to the third embodiment (which is not depicted) performs different processing from that of the generating device 1 according to the first embodiment. The same reference signs are used for components having the same function in the first and third embodiments, and those components will not be described in detail again.

[0056] The control unit 70 switches the input actions that can be accepted through actions on the contact sensor 100 according to whether the shutter 94 (example of an opening/closing member) is open or closed.
More specifically, when the generating device according to the third embodiment is in active mode, the control unit 70 performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 to start heating by the heating unit 80 (in other words, a first-movement swiping action) while the shutter 94 is open, and the control unit 70 does not perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 to start heating by the heating unit 80 while the shutter 94 is closed.

[0057] That is to say, the control unit 70 starts heating by the heating unit 80 when it has been determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed while the generating device is in active mode and the shutter 94 is open, and the control unit 70 does not start heating by the heating unit 80 while the shutter 94 is closed, even if it has been determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. Alternatively, the control unit 70 is configured not to accept information relating to positional coordinates of where the finger F is touching which is sent from the contact sensor 100, while the shutter 94 is closed. This makes it possible to inhibit the heating unit 80 from starting heating due to an accidental user action.

[0058] Moreover, the control unit 70 may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 to stop heating by the heating unit 80 (in other words, a second-movement swiping action) while heating by the heating unit 80 is in progress, both when the shutter 94 is open and when the shutter 94 is closed.

[0059] Furthermore, the functions of the control unit 70 according to the third embodiment may also be applied to the generating device according to the second embodiment.

<Fourth Embodiment>

[0060] The control unit 70 of the generating device according to the fourth embodiment (which is not depicted) performs different processing from that of the generating device 1 according to the first embodiment. The same reference signs are used for components having the same function in the first and fourth embodiments, and those components will not be described in detail again.

[0061] The control unit 70 switches the input actions that can be accepted through actions on the contact sensor 100 according to whether the shutter 94 (example of an opening/closing member) is open or closed.
More specifically, when the generating device according to the fourth embodiment is in sleep mode, the control unit 70 performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 to switch to active mode (in other words, a first-movement swiping action) while the shutter 94 is open, and the control unit 70 does not perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 to switch to active mode while the shutter 94 is closed.

[0062] That is to say, the control unit 70 switches to active mode when it has been determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed while the generating device is in sleep mode and the shutter 94 is open, and the control unit 70 does not switch to active mode while the shutter 94 is closed, even if it has been determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. Alternatively, the control unit 70 is configured not to accept information relating to positional coordinates of where the finger F is touching which is sent from the contact sensor 100, while the shutter 94 is closed. This makes it possible to inhibit the generating device from switching from sleep mode to active mode due to an accidental user action.

[0063] Moreover, the control unit 70 may perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor 100 to switch to sleep mode (in other words, a second-movement swiping action) while the generating device according to the fourth embodiment is in active mode, both when the shutter 94 is open and when the shutter 94 is closed. That is to say, during active mode, the control unit 70 may switch to sleep mode when a second-movement swiping action was performed both when the shutter 94 is open and when the shutter 94 is closed.

[0064] Moreover, the functions of the control unit 70 according to the fourth embodiment may also be applied to the generating devices according to the second and third embodiments.

<Fifth Embodiment>

[0065] Fig. 10 shows an example of the schematic configuration of a generating device 5 according to a fifth embodiment.
The generating device 5 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the generating device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the generating device 5 has a different main body 510 corresponding to the main body 10, and also does not have a cover 9. The same reference signs are used for components having the same function in the first and fifth embodiments, and those components will not be described in detail again.

[0066] The main body 510 differs from the main body 10 in that the main body 510 comprises: a different housing 511 corresponding to the housing 11; a different contact sensor 500 corresponding to the contact sensor 100; and a different control unit 570 corresponding to the control unit 70.
The housing 511 forms a substantially cylindrical internal space for accommodating the heating unit 80, etc. The housing 511 has a cylindrical side face 514, a top face 515, and a bottom face 516 covering a lower-side opening portion of the side face 514. An opening 592 allowing insertion of the substrate 1000 is formed in the center of the top face 515. A curved face 519 is then provided around the whole circumference of the top face 515 between the side face 514 and the face surrounding the opening 592.

[0067] The contact sensor 500 is disposed on an inner side of the housing 511 that forms the curved face 519, and detects the position where the user's finger F contacted the curved face 519. For example, when the contact sensor 100 uses a capacitive detection method, the contact sensor 500 has a matrix of numerous electrodes running in a direction from the top face 515 toward the side face 514 and in a circumferential direction, and the surface thereof is always covered by slight static electricity. When the finger F touches the curved face 519, the finger F then attracts the static electricity covering the surface of the contact sensor 500. The contact sensor 500 determines positional coordinates of where the finger F is touching by identifying the place where static electricity was attracted, and sends the positional coordinates to the control unit 570 via an internal bus.

[0068] Fig. 11 shows an example of swiping actions performed by a user on the contact sensor 500 according to the fifth embodiment.
As shown in fig. 11(a), the control unit 570 determines that a first-movement swiping action was performed when information has been sent from the contact sensor 500 indicating that the finger F moved in a direction from the top face 515 side toward the side face 514 side (this may be referred to below as a "first direction"). As shown in fig. 11(b), the control unit 570 determines that a second-movement swiping action was performed when information has been sent from the contact sensor 500 indicating that the finger F moved in a direction from the side face 514 side toward the top face 515 side (this may be referred to below as a "second direction").

[0069] The control unit 570 controls operation of the generating device 5 on the basis of actions on the contact sensor 500.
If the generating device 5 is in sleep mode, for example, the generating device 5 is activated and switched to active mode when the control unit 570 has determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. Furthermore, if the generating device 5 is in active mode, the generating device 5 is switched to sleep mode when the control unit 570 has determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed.

[0070] Furthermore, if the generating device 5 is in active mode, heating by the heating unit 80 is started when the control unit 570 has determined that a first-movement swiping action was performed. Furthermore, while the heating unit 80 is performing heating, heating by the heating unit 80 is stopped when the control unit 570 has determined that a second-movement swiping action was performed.

[0071] As described above, the generating device 5 comprises: the heating unit 80 for heating the aerosol source; and the housing 511 which accommodates the heating unit 80 and comprises the top face 515 (example of a first face) provided with the opening 592 for insertion of the aerosol source, the side face 514 (example of a second face) provided in a direction intersecting the top face 515, and the curved face 519 (example of a third face) provided between the top face 515 and the right side face 514. The generating device 5 furthermore comprises: the contact sensor 500 for detecting actions on the curved face 519; and the control unit 570 for performing processing in response to actions detected by the contact sensor 500.
By virtue of the generating device 5 configured in the manner above, the contact sensor 500 can be arranged inside the housing 511, and it is therefore possible to better inhibit inflow of water droplets to the housing 511 as compared to a configuration in which there is a gap between a button-type switch and a housing, for example.

[0072] Furthermore, in the generating device 5, the opening 592 is provided in the center of the top face 515, and the side face 514 is provided around the top face 515. As a result, input actions through the contact sensor 500 can be performed with the thumb, regardless of which circumferential position on the housing 511 is being gripped.

[0073] Note that functions of the control unit 70 according to the second to fourth embodiments may also be applied to the control unit 570 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0074] Note that there is no particular limitation to the configuration of the aerosol source or the heating unit 80 in any of the generating devices 1-5 according to the first to fifth embodiments, respectively.
For example, the device may be one in which the heating unit is configured by a metallic coil wound around a liquid guiding portion for guiding a liquid aerosol source from a liquid storage portion and holding the aerosol source, and heat generated by the heating unit then heats and atomizes the aerosol source held by the liquid guiding portion, generating an aerosol. Alternatively, the device may be one in which a susceptor configured by a metallic conducting wire wound around a liquid guiding portion is caused to generate heat by means of electromagnetic induction, thereby heating and atomizing the aerosol source held by the liquid guiding portion, and generating an aerosol. In the case of a device which generates an aerosol by heating and atomizing an aerosol source held by a liquid guiding portion, a delivery port through which the generated aerosol is delivered should be formed on a top face (e.g., the housing 11) of the housing (e.g., the housing 11) of the device. Furthermore, the mouthpiece may be attached to the delivery port. Furthermore, in terms of the configuration of the heating unit 80 and the aerosol source, the device may be one which generates an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol source or by heating a substrate containing the aerosol source. Furthermore, the device may be one in which a magnetic field is generated by an electromagnetic induction source formed by a coiled conducting wire wound around the outer periphery of a holding portion, while a stick-type substrate comprising a susceptor is held in the holding portion, and the aerosol source contained in the stick-type substrate is heated and atomized by Joule heat generated by the susceptor, generating an aerosol. Furthermore, in terms of the configuration of the heating unit 80 and the aerosol source, the device may be one in which a vapor generated by heating a polyhydric alcohol such as glycerol or propylene glycol, and a liquid such as water, is caused to pass through a capsule containing an aerosol source including tobacco granules or similar, thereby extracting flavor and aroma, and the resulting vapor is delivered to the abovementioned delivery port.

<Summary>

[0075] It should be noted that the present disclosure includes the following features.

(1) An aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating unit for heating an aerosol source; a housing which accommodates the heating unit and comprises a first face provided with an opening for insertion of the aerosol source or a delivery port through which the heated aerosol source is delivered to the outside, a second face provided in a direction intersecting the first face, and a third face provided between the first face and the second face; a contact sensor for detecting an action on the third face; and a control unit for performing processing in response to an action detected by the contact sensor.

(2) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (1), wherein the opening is provided on one end side of the first face, and the second face is provided on the other end side of the first face.

(3) The aerosol-generating device disclosed in (1), wherein the opening is provided in the center of the first face, and the second face is provided around the first face.

(4) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit performs processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor in a direction from the first face side to the second face side.

(5) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed (4), wherein the control unit starts heating by the heating unit when the abovementioned movement action has been performed.

(6) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit performs processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor in a direction from the second face side to the first face side.

(7) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (6), wherein the control unit stops heating by the heating unit when the movement action has been accepted.

(8) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit does not perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor while heating by the heating unit is in progress.

(9) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (8), wherein the control unit performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor when a predetermined event has been detected, even if heating by the heating unit is in progress.

(10) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (9), wherein the control unit performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor only within a predetermined time after the predetermined event was detected.

(11) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor according to whether the opening is open or closed.

(12) The aerosol-generating device as disclosed in (11), wherein the control unit starts heating by the heating unit when the opening is open and a predetermined action to start heating by the heating unit has been performed on the contact sensor, and does not start heating when the opening is closed, even if this predetermined action is performed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0076] 1, 5... Aerosol-generating device, 9... Cover, 10, 510... Main body, 11, 511... Housing, 12... Front face, 14... Right side face, 15, 515... Top face, 17... Rear face, 19... Top right curved face, 30... Sensor unit, 70, 570... Control unit, 80... Heating unit, 92, 592... Opening, 100, 500... Contact sensor, 514... Side face, 519... Curved face

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device comprising:
a heating unit for heating an aerosol source;

a housing which accommodates the heating unit and comprises a first face provided with an opening for insertion of the aerosol source or a delivery port through which the heated aerosol source is delivered to the outside, a second face provided in a direction intersecting the first face, and a third face provided between the first face and the second face;

a contact sensor for detecting an action on the third face; and

a control unit for performing processing in response to an action detected by the contact sensor.

2. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the opening is provided on one end side of the first face, and
the second face is provided on the other end side of the first face.

3. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the opening is provided in the center of the first face, and
the second face is provided around the first face.

4. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the control unit performs processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor in a direction from the first face side to the second face side.

5. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the control unit starts heating by the heating unit when the abovementioned movement action has been performed.

6. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the control unit performs processing in response to a movement action on the contact sensor in a direction from the second face side to the first face side.

7. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the control unit stops heating by the heating unit when the movement action has been accepted.

8. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the control unit does not perform processing in response to an action on the contact sensor while heating by the heating unit is in progress.

9. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 8, wherein
the control unit performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor when a predetermined event has been detected, even if heating by the heating unit is in progress.

10. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 9, wherein
the control unit performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor only within a predetermined time after the predetermined event was detected.

11. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the control unit performs processing in response to an action on the contact sensor according to whether the opening is open or closed.

12. The aerosol-generating device as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the control unit starts heating when the opening is open and a predetermined action to start heating by the heating unit has been performed on the contact sensor, and does not start heating when the opening is closed, even if this predetermined action is performed.

Drawing