JP7644834B2 - Suction device operation method, program, and suction device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an operating method for a suction device, a program, and a suction device.

Inhalation devices that generate a substance to be inhaled by a user are widely used. Examples of inhalation devices are electronic cigarettes and nebulizers. Such inhalation devices generate an aerosol imparted with a flavor component using a substrate that includes, for example, an aerosol source for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting a flavor component to the generated aerosol. A user can taste the flavor by inhaling the aerosol imparted with the flavor component generated by the inhalation device.

When a user uses an inhalation device to inhale, the inhalation device controls a heating operation to atomize the inhalation component source by supplying power to a heater to raise the heater temperature. Methods are known for determining the consumption of the inhalation component source or determining depletion of the inhalation component source using various data acquired in connection with such heating operation, such as the heater temperature, power supply, and electrical resistance.

Special Publication No. 2014-501105 Special Publication No. 2015-531600 Special table 2017-538410 publication Special table 2016-525367 publication Special table 2019-500896 publication Special table 2014-501107 publication International Publication No. 2021/002392

It is desirable to further improve the quality of the experience provided to users using suction devices.

Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and has as its objective the provision of a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the experience of using an inhalation device (hereinafter also referred to as the "inhalation experience"). To this end, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that can appropriately grasp the consumption status of the inhalation component source in the inhalation device during use, while taking into account the tendency of the inhalation operation by the user.

In order to solve the above problem, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating an inhalation device is provided. The method includes the steps of: detecting a series of puffing operations by a user with a sensor; measuring a time interval between the first puffing operation and a second puffing operation immediately before the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing operation interval for the first puffing operation; measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing operation period during which the first puffing operation continues; correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing operation interval and the puffing operation period; accumulating the corrected detection time to calculate a cumulative detection time; and estimating a remaining level of an inhalation component source based on the cumulative detection time, wherein the value of the puffing operation interval for the first puffing operation is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to a value of the puffing operation period already obtained for the second puffing operation.

According to this method, it is possible to estimate an appropriate cumulative detection time, and improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining level of the flavor source and/or aerosol source. It is also possible to realize appropriate remaining level grasping and notification.

If the puff duration value for the second puff is less than a predetermined first time, the measurement of the time interval may be adjusted to resume from the puff interval value already obtained for the second puff. This allows a more appropriate cumulative detection time to be estimated, and further improves the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and/or aerosol source.

The first time period may be 0.5 seconds. This allows for efficient estimation of the remaining charge level.

The step of estimating the remaining level of the suction component source may include determining that the suction component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a predetermined second time. This allows for proper end-of-life detection.

The method may further include a step of notifying the suction device of the shortage of the remaining amount of the suction component source in response to the determination that the remaining amount of the suction component source is low. This allows for appropriate life notification to be achieved.

The time correction model may be defined to include maintaining the corrected detection time at a predetermined third time when the value of the detection time is the third time. This allows a more appropriate time correction model to be generated, thereby further improving the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the aspirated component source.

The time correction model may be defined to include decreasing the detection time when the value of the detection time is less than the third time. This allows a more appropriate time correction model to be generated to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the aspirated component source.

The third time may be 2.4 seconds, which may generate a more appropriate time correction model to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the aspirated component source.

The time correction model may be specified to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time when the puffing interval is less than a fourth time. This allows a more appropriate time correction model to be generated to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the inhaled component source.

If the second puff operation is an initial puff operation, the method may include a step of initially setting a value of a puff operation interval for the second puff operation to the fourth time. This makes it possible to more effectively apply the appropriate time correction model.

The fourth time period may be 10 seconds, which may generate a more appropriate time correction model to further improve the accuracy of the estimation of the remaining level of the aspirated component source.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a program is provided for causing the suction device to execute the above-mentioned method.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an inhalation device is provided. The inhalation device includes a sensor that detects a series of puffing operations by a user, and a control unit for operating the inhalation device, the control unit measuring a time interval between the first puffing operation and a second puffing operation immediately preceding the first puffing operation detected by the sensor to obtain a value of a puffing operation interval related to the first puffing operation detected by the sensor, measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing operation period during which the first puffing operation is continuing, correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing operation interval and the puffing operation period, accumulating the corrected detection time to calculate a cumulative detection time, and estimating a remaining level of an inhalation component source based on the cumulative detection time, and the value of the puffing operation interval related to the first puffing operation is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to a value of the puffing operation period already obtained for the second puffing operation.

With such an inhalation device, it is possible to estimate an appropriate cumulative detection time, and improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining level of the flavor source and/or aerosol source. In addition, it is possible to realize appropriate remaining level grasping and notification.

As described above, the present disclosure provides a mechanism that can further improve the quality of the experience when using a suction device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of a suction device. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of a suction device. 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of the relationship between the number of puffs and the puffing duration. 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of atomization characteristics 1 of an aerosol source. 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of atomization characteristics 2 of an aerosol source. 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of the atomization characteristics 1a of an aerosol source. 11 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model 1A _ID corresponding to the atomization characteristic 1a. 1 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model 1A based on atomization characteristics 1a. 2 is a schematic graph showing an example of the atomization characteristics 2a of an aerosol source. 11 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model 2A corresponding to the atomization characteristic 2a. 11 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model MD based on atomization characteristics 1a and 2a. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of the configuration of a suction device according to an embodiment; 4 is a schematic flow diagram of an example method of operation of a suction device according to an embodiment. 11 is a schematic flow diagram of an example of a process for estimating a remaining level based on an accumulation of detection times of puffing operations. FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram of an example process for correcting the detection time of a puffing motion. FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram of an example process for initializing the puff interval value. FIG. 1 is a schematic conceptual diagram showing an example of a series of detected puffing actions. FIG. 11 is a schematic flow diagram of an example of a process for adjusting a timer according to a modified example. 13 is a schematic graph showing an example of a time correction model MD' according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic flow diagram relating to an example of a correction process for the detection time of a puffing operation according to a modified example.

Each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, electronic cigarettes and nebulizers. The embodiments of the present disclosure may include various inhalation devices for generating an aerosol or a flavored aerosol to be inhaled by a user. In addition, the inhaled components generated may include invisible vapor in addition to the aerosol. Note that, in the following, the inhalation action by the user will be referred to as a "puffing action" or simply a "puff", and either or both of the aerosol source and the flavor source will be referred to as the "inhaled component source".

<<1. Configuration example of suction device>>
Fig. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a suction device 100A according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 1A shows each component of the suction device 100A in a schematic and conceptual manner, and does not show the strict arrangement, shape, size, positional relationship, etc. of each component and the suction device 100A.

1A, the inhalation device 100A includes a first member 102 and a second member 104. As shown in the figure, in one example, the first member 102 may be a power supply unit and may include a control unit 106, a notification unit 108, a battery 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114. In addition, in one example, the second member 104 may be a cartridge and may include a reservoir 116, an atomization unit 118, an air intake flow path 120, an aerosol flow path 121, and a suction mouth unit 122.

Some of the components included in the first member 102 may be included in the second member 104. Some of the components included in the second member 104 may be included in the first member 102. The second member 104 may be configured to be detachable from the first member 102. Alternatively, all of the components included in the first member 102 and the second member 104 may be included in the same housing instead of the first member 102 and the second member 104.

The power supply unit, which is the first member 102, includes a notification section 108, a battery 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114, and is electrically connected to the control section 106. Of these, the notification section 108 may include a light-emitting element such as an LED, a display, a speaker, a vibrator, etc. The notification section 108 may notify the user in various ways, as necessary, by light emission, display, voice output, vibration, etc., or a combination of these. In one example, it may notify the user in various ways of the remaining level and/or replacement time of the suction component source contained in the reservoir 116 of the second member 104.

The battery 110 supplies power to each component of the inhalation device 100A, such as the notification unit 108, the sensor 112, the memory 114, and the atomization unit 118. In particular, the battery 110 supplies power to the atomization unit 118 so as to atomize the aerosol source in response to the user's puffing action. The battery 110 can be connected to an external power source (e.g., a charger that can be connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB)) via a predetermined port (not shown) provided on the first member 102.

In addition, only the battery 110 may be removable from the power supply unit 102 or the suction device 100A, and may be replaced with a new battery 110. Also, the battery 110 may be replaced with a new battery 110 by replacing the entire power supply unit with a new power supply unit.

The sensor 112 may be composed of various sensors. For example, the sensor 112 may include a suction sensor such as a microphone condenser to accurately detect a puffing action by a user. The sensor 112 may also include a pressure sensor to detect pressure fluctuations in the air intake channel 120 and/or the aerosol channel 121 or a flow sensor to detect a flow rate. The sensor 112 may also include a weight sensor to detect the weight of a component such as the reservoir 116.

The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the height of the liquid level in the reservoir 116. The sensor 112 may also be configured to detect the SOC (State of Charge) of the battery 110, the discharge state of the battery 110, the current integration value, the voltage, etc. The current integration value may be obtained by a current integration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, etc. The sensor 112 may also include a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the control unit 106. The sensor 112 may also be an operation button that can be operated by a user, etc.

The control unit 106 may be an electronic circuit module configured as a microprocessor or microcomputer. The control unit 106 may be configured to control the operation of the inhalation device 100A according to computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 114. The control unit 106 may also be configured to include a timer and to timer measure (i.e., count) a desired period based on a clock. In one example, the control unit 106 may timer measure an operation period during which a puffing operation is detected by the suction sensor and an operation interval between successive puffing operations.

The control unit 106 reads data from the memory 114 as necessary, uses the data to control the suction device 100A, and stores the data in the memory 114 as necessary. The control unit 106 also reads data from the memory 114 as necessary, uses the data to control the suction device 100A, and stores the data in the memory 114 as necessary.

The memory 114 is a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a flash memory. In addition to the computer-executable instructions described above, the memory 114 may store setting data necessary for controlling the suction device 100A and/or the power supply unit 102, and may be used mainly by the control unit 106. For example, the memory 114 may store various data such as the control method of the notification unit 108 (such as the mode of light emission, vocalization, vibration, etc.), the value detected by the sensor 112, information on the attached cartridge, and the heating history of the nebulization unit 118.

With respect to the cartridge, which is the second member 104, the reservoir 116 holds an aerosol source, which is a source of inhaled components. For example, the reservoir 116 is made of a fibrous or porous material, and holds the aerosol source as a liquid in the gaps between the fibers or in the pores of the porous material. For example, cotton, glass fiber, or tobacco raw material can be used as the fibrous or porous material. The reservoir 116 may be configured as a tank that contains a liquid. The aerosol source is a liquid such as a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerin or propylene glycol, or water.

When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may also include a drug for the patient to inhale. As another example, the aerosol source may include a tobacco raw material or an extract derived from a tobacco raw material that releases a flavor component when heated. The reservoir 116 may have a configuration that allows the consumed aerosol source to be replenished. Alternatively, the reservoir 116 may be configured so that the reservoir 116 itself can be replaced when the aerosol source is consumed. In addition, the aerosol source is not limited to a liquid, and may be a solid. When the aerosol source is a solid, the reservoir 116 may be, for example, a hollow container that does not use a fibrous or porous material.

The nebulizer 118 is configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol source. More specifically, the nebulizer 118 generates an aerosol by atomizing or vaporizing the aerosol source. When the inhalation device 100A is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the nebulizer 118 generates an aerosol by atomizing or vaporizing the aerosol source containing a drug.

When the puffing operation is detected by the sensor 112, the atomizing unit 118 receives power from the battery 110 and generates aerosol by heating the aerosol source. For example, a wick (not shown) may be provided to connect the reservoir 116 and the atomizing unit 118. In this case, a part of the wick leads to the inside of the reservoir 116 and contacts the aerosol source. Another part of the wick extends to the atomizing unit 118. The aerosol source is transported from the reservoir 116 to the atomizing unit 118 by the capillary effect of the wick.

In one example, the atomizing unit 118 includes a heater electrically connected to the battery 110. The heater is arranged to be in contact with or in close proximity to the wick. When a puffing operation is detected, the control unit 106 controls the heater of the atomizing unit 118 to atomize the aerosol source carried through the wick by heating the aerosol source. Another example of the atomizing unit 118 may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizes the aerosol source by ultrasonic vibration.

An air intake flow path 120 is connected to the atomizing section 118, and the air intake flow path 120 leads to the outside of the suction device 100A. The aerosol generated in the atomizing section 118 is mixed with air taken in through the air intake flow path 120. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and air is sent to the aerosol flow path 121, as shown by arrow 124. The aerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for transporting the mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated in the atomizing section 118 to the suction port section 122.

The suction mouth portion 122 is located at the end of the aerosol flow path 121 and is configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to the outside of the suction device 100A. The user holds the suction mouth portion 122 in their mouth and inhales to take in air containing the aerosol into their mouth.

1B is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the inhalation device 100B according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1B, the inhalation device 100B includes a third member 126 in addition to the configuration of the inhalation device 100A of FIG. 1A. The third member 126 may be a capsule and may include a flavor source 128. In one example, when the inhalation device 100B is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 128 may include a flavor component contained in tobacco. As shown, the aerosol flow path 121 extends across the second member 104 and the third member 126. The mouthpiece 122 is provided in the third member 126.

The flavor source 128 is a component for imparting flavor to the aerosol. The flavor source 128 is disposed midway through the aerosol flow path 121. The mixed fluid of the aerosol and air generated by the atomizing section 118 (hereinafter, the mixed fluid may be simply referred to as the aerosol) flows through the aerosol flow path 121 to the mouthpiece section 122. In this manner, the flavor source 128 is disposed downstream of the atomizing section 118 in terms of the flow of the aerosol. In other words, the flavor source 128 is located closer to the mouthpiece section 122 in the aerosol flow path 121 than the atomizing section 118.

Therefore, the aerosol generated by the atomization unit 118 passes through the flavor source 128 before reaching the mouthpiece unit 122. As the aerosol passes through the flavor source 128, the flavor components contained in the flavor source 128 are imparted to the aerosol. In one example, when the inhalation device 100B is an electronic cigarette, the flavor source 128 may be derived from tobacco, such as tobacco shreds or a processed product obtained by forming tobacco raw material into granules, sheets, or powder.

The flavor source 128 may also be non-tobacco-derived, such as made from plants other than tobacco (e.g., mint, herbs, etc.). In one example, the flavor source 128 includes a nicotine component. The flavor source 128 may also include a flavor component, such as menthol. In addition to the flavor source 128, the reservoir 116 may also include a substance that includes a flavor component. For example, the inhalation device 100B may be configured to hold a tobacco-derived flavor substance in the flavor source 128 and to include a non-tobacco-derived flavor substance in the reservoir 116.

In this way, the user can take in air containing the flavored aerosol into the mouth by holding the mouthpiece 122 in their mouth and inhaling.

＜＜2. Technical features＞＞
The operation of the suction devices 100A and 100B (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "suction device 100") according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is controlled in various ways by a control unit 106. A method for operating the suction device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and the suction device will be described in detail below.

(1) Basic method for estimating the remaining level of the inhalation component source In order to provide a user with a comfortable inhalation experience and continuously provide the user with an aerosol with sufficient flavor components, it is preferable to properly grasp the remaining level (or consumption level) of the aerosol source and/or flavor source 128 stored in the reservoir 116 and/or capsule. In this case, it is preferable to further properly grasp the remaining level (or consumption level) by taking into consideration the tendency and characteristics of the puffing operation by the user in particular. Furthermore, it is preferable to prompt the user to replace the cartridge and/or capsule when it is determined that the remaining amount is exhausted. As an example of properly grasping the remaining level, it is preferable that the control unit 106 uses the accumulated time required for the user to perform the puffing operation and determines whether the accumulated time has reached a predetermined threshold.

For example, for the aerosol source in the reservoir 116 held in the cartridge, the control unit 106 may determine that the aerosol source has been used up when the cumulative time of puffing operations reaches a predetermined upper limit after the cartridge is attached (the memory is reset to 0 seconds). For the cartridge, the predetermined upper limit is, for example, 1,000 seconds. Similarly, for the flavor source held in the capsule in the inhalation device 100B, the flavor source may be determined to have been used up when the cumulative time of puffing operations reaches a predetermined upper limit after the capsule is attached (the memory is reset to 0 seconds). For the capsule, the predetermined upper limit is, for example, 100 seconds. Then, when it is determined that the aerosol source and/or flavor source have been used up, it is preferable to notify the user to urge them to replace the cartridge and/or capsule holding them.

These are based on the idea that while the inhalation device 100 is steadily accepting puffing operations in accordance with a series of puffing operations by the user, the consumption amount of the cartridge and/or capsule is substantially proportional to the cumulative value of the puffing operation period. Based on this premise, the consumption amount of the aerosol source and/or flavor source can be specified with the cumulative time as a parameter, making it easy to measure.

Figure 2 is a schematic graph showing an example of the relationship between the number of puffs, the puff duration, and the cumulative puff duration with respect to consumption of the flavor source held in the capsule. The horizontal axis shows the number of puffs (puffs) after a new capsule is attached. The left vertical axis shows the puff duration (seconds) per puff, and the right vertical axis shows the cumulative puff duration (seconds). Furthermore, a bar graph shows the puff duration (seconds) measured for each puff, and a line graph shows the cumulative puff duration (seconds).

In the illustrated example, the puffing period per puffing operation is generally in the range of 0.3 seconds to 2.4 seconds, and 65 puffing operations are required for the cumulative puffing period (seconds) to reach 100 seconds. In other words, if the predetermined upper threshold value for the cumulative puffing time for the capsule is 100 seconds, it is preferable to determine that the flavor source is used up in response to the 65th puffing operation. In addition, the consumption level is preferably calculated based on the value of the cumulative puffing period. For example, if the value of the cumulative puffing period up to the 32nd puffing operation is 50 seconds, the consumption level is preferably estimated to be 50% (50 seconds/100 seconds x 100). In the case of the inhalation device 100B, the upper threshold value for the cumulative puffing time is 100 seconds means that the total amount of aerosol that has been atomized from the aerosol source and passed through the flavor source by the cumulative 100 seconds of puffing operations is sufficient for the flavor source to reach its lifespan. Here, the end of the flavor source life means that the aerosol source has been consumed and is no longer able to impart sufficient flavor to the atomized aerosol.

In the following, based on the deep knowledge gained by the inventor, a more accurate method is proposed than the basic remaining level estimation method described above. Experiments by the inventor have shown that when using a method that estimates the cumulative puffing duration in relation to the remaining level, the estimation accuracy can be further improved by incorporating a control method that corrects the puffing duration value based on the atomization characteristics of the aerosol source.

(2) Atomization Characteristics of the Aerosol Source Figures 3 and 4 are schematic graphs showing the atomization characteristics of the aerosol source in relation to the puffing action of a user using the inhalation device 100. Based on these graphs, the basic atomization characteristics of the aerosol source in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100 can be identified.

The graph shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of the relationship between the puff duration and the amount of atomization per puff for the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100 using a sample flavor source. The horizontal axis shows the puff duration (seconds) per puff. Specifically, the puff duration is the period from the start to the end of the puff. The vertical axis shows the amount of atomization per puff, that is, the consumption of the aerosol source (mg/puff). Specifically, the amount of atomization is the weight of the aerosol source at the start of the puff minus the weight of the aerosol source at the end of the puff.

More specifically, the data for the puffing period on the horizontal axis can be obtained by detecting the start and end of the puffing operation with a suction sensor and measuring the continuous period between the start and end of the puffing operation with a timer. The data for the atomization amount on the vertical axis can be obtained by measuring the weight of the aerosol source at the start and end of the puffing operation with, for example, a weight sensor and calculating the difference between the weights.

Figure 3 plots 13 sample points measured during the atomization phenomenon. Also shown are the actual atomization curve (solid line) based on these 13 sample points and the theoretical atomization line (dashed line). The theoretical atomization line is created by connecting the origin and the sample point furthest from the origin (the longest puffing period, 2.4 seconds). This is based on the idea that the amount of atomization increases in proportion to the inhalation time during puffing.

As shown in the figure, when comparing the actual atomization curve and the theoretical atomization straight line, there is a discrepancy between the two. Specifically, unlike the theoretical atomization straight line, the actual atomization curve is not proportional to the puff operation period and the actual amount of atomization. In particular, for puff operation periods up to about 2.4 seconds, at least the actual amount of atomization is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. More specifically, the difference between the two increases over time until the puff operation period is about 1 second (difference 1), and then decreases over time (difference 2). This is due to the fact that in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100, a certain amount of rise time is required from the start of heating the heater at the start of the puff operation until the temperature reaches a suitable temperature for atomization.

The graph shown in FIG. 4 shows an example of the relationship between the operation interval between two successive puffing operations and the amount of atomization through two successive puffing operations in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100 using a sample flavor source. The horizontal axis shows the puffing operation interval (seconds) between two successive puffing operations. Specifically, the puffing operation interval is the period from the end of the first puffing operation to the start of the next second puffing operation. The vertical axis shows the amount of atomization of the aerosol source atomized through two successive puffing operations, that is, the consumption amount (mg/2 puffing operations). Specifically, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source is the weight of the aerosol source at the start of the first puffing operation minus the weight of the aerosol source at the end of the second puffing operation.

More specifically, the puff interval data can be obtained by detecting the start and end of the puff with a suction sensor and measuring the time between the end of the first puff and the start of the second puff with a timer. The atomization amount data can be obtained by measuring the weight of the aerosol source at the start of the first puff and the end of the second puff with, for example, a weight sensor and calculating the difference between the weights.

In FIG. 4, nine sample points measured in the atomization phenomenon are plotted. For seven data with a puffing interval of about 10 seconds or less, a regression line is shown by linear regression with the puffing interval as the explanatory variable and the amount of atomization as the objective variable. As shown in the figure, it can be understood that a negative correlation occurs here. That is, in the actual atomization phenomenon, the shorter the puffing interval, the larger the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (about 8.8 mg to about 9.3 mg). On the other hand, when the puffing interval is longer than about 10 seconds, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source is generally constant and stable (about 8.1 mg: dotted line). This is because, in the atomization phenomenon of the inhalation device 100, when the puffing interval is short, such as 10 seconds or less, the heater heated by the previous puffing operation is not sufficiently cooled and residual heat remains, so that the heater rise time is faster than usual at the start of the immediately following puffing operation. This results in a larger amount of atomization compared to the stable state in which the puffing interval is 10 seconds or longer.

In this way, with regard to the atomization phenomenon of the aerosol source, it is advisable to specify the two atomization characteristics of the aerosol source in advance and reflect them in the control of the estimation of the remaining amount level. Specifically, by incorporating a control method that corrects the value of the puff operation period based on the two atomization characteristics, the estimation accuracy of the remaining amount of the aerosol source and/or the remaining amount of the flavor source can be further improved. The two atomization characteristics of the aerosol source (atomization characteristics 1 and 2) are summarized below.

[Atomization characteristic 1] Atomization characteristic 1 is determined based on the relationship between the sample operation period of the puff operation and the amount of atomization (Figure 3). Here, the actual amount of atomization of the aerosol source is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. In addition, when the puff operation period is approximately 1 second or less, the difference between the theoretical value and the measured value increases with the length of the puff operation period. On the other hand, when the puff operation period is approximately 1 second or more, the difference between the theoretical value and the measured value decreases with the length of the puff operation period. In either case, if the actual puff operation period value is applied directly to the estimation of the remaining level, the amount of atomization estimated may be greater than the actual amount, so it is better to estimate the remaining level of the aerosol source by slightly decreasing the value of the puff operation period.

Similarly, as described above, the actual amount of atomization of the aerosol source is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. In other words, in the case of the inhalation device 100B in which the cartridge 104 and the capsule 126 are separate elements, the actual amount of aerosol passing through the flavor source held in the capsule 126 is smaller than the theoretical amount of aerosol. In other words, by adopting a configuration in which the remaining level of the flavor source is estimated by slightly correcting the value of the puff operation period to be smaller, the accuracy of estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol source and the remaining amount of the flavor source can be further improved.

[Atomization characteristic 2] Atomization characteristic 2 is determined based on the relationship between the sample interval between two successive puff operations and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (Figure 4). Here, when the puff operation interval is approximately 10 seconds or less, a negative correlation occurs between the puff operation interval and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source, so that as the puff operation interval increases, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source decreases. In other words, when the puff operation interval is 10 seconds or less, if the actual puff operation period value is directly applied to estimating the remaining amount level, the amount of atomization estimated may be smaller than the actual amount. In other words, it is better to estimate the remaining amount level of the aerosol source by correcting the puff operation period value somewhat larger.

Similarly, as described above, when the puffing interval is 10 seconds or less (or less than 10 seconds), if the actual puffing period value is applied directly to the estimation of the remaining amount level, the estimated amount of atomization may be smaller than the actual amount. In other words, when the cartridge 104 and capsule 126 of the inhalation device 100B are separate elements, the amount of aerosol passing through the flavor source held in the capsule 126 may be estimated to be smaller than the actual amount. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the remaining amount level of the flavor source is estimated by correcting the puffing period value somewhat larger, the accuracy of estimating the remaining amount of the aerosol source and the remaining amount of the flavor source can be further improved.

Based on the atomization characteristics 1 and 2 of the aerosol source during puffing, the inhalation device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to accurately estimate the remaining level by dynamically correcting the detection time, which is the time during which the detected puffing continues. In other words, a more accurate puffing period and cumulative puffing period can be estimated compared to the detection time of the actually detected puffing, thereby realizing an appropriate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source. This allows for appropriate estimation of the consumption level of the cartridge and/or capsule, replacement decision, and notification.

(3) Time correction model defined based on atomization characteristics With reference to Figs. 5 to 9, a method for generating each of the time correction models 1A, 2A, and MD that correct the detection time of the detected puffing operation according to the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source will be described. The atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source are defined by adding further consideration to the above-mentioned atomization characteristics 1 and 2. Figs. 5 and 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source, respectively. Figs. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams for explaining the time correction models 1A _ID and 1A based on the atomization characteristics 1a of the aerosol source, respectively. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a of the aerosol source. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source.

[Time correction model 1A based on atomization characteristics 1a]
Based on the above-mentioned atomization characteristic 1 of the aerosol source, the atomization characteristic 1a is further defined. Fig. 5 is a graph showing an actual atomization line using 13 sample points of the puffing operation period and the atomization amount of the aerosol source (and/or flavor source) in the same manner as the atomization characteristic 1 of the aerosol source shown in Fig. 3, and constitutes the atomization characteristic 1a. The value of the atomization amount at the sample points is calculated by measuring the atomization amount of the aerosol source multiple times for each predetermined puffing operation period through experiments and calculating the average value.

As discussed in the above-mentioned atomization characteristic 1, the actual amount of atomization of the aerosol source is smaller than the theoretical amount of atomization. In other words, if the actual puff operation period value is directly applied to the estimation of the remaining amount level and calculated with the ideal value, the amount of atomization may be estimated to be larger than the actual amount, and a large amount of the aerosol source may be left over compared to the estimate. In other words, it is better to use the puff operation period value after correcting it to be somewhat smaller to estimate the remaining amount level. In addition, according to the atomization characteristic 1 of the aerosol source (Figure 3), the maximum value of the puff operation period is set to 2.4 seconds here as well. 2.4 seconds is the value at which the consumption efficiency of the aerosol source is the highest in the inhalation device. However, this value is only one example, and it is better to set the ideal value at which the consumption efficiency of the aerosol source is the highest according to the device characteristics and/or design of the inhalation device.

Fig. 6A shows an example of a time correction model 1A _ID based on the atomization characteristics 1a of the aerosol source. The time correction model 1A _ID corresponds to the experimental atomization characteristics 1a shown in Fig. 5, that is, it is an ideal time correction model. In the graph of Fig. 6A, the horizontal axis (x-axis) shows the puffing duration (seconds), and the vertical axis (y-axis) shows the corrected puffing duration (seconds) relative to the puffing duration.

Specifically, the corrected puffing period is determined based on the atomization characteristic 1a in Fig. 5, and based on the ideal value of 2.4 seconds, which is the highest consumption efficiency of the aerosol source, and based on the relative ratio of the atomization amount for each predetermined puffing period. For example, in the atomization characteristic 1a in Fig. 5, the atomization amount when the puffing period is 2.4 seconds is set to _A2.4 mg, and the atomization amount when the puffing period is 1.2 seconds is set to _A1.2 mg. In this case, in Fig. 6A, for example, when the puffing period (x) is 1.2 seconds, the corrected puffing period (y) is calculated by 2.4 x _A1.2 / _A2.4 .

FIG. 6B shows an example of a time correction model 1A based on the atomization characteristics 1a. The time correction model 1A is theoretically defined by a formula, whereas FIG. 6A shows an ideal time correction model 1A _ID . In the graph of FIG. 6B, the horizontal axis (x-axis) shows the puff operation period (seconds), and the vertical axis (y-axis) shows the corrected puff operation period (seconds) relative to the puff operation period, as in FIG. 6A. That is, the time correction model 1A of FIG. 6B is a model based on the puff operation period. A function correlating with the time correction model 1A _ID of FIG. 6A is defined in the range of 0<x≦2.4 so that the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is maintained at 2.4 seconds when the puff operation period (x) is 2.4 seconds.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, a constant _T10 is introduced such that y=0 when x= _T10 . As a result, the function y= _C10 (x) of the time correction model 1A is expressed as follows:
If 0<x≦ _T10 ,
y=0
When _T10 <x≦2.4,
y=m(x−T ₁₀ ) (where m>1)
The puffing period (x) is expressed by two linear functions (Equation 1), where the slope m (>1) is predetermined by the equation m=2.4/(2.4−T ₁₀ ) and set in the memory 114 .

By applying the time correction model 1A based on the puffing period in this way, the value of the puffing period (x) is corrected so that the value of the corrected puffing period (y) decreases. That is, the value of the puffing period (x) can be appropriately corrected to approach the ideal time correction model 1A _ID (dashed line). It is preferable that the constant T ₁₀ is a value less than 1.0. Specifically, it is preferable that the constant T 10 is experimentally obtained taking into account the device characteristics of the inhalation device 100 and set in the memory 114. The device characteristics here are not limited to these, but preferably include cartridge characteristics, heater heating characteristics, and loss characteristics due to the attachment of the aerosol source to the mouthpiece and/or capsule.

Here, when the value of the puffing period (x) is near _T10 , the corrected puffing period (y) value by the time correction model 1A is smaller than that by the time correction model 1A _ID (dotted line). However, according to experiments by the inventors, it has been found that a puffing period of less than 1.0 seconds in a puffing operation by a user is rare and difficult to imagine. In other words, if _T10 is set to a value less than 1.0, there is no need to assume the influence of correction in the first place (described later).

[Time correction model 2A based on atomization characteristics 2a]
Based on the above-mentioned atomization characteristic 2 of the aerosol source, the atomization characteristic 2a is further defined. Like the atomization characteristic 2 of the aerosol source shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a graph showing an actual atomization line in the form of a broken line using five sample points of the interval between two consecutive puffing operations and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (and/or flavor source), which constitutes the atomization characteristic 2a. The value of the amount of atomization at the sample points is an experimental measurement of the amount of atomization of the aerosol source at every 2-second puffing interval. The puffing interval is measured by a sensor and a timer. In FIG. 7, the puffing period is fixed at 2.4 seconds for measurement.

Here, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source relative to the puffing interval is largely dependent on the device characteristics and varies greatly from one device to another. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, measurements using three devices (devices 1 to 3) are plotted individually. In addition, in accordance with the aerosol source atomization characteristics 2 (FIG. 4), the standard value of the puffing interval between two consecutive puffing operations is also set to 10 seconds. 10 seconds is the value at which the amount of atomization of the consumed aerosol source is stable relative to the puffing interval. However, this is only one example, and it is better to set a suitable value determined by experiment according to the device characteristics and/or settings of the inhalation device.

As discussed above in atomization characteristic 2, when the puffing interval is less than about 10 seconds, there is a negative correlation between the puffing interval and the amount of atomization of the aerosol source (and/or flavor source). In other words, as the puffing interval increases, the amount of atomization of the aerosol source decreases. Specifically, when the puffing interval is less than 10 seconds, if the actual puffing period is applied directly to the estimation of the remaining amount level, the estimated amount of atomization may be smaller than the actual amount, and the aerosol source may be insufficient for the estimation. In other words, it is better to use the puffing period value after slightly increasing it to estimate the remaining amount level.

Figure 8 shows an example of a time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a of the aerosol source in Figure 7. In the graph in Figure 8, the horizontal axis (v-axis) shows the puff interval (seconds) between two consecutive puff operations, and the vertical axis (w-axis) shows the corrected differential puff operation period (seconds) relative to the puff operation period. For simplicity, Figure 8 shows only two data groups for individuals 1 and 2 shown in the atomization characteristics 2a in Figure 7 (dotted and dashed lines), and the data group for individual 3 is omitted. A time correction model 2A is defined for each of these data groups for each individual (solid line).

Specifically, the corrected differential puffing period (seconds) of each individual, which is a sample point, is preferably determined based on the puffing interval value of 10 seconds and in accordance with the relative ratio of the atomization amount for each predetermined puffing interval as shown in Fig. 7. For example, in the atomization characteristic 2a of individual 2 in Fig. 7, the atomization amount when the puffing period is 10 seconds is set to B ₁₀ mg, and the atomization amount when the puffing period is 2 seconds is set to B ₂ mg. In this case, in Fig. 8, the corrected differential puffing period for a puffing interval of 2 seconds is preferably calculated as 10 x (B ₁₀ -B ₂ )/B _10. Note that when the puffing interval value is greater than 10 seconds, the corrected differential puffing period is preferably set to 0.

The time correction model 2A in Fig. 8 is for calculating the corrected differential puffing period calculated based on the puffing interval as the adjustment time, based on the value of the puffing interval between two consecutive puffing operations. More specifically, the time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristic 2a is preferably defined as a linear function that classifies an area including all sample points (data group) of multiple individuals from the other area in the vw plane (first quadrant) in Fig. 8. Specifically, the function w = _C20 (v) of the time correction model 2A is defined so that w = 0 when v = 10,
When 0<v≦10,
w = p (v - 10) (where p < 0)
If 10<v,
w=0
Here, the slope p (<0) is a constant that is determined in advance by an arbitrary method based on a data group of a plurality of individuals, and is set in the memory 114.

By applying the time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a in this way, it is possible to determine the adjustment time, which is the corrected differential puff operation period (w), for the value of the puff operation interval (v). Then, by combining the time correction model 2A with the above-mentioned time correction model 1A, the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a, which will be described next, is defined.

[Time correction model MD based on atomization characteristics 1a and 2a]
9 shows an example of the time correction model MD based on such atomization characteristics 1a and 2a. The time correction model MD is defined by combining the time correction model 2A with the above-mentioned time correction model 1A. In other words, the time correction model MD is defined by further adding the corrected differential puffing operation period in the time correction model 2A to the value of the corrected puffing operation period (y) in the time correction model 1A.

In the graph of FIG. 9, the horizontal axis (x-axis) indicates the puff operation period (seconds) and the vertical axis (y-axis) indicates the corrected puff operation period (seconds) relative to the puff operation period, as in FIG. 6B. Here, when the value of the puff operation period (x) is 2.4 seconds, the value of the corrected differential puff operation period (w) calculated based on the puff operation interval (v) according to the time correction model 2A is added to the puff operation period of 2.4 seconds as the adjustment time b. This allows the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) to be corrected to increase. In this way, the function of the time correction model 2A that calculates the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is specified. Hereinafter, the puff operation interval (v) is represented by t _int .

Specifically, the function C ₃₀ (x, t _int ) of the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a is expressed as follows:
If 0<x≦ _T10 ,
y=0
When _T10 <x≦2.4,
y=n(x-T ₁₀ )
These are expressed by two linear functions based on the puffing duration (Equation 3).

Here, when x=2.4, y=2.4+b. Therefore, the slope n is given by the following equations based on Equation 2 and Equation 3:
n=(2.4+b)/(2.4-T ₁₀ )
=(2.4+p(t _int -10))/(2.4-T ₁₀ )
This is expressed by the following formula (Formula 4).

Then, by substituting Equation 4 into Equation 3, the function C ₃₀ (x, t _int ) of the time correction model MD is given by:
If 0<x≦ _T10 ,
y=0
When _T10 <x≦2.4,
y=((2.4+p(t _int -10))/(2.4-T ₁₀ ))×(x-T ₁₀ )
As described above, p and _T10 are preset constants, so that the function _C30 (x, _tint ) of the time correction model MD can be finally expressed as a function of the puffing period x and the puffing interval _tint .

In this way, the time correction model MD is defined based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source. As a result, the corrected puffing period y can be calculated from the puffing period x, the puffing interval t _int , and the constants p and T ₁₀ as shown in Equation 5. That is, when the sensor 212 detects the puffing operation of the inhalation device 100 by the user, the detection time, which is the puffing period during which the detected puffing operation continues, is measured, and the time interval between two consecutive puffing operations is measured to obtain the puffing interval. Then, the corrected puffing period is obtained by substituting these values for the puffing period x and the puffing interval t _int in Equation 5. Note that the constants p and T ₁₀ may be appropriately set, for example, at the time of design, according to the device characteristics and/or design of the inhalation device 100.

(4) Functional block diagram relating to estimation of remaining level of suction component source by suction device FIG. 10 shows an example of main functional blocks implemented by the control unit 106 (206) and sensor 212 for the suction device 100 according to this embodiment (particularly, the power supply unit 202 provided therein), as well as an example of main information stored in the memory 114 (214).

The control unit 206 cooperates with the sensor 212 and the memory 214 to control various operations related to the estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source. Examples of functional blocks of the control unit 206 include a puff detection time measurement unit 206a, a puff operation interval measurement unit 206b, a detection time correction unit 206c, a detection time accumulation unit 206d, an inhalation component source remaining level estimation unit 206e, and a notification instruction unit 206f. Examples of functional blocks of the sensor 212 include a puff detection unit 212a and an output unit 212b. Examples of information stored in the memory 214 include time information such as cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a, capsule maximum consumption time information 214b, time correction model information 214c, and accumulated detection time information 214d.

The puff detection time measurement unit 206a measures the detection time (period) of the puff operation detected by the puff detection unit 212a. Specifically, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a may continuously measure the period from the start to the end of the puff operation detected by the puff detection unit 212a using a timer. Based on the measured detection time, a value of the puff operation period is obtained. Particularly in this embodiment, the detection time is further corrected.

The puffing interval measuring unit 206b measures the time interval between two successive puffing operations. Specifically, the puffing interval measuring unit 206b may continuously measure the time between the end of the first puffing operation of two successive puffing operations detected by the puff detection unit 212a and the start of the second puffing operation using a timer. The puffing interval is acquired based on the measured time interval.

The detection time correction unit 206c corrects the detection time of the puff operation according to a time correction model MD defined based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source in the puff operation. As described above, the time correction model MD is associated with the puff operation interval and the puff operation period.

The detection time accumulation unit 206d accumulates the detection times of the corrected puffing operations to calculate the accumulated detection time.

The inhalation component source remaining level estimation unit 206e estimates the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source based on the accumulated detection time. Also, when the accumulated detection time reaches a predetermined threshold time, it is determined that the flavor source and/or the aerosol source is insufficient.

The notification instruction unit 206f instructs the notification unit 108 to perform a notification operation depending on the result of estimating the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source. In particular, when the inhalation component source remaining level estimation unit 206e determines that the remaining amount is insufficient, the notification unit 108 is caused to notify the remaining amount of the insufficient amount in response to this.

The puff detection unit 212a detects a series of puffing and/or non-puffing actions by the user using a suction sensor such as a microphone-condenser. The output unit 212b outputs various information detected by the sensor 212 to the control unit 206 or stores it in the memory 214.

With respect to the information stored in memory 214, cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a is time information (e.g., 1,000 seconds) corresponding to the maximum consumption of the aerosol source and/or flavor source held in the cartridge reservoir 116.

The capsule maximum consumption time information 214b is time information (e.g., 100 seconds) corresponding to the maximum consumption of the flavor source 128 held in the capsule of the inhalation device 100B. These are preferably set in advance, for example, when the cartridge and capsule are designed. Also, for the flavor source 128 held in the capsule, different values are preferably set for each type of flavor source 128.

The time correction model information 214c includes information on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source described above, and information on the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source. For example, the time correction model information 214c includes information on the function _C30 (x, _tint ) of the time correction model 2A shown in the above formula 5, and constants p and _T10 used in the calculation.

The accumulated detection time information 214d is information on the accumulated detection time accumulated in the detection time accumulation unit 206d, and is updated each time the user puffs.

In addition, the values of the puff action period measured in a series of puff actions and the interval between two consecutive puff actions may be stored sequentially in association with each puff action.

(5) Process flow for controlling the operation of the control device Figures 11 to 14 are examples of process flows in which the control unit 206 controls the operation of the inhalation device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 11 is an example of an overall process flow related to the control operation by the control unit 206. Figure 12 is an example of a process flow related to the estimation process of the remaining level based on the accumulation of the detection time of the puffing operation among the process flows shown in Figure 11. Figure 13 is an example of a process flow related to the correction process of the detection time of the puffing operation among the process flows shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 is an example of a process flow related to the initial setting process of the value of the puffing operation interval.

Note that the processing steps shown here are merely examples, and are not limited to these, and any other processing steps may be included, or some processing steps may be omitted. Furthermore, the order of the processing steps shown here is also merely examples, and is not limited to these, and may be in any order, or may be performed in parallel.

When the processing flow of FIG. 11 is started, the inhalation device 100 is powered on, and the user performs a series of puffing operations using the inhalation device 100. Alternatively, the inhalation device 100 returns from a sleep state, and the user performs a series of puffing operations using the inhalation device 100. First, in step S10, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b starts measuring the time until the "first" puffing operation is performed by the user. Note that the "first" puffing operation refers to the first puffing operation performed after the inhalation device 100 is powered on, or after the inhalation device 100 returns from a sleep state.

In step S11, the control unit 206 causes the puff detection unit 212a of the sensor to detect a series of puffing operations by the user (including the first puffing operation). Specifically, the control unit 206 determines whether the puffing operation has been detected by the puff detection unit 212a.

If a puffing operation is detected in step S11 (step S11: Yes), in step S12, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b stops measuring the time interval between puffing operations that are being performed. That is, the time interval between the detected puffing operation and the puffing operation immediately before it (i.e., two consecutive puffing operations) is measured, and the value of the puffing interval is obtained. Note that, in one example, the value of the puffing interval associated with the first puffing operation may be set to the measurement time between the above-mentioned steps S10 and S12 (described later in FIG. 14).

Next, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a measures the detection time of the detected puffing operation. Specifically, in step S13, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a starts measuring the detection time of the puffing operation. Then, in step S14, in response to the puff detection unit 212a detecting the end of the puffing operation, in step S15, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a stops measuring the detection time of the puffing operation. In other words, the detection time is measured, and the value of the puffing operation period during which the puffing operation continues is obtained.

In this embodiment, the control unit 200 preferably executes a heating operation by the heater while a puffing action by the user is being detected. In other words, the control of the heating operation is linked to the measurement of the detection time of the puffing action. Specifically, when the start of a puffing action is detected, the heating operation by the heater is started and the measurement of the detection time of the puffing action is started (step S13). Then, when the end of the puffing action is detected, the heating operation by the heater is ended and the measurement of the detection time of the puffing action is stopped (step S15).

Next, in step S16, the control unit 206 performs a process of estimating the remaining level based on accumulating the detection time (described later in Figures 12 and 13).

In addition, in step S17, the timers in the puff detection time measurement unit 206a and the puff operation interval measurement unit 206b are adjusted for the next puff operation to be detected. For example, it is preferable to reset to 0 both the detection time value counted by the puff detection time measurement unit 206a and the puff operation interval value counted by the puff operation interval measurement unit 206b.

Next, in step S18, the puffing interval measurement unit 206b starts measurement and returns to step S11. Here, the time interval between puffing operations until the next puffing operation is detected is measured. In detail, the measurement of the time interval between puffing operations is preferably started in step S18, triggered by the detection of the end of the puffing operation in step S14. Then, the measurement is preferably stopped in step S12, triggered by the detection of the start of the puffing operation in step S11. In other words, the time interval between puffing operations can be called a non-puffing period.

The cycle of steps S11 to S18 is repeated at least for the duration of a series of puffing operations by the user. Alternatively, the cycle may be repeated until the power of the inhalation device 100 is turned off or until the inhalation device 100 transitions to a sleep state.

With regard to the aforementioned step S16, the process flow for estimating the remaining level based on accumulating the detection time will be further described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. In step S16, first, in step S161, the puff operation interval measurement unit 206b acquires the value of the puff operation interval. The value of the puff operation interval is acquired through the aforementioned steps S18 (or step S10) and step S12. Also, in step S162, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a acquires the value of the puff operation period. The value of the puff operation period is the detection time of the puff operation measured through the aforementioned steps S13 to S15.

Next, in step S163, the detection time correction unit 206c corrects the detection time of the puffing operation using the aforementioned time correction model MD (FIG. 9) associated with the puffing operation period and the puffing operation interval. The time correction model MD is defined based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source in the inhalation device 100 and is stored in the memory 214 as time correction model information 214c.

More specifically, as shown in the process flow of Fig. 13, the correction of the detection time of the puffing operation is performed by first determining in step S163a whether the puffing interval t _int acquired in step S161 of Fig. 12 is smaller than 10 seconds. This determination process is associated with the atomization characteristics 2, 2a of the aerosol source shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, and is associated with a time correction model 2A based on the atomization characteristics 2a shown in Fig. 8.

Here, the corrected detection time for the actual puff detection time t is denoted as _{t10_crt} . If the puff interval _tint is shorter than 10 seconds (S163a: Yes), the corrected detection time is calculated in step S163c based on the above-mentioned Equation 5 defined as the time correction model MD as follows:
t _{10_crt} = C ₃₀ (t, t _int )
=((2.4+p(t _int -10))/(2.4-T ₁₀ ))×(t-T ₁₀ )
and is output for the next step S164.

On the other hand, if the puffing interval t _int is 10 seconds or more (S163a: No), the puffing interval t _int is set to t _int =10 based on the formula 2 in step S163b. Then, the corrected detection time is calculated in the next step S163c by setting t _int =10 in the formula 5, as follows:
t _{10_crt} =C ₃₀ (t, 10)
=(2.4/(2.4-T ₁₀ ))×(t-T ₁₀ )
and is output for the next step S164.

Returning to FIG. 12, following step S163, in step S164, the detection time accumulation unit 206d calculates the accumulated detection time by accumulating the detection times corrected in step S163. The accumulated detection time is stored in the memory 214 as part of the accumulated detection time information 214d regarding the flavor source and/or the aerosol source each time it is updated.

Next, in step S165, the inhalation component remaining level estimation unit 206e estimates the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source based on the cumulative detection time calculated in step S164. The remaining level may be calculated as a puff time (seconds) during which a puff operation is permitted in the future, or as a percentage (%) of the puff time, in any manner. In addition, when the cumulative detection time reaches a predetermined threshold time, it may be determined that the flavor source and/or the aerosol source is insufficient. The predetermined threshold time is stored in advance in the memory 214 as part of the capsule maximum consumption time information 214b (e.g., 100 seconds) and/or part of the cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a (e.g., 1,000 seconds).

Finally, in step S166, the notification instruction unit 206f instructs the notification unit 108 to notify the remaining amount level estimated in step S165. For example, various types of notification may be provided to the user by turning on an LED, displaying on a display, speaking from a speaker, vibrating with a vibrator, or any combination of these. In particular, when it is determined in step S165 that the flavor source and/or aerosol source is low in amount, the notification unit 108 may be caused to notify that the remaining amount is low.

In this embodiment, the target for estimating the remaining amount level can be flexibly set according to the structure of the suction devices 100A, B. Specifically, whether it is the capsule 126 or the cartridge 104, the amount of the suction component source is converted into time information and stored as capsule maximum consumption time information 214b and/or cartridge maximum consumption time information 214a. During the remaining amount level estimation operation, the control unit 206 only needs to handle such time information, which is efficient.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the value of the detection time of the puffing action is appropriately corrected through the time correction model MD. In other words, it is possible to calculate a detection time that is more in line with the actual situation, that is, the actual consumption of the aerosol source and the amount of aerosol that has actually passed through the flavor source (in other words, the amount of flavor actually imparted by the flavor source). This can further improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining level.

An example of the processing flow according to this embodiment will be further explained with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows an example of the processing flow relating to the initial setting of the puff operation interval value.

In the above explanation, the value of the puff interval associated with the first puff action may be set to the time between when measurement of the time of the first puff action is started in step S10 at the start of the processing flow of Figure 11 and when the measurement is stopped in step S12.

As described above, examples of the first puffing operation may include a puffing operation performed immediately after the power of the inhalation device 100 is turned on, and a puffing operation performed immediately after the inhalation device 100 returns from a sleep state. Note that the sleep state is a state to which the device is transitioned to in order to save power when a puffing operation by the user is not detected for a predetermined period of time even when the power is on. In this case, in order for the user to perform a puffing operation, it is necessary to return the inhalation device 100 from the sleep state.

The puff interval value associated with such an initial puff operation may be initialized using a predetermined initial value in addition to or instead of the above. As an example, FIG. 14 shows a process flow assuming an example of initialization performed immediately after the power is turned on. The initialization is performed by the puff interval measurement unit 206b.

First, in step S101, the control unit 206 determines whether the inhalation device 100 has been turned on from an off state. If it is determined that the inhalation device 100 has been turned on, it may optionally be confirmed that the puffing interval value is not yet present in memory. Next, in step S102, for a puffing operation that will soon be performed by the user (step S11), the puffing interval value is set to a predetermined initial value, thereby associating it with the first puffing operation.

After the initial value is set for the value of the first puff interval in step S102, the process may proceed to step S10 described above to start measuring the puff interval. In this case, the initial value already set in step S102 in the memory may be updated with the measured value acquired in steps S10 to S12. Alternatively, the initial value may not be updated with the measured value, or either the initial value or the measured value may be selected (e.g., the larger value may be selected). Furthermore, if the initial value is set for the value of the first puff interval in step S102, the process may skip to step S10 described above.

Here, the initial value should be set to 10 seconds. As explained with reference to FIG. 8, if the value of the puff operation interval is set to 10 seconds, the corrected differential puff operation period (adjustment time) will be 0 (Equation 2). In other words, by initially setting the value of the puff operation interval to 10 seconds to match the value explained with reference to FIG. 8, the adjustment time calculated in relation to the part of the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 2a can be set to 0 for the first puff operation interval.

<<3. Example of changes>>
(1) First Modification In the above embodiment, in steps S18, S10 to S12 in FIG. 11, and S161 in FIG. 12, the puff interval measurement unit 206b measures the time interval between a puff operation and the puff operation immediately before it (two consecutive puff operations), and sets the measured value (as is) as the puff operation interval. The above embodiment is particularly advantageous when the puff operation is accurately detected by the puff detection unit 212a. In addition to or instead of this, this modification further makes it possible to appropriately correct the detection time based on the time correction model MD by appropriately adjusting the time interval measured for the puff operation to flexibly set the value of the puff operation interval. In particular, the value of the puff operation interval set for the puff operation is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to the value of the puff operation period already obtained for the immediately preceding puff operation.

For example, when a user performs a series of puffing operations, the user's suction power may tend to be weak due to the user's preferences or habits in puffing operations. In this case, the puff detection unit 212a needs to detect puffing operations with weak suction power, but depending on its detection performance, it may not be able to detect it properly. Even if the puff detection unit 212a can detect a puffing operation with weak suction power, the puff detection unit 212a may only partially detect the puffing operation and detect it as an intermittent puffing operation. As a result, one puffing operation may be divided into extremely short puffing operation periods and detected as a puffing operation. In other words, in the case of a puffing operation with weak suction power, even though a single puffing operation was originally performed, it may be detected as multiple puffing operations separated into puffing operations with extremely short puffing operation periods.

Therefore, this modified example takes into consideration the case where the puff detection unit 212a cannot properly detect a puffing action due to reasons such as the user's weak suction power. A specific example is shown below. Note that in the following explanation, for a certain puffing action, the pair of values of the time interval between the previous puffing action and the detection time of that puffing action is expressed as [time interval between the previous puffing action, detection time of puffing action].

Figure 15 is an exemplary conceptual diagram showing puffing operations by a user with weak suction power detected by the puff detection unit 212a, along with their time intervals and detection times. Figure 15 shows that after puffing operation #n-1 is detected by the puff detection unit 212a, puffing operation #n at [5.42, 0.16] is detected, and further, immediately after that, puffing operation #n+1 at [0.21, 1.18] is detected.

As shown in the figure, the detection time of puffing action #n is 0.16 seconds, which can be said to be an extremely short puffing action period value. Note that a user's puffing action usually lasts for a period longer than about 1 second, and the value of 0.16 seconds is assumed to be smaller than _T10 used in Equation 5. In this case, based on the time correction model MD in the above embodiment, the corrected puffing action period of puffing action #n is set to 0 (y=0). That is, as a result of the correction process using the time correction model MD, puffing action #n is considered to have not been performed substantially, and is not counted in the cumulative detection time of puffing action.

On the other hand, the detection time of the puff action #n+1 following the puff action #n is 1.18 seconds, and the time interval between the puff action #n and the puff action #n+1 is 0.21 seconds. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the corrected puff action period (y) of the puff action #n+1 based on the time correction model MD is calculated as follows using Equation 5.
y=((2.4+p×(t _int −10))/(2.4−T ₁₀ ))×(x−T ₁₀ )
=((2.4+(-0.1)×(0.21-10)/(2.4-0.2))×(1.18-0.2)
= 1.57
(Note that, although the calculation is performed here with the constant p=-0.1 and the constant T ₁₀ =0.2, it is understood that the values of the constant p and the constant T ₁₀ are merely an example and are not limited to these.)

According to the above calculations, it can be seen that the detection time of puff action #n+1, 1.18 seconds, is corrected to 1.57 seconds according to the time correction model MD.

In the above calculation, in accordance with the description of the embodiment described above, the puff interval value is taken to be 0.21 seconds, which is the time interval between the current puff operation #n+1 and the immediately preceding puff operation #n. On the other hand, in this example, since the detection time of puff operation #n is extremely short at 0.16 seconds, it is assumed that what was originally a single puff operation was split into two puff operations, puff operation #n and puff operation #n+1, and detected by the puff detection unit 212a.

Therefore, in this modified example, the time interval between puff action #n+1 and the puff action #n immediately preceding it is not taken as the measured 0.21 seconds itself, but rather is obtained as the sum of said 0.21 seconds and 5.42 seconds, which is the time interval between puff action #n and puff action #n-1. In other words, in this modified example, the total value of 5.63 seconds (0.21 + 5.42 seconds) is used as the value of the puff action interval for puff action #n+1, and this total value is used in formula 5.

Specifically, in this modified example, the corrected puffing period (y) of the puffing action #n+1 based on the time correction model MD is calculated as follows.
y=((2.4+p×(t _int −10))/(2.4−T ₁₀ ))×(x−T ₁₀ )
=((2.4+(-0.1)×(5.63-10)/(2.4-0.2))×(1.18-0.2)
= 1.32

According to the above calculation, by obtaining the puff interval value as 5.63 seconds, the detection time of puff operation #n+1, which is 1.18 seconds, is corrected to 1.32 seconds according to the time correction model MD.

8, time correction model 2A, which constitutes part of time correction model MD, is specified so that the corrected puff operation period becomes smaller as the puff operation interval value increases. In other words, the value of 1.32 seconds is a more relaxed degree of correction of the puff operation period compared to 1.57 seconds when the puff operation interval value is 0.21 seconds. Such a relaxation of the degree of correction is an appropriate measure in light of the fact that puff operation #n and puff operation #n+1 were originally a single puff operation but were detected separately by puff detection unit 212a.

That is, by applying this modified example, even when the puff detection unit 212a does not accurately detect a puff operation with a weak suction force, the detection time of the puff operation can be more appropriately corrected, and a more accurate corrected puff operation period can be calculated. That is, according to this modified example, it is possible to realize an appropriate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source.

The acquisition of the puff interval value in this modified example is described in detail below based on a process flow. Figure 16 shows an example of a process flow for adjusting the measurement of the time interval depending on the puff duration value already acquired for the immediately preceding puff operation.

In this modified example, the time interval between puff action #n+1 and the immediately preceding puff action #n is measured, and the value of the puff action interval for puff action #n+1 is obtained based at least on the time interval. In particular, as described in the specific example of FIG. 15, the value of the puff action interval for puff action #n+1 is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval according to the puff action period value already obtained for the immediately preceding puff action #n (0.16 seconds in the example of FIG. 13).

The process flow of FIG. 16 is applied to the timer adjustment process of step S17 of FIG. 11 in order to adjust the measurement of the time interval. Here, it is assumed that the end of puff operation #n is detected in step S14 before reaching step S17 of FIG. 11, and the measurement of the detection time of puff operation #n is stopped in step S15. As a result, in step S16, particularly in step S161 of FIG. 12, the value of the puff operation interval is acquired as 5.42 seconds as in the example of FIG. 15, and similarly, in step S162, the value of the puff operation period is acquired as 0.16 seconds (the value of the detection time of the puff operation is also 0.16 seconds).

First, in step S21, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a resets the count of the timer. In other words, the puff detection time measurement unit 206a resets the value of the detection time of the puffing operation to prepare for counting the next time a puffing operation occurs.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether the value of the puff operation period already acquired for puff operation #n is smaller than 0.5 seconds. Note that the value of 0.5 seconds is an example, and those skilled in the art will understand that this is not a limitation. If the value of the puff operation period for puff operation #n is smaller than 0.5 seconds (step S22: Yes), measurement of the time interval between puff operation #n and the next puff operation #n+1 is resumed from the value of the puff operation interval already acquired for puff operation #n (step S18). In other words, the timer count when measuring puff operation #n is not reset, and the measurement of the interrupted time interval is resumed and counting continues.

On the other hand, if the puff duration of puff action #n is 0.5 seconds or more (step S22: No), in step S23, the timer count for the measurement of puff action #n is reset. Then, measurement of the time interval between puff action #n and the next puff action #n+1 starts from 0 seconds (step S18).

In the example of FIG. 15, the value of the puffing period of the puffing action #n is 0.16 seconds, which is smaller than 0.5 seconds (step S22: Yes). That is, the measurement of the time interval between the puffing action #n and the next puffing action #n+1 is restarted from 5.42 seconds (step S18) without resetting the previous 5.42 seconds, which is the value of the time interval between the puffing action #n-1 and the puffing action #n, to 0 seconds. As a result, when the start of the next puffing action #n+1 is detected (step S11) and the measurement of the time interval is stopped (S12), the measured time interval indicates 5.63 seconds, which is 0.21 seconds ahead of the above 5.42 seconds, which is the actual time interval. That is, the time interval t _int between the puffing action #n and the next puffing action #n+1 is acquired as 5.63 seconds (=5.42 seconds + 0.21 seconds).

That is, by applying this modified example, even in cases where the puff detection unit 212a does not always accurately detect a puff operation with weak suction power, it is possible to obtain an appropriate value for the puff operation interval by adjusting the measurement of the time interval. This makes it possible to more appropriately correct the detection time of the puff operation, that is, to calculate a more accurate corrected puff operation period. In other words, this modified example is particularly useful for puff operations with weak suction power.

In addition, this modified example makes it possible to determine that the time interval measured between puffing operation #n+1 and puffing operation #n is inappropriate when the detection time for a puffing operation with weak suction power is detected in extremely short intervals. If this determination is made, an appropriate value can be obtained as the puffing operation interval so as to adjust the measurement of the time interval and not reset the timer count. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the time interval measured between puffing operation #n+1 and puffing operation #n is inappropriate, it is sufficient to reset the timer count and measure the time from 0. In other words, obtaining the puffing operation interval is efficient because it only requires control of resetting the timer count and does not require any additional processing load.

(2) Second Modification In the above embodiment, a constant _T10 is introduced in the time correction model MD based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source, and when the value of the puffing operation period (x) is equal to or less than _T10 , the corrected puffing operation period (y) is set to 0 (Equation 3 and FIG. 9). The constant _T10 may be set to any value up to about 1.0 seconds, for example. This is based on the inventor's consideration that, in a normal puffing operation by a user, a puffing operation period of, for example, less than 1.0 seconds is rare and difficult to imagine, and therefore time correction is not performed for a puffing operation period of less than 1.0 seconds. Specifically, it is as follows.

If calculation processing for time correction were to be performed each time for a puffing period of less than 1.0 second, it is assumed that the cost for the calculation processing in the control unit 206 would not be worth it. More specifically, to implement such processing for time correction, it is necessary to secure the capacity of the memory 214 in order to store the algorithm for time correction. On the other hand, since it is difficult to imagine a puffing period of less than 1.0 second, it is assumed that such implementation would be too expensive for the calculation processing and would not be worth it. In addition, in a puffing period of less than 1.0 second, it is assumed that the consumption of the inhalation component source is sufficiently small in the first place, and there is no need to consider this.

In the above embodiment, when _T10 is less than 1.0, the corrected puff operation period (y) is set to 0, whereas in this modified example, the value of the corrected puff operation period (y) is not uniformly set to 0, but is set to a predetermined constant somewhat greater than 0. As a result, even if a device failure occurs and the device can only accept puff operation periods of less than 1.0 seconds, the accumulated detection time value calculated by the detection time accumulator 206d is accumulated. In other words, such an accumulated detection time value can be appropriately used to detect device failure, and the life of the device can be extended.

Therefore, in this modified example, if the value of the puff operation period (detection time) corrected by the time correction model MD of the above embodiment is equal to or less than a predetermined constant, the value of the corrected detection time is uniformly updated to the value of that constant.

Figure 17 shows an example of a further time correction model MD' based on the atomization characteristics 1a and 2a of the aerosol source according to this modified example. In the graph of Figure 17, as in Figure 9, the horizontal axis (x-axis) shows the puff operation period (seconds), and the vertical axis (y-axis) shows the corrected puff operation period (seconds) relative to the puff operation period. The time correction model MD' further specifies a function so that, among the time correction models MD shown in Figure 9, when the corrected puff operation period is 0<y≦q, the value is uniformly updated to q. Note that the constant q should be experimentally obtained taking into account the device characteristics of the inhalation device 100 and set in the memory 214.

Figure 18 shows an example of a detailed process flow for the correction process S163' of the detection time of the puffing operation according to this modified example, which is applied to step S16 of Figure 11 in the above embodiment. This process flow is executed by the detection time correction unit 206c. Note that the process contents of steps S163a, S163b, and S163c of the correction process S163' of the detection time of the puffing operation are the same as those shown in Figure 13 with the same reference numerals, and therefore will not be described here.

In this modification, in step S163d, it is further determined whether the value of _{t10_crt} is equal to or less than a constant q for the output _{t10_crt} = _C30 (t, _tint ) in step S163c. If the value of _{t10_crt} is equal to or less than the constant q (S163d: Yes), in step S163e, the value of _{t10_crt} is updated to q and output for the next cumulative detection time calculation process (step S164). On the other hand, if the value of _{t10_crt} is greater than the constant q (S163d: No), the value of _{t10_crt} is set as the corrected puff operation period as is and output for the next cumulative detection time calculation process (step S164).

Thus, according to this modified example, if the calculated corrected puff operation period is equal to or less than a predetermined constant, the value is uniformly updated to q, thereby reducing the calculation processing load on the control unit 206 in the inhalation device 100 and further enabling device abnormalities to be detected.

<<4. Supplementary Information>>
The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above in detail with some modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inhalation device 100 according to the present disclosure is configured to accurately estimate the remaining level by dynamically correcting the detection time, which is the duration of the detected puffing operation. In other words, the puffing operation period and the cumulative puffing operation period can be estimated more accurately compared with the detection time of the actually detected puffing operation, and an appropriate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and/or the aerosol source can be realized. This allows an appropriate estimation of the consumption level of the cartridge and/or capsule, a replacement decision, and a notification to be realized.

In particular, even when the sensor does not accurately detect a puffing action with a weak suction force, the detection time of the puffing action can be appropriately corrected and a more accurate corrected puffing action period can be calculated. This allows for a more accurate estimation of the remaining level of the flavor source and/or aerosol source.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that modifications, additions, improvements, etc. of the embodiments can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

The series of processes performed by each device described in this specification may be realized using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance, for example, in a computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory media) provided inside or outside each device. Each program is then loaded into RAM when executed by, for example, a computer that controls each suction device described in this specification, and executed by a processor such as a CPU. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. The computer program may also be distributed, for example, via a network, without using a recording medium.

The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.
(1)
1. A method of operating a suction device, comprising:
causing a sensor to detect a series of puffs by a user;
measuring a time interval between a first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff (S10, S18-S12, S161);
measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing period during which the first puffing operation continues (S13 to S15, S162);
correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration (S16, S163);
A step of accumulating the corrected detection time to calculate an accumulated detection time (S16, S164);
and estimating a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time (S16, S165).
The method, wherein the puff interval value for the first puff is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puff duration value for the second puff (S17, S161, S21-S23).
(2)
In the method (1), when the value of the puff operation period for the second puff operation is smaller than a predetermined first time (S22: Yes), the measurement of the time interval is adjusted to resume from the value of the puff operation interval already obtained for the second puff operation.
(3)
The method according to (2) above, wherein the first time is 0.5 seconds (S22).
(4)
In any one of the methods (1) to (3),
The method, wherein the step of estimating a remaining level of the aspirating component source includes determining that the aspirating component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a second predetermined time.
(5)
The method according to (4), further comprising:
In response to determining that the aspirated component source is low, the method includes causing the aspirator to notify the low level (S166).
(6)
In any one of the methods (1) to (5),
The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include maintaining the corrected sensed time at a predetermined third time if the value of the sensed time is the third time.
(7)
In the method (6),
The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include decreasing the detection time if the value of the detection time is less than the third time.
(8)
The method according to (6) or (7), wherein the third time period is 2.4 seconds.
(9)
In any one of the methods (1) to (8),
The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a fourth time.
(10)
The method according to (9), further comprising:
The method includes the steps of initially setting a value of a puff interval for the second puff to the fourth time (S101, S102) if the second puff is an initial puff.
(11)
The method according to (9) or (10), wherein the fourth time period is 10 seconds.
(12)
A program for causing the suction device to execute any one of the methods (1) to (11) above.
(13)
1. A suction device comprising:
A sensor that detects a series of puffs by a user;
A control unit (206) for operating the suction device,
measuring (206b) a time interval between the first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff detected by the sensor;
measuring 206a a time of detection of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing duration during which the first puffing operation continues;
correcting 206c the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration;
The corrected detection times are accumulated to calculate an accumulated detection time (206d).
estimating (206e) a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time;
A control unit,
The puff interval value for the first puff is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puff duration value for the second puff (S17, S161, S21-S23).
(14)
In the suction device according to (13),
When the value of the puff operation period for the second puff operation is smaller than a predetermined first time (S22: Yes), the measurement of the time interval is adjusted to resume from the puff operation interval value already obtained for the second puff operation.
(15)
In the suction device of (14) above, the first time is 0.5 seconds (S22).
(16)
In any one of the suction devices according to (13) to (15),
The aspiration device, wherein estimating a remaining level of the aspirating component source includes determining that the aspirating component source is low when the cumulative detected time reaches a second predetermined time.
(17)
The suction device according to (16) further comprising a notification unit,
The controller, in response to determining that the aspirated component source is low in amount, causes the notification unit to notify the low amount (206f).
(18)
In any one of the suction devices according to (13) to (17),
The inhalation device, wherein the time correction model is defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a third time.
(19)
In the suction device according to (18), the control unit further
The inhalation device is configured to set a puffing interval value for the second puffing to the third time when the second puffing is an initial puffing (S101, S102).
(20)
The suction device according to (18) or (19) above, wherein the third time is 10 seconds.

100A, 100B, 100... inhalation device, 102... first member (power supply unit), 104... second member (cartridge), 106, 206... control unit, 108... notification unit, 110... battery, 112, 212... sensor, 114, 214... memory, 116... reservoir, 118... atomization unit, 120... air intake flow path, 121... aerosol flow path, 122... mouthpiece, 126... third member (capsule), 128... flavor source,
206a: puff detection time measurement unit, 206b: puff operation interval measurement unit, 206c: detection time correction unit, 206d: detection time accumulation unit, 206e: inhalation component source remaining amount level estimation unit, 206f: notification instruction unit,
212a: puff detection unit, 212b: output unit,
214a: Cartridge maximum consumption time information, 214b: Capsule maximum consumption time information, 214c: Time correction model information, 214d: Accumulative detection time information

Claims (13)

1. A method of operating a suction device, comprising:
causing a sensor to detect a series of puffs by a user;
measuring a time interval between a first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff;
measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing duration during which the first puffing operation continues;
correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration;
accumulating the corrected detection times to calculate an accumulated detection time;
and estimating a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time.
A method according to claim 1, wherein the puff interval value for the first puff is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puff duration value for the second puff. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the puff duration value for the second puff is less than a predetermined first time, the measurement of the time interval is adjusted to resume from the puff interval value previously obtained for the second puff. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first time period is 0.5 seconds. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The method, wherein the step of estimating a remaining level of the aspirating component source includes determining that the aspirating component source is low when the cumulative detection time reaches a second predetermined time. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
In response to determining that the aspirating component source is low, the method includes causing the aspirating device to indicate the low level. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include maintaining the corrected sensed time at a predetermined third time if the value of the sensed time is the third time. 7. The method of claim 6,
The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include decreasing the detection time if the value of the detection time is less than the third time. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the third time period is 2.4 seconds. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The method of claim 1, wherein the time correction model is defined to include increasing the measured detection time by adding an adjustment time calculated based on the puffing interval to the measured detection time value when the puffing interval value is less than a fourth time. 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
If the second puff is an initial puff, initially setting a value of the puff interval for the second puff to the fourth time. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the fourth time period is 10 seconds. A program for causing the suction device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 1. A suction device comprising:
A sensor that detects a series of puffs by a user;
A control unit for operating the suction device,
measuring a time interval between a first puff and a immediately preceding second puff to obtain a puff interval value for the first puff detected by the sensor;
measuring a detection time of the first puffing operation to obtain a value of a puffing duration during which the first puffing operation continues;
correcting the detection time using a time correction model associated with the puffing interval and the puffing duration;
The corrected detection time is accumulated to calculate an accumulated detection time;
estimating a remaining level of the aspirated component source based on the cumulative detection time;
A control unit,
The puffing interval value for the first puffing is obtained by adjusting the measurement of the time interval in response to a previously obtained puffing duration value for the second puffing.