Patents Assigned to Japan Tobacco Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240074510
    Abstract: An inhaler device configured to consume an accumulated capacity to contribute to generation of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor, a sensor configured to detect a predefined variable, an interface configured to make a notification to an inhaler of the aerosol, and a controller configured to cause the interface to function in a first mode when a detected or estimated capacity is smaller than a threshold and the variable satisfies a predefined condition for requesting the generation of the aerosol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Hirofumi MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20240074515
    Abstract: A power supply unit of an aerosol generation device which a heating unit is attachable to and detachable from includes: a secondary battery; a case forming a surface of the power supply unit; a chassis accommodated in an internal space of the case and made of an insulating resin; a plurality of magnets held by the chassis with a gap therebetween; an inner member covering a side surface of the chassis; and an outer member covering an outer surface of the inner member. The inner member includes a plurality of through holes exposing the plurality of magnets, and the outer member is replaceably fixed by the plurality of magnets exposed from the plurality of through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 11918052
    Abstract: A control unit for an inductive heating apparatus configured to inductively heat a susceptor of an aerosol forming body includes the susceptor and an aerosol source, the control unit is configured to in a case where the susceptor ceases to be detected while the inductive heating is being executed, stop the inductive heating or notifying an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventor: Hajime Fujita
  • Patent number: 11918049
    Abstract: A smoking system that smoothly switches between a charge mode and a direct heating mode is provided with: a secondary device with a load for atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source and a power source capable of supplying power to the load; a primary device which, when connected to the secondary device, is capable of supplying power to the load and the power source; and a control unit capable of executing a first mode in which the power is supplied from the primary device to the load and a second mode in which the power is supplied from the primary device to the power source. During a first transition, which is from the first mode to the second mode, and/or a second transition, which is from the second mode to the first mode, the control unit executes, in a time between the modes, a transition mode involving a transition time for changing a preset variable relating to power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takuma Nakano, Hajime Fujita
  • Publication number: 20240065336
    Abstract: A power supply unit of an aerosol generation device includes: a power supply; a heater connector to which a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming power supplied from the power supply is connected; a first sensor disposed in the vicinity of the heater or the power supply and configured to output a value related to a temperature of the heater or a value related to a temperature of the power supply; and a second sensor provided at a position separated from the first sensor and configured to output a value related to a temperature at the position. At least one of the output value of the first sensor and the output value of the second sensor is abnormal, at least one or both of charging of the power supply and discharging from the power supply to the heater are temporarily prohibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240065335
    Abstract: A circuit for an aerosol generation device includes: a heater connector to which is connected a heater that consumes power supplied from a power supply and heats an aerosol source; a controller that includes a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal for serial communication, and controls supply of power from the power supply to the heater; a first IC that is a separate entity from the controller and that includes a third communication terminal for serial communication; a second IC that is a separate entity from the controller and the first IC, and that includes a fourth communication terminal for serial communication; a first communication line that connects the first communication terminal and the third communication terminal; and a second communication line that connects the second communication terminal and the fourth communication terminal and that does not have an electrical contact with the first communication line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240065328
    Abstract: An aerosol generation system including a power supply unit that supplies power, and a heating unit that heats a base material containing an aerosol source. The heating unit is inserted in the base material and includes an electrical resistor that generates heat by using the power supplied from the power supply unit, a rigid body, and an electrical insulator disposed between the electrical resistor and the rigid body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Yasunobu INOUE
  • Publication number: 20240065344
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device includes a power supply, a heater connector connected to a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming power supplied from the power supply, a connector electrically connectable to an external power supply, a charging IC which includes an input terminal connected to the connector and a charging terminal connected to the power supply, and is configured to convert power input to the input terminal and output power which is converted from the charging terminal, and a first load having one end connected in parallel with the input terminal. The charging IC is configured to supply power input from the power supply to the charging terminal to the first load via the input terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240065319
    Abstract: A placement portion for an article to be accommodated is disposed in a housing, and the article to be accommodated is accommodated thereon even in a case where a dividing surface of the housing is caused to have a deviation from a plane at which the largest opening can be secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki MASUDA, Manabu Yamada
  • Publication number: 20240065327
    Abstract: This aerosol generation system is provided with a power supply unit for supplying electric power; a heating unit for heating a substrate containing an aerosol source; and a holding unit for holding the heating unit. The heating unit is inserted into the substrate and comprises: an electric resistor that generates heat using electric power supplied from the power supply unit; a rigid body; and an electric insulator disposed between the electric resistor and the rigid body. The rigid body has a first portion extending in a first direction in which the substrate is inserted or removed and a second portion extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The holding unit holds the second portion of the rigid body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Yasunobu INOUE
  • Publication number: 20240065329
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generation system capable of controlling the temperature distribution in a substrate to be heated. This aerosol generation system comprises: an elongated heat generation unit that, when energized, generates heat to heat an aerosol generating substrate from the inside thereof; and a pair of metal plates disposed to respectively cover the facing surfaces of the heat generation unit along the elongated shape. The heat generation unit includes at least two regions having different heat quantities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Yasunobu INOUE
  • Patent number: 11916421
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a power supply able to discharge power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol source; a first control device and a second control device which are configured to control at least one of charging and discharging of the power supply; a circuit board on which the first control device and the second control device are provided; a first capacitor which is provided on an input side of the first control device so as to be connected in parallel with the first control device; and a second capacitor which is provided on an input side of the second control device so as to be connected in parallel with the second control device, wherein a capacity of the first capacitor is different from a capacity of the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Akao
  • Publication number: 20240057676
    Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus detects an input operation by a user, and, in accordance with the detected input operation, unlock a locked state of the apparatus or unlock the locked state and execute a predetermined function according to the detected input operation. If the apparatus is not in the locked state, the apparatus discriminatively receives a first operation and a second operation of a different operation mode, and if the apparatus is in the locked state, the apparatus receives the first operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Ryo YOSHIDA, Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI
  • Publication number: 20240057689
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device includes a power supply, a heater connector connected to a heater, a charging IC, a receptacle electrically connectable to an external power supply and including a power supply terminal, a power supply line configured to connect the power supply terminal and the input terminal, a first protection component provided in the power supply line, a first board, and a second board separate from the first board. The charging IC is disposed on the first board. The receptacle is disposed on the second board. The first protection component is disposed only on the second board of the first board and the second board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240057687
    Abstract: A power source unit for an aerosol generation device, comprises a communication module configured to communicate with an external device, a power source configured to supply power for driving a heater configured to heat an aerosol source, a controller configured to control the supply of the power from the power source to the heater, and a first circuit board on which the communication module, integrated circuits, and electronic components different from the integrated circuit are mounted. A distance between the communication module and the integrated circuits is longer than a distance between the communication module and the electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki MASUDA, Tatsunari AOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20240057684
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, the power supply unit includes: a power supply; a heater connector to which a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming a power supplied from the power supply is connected; a controller configured to control a supply of a power from the power supply to the heater and including a power supply terminal configured to receive a power for operation; a switch configured to connect the power supply and the power supply terminal of the controller; and a restart circuit configured to control opening and closing of the switch. The restart circuit performs a first operation of opening the switch when a restart condition is satisfied, and performs a second operation of closing the switch after performing the first operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240057690
    Abstract: A power supply unit of an aerosol generation device includes: a power supply; a heater connector to which a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming power supplied from the power supply is connected; a controller configured to control supply of power from the power supply to the heater and including a power supply terminal to which power for operation is input; a restart circuit configured to restart the controller; and an IC including the power supply terminal to which the power for operation is input and that is separated from the controller. The power supply terminal of the controller is configured to be supplied with a second system voltage generated from the power supply, and the power supply terminal of the IC is supplied with a first system voltage generated from the power supply even while the controller is restarted by the restart circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240057677
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol generating device, the power supply unit: a power supply; a power supply connector to which the power supply is connected; a heater connector to which a heater configured to heat an aerosol source by consuming a power supplied from the power supply is connected; a controller configured to control a supply of a power from the power supply to the heater; a first circuit board on which an electronic component is mounted; a second circuit board on which an electronic component is mounted and which is separated from the first circuit board; and a step-up IC configured to step up a voltage supplied from the power supply and output the stepped-up voltage to the heater. The power supply connector and the step-up IC are not mounted on the second circuit board, but are mounted on the first circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240057688
    Abstract: A power source unit for an aerosol generation device comprises: a communication module including an integrated circuit portion and an antenna portion; and a power source configured to supply power for driving a heater configured to heat an aerosol source. The power source unit comprises a controller configured to control the supply of the power from the power source to the heater; and a circuit board on which the communication module and an electronic component are mounted. A first side edge portion closest to the communication module is located at a position closer to the antenna portion than the integrated circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsunari AOYAMA, Hiroshi KAWANAGO, Toru NAGAHAMA, Takashi FUJIKI, Ryo YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20240057658
    Abstract: This tobacco sheet for a non-combustion heating-type flavor inhaler contains a tobacco powder having a cumulative 90% particle diameter (D90) of at least 200 ?m in a volume-based particle size distribution as measured by a dry laser diffraction method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro KOIDE, Kimitaka UCHII, Takahiro MATSUDA, Ayaka HASHIMOTO, Daisuke NANJO, Moeka NAGAYAMA, Katsunori MURAKOSHI, Tetsuro SHIBUYA, Yui NAKAYAMA, Shunsuke YOKOTE, Masaki ROKUGAWA, Hajime NISHINO