Patents by Inventor Kazuma MIZUGUCHI
Kazuma MIZUGUCHI has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11986020Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generation device that suppresses the effect that errors in the production of structural elements have on the accuracy with which shortage of an aerosol source is detected. An aerosol generation device that comprises: a power source 110; a load 132 that has a temperature-variable electrical resistance value and atomizes an aerosol source by generating heat due to supply of power from the power source 110; a first circuit 202 that is used for the load 132 to atomize the aerosol source; a second circuit 204 that is connected in parallel to the first circuit 202, has a higher electrical resistance value than the first circuit 202, and is used to detect voltage that changes as a result of changes in the temperature of the load 132; an acquisition part that acquires the value of voltage that is applied to the second circuit 204 and the load 132; and sensors 112B, 112D that output the value of the voltage that changes as a result of changes in the temperature of the load 132.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi, Masayuki Tsuji, Hajime Fujita
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Publication number: 20240148076Abstract: A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device includes: a power supply; a coil configured to generate an eddy current to a susceptor that heats an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply; a detection circuit configured to detect information corresponding to an induced current generated in the coil; a controller configured to control supply of power from the power supply to the coil; and an opening into which an aerosol generating article including the susceptor and the aerosol source are configured to be inserted and which is at least partially surrounded by the coil. The controller is configured to identify, based on an output of the detection circuit, at least one of an insertion direction of the aerosol generating article with respect to the opening and an insertion and removal of the aerosol generating article with respect to the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Hajime FUJITA
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Publication number: 20240138481Abstract: A power supply unit of an aerosol generating device includes: a power supply; a coil configured to generate an eddy current to a susceptor that heats an aerosol source using power supplied from the power supply; a detection circuit configured to detect information corresponding to an induced current generated in the coil; and a controller configured to control supply of power from the power supply to the coil. The controller is configured to start the supply of power from the power supply to the coil based on an output of the detection circuit, in a state in which power is not supplied from the power supply to the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Hajime FUJITA
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Publication number: 20240147583Abstract: A power supply unit includes: a power supply; a coil configured to generate an eddy current to a susceptor configured to heat an aerosol source; a current conversion circuit connected between the coil and the power supply and configured to convert a direct current supplied from the power supply into a pulsating current or an alternating current; an induction heating circuit to which the pulsating current or the alternating current converted by the current conversion circuit is supplied and which includes the coil; a first detection circuit configured to detect information corresponding to an induced current generated in the coil; a second detection circuit configured to detect an impedance of the induction heating circuit; and a controller configured to control supply of power from the power supply to the coil based on an output of the first detection circuit and an output of the second detection circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Hajime FUJITA
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Patent number: 11969023Abstract: Control device for aerosol inhalation device, includes operational amplifier including output terminal configured to generate voltage according to voltage applied to load configured to heat aerosol source and having correlation between temperature and electrical resistance value, control unit including input terminal and configured to perform processing based on voltage applied to the input terminal, and voltage dividing circuit configured to electrically connect the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the input terminal of the control unit. Power supply voltage of the operational amplifier is higher than power supply voltage of the control unit, and equals voltage applied to aerosol generation circuit including the load, and one of inverting input terminal and noninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to the aerosol generation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Takeshi Akao
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Patent number: 11800899Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus comprises: a power source; a load configured to have an electric resistance value that varies according to a temperature and atomize an aerosol source or heat a flavor source when supplied with power from the power source; a feed circuit that is electrically connected to the power source and the load and includes a voltage conversion unit capable of converting an output voltage of the power source and outputting the converted output voltage to the load; and a control unit configured to acquire a measurement value corresponding to a current value of a current flowing through the load and control power supply to the load, wherein, in accordance with the measurement value, the control unit controls the feed circuit such that the measurement value becomes smaller than the target value or values included in the target range.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi
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Patent number: 11696988Abstract: To provide a control device for an aerosol inhalator capable of compensating changes in temperature of a heater due to inhalation. A control device for an aerosol inhalator includes a first sensor for obtaining a first value relating to a temperature of a load which atomizes an aerosol source stored in a reservoir or retained by an aerosol base using heat generated by supply of electric power, a second sensor configured to detect an inhalation, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to determine, based on a second value based on the first value and a threshold, whether the aerosol source in the reservoir or the aerosol base is depleted or insufficient (850A), and correct at least one of the second value and the threshold when detecting the inhalation (840) and, in the determination, compare the second value and the threshold, at least one of the second value and the threshold being corrected (842).Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Takeshi Akao, Takuma Nakano, Masayuki Tsuji, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11632988Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus comprises: a power source; a load configured to have a resistance value that varies according to a temperature and generate an aerosol by atomizing an aerosol source or heating a flavor source when supplied with power from the power source; a sensor configured to include a resistor connected in series to the load and output a measurement value that is a current value of a current flowing through the resistor or a voltage value of a voltage applied to the resistor; and a control unit configured to control power supply from the power source to the load and receive output from the sensor, wherein the resistor has a resistance value that is set such that responsiveness of a change in the measurement value to a change in a temperature of the resistance value belongs to a prescribed range.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi, Masayuki Tsuji, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11627763Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus comprises: a power source; a load configured to have an electric resistance value that varies according to a temperature and atomize an aerosol source or heat a flavor source when supplied with power from the power source; a sensor configured to output a measurement value corresponding to a current value of a current flowing through the load; and a control unit configured to control power supply from the power source to the load and perform a determination operation for determining that there is an abnormality if the measurement value becomes smaller than a threshold value within a determination period, on a time axis, in a feeding sequence during which power is supplied from the power source to the load, wherein the control unit adjusts a length of the determination period based on the measurement value.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11528943Abstract: An aerosol generating apparatus includes a load that generates heat upon receipt of electric power from a power supply and atomizes an aerosol source, an element that is used to acquire a value related to a temperature of the load, a retention unit that retains an aerosol source supplied from a storage to allow the retained aerosol source to be in a feasible state of being heated by the load, and a control unit configured to distinguish between a first state of the aerosol generating apparatus in which the aerosol source stored in the storage is insufficient in quantity, and a second state of the aerosol generating apparatus in which the storage is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the retained aerosol source is insufficient in quantity, on the basis of a change in the value related to the temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi, Masayuki Tsuji, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11490661Abstract: Control device for aerosol inhalation device, includes operational amplifier including output terminal configured to generate voltage according to voltage applied to load configured to heat aerosol source and having correlation between temperature and electrical resistance value, control unit including input terminal and configured to perform processing based on voltage applied to the input terminal, and voltage dividing circuit configured to electrically connect the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the input terminal of the control unit. Power supply voltage of the operational amplifier is higher than power supply voltage of the control unit, and equals voltage applied to aerosol generation circuit including the load, and one of inverting input terminal and noninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to the aerosol generation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: JAPAN TABACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Takeshi Akao
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Publication number: 20220183388Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generation device that suppresses the effect that errors in the production of structural elements have on the accuracy with which shortage of an aerosol source is detected. An aerosol generation device that comprises: a power source; a load that has a temperature-variable electrical resistance value and atomizes an aerosol source by generating heat due to supply of power from the power source; a first circuit that is used for the load to atomize the aerosol source; a second circuit that is connected in parallel to the first circuit, has a higher electrical resistance value than the first circuit, and is used to detect voltage that changes as a result of changes in the temperature of the load; an acquisition part that acquires the value of voltage that is applied to the second circuit and the load; and sensors that output the value of the voltage that changes as a result of changes in the temperature of the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI, Hajime FUJITA
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Patent number: 11337462Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generation device with which it is possible to inexpensively observe a heater cooling process with high accuracy, and also possible to inexpensively detect a shortage or depletion of an aerosol source with high accuracy. An aerosol generation device includes an aerosol storage source; a load that atomizes the aerosol source by generating heat by power supplied from a power source, and has an electrical resistance value that changes depending on the temperature; a sensor that detects the electrical resistance value of the load; and a control unit that is configured so as to monitor the cooling process of the load after the temperature of the load has risen to or exceeded a temperature at which the aerosol source can be atomized.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Manabu Yamada, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi, Masayuki Tsuji, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11337461Abstract: An inhaler controller includes a first path configured to connect a first voltage terminal to which a first voltage is supplied and a connection terminal to which a heater configured to heat an aerosol source is connected, a second path configured to connect a second voltage terminal to which a second voltage different from the first voltage is supplied and the connection terminal via a resistor, and a measurement circuit configured to measure a resistance value of the heater.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Takao Aradachi, Keiji Marubashi, Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi
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Publication number: 20220125121Abstract: Control device for aerosol inhalation device, includes operational amplifier including output terminal configured to generate voltage according to voltage applied to load configured to heat aerosol source and having correlation between temperature and electrical resistance value, control unit including input terminal and configured to perform processing based on voltage applied to the input terminal, and voltage dividing circuit configured to electrically connect the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the input terminal of the control unit. Power supply voltage of the operational amplifier is higher than power supply voltage of the control unit, and equals voltage applied to aerosol generation circuit including the load, and one of inverting input terminal and noninverting input terminal of the operational amplifier is electrically connected to the aerosol generation circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Takeshi AKAO
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Publication number: 20220071296Abstract: An inhaler controller includes a first path configured to connect a first voltage terminal to which a first voltage is supplied and a connection terminal to which a heater configured to heat an aerosol source is connected, a second path configured to connect a second voltage terminal to which a second voltage different from the first voltage is supplied and the connection terminal via a resistor, and a measurement circuit configured to measure a resistance value of the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Japan Tobacco Inc.Inventors: Takao ARADACHI, Keiji MARUBASHI, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI
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Patent number: 11271481Abstract: An inhalation component generating device includes: a power supply; a load group including a load configured to evaporate or atomize an inhalation component source by power from the power supply; an adjusting unit configured to adjust a value or waveform of voltage to be applied to the load; and a control circuit configured to be able to acquire a voltage value of the power supply. The control circuit performs: a process (a1) of acquiring a closed circuit voltage value of the power supply in a closed circuit state in which the power supply and the load group are electrically connected; and a process (a2) of controlling the adjusting unit based on the closed circuit voltage value.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Takeshi Akao, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11166493Abstract: Control device for aerosol inhalation device includes operational amplifier for performing output according to voltage applied to load for heating aerosol source and having correlation between temperature and electrical resistance value, control unit for performing processing based on the voltage according to the output, diode having anode electrically connected to one of inverting input terminal and noninverting input terminal, and circuit for electrically connecting power supply and the load. The circuit is formed by first region, and second region in which maximum voltage is lower than that in the first region, or applied voltage is lower than that to the first region. Of the inverting input terminal and the noninverting input terminal, terminal to which the anode of the diode is electrically connected is electrically connected to the first region.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Takeshi Akao
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Patent number: 11160312Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generating device that can accurately detect the shortage or exhaustion of an aerosol source at low cost. The aerosol generating device includes: a reservoir that stores an aerosol source or an aerosol base that holds an aerosol source; a load that atomizes the aerosol source with heat generated by using power supplied from a power source; a sensor that outputs a value related to the temperature of the load; and a control unit configured to determine the occurrence of exhaustion of the aerosol source in the reservoir or the aerosol base on the basis of the cooling velocity derived from the output value of the sensor in a cooling process after the load has been heated to a temperature higher than or equal to a temperature at which the aerosol source can be atomized.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Takeshi Akao, Kazuma Mizuguchi, Hajime Fujita
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Patent number: 11140922Abstract: To provide a control device for an aerosol inhalator capable of determining a residual amount of an aerosol source without being influenced by changes in temperature of a heater due to inhalation.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Takeshi Akao, Takuma Nakano, Masayuki Tsuji, Hajime Fujita