Patents by Inventor Takeshi Akao

Takeshi Akao 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).

  • Patent number: 10869974
    Abstract: An inhalation component generating device includes: a power supply; a load that evaporates or atomizes an inhalation component source by power from the power supply; and a control circuit that performs control based on an output of a temperature sensor. The control circuit performs: a process (a) of calculating power supply temperature on the basis of the output of the temperature sensor; and a process (b1) of determining whether the power supply temperature is in a first temperature range, and performing deterioration diagnosis on the power supply only in a case where the power supply temperature is in the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventor: Takeshi Akao
  • Publication number: 20200375260
    Abstract: An aerosol inhalation device includes a first sensor configured to output one of a value concerning an electrical resistance value of a load and the electrical resistance value, the load being configured to heat an aerosol source and having a correlation between a temperature and the electrical resistance value, a second sensor configured to output a temperature, and a control unit configured to calculate the temperature of the load and/or judge whether the aerosol source is depleted based on an output value of the first sensor and an output value of the second sensor before a start of power feed to the load for aerosol generation and an output value of the first sensor after the start of power feed to the load for aerosol generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Takeshi AKAO, Takao ARADACHI
  • Publication number: 20200375259
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Takeshi AKAO
  • Publication number: 20200375258
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Takeshi AKAO
  • Publication number: 20200352247
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generation device that can more accurately detect shortage of an aerosol source after a cartridge has been replaced. An aerosol generation device 100A that comprises: a power source 110; a load 132 that has temperature-resistance value characteristics, 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; memory 114 that stores the temperature-resistance value characteristics; a sensor 112 that outputs a value that is related to the resistance value of the load 132; and a control part 106 that, on the basis of the correspondence between the output value from the sensor 112 and an estimated value for the temperature of the load 132 that corresponds to the output value, calibrates the stored temperature-resistance value characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200352254
    Abstract: An external unit for an inhalation component generation device includes a connection part that is electrically connectable to a power supply unit of the inhalation component generation device, a sensor that is capable of outputting an output value related to an electrical resistance value of a resistor provided in the power supply unit, and a first control part that is configured to determine, based on the output value, whether to change a predetermined control with respect to the power supply unit connected to the connection part or whether to perform the predetermined control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Takeshi AKAO, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200358300
    Abstract: A power supply unit on an inhalation component generation device includes a power supply, a first resistor that is connected to the power supply, a second resistor that is connected in series to the first resistor, a connection part that is electrically connectable to an external unit, the connection part including a first electrical terminal that is electrically connected to a first node between the first resistor and the second resistor, and a second electrical terminal that is electrically connected to a second node disposed at a side opposite to the first node with respect to the first resistor, a first switch that is electrically connected to the first node and forms an electrical path electrically parallel with the second resistor, and a detecting part that detects connection of the external unit to the connection part based on a voltage drop amount in the second resistor. The first switch is maintained in an open state when the external unit is not connected to the connection part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi AKAO, Hajime FUJITA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Manabu YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20200352246
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol generation device that has few necessary structural elements and highly accurately detects shortage of an aerosol source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI
  • Publication number: 20200352248
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200281277
    Abstract: An inhalation component generation device includes a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, and a control unit configured to be capable of acquiring a value related to an operation amount of the load and a voltage value of the power supply. The control unit is configured to be capable of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply based on the value related to the operation amount of the load operated in a period in which the acquired voltage value of the power supply is in a predetermined voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi AKAO, Takuma NAKANO, Hajime FUJITA, Manabu YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20200281276
    Abstract: An inhalation component generation device includes a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, and a control unit configured to be capable of controlling supply of electric power from the power supply to the load. The control unit is configured to be capable of performing a first diagnostic function of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply during operation of the load, and a second diagnostic function of estimating or detecting at least one of degradation and failure of the power supply during charging of the power supply. The first diagnostic function and the second diagnostic function include different algorithms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi AKAO, Hajime FUJITA, Manabu YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20200260793
    Abstract: 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 fibrous or porous material that retains the aerosol source supplied from a container to allow the retained aerosol source to be in a feasible state of being heated by the load, and a controller configured to distinguish between a first state of the aerosol generating apparatus in which the aerosol source stored in the container is insufficient in quantity, and a second state in which the container is capable of supplying the aerosol source while the aerosol source retained by the fibrous or porous material is insufficient in quantity, on the basis of a change in the value related to the temperature of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200260792
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200245691
    Abstract: The inhalation component generation device comprises: a load that vaporizes or atomizes an inhalation component source by electric power from an electric power source; a controller that obtains a value representing a remaining amount of the electric power source, and obtains an operation requesting signal to the load and generates an instruction for operating the load; and a user interface. The controller is configured to cause the user interface to perform a second notification when the value representing the remaining amount of the electric power source is less than a first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value, and cause the user interface to perform a third notification when the value representing the remaining amount of the electric power source is less than the second threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Takeshi AKAO, Takuma NAKANO, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200245688
    Abstract: An inhalation component generation device includes a load configured to vaporize or atomize an inhalation component source with electric power from a power supply, a notification unit, and a control unit configured to acquire a value indicating a remaining amount of the power supply and acquire an operation request signal to the load to generate a command for operating the load. The control unit is configured to cause the notification unit to perform second notification when the value indicating the remaining amount of the power supply is less than a first threshold and equal to or more than a second threshold smaller than the first threshold. The control unit is configured to cause the notification unit to perform third notification when the value indicating the remaining amount of the power supply is less than the second threshold. The first threshold is changeable based on an algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Takeshi AKAO, Takuma NAKANO, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200245690
    Abstract: The inhalation component generation device comprises: a load that vaporizes or atomizes an inhalation component source by electric power from an electric power source; a notification unit; and a control unit that obtains a value representing a remaining amount of the electric power source and obtains an operation requesting signal to the load and generates an instruction for operating the load. The control unit is configured to cause the notification unit to perform a first notification when the value representing the remaining amount of the electric power source is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. The control unit is configured to cause the notification unit to perform a second notification when the value representing the remaining amount of the electric power source is less than the first threshold value and equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Manabu TAKEUCHI, Takeshi AKAO, Takuma NAKANO, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200237009
    Abstract: A battery unit for a flavor inhaler includes a chargeable and dischargeable power supply, a connector capable of electrically connecting to an external charger, and a controller configured to perform control regarding at least the power supply, wherein the controller detects an abnormality based on a charging time period required for a value related to a remaining amount of the power supply to reach a second predetermined value from a first predetermined value during a charging process of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi AKAO, Takuma NAKANO, Manabu YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20200237015
    Abstract: A battery unit for a favor inhaler includes a chargeable and dischargeable power supply, a connection part capable of electrically connecting to an external charger, and a controller configured to perform control regarding at least the power supply, wherein when an accumulated value of a connection time period to the charger exceeds a first predetermined time period, the controller determines that the power supply has been degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO
  • Publication number: 20200237012
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Hajime FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20200237013
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Manabu YAMADA, Takeshi AKAO, Kazuma MIZUGUCHI, Masayuki TSUJI, Hajime FUJITA