Operation method for inhalation device, program, and inhalation device

Abstract

The present invention provides an operation method for an inhalation device by which it is possible to suitably ascertain the state of consumption of an inhalation component source in the inhalation device during use, while taking into consideration tendencies regarding inhalation actions by a user.

1 . A method for operating an inhaler, including:
 making a sensor detect a series of puff actions performed by a user;   measuring a time interval between a first puff action and a second puff action just before the first puff action to obtain a value of a puff action interval relating to the first puff action;   measuring detected-time of the first puff action to obtain a value of a puff action period during that the first puff action continues;   correcting the detected-time by using a time correction model relating to the puff action interval and the puff action period;   calculating accumulated detected-time by accumulating the corrected detected-time; and   estimating a remaining quantity level of an inhaled component source, based on the accumulated detected-time; wherein   the value of the puff action interval relating to the first puff action is obtained by adjusting, according to the value of the puff action period that has been obtained with respect to the second puff action, measurement of the time interval.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the case that the value of the puff action period relating to the second puff action is shorter than predetermined first time, measurement of the time interval is adjusted in such a manner that the measurement resumes from a point corresponding to the value of the puff action interval that has been obtained with respect to the second puff action. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first time is 0.5 seconds. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said estimating the remaining quantity level of the inhaled component source includes judging that the remaining quantity of the inhaled component source is insufficient, in the case that the accumulated detected-time has reached predetermined second time. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  further including making the inhaler output notification for informing insufficiency of the remaining quantity, in response to the judgment representing the matter that the remaining quantity of the inhaled component source is insufficient. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the time correction model is defined to include a characteristic that the detected-time to be corrected is maintained to be predetermined third time, in the case that the value of the detected-time is the third time. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the time correction model is defined to include a characteristic that the detected-time is shortened, in the case that the value of the detected-time is smaller than the third time. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the third time is 2.4 seconds. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the time correction model is defined to include a characteristic that the measured detected-time is increased by adding adjustment time, that is calculated based on the puff action interval, to the value of the measured detected-time, in the case that the value of the puff action interval is smaller than fourth time. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  further including performing initial setting to set the value of the puff action interval, that relates to the second puff action, to the fourth time in the case that the second puff action is a first puff action. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the fourth time is 10 seconds. 
     
     
         12 . An inhaler comprising:
 a sensor for detecting a series of puff actions performed by a user; and   a controller for making the inhaler perform operation for
 measuring a time interval between a first puff action and a second puff action just before the first puff action to obtain a value of a puff action interval relating to the first puff action detected by the sensor; 
 measuring detected-time of the first puff action to obtain a value of a puff action period during that the first puff action continues; 
 correcting the detected-time by using a time correction model relating to the puff action interval and the puff action period; 
 calculating accumulated detected-time by accumulating the corrected detected-time; and 
 estimating a remaining quantity level of an inhaled component source, based on the accumulated detected-time; wherein 
   the value of the puff action interval relating to the first puff action is obtained by adjusting, according to the value of the puff action period that has been obtained with respect to the second puff action, measurement of the time interval.