U.S. patent application number 09/758901 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-19 for aroma sensory stimulation in multimedia.
Invention is credited to Budman, Mark.
Application Number | 20010008611 09/758901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22244216 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010008611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Budman, Mark |
July 19, 2001 |
Aroma sensory stimulation in multimedia
Abstract
An apparatus for the remote or local delivery of stored or
real-time aroma sensory information to an end user of a multimedia
device. The present invention includes an aroma converter for
encoding aroma information into electrical signals, a delivery
system for delivering the electrical signals, and a retrieval
system for receiving and processing the electrical signals to
control the aroma or combination of aromas emitted by one or more
aroma release chambers.
Inventors: |
Budman, Mark; (Vestal,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Arthur J. Samodovitz
IBM Corporation, N50/040-4
1701 North Street
Endicott
NY
13760
US
|
Family ID: |
22244216 |
Appl. No.: |
09/758901 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09758901 |
Jan 11, 2001 |
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09421908 |
Oct 20, 1999 |
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6241944 |
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09421908 |
Oct 20, 1999 |
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09094280 |
Jun 9, 1998 |
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6024783 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
422/4 ;
348/E7.024; 422/124; 422/125; 422/305; 422/306; 422/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 261/65 20130101;
A61L 9/035 20130101; Y10S 261/17 20130101; A61L 9/125 20130101;
H04N 7/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/4 ; 422/5;
422/124; 422/125; 422/305; 422/306 |
International
Class: |
A61L 009/12; A61L
009/04; A61L 009/02; A61L 009/03 |
Claims
I/we claim:
1. An apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation comprising: an aroma
converter for encoding aroma information into electrical signals; a
control device for processing the electrical signals; and at least
one aroma release chamber, each aroma release chamber configured to
selectively generate a predetermined aroma under control of the
control device, each aroma release chamber comprising: a container
having an opening; a door for selectively covering the opening in
the container; an aroma element, located within the container, for
emitting a predetermined aroma when heated; a heating system for
selectively heating the aroma element; an air filtration system for
filtering air entering the container; and an air displacement
system for selectively displacing a stream of air through the
container to release the predetermined aroma.
2. The apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation according to claim
1, wherein the air filtration system is configured to remove
previously generated aromas from the air entering the
container.
3. The apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation according to claim
1, wherein the door, heating system, and air displacement system of
each aroma release chamber are controlled by electrical signals
produced by the control device.
4. The apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation according to claim
1, further including: a system for storing the electrical signals
produced by the aroma converter.
5. The apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation according to claim
4, wherein the control device further includes: a system for
retrieving the electrical signals stored by the storing system, and
for providing the retrieved electrical signals to the control
device.
6. The apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation according to claim
1, further including: a system for transmitting the electrical
signals produced by the aroma converter to the control device, the
control device including a system for receiving the transmitted
electrical signals.
7. The apparatus for aroma sensory stimulation according to claim
1, wherein the control device is a multimedia device.
8. An aroma producing system comprising: a delivery system for
providing aroma signals; a retrieval system for receiving and
processing the aroma signals; and at least one aroma release
chamber, each aroma release chamber configured to selectively
generate a predetermined aroma under control of the retrieval
system, each aroma release chamber comprising: a container having
an opening; a door for selectively covering the opening in the
container; an aroma source located in the container for producing a
predetermined aroma; an air filtration system for filtering air
entering the container; and an air displacement system for
selectively displacing a stream of air through the container to
release the predetermined aroma.
9. The aroma producing system according to claim 8, wherein the
aroma source further includes: an aroma element for emitting the
predetermined aroma when heated; and a heating system for
selectively heating the aroma element.
10. The aroma producing system according to claim 8, further
comprising: an aroma converter for encoding aroma information into
the aroma signals.
11. The aroma producing system according to claim 8, wherein the
air filtration system is configured to remove previously generated
aromas from the air entering the container.
12. The aroma producing system according to claim 8, wherein the
delivery system further includes: a device for storing the aroma
signals.
13. The aroma producing system according to claim 12, wherein the
retrieval device further includes: a system for retrieving the
aroma signals stored by the storing device.
14. The aroma producing system according to claim 8, wherein the
delivery system further includes: a system for transmitting the
aroma signals to the retrieval system.
15. The aroma producing system according to claim 8, wherein the
retrieval system is a multimedia device.
16. A multimedia system, comprising: a system for processing
multimedia data; and at least one aroma release system for
generating a predetermined aroma based on the multimedia data, each
aroma release system including: a container having an opening; a
door for selectively covering the opening in the container; an
aroma source located in the container for producing a predetermined
aroma; an air filtration system for filtering air entering the
container; and an air displacement system for selectively
displacing a stream of air through the container to release the
predetermined aroma.
17. The multimedia system according to claim 16, wherein the aroma
source further includes: an aroma element for emitting the
predetermined aroma when heated; and a heating system for
selectively heating the aroma element.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is in the field of multimedia devices.
More particularly, the present invention provides an apparatus for
the delivery of aroma sensory information to a user of a multimedia
device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently available multimedia devices, such as computers,
video games, and televisions, are designed to provide visual and
audio sensory information to a user. In many applications, however,
it may be desirable to additionally provide aroma sensory
information to enhance the realism and appeal of the information
presented to a user by the multimedia device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention provides an apparatus for the remote
or local delivery of stored or real-time aroma sensory information
to an end user of a multimedia device. The present invention
includes an aroma converter for encoding aroma information into
electrical signals. The electrical signals may be delivered to an
end user in analog or digital form using a wide variety of delivery
systems, including, but not limited to, magnetic media (e.g., a
floppy or hard disk), optical or magneto-optical media (e.g., a
compact disc (CD)), radio, television, or satellite transmitters,
or telephone or cable systems. The electrical signals are retrieved
and processed to control the aroma or combination of aromas emitted
by one or more aroma release chambers. Many types of retrieval
systems may be used to receive and process the electrical signals.
The retrieval system may include, for example, a personal computer
or computer peripheral, a video game system, a television set, a
home entertainment/theater system, or a dedicated, stand-alone
module.
[0004] Generally, the present invention provides an apparatus for
aroma sensory stimulation comprising:
[0005] an aroma converter for encoding aroma information into
electrical signals;
[0006] a control device for processing the electrical signals;
and
[0007] at least one aroma release chamber, each aroma release
chamber configured to selectively generate a predetermined aroma
under control of the control device, each aroma release chamber
comprising:
[0008] a container having an opening;
[0009] a door for selectively covering the opening in the
container;
[0010] an aroma element, located within the container, for emitting
a predetermined aroma when heated;
[0011] a heating system for selectively heating the aroma
element;
[0012] an air filtration system for filtering air entering the
container; and
[0013] an air displacement system for selectively displacing a
stream of air through the container to release the predetermined
aroma.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The features of the present invention will best be
understood from a detailed description of the invention and a
preferred embodiment thereof selected for the purposes of
illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an aroma sensory
stimulation apparatus according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an aroma sensory stimulation apparatus
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an aroma release
chamber in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The features and advantages of the present invention are
illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the
drawings.
[0019] A block diagram of an aroma sensory stimulation apparatus,
generally designated as 10, according to the present invention, is
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0020] The aroma sensory stimulation apparatus 10 includes an aroma
converter 12 for encoding aroma information into electrical
signals. The aroma information may be converted into analog or
digital electrical signals, depending on such factors as the type
of delivery and retrieval systems to be used in a given
implementation of the aroma sensory stimulation apparatus 10.
[0021] The aroma information may be encoded using a wide variety of
techniques. For example, an aroma sensory stimulation apparatus 10
configured to produce sixteen (16) distinct aromas may encode the
aroma information using a 4-bit digital word or sixteen distinct
voltage levels. The scent of a rose, for example, may be encoded as
"0001," while the aroma of a rotten egg may be encoded as "1111."
An error correcting technique may be employed to ensure the correct
delivery of the encoded aroma information.
[0022] The electrical signals produced by the aroma converter 12
are delivered to a local or remote end user in an analog or digital
format by a delivery system 14. The delivery system 14 may take on
a wide variety of forms. For example, the delivery system 14 may
comprise a data carrier such as a floppy or hard disk, a compact
disc, or other type of magnetic, optical or magneto-optical media,
having the electrical signals saved or encoded thereon.
Alternately, the delivery system may comprise a system for
transmitting the electrical signals via radio, television,
satellite, telephone, or the Internet.
[0023] A retrieval system 16 is provided to retrieve and process
the electrical signals delivered by the delivery system 14 to
control the aroma or combination of aromas emitted by one or more
aroma release chambers 18. The retrieval system 16 may also take on
a wide variety of forms, depending on the type of delivery system
14 being used, the format of the electrical signals provided by the
delivery system 14, as well as other factors. For example, the
retrieval system 16 may comprise a personal computer, a video game
system, or a television set. It should be clear, however, that many
other types of delivery and retrieval systems 14, 16 may be used
without departing from the intended scope of the present invention
as set forth in the accompanying claims.
[0024] An aroma sensory stimulation apparatus 20 according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the delivery system comprises a compact
disc 22 having aroma information encoded thereon. A computer system
24 including a compact disc reader 26 serves as the retrieval
system for accessing and processing the aroma information stored on
the compact disc 22. The computer system 24 transmits control
signals via a cable 28 to an aroma-release system 30 containing at
least one of the aroma release chambers 18. Based on the aroma
information, at least one of the aroma release chambers 18 is
actuated in response to the control signals transmitted by the
computer system 24 to generate a predetermined aroma or combination
or aromas.
[0025] A side cross-sectional view of an aroma release chamber 18
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated in FIG. 3. The aroma release chamber 18 includes a
selectively controlled hot plate 40 which operates in response to
control signals provided by the computer system 24 over the cable
28. A replaceable aroma stick 42 that emits a particular aroma when
heated, or other type of solid, liquid, or gaseous heat actuated
aroma source, is located within the aroma release chamber 18.
Preferably, the aroma stick 42 is positioned directly on the hot
plate 40.
[0026] The aroma release chamber 18 further includes an opening 44
covered by a door 46. An electromagnet 48 operates in response to
control signals provided by the computer system 24 via the cable 28
to selectively open or close the door 46. Preferably, the door 46
is biased toward a closed position by a spring or other biasing
means (not shown). A fan 50 is provided to displace a stream of air
through the aroma release chamber 18 and out of the opening 44 to
release the aroma generated when the aroma stick 42 is heated by
the hot plate 40.
[0027] An air filtration system 52 is located over an air intake
opening 54 to filter the stream of air being drawn into the aroma
release chamber 18 by the fan 50. The air filtration system 52 is
provided to remove previously emitted aromas from the stream of air
being drawn into the aroma release chamber 18 to allow precise
control of the aroma subsequently emitted by the chamber 18.
[0028] In operation, the computer system 24 retrieves and processes
at least a portion of the aroma information encoded on the compact
disc 22. The computer system 24 then transmits control signals to
one or more predetermined aroma release chambers 18 over the cable
28 to generate the aroma or combination of aromas defined by the
aroma information. Upon receipt of the control signals, the hot
plate 40, the electromagnet 48 that opens the door 46, and the fan
50 in each of the predetermined aroma release chambers 18 are
activated, thereby releasing the desired aroma or combination of
aromas. The predetermined aroma release chambers 18 may each be
activated for an identical period of time, or for different lengths
of time to release different strengths of their respective aromas.
Each of the predetermined aroma release chambers 18 is deactivated
in response to control signals transmitted by the computer system
24 to prevent any further aroma release. When deactivated, the hot
plate 40, fan 50, and electromagnet 48 are turned off, and the door
46 seals the opening 44 in the aroma release chamber 18. This
process is repeated, as necessary, according to the aroma
information encoded on the compact disc 22.
[0029] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching. For example, several aroma sticks,
each corresponding to a different aroma, may be located within the
same aroma release chamber. In this manner, a combination of aromas
may be produced using a single aroma release chamber. Further, the
aroma stick and hot plate in each aroma release chamber may be
replaced with a solid, liquid, or gaseous, non-heat actuated aroma
source. For example, the aroma source may comprise an odorant
cassette, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,256,
incorporated herein by reference. Such modifications and variations
that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to
be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the
accompanying claims.
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