Scent schedule based on relatedness of scent delivery devices in a scent delivery system
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for delivering scents, comprising:
- establishing a communication network including a central controller and a plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein the central controller is configured to control operation of each of the plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein controlling the operation is based on one or more master schedules, and wherein the one or more master schedules includes a first scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a first networked scent delivery device and a second scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a second networked scent delivery device;
performing a conflict check to prevent concurrent emissions of scent from the first and second networked scent delivery devices, wherein the conflict check is performed in advance of transmitting command data to the first or second networked scent delivery device, and wherein performing the conflict check includes comparing the first scheduled scent event of the first networked scent delivery device and the second scheduled scent event of the second networked scent delivery device;
automatically generating command data that is configured to control the operation of the first networked scent delivery device, wherein when the comparison indicates a conflict between the first scheduled scent event and the second scheduled scent event, the first scheduled scent event is automatically modified to prevent the conflict, and wherein the command data represents the modified first scheduled scent event;
transmitting the command data to the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network;
receiving a signal from the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network, wherein the signal includes status data representing a status of the first networked scent delivery device; and
storing the status associated with the first networked scent delivery device, wherein the status identifies a functionality of the first networked scent delivery device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scent delivery system includes first and second scent delivery units and a central controller. The central controller is configured to generate command data capable of affecting operation of at least the first and second units based on one or more scenting schedules. The central controller is also configured to determine a relatedness and an order of priority between the units, and determine whether a desired activation time for the first unit overlaps at least partially with a desired activation time for the second unit. Based upon a determination that the first unit is related to the second unit and that a desired activation time for the first unit overlaps at least partially with a desired activation time for the second unit, the central controller is further configured to coordinate activity level of each of the first and second delivery units during the overlapping activation time according to the order of priority.
42 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for delivering scents, comprising:
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establishing a communication network including a central controller and a plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein the central controller is configured to control operation of each of the plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein controlling the operation is based on one or more master schedules, and wherein the one or more master schedules includes a first scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a first networked scent delivery device and a second scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a second networked scent delivery device; performing a conflict check to prevent concurrent emissions of scent from the first and second networked scent delivery devices, wherein the conflict check is performed in advance of transmitting command data to the first or second networked scent delivery device, and wherein performing the conflict check includes comparing the first scheduled scent event of the first networked scent delivery device and the second scheduled scent event of the second networked scent delivery device; automatically generating command data that is configured to control the operation of the first networked scent delivery device, wherein when the comparison indicates a conflict between the first scheduled scent event and the second scheduled scent event, the first scheduled scent event is automatically modified to prevent the conflict, and wherein the command data represents the modified first scheduled scent event; transmitting the command data to the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network; receiving a signal from the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network, wherein the signal includes status data representing a status of the first networked scent delivery device; and storing the status associated with the first networked scent delivery device, wherein the status identifies a functionality of the first networked scent delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for delivering scents, comprising:
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one or more data processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the one or more data processors, cause the one or more data processors to perform operations including; establishing a communication network including a central controller and a plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein the central controller is configured to control operation of each of the plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein controlling the operation is based on one or more master schedules, and wherein the one or more master schedules includes a first scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a first networked scent delivery device and a second scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a second networked scent delivery device; performing a conflict check to prevent concurrent emissions of scent from the first and second networked scent delivery devices, wherein the conflict check is performed in advance of transmitting command data to the first or second networked scent delivery device, and wherein performing the conflict check includes comparing the first scheduled scent event of the first networked scent delivery device and the second scheduled scent event of the second networked scent delivery device; automatically generating command data that is configured to control the operation of the first networked scent delivery device, wherein when the comparison indicates a conflict between the first scheduled scent event and the second scheduled scent event, the first scheduled scent event is automatically modified to prevent the conflict, and wherein the command data represents the modified first scheduled scent event; transmitting the command data to the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network; receiving a signal from the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network, wherein the signal includes status data representing a status of the first networked scent delivery device; and storing the status associated with the first networked scent delivery device, wherein the status identifies a functionality of the first networked scent delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured to cause a data processing apparatus to perform operations including:
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establishing a communication network including a central controller and a plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein the central controller is configured to control operation of each of the plurality of networked scent delivery devices, wherein controlling the operation is based on one or more master schedules, and wherein the one or more master schedules includes a first scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a first networked scent delivery device and a second scheduled scent event that defines the operation of a second networked scent delivery device; performing a conflict check to prevent concurrent emissions of scent from the first and second networked scent delivery devices, wherein the conflict check is performed in advance of transmitting command data to the first or second networked scent delivery device, and wherein performing the conflict check includes comparing the first scheduled scent event of the first networked scent delivery device and the second scheduled scent event of the second networked scent delivery device; automatically generating command data that is configured to control the operation of the first networked scent delivery device, wherein when the comparison indicates a conflict between the first scheduled scent event and the second scheduled scent event, the first scheduled scent event is automatically modified to prevent the conflict, and wherein the command data represents the modified first scheduled scent event; transmitting the command data to the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network; receiving a signal from the first networked scent delivery device using the communication network, wherein the signal includes status data representing a status of the first networked scent delivery device; and storing the status associated with the first networked scent delivery device, wherein the status identifies a functionality of the first networked scent delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification