Multimedia and scent storage cartridge design having electrostatic scent release and methods for using same
First Claim
1. A scent- and multimedia-bearing card for use with a separate scent release and multimedia playback system, the scent- and multimedia-bearing card comprising:
- a scent storage medium for storing at least one scent;
an encapsulated multimedia storage medium for storing multimedia information; and
scent release and multimedia playback control information for use by the scent release and multimedia playback system in coordinating scent release and multimedia playback from the scent- and multimedia-bearing card.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns a scent-bearing and multimedia card or disk for use in conjunction with scent recovery and multimedia playback systems. The scent-bearing and multimedia card or disk comprises an encapsulated optical storage disk for storing multimedia information, and an associated scent storage medium for storing at least one scent. The scent-bearing and multimedia card or disk contains digital scent recovery and multimedia playback control information for use by an associated scent recovery/release and multimedia playback system. The digital scent recovery and multimedia control information is used by the multimedia playback and scent release system to coordinate multimedia playback and scent release. Additional embodiments of the present invention comprise electrostatic scent release systems and methods for effectively and efficiently releasing scent stored in the scent- and multimedia-bearing card or disk. Further embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for editing and storing the digital scent recovery and multimedia information so that user-specified scent recovery and multimedia sequences may be created for current use and saved for future use.
-
Citations
98 Claims
-
1. A scent- and multimedia-bearing card for use with a separate scent release and multimedia playback system, the scent- and multimedia-bearing card comprising:
-
a scent storage medium for storing at least one scent;
an encapsulated multimedia storage medium for storing multimedia information; and
scent release and multimedia playback control information for use by the scent release and multimedia playback system in coordinating scent release and multimedia playback from the scent- and multimedia-bearing card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
25. A scent-bearing card for use with encapsulated optical multimedia storage devices of the type wherein an optical disc is contained in a storage housing, the scent-bearing card and encapsulated optical multimedia storage devices for use with a separate scent release and multimedia playback system to create an immersive multimedia experience comprised of olfactory and visual or sound elements, the scent-bearing card comprising:
-
a scent storage medium for storing at least one scent; and
scent release control information for use by the scent release and multimedia playback system in controlling scent release from the scent-bearing card.
-
-
33. The scent-bearing card of claim 33 wherein the scent storage medium comprises:
-
a housing;
a scent storage reservoir contained in the housing; and
a scent release unit connected to the scent storage reservoir for releasing scent from the scent-bearing card. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
-
-
49. A method for releasing scent from a scent-bearing card, the scent-bearing card storing scent in a scent storage unit, the scent being released from the scent-bearing card by a scent release unit connected to the scent storage unit, the scent release unit having an opening for releasing scent, the scent release unit further comprising a cover for covering the opening in the scent release unit when scent is not being released from the scent-bearing card, the scent release unit further comprising an electrostatic scent release apparatus for assisting in scent release, wherein the electrostatic scent release apparatus comprises at least a corona discharge apparatus, the method comprising the following steps:
-
moving scent from the scent storage unit to the scent release unit;
opening the cover in the scent release unit to permit scent release to a region immediately adjacent to the scent release unit;
energizing the electrostatic scent release apparatus, thereby ionizing the scent molecules in the scent release unit;
allowing ionized scent to escape from the opening in the scent release unit to a region outside the scent-bearing card;
creating an air flow near the scent-bearing card to assist in the venting of the released scent to a user, thereby entraining the released scent molecules in the air flow; and
venting the scent molecules entrained in the air flow to the user.
-
-
55. A method for using a scent- and multimedia-bearing disk having electrostatic scent release, wherein the method uses an associated scent recovery/release and multimedia playback system to release scent and recover multimedia information from the scent- and multimedia-bearing disk, and wherein the method comprises the following steps:
-
receiving an input command from a user to initiate scent release and multimedia playback;
recovering digital scent release and multimedia playback control information corresponding to the user input command from the scent- and multimedia-bearing portion of the disk;
initiating multimedia recovery and playback corresponding to the multimedia segment selected by the user;
interpreting the identity, time, and duration of scent release reflected in the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information; and
releasing the proper scents at the proper time and for the proper duration from the scent- and multimedia-bearing disk using electrostatic scent release. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 59)
-
-
58. An electrostatic scent storage and release unit for use in scent-bearing and scent- and multimedia-bearing disks and cards, wherein the electrostatic scent release unit comprises:
-
a scent storage reservoir;
a scent release plenum;
a capillary tube connecting the scent storage reservoir to the scent release plenum, wherein during scent release operations scent flows from the scent storage reservoir to the scent release plenum; and
an electrostatic discharge apparatus for ionizing scent to be released.
-
-
60. A method for releasing scent from an electrostatic scent storage and release unit, wherein the electrostatic scent release unit comprises a scent storage reservoir;
- a scent release plenum;
a capillary tube connecting the scent release plenum to the scent storage reservoir;
an electrostatic discharge apparatus located in the scent release plenum; and
a piezoelectric vibrator, the method comprising the following steps;
opening the scent storage reservoir to permit scent to flow from the scent storage reservoir to the scent release plenum;
vibrating the piezoelectric vibrator to improve scent flow from the scent storage reservoir to the scent release plenum;
ionizing the scent in the scent release plenum using the electrostatic discharge apparatus; and
releasing scent from the scent release plenum.
- a scent release plenum;
-
61. A scent- and multimedia-bearing disk that is capable of simultaneous scent release and multimedia information recovery, wherein the scent- and multimedia-bearing disk further comprises:
-
a circular disk substrate having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side comprises an optical multimedia storage side and the second side comprises a scent storage side, and wherein the scent storage side further comprises;
at least one scent storage housing comprising an enclosed three-dimensional region for storing at least one scent, the scent storage housing positioned atop the disk substrate, and wherein the scent storage side of the circular disk substrate has at least two sectors, an outermost ring-like circular sector and an innermost circular sector, the scent storage housing being positioned in the outermost ring-like circular sector;
at least one electrostatic scent release unit positioned within the scent storage housing, the electrostatic scent release unit comprising an electrostatic discharge needle for ionizing scent stored within the scent storage housing;
scent release means for releasing ionized scent;
electrostatic potential supply wiring positioned within the innermost sector of the scent storage side, the wiring arrayed in a circular pattern about the center of the circular disk, and having a wiring segment extending along a radius of the circular disk, the radial wiring segment connecting the inner wiring circle to the electrostatic scent release unit; and
a static top supply unit positioned atop the innermost sector of the circular disk, the static supply module further comprising;
a cylindrical, hollow housing mounted atop the innermost sector of the circular disk;
an electrical connector positioned atop the circular top surface of the cylindrical housing for accepting electric potential;
a spring-and-metallic-ball assembly mounted within the hollow portion of the cylindrical housing, wherein the spring-and-metallic-ball assembly is connected to the electrical connector on top and contacts the inner wiring circle positioned on the surface of the inner sector of the circular disk on the bottom, whereby the spring-and-metallic-ball assembly maintains a constant electrical contact between the electrical connector and electrostatic scent release unit as the scent- and multimedia-bearing disk rotates and top supply module remains static, thereby permitting simultaneous scent release and multimedia playback operations. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64)
-
-
65. A scent- and multimedia-bearing disk that is capable of simultaneous scent release and multimedia information recovery, the scent- and multimedia-bearing disk further comprising:
-
optical multimedia storage means for storing multimedia information;
scent storage means for storing scent, fragrance, aroma and flavor;
electrostatic scent release means for releasing scent stored in the scent storage means; and
electric potential supply means for supplying electric potential to the electrostatic scent release means while the scent- and multimedia-bearing disk rotates, thereby permitting simultaneous multimedia recovery and scent release operations.
-
-
66. A scent- and multimedia-bearing disk comprising:
-
a circular disk substrate, the circular disk substrate having an outermost circular, ring-like sector, and an innermost circular sector;
an optical storage medium positioned on the innermost circular sector of the circular disk substrate, the optical storage medium for storing multimedia information; and
a scent storage region positioned in the outermost circular ring-like sector, the scent storage region comprising microencapsulated scent, wherein the microencapsulated scent is released by laser energy. - View Dependent Claims (67, 69)
-
-
68. A scent-bearing disk comprising:
-
a circular disk substrate; and
a scent storage region positioned on the circular disk substrate, the scent storage region comprising microencapsulated scent, wherein the microencapsulated scent is released by laser energy.
-
-
70. A scent release monitoring system for use in scent release systems and scent release and multimedia playback systems, the scent release monitoring system comprising:
-
a scent release detection means for detecting the occurrence of a scent release event;
a scent release rate determination means for determining the rate of scent release during a scent release event;
a scent release event duration monitoring means for monitoring the duration of a scent release event; and
a scent release event information storage means for storing scent release rate and scent release duration information generated by the scent release rate determination means and scent release event duration monitoring means. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73)
-
-
74. A method for monitoring scent release from scent release systems and scent release and multimedia playback systems comprising the following steps:
-
detecting a scent release event;
determining the scent release rate during the scent release event;
determining the duration of the scent release event; and
recording the scent release event information comprising the scent release rate and scent release duration in an electronic memory for use in monitoring scent utilization. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76)
-
-
77. An editing apparatus for creating digital scent release and multimedia playback control information for use by a scent recovery/release and multimedia playback system to control scent recovery and multimedia playback operations, the editing apparatus comprising:
-
multimedia segment selection means for permitting a user to select a multimedia segment for use with scent release events;
timeline creation means for creating an electronic timeline corresponding to the duration of the multimedia segment; and
scent release event addition means for permitting a user to add a scent release event to the electronic timeline, whereby the addition of scent release event information to the electronic timeline creates the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information;
a memory medium for use in storing the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information created by the user; and
recording means for transferring the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information to the memory medium where it can be retrieved at a future time for use in controlling scent release and multimedia playback operations. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
-
-
84. A method for creating digital scent release and multimedia playback control information for use by a scent recovery/release and multimedia playback system in controlling simultaneous scent release and multimedia playback operations, the method using an electronic editing system for creating the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information, the method comprising the following steps:
-
selecting a multimedia segment that will be played back in conjunction with scent release events;
creating an electronic timeline corresponding to the multimedia playback sequence;
adding at least one scent release event to the timeline, thereby creating the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information; and
saving the digital scent release and multimedia playback control information in a memory medium for future retrieval in controlling a scent release and multimedia playback sequence. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87, 88, 89)
-
-
90. A multimedia playback goggle and electrostatic scent release mask for releasing scent directly to the nose and/or mouth of a user, the multimedia playback goggle and electrostatic scent release mask further comprising:
-
a nose-bridge-mounted display screen placed directly in front of the eyes of the user to display multimedia information;
ear phones to play back auditory information;
an electrostatic scent release mask, the electrostatic scent release mask further comprising;
a mask housing that comfortably fits over the nose and mouth of a user;
at least one scent storage unit; and
at least one electrostatic scent release unit. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
-
Specification