Methods and apparatus for assisting persons with remembering locations

• US 20080272202A1
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Martha Morelos
• Original Assignee: Martha Morelos
• Inventors: Morelos, Martha
• Application Number:
  US11/797,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20080272202A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/70
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/02 using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/04 using substances evaporated in the air without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for assisting people with remembering directions or specific locations, such as where a vehicle is parked in a parking garage. A device for automatically dispersing a scent is provided at the location. The scent may be provided in combination with an associated image, photograph, color scheme, sound or other indicia. The scent may be added to a portable item such as a paper ticket which a person may take as a reminder of the location.

Claims

1. A method wherein the sense of smell is used as an effective way of determining or remembering the location of a person, object or place;

where the scent, perfume or fragrance that guides the sense of smell is dispersed regularly or with time intervals by a mechanical or electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a specific scent is related to specific images and themes that are graphically represented on the location and help to facilitate the process of remembering a location.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the device that disperses the aroma could be composed by (should be “

of”

?) any kind of fragrance in a solid, liquid, gel or gas form that is distributed by a fan.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the device that disperses the aroma could be composed of any kind of fragrance in a solid, liquid, gel or gas form that is distributed by an apparatus activated by electric current.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the device that disperses the aroma could be composed of any kind of fragrance in a solid, liquid, gel or gas form that is distributed by an apparatus activated by natural or artificial heat.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the device that disperses the aroma could be composed of any kind of fragrance in a solid, liquid, gel or gas form that is distributed by an apparatus that electronically or mechanically sprays the fragrance.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the device that sprays the aroma is activated by a light or movement sensor.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the device that sprays the aroma is activated by a mechanical action like open a door, taking a ticket or pushing an elevator button.

9. A method as described in claim 1 that is used to aid people impaired to see or to read as a system where specific scents are associated with specific situations and invite a specific response from the user.

10. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the scent is added to a paper ticket or any other item that can maintain the scent for a specific period of time, and such ticket or item may be taken by the person as a reminder of the area to be identified.

11. A method as described in claim 1 used to identify or facilitate the location of specific areas within a building such as convention centers, museums, airports, shopping centers, casinos, hotels, homes, hospitals, schools and hallways.

12. A method as described in claim 1 used to identify or facilitate the location of a vehicle in a parking garage.

13. A method as described in claim 1 used to identify or facilitate the location of specific areas outdoors such as amusement parks, festivals, forest preserves, picnic areas and public gardens.