Multimedia linked scent delivery system

• US 5,949,522 A
• Filed: 07/03/1997
• Issued: 09/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph S. Manne
• Original Assignee: Joseph S. Manne
• Inventors: Manne, Joseph S.
• Primary Examiner(s): ADAMS JR, RUSSELL E
• Application Number:
  US08/887,622
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 352/85
• US Class Current: 352/85
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/122 comprising a fan
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 2005/008 Smell sense
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/00 Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87877 Single inlet with multiple distinctly valved outlets

Abstract

A device is described which can deliver various combinations of scents in rapid succession to a user'"'"'s nose in conjunction with videographic images and or sounds. The device consists of an air compressor (26) which forces air through a bank of valves (28). The valves can be mechanically, electrically or pneumatically actuated. The valves (28) can be of an on/off or proportional flow type. Each valve (28) delivers compressed air to a fragrance holder (48). The air carries away the scent molecules which have entered the gas phase.

This air is then mixed with the air from all other fragrance holders, whose inlet valves were open, in the packed column (16). The final mixture is delivered to the user via nasal tubing (20) and is emitted right below the wearer'"'"'s nose. Other devices such as a mask covering the nose or a stand, which the user positions their face next to, can be used to deliver the scent to the user. The scent is then drawn away into a scent scrubber (38). The invention can coordinate the delivery of scents so that they complement video or audiovisual images being displayed. This is done by utilizing a microprocessor (34) or computer controller (36) which receives the electronic output from the music or video producing device.

For the computer each digitized image has the frame number encoded. For images generated by computer independent devices characteristic video frame signals or music voltage fluctuations can be counted by the microprocessor to determine the currently displayed frame or music played. The microprocessor (34) or computer (36) then compares the data for the current frame displayed or music played with preprogrammed instructions for the correct combination of scents to be delivered to the viewer. Then they electronically open the correct valves in the proper sequence.

Claims

1. A gas conducting system which delivers a combination of scents directly to a human being'"'"'s nose by a conduit, said system comprising:

(a) a compressor which delivers compressed air to an array of valves;

(b) fragrance containers to which said valves deliver said compressed air;

(c) a mixing means for collecting the scent carrying air from said fragrance containers and forming a mixture of scent carrying air; and

(d) a conduit for delivering said mixture of scent carrying air to the human being'"'"'s nose.

2. The gas conducting system of claim 1 wherein said array of valves is controlled by a microprocessor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the said microprocessor receives input from an audio or video generating machine and coordinates control of said valves to provide predetermined combinations of scents to the human being to complement the audio and visual output.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said conduit ends in a perforated tube positioned below the human'"'"'s nose.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said conduit ends in a mask which covers the human'"'"'s nose.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said conduit terminates in a open ended tube supported by a stand which is positioned below the human'"'"'s nose.

7. The system of claim 1 where said conduit divides into multiple branches each of which delivers said scent carrying air to a different human being.

8. A method for emulating the scent associated with a specific visual scene comprising:

(a) a means of assigning numerical values of intensity to scent generating objects based on the specific environmental conditions including distance from an observer, temperature of the object and convection towards the observer;

b) a means for reproduction of said scent intensity utilizing a mathematical algorithm and an accompanying computer program for calculating the proper concentration of scent molecule in a gas stream having a mixture of scent therein which will produce said scent intensity at the wearer'"'"'s nose;

(c) a means for production of said mixture of scent in proper scent concentrations at an observer'"'"'s nose using a set of mathematical algorithms and the accompanying computer software to precisely calculate the resultant concentration profile of a mixture of scent molecules in a gas stream for the conditions of turbulent flow and laminar flow; and

(d) a separate algorithm which allows precise calculation of amount of flow which exits the main line and travels to the user'"'"'s nose via the branch located underneath the nose, said algorithms allowing the precise calculation of every individual scent molecule to user'"'"'s nose so as to provide a mixture of scent to the user.

9. An apparatus for bringing a gas stream with a mixture of scent in close proximity to a human'"'"'s nose and then quickly exhausting said stream away using a conduit comprising:

(a) a mixing means which forms a mixture of scent carrying air from individual scent carrying air;

(b) a conduit for delivering said mixture of scent carrying air to the human'"'"'s nose;

(c) an inlet means positioned near the nose which contains an opening which allows a portion of said mixture of scent carrying air to exit the conduit and reach the nose by convection and diffusion; and

(d) an outlet means of said conduit which contains an opening near the nose to exhaust the mixture of scent carrying air away from the nose.