Abstract:
A system that synchronizes a disbursed scent with a related audio playback message in a retail or public environment. This system is controlled and managed off-site via the Internet with a specially designed software application.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of this invention generally relate to controlling a scenting device via a controller that synchronizes a disbursed scent with a related audio playback message. Control of the scenting devices can be performed via a hardwired or wireless connection. Scenting and audio playback are scheduled through the controller hardware via an Internet connection or can be triggered on-demand via a wireless remote. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Scenting in a retail and public environment is common practice today and is accomplished using several different methods which include but are not limited to oils, gels and liquids that are either sprayed or evaporated into the an by a fan. The trigger to disperse these scents is predominantly done based upon an interval on-off timer or running a fan continuously over the scent media with no real logic behind when these actions occur. 
         [0003]    Current scenting methods do not allow for a “call to action” with any sort of audio queue when the scent is disbursed and noticed by the customer in the retail or public environment—the scent is just simply disbursed with hopes that the target audience will know what to do. Additionally current systems do not allow for rewrote controlled “on-demand” scenting by the retailer when the target audience is near the product display. 
         [0004]    Many methods today exist for adding scenting in a retail or public environment but the lack of an audio message in conjunction with the scent and on-demand scenting does not exist. What is needed in the art is a complete scenting &amp; audio system that synchronizes both of these “human” senses together in a cohesive and easy-to-use delivery system that generates a “call to action” to the target audience of the scenting and audio system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Systems according to some embodiments of this invention provide control hardware which is installed on-site in the retail or public environment. This control hardware is connected to the Internet for communication to the off-site control computer, the on-site public address system and the scenting hardware. Connection from the control hardware to the scenting hardware is done by hardwire connection or wireless communication. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the control hardware which is connected to the Internet communicates with an off-site computer running specially designed control software. The control software allows remote management of these off-site units via a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The control software allows control of certain features of the remote units which include but are not limited to location, IP connection information, audio messages, volume levels, playlists, schedules and scenting synchronization. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, when the scenting and audio system is installed and has connectivity to the Internet, the retailer would program on-site control units with the control software. In the control software the retailer would program a scent to be disbursed when an audio message is played on the environments public address system. The retailer could pick aspects of how the scent is disbursed by pre-scenting before the message is played to make sure there is good coverage of the scent, scent for a specific amount of time during and after the scent is disbursed and select the channel to scent (if there are multiple scents to disburse). 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a wireless remote control for on-site “on-demand” scenting is achieved with a specially designed RF remote that is coded to transmit and activate scenting units which have built-in RF receivers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the scenting system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front and rear perspective view of the scenting unit. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of scenting unit and scent pack insertion. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an internal perspective view of the scenting unit. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front and rear perspective view of the control unit. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a screen view of the control software. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of many possible ways to interconnect the system in a retail or public environment. The control hardware  104  would connect to the on-site Internet connection  105 , public address system  108  &amp; scenting hardware  101 . The scenting hardware  101  could be connected to the control unit  104  by hardwire connection  103  or wireless communication  102 . Off-site control of the control hardware  104  would be managed by the control software  106  running on a pc connected to the Internet  105 . Local “on-demand” triggering of the scent hardware  101  could also be done through a wireless transmitter  107  via RE communication  102 . 
         [0016]    Certain embodiments of the invention are comprised of a scenting hardware unit as shown in  FIG. 2  for disbursement of the scent media. The scenting hardware front view  201  consists of an opening  202  for a scenting air outtake. The scenting hardware rear view  203  consists of a door  204  that allows for an air intake and a control connector  205  that allows for hardwired control, daisy chaining of other scent hardware and power. 
         [0017]    Certain embodiments of the invention are comprised of a scenting media pack that is inserted into the rear of the scenting hardware as shown in  FIG. 3 . The scenting hardware  301  would have a swing-up door  302  that would allow the insertion  303  of the scent media pack  304 . 
         [0018]    Certain embodiments of the invention are comprised of a scenting hardware unit with an electronically controlled fan and wireless receiver as shown in  FIG. 4 , The scenting hardware  401  would be controlled through the control connector  405  or wireless receiver  406 . When a control signal is sent to the scent hardware  401  the control electronics  407  would turn the fan  402  on or off. When the fan  402  is on it would create air flow  404  through the scent media pack  403  and out the front of the scent hardware  401 . 
         [0019]    Certain embodiments of the invention are comprised of a control unit as shown in  FIG. 5 . The control unit  501  consists of a membrane keypad  502  and LCD display  503  for local user interaction. RCA connections  505  &amp;  506  would connect to the locations public address system and wireless communications would be received and transmitted through the antenna  507 . Power is supplied through the DC jack  509  with switching on and off done though the power switch  510 . The Internet is connected through the RJ-45 jack  511 . The control hardware&#39;s  501  audio output can be monitored through the built-in speaker through the speaker grill  508 . 
         [0020]    Certain embodiments of the invention comprise of control software that are used to connect to the control hardware via the Internet as shown in  FIG. 6 . The control software  601  allows the programming of on-site control hardware as shown in  FIG. 5 . The control software  601  consists of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) with tabs that allow different programming features which include, customer information  602 , unit IP information  603 , and LCD information  604 . Audio and scent programming is created on the channel tabs  605 . The channel tabs consist of a library area  610  where audio files added and can be bound to a scenting action. This scenting action can be programmed to scent a specific output zone  608 , pre-scent before the audio message  607  and scent during and after the message  606  for a specific amount of time. Each line item action in the library  610  then can be placed in playlists  609  and then scheduled  611  for specific times and dates.