Abstract:
A scent emitting device incorporates a specially adapted prerecorded playback cassette and playback device, with the prerecorded cassette including one or more scent emitting cartridges and the playback device including scent dispersal apparatus. The recording includes inaudible and/or invisible signals which trigger the scent production mechanism of the player to actuate the scent emitting apparatus. Upon receiving an appropriate signal from the recording, the apparatus actuates a small pump which withdraws a small quantity of the desired scent from the appropriate scent cartridge and sprays the selected scent into a plenum, whereupon it is vaporized and dispersed into the ambient air by a fan or other suitable device. Each prerecorded cassette may include one or more (preferably several) scent cartridges, with the player preferably including a series of syringes for automatically penetrating each cartridge of the cassette as it is inserted into the player.

Description:
[0001]    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
         [0002]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.  60 / 208 , 069 , filed May 31, 2000. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates generally to systems and apparatus for emitting a scent to an area, and more specifically to a device utilizing a specially adapted compact disc, digital video disc, or other playback device which includes one or more scent cartridges and means for triggering the scent(s) according to the operation of the prerecorded playback medium. The device provides a scent(s) corresponding to the message (music, story, movie, information, etc.) of the playback medium, thereby providing a more all encompassing sensory effect.  
           [0005]    2. Descriptin of the Related Art  
           [0006]    The advance of electronics has led to a corresponding advance in the recorded entertainment field as well. From the early development of recorded sound to the development of motion picture film, the entertainment industry has developed ways for stimulating the auditory and visual senses of persons. Later advances have led to even greater realism (stereo sound, color and wide screen movies, etc.), with some efforts being made toward the development of tactile sensory stimulation even more recently.  
           [0007]    Ideally, an entertainment or informational system might stimulate the four most important senses of sight, hearing, touch, and smell. While great strides have been made toward providing realism for visual and audio effects, very little has been accomplished toward providing scents to stimulate the olfactory senses, particularly in combination with visual and audio effects. While some efforts have been made to provide realistic scents in certain limited training environments (e.g., advanced flight simulators which include the smell of burning wiring to add realism to a simulated electrical problem), such devices are exceedingly complex and very narrow in their scope; they cannot provide a plurality of different scents in accordance with recorded audio or visual entertainment or the like.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, a need will be seen for a device which emits one or more scents in accordance with the sound or visual output of a prerecorded audio and/or visual medium (e.g., tape, compact disc or CD, digital video disc or DVD, etc.) which has been adapted to provide olfactory stimulation as well. The present invention comprises a specially adapted recording medium containing one or more scent emitting cartridges. A specially adapted player unit accepts the recording and triggers the emission of the scent(s) during the play of the recording according to signals prerecorded on the recording, thereby providing a realistic entertainment experience involving visual, auditory, and olfactory senses.  
           [0009]    A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,539 issued on Dec. 3, 1985 to Donald Spector, titled “Disc-Playing Aroma Generator,” describes a scent impregnated disc sandwiched between a pair of plastic sheets. Air is forced between the sheets to evaporate the scent and distribute it into the ambient air. Spector provides only a scent emitting device, with no means for tying it into or triggering its operation from an audio or visual player of any type. Further, no means of producing more than a single scent is provided by Spector, whereas the present invention may provide a series of different scents simultaneously or sequentially in a single operation, in combination with audio and/or visual entertainment.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,604 issued on Dec. 16, 1986 to Donald Spector, titled “Multi-Aroma Cartridge Player,” describes a container having a series of scent impregnated compartments therein. The container is placed within a playing device which has a series of heating elements which are in registry with the scent impregnated compartments of the container. Various scents are emitted as various heating elements are activated to evaporate some of the scent in the corresponding compartment. While Spector states that his device may be synchronized with a video tape or movie presentation, the actuation of his system by heating elements is relatively slow in comparison to the present pressurized system, and would be difficult to synchronize.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,112 issued on Feb. 27, 1990 to Steven W. Rhodes, titled “Scent Cassette,” describes a tape cassette having a perforated compartment into which a block of scent emitting material is placed. The cassette includes small fan blades or other means driven by the cassette spools, for drawing air through the cassette and past the scent emitting material. Rhodes provides only a single scent, rather than the multiple scents possible with the present invention, and does not provide any means of synchronizing the scent emission with any particular portion of the audio tape, as provided by the present invention. Moreover, Rhodes does not provide any means of producing a scent in conjunction with a video display of any sort, as provided by the present invention in combination with a DVD device.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,876 issued on Dec. 3, 1991 to Candace Oshinsky, titled “Combined Scent And Audio Point Of Sale Display Unit,” describes a device having one or more scent cartridges activated in conjunction with an audio tape. Where more than a single cartridge is provided, only a single scent may be emitted at one time, due to the manual selector switch means of the Oshinsky device. In contrast, the present scent emitting invention may emit a series of scents simultaneously, if so desired, with the scent emission triggered automatically by an inaudible digital signal(s) from the recording as it plays. Moreover, the Oshinsky device uses a different principle than the present scent emitting invention, with Oshinsky using a pneumatic pump to pass air over the scent cartridge(s) rather than injecting the scent into the air.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,148 issued on Oct. 15, 1996 to Daniel B. Pendergrass, titled “Device For Selectively Providing A Multiplicity Of Aromas,” describes a device having a multicompartmented cylinder, with each compartment containing a scent producing insert. The scent cylinders are arranged concentrically about the central axis of the cylinder, in the manner of the cylinder of a revolver type pistol. The cylinder is selectively rotated to position a single scent cartridge in line with an air source, which blows through the volatile scent cartridge to expel the scent from the device. The Pendergrass device is only capable of emitting a single scent at a time, whereas the present invention can emit multiple scents simultaneously, if so desired. Moreover, the present invention utilizes scent cartridges containing a liquid scent material which is injected into a plenum as a fine mist or vapor, unlike the means used with the Pendergrass scent apparatus.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,674 issued on Mar. 11, 1997 to David A. Martin, titled “Precision Fragrance Dispenser Apparatus,” describes a device in which the scent is provided only to a single user via a tube, rather than to the ambient air in a room or the like, as in the case of the present invention. The Martin apparatus also includes breath sensing means, which causes the scent to be delivered in synchronization with breathing. This additional complexity is unnecessary with the present invention, which delivers the scent to the air in the room, rather than to an individual user.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,522 issued on Sep. 7, 1999 to Joseph S. Manne, titled “Multimedia Linked Scent Delivery System,” describes a system using tubes to conduct the scent(s) to the nose of the user, rather than into the ambient air, as in the case of the present invention. Aside from the different means of supplying the scent to the user, the Manne system is essentially opposite the present system, as Manne provides air under pressure upstream of the scent holders and blows the air past the scents in the holders, rather than injecting the scents into the air downstream of a fan, as in the present invention. Moreover, while Manne discusses means for synchronizing scent output with audio and/or video recordings, he does not provide any means for using a CD and/or DVD audio and/or video disc to trigger the scent output, as provided by the present invention.  
           [0017]    PCT Patent Publication No. 99/08174 published on Feb. 18, 1999 to the Illinois Institute of Technology, titled “Apparatus For Generating Odor Upon Electronic Signal Demand,” describes a device having a scent impregnated disc in which the scent material is heated for vaporization. The scent is then distributed through the ambient air. With only a single disc, the device can only distribute a single scent, as opposed to the multiple scents which may be provided simultaneously by the present invention. The device of the PCT &#39;174 Patent Publication is thus more closely related to the scent emitting disc of the &#39;539 U.S. Patent to Spector, discussed further above, than to the present scent emitting invention.  
           [0018]    Finally, PCT Patent Publication No. 99/38,102 published on Jul. 29, 1999 to Bala Narayanaswamy, titled “Olfactory Emitting System,” describes a system in which one or more pressurized scented gases are provided, with actuation of valves for releasing the gases being triggered by certain predetermined words or phrases detected by appropriate voice recognition means. The Narayanaswamy system is particularly adapted for producing a scent at a remotely located point from the master program, with the remote point having appropriate scent producing means. Thus, Narayanaswamy is directed more to Internet, cable, or broadcast use than to the provision of a scent(s) for persons listening to music or viewing a video using a single cohesive system, as provided by the present invention.  
           [0019]    None of the above inventions and patents, either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    The present invention comprises a scent emitting device which provides one or more scents to the ambient air within a room or the like, with the scent output being triggered by a playback device (preferably a compact disc or CD player or digital video disc or DVD player, but adaptable to other recorded media and playback devices as well) in accordance with the prerecorded audio or video program being played. The present invention provides much greater realism for such programs, particularly video programs, by simultaneously stimulating three of the five senses (i.e., sight, sound, and smell).  
           [0021]    The present system operates by means of an inaudible and/or invisible signal which is provided from the CD, DVD, or other prerecorded playback medium which triggers the scent dispensing apparatus in a specially adapted player. When the apparatus is triggered, a small pump is actuated to inject a small amount of a scent producing substance into the plenum of the device, whereupon a fan or the like blows the vaporized scent into the ambient air of the room. The present device may include a series of scent cartridges and corresponding pump mechanisms, in order to dispense a series of scents either sequentially or simultaneously, as desired.  
           [0022]    Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved scent emitting device for dispensing one or more scents into the ambient air of an enclosed area.  
           [0023]    It is another object of the invention to provide an improved scent emitting device which scent emission is triggered by inaudible and/or invisible signals provided from a CD or DVD disc by means of a specially adapted CD or DVD player.  
           [0024]    It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved scent emitting device in which signals actuate one or more pump devices which inject a scent compound into a plenum for evaporation and distribution to the ambient air by means of a fan or the like.  
           [0025]    An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved scent emitting device which may emit a plurality of scents either sequentially or simultaneously, according to programming.  
           [0026]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved scent emitting device in which scent emitting cartridges are easily replaceable as desired or as required.  
           [0027]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.  
           [0028]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prerecorded medium cassette and scent cartridge assembly of the present invention, showing its insertion into a specially adapted player.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a top plan view in section of the insert and scent pumps of the player apparatus of FIG. 1, showing operational details thereof.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of the player and prerecorded medium assembly of the present invention, showing the dispersal of scent therefrom.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the basic components of the present system and their interrelationships. 
     
    
       [0033]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]    The present invention comprises a scent emitting device in combination with a playback device for playing prerecorded audio and/or video recordings. The device enables a person enjoying a prerecorded program or the like, to experience stimulation of three of the five senses simultaneously (i.e., sight, in the case of a video recording, sound, and smell). The present invention is adaptable to various types of prerecorded media and associated playback devices, e.g. audio and video tapes, but is particularly well suited for incorporation with compact disc (CD) recordings and players and digital video disc (DVD) recordings and players.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, basically comprising a specially adapted playback device or machine  10  and prerecorded cassette  12  for play therein. The recording  14  of the cassette  12  is preferably a prerecorded digital disc of some sort, such as an audio compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD), although the present invention is adaptable to other types of recording and playback media as well, e.g., audio and video tape recordings and playback devices, etc.  
         [0036]    The cassette  12  is configured to hold at least one scent cartridge therewith, and preferably includes a series of several scent cartridge compartments, e.g.,  16   a  through  16   d . A corresponding series of scent cartridges  18   a  through  18   d  (the remaining cartridges  18   b  through  18   d  are shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings) are removably installable in their corresponding compartments  16   a  through  16   d.    
         [0037]    Each of the cartridges  18   a  through  18   d  (more or fewer scent cartridges may be provided, according to the prerecorded program provided) is normally sealed and contains a scent substance therein, respectively  20   a  through  20   d  (shown being dispersed in FIG. 3). The various scent substances may comprise virtually any scent desired, from food aromas, perfumes, natural scents such as the sea and pine forest, or even less pleasant odors such as burning rubber, exhaust, etc., to add realism to a movie or the like about auto racing. Such scents are readily available; one manufacturer of such scent substances is F-Matic of America Corporation, of American Fork, Utah. The products of this company are readily usable with the present invention.  
         [0038]    The playback device  10  includes at least one and preferably a series of) scent extraction device(s) therein, indicated as devices  22   a  through  22   d  in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The number of such devices provided in a given playback device depends upon the sophistication of the device and the number of different scents, smells, and odors which might be played” during a given playing of a scent equipped recording. It will be seen that more or fewer extraction devices may be provided in a given player, with the recording including inaudible and/or invisible signals for activating any one or more of the scent extraction devices according to the program. Such inaudible and/or invisible signals are well known in prerecorded media for various other purposes (e.g., changing tracks, etc.), and are easily incorporated for the purpose of activating the scent mechanisms of the present invention.  
         [0039]    Each of the scent extraction devices  22   a  through  22   d  comprises a small reciprocating pump in which the piston is driven by a rotary crank and connecting rod assembly, respectively  24   a  through  24   d , by respective electric motors  26   a  through  26   d . Each pump includes a flexible, flapper type inlet valve  28  and an outlet valve  30 , with each of the inlet and outlet valves  28  and  30  being identical in each scent extraction device or pump assembly. The inlet valves  28  are automatically drawn open by the reduction in pressure within the pump cylinders when the pistons are drawn downwardly by the action of the motors and their associated crank and connecting rod linkages, while the outlet valves  30  automatically open as the pistons rise in their respective cylinders. The outlet valves  30  remain closed when the inlet valves  28  open, with the inlet valves  28  closing when the outlet valves  30  open, thus providing one way flow.  
         [0040]    The electric motors  26   a  through  26   d  of the corresponding scent extraction devices  22   a  through  22   d  may comprise stepper motors, in which only a partial revolution may be actuated in order to cause only a partial stroke of the piston within a given scent extraction device, thus delivering a relatively small quantity of the desired scent. However, the amount of actuation of any given pump assembly is dependent upon the signal received from the recording, and is set as desired at the time of recording. It will be seen that any one or more, or all, of the pump assemblies  22   a  through  22   d  may be activated sequentially or simultaneously, as desired. Other actuating means (e.g., solenoids, etc.) may be used as desired.  
         [0041]    The motors  26   a  through  26   d  are actuated by means of the inaudible or invisible signals provided on the prerecorded media (disc, etc.), and draw the scent substance into the cylinders of the pumps  22   a  through  22   d  from their corresponding scent cartridges  18   a  through  18   d , with which they communicate. Each extraction assembly  22   a  through  22   d  is equipped with an inlet port, respectively  32   a  through  32   d , which has an elongate, hollow needle, respectively  34   a  through  34   d , extending therefrom. The needles  34   a  through  34   d  extend to contact and communicate with the corresponding scent cartridges  18   a  through  18   d  when the prerecorded cassette and scent cartridge assembly  12  is inserted into the player  10 , generally as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0042]    Each scent cartridge  18   a  through  18   d  has a thin, penetrable resealing membrane, respectively  36   a  through  36   d , as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. (The thickness of the membranes  36   a  through  36   d  is exaggerated, for clarity in the drawing Figure.) These membranes  36   a  through  36   d  are similar to those provided in the caps of vials of antibiotics and other medicines intended for hypodermic injection, wherein a hypodermic needle (similar to the needles  34   a  through  34   d  of the scent extraction assemblies) is inserted through the membrane to withdraw the liquid within the vial as required. The thin, resilient membrane closes around the small hole made by the needle, to essentially reseal the vial. The present scent cartridges  18   a  through  18   d , with their resealing membranes  36   a  through  36   d  and the scent extraction needles  34   a  through  34   d , function in much the same manner.  
         [0043]    Each pump assembly  22   a  through  22   d  includes an outlet port and line (the lines are shown schematically in FIG. 2), respectively  38   a  through  38   d , which communicates with the internal cylinder volume of its respective pump by means of the respective outlet valves  30 . Thus, when any of the scent extraction devices  22   a  through  22   d  are actuated by means of a signal from the recorded medium being played to the corresponding motor  26   a  through  26   d , the appropriate piston(s) is/are drawn downwardly in their respective cylinder(s) to draw a quantity of the respective scent substance  20   a  through  20   d  from its/their respective cartridge(s)  18   a  through  18   d , with the upstroke of the piston(s) ejecting the scent substance(s)  20   a  through  20   d  through the outlet port(s) and line(s)  38   a  through  38   d  and into a plenum  40  (shown in FIG. 3) for diffusion into the ambient air of the room or other area in which the present scent emitting device is located. A fan  42  (radial, “squirrel cage,” etc.) is provided with the plenum  40 , for further vaporizing and dispersing the scent  20   a  through  20   d  into the room.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 provides a schematic illustration of the basic componentry of the present scent emitting device. A playback device or machine  10  (indicated as a “CD/DVD Drive” in FIG. 4, but which may comprise other types of machines for playing other types of prerecorded material) includes a conventional audio output system  44  (amplifiers, speakers  46 , etc.). If the playback device  10  is a video player of any type, then some form of video output means  48  is also provided, which provides a signal to a screen  50 .  
         [0045]    When the appropriate prerecorded medium (e.g., DVD cassette  12 , etc.) is removably inserted into the corresponding playback device  10 , as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the needles  34   a  through  34   d  pass through the corresponding open passages  52   a  through  52   d  in the face of the cassette  12  to puncture the respective seals  36   a  through  36   d  of the scent cartridges  18   a  through  18   d , as shown generally in FIG. 1 of the drawings. (A guard door  54 , shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, may be provided over the insertion slot  56  of the player  10  in order to preclude inadvertent contact with the sharp needles  34   a  through  34   d .)  
         [0046]    When the prerecorded medium of the cassette  12  is activated, the player  10  plays the appropriate audio (and/or video) program, including any inaudible and/or invisible scent activation signals thereon. The scent activation signals are transmitted to the scent output system S 8  (shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4) of the device, thereby activating one or more of the scent extraction pump(s)  22 . The scent substance(s)  20   a  through  20   d  are drawn from the scent cartridge(s)  18   a  through  18   d , and transmitted to the scent dispersal plenum  40  by means of the outlet line(s)  38   a  through  38   d , whereupon they are injected into the air within the plenum  40  and diffused through the ambient air by means of the plenum fan  42 . The result is an appropriately scented atmosphere for enjoying the audio or video recording or program associated with the present scent emitting device, with the total effect providing stimulus for the three senses of sight (when a video program is used), sound, and smell.  
         [0047]    When the program is over, the prerecorded cassette  12  may be withdrawn from the player  10 , as is customary with more conventional cassettes and associated players. The scent extraction devices  22   a  through  22   d  and their associated needles, inlet lines, and outlet lines may be cleared after use by inserting a cassette containing a series of scent neutralizer cartridges therein, with the cassette sending a signal to the system to activate the pump(s)  22   a  through  22   d  to flush any residual scent(s) from the system to ready it for the next program.  
         [0048]    As such cassette recordings may be played many times over, the present invention provides for replenishment of the scent cartridge(s)  18   a  through  18   d , merely by removing a depleted cartridge  18   a  through  18   d  from its respective compartment  16   a  through  16   d , and inserting a fresh cartridge  18   a  through  18   d  in place of the removed cartridge. The compartments  16   a  through  16   d  are preferably coded to ensure the insertion of a correspondingly coded scent cartridge therein, in order to assure that the proper scents are provided with the accompanying program.  
         [0049]    In summary, the present scent emitting device provides a substantial leap forward in the entertainment field, particularly in the field of prerecorded home entertainment. The present invention provides a means of achieving a much more realistic experience when enjoying a prerecorded program, particularly a movie or other video program, by stimulating the sense of smell in addition to the conventionally stimulated senses of sight and hearing.  
         [0050]    The present invention also lends itself well to the field of advertising. It is well known that food sales increase when potential customers are treated to the aroma of the food being sold (e.g., pizza, freshly baked rolls or bread, barbecue, etc.). A short audio or video presentation relating to the specific food, supplemented by the scent emitting means of the present invention, provides stimulation for the all important sense of smell in such a situation, and will greatly increase interest on the part of consumers experiencing the presentation. In fact, the present invention need not provide audio or video output, if such is not desired. It will be seen that a recording providing only the inaudible and/or invisible signals may be played with the present machine, with no audio and video output means being provided. The resulting aroma still serves the same purpose, particularly when the present scent emitting device is located adjacent the corresponding food items in a store. Accordingly, the present scent emitting device will prove most valuable to merchants in the food industry and to others who wish to experience the ultimate in sensory stimulation in the entertainment field.  
         [0051]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.