Abstract:
A system for fragrance sensory stimulation synchronized to a multimedia source connected to an audiovisual display is disclosed. A fragrance generator processes fragrance information from the audiovisual source into a flagrance signal, and a fragrance control system accepts the fragrance signal as an input and generates a control signal and a controlled airflow. In turn, a fragrance delivery system with a plurality of fragrance chemicals in communication with the controlled airflow selectively volatilizes the fragrance chemicals so that a short burst of fragrance is delivered to a user. In certain embodiments, the fragrance delivery system comprises an indexing turret containing a plurality of ports, each containing one fragrance chemical. In another preferred embodiment, a multi-port micro-valve or an array of such valves contains an absorbent material impregnated with a fragrance in each port.

Description:
STATUS OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/791,923 filed on Mar. 3, 2004. The contents of the Ser. No. 10/791,923 are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to fragrance delivery systems, and more particularly to fragrance delivery systems that are synchronized with audio and/or visual presentations to add fragrance to a display of sights and/or sounds. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The “experience” of audiovisual entertainment has progressed from silent films and monaural recordings to today&#39;s visually stunning digital images and advances in sound reproduction such as the “surround sound” found in both commercial theatres and homes. Moreover, current computer-based games and games played on gaming platform employ the same advanced graphics and sound qualities found in film or video. These technologies create an audiovisual “experience” that immerses the user in a film or game like never before, stimulating sight, sound and even tactile sensations through deep bass vibrations provided by subwoofers and tactile feedback provided by some game controllers. There remains, however, one form of sensory perception that is not stimulated—the sense of smell. 
   Numerous prior art systems have attempted to provide a scent to the environment that compliments or correlates to an audiovisual stimulus. Examples would be the smell of burning rubber coordinating with the screech of tires, or the scent of flowers when a corresponding image appears. Prior art systems have primarily been directed to introducing fragrances to large environments, such as an entire theater. These systems have by and large suffered from the problem that a fragrance will linger long after the coordinating audiovisual input has changed, and may in fact be difficult to replace with another scent as the scenes change, the typical result being a mixture of several fragrances that become an indistinct muddle. 
   None of these prior art devices, however, provides a useful and commercially viable system for fragrance delivery to enhance an audiovisual presentation. Therefore, there remains a long-felt yet unmet need for providing it would therefore be desirable to provide. It would further be desirable to provide such improvements in a manner that permitted their application across a variety of situations and that permitted their implementation in a cost-effective manner. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it has now been found that these and other shortcomings of the prior art can be overcome by providing an apparatus for fragrance sensory stimulation that is connected to a multimedia source that has at least one audiovisual signal connected to an audiovisual display, and also has fragrance information synchronized with the audiovisual signal. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a fragrance generator processes the fragrance information into a fragrance signal and at least one fragrance control system accepts a fragrance signal as an input, and generates a control signal and a controlled airflow. In turn, a fragrance delivery system preferably comprising a plurality of fragrance chemicals in communication with the controlled airflow, selectively volatilizes the fragrance chemicals is so that a short burst of fragrance is sensed by the subject. In certain embodiments, the fragrance delivery system comprises an indexing turret containing a plurality of ports, each port containing one of said plurality of fragrance chemicals. In other preferred embodiment, a multiport micro-valve or array of such valves contains an absorbent material impregnated with a fragrance in each port. 
   In certain embodiments, the system is constructed as two subassemblies, in which a transmitter is connected to the fragrance generator and a receiver is connected to the fragrance creation system, and the transmitter sends the fragrance signals to the receiver to control the creation of synchronized bursts of fragrance, most preferably provided by a compressor regulated by a microprocessor and including a high-pressure cutoff sensor so that a short burst of pressurized air having a duration of less than five seconds is created. In certain preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, the fragrance control system is mounted on a user&#39;s body, while in other preferred embodiments, the fragrance control system is mounted on a chair. Similarly, in certain preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, the fragrance delivery system is mounted on a user&#39;s body, while in other preferred embodiments, the fragrance control system is mounted on a chair. In other embodiments, a user interface is mounted to the user via an apparatus such as a mask, helmet, headset or earpiece. Alternatively, the interface can be placed adjacent the user, e.g., on a desk, or incorporated into another device such as a steering wheel controller for a game system. 
   The present invention thus provides a fragrance producing system synchronized to an audiovisual medium that preferably includes a fragrance delivery system for providing a short burst of air containing one of a plurality of fragrance chemicals to an individual user coordinated by receiving and processing a signal contained within the audiovisual medium that has been transmitted to a fragrance creation system in which the signal activates a compressor that selectively volatilizes the fragrance chemical, wherein the plurality of fragrance chemicals are disposed within an apparatus that selectively mixes one of the plurality with a burst of pressurized air generated by said compressor. Most preferably, the signal contained within the audiovisual medium is transmitted via and RF transmitter to an RF receiver connected to the fragrance creation system, and the apparatus that selectively mixes one of the plurality with a burst of pressurized air generated by the compressor comprises a turret with a plurality of ports, and each of the ports includes an absorbent material and a fragrance chemical. Alternatively, the apparatus that selectively mixes one of the plurality with a burst of pressurized air generated by the compressor comprises an array of micro-valves, and each of the micro-valves includes an absorbent material and a fragrance chemical. 
   Finally, the present invention also discloses methods of synchronizing a fragrance stimulus to a user with one or more audio and visual stimuli by providing a fragrance track to an audiovisual medium to provide a coded signal that correlates to a type of fragrance desired to be released at a pre-determined time, and then determining the divisions within the medium in which fragrance is to be delivered and creating a sequence of fragrances. A device having the requisite number of ports containing a sufficient variety and quantity of fragrance to correspond to the sequence of fragrances is provided and loaded with the fragrance. Next, a signal is processed to activate a compressor and connect the device with an airflow that the correct fragrance chemical is volatilized when a burst of air reaches the fragrance chemical. In certain embodiments, the step of providing a fragrance track comprises programmatic methods direct the system to generate a scent for a pre-determined brief period of time. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially schematic, partially perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fragrance creation system used in the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a partially schematic, partially perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the delivery creation system used in the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a mask; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a “desktop” device; 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a head-mounted device; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of an ear-mounted device; 
       FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a user-worn pendant; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a helmet; and 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a user interface in the form of a steering wheel gaming controller. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of delivery creation system in the form of an array of micro-valves. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The implementation of the present invention is in several preferred embodiments, discussed below, along with several illustrative examples. The embodiments of the invention described below are provided for the purpose of understanding the invention and are not meant to be limiting. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a system employing the present invention is illustrated. There are two main sub-systems that make up this embodiment, namely, the fragrance generator  100  and the fragrance delivery system  200 , each of which is discussed in further detail below. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fragrance generator  100  and the delivery system  200  are preferably connected by a wireless system comprising a transmitter  150  and a receiver  250 , which are most preferably RF devices, while in other embodiments, such devices and subassemblies can be connected by wires, or integrated into a single unit. 
   The fragrance generator  100  is comprised of a medium  110  and a media player  112 . As known in the art, the medium  110  and media player  112  can be any one of a number of systems, either digital, analog or some combination of such systems, that contains information and converts the information into a signal that can be use for display. Thus, the medium  110  will comprise one or more “tracks” such as a video track, a sound track and, in accordance with the present invention, a fragrance track. The media player  112  will read or process the medium  110  and create signals that can be displayed by devices such as a visual display  114  and an audio display  116 . However, in accordance with the present invention, the scent track described above is transmitted to and processed by a fragrance control system  212  that may or may not be integral with the media player  112 . As discussed in further detail below and well known in the art, there are a number of systems that contain a scent “medium” (not illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) that can be “played” by the fragrance control system  212  to control the selective release one or more scents in coordination with the information being provided to the visual display  114  and audio display  116 . The coordination of emitting various scents during playback of a video, or during the playing of a video game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,654,664—Manne and in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2001/0008611 and 2002/0036358, none of which are admitted to be prior art to the present invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in certain embodiments of the present invention, the fragrance creation system  212  is divided into two sections, although they may be physically integrated if desired. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the fragrance creation system  212  provides short bursts of synchronized fragrances coordinated with audio or visual information on a real-time basis. A first section of the frequency creation system  212  is the fragrance control system  214 . Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of one preferred embodiment of a fragrance control system  214  is illustrated. The fragrance control system  214  can be either connected directly to the fragrance generator  100 , or as described above, may connected via an RF transmitter  150  and receiver  250  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . In such an embodiment, the RF receiver  250  will include a decoder for RF signal drivers. In any event, a fragrance signal  251  is provided to a microprocessor controller  216 , which in turn controls a set of FET drivers  218 , 220 , 222  that control, respectively, a compressor  224 , a bleed valve  226  and other portions of the device. An additional high-pressure cutoff sensor  228  monitors a reserve air volume  230  and the bleed valve  226 . In operation, the microprocessor controller  216  activates the compressor  224 . When the upper limit of pressure is achieved, the high pressure cutoff sensor  228  signals the microprocessor to deactivate the compressor, thus creating and maintaining a pressurized system so that when appropriate a short burst of pressurized air is available to be conducted elsewhere in the system. This system may be either be battery powered or wired to a current source. In operation, the microprocessor converts the fragrance signal  251  into a signal that controls a regulated flow of air  252  created by the compressor and a control signal  253 , both of which are carried to a fragrance delivery system  232 , discussed in detail below with relation to  FIG. 3 . Thus, the present invention provides precise control of an air pressure reserve that assures immediate and accurately metered delivery of a bolus of scented air that is synchronized with the game, movie or other information, and further that can be provided either as a mixture or a sequential series of scents. 
   As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the system described with relation to  FIG. 2  is relatively easy to construct and will be a relatively small-scale unit, thereby permitting devices made in accordance with this aspect of the present invention to be integrated into a compact unit at a relatively low cost to enable economic mass production and widespread implementation. Moreover, such a construction will permit the frequency control system  214  to be constructed in embodiments that can be body-worn, e.g., on a waist belt, or conveniently and unobtrusively mounted to a theatre chair, airline or vehicle passenger seat, or a seat in the home. Further details of the interface to the end user are described and illustrated below with reference to  FIGS. 4–10 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a partially schematic, partially perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fragrance delivery system  232  is illustrated. As discussed above with reference to  FIG. 2 , a controlled flow of air  252  and an electrical signal  253  are carried from the fragrance control system  214 . The controlled flow of air  252  is connected via a conduit such that it flows into and through a turret  234  that houses a plurality of fragrance chemicals  236  that are volatilized when the controlled flow of air  252  enters the turret  234 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the turret  234  includes a plurality of ports or wells  236  that contain an absorbent material that is impregnated or “charged” with a particular scent. The electrical signal  253  controls a solenoid  235  that indexes the turret to a position that corresponds to a particular port  236 . Depending upon the use, e.g., commercial or home use, the ports  236  may be accessible so they can be recharged or reloaded with fragrance chemicals, or the entire turret  234  may be a disposable structure that is replaced each time the system is used, or replaced after a specified number of viewings of a film or sessions of game play. In certain other preferred embodiments, the turret  236  can be replaced by an array of micro-valves, each disposed over a port  236  containing fragrance chemical, and the fragrance is volatilized upon opening of the valve by the signal  235  and the passage of the airflow  252  through the open orifice of the valve. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , one embodiment of an array of micro-valves  334  includes a valve block  335  that has a series of wells  336  and that is covered by a header  338  (shown in an exploded view) that has a corresponding check valve  339 , such as, for one example ⅛ inch (0.125″) ID valves P/N 98553-10 available from Cole Parmer. As explained above, each check valve  339  will selectively receive a blast of gas and volatilized fragrance that are then mixed and or sequentially dispersed through the valve block  334  and into the conduit  242  that connects to the nosepiece  240  (not illustrated in  FIG. 11 ). In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the array contains a plurality of check valves and electronically controlled pneumatic valves. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 3 , as the airflow passes through the turret  236 , it is collected by a manifold hood  238  which in turn conducts the airflow, which now carries the selected scent, to a nosepiece  240  or similar structure that directs the fragrance to the nostrils of a single user. The use of a nosepiece and related apparatus to conduct a flow of scented air to a wearer is known in the art, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0003812, which is not admitted to be prior art to the present invention, discloses a portable fragrance control device that releases scent directly into a user&#39;s nose via diffusion. The device disclosed is structurally similar to the headsets commonly used for listening and/or speaking. The fragrance delivery system  232  is thus controlled by the signal provided by the fragrance control system  214  and “powered” by the compressor  224  that forms part of that same subsystem. Preferably, the fragrance delivery system  232  is constructed to be lightweight and can be either worn on the body or integrated into the headrest of a chair, but in either case it is preferred that the nosepiece  240  be disposed proximate the wearer&#39;s or user&#39;s nose so that the fragrance is conducted directly to the individual and does not permeate the environment generally. Details of devices for mounting or placing the nosepiece proximate an end user are described and illustrated below with reference to  FIGS. 4–10 . Moreover, as mentioned above, it is further desirable that the fragrance delivery system  232  emits short bursts of fragrance at the appropriate synchronized time to enhance the experience of a game, movie or similar audiovisual presentation. 
   Thus, in operation, those of skill in the art will appreciate that a fundamental requirement of the present invention is that the medium contain an additional “track” that is designed to provide a coded signal that correlates to the type of scent desired to be released at the particular temporal point in the audio or visual presentation. Alternatively, programmatic methods could be employed, e.g., a short algorithm that directs the system to generate a scent upon intervals, e.g., generating short bursts (for example, less than three seconds) of pine scent every thirty seconds during prolonged scenes in an evergreen forest. Such signals, whether part of a “track” or programmed are easily integrated into various forms of media, such as digital discs (CDs, DVDs, etc.), game cartridges, the magnetic tracks found on commercial theatre film, videotape and audiotape, and various other forms of magnetic media. Typically, the numbers of scenes or similar divisions within the medium in which fragrance will make an impact or otherwise be appropriate are identified and a sequence of fragrances is created. A turret or array of valves having the requisite number of ports containing a sufficient variety and quantity of fragrance to correspond to the sequence of fragrances is designed and provided. In operation, the system is loaded with the correct turret or valve array and the user is positioned so the nosepiece described above will transmit fragrance to the wearer in a synchronized fashion. The “fragrance track” provides a signal that is processed to activate the compressor and indexes the turret so that the correct fragrance chemical is volatilized when the burst of air reaches the fragrance chemical. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4–8  additional preferred embodiments of apparatus that permit use of the present invention by an end user are shown. As discussed above, in certain embodiments, a nosepiece  240  is provided so that a fragrance is transmitted to an end user. As shown in  FIG. 4 , in one preferred embodiment, the nosepiece  240  is worn by making it part of a mask  250  that is worn over the front section of the face of a user. A nosepiece conduit  242  conducts both fragrances via one or more conduit tubes, and in some embodiments electrical signals to the nosepiece  240 . The mask  250  is preferably provided with head straps  252  so that the mask  250  will remain firmly affixed while the user turns or moves. This embodiment will be particularly adaptable for use with video or computer games involving sports or other action simulations in which the user is immersed in a virtual or near-virtual experience. As know in the art, a face-worn mask can be comprised of a single molded part or make from a more rigid material that is padded with a softer material, e.g., a metal skeleton covered with polyvinyl or EVA foam. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of a device for placing a nosepiece  240  proximate an end user is illustrated. As discussed above with reference to  FIG. 4 , the nosepiece also comprises a nosepiece conduit  242 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the nosepiece  240  is mounted to a stand  260  that is in turn placed on a suitable surface, e.g. a desktop or tabletop. A semi-rigid or bendable stalk  262  extends from the stand  260  and enables the distal end of the nosepiece  240  to be placed near the nose of the end user, as illustrated. Those skilled in the art will understand that the stalk  262  can a separate structure or can simply be a continuation of the conduit  242  if that portion of the device is formed of a material that can be bent and hold a shape, such as molded plastic tubing that is molded around a flexible metal substrate or that has wire embedded within. Alternatively, in certain alternate embodiments it may be desirable for the stalk  262  to be completely rigid. 
   An additional embodiment of a device for placing the nosepiece  240  near a user&#39;s nostrils is shown in  FIG. 6 . As illustrated the end user simple wears an earpiece  282  over an ear, and from this structure, the nosepiece  240  extends. This embodiment can further include an earphone  284  attached to the earpiece  282 , which will provide additional stability as the user&#39;s head moves, and can optionally integrate an earphone to reproduce an audio track. As in the other embodiments discussed herein, the device further includes a conduit  242 . 
   Another embodiment of a device for placing the nosepiece  240  near a user&#39;s nostrils is shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the nosepiece  240  extends from a headset  270  that preferably and typically includes a head strap  272 . The headset may or may not include one or more headphone speakers  274 . In other words, in certain embodiments, a headset structure can be employed without providing sound transmission via the structure surrounding one or both of the ears. As mentioned above with reference to  FIG. 4 , this embodiment is particularly well suited for action and sports games where the user might tend to undergo a greater degree of head motion than typical in more passive activity such as viewing a movie. 
   As seen in  FIG. 8 , another device that permits a user to “wear” the nosepiece  240  is comprised of a pendant  290  that is worn close to the body and preferably attached to the user by a neck strap  292 . In this embodiment, the nosepiece  240  again extends from a stalk  294  in the manner discussed above with reference to  FIG. 5  only in this embodiment rather than resting on a desk or table, the nosepiece is simply affixed to a pendant  290  that rests against he user&#39;s body. The pendant  290  provides an interface with the conduit  244 , and could optionally contain additional functions, such as headphone jacks, and in such an embodiment the conduit  242  would further include wires carrying an audio signal. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a user interface in the form of a helmet is illustrated. In this embodiment, a helmet  256  is provided, as is typically known for use with gaming consoles, e.g., to add to the experience of racing games. As is also known, helmets are often employed in “virtual reality” simulators. The helmet  256  incorporates a nosepiece  240 . In the embodiment illustrated, the lower edge of the helmet  256  provides a convenient mounting point for the nosepiece  240 . In other helmets lacking this lower structure, the nosepiece  240  would be mounted to the helmet and extend along the side of the jawline, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6–7 . The conduit  242  can, as discussed above, carry both fragrance and audio or other signals, for example if earphones are built into the helmet  256 . As discussed above with reference to  FIG. 4 , and embodiment such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 9  is particularly adapted to implementation where the user will undergo significant head movement during game play or other audiovisual experience. 
   Finally, as seen in  FIG. 10 , a gaming system controller  266  that includes a steering wheel  268  can be adapted for use with the present invention. In this embodiment, as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 5 , the device is placed on a desk or table near the user and a nosepiece  240  extends upwardly toward the user. As noted above, it is particularly preferable that the nosepiece  240  be constructed so that it can be bent and retain a shape so it can be located in an appropriate position. The conduit  242  carries fragrance to the nosepiece  240  and may optionally include signal wires for game control and/or a power cord. 
   Upon review of the foregoing, numerous adaptations, modifications, and alterations will occur to the reviewer. These will all be, however, within the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims in order to ascertain the true scope of the present invention.