Patent Publication Number: US-2023147091-A1

Title: Odor emission system, device and method

Description:
STATEMENT 
     This invention was made with U.S. Government support under contract no. W911NF-16-C-0104 awarded by the United States Army. The Government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of pending U.S. Application No. 16/861,455 filed on Apr. 29, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure pertains to behavioral olfactory conditioning and, more specifically, to a controllable odor emission system, device and method for effectively emitting odors. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Many law enforcement and military operations benefit from the detection of odors that may be indicative of unscrupulous activities or targeted substances. Oftentimes, animals such as rats or dogs are trained for such odor detection purposes. Separately, cosmetics and food developers can employ odor detection systems and devices to facilitate odor signature development for various products. 
     Unfortunately, current odor-emitting devices and systems used for training are not controllable or automated, require significant human attention, do not always dispense precise amounts of odor(s), blend odors in an unintended way, cannot predictably repeat desired odors, may cross-contaminate odors and/or may leak in ways that compromise training. Further, present devices and systems are generally not portable or suitable for field use. Additionally, present devices and systems do not have an effective means of cleaning or purging odors that may adhere to surfaces over repeated use. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-controlled system including one or more portable modular devices that dispense precise amounts of odor(s) and/or rewards under programmatic control to imprint desired behaviors such as search and marking of desired compounds on animals. The present disclosure also facilitates the collection and analysis of extensive data that permits monitoring of animal performance and comparison across animals. 
     Embodiments of the device as described herein minimize leakage of odors, which is of particular importance with explosive materials that are designed to be detected in very low concentrations. Embodiments of the present device also provide known and highly repeatable odor concentrations at known levels for consistent scientific validation studies and training in animals. Further, embodiments of the present device allow mixing of multiple odors at various concentrations to test animals’ abilities to discriminate odors amid a stronger background scent. The device is versatile and can be adapted in size to suit different animal trainees. Programming associated with the present disclosure assists in acquiring animal behavioral information and performing detailed analyses and comparisons between animals and over time. In various embodiments, algorithms are employed to predict animal success at later stages given data only from early training. 
     In various embodiments, the system as described herein can train small animals to locate and detect explosive odors through behavioral conditioning. Devices as disclosed herein present odor as the only unique cue presented to the animal. In various embodiments, the devices have identical audible and visual appearance whether they are emitting target odor, distractant odor, or control odor. The system is highly modular and reconfigurable to suit a variety of training scenarios and objectives. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic diagram of a system incorporating an odor emitting device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of an odor emitting device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of components of an odor emitting device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a top right perspective view of components of an odor emitting device with a detached valve in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a bottom right perspective view of components of an odor emitting device with a detached valve in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a front right perspective view of a valve housing in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a bottom right perspective view of a valve housing in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view of a valve in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view illustrating valve operation of a valve in the fully open position. 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic diagram illustrating valve operation of a valve in the fully open position. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view illustrating valve operation of a valve in the partially open position. 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic diagram illustrating valve operation of a valve in the partially open position. 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view illustrating valve operation of a valve in the fully closed position. 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic diagram illustrating valve operation of a valve in the fully closed position. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view illustrating valve operation of a valve in the flush open position. 
         FIG.  16    is a schematic diagram illustrating valve operation of a valve in the flush open position. 
         FIG.  17    is an exploded perspective view of an odor emitting device in accordance with additional embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  18    is a bottom perspective view of components of the odor emitting device of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    is a bottom perspective view of components of the odor emitting device of  FIG.  17    with covers and actuator detached. 
         FIG.  20    is an exploded perspective view of components of the odor emitting device of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  21    is an exploded perspective view of a valve arrangement in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  22    is a perspective view illustrating valve operation of the valve arrangement of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  23    is a schematic diagram illustrating valve operation of the valve arrangement of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  24    is an exploded perspective view of a valve arrangement in accordance with additional embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  25    is a perspective view illustrating valve operation of the valve arrangement of  FIG.  24    in assembled form. 
         FIG.  26    is a schematic diagram illustrating valve operation of the valve arrangement of  FIG.  24   . 
         FIG.  27    is an exemplary screen shot of a user interface in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein: rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 
     It will be appreciated that reference to “a”, “an” or other indefinite article in the present disclosure encompasses one or more than one of the described element. Thus, for example, reference to a processor may encompass one or more processors, a canister may encompass one or more canisters, a tray may encompass one or more trays and so forth. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  through  4   , in various embodiments, the system  10  includes portable odor-emitting canisters or devices (e.g..  12 ,  14 ) that emit a target odor (e.g.. TNT or other explosives, or other controlled substances) as directed by a base station or central control unit  20 , as well a portable reward dispenser  16  that provide rewards to the animals upon successful completion of the behavioral tasks. These devices can be battery powered, can communicate via wireless links, can be modular, reconfigurable and scalable, and can be used as part of training enclosures/chambers, in open room environments, and in outdoor settings. In the case of rats, the reward dispenser provides a solid sucrose or protein pellet as reinforcement, but the system is adaptable to a variety of other reward types such as a tennis ball launcher for canines, for example, if desired. In various embodiments, the wireless communication capability of the reward system can be integrated into a specially designed device or supplied as an auxiliary add on to allow an otherwise unmodified existing reward device to function in communication with the central control unit  20  as discussed elsewhere herein. The devices are robust to animal damage. Any number or combination of devices can be used and the system can automatically configure itself to the available devices. In various embodiments, a graphical user interface associated with a software application provides an interface for the end-user to the system. The software computes and stores performance metrics in a database for analysis and performance comparisons. A scripting environment is provided to allow development of automated training protocols. It will be appreciated that device functions can be controlled by the central control unit  20  either manually or through the automated scripting environment. 
     The system  10  can include a central control unit  20  comprising a laptop, tablet, smartphone or similar device running system software, wherein the device can act in part as a base station, or can connect in wired or wireless fashion to a base station, wherein the base station houses one or more radio transceivers to communicate with remote devices  12 ,  14  and/or  16 . The radio transceiver(s) act as a communications component  24  as shown in  FIG.  1   . In various embodiments, the system  10  supports any number of remote devices, which are broadly categorized into odor-emitting devices  12 ,  14  and reward dispensers  16 . Subcategories of each device type are described below. Each device identifies itself upon power-up and the base station (e.g.,  28 ) and the system software perform the necessary configuration to allow proper function of the devices. In various embodiments, the control unit  20  includes a configuration component  22  to manage device configurations. 
     In embodiments in which the central control unit  20  communicates with a device such as devices  12 ,  14  and/or  16  through a data network  15 , the data network  15  can be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a public network such as the Internet, or a private network. The devices  12 ,  14 ,  16  and the central control unit  20  are configured to connect to the data network or remote communications link in any suitable manner. In various embodiments, such a connection is accomplished via: a conventional phone line or other data transmission line, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a T-1 line, a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a wireless or wired routing device, a mobile communications network connection (such as a cellular network or mobile Internet network), or any other suitable medium. 
     In various embodiments, odor-emitting device  12  is a two-odor device whereas odor-emitting device  14  is a four-odor device, although many other embodiments with different numbers of odor-emitting devices can be provided according to the present disclosure. Odor-emitting device  12  can be considered a more compact device than device  14 . Regardless of embodiment, each type of device or canister  12 .  14  includes one or more valves that alternatively seals or allows the contents of an odor compartment to permeate into the atmosphere under natural diffusion or fan-forced convection where animals detect it. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the device disclosed herein assist where either a target odor, a distractant odor, a mixed target-distractant odor or a control odor are mutually exclusively presented to the animal trainee. Each valve can include a valve cylinder which can be constructed of ceramic-coated aluminum, for example, which minimizes absorption of odor molecules. The rounded surface of the valve cylinder can rotate within a valve sleeve or bushing, for example, which is fit to a tight tolerance to minimize leakage. In various embodiments, the valve sleeve or bushing is formed of brass or stainless steel material. An electromechanical actuator can rotate the valve cylinder within the sleeve to allow the contents of an odor chamber to mix with the atmosphere through ports in the sleeve. Because the tolerance between the valve cylinder and valve sleeve is so tight, any debris that enters the valve from the odor tube (which is exposed to the animal) is simply “pushed” along the edge of the valve as it closes and enters the odor compartment where it is periodically removed during cleaning. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the central control unit  20  can be provided with various components that can be configured as software, firmware, hardware or a combination thereof. Configuration component  22  permits devices such as  12 ,  14  and/or  16  to be configured for operation with and by the central control unit  20 . Communications component  24  provides programming permitting communications between central control unit  20  and devices  12 ,  14 ,  16 . Protocol development component  25  provides programming enabling a user to establish protocols for operation of the devices  12 ,  14  and/or  16 . For example, an end user may develop a protocol using component  25  that selectively opens and closes ports in an odor-emitting device such as  12  or  14  to train a specific type of animal, such as a rat or canine, for example. The protocol may be developed to adjust factors such as the timing of exposure, the amount of rotation of a valve within the device, the flushing out of a device, amount of heat from a heater element  98  secured to the device  12 ,  14  and other factors. The manual control component  26  includes programming for permitting a user to manually control a device such as  12 ,  14  or  16 . The performance metric component  27  can include programming for obtaining and analyzing operational data from the use of the control unit  20  with devices  12 .  14  and/or  16 . Prediction component  28  provides programming for predicting animal success at later stages given data only from early training. Various data associated with the use and operation of the system  10 , whether structured or unstructured, can be stored in database  40  and is accessible to the various components of the central control unit  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  through  16   , odor-emitting device  14  includes internal components  50  secured to or maintained around a platform  52 . For example, a tube receiver  54  securely retains an odor presentation port tube  58  above the platform  52 , and the tube receiver  54  includes a rim  55  forming a rim opening  56  therein. The odor presentation port tube  58  is positioned within the rim opening  56  of the tube receiver  54  and extends downwardly through the opening  56  to be securely retained against the top surface  53  of the platform  52 . The opening  56  becomes an odor channel for odors to be emitted in accordance with the operation of the device as described herein. The odor presentation port tube  58  can be formed with one or more wall openings  62 ,  63  therein. In various embodiments, neither the tube receiver  54  nor the odor presentation port tube  58  is directly secured to the platform  52 , but are held in position by secure connections (e.g., machine screws) that connect the top surface  53  of the platform  52  to one or more valve housings  70  and further connect the one or more valve housings  70  to arms  59  on the tube receiver  54 . The odor presentation port tube  58  and tube receiver  54  can be removed for cleaning as necessary. In various other embodiments, no odor presentation port tube is provided and the tube receiver facilitates operation as described herein with respect to the odor presentation port tube. 
     One or more trays  64  are removably securable to a tray base  65 . In various embodiments, the tray base  65  is provided with indentations or openings  67  for receiving the trays  64 . The tray base  65  may further have connector elements (e.g.,  68 ) which can be used to secure the tray base  65  to the bottom side  51  of the platform  52  of the odor-emitting device  14 . Connector elements  68  can be openings for permitting a screw or bolt to pass therethrough and mate with a receiving element such as a thread on the bottom side  51  of the platform  52 , for example. The platform can further be formed with orifices  55  which align with respective openings  67  in the tray base  65  to permit fluid flow as described elsewhere herein. The tube receiver  54  can also be provided with arms  59  extending radially outwardly of a base portion  57  of the tube receiver  54 , wherein each arm  59  is securable to a respective valve housing  70  to assist in holding the valve housing  70  in place, as shown in  FIG.  3   . In various embodiments, a head detector (not shown) is aligned with openings  63  in the side wall  60  of the odor presentation port tube  58 . The head detector or head poke sensor can be provided as opposed phototransistor/LED pairs secured to the tube receiver and aligned with openings  63  on either side of the odor presentation port tube  58 , for example, wherein the opposed phototransistor pairs act to detect the head of the animal and report the detection to the microcontroller  120  which, in various embodiments, reports to the central control unit  20  so as to trigger a reward. In the embodiment where no odor presentation port tube is provided, no head poke detector or head poke sensor would be provided. 
     In various embodiments, each valve housing  70  is securable such as by screws or the like to a respective arm  59  of the tube receiver  54  and also to the platform  52  adjacent to or above each tray  64 . A valve  72  is secured within each valve housing  70 . As shown in  FIGS.  2  through  8   , for example, the valve  72  can include a valve cylinder  74  and a valve sleeve  76  operably connected to permit openings  77 ,  78  formed in the side wall  75  of the sleeve  76  to adjustably align with a fluid opening or fluid slot  79  in the side wall  73  of the cylinder  74  as the valve cylinder  74  is rotated during operation. In various embodiments, the valve cylinder  74  includes a bottom floor  80  at a first end  81  and a top rim  82  at a second end  83 , wherein the rim  82  defines an opening  85  for permitting air to flow from a fan  100  as described elsewhere herein. The bottom floor  80  can be provided with connector elements (not shown) on the axially outer side of first end  81  for securely connecting to head  92  of an actuator  90 . This connection permits the valve cylinder  74  to be rotated by the actuator  90  during operation. In various embodiments, the actuator  90  is secured to a block  94  that is secured to the valve housing  70 . The valve sleeve  76  also has an upper rim  95  that defines an upper opening  96  that permits air to flow from a fan  100  as described elsewhere herein. The fan  100  can be secured to a fan frame  102  that is secured to the valve housing  70  such as by machine screws or the like. In various embodiments, the fan  100  is secured to the valve housing  70  at a first end  104  of the valve housing  70  and the actuator  90  is secured at a second end  106  of the valve housing  70  that is opposite the first end  104 . The fan  100  can be provided as a variable speed/flow rate fan in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The valve housing  70  is formed with slots  110 ,  112  to permit fluid flow from the trays  64  through the valve  72  and the odor presentation tube wall openings  62 , depending upon the desired operation of the device  14 . As shown in  FIGS.  5  through  8   , slot  110  is aligned with platform opening  55  and tray base opening  67  for a given tray  64  and slot  112  (not shown in  FIG.  5   ) is aligned with opening  62  in odor presentation port tube  58 . 
     The actuator  90  and the fan  100  can be operable using at least one battery  115  and at least one controller  120  secured to the device  14 . The battery  115  can be a nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion battery, for example. The actuator  90  operates the valve cylinder  74  to permit desired operation. A cover  125  can also be provided for housing and/or covering the interior components  50  of the device  14 , wherein the cover  125  can be formed with an opening  130  at the top end  126  to permit fluid flow as desired in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  2   ,the cover  125  can be positioned around the tube receiver  54 , the platform  52  and the tray base  65  containing the trays  64 . The cover  125  can be considered a housing defining an odor channel  130  in various embodiments, wherein the cover  125  houses the odor tray(s)  64 , the controller  120 , actuator  90 , head detector and valve(s)  72 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8  through  16   , the valve cylinder  74  and the valve sleeve  76  cooperate to form a substantially cylindrical valve  72  defining adjustable odor openings  77 ,  78 . The actuator  90  is adapted to rotate the valve cylinder  74  under control of the controller  120  so as to position the odor opening  77  between a full fluid communication position with the underlying tray  64  and a blocked fluid communication position with the underlying tray  64 . 
     In operation of device  14 , the trays  64  can be set up to contain different odor source materials as desired for operational training. In various embodiments, a first tray houses a target odor source material, the second tray houses a control odor source material, the third tray houses a distractor odor source material and the fourth tray houses a second target odor source material. The controller  120  receives instructions from central control unit  20  regarding a desired odor flow, such as may be established via protocol development component  25 , and the fan  100  and/or actuator  90  are operated accordingly. For example, the fan  100  can force air across the odor sample in the odor chamber, when desired. Thus, for the device  14  shown in  FIGS.  2  through  16   , four valves are provided and individually secured to a respective actuator, wherein each of the actuators is adapted to rotate a respective one of the four valves, such that odors associated with the odor source materials can be selectively mixed. 
       FIGS.  9  and  10    illustrate the valve  72  in the fully open position. As indicated by the arrows, the fan  100  draws air into the odor chamber  108  and, with valve sleeve opening  77  exposed due to the position of the valve cylinder  74 , the contents of the odor source material in the underlying tray are swept over by incoming air, bringing the odor through the opening  55  in the platform  52  (see  FIG.  4   ). The odor then follows the fluid pathway out of the opening  78  in the valve sleeve  76 , whereby it travels through opening  62  in odor presentation port tube  58  and up the opening  56  into the ambient environment (see  FIG.  4   ). Upon an animal sensing the odor and positioning its head, nose or other body part into the tube  58 , it can be sensed by the head detector through an opening  63  so as to trigger a reward by the reward dispensing device  16 . The valve cylinder  74  is rotated to the fully open position by the actuator  90 , which is controlled by the embedded microcontroller  120  and remote central control unit  20 . It will be appreciated that air can also flow via natural convection without the assistance of a fan. The central control unit  20  can thus initiate valve operation on the device  14  by sending a communication to the microcontroller  120  which directs the operation of the actuator  90  and/or fan  100 . When the head detector senses animal movement, the head detector signals the microcontroller  120  which conveys a return communication to the central control unit  20 . The central control unit  20  then conveys a message to the reward dispenser  16  to dispense a reward based on the animal’s reaction to the odor detection. 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    illustrate a valve  72  in the partially open position. Should a smaller amount of odor be desired, perhaps to test the sensitivity of a particular animal to a particular odor, for example, the actuator  90  can rotate the valve cylinder  74  so as to partially occlude the lower valve sleeve opening  77  and reduce the amount of odor source material exposed to the airflow. The fan  100  can be operated as described earlier, causing the material in the odor source material in the underlying tray  64  to be swept over to a lesser degree by incoming air, bringing the odor through the opening  55  in the platform  52  (see  FIGS.  2  and  4   ). The odor then follows the fluid pathway out of the opening  78  in the valve sleeve  76 , whereby it travels through opening  62  in odor presentation port tube  58 , through odor channel  56  and into the ambient environment. Should an animal detect the odor, the system operates as described in connection with  FIGS.  9  and  10    above. 
       FIGS.  13  and  14    illustrate device operation when valve  72  is in the fully closed position. In this position, the fan  100  is not operated, and no odor is permitted into or out of the odor chamber  108 , as the valve cylinder  74  has been rotated so as to close off the openings  77 ,  78  in the valve sleeve  76 . This position can be employed when the odor from the odor source material in the underlying tray is not to be exposed to the atmosphere, perhaps when a different odor tray or combination of different odor trays are employed. Each valve can thus be closed when other odors are being presented to the animal, or the device is not being used at all. 
       FIGS.  15  and  16    illustrate device operation when valve  72  is in the flush open position. In this position, the fan  100  operates to blow fresh air and any retained odor out of the odor chamber  108  and through the opening  78  in the valve sleeve  76 . The valve cylinder  74  closes off the lower opening  77  in the sleeve  76 , such that any odor in an underlying tray is blocked from entering the odor chamber  108 . In various embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  5   , a resistive electric heating element  98  is in contact with or proximate the odor presentation port tube  58  and can be energized via controller  120  to heat the surface of the tube  58  to further promote the release of adsorbed odor molecules and/or surface contaminants. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  17  through  26   , alternative odor-emitting device  12  includes a pair of odor trays  164 , a platform  152  and a tube receiver  160  secured above the platform  152 . wherein the tube receiver  160  has an internal rim  162  forming an opening  163 . In various embodiments, the tube receiver  160  is secured at its radially outer end(s)  161  to one or more support braces  163  which are secured atop the platform  152  using machine screws or the like. A substantially cylindrical odor presentation port tube  158  is positionable within the rim opening  163  of the tube receiver  160  and securely maintained atop the platform  152 . For example, the odor presentation port tube  158  can be retained in position by one or more guides  139  secured atop the platform  152 . The odor presentation port tube  158  is formed with one or more openings  165  therein, which can be aligned with one or more head detectors in or on the tube receiver, similar to the arrangement described elsewhere herein in connection with device  14 . A removable cover  280  can be formed with an opening  284  at the top end  282  to permit fluid flow as desired in accordance with the present disclosure. The cover  280  can house and/or be positioned around the tube receiver  160 , the platform  152  and the trays  164 . The cover  280  can be considered a housing defining the odor channel  284  in various embodiments, wherein the cover  280  houses the odor tray(s)  164 , the controller  208 , actuator  250 . head detector and valve(s)  191 .  192 . 
     One or more trays  164  are removably securable to the platform  152  such as by screws or the like. The trays  164  can be formed with walls  165 ,  166 . In various embodiments, wall  165  is curved and wall  166  is substantially flat, wherein wall  166  is formed with first  167  and second  168  fluid slots. A baffle  169  can also be provided and may at least partially divide the fluid chamber enclosed by the walls  165 ,  166  into multiple chambers  171 ,  172 . The baffle  169  does not necessarily extend all the way from wall  166  to wall  165 , but a gap  191  may exist between the baffle  169  and wall  165 , allowing air to flow through, such as inlet air that may be blown by a fan  202 , for example. The baffle  169  can encourage mixing of the air within the odor chamber and promotes movement of odor particles into the odor presentation tube. In various embodiments, an odor source such as may be contained in an odor source material is placed in chamber  171 , and a fan  202  is attached to the outer wall  165  in chamber  172 . This arrangement facilitates the desired fluid flow during operation. 
     A valve housing  180  is securable to the platform  152  adjacent the trays  164 . The valve housing  180  includes a first end  182  having slots  185 ,  186  for receiving valves  191 ,  192  and a second end  184  with a gear drive head  222  for driving valve  191 . The bottom surface  181  of the valve housing  180  is formed with air inlet openings  187 ,  188  for permitting access to outside air which may be drawn in by fan  202  during operation, for example. The top surface (not shown) of the valve housing  180  is similarly provided with odor outlet slots (not shown) that align with slots  199  in the platform  152  so as to permit desired odors to travel from the odor trays  164  through the slots  199  and out the odor channel  197  of the odor presentation port tube  158 . The air inlet openings  187 ,  188  on the bottom surface  181  are adjacent the first end  182  of the valve housing  180  whereas the odor outlet slots are adjacent the second end  184  of the valve housing  180 . The air inlet openings  187 ,  188  are not directly below the odor outlet openings as such an arrangement would not permit the desired fluid travel during operation. Removable covers  170  are also provided for closing the chambers  171 ,  172  of the trays  164  for operation. 
     In various embodiments, the valves  191 ,  192  can be formed as valve cylinders  220 ,  230  that fit within valve sleeves  241 ,  251 , respectively. The paired valve cylinders  220 ,  230  are substantially cylindrical and can be formed as mirror images of one another so as to facilitate fluid flow of air and odors through different compartments depending upon intended operation of the device  12  As shown in  FIG.  20   ,for example, the valve cylinders include a drive cylinder  220  and an output cylinder  230 . The drive cylinder  220  and output cylinder  230  are initially set up in a cooperative relationship so as to facilitate setting the valve in fully open, partially open, closed and flush settings, as desired during operation. For example, the drive cylinder  220  has a first end  221  with a head  222  adapted to mate with a drive  252  of an actuator  250 . The head  222  has a drive gear  223  secured thereto. A first fluid slot  224  is formed in the body  225  of the drive cylinder  220  near the first end  221  as shown in  FIG.  20   . A second fluid slot  226  is formed in the body  225  of the drive cylinder  220  near a second end  227 , as shown in  FIG.  20   . The slots  224 ,  226  can be formed as a semi-cylindrical gap, for example. In various embodiments, the slots  224 ,  226  are unaligned in that the edge  228  of the slot  226  would bisect the slot  224  if the edge  228  were extended through the slot  224  to the first end  221  of the drive cylinder  220  The second fluid slot  226  can be considered an air inlet slot and the first fluid slot  224  can be considered an odor outlet slot. 
     The output cylinder  230  can be formed similarly to drive cylinder  220 , except that instead of having a head with a drive gear  223 , the output cylinder  230  has a head at the first end  231  with an output gear  232 . Further, while the output cylinder can be formed with a first fluid slot  234  near the first end  231  and a second fluid slot  236  near the second end  237 , and while the slots  234 ,  236  can be formed as unaligned semi-cylindrical gaps, the orientation of the slots  234 ,  236  is different from the orientation of slots  224 ,  226  in the drive cylinder  220 . The second fluid slot  236  can be considered an air inlet slot and the first fluid slot  234  can be considered an odor outlet slot. As shown in  FIGS.  20  through  27   , the first slot  224  of drive cylinder  220  is approximately ¼ turn counterclockwise from the first slot  234  of output cylinder  230 . Further the second slot  226  of drive cylinder  220  is approximately ¼ turn clockwise from the second slot  236  of output cylinder  230 . This arrangement assists with the desired fluid flow provided by the device  12 . Depending upon the rotation, the slots  224 .  226  in the drive cylinder  220  can be mirror images of the slots  234 ,  236  in the output cylinder  230 . 
     The valve sleeves  212  are substantially cylindrical and include a valve sleeve  241  for the drive cylinder  220  and a valve sleeve  251  for the output cylinder  230 . In various embodiments, the valve sleeves  241 ,  251  are mirror images of each other. Valve sleeve  241  includes a pair of air inlet slots  242 ,  243  at a first end  244  adjacent the air flow, and a pair of odor outlet slots  245 ,  246  adjacent a second end  247  nearest the drive gear  223  when installed. Slots  242 ,  243  are approximately ¼ circumferential travel apart, slots  245 ,  246  are approximately ¼ circumferential travel apart and slots  243 ,  245  are axially aligned. Similarly, valve sleeve  251  includes a pair of air inlet slots  252 ,  253  at a first end  254  adjacent the air flow, and a pair of odor outlet of slots  255 ,  256  adjacent a second end  257  nearest the output gear  232  when installed. Slots  252 ,  253  are approximately ¼ circumferential travel apart, slots  255 ,  256  are approximately ¼ circumferential travel apart and slots  253 ,  255  are axially aligned. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  20   , the gear arrangement  223 ,  232  is secured between the actuator  250  and the valves  220 ,  230 . The actuator  250  can be secured to the platform  152  by screws or the like. When the valve cylinders  220 .  230  are installed together with corresponding valve sleeves  241 ,  251 , respectively, the valve cylinders  220 ,  230  of the assembled valves  190  are rotatable by the actuator  250  and gear arrangement  223 ,  232  so as to position the slot  226  of the drive cylinder  220  in and out of alignment with air inlet slots  242 ,  243  on valve sleeve  241 , and further to position the slot  236  of output cylinder  230  into and out of alignment with air inlet slots  252 ,  253  on valve sleeve  251 . At the same time, rotation of the gear arrangement  223 ,  232  by the actuator rotates the slot  224  of the drive cylinder  220  into and out of alignment with the odor outlet slots  245 ,  246  on valve sleeve  241 , and further rotates the slot  234  of the output cylinder  230  into and out of alignment with the odor outlet slots  255 .  256  on valve sleeve  251 . It will be appreciated that the sleeves  241 ,  251  are maintained in a fixed position within the valve housing  180 . According to the above operation, the valves can rotate between a full fluid communication position with the odor trays  164  and a blocked fluid communication position with the odor trays, with an infinite number of intermediate positions available to permit partial fluid communication. 
     Due to the coordination of the various slots, it will be appreciated that the device  12  can operate such that the valve cylinders  220 ,  230  are rotatable such that one odor tray is in full fluid communication with the odor presentation port tube  158  while the other odor tray is fully blocked from the odor presentation port tube  158 . In other embodiments, the device  12  can be operated such that both odor trays are in partial fluid communication with the odor presentation port tube. 
       FIGS.  22  and  23    illustrate operation of valve  191  with drive cylinder  220  and valve  192  with output cylinder  230  when a left-side odor tray  164 A (and any odor source material contained therein) is sealed or blocked from communication with air inlets and with the odor presentation port tube while a right-side odor tray  164 B is open and permits fluid flow.  FIGS.  22  and  23    correspond to the exploded arrangement shown in  FIG.  21   . In this environment, it will be appreciated that the fan (not shown) associated with left-side odor tray  164 A may be inactive while the fan  202  associated with right-side odor tray  164 B is active and facilitating air and odor flow. In operation, fresh air can flow in air inlet slot  242  of sleeve  241  and through air inlet slot  243  of sleeve  241 . In doing so, the air flows through the gap or slot  226  of the drive valve cylinder  220  and into air chamber  172  of the odor tray  164 B. The fan  202  assists in driving the fresh air around the baffle  169  where it is mixed with the odor source material in tray  164 B and flows out of the odor outlet slots  245 ,  246  of the sleeve  241 . It will be appreciated that air can also flow via natural convection without the assistance of a fan. In doing so, the odor flows through the gap or slot  224  of the drive valve cylinder  220  and out to the odor presentation port tube  158 . 
       FIGS.  25  and  26    illustrate operation of valve  191  with drive cylinder  220  and valve  192  with output cylinder  230  when a right-side odor tray  164 B (and any odor source material contained therein) is sealed or blocked from communication with air inlets and with the odor presentation port tube while a right-side odor tray  164 A is open and permits fluid flow.  FIGS.  25  and  26    correspond to the exploded arrangement shown in  FIG.  24   . In this environment, it will be appreciated that the fan associated with right-side odor tray  164 B may be inactive while the fan  202  associated with left-side odor tray  164 A is active and facilitating air and odor flow. In operation, fresh air can flow in air inlet slot  252  of sleeve  251  and through air inlet slot  253  of sleeve  251 . In doing so, the air flows through the gap or slot  236  of the output valve cylinder  230  and into air chamber  172  of the odor tray  164 A. The fan  202  assists in driving the fresh air around the baffle  169  where it is mixed with the odor source material in tray  164 A and flows out of the odor outlet slots  255 ,  256  of the sleeve  251 . In doing so, the odor flows through the gap or slot  234  of the drive valve cylinder  230  and out to the odor presentation port tube  158 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  23   , the odor outlet slot  226  of the valve cylinder  220  is in full fluid communication position with tray  164 B when the odor outlet slot  236  of valve cylinder  230  is in a blocked fluid communication position with tray  164 A. However, as shown in  FIG.  26   , the odor outlet slot  226  of the valve cylinder  220  is in a blocked fluid communication position with tray  164 B when the odor outlet slot  236  of valve cylinder  230  is in a full fluid communication position with tray  164 A. 
     It will be appreciated that the two-odor device  12  can be operated such that the odor trays are both partially open so as to permit a blend of odors from source materials in respective odor trays (e.g., trays  164 A and  164 B in  FIGS.  23  and  26   ). The position is infinitely variable to allow partial opening of the valve. Since the concentration of odor in an airflow of constant rate is proportional to the area of the valve exposed to the odor-containing air, the system as disclosed herein can therefore vary the concentration of odor in the exiting air by changing the angular position of the valve. The fan speed can also be varied for additional control. 
     The actuator  250  and the fan(s)  202  can be operable using at least one battery  215  and at least one controller  208  secured to the device  12 . The controller  208  can receive instructions from central control unit  20  regarding a desired odor flow and the fan(s)  202  and/or actuator  250  are operated accordingly. It will further be appreciated that the odor presentation port tube  158  can be changed in size to accommodate varying sizes of animals. Also, the same fan(s)  202 , or alternatively, a larger separate fan, provides the ability to flush the odor(s) from the odor presentation port tube  158 . In various embodiments, a resistive electric heating element  198  is in contact with or proximate the odor presentation port tube  158  and can be energized via controller  120  to heat the surface of the tube  158  to further promote the release of adsorbed odor molecules. 
     It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure permit target odors to be presented to animals over a wide range of concentrations. This presents the operator with the ability to imprint odors on animals at a higher, more easily detected concentration and also to evaluate the animals’ abilities to detect lower concentrations using the same system. The high repeatability of the device also enables use in cross-validation studies where animals are compared to one another. 
     In the embodiments described above for device  14  with four trays, target odors (e.g., TNT) may be mixed with other distractor odors in known amounts and presented to an animal for discrimination. In the embodiments described above for device  12  with two trays, either the target odor or a control odor may be presented. The actuator can move the valve drive cylinder  220  to either allow airflow across an odor sample housed in a tray or seal it from the ambient air flow when not in use. Regardless of form, the device minimizes leakage and cross-contamination of odors. By permitting the valve to be positioned to allow a varying area of the odor source material to be exposed, the device permits proportional control of the odor’s concentration in the produced odor plume. The fan ensures a positive air flow across the sample, the speed of which can be varied as well. Odors can be quickly and easily changed by removing the trays  64 ,  164 . Odor concentrations can be varied over time by the central control unit  20 , for example, producing “pulses” if desired, or dynamically varying concentrations to increase difficulty for animals. 
     In various embodiments, the odor path components are coated in a silicon-based material that lowers surface energy and discourages adsorption of odor molecules. The odor canister devices  12 ,  14  can further be produced such that any surface that contacts an odor is made of metal and can easily be isolated from any plastic parts. This allows the odor path components to be baked in an oven to thoroughly clean them via evaporation, either as part of periodic maintenance or when changing odors, for example. 
     Through operation of the device  12  and/or  14  as described herein, a suitable quantity and concentration of a desired vapor (e.g., TNT) is released and cutoff as desired. When not in use, there is no detectable leakage of the vapor to the ambient environment. Further, surfaces within and surrounding the device do not accumulate or adsorb odor. The devices have no unintended cues that signal the production of a target odor (versus control or distractor), other than the odor itself. 
     With further reference to  FIG.  1   , a reward dispenser  16  according to the present disclosure can be provided as a type of vibratory pellet feeder that may be suitable for rewarding small animals, a gel dispenser to provide a syrup or semi-solid reward or a compressed air cartridge and valve to launch a playing item such as a tennis ball as part of a play reward for dogs. Various sizes of pellets can be used after modification of the vibratory dispensing mechanism. In various embodiments, the reward dispenser  16  includes an embedded microcontroller similar to microcontrollers  208 ,  120  of devices  12 ,  14 , respectively. The reward-emitting device  16  can thus include a reward-emitting device microcontroller, a reward-emitting device actuator and a reward release structure. A signal light can be provided on the reward dispenser to act as a cue, for example, and the light can be triggered by microcontroller upon receiving a signal from central control unit  20  that the light should be activated. Further, an electromagnetic clicker and tone, such as an audible or an ultrasonic tone, can be emitted from the reward dispenser  16  by, for example, generating the sound by a microcontroller upon receiving a signal from central control unit  20  and emitting the sound via a loudspeaker on or in communication with the dispenser  16 . In various alternative embodiments, the reward dispenser  16  is a bridge device to an existing controllable feeder or other suitable reward mechanism. For example, the bridge device can include a microcontroller and a radio transmitter for sending signals to an existing reward mechanism. As a specific example, the bridge device can receive signals from the central control unit  20  as described elsewhere herein, and when such signals indicate that a reward is to be provided, the bridge device can send a signal to close switch contacts on an existing canine treat dispenser. 
     The embedded microcontroller on the odor canister devices  12 ,  14  and reward dispenser(s)  16  coordinates all functions of the respective devices, including control of actuators, control of fans, control of lights, control of heating elements, acquisition of sensor data (e.g., odor tray present sensor or head poke sensor), monitoring of system function and health (verifying correct sensor and actuator function), battery voltage monitoring, usage statistics, and data transmission and receipt from the communications component  24 . In various embodiments, the actuators  90 ,  250  may contain an internal or external position encoder that measures the angular position of the valve. Inside the microcontroller firmware, this information is compared to the desired position and a fault is issued and reported to the central control unit  20  if the positions do not match within a specified tolerance. When present, this condition indicates a mechanical problem. 
     It will be appreciated that odor canister devices  12 ,  14  and reward dispenser  16  can be housed in high-impact enclosures made of suitable polymers. A wireless radio module (e.g., wi-fi or Zigbee or equivalent protocol) can be provided with the embedded microcontroller to establish bidirectional communication between the devices and the system base station. The radio modules can connect to the microcontroller via a serial port, for example. 
     Software programming in accordance with the present disclosure allows definition of animal performance metrics that are defined from available event data and animal position. For example, the time required to locate TNT is the elapsed time between the TNT valve being opened and the animal holding its head in the correct port for a specified time. These metrics can be collected by performance metric component  27  and stored in database  40  that can be queried for any type of comparison or analysis. It is desirable in many cases to identify animals that are not likely to succeed at the training at an early time, so they can be removed from training before resources are wasted. In various embodiments, the prediction component  28  of the present system contains a machine learning algorithm that uses early stage training data to form mathematical models that assess an animal’s likelihood of underperforming in the final odor search test. 
     The system software can include a graphical application, supporting touch screen functionality in various embodiments. The fully configurable software performs all operations relating to system function, including logic flow, acquisition of sensor data such as nose pokes, faults, etc., issuance of actuation commands such as valve opening, tone on/off, etc., logging of events and faults, and full analysis of trends from previous sessions. Such trends can include animal performance characteristics over time, and comparison between animals, for example. 
       FIG.  27    illustrates a sample user interface  300  that can be employed with software programming associated with the present system. As seen in  FIG.  27   , the user can build and select scripts as at  302  for directing operation of one or more of the devices  12 ,  14 ,  16 . The interface  300  can reveal as at  304  what odors are present in the trays of an odor-emitting device  14 , and can reveal as at  306  the intensity of the odor emission based on the settings of the valves. Details of additional odor-emitting device settings are shown at  308  and  310 , and details of reward-emitting device settings are shown at  312 . 
     As will be appreciated from the present disclosure, embodiments of a system can include at least one odor-emitting device, at least one reward-emitting device and a central control unit or base station in communication with the odor-emitting device and the reward-emitting device. The odor-emitting device can include a housing defining an odor channel, at least one odor tray secured within the housing, a controller secured within the housing, a valve actuator secured within the housing, a valve secured within the housing and a head detector secured within the housing. The reward-emitting device can include a reward-emitting device controller, a reward-emitting device actuator and a reward release structure. The central control unit can include a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an instruction to move the valve of the at least one odor-emitting device, communicate a first signal to the odor-emitting device controller to trigger the valve actuator to move the valve, receive a signal from the odor-emitting device controller that the first head detector has detected a head movement or a head position placement of an animal: and communicate a first signal to the reward-emitting device controller to trigger the reward-emitting device actuator to open the reward release structure, whereby a reward stored in the reward release structure can be released. 
     In embodiments, the first signal to the odor-emitting device controller triggers the valve actuator to move the valve to an open position whereby the at least one odor tray is in fluid communication with the odor channel. The processor can also communicate a second signal to the odor-emitting device controller to trigger the valve actuator to move the valve. It will be appreciated that the second signal to the odor-emitting device controller can trigger the valve actuator to move the valve to a closed position whereby the at least one odor tray is closed to fluid communication with the odor channel. The valves can be moved to mix odors or emit odors from multiple odor devices. 
     In various embodiments, the processor can, via prediction component  28 , predict the animal’s likelihood of meeting a performance metric based at least upon the elapsed time period. 
     The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with or in conjunction with one or more of a variety of different types of systems, such as, but not limited to, those described elsewhere herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates a variety of different systems each having one or more of a plurality of different features, attributes, or characteristics. A “system” as used herein can refer, for example, to various configurations of: (a) one or more odor-emitting devices; (b) one or more odor-emitting devices and one or more external computing devices such as central control unit  20 ; (c) one or more odor-emitting devices communicating via one or more networks: (d) one or more odor-emitting devices and one or more external computing devices communicating via one or more networks; (e) one or more personal computing devices, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, and other mobile computing devices; (f) one or more reward-emitting devices; (g) one or more odor-emitting devices and one or more reward-emitting devices; (h) one or more odor-emitting devices and one or more reward-emitting devices communicating via one or more networks; (i) one or more odor-emitting devices, one or more reward-emitting devices and one or more external computing devices; (j) one or more odor-emitting devices, one or more reward-emitting devices and one or more external computing devices communicating via one or more networks; (k) one or more sets of odor-emitting devices, one or more sets of reward-emitting devices and one or more external computing devices; (1) a base station alone or in communication with one or more of (a) through (k) above. A system as used herein can also include one or more odor-emitting and/or reward-emitting devices and a remote control unit designed to capture and amalgamate the information from connected emitting devices and transmit this information over the more general or public network with increased efficiency and security. This gateway can also act as a management tool and an emitting-device health monitor for a group of emitting devices, for example. 
     In certain embodiments in which the system includes a personal computing device in combination with a remote control unit, odor-emitting device or reward emitting device, the computing device is any suitable computing device (such as a server) that includes at least one processor and at least one memory device or data storage device. Further, the central control unit and the microcontrollers described herein can be any suitable computing device that includes at least one processor and at least one memory device or data storage device. As further described herein, these computing devices include at least one processor configured to transmit and receive data or signals representing events, messages, commands, or any other suitable information between the computing device and the odor-emitting device and/or reward-emitting device. The processor of the computing device is configured to execute the events, messages, or commands represented by such data or signals in conjunction with the operation of the computing device. Moreover, the microprocessor of the odor-emitting device and the reward-emitting device is configured to transmit and receive data or signals representing events, messages, commands, or any other suitable information between the respective emitting device and the computing device. The microprocessors of the odor-emitting device and reward-emitting device are configured to execute the events, messages, or commands represented by such data or signals in conjunction with the operation of such devices. 
     In addition, the system as presently disclosed can internally store historical data from all devices for the purposes of automatic or manual analysis to improve device operation and animal training, as well as to troubleshoot the device or the installation. Stored data can be easily retrieved over the network connection or by physical removal of a memory device and can further be erased remotely when desired. 
     It will be appreciated that any combination of one or more computer readable media may be utilized. The computer readable media may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing, including a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with a repeater, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any of a number of patentable classes or context including any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented as entirely hardware, entirely software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or combining software and hardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     It will be appreciated that all of the disclosed methods and procedures herein can be implemented using one or more computer programs or components. These components may be provided as a series of computer instructions on any conventional computer-readable medium, including RAM. SATA DOM, or other storage media. The instructions may be configured to be executed by one or more processors which, when executing the series of computer instructions, performs or facilitates the performance of all or part of the disclosed methods and procedures. 
     Unless otherwise stated, devices or components of the present disclosure that are in communication with each other do not need to be in continuous communication with each other. Further, devices or components in communication with other devices or components can communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate devices, components or other intermediaries. Further, descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure herein wherein several devices and/or components are described as being in communication with one another does not imply that all such components are required, or that each of the disclosed components must communicate with every other component. In addition, while algorithms, process steps and/or method steps may be described in a sequential order, such approaches can be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any ordering of steps described herein does not, standing alone, dictate that the steps be performed in that order. The steps associated with methods and/or processes as described herein can be performed in any order practical. Additionally, some steps can be performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously. 
     It will be appreciated that algorithms, method steps and process steps described herein can be implemented by appropriately programmed computers and computing devices, for example. In this regard, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor or controller device) receives instructions from a memory or like storage device that contains and/or stores the instructions, and the processor executes those instructions, thereby performing a process defined by those instructions. Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable media having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB.NET, Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003. Perl, COBOL 2002, PHP. ABAP, dynamic programming languages such as Python. Ruby and Groovy, or other programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on a single computer, partly on a single computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on a device microcontroller and partly on a remote computing device or entirely on the remote computing device. Further, connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider) or in a cloud computing environment or offered as a service such as a Software as a Service (SaaS). It will be appreciated that the computer code may also be implemented using an RTOS (real time operating system) together with appropriate application code to provide a faster response capability. 
     Where databases are described in the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that alternative database structures to those described, as well as other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. The drawing figure representations and accompanying descriptions of any exemplary databases presented herein are illustrative and not restrictive arrangements for stored representations of data. Further, any exemplary entries of tables, charts, graphs and parameter data represent example information only, and, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed databases) can be used to store, process and otherwise manipulate the data types described herein. Electronic storage can be local or remote storage, as will be understood to those skilled in the art. Appropriate encryption and other security methodologies can also be employed by the system of the present disclosure, as will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art.