HK1020018B - A method and apparatus for scenting rooms in a programmed manner - Google Patents

Description

Method and device for making room smell according to program

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method and a device for enabling a room to emit odor according to a program.

More particularly, it relates to methods and apparatus for scenting enclosed spaces or environments, such as television rooms, video game rooms, video disc rooms, movie theaters, theaters and the like, in accordance with preprogrammed programs.

More particularly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling indoor dissemination of scents associated with and synchronized with the episodes of a video tape, movie, video disc, theatrical performance, or even a musical series.

Background

Methods, devices and equipment for emitting indoor odor are numerous and widely commercialized. For example, there are containers for aerosols which cause the environment to smell, baubles for holding strips or tablets of fragrance which cause the bathroom to emit fragrance, devices for connecting the fragrance to the water pipes for flushing toilets and urinals, and the like. All these devices for scenting rooms provide a wide variety of scents, such as lavender, wildflowers, candy with sweetmeat, and turfgrass, among others.

In addition to these currently available items, several patent documents disclose methods and devices for odorizing rooms. Including methods and apparatus for emitting various scents in a predetermined sequence. One example of this is US5,069,876 published on 3.12.1991, which discloses a display of a product being sold, essentially an audio device associated with a scent emitting apparatus. Such a device can also be used in a picture presentation device. The functions of these devices may be set in a preselected manner. Patent application FR2,553,666 published on 26.4.1985 mentions a single portable device that can emit various perfume smells according to the appearance of the audio-visual. US4,603,030, published 29/7/1986, refers to a system for emitting different scents at predetermined times in a predetermined programmed sequence. Patent application EP 0295129, published 12/14/1988, discloses a method and apparatus for emitting different fragrances from different storage containers into the surroundings in a time sequence controlled by a timer. US5,342,584 issued on 8/30 1994 discloses a battery-powered device that emits at least two different scents from a capsule impregnated with fragrance. US patent 5,273,690 issued on 28.12.1993 discloses a device using compressed air and a cartridge containing various fragrances in individual cells. The walls of these cells can be torn apart to release the scent into the flowing compressed air. US5,178,327 issued on 12.1.1993 discloses a device for dispensing different fragrances selected by a rotating drum or disk into a room. UK patent application UK 2256589 published 16.12.1992 discloses a device for emitting different fragrances into a room having a plurality of compartments. Patent application UK 2249958, published on 27/5 1992, discloses a device for generating a fragrance selected by a user from a remote location.

However, a method of emitting odor to the room in a timed manner according to the scenes in the performance has not been proposed so far. The scenario referred to herein is a picture of a movie on television, a picture of a video tape and a video disc, a picture of a movie in a movie theater, a picture of a stage play or an artistic performance and a musical play, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a method for emitting scents in a room that is consistent and synchronized with a performance episode.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for diffusing odors in indoor or ambient environments (preferably enclosed spaces such as television rooms, video and video studios, movie theaters, theaters and performance halls, etc.) that are compatible and synchronized with the movies or programs being performed.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for carrying out the above method.

The technical scheme of the invention in the aspect of the method is that the method for discharging a series of smells into a room in a way of adapting to the program plot and synchronously comprises the steps of selecting at least one of a group of capsules containing smelling substances, which are arranged on a rotating disc in a case, according to an electronic signal related to the program plot according to the time sequence; making the selected flavor capsules fall into a tray below the turntable; an air flow is created within the cabinet to expel the scent from the cabinet into the room.

According to the invention, the indoor environment emits several different smells in the sequence of the events of a show (such as a movie, a drama or a performance), and the smells emitted at the place of the show can make the audience obtain the feeling of being personally on the scene like a host man in the show.

In another aspect, the invention provides a device for dispensing a sequence of scents into a room in synchronization with and in correspondence with a program episode, the device comprising an electronic signal generator, the device further comprising: a cabinet having at least one hole formed on one surface thereof and the other surface opposite thereto; a movable drawer box is arranged in the case, and a hollow part is arranged in the movable drawer box; a carousel supported by the drawer, the carousel being capable of carrying a group of capsules filled with a scent and rotating in response to an electronic signal; a tool for opening a preselected capsule above the hollowed-out portion; a tray below the movable drawer box for receiving the flavor substance dripping from the capsule; a fan facing the tray and driven by an electronic signal to discharge the scent through at least one hole in one side of the housing.

The device according to the invention comprises a carrier divided into separate compartments, each compartment containing a different fragrance for emission to a performance site.

The accompanying drawings will be referred to in order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, and are not intended to limit the invention thereto, but rather are to be construed as merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a carrier member comprised of fragrance-containing cells;

fig. 4 is a top view of a cinema equipped with the apparatus of the present invention.

Description of the specific embodiments

The present invention provides a method for scenting an indoor or ambient environment (preferably an enclosed space) which enables a series of scents to be dispersed into the environment in synchronism with the program being played (e.g., a movie picture, a theatrical or artistic performance, and a musical series). The order of scent emission into the room is controlled by a carrier containing the scenting substance or mixture, the time of emission being coordinated with the beginning of a plot and synchronized with the plot's pose, venue and action. Thus, the viewer can be made more realistic with respect to the scenes he sees by smelling the odor peculiar to the place where each scene occurs.

The materials and mixtures used to generate the odours in the method of the invention should be manufactured or formulated in accordance with the standards for the products to be inhaled by humans. They must therefore be non-toxic, non-allergenic, non-irritating and as far as possible non-irritating to the surroundings. The number of formulations that can be used in the method of the invention is not limited, but at least should include formulations that mimic the most common odors that occur in our surroundings on a daily basis, such as the odor of rain, the odor of moist soil, the odor of flowers in courtyards, the odor of dust, the odor of forests, and the like. However, to avoid the use of malodorous odors, at least strong malodors cannot be present. The odoriferous substances and compounds may be in the form of powder, granules or liquid, and thus should be appropriately packaged according to kinds. Each package should be individually separable and should contain a quantity of the substance that emits the scent so that it can be easily broken open in a predetermined sequence to emit the scent at a predetermined time.

Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show an example of a device for carrying out the method according to the invention, comprising a housing (1), generally rectangular, with an aperture (2) in the front of the housing along its length and an aperture (7) in the rear. A movable drawer box (3) is arranged above the small hole (2), and a circular recess (4) is arranged in the drawer box, wherein a hollow part (5) is arranged in the recess. The two sides of the movable drawer box (3) are provided with guide slots (6) for guiding when being pulled in and pulled out.

The machine case (1) is divided into an upper chamber (12) and a lower chamber (8) by a sloping plate (9), the sloping plate (9) extends from the rear part (9 ') of the machine case (1) to the middle part (9'), a channel is formed in the lower chamber (8), and a shell of the mechanism (13) is formed. The lower chamber (8) has a space behind it for mounting a small fan (11) which faces a tray (10) mounted at the front end of the lower chamber (8) of the cabinet (1).

The mechanism (13) is inserted in the central hole (14) of the disc (15) containing the flavor capsule (16) and has a vertically movable part (17) with a pointed element (18) for puncturing the flavor capsule (16). For this purpose, the capsule (16) must be made of a material that can be pierced by the sharp element (18).

The device is an electronic device and operates according to signals sent from videotape, video disc, or software pre-built in, for example, a microcomputer. Thus, a disc (15) containing a sequence of flavor capsules corresponding to a program, movie or show content is suitably loaded into a drawer (3) and the drawer is closed. When a certain smell is required, the mechanism (13) rotates the disc (15) to place the capsule (16) of the required smell under the element (17) according to the requirements of the scene, and the capsule is punctured and torn by the spike (18) when the element (17) moves up and down. The flavouring substance or mixture contained in the capsule (16) then falls into the tray (10) and at the same time the small fan (11) is turned on, drawing air in through the rear apertures (7) and creating an air flow in the lower chamber (8) of the plate (9) which expels the flavouring in the tray through the front apertures (2). This gives the smell to the room where the program is being shown and spreads out, creating a sense of realism for the viewer. By the time the next episode requires another specific scent, the device selects the capsule of another scent to open, and so on.

The duration of the odor emission can be controlled, for example, by preparing the chemical components in advance at least for each occasion, or by placing an odor-stopping agent (e.g., chemical stopping agent) in each capsule (16) in advance. Thus, each program carousel has its own flavor capsule ordering. This does not preclude the use of randomly arranged flavor capsules for a program.

The whole device, including the mechanism (13), the pricking element (17) and the fan (11) are driven by electric signals, which are inaudible to the viewer. So that no sounds or noises that make the viewer feel strange are generated during the program performance.

The method and the device of the invention are suitable for being used in a wide range of occasions. For example, the movie may be designed as it is, or may be rearranged to synchronize with the respective scenes. The old film can be re-edited with a signal synchronized with the device of the invention, or a video tape can be produced with a signal synchronized with the device.

The discs in the device may be made disposable or may be made to be re-arrangeable. The rearrangement is to re-fill the flavor capsule according to the corresponding movie scenario.

The apparatus of the present invention is typically small and may be mounted on a television set, video recorder or a microcomputer with a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM). As can be seen from fig. 4, several devices (1) can be conveniently distributed in a larger living room, such as a cinema. All devices are then actuated simultaneously and the discs carried are identical. The device of the invention can even be incorporated in a television set, as is the case with current video recorders and television sets.

Claims (9)

1. A method for dispensing a sequence of scents into a room in coordination with and in synchronization with a program episode, comprising:

selecting at least one of a plurality of capsules (16) containing a flavoring substance, which are mounted on a turntable (15) in a cabinet (1), in time series in accordance with an electronic signal related to the scenario of a program;

the selected flavor capsules fall into a tray (10) below the turntable;

an air flow is created within the cabinet to expel the scent from the cabinet into the room.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the capsule (16) is opened after being punctured.

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the air flow is caused by a fan (11) arranged in the cabinet.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the capsule (16) is opened on the basis of an electronic signal obtained from a video tape or a video disc, or from microcomputer software.

5. An apparatus for dispensing a stream of scents into a room in coordination with and in synchronization with the programming episode, the apparatus comprising an electronic signal generator, the apparatus further comprising:

a housing (1) having at least one opening (2, 7) in one side and the opposite side;

a movable drawer box (3) is arranged in the machine box, and a hollow part (5) is arranged in the movable drawer box;

a carousel (15) supported by the drawer (3) and able to be loaded with a set of capsules (16) filled with scents and to rotate in response to electronic signals;

a tool (18) for opening a preselected capsule (16) above the hollowed portion;

a tray (10) below the mobile drawer box (3) for receiving the flavouring substance dripping from the capsules;

a fan (11) facing said tray (10) and driven by an electronic signal to expel the odours through at least one hole (2) in one face of the cabinet.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for opening the capsule comprise a spike (18) which is vertically movable above the disc.

7. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (1) is divided into an upper and a lower chamber (12, 8) by a plate (9) extending from the rear to the front.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the mobile drawer (3) and the turntable (15) are located in the upper compartment (12) of the cabinet, while the tray (10) and the fan (11) are located in the lower compartment (8) of the cabinet.

9. A device according to claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that the capsule (16) is opened in response to an electronic signal from a video tape or disc, or from microcomputer software.