Pneumatic Vacuum System for the Delivery of Odorant Emission from Scented Substrates
The controlled delivery of odorant emissions is the primary function of this invention. Containment of the odorant emission is achieved by storing the scented material in a low vacuum chamber sealed by pair of solenoid valves at its openings. The opposite end of each solenoid valve is connected either to the ingress or egress manifold. A vacuum pump induces airflow through a chamber when the corresponding solenoids valves are opened, thereby delivering the scent into the atmosphere. An embedded micro-controller has direct control of the electromechanical devices (solenoid valves and vacuum relay). External hardware may signal the micro-controller. Additionally, application software such as those found in computer gaming, computer simulated training, interactive programs, and broadband technologies can source software enabling communication with the micro-controller over a USB port. As such, an olfactory feedback system can be realized.
This invention relates to scent dispersal devices and more particularly pertains to a new scent dispersal device for the controlled dispersion of odorant.
BACKGROUNDThe five basic human senses are visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory. Of these, stimulation of the former three senses has been paramount in many very successful entertainment and simulator systems. Olfactory stimulation however, has not received as much attention; but the evolution of computer gaming, computer simulated training, interactive programming, broadband technologies, and plastic encapsulated technologies have created an infrastructure wherein olfactory feedback systems are economically and technically feasible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONControlled dispersion of odorants is the primary function of this invention. Containment is achieved by storing the scented material in a low vacuum chamber sealed by pair of solenoid valves at its openings. The opposite end of each solenoid valve is connected either to the ingress or egress manifold. A vacuum pump induces airflow through a chamber when the corresponding solenoids valves are opened, thereby releasing the scent into the atmosphere.
An embedded micro-controller has direct control of the electromechanical devices (solenoid valves and vacuum relay). External hardware may signal the micro-controller. Additionally, application software such as those found in computer gaming, computer simulated training, interactive programs, and broadband technologies can source software enabling communication with the micro-controller over a USB port. As such, an olfactory feedback system can be realized.
Claims
1. A system for the controlled dispersion of odorant.
2. A system for olfactory feedback as applied to computer gaming, computer simulated training, interactive programs, broadband technologies, and/or plastic encapsulated essence.
3. An apparatus and method for the improved exchange of scent molecules from plastic encapsulated essence.
4. The method according to claim 3, plastic encapsulated essence.
5. The method according to claim 3, chamber.
6. The method according to claim 3, dual solenoid valve.
7. The method according to claim 3, ingress manifold.
8. The method according to claim 3, egress manifold.
9. The method according to claim 3, compressor/vacuum pump.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 21, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2012
Applicant: SENSORY ACUMEN, INC. (Orinda, CA)
Inventors: Michael Wayne Coleman, SR. (Orinda, CA), Carl Stanley Childers (Orinda, CA), Charlene Blondell Childers-Coleman (Orinda, CA)
Application Number: 13/333,423