US 6,371,451 B1 · Scent diffusion apparatus and method

Abstract

A scent diffusion apparatus and method contains individual original scents for a plurality of scents to be diffused, constructs information on position information of the contained original scents and information on various scents to be diffused in a database, and mixes the original scents of the desired scent properly at a desired point in time based on the scent information, to thereby spray the desired scent. The scent diffusion method includes providing a plurality of scent spraying units containing original scents, heating the original scents via a heater, evaporating the original scents, and diffusing the evaporated scent with the air via an air supply pump. Thus, a desired scent can be transferred to a selected subject under correct concentration. The scent diffusion apparatus uses scent cartridges containing the original scents, such as cartridges used in an existing ink-jet printer, and uses the same control commands as those of a general personal computer or ink-jet printer compatibly. Thus, the scent diffusion apparatus can control an amount of diffusion precisely, be manufactured in a compact fashion, and used in connection with a general purpose computer in which almost all kinds of operating systems supporting an ink-jet printer are incorporated.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A scent diffusion method, comprising the steps of;

(a) storing a plurality of individual original scents;
(b) constructing and storing a database containing information necessary for producing a scent to be diffused on a database, said database including the positions where each original scent is contained, and the kind, constituent ratio, concentration and diffusion condition of the original scents to be combined in order to make a set scent;
(c) reading said information concerning said scent to be diffused from said database constructed in said step (b);
and
(d) mixing and spraying corresponding one or more individual original scents according to said information read in said step (c).

2 more elements

A scent diffusion apparatus comprising:

a scent spraying means including a plurality of individual original scents for diffusing and spraying a desired scent, said scent spraying means comprising a plurality of scent spraying units, wherein each of said scent spraying unit comprises:
a dispensing means for dispensing at least one of said plurality of scents;
a heater for evaporating said original scent in said container;
an intake unit for providing a source of intake air;
and
an outlet unit for discharging a mixture containing said intake air mixed with said original scent evaporated by said heater;
a first storing unit for storing position information on each of said individual original scents contained in said scent spraying means;
a second storing unit for storing information on said desired scent to be diffused;
a timer for setting a point in time to diffuse said desired scent;
and
a controller for reading individual scent position information regarding said plurality of individual original scents and said information on said desired scent to be diffused from said first store unit and said second store unit, for setting a scent diffusion point in time in said timer according to said information read from said first storing unit and said second storing unit, and for controlling said desired scent to be diffused in said scent spraying means at said set scent diffusion point in time.

8 more elements

A scent diffusion apparatus comprising:

a scent spraying means for diffusing and spraying a desired scent having a plurality of individual original scents, wherein said scent spraying means includes a single scent spraying unit comprising:
a plurality of scent cartridges storing said plurality of individual original scents individually;
spraying nozzles provided in each of said plurality of the scent cartridges for spraying said individual original scents contained in said scent cartridges;
an evaporation dish for evaporating at least one of said original scents after said original scent is sprayed from said scent cartridges via said spraying nozzles;
an air intake unit providing a source of intake air;
and
an air outlet unit for discharging a mixed gas containing said original scents evaporated by said evaporation dish and said intake air;
a first storing unit for storing position information on each of said individual original scents contained in said scent spraying means;
a second storing unit for storing information on said scent to be diffused;
a timer for setting a point in time to diffuse said desired scent;
and
a controller for reading individual scent position information regarding said plurality of individual original scents and said information on said desired scent to be diffused from said first store unit and said second store unit, for setting a scent diffusion point in time in said timer according to said information read from said first storing unit and said second storing unit, and for controlling said desired scent to be diffused in said scent spraying means at said set scent diffusion point in time.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Scent diffusion apparatus and method

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Scent diffusion apparatus and method

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Abstract

Claims34