Multimedia and scent storage medium and playback apparatus having electrostatic scent release

A multimedia and scent-bearing medium for use in conjunction with a separate, integrated multimedia-playback and scent recovery system the multimedia and scent-bearing medium comprising:

• multimedia storage means for storing multimedia information;
• scent storage means for storing at least one scent;
• scent identification means for storing scent identification information for use by the separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system to identify the scent stored in the scent storage means;
• an electrostatic scent release means for electrostatically releasing scent from the scent storage means;
• and
• a rigid housing for enclosing the multimedia storage needs, the scent storage means, and the scent identification means, wherein said rigid housing further comprises:
• a retractable door that moves between at least two positions,
• wherein in the first of said at least two positions the door is closed, and in the second of at least two positions the door is open and exposes at least a portion of either the multimedia storage means, the scent storage means, or the scent identification means so that multimedia information, scent identification information or scent may be recovered from these means;
• an electrical connection so that a potential difference may be imparted to the electrostatic scent release means.

An integrated system comprising a multimedia and scent-bearing medium and a separate multimedia playback and scent recovery system for playback of multimedia information aid recovery of scents stored in the multimedia and scent-bearing medium wherein:

• the multimedia and scent-bearing medium comprises:
• multimedia storage means for storing multimedia information;
• scent storage means for storing at least one scent;
• scent identification means for storing scent identification information for use by the separate multimedia playback and scent recovery system to identify the scent stored in the scent storage means;
• electrostatic scent release means for releasing scent from the scent storage means;
• and
• an electrical connection for supplying electricity to the electrostatic scent release means;
• and wherein the multimedia playback and scent recovery system for use in combination with the multimedia and scent-bearing medium comprises:
• multimedia playback means for recovering the multimedia information stored in the multimedia storage means;
• scent identification information recovery means for recovering the scent identification information from the scent identification means;
• scent recovery means for recovering the scents stored in the scent. storage means, wherein said scent recovery means further comprises an electrostatic scent recovery system;
• an electrical supply for providing electricity to the multimedia and scent-bearing medium through its electrical connection;
• and
• user input and control means for permitting the user of the integrated system to input commands for controlling the playback of multimedia information and recovery of scents stored in the multimedia and scent-bearing medium.

The integrated system of claims wherein the multimedia and scent-bearing medium further comprises:

• a housing having a plurality of storage slots;
• a plurality of canisters for positioning in the storage slots, each of the canisters for storing scent, and each of said canisters also having a release valve for releasing the scents stored in the canisters;
• and
• wherein the scent identification means identifies which scents are loaded in the housing.

An integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system comprising a multimedia and scent-bearing medium and a kiosk, wherein said multimedia and scent-bearing medium comprises:

• multimedia storage means for storing multimedia information;
• scent storage means for storing at least one scent;
• scent identification means for storing scent identification information for use by the kiosk to identify the scent stored in the scent storage means;
• an electrostatic scent release means for electrostatically releasing scent from the scent storage means;
• and
• an electrical connection for accepting electric potential for use by the electrostatic scent release means;
• and
• wherein the kiosk comprises:
• a housing;
• a multimedia playback system for recovering multimedia information comprising audio information and video information from the multimedia and scent-bearing medium;
• scent, identification information recovery means for recovering the scent identification information from the scent identification means;
• speaker and amplification means for amplifying and playing back through the speakers the audio information recovered from the multimedia and scent-bearing medium;
• video display means for visually displaying video information recovered from the multimedia and scent bearing medium;
• scent recovery aid venting means for recovering scent from the multimedia and scent bearing medium and for venting the recovered scent to the vicinity of a human user of the system;
• an electrical supply for providing electricity to the multimedia and scent-bearing medium through its electrical connection;
• and
• multimedia playback and scent recovery initiation means for initiating multimedia playback and scent recovery from the multimedia and scent-bearing medium.

A multimedia and scent-bearing medium for use in combination with a separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system, wherein the separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system which comprises at least one scent release electrode, the multimedia and scent-bearing medium comprising:

• multimedia storage means for storing multimedia information;
• scent storage means for storing at least one scent;
• scent identification means for storing scent identification information for use by the separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system in identifying the scent stored in the scent storage means;
• an electrostatic scent release means for electrostatically releasing scent from the scent storage means, wherein the electrostatic scent release means further comprises;
• at least one scent release electrode for cooperating with the scent release electrode of the separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent release system;
• and
• an electrical connection so that a potential difference may be imparted between the scent release electrodes of the separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system and the multimedia and scent-bearing medium;
• and
• wherein the separate multimedia storage means, scent storage means, scent identification means and electrostatic scent release means of the multimedia and scent-bearing medium together comprise an integrated unit.

A multimedia and scent-bearing medium for use in combination with a separate, integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system, wherein the multimedia and scent-bearing medium further comprises:

• multimedia storage means for storing multimedia information;
• scent storage means for storing at least one scent;
• scent identification means for storing scent identification information for use by the separate,. integrated multimedia playback and scent recovery system to identify the scent stored in the scent storage means,
• an electrostatic scent release means for electrostatically releasing scent from the scent storage means, wherein the electrostatic scent release mean further comprises:
• at least one pair of electrodes, wherein when a potential difference is applied to the pair of electrodes, the scent stored in the scent storage means is ionized and released from the scent storage means;
• and
• wherein the separate multimedia storage means, scent storage means, scent identification means and electrostatic scent release means of the multimedia and scent-bearing medium together comprise an entered unit.