JP2004535906A - Substance and micrometeorological simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
The substance emitting device has a receiver for receiving a signal including at least one substance element. The apparatus further includes a substance generator for generating a plurality of desired substances. A processor communicates with the receiver and the substance generator to decode a desired substance signal and to generate and emit a selection from the desired substance corresponding to the desired substance signal from the substance generator. In addition, the device includes haptic functions such as a water fog generator and temperature control.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention generally relates to entertainment devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to substance generation in multimedia presentations, special effects including weather simulation, containment and elimination of contaminated media in indoor or outdoor (when using more than one unit) space, and crowd control. is there.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Traditional plays appeal to the audience's sight and hearing. Film or theater performances include set and props, as well as staged performances that combine speech and music.
[0003]
However, the audience has five senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. Thus, theatrical or cinematic presentations aim to create a real illusion for the audience, but with limited success. At least half of the sensations that should accompany the scene or sound are absent.
[0004]
For example, an actual thunderstorm involves more than just the flash and thunder and the sound and sight of rain. There are ozone and wet earth substances, as well as changes in temperature and humidity.
[0005]
For example, driving in a coniferous forest in the real world will give you a sense of pine substance, while walking along the seaside will add a cool breeze and salty sea breeze to the substance and taste. Garden walks have floral substance, and pubs have tobacco and beer smells.
[0006]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for a movie or theater audience to appeal to at least the smell and, to a lesser extent, the haptics, in addition to audio and visual presentations.
[0007]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means that can be used for crowd control and for the elimination and containment of contaminants in indoor or outdoor spaces.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
The provided substance generating device has a receiver for receiving a signal (manual or encoded) containing at least one substance element.
The apparatus includes a substance generator for distributing a plurality of desired substances, wherein a processor communicates with the receiver and the substance generator to decode the signal and select a desired substance corresponding to the signal. Are generated and released from the substance generator.
[0009]
The signal may be stored together with the visual image on an image storage medium. The image storage medium may be a film, an electromagnetic tape or a laser disc, commonly called a CD or DVD. The signal may be manually generated by an electronic keyboard or a switching device.
[0010]
The substance generator includes at least one substance emitter, which emits at least one selected from the group consisting of an aerosol emission and a thermal emission substance.
[0011]
The device may be a "stand-alone" unit or may comprise connection means which can be connected to a theater heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, whereby a fluid communication between the emission substance and said system is established. When enabled, the emission substance is carried to a theater by the system.
[0012]
Multiple units are used, especially for containment and evacuation purposes.
[0013]
The signal may include a temperature component, and the processor may be connected to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The processor may decode the temperature component and instruct the system to take appropriate action.
[0014]
Further, the signal may include a moisture component, and the generator may include a water fog generator. The processor may decode the moisture component and cause the water fog generator to take appropriate action.
[0015]
The substance discharger includes a plenum; a plurality of substance storage and discharge means operably connected to the processor for discharging the substance into the plenum; a compressed air source providing air to the plenum; and a substance from the plenum. And an exhaust port through which the air loaded with the air is discharged.
[0016]
The substance storage and release means may include a compressed aerosol container.
[0017]
The substance storage and release means may comprise a magazine with a plurality of substance cartridges, which are mounted around a spindle rotatable by drive means communicating with the processor. A source of compressed air may be selectively connectable to the cartridge, which allows for fluid communication, and the substance may be expelled from the cartridge with compressed air from the source of compressed air.
[0018]
The substance storage means may be a temperature release medium on the substance scroll. The scroll may move over a heater-type substance release means within the plenum. The processor is operably connected to the heater and scroll drive means such that when the scroll is wound and moved over the heater, the heater heats the thermal release medium and provides a signal from the storage substance. Release the selection into the plenum.
[0019]
The methods provided for containment and elimination of contaminated media are:
(I) operating the fan in reject mode to draw air from the affected area;
(Ii) directing the air jet to the affected area and directing the contaminated air to the fan;
(Iii) capturing contaminated air with the fan;
(Iv) separating said contaminated medium from air and preserving contaminants; introducing a neutralizing or other substance (including liquid) into the air jet directed to the contaminated area in step (ii). You can then modify this method.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020]
A substance distribution apparatus according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 in FIG. FIG. 1 is an illustration of the device 10 connected to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") system 12, such as in a theater or other building. The use of a building air distribution system to carry substances and tactile stimulants is a non-essential, but convenient, method. However, the device can also have its own delivery system, which would be necessary if there is no off-the-shelf system, such as in the field.
[0021]
The device 10 has a receiver 14 for receiving signals from a source such as an electromagnetic tape or film soundtrack 16 or a laser disk (“CD” or “DVD”) 18. The signal may be an attachment to other information, such as video or audio information, stored on a storage medium, such as in the case of a soundtrack carried by motion picture film or videotape.
[0022]
Alternatively, the signal may be manually generated by the electronic keyboard 200 or other switching device.
[0023]
The signal includes information about at least one desired substance. The signal may include information about multiple substances or additional information such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and the like. Alternatively, the substance information and additional information may be provided independently using different keys or other switches, especially in the case of a signal generator such as an electronic keyboard.
[0024]
The device 10 has a substance generator, generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The substance generator 20 can generate various substances in a manner described in detail below. The processor 30 communicates with the receiver to decode the signal and emits the desired substance from the substance generator. For example, the substance information may be associated with a flower, which may be stored with the video image of the flowerbed walk. The processor receives the signal from the storage medium and emits the flower fragrance simultaneously with the display of the video image.
[0025]
The substance generator 20 may include one or more emitters, such as an emitter 40 for emitting an aerosol-laden substance and an emitter 60 for emitting a thermal emission substance. Representative substance emitters are illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5 and are described in detail below. Any type or number of substance emitters can be connected to the substance generator 20. Some emitters may have a "stock" of commonly used substances, or may have custom substances that are more specific to a presentation. The storage and release means of the custom substance should preferably be easy to access and replaceable.
[0026]
Other devices for generating a tactile stimulant may be incorporated into the substance generator 20. For example, a water fog generator (sprayer) 80 may be used to create a humid or dense fog condition. Further, the substance generator 20 itself or an associated HVAC facility may include a heater, such as 100, controlled by the processor 30. The processor may also control the output of the fan 110 associated with or independent of the HVAC system 12 and control airflow around the audience 160, such as in a wind simulation.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a substance ejector 40 that ejects an aerosol-loaded substance. This may include substances such as ozone (thunderstorms), hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs) or other gases. The aerosol substance may also include essential oils and possibly powder.
[0028]
The substance discharger 40 has a series of compression containers 42, 44 and 46 each containing a desired substance (substance storage means). The container is in fluid communication with the plenum 48 and, upon signal from the processor, for example, disconnects the respective solenoid valves 43, 45 and 47 and selects the plenum from the aerosol containers 42, 44 and 46. It may be released temporarily. (Substance release means)
A fan 50 may be provided to carry the emission substance from the plenum 48 through the outlet 52. The fan 50 and plenum 48 may be specific to one type of substance emitter, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, or may be a different type of emitter, such as the emitters 40 and 60 of FIG. May be common.
[0029]
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a substance storage means in the form of a magazine 120, the components being refillable / replaceable, with multiple substances loaded in separate chambers or cartridges 122. The chamber 122 can be mounted around a spindle which can be rotated in turn by a suitable drive such as a motor 126. Each chamber may be pressurized or moved in front of a source of compressed air, such as a fan or compressor 128. The controller 30 communicates with the compressor 128 (the substance release means) and the motor 126 to regulate the release of the selected substance. To perform the release, a pressure valve 130 may be blown open at the opposite end of the chamber 120 to release the substance.
[0030]
With the use of the substance magazine 120, it is relatively easy to replenish the used substance cartridge 122 or replace the substance cartridge 122 with a cartridge of a different substance. For example, it may be performed during a performance. In addition, the substance magazine 120 makes it possible to supply a series of substances simultaneously with the supply of audio or an audio storage medium (such as a VCR tape or DVD).
[0031]
Another substance ejector is illustrated at 60 in FIGS. The substance discharger 60 includes a scroll 62 which is wound from a first spool 64 to a second spool 66 over a heater 68 (substance discharge means). A motor 70 or other driving means may be provided to wind the scroll. On the surface of the scroll 62, there are a plurality of thermal emission substance stripes 72 (substance storage means).
[0032]
The scroll 62 and heater 68 may be mounted inside a separate plenum or inside the main plenum 48, as shown in FIG.
[0033]
The discharge substance may be carried from the plenum 48 through the exhaust 52 using a separate fan or the system fan 50. The processor 30 controls variables such as scrolling movement, heater timing, fan intensity and timing, and performs substance emission in coordination with the visual or other media being presented.
[0034]
The emitter 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, respectively, may be used to avoid confusion of substances or inappropriate combinations of substances, such as by providing a purification outlet 90 directed away from the audience 160. Provision may be made to clean the "stand alone" emitter, such as 60. In the coalescing system 20 of FIG. 1, the control valves 140, 142, 144 and 146 of the servomechanism are controlled by the inlet 150 to the plenum 48, the outlet 152 from the plenum 48, the plenum 48 and the HVAC fan 110, respectively. To the HVAC fan 110 and between the air inlet to the HVAC fan 110.
[0035]
When the valve 144 is closed and the valves 142 and 140 are opened, the fan 50 can purify the plenum 48 through the exhaust port 152. In this case, it is desirable that the exhaust be exhausted in the opposite direction of the audience 160, and out of the building if the device is so installed.
[0036]
When the valve 144 is closed and the valve 146 is opened, the fan 110 sucks fresh air from the air inlet 154 and sends it out through the ventilation hole 164 through the pipe 162 to purify the air around the audience 160. The valves 140, 142, 144 and 146 may be controlled by the processor 30.
[0037]
The above description relates primarily to a substance distribution apparatus used primarily in connection with entertainment movies, but other applications are possible. For example, the signal may be generated by another device, such as the keyboard 200, and the release of the desired substance may be manually activated by the operator selecting an appropriate key or sequence of keys on the keyboard. Additionally, non-substance related stimuli may be created, such as a light display using a light related generator (laser, strobe, etc.) 202 associated with the device. The optical display is, for example, a laser picture show and may accompany a music presentation.
[0038]
In addition to entertainment features, the device of the present invention may be used for dissemination of other substances carried by air or gas. For example, if crowd control is required in the area where the device 10 is used, even an unpleasant substance (hydrogen sulfide, skunk, etc.) or a crowd control gas (tearing gas) such as the emitter 40 or emitter 60 From one of the substance emitters, emission may be provided if the properties of the scattering substance are appropriate.
[0039]
The device 10 may be applied in situations that require protection from toxic substances sprayed into the crowd, such as in terrorist activities. Also, if a biological threat is foreseen, the substance delivered from the emitter may include a neutralizing substance that is effective against various biological agents that may be used.
[0040]
FIG. 6 is an illustration of a "stand alone" device 300 according to the present invention. The device 300 has its own air distribution system that does not rely on off-the-shelf air distribution systems (such as building "HVAC" systems). The air delivery system includes both a compressor 302 that produces compressed air for use primarily in short rapids or high-speed directed streams, and a fan 304 for general delivery. The compressor 302 may pressurize the premix chamber 306 which communicates with the substance (or other substance) ejectors 308, 310 and 312. The premix chamber may then communicate with either the directed jet 314 and the final mix chamber 316, or with the fan 304. A heat exchanger 320 may be provided in conjunction with the fan 304 for rapid cooling and heating. The substance emitters 308, 310 and 312 may communicate directly with the fan 304.
[0041]
The fan 304 has a reverse function, and can blow air or draw air in the vicinity thereof. The drawn-in substance (or other air-borne substance) may be exhausted through outlet 324, but may be filtered through filter 326 before removing the substance from the collected air. If desired, the premix chamber 306 and final mix chamber 316 may be flushed through respective collector vents 330 and 332 using the air compressor 302 described above. And then, it may be processed and discharged through filter 340 or stored.
[0042]
The plurality of devices 300 may be used especially when the venue is large, such as a rock concert or an outdoor venue. The plurality of devices 300 may be used in cooperation. For example, one reverse fan 304 draws air from the venue (acting as a “capture and exhaust” fan), while the remaining fan 304 and directional jet 314 serve to contain and direct the stream, and Point in the direction of the trap and exhaust fan. The unit 300 can be used with a combination of lasers, ultraviolet lights, infrared lights, strobe lights and other special effects devices as generally indicated by reference numeral 350.
[0043]
Having multiple stand-alone units is very useful when infected or contaminated air needs to be contained and removed at the venue. For example, each unit 300 may be provided with a neutralizing cartridge (eg, as part of the ejector 310) containing an antitoxin or an antitoxin to provide a contaminated venue, the directional jet 314 and the exhaust fan 304. And contaminated air contained by the air. Contaminated air can be treated as appropriate or collected, for example, in a waste tank 360 provided.
[0044]
The aforementioned directed jet 314 has the additional benefit of creating high speeds and vibrations as special effects. Adjustable deflectors or diffusers 370 and 372 may be provided in association with the jet 314 and fan 304, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 1, processor 375 communicates with the system balance to receive and process the appropriate coded input, and then to process pressure, temperature, speed, direction, special effects, fan Control system parameters such as direction and substance emission.
[0045]
The above description has been made in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will be apparent to those skilled in such devices that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0046]
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a schematic diagram of a substance distribution apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a substance ejector for ejecting an aerosol-loaded substance according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a substance magazine.
FIG. 4 is a portion of FIG. 3 or a portion of line 4-4, but also includes an illustration of a substance release device and processor for use in the substance magazine of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a substance emitter according to an embodiment of a thermal emission substance emission of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a “stand-alone” unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic detail detail of a “stand-alone” unit according to the present invention.

Claims (20)

A substance distribution and generation device,
A receiver for receiving at least one signal including a substance element;
A substance generator for distributing a plurality of desired substances;
A processor that communicates with the receiver and the substance generator to decode the signal and emit the selected desired substance corresponding to the signal from the substance generator. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 1, wherein:
The signal is stored together with a visual image or an image storage medium. 3. A substance distribution and generation device according to claim 2, wherein
The image storage medium is selected from the group consisting of a film, an electromagnetic tape or a laser disk ("CD or DVD"). 4. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 3, wherein
The substance generator includes at least one substance emitter, and emits at least one selected from the group consisting of aerosol-based emission and temperature-based emission substances. An apparatus for decoding and generating a substance according to claim 4,
The apparatus includes connection means for connecting the apparatus to a heating and ventilation and air conditioning system of a theater, which allows fluid communication between the emission substance and the system, wherein the emission substance is It is carried to the theater using the system. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 5, wherein
The signal further includes a temperature component,
The processor is connected to the heating ventilation and air conditioning system,
The processor decodes the temperature element and instructs the system to take appropriate action. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 6, wherein
The signal includes a moisture component;
The apparatus includes a water fog generator;
The processor is connected to the water atomizer and decodes the moisture element to cause an appropriate response in the water atomizer. The substance dispensing and generating device according to claim 4, wherein the substance ejector comprises:
One plenum,
A plurality of substance storage and release means operably connected to the processor for releasing the substance into the plenum;
A source of compressed air for providing air to the plenum; and an exhaust port for discharging substance loaded air from the plenum. The substance dispensing and generating device according to claim 7, wherein the substance ejector comprises:
A plurality of substance storage and release means operatively connected to the plenum and discharging the substance to the plenum;
A source of compressed air for providing air to the plenum; and an exhaust port for discharging substance loaded air from the plenum. 9. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 8, wherein
The substance storage and generation means is stored in a remotely actuatable compressed aerosol container with a discharge valve. 9. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 8, wherein
The substance storage and release means is a magazine having a plurality of substance cartridges, the plurality of substance cartridges being mounted around a spindle which is in communication with the processor and which is rotated by drive means controlled thereby. .
A source of compressed air is selectively connected to the cartridge, which allows for fluid communication, wherein the substance is expelled from the cartridge by compressed air from the source of compressed air. 9. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 8, wherein
The substance storage and release means is a temperature-type release medium on the substance scroll,
Said substance scroll can be moved over a heater-type substance discharge means inside said plenum;
The processor is operatively connected to the heater and scroll drive means for moving a section of the scroll over the heater, the heater causing the scroll and the thermal discharge on the section of the substance scroll. The medium is heated to release selected material from the substance source into the plenum. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 1, wherein:
The signal is generated by an operator using a manually operable device. A substance distribution and generation device as claimed in claim 13,
The manually operable device is a keyboard. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 14, wherein:
The substance generator includes at least one substance discharger and discharges at least one selected from the group consisting of an aerosol discharge substance and a temperature discharge substance. 16. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 15, wherein
The device includes light generating means responsive to the keyboard. The substance distribution and generation device according to claim 1, wherein:
The desired substance includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a community control substance, an antibacterial substance, an antiviral substance, an antitoxin and an antidote. Methods provided for containment and elimination of contaminated media include:
(I) operating the fan in exclusion mode to draw air and substance from the affected area;
(Ii) directing the substance air jet to the affected area and directing the contaminated air to the fan;
(Iii) capturing contaminated air with the fan;
(Iv) separating the contaminated medium from air to preserve contaminants. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
And introducing a neutralizing substance into the contaminated air. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the separate fan and air jets form a part thereof,
A receiver for receiving at least one signal including a substance element;
A substance generator for distributing a plurality of desired substances;
A processor that communicates with the receiver and the substance generator to decode the signal and cause the substance generator to emit a selection from the desired substance corresponding to the signal.

Images