KR20210150700A - Scent device and method capable of selectively spraying scent and controlling concentration - Google Patents

Abstract

A scent diffusing device and a method thereof are provided. The scent diffusing device includes: a scent providing unit including a plurality of scent valves providing scent of a plurality of fragrance cartridges, and a plurality of air valves providing air; a scent mixing unit for mixing the scent provided through the plurality of incense valves and the air provided through the plurality of air valves to output diffused scent; and a scent concentration controlling unit for controlling the plurality of scent valves to select at least some of the plurality of scent cartridges, and controlling the plurality of air valves to provide air to the scent mixing unit.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD CAPABLE OF SELECTIVELY SPRAYING SCENT AND CONTROLLING CONCENTRATION

The present invention relates to a fragrance diffusing apparatus and method capable of selectively spraying fragrance and controlling concentration.

A scent diffusing device (or a scent diffusing device) is a device that emits incense. The scent diffusing device may be used to increase the sense of reality of the content by adding an olfactory expression to digital content expressed in audio, video, haptics, etc., for example. To this end, the scent diffusing device may be used in a sensory experience hall or a 4D theater. On the other hand, the scent diffusing device can be used in a healing service that provides emotional enhancement, mental and physical stability, etc. by spraying a suitable scent in conjunction with a smart device in the home, and olfactory recognition for a specific smell that can appear as a precursor to various diseases. It can also be used for the purpose of examining functional disorders.

In particular, when used for an olfactory cognitive function test, the scent diffusing device is used for a screening purpose for pre-testing a disease, and thus very precise and accurate performance is required. For example, in order to test whether a corresponding smell can be recognized while variously changing the type and concentration of the scent output from the scent diffusing device, selection of a scent required for the test and the concentration of the emitted scent precise control is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a scent diffusing device and method in which the scent diffusing device can emit various scents and precisely control the concentration of a scent output from the scent diffusing device.

A fragrance diffusing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a fragrance providing unit including a plurality of incense valves providing fragrance to a plurality of fragrance cartridges, and a plurality of air valves providing air; a fragrance mixing unit that mixes the fragrance provided through the plurality of incense valves and the air provided through the plurality of air valves to output a diffused fragrance; and a fragrance concentration controller for controlling a plurality of fragrance valves to select at least some of the plurality of fragrance cartridges, and controlling a plurality of air valves to provide air to the fragrance mixing unit.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the fragrance concentration control unit adjusts the ratio of fragrance and air provided from a plurality of fragrance cartridges to a desired concentration, and feedback for changing the concentration when the concentration is out of the range of a desired value using a flow meter Control may be performed, and only a fragrance cartridge to be used may be selected from among a plurality of fragrance cartridges. Accordingly, the concentration of the diffused fragrance emitted from the fragrance mixing unit can be precisely adjusted, and furthermore, various fields to which the fragrance diffusion apparatus and method according to the present invention are applied, for example, an olfactory perception test device, sensory experience hall, 4D theater, and healing It is possible to increase the accuracy and reliability of olfactory-related functions in service-providing devices, etc.

1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fragrance cartridge of a fragrance diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mixer of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a smell diffusion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device for implementing the scent diffusing device and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification and claims, when a part "includes" a certain element, it means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as "...unit", "...group", and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which is hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. can be implemented as

1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention can emit various scents and precisely control the concentration of the output scent. To this end, the fragrance diffusing device may include a fragrance concentration controller 100 , a fragrance providing unit 200 , and a fragrance mixing unit 300 .

The fragrance concentration control unit 100 may adjust the concentration of the fragrance provided from the fragrance providing unit 200 to the fragrance mixing unit 300 . Specifically, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 may adjust the amount of fragrance provided from the fragrance providing unit 200 to the fragrance mixing unit 300 , and may also adjust the amount of air provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 . have. Here, the air may be external air provided from the outside of the scent diffusing device, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The fragrance providing unit 200 may provide a fragrance to the fragrance mixing unit 300 . Specifically, the fragrance providing unit 200 produces a specific fragrance having a predetermined concentration required according to a specific implementation purpose, for example, an olfactory cognitive function test purpose, under the control of the fragrance concentration controller 100 , the fragrance mixing unit 300 . can be provided to

The fragrance cartridge 201 may include a plurality of fragrance cartridges C1 to C8 as shown in FIG. 2 . The plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) may all provide the same fragrance, and each of the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) may all provide different fragrances, and the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) may all provide a different fragrance. Some of them may provide different fragrances and others may provide the same fragrance. Accordingly, the fragrance providing unit 200 selects at least some of the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) to select a specific fragrance required according to a specific implementation purpose, for example, an olfactory cognitive function test purpose, and mix it with a fragrance mixing unit (300) can be provided.

The valve 203 may include a plurality of direction valves (V11 to V18 and V21 to V28) and a plurality of air valves (V31 to V37) as shown in FIG. 2 . The plurality of incense valves V11 to V18 and V21 to V28 may be used to select a fragrance cartridge to be used and a fragrance cartridge not to be used among the plurality of incense cartridges C1 to C8. The plurality of air valves V31 to V37 may be used to selectively introduce air (eg, external air) into the fragrance mixing unit 300 .

The fragrance providing unit 200 uses the fragrance cartridge 201 and the valve 203 to provide various fragrances to the fragrance mixing unit 300 , while controlling the amount of fragrance and air provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 . By doing so, concentration control can be performed.

The fragrance mixing unit 300 may mix the fragrance provided from the fragrance providing unit 200 with air under the control of the fragrance concentration controller 100 , and then output it as a divergent fragrance. The emitted scent may be provided to a person through, for example, an olfactory perception test device, a sensory experience center, a 4D theater, a healing service providing device, and the like.

Hereinafter, a scent diffusing apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8 .

2 is a block diagram illustrating a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a fragrance cartridge of the scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented to include eight scent cartridges. Of course, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is merely a configuration shown by way of example for convenience of description, and specific configurations, including the number of incense cartridges and the number of valves, may be changed according to the actual implementation purpose.

The incense providing unit 200 includes a plurality of incense cartridges (C1 to C8), a plurality of incense valves (V11 to V18 and V21 to V28) providing the fragrance of the plurality of incense cartridges (C1 to C8), and a plurality of providing air of air valves (V31 to V37).

Referring to FIG. 3 together, for example, the fragrance cartridge C1 may include a solid fragrance (odorant) therein, and a fragrance gas vaporized from the solid fragrance. And the fragrance cartridge (C1) may include an inlet (In) and an outlet (Out). A plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) may be implemented in the form shown in FIG. 3, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number and location of the inlet and outlet may vary, and the shape of the incense included therein is not necessarily limited to the solid scent.

In this embodiment, the plurality of incense valves (V11 to V18 and V21 to V28) may be disposed at the inlet or outlet of the plurality of incense cartridges (C1 to C8). For example, the incense valve V11 may be disposed at the inlet of the incense cartridge C1, and the incense valve V21 may be disposed at the outlet of the incense cartridge C1. In addition, the incense valve (V12) may be disposed at the inlet of the incense cartridge (C2), the incense valve (V22) may be disposed at the outlet of the incense cartridge (C2). Similarly, the incense valve (V13) may be disposed at the inlet of the incense cartridge (C3), and the incense valve (V23) may be disposed at the outlet of the incense cartridge (C3). In addition, the incense valve (V14) may be disposed at the inlet of the incense cartridge (C4), the incense valve (V24) may be disposed at the outlet of the incense cartridge (C4).

The fragrance valves V12 and V22 may be opened or closed according to the control of the fragrance concentration controller 100 , for example. That is, the fragrance concentration controller 100 may select the fragrance cartridge C1 by opening the fragrance valves V11 and V21, or may not select the fragrance cartridge C1 by closing the fragrance valves V11 and V21.

Furthermore, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 may select the fragrance cartridges C1 and C2 by opening the fragrance valves V11, V12, V21, and V22, and the fragrance concentration controller 100 includes only the fragrance valves V11 and V21. By opening and closing the incense valves (V12, V22), only the incense cartridge (C1) can be selected among the incense cartridges (C1, C2), and the incense concentration control unit 100 closes the incense valves (V11, V12, V21, V22) Thus, instead of selecting all of the incense cartridges C1 and C2, for example, the incense valves V13 and V23 may be opened to select the cartridge C3.

On the other hand, the plurality of air valves (V31 to V37) may provide air introduced through a passage not shown in the drawing to the mixers 301 , 303 , 305 , and 307 of the fragrance mixing unit 300 . Specifically, the plurality of air valves (V31 to V37), for example, may be opened or closed according to the control of the fragrance concentration control unit (100). That is, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 may open the air valve V31 to introduce air into the mixer 301 , or close the air valve V31 to not introduce air into the mixer 301 .

In this embodiment, at least one of the plurality of incense valves V11 to V18 and V21 to V28 and the plurality of air valves V31 to V37 may be a solenoid valve. A solenoid valve refers to a valve that opens and closes by the power of a solenoid that can convert electric energy into kinetic energy by approaching a magnetic material inside it by using the phenomenon that a magnetic field is generated when a current is passed through a coil wound in a circle, The scent diffusing device according to the present invention may use all types of generally known solenoid valves. Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and other valves other than the solenoid valve type may be used.

The fragrance concentration control unit 100 selects at least some of the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) by controlling the plurality of fragrance valves (V11 to V18 and V21 to V28), and controls the plurality of air valves (V31 to V37) to provide air to the fragrance mixing unit 300 .

The fragrance concentration control unit 100 may include a first pump 101 and a first flow meter 103 . The first pump 101 may control the amount of fragrance provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 from the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8). And the first flow meter 103 may detect the amount of the fragrance provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 from the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8). That is, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 may detect the concentration of the fragrance provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 based on the value of the first flow meter 103 , and the detected fragrance concentration corresponds to a preferred range of values. When the fragrance is continued to be provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300, or when the concentration of the detected fragrance is out of the range of a desired value, the first pump 101, a plurality of incense valves V11 to V18 and V21 to V28, and The fragrance concentration may be changed by controlling the plurality of air valves V31 to V37.

Also, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 may include a second pump 105 and a second flow meter 105 . The second pump 105 may adjust the amount of air provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 . And the second flow meter 107 may detect the amount of air provided to the fragrance mixing unit (300). That is, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 may detect the amount of air provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 based on the value of the second flow meter 107 , and the amount of the fragrance detected from the first flow meter 103 . If the concentration of the fragrance calculated in consideration of the value falls within the range of the desired value, the air is continued to be provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300, or when the concentration of the calculated fragrance is out of the range of the preferred value, the second pump 105 , a plurality of incense valves V11 to V18 and V21 to V28 and a plurality of air valves V31 to V37 may be controlled to change the incense concentration.

In this embodiment, only the first pump 101, the first flow meter 103, the second pump 105, and the second flow meter 105 are illustrated for convenience of explanation, but the scope of the present invention is limited thereto However, the number and arrangement of pumps and flow meters may vary according to specific implementation purposes.

The fragrance mixing unit 300 mixes the fragrance provided through the plurality of incense valves (V11 to V18 and V21 to V28) with the air provided through the plurality of air valves (V31 to V37) to output a divergent fragrance. have. Specifically, the fragrance mixing unit 300 includes a plurality of mixers 301, 303, 305, and 307, and the mixer 301 mixes the fragrance and air provided from at least one of the fragrance cartridges C1 and C2. The output is as the diverging scent Out1, and the mixer 303 may mix the scent and air provided from at least one of the scent cartridges C3 and C4 and output it as the diverging scent Out2.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the fragrance mixing unit 300 includes four mixers 301 , 303 , 305 , 307 and each mixer includes fragrance and air provided from at least one of the two fragrance cartridges. Although illustrated to be mixed, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the specific number and arrangement may vary according to specific implementation purposes.

In this way, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 adjusts the ratio of fragrance and air provided from the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8) to a desired concentration, and uses a flow meter to adjust the concentration when the concentration is outside the desired range of values. A changing feedback control may be performed, and only a fragrance cartridge to be used among the plurality of fragrance cartridges C1 to C8 may be selected. Accordingly, the concentration of the diffused fragrance emitted from the fragrance mixing unit 300 can be precisely adjusted, and furthermore, various fields to which the fragrance diffusion apparatus and method according to the present invention are applied, for example, an olfactory perception test device, a sensory experience hall, 4D It is possible to increase the accuracy and reliability of olfactory-related functions in theaters and devices that provide healing services.

4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may select scent cartridges C1, C3, C6, and C7 from among the plurality of scent cartridges C1 to C8. Specifically, the incense concentration control unit 100 opens the incense valves V11, V13, V16, V17, V21, V23, V26. V27, and among the plurality of incense cartridges C1 to C8, the incense cartridges C1, C3, C6. , C7) and closing the incense valves V12, V14, V15, V18, V22, V24, V25, V28, of the plurality of incense cartridges C1 to C8, the incense cartridges C2, C4, C5, C8 may not be selected. Accordingly, the fragrance of the fragrance cartridge (C1, C3, C6, C7) may be provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300.

In addition, the fragrance diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may adjust the concentration of the fragrance provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 by using the first pump 101 and the first flow meter 103 . The scent diffusing device may first set and operate the first pump 101 with a predetermined intensity according to a concentration desired by a user, that is, a value of the desired concentration. Then, the fragrance is output from the selected incense cartridges (C1, C3, C6, C7) among the plurality of incense cartridges (C1 to C8), and the fragrance diffusing device may detect the current concentration value based on the value of the first flow meter 103 . .

When the detected current concentration falls within a range of values desirable for a specific implementation purpose, the scent diffusing device may continue to provide the scent to the scent mixing unit 300 at the corresponding concentration. Alternatively, when the detected current concentration does not fall within a range of a desired value for a specific implementation purpose, the scent diffusing device may adjust the scent concentration by changing the intensity of the first pump 101 .

Accordingly, the mixer 301 may mix the fragrance provided from the selected fragrance cartridge C1 and the air introduced as necessary to output the divergent fragrance Out1 of a desired concentration. Similarly, each of the mixers 303 , 305 , 307 mixes the fragrance provided from the selected fragrance cartridges C3 , C6 , and C7 with the incoming air as needed to achieve a desired concentration of the diffused fragrance Out2, Out3, Out4 ) can be printed individually.

5 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may select the scent cartridges C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, and C7 from among the plurality of scent cartridges C1 to C8. Specifically, the fragrance concentration control unit 100 opens the fragrance valves (V11, V12, V13, V14, V16, V17, V21, V22, V23, V24, V26. V27) of the plurality of fragrance cartridges (C1 to C8). The incense cartridge (C5, C8) among the plurality of incense cartridges (C1 to C8) by selecting the incense cartridge (C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, C7), and closing the incense valve (V15, V18, V25, V28) may not be selected. Accordingly, the fragrance of the fragrance cartridge (C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, C7) to the fragrance mixing unit 300 may be provided.

In addition, the fragrance diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may adjust the concentration of the fragrance provided to the fragrance mixing unit 300 by using the first pump 101 and the first flow meter 103 . The scent diffusing device may first set and operate the first pump 101 with a predetermined intensity according to a concentration desired by a user, that is, a value of the desired concentration. Then, the fragrance is output from the selected incense cartridges (C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, C7) among the plurality of incense cartridges (C1 to C8), and the scent diffusing device determines the current concentration value based on the value of the first flow meter 103 . can be detected.

When the detected current concentration falls within a range of values desirable for a specific implementation purpose, the scent diffusing device may continue to provide the scent to the scent mixing unit 300 at the corresponding concentration. Alternatively, when the detected current concentration does not fall within a range of a desired value for a specific implementation purpose, the scent diffusing device may adjust the scent concentration by changing the intensity of the first pump 101 .

Accordingly, the mixer 301 may mix the fragrance provided from the selected fragrance cartridges C1 and C2 and the air introduced as necessary to output the divergent fragrance Out1 of a desired concentration, and the mixer 303 may select the selected The fragrance provided from the incense cartridges C3 and C4 may be mixed with air introduced as necessary to output the divergent fragrance Out2 of a desired concentration. On the other hand, the mixer 305 may output the divergent fragrance Out3 of a desired concentration by mixing the fragrance provided from the selected fragrance cartridge C6 and the air introduced as necessary, and the mixer 307 is the selected fragrance cartridge By mixing the fragrance provided from (C7) and the incoming air, if necessary, the diffused fragrance Out4 of a desired concentration may be output.

6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may control the amount of air provided to the scent mixing unit 300 by opening the air valves V31 , V33 , V35 , and V37 . The scent diffusing device may first set and operate the second pump 105 with a predetermined intensity to create a scent of a desired concentration, that is, a desired concentration. Then, the fragrance is output from the fragrance cartridge selected from among the plurality of fragrance cartridges C1 to C8 , and the fragrance diffusing device may detect a current concentration value based on the value of the second flow meter 107 .

When the detected current concentration falls within a range of a desired value for a specific implementation purpose, the fragrance diffusing device may continue to provide air to the fragrance mixing unit 300 with the corresponding setting. Alternatively, when the detected current concentration does not fall within a range of values desirable for a specific implementation purpose, the scent diffusing device adjusts the amount of air provided to the scent mixing unit 300 by changing the intensity of the second pump 105 . can

Accordingly, the mixer 301 may mix the fragrance provided from the selected fragrance cartridge and the air in an amount adjusted using the air valve V31 to output the divergent fragrance Out1 of a desired concentration. Likewise, each of the mixers 303 , 305 , 307 mixes the fragrance provided from the selected fragrance cartridge with a controlled amount of air using the air valves V33 , V35 , and V37 to achieve a desired concentration of the emitted fragrance Out2 , Out3, Out4) can be output respectively.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mixer of a scent diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the mixer 301 of the fragrance diffusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air inlet 3011 , a first fragrance inlet 3012 , a second fragrance inlet 3013 , a falcon 3014 , and mixing. It may include a mixing hole 3015 and an outlet 3016 . Of course, the configuration of the mixer 301 is merely exemplary, and the detailed configuration may vary according to specific implementation purposes. In addition, for convenience of explanation, it is obvious that the structure of the mixer 301 and the description related thereto, which are described with reference to FIG. 7 as an example, are equally applicable to the mixers 303 , 305 , and 307 .

The air inlet 3011 receives air introduced by the air valve V31, and the first fragrance inlet 3012 inputs the fragrance provided from the fragrance cartridge C1 selected by the incense valves V11 and V21. Received, the second fragrance injection port 3013 may receive the fragrance provided from the fragrance cartridge (C2) selected by the fragrance valves (V12, V22).

The received fragrance and air move to the falcon 3014 and start mixing. The falcon 3014 is shown in FIG. 7 to generate a vortex with respect to the incense and air introduced through the air inlet 3011, the first fragrance inlet 3012, and the second fragrance inlet 3013. As shown, it may have a screw groove structure. Accordingly, the fragrance and air introduced through the air inlet 3011 , the first fragrance inlet 3012 , and the second fragrance inlet 3013 can be more actively mixed.

The fragrance and air that have passed through the falcon 3014 may be further mixed in the mixing hole 3015 , and the divergent fragrance generated in the mixing hole 3015 may be discharged through the outlet 3016 .

In this way, using the mixer 301 having the falcon 3014, the air introduced by the air valve V31, and the fragrance provided from the fragrance cartridge C1 selected by the incense valves V11 and V21, By sufficiently mixing the fragrance provided from the incense cartridge C2 selected by the incense valves V12 and V22, the finally generated diffused fragrance may have a uniform concentration.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a smell diffusion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the scent diffusing method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be executed using, for example, a computing device 50 to be described later with reference to FIG. 9 .

Specifically, in the scent diffusing method, the desired concentration value input from the user using the user interface input device 540 is set in the memory 530 ( S801 ) and the processor 510 is used to set the desired concentration value. It may include a step (S803) of setting the first pump 101 and the second pump 105 to a predetermined intensity accordingly.

In addition, the scent diffusing method, using the processor 510, operating the first pump 101 and the second pump 105 (S805) and a plurality of incense valves (V11) providing the scent of a plurality of incense cartridges to V18 and V21 to V28) and opening at least some of the plurality of air valves V31, V33, V35, and V37 for providing air (S807).

In addition, the smell diffusion method, using the processor 510 , based on the values of the first flowmeter 103 connected to the first pump 101 and the second flowmeter 107 connected to the second pump 105 , the current concentration It may include the step of detecting a value (S809) and the step of emitting the scent (S811) when the concentration of the detected fragrance matches the set concentration value or is within a predetermined range based on the set concentration value (S809, Yes) have. On the other hand, if the concentration of the detected fragrance does not match the set concentration value or is out of a predetermined range based on the set concentration value (S809, No), the scent diffusing method proceeds to step S803 to the first pump 101 and The intensity of the second pump 105 may be adjusted or changed.

9 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device for implementing the scent diffusing device and method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the scent diffusing apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented using a computing device 50 .

The computing device 50 includes at least one of a processor 510 , a memory 530 , a user interface input device 540 , a user interface output device 550 , and a storage device 560 in communication via a bus 520 . can do. Computing device 50 may also include network interface 570 electrically connected to network 40 , such as a wireless network. The network interface 570 may transmit or receive signals with other entities through the network 40 .

The processor 510 may be implemented in various types such as an application processor (AP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), and the like, and executes a command stored in the memory 530 or the storage device 560 . It may be any semiconductor device that does The processor 510 may be configured to implement the functions and methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 .

The memory 530 and the storage device 560 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory may include a read-only memory (ROM) 531 and a random access memory (RAM) 532 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 530 may be located inside or outside the processor 510 , and the memory 530 may be connected to the processor 510 through various known means.

In addition, at least some of the scent diffusing device and method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a program or software executed in the computing device 50 , and the program or software may be stored in a computer-readable medium.

In addition, at least some of the scent diffusing device and method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as hardware capable of being electrically connected to the computing device 50 .

According to the embodiments of the present invention described so far, the fragrance concentration control unit adjusts the ratio of the fragrance and the air provided from the plurality of fragrance cartridges to a desired concentration, and changes the concentration when the concentration is out of the range of the desired value by using a flow meter feedback control can be performed, and only a fragrance cartridge to be used among a plurality of fragrance cartridges can be selected. Accordingly, the concentration of the diffused fragrance emitted from the fragrance mixing unit can be precisely adjusted, and furthermore, various fields to which the fragrance diffusion apparatus and method according to the present invention are applied, for example, an olfactory perception test device, sensory experience hall, 4D theater, and healing It is possible to increase the accuracy and reliability of olfactory-related functions in service-providing devices, etc.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements by those with knowledge also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (1)

a fragrance providing unit including a plurality of incense valves providing fragrance of a plurality of fragrance cartridges, and a plurality of air valves providing air;
a fragrance mixing unit for mixing the fragrance provided through the plurality of incense valves and the air provided through the plurality of air valves to output a divergent fragrance; and
Controlling the plurality of incense valves to select at least some of the plurality of fragrance cartridges, and controlling the plurality of air valves comprising a fragrance concentration control unit for providing air to the fragrance mixing unit
incense device.

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