WO2005039658A1

WO2005039658A1 - Personal scent diffuser

Info

Publication number: WO2005039658A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/052171
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Marmaropoulos
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
Priority date: 2003-10-22
Filing date: 2004-10-21
Publication date: 2005-05-06

Abstract

The present invention provides a personal scent diffuser (10) that can be integrated in an electronic device (14) by selectively heating a scent capsule (12) containing a plurality of microcapsules (12a) to generate different fragrances, which correspond with the audio/video content of the electronic device (11). The diffuser (10) enables a controlled release of a microencapsulated substance, which is situated below the nose.

Description

PERSONAL SCENT DIFFUSER

The present invention relates to a device for enabling diffusion of various scents. More specifically, the present invention relates to a personal scent diffuser, situated below a user's nose, to allow the scent to be delivered in a discreet and direct way without being diffused to the surrounding air. Recently, there have been attempts to manufacture and sell digital scent diffusers that are capable of diffusing scents associated with CD-ROM contents or websites. One of the main disadvantages of these devices is that they diffuse the scent into the surrounding air. As a result, the user's surrounding environment is polluted and thus makes it difficult to have a quick sequence of different scents as there is not enough time to clear the previous scent. The present invention is directed at overcoming this drawback by proposing a scent diffuser that is effective and of low cost to manufacture. The present invention discloses a scent diffuser system, which can be incorporated into a portable electronic device for passing scent that matches the content of the audio and/or video to enhance the user's experience. The system allows a controlled release of a microencapsulated substance and includes at least one scent capsule, situated below the nose, and means for passing a current to selectively heat a specific region or combination of regions of the microcapsule to release the desired scent. In one embodiment, the microcapsule contains a variety of substances to be released. The substance is an oil, liquid, or solid material and generates a scent upon release into the ambient environment. In another embodiment, the scent diffuser integrated in an electronic device includes means for passing a current to generate a localized heating, a scent capsule made of a conductive material containing a plurality of microcapsules for releasing a fragrance in response to the localized heating, means for controlling the current passed through the passing means to enable controlled localized heating, and at least one sensor that determines when to activate and deactivate the passing means. The current is selectively generated on the surface of the scent capsule to release the fragrance that matches the content of audio and/or video received from the electronic device. The passing means further includes conductive paths, serving as a coupling to a power source. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a personal diffuser system in accordance with this invention. Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the diffuser system of Figure 1 in accordance with the embodiment of this invention. In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular architecture, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. For purposes of simplicity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. Referring to Figure 1, a personal scent diffuser 10 in accordance with this invention includes a replaceable scent capsule 12 releasably attached to the tip of the diffuser 10. The scent capsule 12 is slidably attached to the end of the diffuser 10 manually and can be slid around the tip of the diffuser 10. The personal scent diffuser 10 can be integrated in a conventional earphone, which may be electrically coupled to an audio player 14, such as a portable CD player, MP3, walkman, or other mobile communication device. Fig. 2 depicts a cross section of the scent capsule 12 having an array of microencapsulated substances 12a. A variety of substances can be encapsulated in microcapsules, such as a fragrance, a dye, a lotion, or oil. The scent capsule 12 uses a microencapsulation technology to encapsulate small amounts of substance, such as perfume, in plastic, gelatin, or polymer spheres that are a few microns in diameter inside the scent capsule 12. The scent capsule 12 is made of conductive material to pass a current to enable controlled localized heating on the surface thereof. Microcapsules 12a may contain different melting points to release different fragrances. The microcapsules 12a release the substance upon rupturing outwardly, and the rupturing occurs thermally (i.e., by heating the spheres above their melting points to initiate rupturing. To this end, current is selectively passed via conductive current paths 11, provided at the tip of the diffuser 10 using a power source. The conductive current paths 11 are aligned with the microcapsules 12a using the alignment elements 10a and 12b. The conductive paths 11 can be coupled to a power source in the form of loops to transmit the desired voltage level under the control of a microprocessor or in conjunction with a user activation switch in any well-known manner. The conductive paths 11 may be produced by printing them onto the diffuser 10 or they may be mounted as adhesive tape. Alternatively, the conductive paths 11 may be produced by printing a material containing conductive particles onto the diffuser 10. All of the described alternative methods provide a suitable bond, forming a reliable electrical connection. In operation, when a user sets the personal diffuser 10 while listening or visually viewing audio/video signals from an electronic device 14, current passes from a power source through current paths 11 onto the microcapsules 12a of the scent capsule 12. The current paths 11 serve as resistors and release electrical energy as heat. When current is passed through conductive paths 11, they act as resistors and give off a fixed amount of heat, thus heating the scent capsule 12. As individual microcapsules begin to heat, the perfume they contain reaches its vapor point. As individual microcapsules reach their melting points, they rupture and release the vaporized perfume. The amount of current passed through conductive fibers 23 can be also set to achieve the desired amount of microcapsule breakage. A processor (not shown) in the electronic device 14 (or in the body of the diffuser 10) generates a control signal to selectively control the release of a substance from within the scent capsule 12 according to the content of the audio and/or video that is currently heard or viewed by the user. Here, the content of the audio/video is preprogrammed to generate a control signal, which triggers a localized heating on the scent capsule 12 to produce a scent that matches the content of the audio/video being heard or watched. In another embodiment, a sensor can be placed within the diffuser 10 to automatically shut off current after a preset period of time based on the melting point of the microcapsules as well as the material properties of the substance contained in the microcapsules. The sensors can be any type of biosensor, chemical sensor, or mechanical sensor known in the art. Accordingly, during the play of the electronic device 13, a matching fragrance can be released by passing a current, under the control of a processor, through the appropriate current path 11 to heat the appropriate zones of the scent capsule 12 to cause the requisite proportions of the substance to be released due to microcapsule rupture. While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the present invention. Thus, the shape of an interconnect system in the drawings should not impose limitations on the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, but that the present invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A scent diffuser (10) integrated in an electronic device (14), comprising: means (11) for passing a current to generate a localized heating; at least one scent capsule (12), slidably coupled to one end of the passing means (11), having a plurality of microcapsules (12a) for releasing a fragrance in response to the localized heating; and, means for controlling the current passed through the passing means (11) to enable controlled localized heating.

2. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein the controlling means selectively provides the current to generate a localized heating on the scent capsule (12) to release the fragrance that matches the content of audio and/or video received from the electronic device (14).

3. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein the scent capsule (12) is situated below a user's nose.

4. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein the passing means (11) further comprises conductive paths, serving as a coupling to a power source.

5. The scent diffuser ( 10) of Claim 1 , wherein the scent capsule ( 12) is made of a conductive material.

6. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein the microcapsule (12a) releases the fragrance upon reaching its melting point.

7. The scent diffuser ( 10) of Claim 1 , wherein the microcapsule (12a) consists of at least one of oil, liquid, and solid material.

8. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein the controlling means further comprises a power source.

9. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein the controlling means further comprises at least one sensor that determines when to activate and deactivate the passing means(ll).

10. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 1, wherein a first portion of the microcapsules contains a first fragrance and a second portion of the microcapsules contains a second fragrance.

11. The scent diffuser (10) of Claim 10, wherein the first portion of microcapsules has a different melting point than the second portion of microcapsules.

12. A method of providing a fragrance according to the content of video/audio received from an electronic device(14), the method comprising the steps of: forming at least scent capsule(12) having a plurality of microcapsules(12a); incorporating the scent capsule (12) and means for passing a current (11) in the electronic device (14) to generate a localized heating; selectively heating at least one of the microcapsules(12a); and, rupturing at least one microcapsule (12) in response to the heating to release a desired fragrance.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of providing conductive paths (11) to serve as a coupling to a power source in the passing means (11).

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of situating the scent capsule (12) below a user's nose.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of providing at least one sensor to determine when to activate and deactivate the passing means (11).