WO2020207556A1

WO2020207556A1 - System and method for the diffusion of a fragrance in a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020207556A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/058835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandre GENTNER
Original assignee: Toyota Motor Europe
Priority date: 2019-04-08
Filing date: 2019-04-08
Publication date: 2020-10-15

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a scent diffuser (20) in a vehicle, comprising the following steps: - a fragrance detection step (El), of detecting available fragrance cartridges (30) installed in the scent diffuser (20), - a user detection step (E2), of detecting a user profile of a user (50) in the vehicle, - a context detection step (E3), of retrieving context information of the vehicle, - a rating step (E4), of retrieving a rating from a score database (300)for each of the detected fragrance cartridges (30) on the basis of the user profile and context information detected, and - a command step (E5), of selecting a fragrance cartridge (30) on the basis of the ratings established during the rating step (E4), and of issuing a command for the diffusion of the selected fragrance cartridge (30) by the scent diffuser (20).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE DIFFUSION OF A FRAGRANCE IN A

VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is related to the field of scent diffusion devices for a vehicle, and more particularly to a controller and a control method for such a device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Scent diffusion in a vehicle can positively improve the user's comfort within the vehicle. A number of vehicles are provided with a scent diffusion device, to ensure a diffusion of a scent cartridge in the vehicle.

[0003] Different method and devices have been developed in order to control the diffusion of a scent in a vehicle.

[0004] Document WO2014/044959 presents a method that enables the user to select the scent to be diffused within the vehicle depending on the available cartridges.

[0005] Document EP3311851 presents a method for optimizing the scent diffusion within a vehicle by defining an alternation of diffusion periods and idle periods depending on the ventilation and cabin conditions of the vehicle.

[0006] These known devices however are either limited to a single predetermined scent, or require the user's attention to select the scent to be diffused, which is heavily penalizing for the user of a vehicle as it diverts the user's attention from driving.

[0007] Document WO2018/147838 discloses another example of a known system and method for improving the diffusion of a scent in a vehicle. In this document, a diffusion system determines the profile and the mood of driver of the vehicle, and then diffuses a scent accordingly. Such a system and method however require the use of facial imagery and recognition means that are costly and difficult to implement in a vehicle.

SUMMARY

[0008] The present disclosure aims at providing a solution to the issues mentioned previously. [0009] The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for controlling a scent diffuser in a vehicle, comprising the following steps:

- a fragrance detection step, of detecting available fragrance cartridges installed in the scent diffuser,

- a user detection step, of detecting a user profile of a user in the vehicle,

- a context detection step, of retrieving context information of the vehicle,

- a rating step, of retrieving a rating from a score database for each of the detected fragrance cartridges on the basis of the user profile and context information detected, and

- a command step, of selecting a fragrance cartridge on the basis of the ratings defined during the rating step, and of issuing a command for the diffusion of the selected fragrance cartridge by the scent diffuser.

[0010] According to an embodiment, in the rating step, a current rating and at least one future rating are retrieved from the score database for each available fragrance cartridge, the current rating corresponding to a rating of said fragrance cartridge for the current context information, and the future rating corresponding to a rating of said fragrance cartridge for future conditions in view of forecast context information.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the context information of the vehicle includes:

- weather information, including current weather information and forecast weather information,

- time information,

- journey information, including the estimated trip duration and the type of roads.

- cabin information, including sensory information of the vehicle cabin

[0012] The present disclosure also relates to a scent diffusion system for a vehicle, comprising a scent diffuser device, at least one fragrance cartridge, and a scent diffusion controller,

wherein the scent diffusion controller is configured to:

- detect the fragrance cartridge available to the scent diffusion system,

- retrieve a user profile of a user in a vehicle,

- retrieve context information of the vehicle,

- on the basis of the user profile and context information detected, retrieve from a score database a rating for each of the detected fragrance cartridges, and select a fragrance cartridge of the basis of the retrieved ratings, - issue a command to the scent diffuser to control the diffusion of the selected fragrance cartridge.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the scent diffusion controller is configured to receive a user command from a user interface, and to modify the command issued to the scent diffuser on the basis of the received user command.

[0014] The user interface can be connected to a storage memory adapted to store information relating to the user command including a user rating of a selected fragrance cartridge and optionally selected context, and the scent diffusion controller can be configured so that for said user, this user rating can take priority over a rating retrieved from the score database for said selected fragrance cartridge and optionally said selected context information.

[0015] The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising such a scent diffusion system according, wherein the vehicle comprises

- a user detection sensors, configured to detect the presence of a user in seats of the vehicle,

- a user identification unit, configured to identify the detected users on the basis of profile information stored within a database,

and wherein the scent diffusion controller is configured to retrieve information from the user detection sensors and the user identification sensors.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the vehicle comprises a context unit adapted to retrieve context information relating to the weather, the time and the journey.

[0017] The context unit can then comprise a weather unit, a time unit, a journey unit and a cabin unit, wherein the weather unit is configured to retrieve information relating to the current weather conditions of the vehicle, and to retrieve weather forecast information, the time unit is configured to retrieve information relating to the current time, the journey unit is configured to retrieve information relating to the position of the vehicle, the destination, the length of the journey, and the itinerary, and the cabin unit is configured to retrieve information relating to the current and the targeted temperature of the cabin and/or the ambient light color (i.e. multi-sensory parameters of the cabin environment).

[0018] It is intended that combinations of the above-described elements and those within the specification may be made, except where otherwise contradictory. [0019] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 represents schematically the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0002] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of method and system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0003] This figure represents a scent diffusion controller 10 that is configured to control a scent diffuser 20 of a vehicle. The scent diffuser is provided with a number of fragrance cartridges 30 within the vehicle, said fragrance cartridges 30 being consumables so a user can replace them at will.

[0004] The different fragrance cartridges are listed in a fragrance catalogue 32, which can be stored within the scent diffusion controller 10 and/or within a dedicated memory unit located in the vehicle or outside of the vehicle, for instance in a network or in a cloud.

[0005] The scent diffusion controller 10 is connected to a user interface 40 adapted to be controlled by a user 50. The user interface 40 can be for instance a user interface in the vehicle, such as screen, a tablet or commands, or on a portable device such as an application on a mobile device.

[0006] The scent diffusion controller 10 is connected to a context unit 100 for acquiring and retrieving context information. [0007] The context unit 100 can include a weather unit 110, a time unit 120, a journey unit 130 and a cabin unit 140.

[0008] The weather unit 110 includes for instance sensors for detecting the current weather conditions such as the temperature, ambient humidity and ambient brightness, and also adapted to retrieve weather forecast information, which can include data such as type of weather (according to commonly accepted classes), air temperature, wind, humidity, sunrise/sunset time, for instance from a forecast database through a network connection so as to obtain information relating to the weather conditions in the near future, for instance for the estimated duration of the journey when available.

[0009] The time unit 120 typically includes a clock or timer to provide an information relating to the current time, and also a calendar to provide an information relating to the current day, for instance working day, weekend day, holidays.

[0010] The journey unit 130 includes for instance positioning sensors such as a GPS module adapted to provide an information relating to the current positioning of the vehicle, and also information relating to the estimated journey of the vehicle and the type of roads the vehicle is supported to drive on. This information can for instance be retrieved once the user has input a target destination in a navigation device of the vehicle and selected an itinerary to reach this target destination, or can be derived from user habits. For instance, upon detecting the user(s) that are within the vehicle, the time of the day and the type of day, estimate the journey that the user is going to make with the vehicle based on stored information of journeys that are stored within a database if the user does not input a destination in the navigation system of the vehicle.

[0011] The cabin unit 140 can include sensors such as cabin air temperature sensors, air humidity sensors, ambient light color sensors, and/or be connected to such sensors and controls of the vehicle. The cabin unit is therefore adapted to retrieve or to detect values that are either current context information within the vehicle, or parameters that are selected by the user (such as desired temperature) through input means of the vehicle.

[0012] The system also comprises a user detection unit 200 configured to detect users that are within the vehicle. The user detection unit 200 is typically configured to detect at least the driver of the vehicle, and optionally part or all of the passengers. The user detection unit 200 can include for instance weight sensors arranged in seats of the vehicle, a facial recognition device, a key detection device adapted to detect the presence of identification keys such as RFID tags or any type of emitter within the vehicle. The user detection unit 200 is typically configured to detect the number of users that are within the vehicle by using user detection sensors, and also identify the profile of each user through a user identification unit, based for instance on the information retrieved by the user detection sensors that can be associated with information stored within a user profile database where user profiles are stored so as to identify the detected users.

[0013] The scent diffusion controller 10 is also connected to cartridges sensors that are adapted to detect the presence and the properties of the fragrance cartridges 30 that are connected to the scent diffuser 20.

[0014] A fragrance cartridges catalogue 32 is provided, which lists the fragrance cartridges that are compatible with the considered scent diffuser 20 and the properties of said fragrance cartridges.

[0015] The scent diffusion controller 10 can retrieve information relating to the fragrance cartridges that are in the scent diffuser 20 from said fragrance cartridges catalogue 32. The fragrance cartridges catalogue 32 is typically stored on an online database, and can be updated by the fragrance cartridges 30 supplier.

[0016] The scent diffusion controller 10 can retrieve information from a score database 300, which stores ratings for each combination of fragrance, user profile and context information. The score database 300 can be stored in the vehicle, for instance in a dedicated memory or can be stored in an online database to which the scent diffusion controller 10 can connect.

[0017] The values in the score database can be obtained for instance from empirical tests and/or from contributions that provide feedback on the effect of each fragrance in various conditions.

[0018] The score database 300 comprises ratings that illustrate the user experience comfort for each combination of fragrance, user profile and context information. It can also comprise the evolution of these ratings over time, and optionally while taking into consideration the evolution of the context information.

[0019] For instance, the score database 300 can provide a rating for each fragrance for an immediate effect on the user 50, after 30 minutes of diffusion, after 1 hour of diffusion, after 2 hours of diffusion, and for each subsequent hour of diffusion. The frequency of 1 hour is given as an example; the score database 300 can for instance provide an evolution of the ratings each 15 minutes, each 30 minutes, each hour, or for any given periodicity.

[0020] In view of the above, we describe hereafter an exemplary application of the method and system according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] Once a user starts a vehicle, the scent diffusion controller 10 gathers information from the various units described previously.

[0022] More specifically, the scent diffusion controller 10 gathers:

- User information provided by the user detection unit 200, which provides a user profile.

- Context information provided by the context unit 100, which can include for instance current weather information and weather forecast information, time information which can include the current hour and type of day, and journey information which can include the length of the journey and the type of roads that are planned for the journey, and also cabin information, such as the current and desired temperature in the vehicle, the humidify and the ambient light colour in the vehicle.

- Fragrance cartridges information provided by the scent diffuser 20, which indicates which fragrance cartridges 30 are installed in the scent diffuser 20.

[0023] On the basis of these information, the scent diffusion controller 10 retrieves a rating for each of the fragrances cartridges 30 that are currently available in the vehicle. These ratings are retrieved from the score database 300.

[0024] On the basis of the ratings obtained for each of the fragrance cartridges, the scent diffusion controller 10 issues a command to the scent diffuser 20 to command the diffusion (or the non-diffusion) of a fragrance cartridge within the vehicle.

[0025] The scent diffusion controller 10 will typically issue a command to have the fragrance cartridge 30 with the highest rating diffused within the vehicle.

[0026] To determine whether a fragrance should be diffused or not, the scent diffusion controller 10 can for instance be configured to only command the diffusion of a fragrance if the highest rating obtained for the cartridges that are within the vehicle is above a threshold value. This enables to prevent an unappropriated fragrance to be diffused for instance in the case where all the fragrances that are currently available in the vehicle are not adapted to the current user(s) of the vehicle and/or to the current context. [0027] If the score database 300 comprises an evolution of the ratings of the different fragrances over time, then the scent diffusion controller 10 can select the fragrance which presents the highest average rating over the estimated journey duration, the fragrance which presents the highest rating over the estimated journey duration, or the fragrance which has the highest lowest rating value over the journey duration.

[0028] If the user detection unit 200 detects the presence of multiple users in the vehicle, then the scent diffusion controller 10 can establish an average value for each fragrance for each of the users in the vehicle, and can then select the fragrance on the basis of this average value as indicated for all the users as indicated previously. As an alternative, in the case where multiple users are present in the vehicle the scent diffusion controller 10 can select the fragrance which presents the highest lowest rating for all the users or if this rating is below a given threshold can turn off the scent diffuser 20.

[0029] The scent diffusion controller 10 can be configured to apply a ratio to the ratings depending on the length of the journey. For instance, the scent diffusion controller 10 can be configured to apply a reducing ratio depending on the duration of the journey to ensure that for a journey of a short duration, no fragrance will be diffused in the vehicle. For instance, the scent diffusion controller 10 can be configured to ensure that for a journey that would last less than 15 minutes, a reducing ratio is applied to the ratings to ensure that all the ratings are below a threshold value.

[0030] The scent diffusion controller 10 can update the rating on a regular basis, for instance every few minutes, or in the event of a modification in the number of persons in the vehicle, a modification of the journey parameters such as if a user inputs or changes a destination in the navigation system of the vehicle, or if one of the fragrance cartridges becomes depleted. The scent diffusion controller 10 can then modify the scent diffusion command according to the evolution of the parameters of the journey.

[0031] The scent diffusion controller 10 is connected to a user interface 40. The user interface 40 is typically arranged in the vehicle, for instance a tablet, a screen or a command, or can be a portable device or an application on a portable device. The user 50 can input commands through the user interface 40, to pilot the diffusion of fragrance in the vehicle.

[0032] The scent diffusion controller 10 is configured so that the command input by the user 50 through the user interface 40 takes precedence over the ratings established by the scent diffusion controller 10. The user 50 in the vehicle can therefore manually input commands through the user interface 40 so as to have a selected fragrance disused in the vehicle, or on the contrary to choose that no fragrance should be diffused in the vehicle.

[0033] The user interface 40 can include a storage memory or be connected to a remote storage device (for instance a storage memory in the scent diffusion controller 10 or a network storage memory such as a cloud storage memory) so as to store preference settings that are manually input by the user 50. The user 50 can then input personal preference settings (or user rating) for a selected fragrance cartridge 30 by itself or taken into combination with the current context information. As an example, the user 50 can input a positive or negative user rating for a selected fragrance cartridge 30. This rating can be input for the fragrance cartridge 30 regardless of the context, or can be combined with selected context information, for instance the current context information. These user input personal preference settings (or user rating) can then overwrite or overrule the ratings that are stored in the score database 300 for this user 50.

[0034] The method described before is represented schematically in figure 2. The following steps are represented in this figure. The details of these steps have already been described previously.

[0035] El: Fragrance detection step, where the fragrance cartridges 30 that are installed in the scent diffuser 30 are detected.

[0036] E2: User detection step, of detecting the user(s) in the vehicle.

[0037] E3: Context information determination step, of detecting context information.

[0038] The steps El, E2 and E3 can be performed in any order, or simultaneously.

[0039] E4: Rating step, where ratings are retrieved from the score database 300 for each of the fragrance cartridges 30 on the basis of the information gathered from steps El, E2 and E3. This rating step E4 can optionally comprise retrieving a user rating from a storage memory if available, said retrieved user rating taking priority over the ratings retrieved from the score database 300.

[0040] E5: Command step, of issuing a command to the scent diffuser 20 to diffuse a selected fragrance cartridge 30 or to prevent diffusion.

[0041] E6: Diffusion step, of diffusing the selected fragrance cartridge 30 by the scent diffuser 20.

[0042] The described system and method therefore enable au automatically diffuse an appropriate scent for users in a vehicle without requiring said users to manually input instructions. The system and method are flexible, and can take into account variations in the journey conditions, such as the variation in the number of users in the vehicle or the variation of the parameters of the journey, such as the destination, the type of roads, the weather, the duration, rather than being based only on the current mood of the user. The presented system and method can therefore improve the effect of the scent on a long term basis for a journey, rather than aiming at a short-term effect on the driver.

[0043] The disclosed system and method enable to account for preferences of the users whose profiles are stored within a database, to improve their experience.

[0044] Throughout the description, including the claims, the term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms "substantially" and/or "approximately" and/or "generally" should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

[0045] Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure.

[0046] It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a scent diffuser (20) in a vehicle, comprising the following steps:

- a fragrance detection step (El), of detecting available fragrance cartridges (30) installed in the scent diffuser (20),

- a user detection step (E2), of detecting a user profile of a user (50) in the vehicle,

- a context detection step (E3), of retrieving context information of the vehicle,

- a rating step (E4), of retrieving a rating from a score database (300) for each of the detected fragrance cartridges (30) on the basis of the user profile and context information detected, and

- a command step (E5), of selecting a fragrance cartridge (30) on the basis of the ratings established during the rating step (E4), and of issuing a command for the diffusion of the selected fragrance cartridge (30) by the scent diffuser (20).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the rating step (E4), a current rating and at least one future rating are retrieved from the score database (300) for each available fragrance cartridge (30), the current rating corresponding to a rating of said fragrance cartridge (30) for the current context information, and the future rating corresponding to a rating of said fragrance cartridge (30) for future conditions in view of forecast context information.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the context information of the vehicle includes:

- time information,

4. A scent diffusion system for a vehicle, comprising a scent diffuser (20) device, at least one fragrance cartridge (30), and a scent diffusion controller (10), wherein the scent diffusion controller (10) is configured to:

- detect the fragrance cartridge (30) available to the scent diffusion system (20),

- retrieve a user profile of a user (50) in a vehicle,

- retrieve context information of the vehicle,

- on the basis of the user profile and context information detected, retrieve from a score database (300) a rating for each of the detected fragrance cartridges (30), and select a fragrance cartridge (30) of the basis of the retrieved ratings,

- issue a command to the scent diffuser (20) to control the diffusion of the selected fragrance cartridge (30).

5. A scent diffusion system according to claim 4, wherein the scent diffusion controller (10) is configured to receive a user command from a user interface (40), and to modify the command issued to the scent diffuser on the basis of the received user command.

6. A scent diffusion system according to claim 5, wherein the user interface (40) is connected to a storage memory adapted to store information relating to the user command including a user rating of a selected fragrance cartridge (30) and optionally selected context, and wherein the scent diffusion controller (10) is configured so that for said user (50), this user rating can take priority over a rating retrieved from the score database (300) for said selected fragrance cartridge (30) and optionally said selected context information.

7. A vehicle comprising a scent diffusion system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the vehicle comprises

and wherein the scent diffusion controller (10) is configured to retrieve information from the user detection sensors (210) and the user identification sensors (220).

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising a context unit (130) adapted to retrieve context information relating to the weather, the time and the journey.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the context unit (130) comprises a weather unit (110), a time unit (120) a journey unit (130) and a cabin unit (140), wherein

the weather unit (110) is configured to retrieve information relating to current weather conditions of the vehicle, and to retrieve weather forecast information, the time unit (120) is configured to retrieve information relating to the current time,

the journey unit (130) is configured to retrieve information relating to a position of the vehicle, a destination, a length of the journey, and an itinerary, and the cabin unit (140) is configured to retrieve information relating to a current and a targeted temperature of the cabin and/or an ambient light color.