Virtual Scent

Abstract

A system and method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback by a smart media device is disclosed. The smart media device includes a memory having instructions stored thereon and a processor configured to execute the instructions on the memory to cause the smart media device to receive streaming media data from a remote data server, output the streaming media data to a display device, detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data associated with one of a plurality of virtual scents, and disburse scented material corresponding to the virtual scent associated with the triggering signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates in general to a system and method for providing additional sensory stimulation, and more specifically, to a system and method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback.

BACKGROUND

[0002] At times, people are trapped indoors and are unable to fully experience the sights, sounds, and smells of daily life whether exercising or relaxing. Systems are becoming available that permit individuals to perform many tasks including running, hiking, cycling, rowing, and other activities indoors by providing a virtual trip through a simulated environment. These systems provide interactive video images and related audio using streaming media technology and high definition televisions. These images and sounds may provide an excellent replacement for visual and auditory trip during these activities. However, these systems do not provide any mechanism to provide these users with a simulated set of smells that would also be expected while travelling through the provided scenes. As such, users are not provided a complete sensory experience for these simulated activities during times when going outdoors and experiencing the natural world is difficult.

[0003] Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback that addresses and overcomes the limitations and current deficiencies of existing systems using the example embodiments and principles of the present invention disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing a system and method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback. The smart media device includes a memory having instructions stored thereon and a processor configured to execute the instructions on the memory to cause the smart media device to receive streaming media data from a remote data server, output the streaming media data to a display device, detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data associated with one of a plurality of virtual scents, and disburse scented material corresponding to the virtual scent associated with the triggering signal.

[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, the scented material comprises scented aerosol and scented oil.

[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, the processor is further configured to determine an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal, send a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent, and activate the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, the detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises identifying the triggering signal embedded within the streaming media data.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, the detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises identifying visual content within the streaming media data associated with a virtual scent contained within a scent displayer having a plurality of scent material sprayers, determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal, sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent, and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, the detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises identifying audio content within the streaming media data associated with a virtual scent contained within a scent displayer having a plurality of scent material sprayers, determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal, sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent, and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, wherein the streaming media data corresponds to a virtual environment utilized during an exercise activity.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the exercise activity comprises hiking, running, cycling, and rowing.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the streaming media data corresponds a film, television show, and a live event broadcast.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the live media event corresponds to a live sporting event.

[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback by a smart media device. The method receives streaming media data from a remote data server, outputs the streaming media data to a display device, detects a triggering signal within the streaming media data associated with one of a plurality of virtual scents, and disburses scented material corresponding to the virtual scent associated with the triggering signal.

[0016] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

[0017] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

[0019] FIGS. 1a-b illustrate an example embodiment of a system that provides olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates another example embodiment of a system for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a single scent dispenser for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of a system for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a computing system of software components for providing olfactory sensory stimulation according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a generalized schematic of a programmable processing system utilized as the various computing components described herein used to implement an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] This application relates in general to a system and method for providing additional sensory stimulation, and more specifically, to a system and method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation according to the present invention.

[0026] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

[0027] In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0028] It further will be understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including" specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

[0029] As used herein, the term "about" means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill. Further, unless otherwise stated, the term "about" shall expressly include "exactly

[0030] The term "mobile application" refers to an application executing on a mobile device such as a media player, set-top box, smartphone, tablet, and/or web browser on any computing device.

[0031] The terms "customer," "client," and "user" refer to an entity, e.g. a human, using the complete sensory experience system including any software or smart device application(s) associated with the invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.

[0032] The term "connection" refers to connecting any component as defined below by any means, including but not limited to, a wired connection(s) using any type of wire or cable for example, including but not limited to, coaxial cable(s), fiberoptic cable(s), and ethernet cable(s) or wireless connection(s) using any type of frequency/frequencies or radio wave(s). Some examples are included below in this application.

[0033] The term "invention" or "present invention" refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title "Virtual Scent." Invention may be used interchangeably with smell-o-rama.

[0034] The terms "communicate", or "communication" refer to any component(s) connecting with any other component(s) in any combination for the purpose of the connected components to communicate and/or transfer data to and from any components and/or control any settings.

[0035] In general, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for providing additional sensory stimulation related to multimedia data playback. To better understand the present invention, FIGS. 1a-b illustrate example embodiments for a system that provides olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention. In FIG. 1a a user of exercise equipment, such as a treadmill 102, engages in exercise while interacting with a multimedia display 103 that attempts to simulate an environment in which the user may be exercising. The multimedia display 103 may present interactive video and audio content from an exercise leader and/or other exercise participants. The video data may present a road course over which the user is running including representations of other runners present along the course. The video data also may present a simulated environment that is generated as the user runs on the treadmill 102.

[0036] In these situations, the user is not provided a complete sensory experience associated with the activity within the simulated environment. The multimedia display 103 presents an image representing a view of the environment in which the user is exercising. Similarly, the multimedia display 103 typically includes speakers to provide sounds associated with the user's activities within the simulated environment. The present invention adds an automated scent dispenser 101 electronically connected to a media player (not shown) that may automatically activate the automated scent dispenser 101 to add one or more representative scents that the user would typically experience at a particular point in time during the simulated exercise path.

[0037] For example, a user may run a simulated course through a pine forest for a portion of the exercise activity. If the automated scent dispenser 101 is instructed by the media player to dispense a pine scented aerosol at this point in the run, the user will be provided with a more complete sensory experience associated with the run through the simulated environment. The automated scent dispenser 101 may include a plurality of scent sprayers that are independently activated by the media player to dispense different scents and different combinations of scents as appropriate to relate the olfactory experience of the exercise with the visual and auditory experiences already provided by the multimedia display 103.

[0038] While playing the multimedia data, the system 100 processes the streaming data as it is received or retrieved from storage to detect one or more scent triggering events that are translated into commands to the automated scent dispenser 101 to activate one or more of a plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n. The analysis of the multimedia data may comprise detecting triggering signals that are embedded into the multimedia data stream in which the trigger indicates which of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n are to be activated at a point in time when video data associated with the triggering signal is played on the multimedia display 103.

[0039] The analysis of the multimedia data also may comprise detecting visual and audio content from within the multimedia data that is associated with a scent trigger. For example, the presence of pine trees in the video images may be detected and generate a scent triggering signal for dispensing a pine scent. Similarly, the presence of a number of fish that were recently caught during a fishing trip may generate its own fish scent triggering signal. Any number of items may be detected in the images that are associated with one or more scents. Other scents may be created by dispensing a number of different scents simultaneously in which the combination of scents approximate a desired aroma.

[0040] Finally, the analysis of the multimedia data may include detection of how far the user has travelled into the simulated environment. For example, the simulated route may encounter the pine trees at a distance of 1.5 miles from the beginning of the run. By detecting the speed of the treadmill 102 and the time period in which the user has been running, the media player may easily estimate when the user has travelled the 1.5 miles and is approaching the location in which the pine trees are present. Other detection mechanisms also may be used.

[0041] Additionally, the use of a treadmill 102 for the method of exercise is not the only device in which the present invention may be utilized. Other methods of exercise, including bike riding that is simulated using an exercise cycle and rowing a scull that is simulated using an exercise rowing machine are two additional methods of exercise in which the present invention may be used. These examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list of possible exercise methods.

[0042] FIG. 1b shows the automated scent dispenser 101 being used when an individual is resting on a couch 104 while watching a film on the multimedia display 103. A similar use for the automated scent dispenser 101 that dispenses one or more scents is in a scene being played in a film. The media player may use any of the above-described analysis mechanisms to detect triggering signals that are present in a current sequence of images from the film. Using the automated scent dispenser 101 in this manner provides a user with additional olfactory sensory stimulation while the user is enjoying the film. Of course, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the playback of a film. Providing various scents while a user watches a sporting event, a horse race, and a sailboat ride may also add to these experiences.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates another example embodiment of a system for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the multimedia display 103 is shown connected to the media player 115 that processes multimedia data to generate the video images and sounds that are presented to the user. The media player 115 may comprise a cable system set-top box, a computer, a streaming TV receiver such as a Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire devices, smart televisions having an embedded streaming data receiver, among may possible devices. All of the above devices provide a computing device that may execute a plurality of programs that may include the system disclosed herein as the present invention.

[0044] The media player 115 also includes a communication connection to the automated scent dispenser 101 that enables the media player 115 to activate one or more of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n contained within the automated scent dispenser 101. The connection 112 between the media player 115 and the automated scent dispenser 101 may include a data cable, such as USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt, Ethernet and the like. The connection 112 also may include a wireless data connection that permits the media player 115 to communicate with the automated scent dispenser 101. The wireless connections may include Bluetooth.TM., WiFi, 4G LTE, 5G and related RF signals, and a point-to-point IR connection similar to ones used by television remote controls.

[0045] The media player 115 generates the triggering signals from the multimedia data and transmits a signal to the automated scent dispenser 101 to dispense the scent material. The scent material may be an aerosol, scented oils, or similar sources of scent that may be sprayed into the environment. Each of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n are independently addressed in communications sent from the media player 115 to the automated scent dispenser 101. As such, the media player 115 may generate a sequence of spray commands to the automated scent dispenser 101 that permits multiple scents to be dispensed at any given time, such as S1 111a, S4 111d, and S7 111g as shown in FIG. 2. The media player 115 may also include a set of user-controlled settings that permit a user to enable and disable the automated scent dispenser 101 so that the scents are not dispensed until the user chooses to include its use as part of the user experience. Otherwise, the automated scent dispenser 101 may be powered and activated by the media player 115 as needed when the 155 media player is turned on and off

[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates another example embodiment of a single scent dispenser for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention. Each of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n comprise a set of components that are used to receive commands from the media player 115 and to spray the scented material into the user environment. Each scent sprayer 111i comprises a computer interface 121, a pump actuator 122, a scent pump sprayer 123, and a scent tank 124. The computer interface 121 receives commands from the media player 115 over the connection 112 and determines if the sprayer associated with this computer interface 121 is being addressed. When this sprayer 111i is being addressed, the computer interface 121 transmits a signal to the pump actuator 122 that controls the operation of the scent pump actuator 123. The pump actuator 122 may be configured to dispense a defined amount of the scented material in response to each command received from the media player 115. The media player 115 thus may control the intensity of any particular scent by transmitting multiple commands to dispense an amount of material that provides the desired level of scent.

[0047] The pump actuator 122 provides an electro-mechanical command to the scent pump actuator 123 that causes the scent pump sprayer 123 to dispense one unit of material. The scent pump actuator 123 forces the scented material that is obtained from the scent material storage tank 124. The media player 115 is programmed to transmit commands to appropriate sprayers 111i based upon a known material stored within the scent material storage tank 124. In some embodiments, the computer interface 121 may provide a code associated with the scented material to be released by the scent pump sprayer 123 to the media player 115 over the connection 112 for use in identifying which of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n are to be addressed by any given command to release the scented material.

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of a system for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback according to the present invention. The media player 115 contains a set of software components to perform its functions disclosed herein. The set of software components include a controller-media player 401, a content analyzer 402, a multimedia interface 403, a web interface 404, a scent sprayer interface 405, and a data storage interface 409 coupled to a local multimedia storage 410. The media player 115 obtains the multimedia content that is played on the multimedia display 103 from either local multimedia storage 410 contained within the media player 115 or from a media web server 420 that is generating streaming media data that is transmitted over the Internet 110 based upon content data stored within web server multimedia data storage 421.

[0049] The controller-media player 401 performs the data processing needed to obtain the multimedia data from either the media web server 420 or the local multimedia storage 410 for display onto the multimedia display 103. The controller-media player 401 permits the user to start, stop, and pause the multimedia data as desired. The controller-media player 401 also receives the determination of a triggering signal by the content analyzer 402 that it uses to generate and transmit commands to the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n over the connection 112. The controller-media player 401 also may receive signals and data from the automated scent dispenser 101 to indicate what scented material is contained within each of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n as well as to indicate when one of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n is empty.

[0050] The content analyzer 402 receives the multimedia data from the controller-media player 401 as it is being processed for transmission to the multimedia display 103 via the multimedia interface 403. The content analyzer 402 analyzes the multimedia data as disclosed herein to identify triggering signals associated with the multimedia content based upon the available scented material with the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n.

[0051] The multimedia interface 403 provides input and output processing to provide the multimedia data to the user on the multimedia display 103. This multimedia interface 403 also accepts commands from the media web server 420 to instruct the media player 115 to perform these tasks associated with the playback of the multimedia data and the automated scent dispenser 101.

[0052] The web interface 404 permits the media player 115 to communicate with the media web server 420 over the Internet 110. The web interface performs all of the data formatting, computer-to-computer communications, encryption processing, and all similar operations needed by the media player 115 to communicate with the media web server 420.

[0053] The scent sprayer interface 405 provides input and output processing to provide the commands to the automated scent dispenser 101 causing it to release the scented material. This scent sprayer interface 405 also provides scented material codes to the media player 115 to instruct the media player 115 of current content of the particular sprayer 111i as well as whether the scent tank 124 of the sprayer 111i is empty.

[0054] The data storage interface 409 provides input and output processing to provide the multimedia data to the controller-media player 401 and the multimedia interface 403. This data storage interface 409 also accepts multimedia data from the controller-media player 401 and the media web server 420 for storage onto the local multimedia storage 410 for later use.

[0055] The local multimedia storage 410 provides permanent data storage for the media player 115 that is used by the various software components contained therein. The multimedia data to be played for the user on the multimedia display 103 may be stored locally for use without the need to communicate with a remote media web server 420 over the Internet 110.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates a computing system of software components for providing olfactory sensory stimulation according to the present invention. The process 500 begins 501 when the media player 115 receives multimedia data to be played for a user in step 511. The media player 115, in step 512, starts the playback of the multimedia data onto the multimedia display 103. The media player 115 starts the analysis of the multimedia data within the content analyzer 402 in step 513.

[0057] Test step 514 determines whether or not the content analyzer 402 has detected a triggering signal from within the multimedia data. When the content analyzer 402 detects a triggering signal, the controller-media player 401 generates and transmits a command to dispense scented material to one of the plurality of scent sprayers 111a-n in step 515; otherwise the process 500 continues directly to test step 516.

[0058] Test step 516 determines whether or not the multimedia data is to continue playing, and if so, the process returns to step 511 to continue to detect triggering signals. When the controller-media player 401 determines that the multimedia data has been terminated by the user or has reached the end of the data, the process 500 ends for a current multimedia session.

[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a generalized schematic of a programmable processing system utilized as the various computing components described herein used to implement an embodiment of the present invention. The controller-media player 115 may be implemented as a digital processing system 200 that contains software in the form of executable instructions stored within memory of the media player 115. When the CPU 202 executes these instructions in memory, the media player 115 performs the functions of the system 100 as described herein.

[0060] The CPU 202 is coupled to the system bus 204. The CPU 202 may be a general-purpose CPU or microprocessor, graphics processing unit ("GPU"), and/or microcontroller. The present embodiments are not restricted by the architecture of the CPU 202 so long as the CPU 202, whether directly or indirectly, supports the operations as described herein. The CPU 202 may execute the various logical instructions according to the present embodiments.

[0061] The computer system 200 also may include random access memory (RAM) 208, which may be synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), or the like. The computer system 200 may utilize RAM 208 to store the various data structures used by a software application. The computer system 200 also may include read only memory (ROM) 206 which may be PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, optical storage or the like. The ROM may store configuration information for booting the computer system 200. The RAM 208 and the ROM 206 hold user and system data, and both the RAM 208 and the ROM 206 may be randomly accessed.

[0062] The computer system 200 also may include an input/output (I/O) adapter 210, a communications adapter 214, a user interface adapter 216, and a display adapter 222. The I/O adapter 210 and/or the user interface adapter 216 may, in certain embodiments, enable a user to interact with the computer system 200. In a further embodiment, the display adapter 222 may display a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with a software or web-based application on a display device 224, such as a monitor or touch screen.

[0063] The I/O adapter 210 may couple one or more storage devices 212, such as one or more of a hard drive, a solid-state storage device, a flash drive, a compact disc (CD) drive, a floppy disk drive, and a tape drive, to the computer system 200. According to one embodiment, the data storage 212 may be a separate server coupled to the computer system 200 through a network connection to the I/O adapter 210. The communications adapter 214 may be adapted to couple the computer system 200 to the network 208, which may be one or more of a LAN, WAN, and/or the Internet. The communications adapter 214 may also be adapted to couple the computer system 200 to other networks such as a global positioning system (GPS) or a Bluetooth network. The user interface adapter 216 couples user input devices, such as a keyboard 220, a pointing device 218, and/or a touch screen (not shown) to the computer system 200. The keyboard 220 may be an on-screen keyboard displayed on a touch panel. Additional devices (not shown) such as a camera, microphone, video camera, accelerometer, compass, and or gyroscope may be coupled to the user interface adapter 216. The display adapter 222 may be driven by the CPU 202 to control the display on the display device 224. Any of the devices 202-222 may be physical and/or logical.

[0064] The applications of the present disclosure are not limited to the architecture of a computer system 200. Rather the computer system 200 is provided as an example of one type of computing device that may be adapted to perform the functions of a media player system, including servers, personal computers, and mobile devices as shown in FIG. 3. For example, any suitable processor-based device may be utilized including, without limitation, personal data assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, smartphones, computer game consoles, and multi-processor servers. Moreover, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be implemented on application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, or other circuitry. In fact, persons of ordinary skill in the art may utilize any number of suitable structures capable of executing logical operations according to the described embodiments. For example, the computer system 200 may be virtualized for access by multiple users and/or applications.

[0065] Additionally, the embodiments described herein are implemented as logical operations performed by a computer. The logical operations of these various embodiments of the present invention are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer-implemented steps or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine modules or hardware logic within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance requirements of the computing system implementing the invention. Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments of the invention described herein can be variously referred to as operations, steps or modules.

[0066] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. This written description provides an illustrative explanation and/or account of the present invention. It may be possible to deliver equivalent benefits using variations of the specific embodiments, without departing from the inventive concept. This description and these drawings, therefore, are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0067] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, percent, ratio, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about," whether or not the term "about" is present. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in the testing measurements.

[0068] It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain embodiments of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the invention encompassed by the following claims.

[0069] In this specification including any claims, the term "each" may be used to refer to one or more specified characteristics of a plurality of previously recited elements or steps. When used with the open-ended term "comprising," the recitation of the term "each" does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or steps. Thus, it will be understood that an apparatus may have additional, unrecited elements and a method may have additional, unrecited steps, where the additional, unrecited elements or steps do not have the one or more specified characteristics.

Claims

1. A system for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback by a smart media device, the smart media device comprising: a memory having instructions stored thereon; and a processor configured to execute the instructions on the memory to cause the electronic apparatus to: receive streaming media data from a remote data server; output the streaming media data to a display device; detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data associated with one of a plurality of virtual scents; and disburse scented material corresponding to the virtual scent associated with the triggering signal.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the scented material comprises scented aerosol and scented oil.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processor further configured to execute the instructions on the memory causing the smart media device to: determine an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal; send a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent; and activate the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises identifying the triggering signal embedded within the streaming media data.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the detect a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises: identifying visual content within the streaming media data associated with a virtual scent contained within a scent displayer having a plurality of scent material sprayers; determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal; sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent; and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises: identifying audio content within the streaming media data associated with a virtual scent contained within a scent displayer having a plurality of scent material sprayers; determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal; sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent; and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the streaming media data corresponds to a virtual environment utilized during an exercise activity.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the exercise activity comprises hiking, running, cycling, and rowing.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the streaming media data corresponds a film, television show, and a live event broadcast.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the live media event corresponds to a live sporting event.

11. A method for providing olfactory sensory stimulation related to media data playback by a smart media device, the method comprising: receiving streaming media data from a remote data server; outputting the streaming media data to a display device; detecting a triggering signal within the streaming media data associated with one of a plurality of virtual scents; and disbursing scented material corresponding to the virtual scent associated with the triggering signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the scented material comprises scented aerosol and scented oil.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprising: determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal; sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent; and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detecting a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises identifying the triggering signal embedded within the streaming media data.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detecting a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises: identifying visual content within the streaming media data associated with a virtual scent contained within a scent displayer having a plurality of scent material sprayers; determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal; sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent; and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the detecting a triggering signal within the streaming media data comprises: identifying audio content within the streaming media data associated with a virtual scent contained within a scent displayer having a plurality of scent material sprayers; determining an identification code corresponding to the virtual scene associated with the triggering signal; sending a disbursement command to a scent displayer comprising a plurality of scent material sprayers containing the identification code, the identification code addresses a one of the plurality of scented material sprayers corresponding to the virtual scent; and activating the one of the plurality of scent material sprayer addressed by the identification code to dispense the scented material contained therein.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the streaming media data corresponds to a virtual environment utilized during an exercise activity.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the exercise activity comprises hiking, running, cycling, and rowing.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the streaming media data corresponds a film, television show, and a live event broadcast.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the live media event corresponds to a live sporting event.