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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.