Fragrance spray device

Abstract

To achieve a fragrance spray device that provides a comfortable in-vehicle environment while keeping the sound volume and the amount of fragrance spray low.SOLUTION: A fragrance spray device comprises a directional speaker 12 and a fragrance output part 14 that sprays a stored fragrance, wherein the fragrance 20 from the fragrance output part 14 is sprayed forward in the output direction of sound emitted from the directional speaker 12, thereby guiding the fragrance 20 along the sound output direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fragrance spraying device. [Background Technology]

[0002] There are devices that change the atmosphere in a specific space and devices that enhance the effectiveness of advertising by generating sound and fragrance in conjunction with each other. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fragrance presentation device in which a sound signal processing unit outputs sound from a speaker to send a synthetic fragrance to an external space of an enclosure. This fragrance presentation device is said to be able to generate fragrances that are changed sequentially according to the sound pressure of the sound output from the speaker.

[0003] Furthermore, there are fragrance spray devices using speakers for vehicles. In recent years, when users purchase a vehicle, in addition to the basic performance of the vehicle, the comfort of the interior space is also important. Therefore, a device has been proposed that provides an interior space where music and fragrance can be enjoyed at the same time by linking audio equipment such as speakers with a fragrance spray device.

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0004]

Patent document 1

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] By the way, in a conventional device mounted on a vehicle that generates sound and fragrance in conjunction with each other, for example, the sound output from a speaker spreads throughout the interior space of the vehicle, and the fragrance also spreads throughout the space in the same way. Therefore, in a vehicle with multiple passengers, even when only the driver wants to enjoy a specific sound and fragrance, the same sound and fragrance will reach the other passengers as well. In this case, it does not conform to the intention of the driver to enjoy the sound and fragrance personally. Also, there are cases where, when the driver feels sleepy, for example, it is desired to deliver only to the driver a sound and fragrance with a wake-up effect. However, if the sound and fragrance spread throughout the interior space of the vehicle, sounds and fragrances that are not desired by other passengers will be delivered, and there is a possibility that comfort will be impaired.

[0006] Furthermore, the fact that the fragrance spreads throughout the interior space of the vehicle means that, although a small amount of fragrance that should originally be enjoyed only by those who desire the fragrance would be sufficient if it were sprayed, as a result, the consumption amount of the fragrance also increases.

[0007] Therefore, in this specification, a fragrance spraying device is realized that controls the direction of the flow of the fragrance by using a directional speaker to direct the flow of air in a specific direction.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The fragrance spraying device disclosed in this specification includes a directional speaker and a fragrance output unit that sprays the held fragrance, and sprays the fragrance from the fragrance output unit in front of the output direction of the sound output from the directional speaker, thereby flowing the fragrance in the output direction of the sound.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the fragrance spraying device disclosed in this specification, by using a directional speaker, the fragrance can be flowed in the output direction of the sound. That is, since the direction of the flow of the fragrance can be controlled, the sound and the fragrance can be delivered pinpoint. As a result, it is possible to provide a comfortable interior space of the vehicle while suppressing the volume and the amount of fragrance spraying to a small amount.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the fragrance spraying device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the fragrance spraying device according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the fragrance spraying device 10 includes a directional speaker 12 and a fragrance output unit 14. Further, the fragrance spraying device 10 further includes a control unit 16. The control unit 16 is an electronic control unit having at least a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes and a memory in which control programs and data are stored. The control unit 16 controls the operations of each part of the fragrance spraying device 10. For example, under the control of the control unit 16, sound is output from the directional speaker 12 and fragrance is sprayed from the fragrance output unit 14.

[0013] The directional speaker 12 is a known directional speaker that is utilized in a scene where it is desired to deliver a specific sound to a specific location. In this example, the directional speaker 12 can deliver music to a specific occupant in the interior space of a vehicle. In FIG. 1, two types of directional speakers 12 are shown as an example, but their shapes are not particularly limited to these. In FIG. 1, the two directional speakers are denoted by reference numerals 12a and 12b, but hereinafter, when not particularly distinguished, they will simply be referred to as "directional speaker 12". For example, by changing from the directional speaker 12a to the directional speaker 12b, it becomes possible to narrow the bandwidth of the direction in which the sound reaches. Therefore, the shape of the directional speaker 12 may be selected according to the range where the sound is to be delivered.

[0014] In FIG. 1, the direction of the sound output from the directional speaker 12 is indicated by an arrow with the end point filled in. Note that the rectangular shapes arranged in front of the sound output direction of the directional speaker 12 shown in FIG. 1 represent ultrasonic elements 18 that are elements for generating ultrasonic waves. Although ultrasonic waves originally have a high property of traveling straight, in this example, a plurality of ultrasonic elements 18 are arranged to form an array structure in order to further enhance the directivity. Note that the configuration of the ultrasonic element 18 described above is not limited to this. Also, the directional speaker 12 may be of a type that vibrates a diaphragm by an electric current applied to a general coil. With such a configuration, a sound wave modulated by the sound from the directional speaker 12 using the ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic element 18 as a carrier wave is output forward. Therefore, the direction of the sound can be limited to the transmission direction of the ultrasonic wave, and the directivity can be enhanced.

[0015] The fragrance output unit 14 sprays the fragrance held in a fragrance holding unit (not shown) of the fragrance spraying device 10. In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the fragrance holding unit is included in the fragrance output unit 14 represented by a bottle shape with a lid. Note that in FIG. 1, the sprayed fragrance is represented by a black circle and shown as the fragrance 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the fragrance output unit 14 is provided in the vicinity of the directional speaker 12. Then, the fragrance 20 is sprayed from the fragrance output unit 14 so as to spread in front of the sound output direction of the sound output from the directional speaker 12. That is, the fragrance 20 can be made to flow in the sound output direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the fragrance 20 is made to flow in the direction of the passenger's nose, and the passenger can enjoy the scent of the fragrance 20.

[0016] As described above, in the fragrance spraying device 10 according to the embodiment, the directional speaker 12 can deliver music and voices to specific passengers or specific spaces. Further, by utilizing the flow of the air current generated by the transmission of ultrasonic waves, the fragrance 20 can be delivered in the same direction as the ultrasonic waves, that is, to specific passengers or specific spaces. In other words, according to the configuration of the fragrance spraying device 10, sound and fragrance can be delivered precisely, that is, along the shortest path. As a result, while keeping the volume and the amount of fragrance spraying small, a sufficient amount can be delivered to the passengers who want to enjoy the sound and fragrance, and on the other hand, it is possible to suppress the influence on other passengers who do not want the sound and fragrance. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of passengers in the vehicle, the comfort of the interior space for each passenger can be ensured.

[0017] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of the fragrance spraying device 10 having a function of changing the type of fragrance sprayed from the fragrance output unit 14 in accordance with the tempo of the music flowing from the directional speaker 12 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the control unit of the fragrance spraying device. In this example, when upbeat music is flowing, fragrance 1, which has a fragrance that enhances the mood and has an activating effect, is sprayed. Also, when slow-tempo music is flowing, fragrance 2, which has a relaxing fragrance, is sprayed. Further, when medium-tempo music is flowing, fragrance 3, which has a fragrance that enables concentration, is sprayed.

[0018] First, when the control unit 16 acquires information from a music database (not shown), it displays the information on a terminal operated by the user or a touch panel installed near the driver's seat. Then, when the user selects one piece of music from the information (S10), it calculates the tempo of the selected music (S12). For example, the control unit 16 performs BPM (Beats Per Minute) analysis based on the analysis results of the sound pressure and frequency output from the directional speaker 12 to determine the tempo of the music output from the directional speaker 12. Alternatively, without calculating the tempo of the music, the control unit 16 accesses a general music database via a network to obtain the tempo classification classified on the music database. Then, the control unit 16 determines the tempo of the one piece of music selected by the user (S12).

[0019] The control unit 16 determines whether the tempo determined above is for an uptempo song (S14). If the tempo is an uptempo (Yes in S14), the control unit 16 selects the fragrance holding unit that holds fragrance 1 (S16). On the other hand, if the tempo determined by the control unit 16 is not an uptempo (No in S14), the control unit 16 determines whether the tempo is a slow tempo (S18). If the tempo is a slow tempo (Yes in S18), the control unit 16 selects the fragrance holding unit that holds fragrance 2 (S20). On the other hand, if the tempo determined by the control unit 16 is not a slow tempo (No in S18), the control unit 16 determines that the tempo is a medium tempo and selects the fragrance holding unit that holds fragrance 3 (S22).

[0020] Subsequently, the control unit 16 causes the fragrance output unit 14 to spray the fragrance held in the selected fragrance holding unit. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the fragrance is sprayed from the fragrance output unit 14 so as to spread in front of the output direction of the sound output from the directional speaker 12. Therefore, in the fragrance spraying device 10 in this example, an optimal scent matching the tempo of the music can be provided, and the fragrance can be made to flow in the sound output direction. That is, in the fragrance spraying device 10 in this example, both the sense of hearing and the sense of smell by sound and scent can be simultaneously stimulated, and a comfortable space where music and fragrance can be enjoyed more can be created.

[0021] Note that the above description is an example, and in the fragrance spraying device disclosed in this specification, as long as the configuration is such that the fragrance from the fragrance output unit is sprayed in front of the output direction of the sound output from the directional speaker, the fragrance can be made to flow in the sound output direction. Therefore, other configurations may be appropriately changed. For example, when music or voice is not required, the directional speaker 12 may be used as an ultrasonic beam, and the configuration may be such that only the flow of the scent is delivered to a specific space.

[0022] Also, for example, for the purpose of delivering fragrance to the driver, in addition to providing a comfortable vehicle space, it is also conceivable to realize an awakening effect or an alarm effect by fragrance when the driver feels sleepy. Therefore, the directional speaker 12 and the fragrance output unit 14 may be installed on the driver's headrest or the roof near the driver. By arranging the fragrance spraying device near the driver where it is particularly considered to be used, it becomes possible to reduce the volume and the amount of the fragrance, which is effective in terms of cost. Such a configuration can also be utilized in, for example, a conference room other than a vehicle. For example, a fragrance spraying device is installed around the head of an office chair in a conference room, and a scent corresponding to the situation is sprayed together with the voice during the meeting. As a result, the participants in the meeting sitting on the office chair can enhance their concentration or change their mood by the fragrance.

[0023] Also, when there are a plurality of directional speakers 12, the scents set in the scent output unit 14 arranged in front of the sound output direction may be of different types. For example, when there are two types of scents, each scent is sprayed, and by mixing the scents in a certain space, in addition to the original two types of scents, a new space where one can enjoy the scent mixed with the two types of scents can be created.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the fragrance spraying device 10 may further have a reflector. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing another configuration of the fragrance spraying device. In this example, the fragrance spraying device 10 further includes a plurality of reflectors 22. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the fragrance spraying device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the description thereof is omitted. By using the directional speaker 12 and the plurality of reflectors 22, the air flow and the way sound propagates can be changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a passage for the propagation of the scent can be created by the combination of the installation of the directional speaker 12 and the plurality of reflectors 22. In FIG. 3, the fragrance 20 is delivered to a specific space along the clockwise flow. As a result, a space where one can enjoy the sound and the scent more can be changed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0025] 10 fragrance spraying device, 12 directional speaker, 14 scent output unit, 16 control unit, 18 ultrasonic element, 20 fragrance, 22 reflector.

Claims

[Claim 1] A directional speaker; a fragrance output unit that sprays the retained fragrance; Equipped with The fragrance from the fragrance output unit is sprayed forward in an output direction of the sound output from the directional speaker, thereby causing the fragrance to flow in the output direction of the sound. A fragrance spray device characterized by:

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