Method and device for dispensing an olfactorily active substance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for dispensing an olfactorily active substance (21), in which by means of a portable device (1), data (16) relating to a situation that the user is in are captured, by means of the captured data (16) the situation is determined, by means of the determined situation it is analysed whether a user should be conditioned, and if the user is to be conditioned, an olfactorily active substance (21) is dispensed. The invention also relates to a device which is in particular designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

Description

[0001] Method and device for dispensing an olfactory substance

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and a device for dispensing an olfactory active substance.

[0003] An olfactory substance can be perceived through the sense of smell. It is known that olfactory substances can be released to positively influence a user's well-being.

[0004] For example, it's common practice to spray an olfactory substance in certain departments of a supermarket to entice visitors to buy certain products. This technique is known as "nudging." It involves influencing people's behavior without resorting to prohibitions or commands. The idea is to encourage the person to exhibit a certain behavior in a more or less subtle way.

[0005] DE 101 34223 A1 also discloses an application in a motor vehicle. It describes an air freshener that enables individual, zone-specific, olfactory modification of the air in the vehicle interior. The olfactory modification of the air is intended to warn the driver of critical vehicle conditions via their sense of smell. Furthermore, the driver's performance is supposed to be positively influenced by the olfactory modification of the air in the vehicle interior, thereby increasing driving safety.

[0006] EP 1 625 040 B1 discloses a method and device for influencing the strain on a driver in a motor vehicle. An olfactory-active substance is released via an olfactory device comprising a dosing and distribution device controlled by a control unit to reduce the driver's strain.

[0007] Finally, DE 102016219259 A1 discloses a method for adapting a means of transportation to a user's preference. The user's emotional state is determined sensorially. Fragrance influences the emotional and cognitive state of the driver or vehicle occupants. The present invention is based on the object of dispensing an olfactory substance in such a way that the application is adapted to the user's needs.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0009] A further object of the invention is the use of a device having the features of claim 8 or having the advantageous embodiments of the dependent claims for conditioning a user by applying an olfactory substance, or for analyzing the situation of a user and applying an olfactory substance depending on the situation for conditioning the user.

[0010] In the method according to the invention for dispensing an olfactory substance, data on a situation in which a user is present is collected using a portable device. The collected data is used to determine the situation, and the determined situation is used to analyze whether the user should be conditioned. If such conditioning of the user is required, an olfactory substance is dispensed.

[0011] In this document, a portable device is defined as a device that can be worn, in particular carried, by a user. The weight of the device is, in particular, so low that it can be carried by the user without any additional aids. A portable device is, in particular, a portable electronic device. This portable device can be, for example, a smartphone or a laptop.

[0012] Advantageously, in the method according to the invention, the olfactory substance is not released independently of the user's current situation. Rather, the situation is recorded and analyzed based on data. Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be used to condition the user. The olfactory substance is only released if the analysis of the user's situation has shown that such conditioning of the user is necessary.

[0013] Advantageously, the method can thus be used by a user to support behavioral changes. The method according to the invention can, for example, support the user in quitting smoking, losing weight, learning with greater concentration, or inducing any other behavioral changes, provided such behavioral changes can be supported by administering an olfactory substance. The olfactory substance can thus be administered to influence a user in a desired manner.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, this does not include the therapeutic or general medical treatment of the human or animal body.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data relating to the situation are at least partially acquired by at least one sensor. For example, the sensor or sensors can acquire acoustic information, visual information, accelerations, temporal information, position information, brightness information, approaches of an object to the portable device, and / or smells, i.e., olfactory information. The temporal information can, in particular, comprise a time of day or a time interval. Advantageously, these data make it possible to determine the situation in which the user finds himself with particular precision. In this way, it can be determined very precisely whether a desired conditioning of the user should take place.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the sensor detects whether the user is in a situation in which they are operating a device equipped with a test seal. The data associated with the test seal can be read out, for example, via a radio connection or optically. The test seal can be, for example, an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) transponder or an optical test seal, in particular a hologram. If necessary, the test seal can also be checked using the portable device. According to the invention, conditioning of the user is also desired in this case, so that even in such a situation, an olfactory substance is released, confirming to the user that they are working on a device equipped with a test seal.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data is transmitted to the data acquisition device from an external device. For example, data on the user's blood sugar level and / or dopamine level can be transmitted to the data acquisition device in this way. In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data on the situation is alternatively or additionally acquired at least in part by an operating state of the portable device. This is, in particular, an operating state of the portable device that influences the output of messages to the user. The operating state can, for example, be a so-called focus state of the portable device, in particular a smartphone. The focus state of a smartphone can be set by the user. Furthermore, it can be set automatically, e.g., according to certain rules.The focus state can be used, for example, to set whether the user does not want to be disturbed, whether the user is working or sleeping, or whether they want time for themselves. Depending on the focus state, it is possible to control which messages the device, i.e. in particular the smartphone, sends to the user. In the method according to the invention, this focus state can be used to draw conclusions about the situation of the user of the portable device. This operating state of the portable device can be used, in particular, in combination with data recorded by one or more sensors, in order to record and analyze the situation in which the user finds himself.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the data relating to the situation in the method according to the invention can also be collected, at least in part, directly through user input. For example, the user can directly enter the current situation.

[0019] According to a further development of the method according to the invention, initial assignments between different situation types and conditioning types of the user are stored. When determining the situation from the recorded data, one of the situation types is then determined, and the portable device uses the stored first assignments to determine one of the conditioning types from the determined situation type. In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the possible situations that can be determined from the recorded data are classified into situation types. For example, the following situation types can be defined: The user is in a learning situation; the user is in a situation in which they are about to consume food; the user intends to smoke a cigarette. Furthermore, a situation type can be defined that defines situations in which no conditioning of the user should take place.

[0020] Furthermore, in this design, the possible conditioning treatments are also classified into conditioning types. These conditioning types can include, for example, the following: The user wants to be supported in studying with concentration; the user wants to be supported in losing weight; the user wants to be supported in quitting smoking. Furthermore, a conditioning type can also indicate that no conditioning of the user should take place.

[0021] The initial assignments map the situation types to the conditioning types. This mapping is particularly surjective. It is therefore possible, for example, for different situation types to be assigned to the same conditioning type. For example, there are a variety of situations that are also assigned to different situation types, which in turn are intended to effect conditioning that supports the user in concentrated learning.

[0022] According to a further development of the method according to the invention, the situation determined before the olfactory substance is released is assigned to a situation type from a plurality of situation types. Using the recorded data, a further situation is determined after an olfactory substance has been released. Using the recorded data on the further situation, it is then determined whether the desired, i.e., required, conditioning of the user has occurred. If the user has been conditioned, it is determined which of a plurality of conditioning types has occurred, and a first assignment between the situation type and the user's conditioning type is stored.During a subsequent determination of the situation from the recorded data, the situation type is determined, and the wearable device determines the conditioning type using the stored initial assignment from the determined situation type. The data for determining the situation can be collected automatically. Alternatively or additionally, this data can also be collected by entering it into an application running on the wearable device. In this way, it can be automatically checked whether the desired conditioning has actually occurred in a specific situation. In this way, the process can learn automatically and save learned assignments between situation types and conditioning types.

[0023] According to a development of the method according to the invention, second assignments between conditioning types and olfactory-active substances are stored. The portable device selects one of the olfactory-active substances from the determined conditioning type using the stored second assignments. The selected olfactory-active substance is then released. This development particularly relates to the possibility of releasing different olfactory-active substances. In this case, a decision must be made as to which of the olfactory-active substances should be released. This is done using the stored second assignments. A specific olfactory-active substance is selected from the conditioning type, which has been determined based on the situation types. This selection is only made, however, if the situation orThe type of situation indicates that the user should also be conditioned. If no conditioning of the user is to occur, no olfactory substance is selected.

[0024] According to a further development of the method according to the invention, the conditioning of the user to be carried out before the delivery of the olfactory substance is assigned to one of a plurality of conditioning types. Using the acquired data, a further situation is then determined after an olfactory substance has been delivered. Using the acquired data on the further situation, it is determined whether the desired, i.e., required, conditioning of the user has taken place. The acquisition of the data on the further situation can take place automatically. Alternatively or additionally, this data can also be acquired by entering it into an application running on the portable device.Once the user has been conditioned, it is determined which olfactory substance was delivered from a multitude of olfactory substances, and a second association between the user's conditioning type and the olfactory substance is stored. During a subsequent determination of the conditioning based on the identified situation, the portable device will then select and deliver the olfactory substance to be delivered from the identified conditioning type using the stored second association. In this way, it can be automatically checked whether the desired conditioning has actually been achieved by delivering a specific olfactory substance. The method can therefore learn automatically and store learned associations between conditioning types and olfactory substances.

[0025] If the user is to be conditioned, the method according to the invention can also provide an acoustic and / or haptic output in addition to the delivery of the olfactory substance. The haptic output can, for example, be a vibration, particularly of the portable device or a portable accessory. In this way, the user's conditioning can be further supported.

[0026] According to a further development of the method according to the invention, the dispensing device is arranged in a portable accessory, which exchanges data with the portable device via an interface. Furthermore, at least one sensor can be arranged in the portable accessory.

[0027] The device according to the invention for dispensing an olfactory substance comprises a portable device. This portable device, in turn, comprises a data acquisition device configured to acquire data relating to a situation in which the user is located, a situation determination device configured to determine the situation using the acquired data, an analysis device configured to analyze, using the situation determined by the situation determination device, whether the user should be conditioned, and a dispensing device configured to dispense an olfactory substance when the user should be conditioned.

[0028] The device according to the invention is particularly designed to carry out the above-described method according to the invention. It therefore also has the same advantages as the method according to the invention.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the data acquisition device is connected to at least one sensor designed to acquire data relating to the situation. The sensor can be selected from a microphone, a camera, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a timepiece, e.g., a clock, a proximity sensor, a position sensor, a brightness sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a body temperature sensor, a skin resistance sensor, a sensor for electrical impulses of the body, and an odor sensor. The data acquisition device can, in particular, also comprise several of the aforementioned sensors, which can acquire different types of information. For example, acoustic, visual, temporal, spatial, and / or olfactory data can be acquired.Alternatively or additionally, accelerations in different spatial directions and approaches of objects to the sensor can be recorded.

[0030] Furthermore, in a further embodiment of the invention, further relevant data, for example, regarding the user's blood sugar level and / or dopamine level, can be read in via the data acquisition device. For this purpose, the data acquisition device can be data-linked to an external device. According to one embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one sensor is arranged in a portable additional device, which has an interface for data-linking to an interface of the portable device. In particular, the body temperature sensor, the skin resistance sensor, the sensor for electrical impulses of the body, and / or the odor sensor can be arranged in the portable additional device. In this case, the device thus comprises the portable device and the portable additional device.The data connection between the portable device and the portable additional device can be made via a wireless connection, for example a Bluetooth interface.

[0031] Alternatively, the portable additional device is connected to the portable device via a cable connection or a plug connection.

[0032] If a plurality of sensors are used by the data acquisition device, it is possible for one or more sensors to be arranged in the portable device and one or more sensors to be arranged in the portable accessory device. The data from these sensors is then combined in the data acquisition device, which is arranged in particular in the portable device. Advantageously, in this case, the computing power provided by the device can be concentrated in the portable device, so that the size and power requirements of the portable accessory device can be minimized.

[0033] According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the wearable accessory is mechanically coupled to a necklace. The wearable accessory can thus be worn by a user using the necklace. This embodiment has the advantage that the sensors of the wearable accessory are positioned close to the user's sensory organs during use. The data acquired by these sensors can thus capture precise data on the user's sensory perceptions.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, the wearable accessory is arranged in or on a piece of clothing. Furthermore, it is possible for the wearable accessory to be arranged in or on a wristwatch. For example, the wearable accessory can be integrated into a so-called smartwatch.

[0035] The dispensing device can, in particular, comprise a vaporizer and / or an atomizer. In this way, the olfactory substance can be dispensed particularly efficiently for the user's perception. Advantageously, the dispensing device is arranged in the wearable accessory. If the wearable accessory is mechanically coupled to a necklace and is therefore worn around the user's neck, the dispensing device is arranged particularly close to the user's nose, so that the olfactory-dispensed substance can be perceived particularly well by the user.

[0036] In addition to or as an alternative to the sensor(s), the wearable device may include an input device through which the data relating to the situation can be captured. In this case, the user can directly enter the situation in which they find themselves.

[0037] Furthermore, in addition to or as an alternative to the sensor(s), the portable device can be configured to access an operating state of the portable device. This operating state is, in particular, a state that controls the output of messages to the user. For example, it is a so-called focus state, as explained above.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, it comprises a selection device configured to select the olfactory substance to be dispensed. In particular, the selection device can select a specific olfactory substance from a plurality of olfactory substances depending on one of the various conditioning types. In this case, the dispensing device is configured, in particular, to dispense various olfactory substances. It is controlled by the selection device. For example, an evaporator or an atomizer can access various reservoirs containing different olfactory substances and vaporize or atomize these substances in a targeted manner.

[0039] The invention will now be explained using embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0041] Figure 2 shows schematically the structure of the portable device of the embodiment of the device according to the invention and

[0042] Figure 3 illustrates the assignments stored in a memory of the portable device for determining the olfactory substance to be released. With reference to Figure 1, the basic structure of an embodiment of the device according to the invention is explained:

[0043] The device comprises a portable device 1. The portable device 1 is, for example, a smartphone. It comprises a processor known per se, on which application software, i.e., an app, runs, which controls the features of the device 1.

[0044] The portable device 1 comprises an input device 2, for example a touchscreen or a voice interface, for entering data.

[0045] Furthermore, the device comprises a portable additional device 3. In the present embodiment, the portable additional device 3 is designed as a medallion or amulet, which is mechanically attached to a necklace 4 by means of an eyelet, so that a user can wear the additional device 3 around the neck.

[0046] The portable accessory device 3 comprises several sensors 5, a dispensing device 6, a loudspeaker 7, and an interface 8. In the present embodiment, a microphone and an odor sensor are provided as sensors 5. In other embodiments, however, other sensors 5, further sensors, such as a body temperature sensor, a skin resistance sensor, and / or a sensor for electrical impulses of the body, which are applied to the user's skin via contacts, or even just one sensor, can be arranged in the portable accessory device 3.

[0047] The dispensing device 6 is designed to dispense an olfactory substance. For this purpose, it comprises a vaporizer and / or an atomizer fluidly connected to several reservoirs for holding various olfactory substances. A control signal can be used to control which reservoir the fluid connection is to be established with, so that it is possible to control which olfactory substance is dispensed. In other embodiments, only one reservoir may be provided.

[0048] Interface 8 is a radio interface, for example a Bluetooth interface, via which bidirectional data exchange with portable device 1 is possible via a radio connection 15. Further details on the structure of portable device 1 are explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0049] The portable device 1 comprises an interface 9, which corresponds to the interface 8 of the portable accessory device 3. It is therefore also a radio interface, in particular a Bluetooth interface.

[0050] In other embodiments, the devices and functions of the portable accessory device 3 can also be integrated into the portable device 1. In this case, the interfaces 8, 9 are wired and serve for internal data exchange within the device 1. In such an embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises only the portable device 1 and no further accessory device 3.

[0051] In still other embodiments, the portable accessory device 3 is connected to the portable device 1 via a cable connection or an electronic plug connection.

[0052] Furthermore, the portable device 1 comprises a data acquisition device 10. The data acquisition device 10 is connected to sensors 22 of the portable device 1. Furthermore, the data acquisition device 10 is connected to the interface 9, so that it can also acquire data acquired by the sensors 5 of the portable accessory device 3.

[0053] In the present exemplary embodiment, the portable device 1 comprises, as further sensors 22, a camera, a timepiece, i.e. a clock, a gyro sensor, a brightness sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and a proximity sensor. Furthermore, the sensors 22 of the portable device 1 comprise a positioning sensor. This can determine an external position of the portable device 1 via a satellite navigation system. Furthermore, the positioning sensor can determine a local position indoors. This positioning indoors can be carried out via radio connections, such as a WLAN connection. The camera can be used to optically capture data from a marking. This marking can be, for example, a test seal which is attached to a device in the form of a hologram.

[0054] Finally, the sensors can be used to exchange data with external devices. Among other things, data associated with a test seal can be transmitted via a wireless connection. The test seal, for example, is an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transponder.

[0055] In other embodiments, these sensors 22, or a portion of these sensors 22, can also be integrated into the portable accessory device 3. Furthermore, a different distribution of the sensors 5, 22 between the portable device 1 and the portable accessory device 3 can also be selected. The data acquisition device 10 is connected to these sensors 5, 22, so that the data acquired by the sensors 5, 22 is transmitted to the data acquisition device 10.

[0056] In addition, the data processing device 10 records data on the above-described operating state of the portable device 1, as well as data that the user has entered into the portable device 1 via the application software using the input device 2. Furthermore, data on the user's blood sugar level and / or dopamine level are read in via the data acquisition device 10 and, if necessary, the validity of a test seal is checked.

[0057] The data acquisition device 10 is connected to a situation determination device 11. Furthermore, the situation determination device 11 is connected to a memory 14. The situation determination device 11 is designed to determine the situation in which a user finds himself using the acquired data transmitted by the data acquisition device 10, as will be explained in detail later with reference to the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention. The situation determination device 11 is connected to an analysis device 12, which is also connected to the memory 14. The analysis device 12 is designed to analyze the situation determined by the situation determination device 11 to determine whether the user should be conditioned, as will also be explained in detail later with reference to the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0058] The analysis device 12 is connected to a selection device 13, which is also connected to the memory 14. The selection device 13 is designed to select the olfactory substance to be released, as will be explained in detail later with reference to the embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0059] The selection device 13 is connected to the interface 9 so that control signals can be transmitted to the dispensing device 6, and optionally also to the loudspeaker 7 of the portable accessory device 3. In other embodiments, in which only one reservoir is provided and thus only one olfactory substance can be dispensed, the selection device 13 is not required.

[0060] In the following, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained, wherein in connection with this embodiment, the design and function of the embodiment of the device according to the invention is explained in further detail:

[0061] To implement the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention, application software, an app, is stored on the portable device 1, which controls the method. To start the method, the user enters a start command via the input device 2 for the application software to start the method. In other exemplary embodiments, the portable accessory device 3 can also include an input device by means of which the application software can be started. In this case, the start command is transmitted to the portable device 1 via the interfaces 8 and 9.

[0062] After the method has been started, the data acquisition device 10 acquires data relating to a situation in which a user is located. For this purpose, the sensors 5 of the portable accessory device 3 and the sensors 22 of the portable device 1 transmit data to the data acquisition device 10. This data, which may be further filtered and / or consolidated, is then transmitted to the situation determination device 11. The situation determination device 11 uses the acquired data to determine the situation in which the user is located. Furthermore, the situation is classified by the situation determination device 11. During the classification, the specific situation is assigned to a situation type.

[0063] This process is illustrated in Figure 3. The acquired data 16 are processed such that a specific situation type 17 is determined by the situation determination device 11.

[0064] The following are some examples of data collection and the determination of a corresponding situation and the classification into situation types:

[0065] The positioning sensor of portable device 1 detects that the portable device 1 is located in a library, for example, because it has been connected to the library's Wi-Fi network. Based on this data capture, the situation is assigned to the situation type "Staying in a library."

[0066] In another example, data acquisition device 10 detects that the operating state of portable device 1 is in the "Do Not Disturb" state. Furthermore, the position of the user's upper body and head is detected via the camera of portable device 1, and a bright ambient brightness is detected via the brightness sensor of portable device 1. The situation is interpreted by situation determination device 11 as meaning that the user does not want to be disturbed but is awake. This situation is assigned to the "Do Not Disturb While Awake" situation type.

[0067] In another example, the gyro sensor detects a turning of the portable device 1 so that the device 1 is oriented with an input device 2 facing downwards. At the same time, the clock of the portable device 1 records the time of day. For example, a time of day during which the user is typically awake is recorded. In this case, too, the specific situation is assigned to the "Do not disturb while awake" situation type.

[0068] In another example, the user directly inputs that he or she is in a learning situation via input device 2 using the application software. This data input is assigned to the situation type "learning state."

[0069] In another example, a sound is detected using the microphone of the sensors 5 of the portable accessory device 3, which the situation determination device 11 associates with the actuation of a lighter. This recorded data leads to the situation type "smoking intention."

[0070] In another example, a noise is detected via the microphone integrated into the portable accessory device 3, which the situation determination device 11 interprets as the opening of a refrigerator door. Furthermore, the clock of the portable device 1 determines a time at which the user frequently consumes food. The recording of this data leads to the situation type "intention to eat." The time can, in particular, include the time intervals of the day at which an intended, but undesired, consumption of food by the user, e.g., in the evening while watching television, is to be prevented. On the other hand, if such a noise of a refrigerator door opening is detected at a time of day at which the user usually puts his or her groceries in the refrigerator, this situation is not assigned to the situation type "intention to eat."

[0071] In another example, the positioning sensor detects that the user is in a restaurant or cafeteria. In this case, the situation type "intention to eat" is also determined.

[0072] In another example, a test seal of a device is captured and verified. The situation determination device 11 assigns this data capture to a situation type "Operation of a tested device."

[0073] It should be noted that in further embodiments, a wide variety of additional data can be recorded, which can lead to a wide variety of other situation types. Furthermore, it is possible that the recorded data cannot be assigned to a specific situation type. In this case, "No predetermined situation" is defined as the additional situation type.

[0074] In a particularly simple embodiment, in addition to this situation type “No predetermined situation”, only one further situation type can be defined.

[0075] After the situation type has been determined by the situation determination device 11, it is analyzed whether conditioning should be performed, and if so, a desired conditioning type is determined. For this purpose, initial assignments 18 between various situation types 17 and conditioning types 19 of the user are stored in the memory 14, as illustrated in Figure 3. The analysis device 12 uses the stored initial assignments 18 to determine one of the plurality of conditioning types stored in the memory 14 from the determined situation type. For example, the following conditioning types can be stored in the memory 14:

[0076] - “Supporting learning”

[0077] - “Support in quitting smoking”

[0078] - “Support in losing weight”

[0079] - “Confirmation of operation of a device with test seal”

[0080] - “No conditioning”

[0081] Furthermore, the first 18 assignments assign the conditioning type "Learning Support" to the situation types "Staying in a Library," "Do Not Disturb While Awake," and "Learning State," the conditioning type "Support in Learning" to the situation type "Intention to Smoke," the conditioning type "Support in Quitting Smoking" to the situation type "Intention to Eat," the conditioning type "Support in Weight Loss" to the situation type "Operating a Tested Device," and the conditioning type "Confirming the Operation of a Device with a Test Seal" to the situation type "Operating a Tested Device." Finally, the further conditioning type "No Conditioning" is defined. The first 18 assignments assign the conditioning type "No Conditioning" to the situation type "No Predetermined Situation Defined."

[0082] The analysis device 12 thus determines the type of conditioning assigned to the determined situation type, including the information as to whether the user should be conditioned at all.

[0083] The olfactory substance to be delivered is then selected by means of the selection device 13. Information about the olfactory substances 21 located in the reservoirs of the delivery device 6 of the additional device 3 is stored in the memory 14. Furthermore, second assignments 20 between conditioning types 19 and olfactory substances 21 are stored in the memory 14. Using the stored second assignments, the selection device 13 selects a specific one of the olfactory substances 21, unless the conditioning type is "No Conditioning." Optionally, the selection device can also select an acoustic signal associated with the conditioning type. Such assignments can also be stored in the memory 14.

[0084] Subsequently, a control signal generated by the selection device 13 is transmitted via the interfaces 9 and 8 to the dispensing device 6 and the loudspeaker 7. The vaporizer and / or atomizer of the dispensing device 6 is then controlled such that the reservoir with the selected olfactory substance 21 is brought into fluid communication with the vaporizer and / or atomizer, and the olfactory substance 21 of this reservoir is dispensed. Simultaneously, the loudspeaker 7 emits an acoustic signal in accordance with the control signal of the selection device 13. The olfactory substance 21 that is dispensed and, if applicable, also the acoustic signal emitted by the loudspeaker 7 have the property that, depending on the specific conditioning type 19, the user is conditioned in the desired manner, i.e.For example, it can be used to support learning, to help quit smoking, or to help lose weight. In further embodiments, it is possible to administer other olfactory-active substances for other types of conditioning.

[0085] List of reference symbols

[0086] 1 portable device

[0087] 2 Input device

[0088] 3 Additional device

[0089] 4 Necklace

[0090] 5 sensors

[0091] 6 Dispensing device

[0092] 7 speakers

[0093] 8 Interface

[0094] 9 Interface

[0095] 10 Data acquisition device

[0096] 11 Situation determination device

[0097] 12 Analysis device

[0098] 13 Selection device

[0099] 14 storage

[0100] 15 Radio connection

[0101] 16 data

[0102] 17 situation types

[0103] 18 first assignments

[0104] 19 types of conditioning

[0105] 20 second assignments

[0106] 21 olfactory active substances

[0107] 22 sensors

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for dispensing an olfactory substance (21), in which data (16) on a situation in which a user is located are recorded by means of a portable device (1), the situation is determined by means of the recorded data (16), the determined situation is analyzed to determine whether the user should be conditioned, and if the user should be conditioned, an olfactory substance (21) is dispensed.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data (16) relating to the situation are at least partly recorded by at least one sensor (5, 22).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data (16) relating to the situation are acquired at least in part by an operating state of the portable device (1).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that first assignments between different situation types (17) and conditioning types (19) of the user are stored, when determining the situation one of the situation types (17) is determined from the recorded data (16) and the portable device (1) determines one of the conditioning types (19) from the determined one situation type (17) by means of the stored first assignments (18).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the possible situations that can be determined from the acquired data are classified into situation types and / or the possible conditionings are classified into conditioning types.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the situation determined before the application of the olfactory active substance (21) is assigned to a situation type from a plurality of situation types (17), by means of the recorded data (16) a further situation is determined after an olfactory active substance (21) has been applied, by means of the recorded data (16) for the further situation it is determined whether the conditioning of the user to be carried out has taken place, if the conditioning of the user has taken place, it is determined which conditioning type from a plurality of conditioning types (19) has taken place and a first assignment between the situation type (17) and the conditioning type (19) of the user is stored,in a subsequent determination of the situation, the situation type (17) is determined from the recorded data (16) and the portable device (1) determines the conditioning type (19) from the determined situation type (17) by means of the stored first assignment (18).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that second assignments (20) between conditioning types (19) and olfactory active substances (21) are stored, the portable device (1) selects one of the olfactory active substances (21) from the determined one conditioning type (19) by means of the stored second assignments (20), and the selected olfactory active substance (21) is delivered.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conditioning of the user to be carried out before the application of the olfactory active substance (21) is assigned to a conditioning type from a plurality of conditioning types (19), by means of the recorded data (16) a further situation is determined after an olfactory active substance (21) has been applied, by means of the recorded data (16) on the further situation it is determined whether the conditioning of the user to be carried out has taken place, if the conditioning of the user has taken place, it is determined which olfactory active substance from a plurality of olfactory active substances (21) was applied and a second assignment (20) between the conditioning type (19) of the user and the olfactory active substance is stored, in a subsequent determination of the conditioning by means of the determined situation the portable device (1) selects and applies the olfactory active substance (21) to be applied from the determined conditioning type (19) by means of the stored second assignment (20).

9. Device for dispensing an olfactory substance (21) with: a portable device (1) comprising: a data acquisition device (10) which is designed to acquire data (16) on a situation in which a user is located, a situation determination device (11) which is designed to determine the situation using the acquired data (16), an analysis device (12) which is designed to analyse, using the situation determined by the situation acquisition device (11), whether conditioning of the user is to take place, and a dispensing device (6) which is designed to dispense an olfactory substance (21) if conditioning of the user is to take place.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the data acquisition device (10) is connected to at least one sensor (5) which is designed to acquire the data (16) relating to the situation.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the sensor (5) is selected from a microphone, a camera, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a timer, a proximity sensor, a position sensor, a brightness sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a body temperature sensor, a skin resistance sensor, a sensor for electrical impulses of the body, and an odor sensor.

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one sensor (5) is arranged in a portable additional device (3) which has an interface (9) for data coupling with an interface (8) of the portable device (1).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the portable accessory (3) is mechanically coupled to a necklace (4).

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the portable additional device (3) is arranged in or on a piece of clothing.

15. Device according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the dispensing device (6) comprises an evaporator and / or an atomizer.

16. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the dispensing device (6) is arranged in the portable additional device (3).

17. Device according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the device comprises a selection device (13) which is designed to select the olfactory active substance (21) to be dispensed.

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