Aroma management system

Abstract

[Problem] Conventionally, an aroma, similar to an aroma requested by a user device, is retrieved from a database, and the aroma is emitted by a device. However, there has been no margin for market distribution mechanisms to be incorporated into data structures or databases, and it has not been clear how to ensure the authenticity of data or how to protect copyright holders. [Solution] A data string packet structure for aroma generation and which is transmitted through the Internet is configured from an aroma type identification information retention area of a prescribed size for retaining aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma to be generated in a diffuser device and an aroma attribute information retention area of a prescribed size for retaining aroma attribute information, which is information indicating an attribute of the aroma. The data string packet structure for aroma generation is also configured having a non-fungible token (NFT) information retention area for retaining NFT information. Data authenticity can be ensured using blockchain technology, and copyrights can be protected by the NFT.

Description

Aroma Management System

[0001] The present invention relates to the data conversion of aromas and to a management system for aroma data of the data-converted aromas.

[0002] Research is being conducted into sensors aimed at mechanizing the five human senses, and the digitalization of the five senses is progressing. Regarding the sense of smell, which has been least studied, it has been discovered that humans have nearly 400 olfactory receptors that detect smells and fragrances, but the digitalization of smells is still in progress. There are movie theaters that have cartridges containing specific smells and generators installed in the seats, but a standard system for synthesizing smells by combining elemental components has not yet been put into practical use.

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for deriving scent generation information for an input signal indicating a situation requiring a particular scent based at least on a searchable database, and operating a digitally controllable scent delivery device to generate and deliver the selected scent. The database stores scent descriptions and tagged ingredients and accompanying formulations, chemical parameters, consumer or individual data preferences, taste and perception, and / or regulatory constraints, limitations, parameters, or conditions governing the use or delivery of scent ingredients or compositions to users. Examples are given in which the information held in the database includes information other than the tagged ingredients and accompanying formulations, as described above.

[0004] Special table number 2018-516719

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 allows a user to request a desired scent from a device, which then emits a scent close to the request, but the format of the requested information, the format of the information used to search for scents based on that request, and the format of the scent information are all black boxes. Therefore, there is no room for adding creativity to the scent or for the scent itself to evolve and evolve to become more realistic or more pleasurable. This is because, as mentioned above, scent information is black-boxed and fixed in a predetermined database, leaving no room for a system that distributes it in the market.

[0006] Furthermore, the technology of Patent Document 1 describes that the data includes information regarding regulations on the use of raw materials and compositions, and related regulatory constraints for wired or wireless commands (transmission) to other user devices (i.e., limited use of chemical substances or chemical concentrations for delivery), but there are issues in that it does not disclose information regarding the authenticity of the data, restrictions on the transmission of scent data that complies with legal regulations but may cause discomfort to people, or copyrights or usage rights of the data.

[0007] Therefore, in the present invention, the aroma generation data string packet structure is limited to a predetermined format that can be distributed via the Internet. By limiting it to a format that can be distributed via the Internet, the aroma generation data string packet structure can be distributed on the market, allowing many users to use and evaluate it. In addition, as long as the data is created in the same format, anyone can create their own original aroma generation data string packet structure, allowing many users to incorporate their own creativity and individuality into the aroma generation data string packet structure. In other words, a system has been created that allows the world of aroma to constantly evolve.

[0008] Regarding smells and fragrances (hereinafter referred to as aromas in this specification), the present invention provides an aroma generation data string packet structure that adds aroma attribute information, which is information indicating the attributes of the aroma, in addition to information regarding the blend.The present invention also provides an aroma generation data string packet structure that further holds NFT information as information regarding the originality of the data and usage rights.The present invention also provides an aroma management system that includes a diffuser device that uses such an aroma generation data string packet structure, an aroma generation data string packet structure server device, an NFT verification server device, a storage device alone, and an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device.

[0009] In order to solve the problems related to the aroma management system as described above, the present application provides, as a first invention, a data string packet structure for aroma generation of a predetermined size written in a manner readable and executable by a diffuser device (A) which is a computer, wherein the header or payload storage section of this packet structure has: an aroma type identification information holding area of ​​a predetermined size for holding aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma to be generated by the diffuser device (A), and an aroma attribute information holding area of ​​a predetermined size for holding aroma attribute information which is information indicating the attributes of this aroma.

[0010] As a second invention, based on the first invention, there is provided a data string packet structure for aroma generation, which further has an NFT information storage area for storing NFT information.

[0011] As a third invention, there is provided a data string packet structure for aroma generation based on either the first or second invention, which further has a diffuser device (A) control information holding area used for control information of the control information output section (AF) of the diffuser device (A) described below.

[0012] As a fourth invention, there is provided a diffuser device (A) having an aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) that holds aroma-generating raw materials, which are raw materials for mixing and generating multiple types of aromas; an aroma-generating raw material-specific external spraying section (AB) that sprays the held aroma-generating raw materials externally; an external spray control section (AC) that controls the aroma-generating raw material-specific external spraying section; an aroma-generation data string packet structure acquisition section (AD) that acquires the aroma-generation data string packet structure of either the first or second invention; an aroma-type identification information acquisition section (AE) that acquires aroma-type identification information included in the acquired aroma-generation data string packet structure; a control information output section (AF) that outputs control information to the external spray control section (AC) based on the acquired aroma-type identification information; and a communication section (AG) for network communication.

[0013] As a fifth invention, there is provided an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) having: an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA) that holds the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of the first to third inventions; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) that outputs the held aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) described in claim 3 via a network.

[0014] As a sixth invention, based on the fifth invention, there is provided an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) which further has an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) which registers an aroma generation data string packet structure in an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA).

[0015] As a seventh invention, we provide an NFT verification server device (C) having an NFT information acquisition unit (CA) that acquires the NFT information of the second invention, an NFT information verification unit (CB) that verifies the acquired NFT information and acquires the verification results, and a verification result output unit (CC) that outputs the acquired verification results.

[0016] As an eighth invention, there is provided a storage device (D) having an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (DA) that holds the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of the first to third inventions, and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) that outputs the held aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of the fourth invention.

[0017] As a ninth invention, there is provided an aroma management system comprising the diffuser device (A) of the fourth invention and the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of either the fifth or sixth invention.

[0018] As a tenth invention, we provide an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) having a control information input unit (EA) that inputs control information to an external spray control unit (AC), a control information holding unit (EB) that holds the control information, a control information editing unit (EC) that edits the held control information, an aroma generation data string packet structure generating unit (ED) that generates an aroma generation data string packet based on the held control information, and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) that outputs the generated aroma generation data string packet structure to be registered in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit.

[0019] As an eleventh invention, based on the tenth invention, there is provided an aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) which further has a user identification information storage unit (EF) for storing user identification information for identifying a user.

[0020] As a twelfth invention, based on either the tenth or eleventh invention, there is provided an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), further comprising: a usage authority information acquisition unit (EG) that acquires usage authority information, which is information regarding the usage authority of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of a user identified by user identification information, in association with user identification information; and a usage control unit (EH) that controls the usage of one or more of a control information editing unit (EC), the aroma generation data string packet structure generation unit (ED), and the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) based on the acquired usage authority information.

[0021] As a thirteenth invention, there is provided an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) based on any one of the tenth to twelfth inventions, further comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ) that acquires an aroma generation data string packet structure via a network; a transfer unit (EK) that transfers the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A); an evaluation input receiving unit (EL) that receives input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure; and an evaluation output unit (EM) that outputs the received evaluation via the network.

[0022] As a fourteenth invention, based on any one of the tenth to thirteenth inventions, there is provided an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), wherein the evaluation output unit (EM) has a non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) that outputs the evaluation in association with user identification information.

[0023] As a fifteenth invention, there is provided an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) based on any one of the tenth to fourteenth inventions, further comprising an evaluation acquisition unit (EO) that acquires an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via a network.

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention also provides operation methods and readable operation programs for the above-mentioned diffuser device (A), aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), NFT data server device (C), storage device (D), aroma management system (E), and aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E). The respective operation programs may also be recorded on storage media.

[0025] The present invention, which is mainly configured as described above, limits the format to one that can be distributed via the Internet, thereby enabling aroma generation data string packet structures to be distributed on the market and used and evaluated by many users. Furthermore, as long as data is created in the same format, anyone can create their own original aroma generation data string packet structure, allowing many users to incorporate their own creativity and individuality into the aroma generation data string packet structure. Regarding smells and fragrances (hereinafter referred to as aromas) in this specification, an aroma generation data string packet structure is provided that includes aroma attribute information, which is information indicating the attributes of the aroma, in addition to information about the blending process. Also provided is an aroma generation data string packet structure that further holds NFT information as information regarding the originality of the data and the right of use. The present invention provides a diffuser device that uses such an aroma generation data string packet structure, an aroma generation data string packet structure server device, an NFT verification server device, a single storage device, and an aroma management system that consists of the diffuser device and the aroma generation data string packet structure server device.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an example of a data string configuration of the invention according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 shows an example of a data string configuration of the invention according to embodiment 2. FIG. 3 shows an example of a data string configuration of the invention according to embodiment 3. Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 4. Operation flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 4. Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 4. Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 5. Operation flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 5. Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 5. Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 6. Operation flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 6. Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 6. Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 7. Operation flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 7. Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 7. Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 8. Operation flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 8. Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 8. Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 9. Operation flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 9. Overall configuration schematic diagram of an aroma management system according to embodiment 9. 10. Functional block diagram of the invention; Operational flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 10; Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 10; Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 11; Operational flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 11; Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 11; Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 12; Operational flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 12; Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 12; Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 13; Operational flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 13; Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 13; Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 14; Operational flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 14; Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 14; Functional block diagram of the invention according to embodiment 15; Operational flowchart of the invention according to embodiment 15; Hardware diagram of the invention according to embodiment 15; Overall configuration schematic diagram of the aroma management system of the present invention; Diffuser device (A), aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), NFT verification server device (C), storage device (D),1 is a diagram showing an example of hardware of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E); FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of control information of the present invention; Schematic diagram 1 showing the processing flow of the invention according to embodiment 8; Schematic diagram 2 showing the processing flow of the invention according to embodiment 8; Example of a TOP screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example of an aroma playback screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example of a library search screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example of a library organization screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example 1 of an aroma recipe purchase screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example 2 of an aroma recipe purchase screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example 3 of an aroma recipe creation screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example 1 of an aroma recipe creation screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention; Example 2 of an aroma evaluation screen of an aroma management system app according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0027] <Premises for the explanation of all embodiments> <Hardware that may constitute the present invention> The present invention is, in principle, an invention that utilizes a computer, but it may also be realized at least in part by software, by hardware, or through the collaboration of software and hardware. In this case, the software performs various calculations using hardware resources and realizes various functions through the required data and information. It can be said that information processing by software is specifically realized using hardware resources.

[0028] Hardware that realizes all or part of the components of this invention comprises the basic components of a computer, such as a CPU, memory, bus, input / output devices, various peripherals, and user interfaces. Peripheral devices may include storage devices, Internet interfaces, Internet devices, LAN devices, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) devices, displays, display interfaces, keyboards, mice, speakers, microphones, cameras, videos, televisions, CD drives, DVD drives, Blu-ray drives, USB memory, USB memory interfaces, removable hard drives, standard hard drives, projectors, SSDs, telephones, fax machines, copiers, printers, movie editing devices, and various sensors. Some household electrical appliances, such as diffusers, incorporate simple computers. These computers are designed for specific functions and control purposes, but their general structure and elements are as follows: Microcontroller: A microcontroller integrates a CPU, memory, input / output ports, timers, serial communication interfaces, and other components into a single chip. It controls specific tasks and functions based on software (firmware) embedded in its program memory (flash memory). Input Devices: Common input devices used in home appliances include buttons, touch panels, and remote controls. These devices receive user input. Output Devices: There are output devices such as LED displays, LCD displays, audio output, and motor control, depending on the function of the appliance. Computers control these output devices to display information and control operations. Sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, and acceleration sensors are used to obtain ambient conditions and input information. Computers interpret data from sensors and use it for control. Control Algorithms: Computers in home appliances operate based on pre-programmed control algorithms. For example, they perform specific functions and tasks such as temperature control, time control, and sensor data analysis. These elements combine to enable the computer in an appliance to achieve a specific function.For example, the diffuser's computer controls the heating time and spray volume.

[0029] The system does not necessarily have to be configured from a single unit, but may be configured by connecting multiple units through communication. Communication may be via LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, or ultrasonic communication, and some of the units may be installed across national borders.

[0030] <Fulfillment of the Laws of Nature in All Embodiments of the Present Invention>

[0031] The present invention functions through the cooperation of a computer and software. In this invention, an aroma management system connects an aroma generation data string packet structure management server device (B) and an aroma-reproducing diffuser device (A) via a general internet line or a dedicated line. The aroma generation data string packet structure management server device (B) and the aroma-reproducing diffuser device (A) communicate to send and receive aroma generation data string packet structures and perform data queries. Regarding data queries, particularly for aroma generation data string packet structures with added NFT information, authentication is performed with an NFT verification server device (C). A storage device (D) outputs the stored aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A). An aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) outputs and acquires aroma generation data string packet structures and outputs evaluations via the network. Because this invention includes processing unique to ICT, it qualifies as a so-called business model patent. From this perspective, if the claimed invention is judged based on the resources such as computers described in the claims and specification and the common general technical knowledge related to those matters, the claimed invention will be deemed to utilize the laws of nature.

[0032] <Applicant's understanding of the significance of utilizing the laws of nature required by patent law>

[0033] The Patent Act requires that an invention be industrially applicable and contribute to the development of industry. The purpose of the law is to ensure that the invention is industrially applicable. In other words, the invention must be industrially useful; that is, the effects of the invention declared in the application must be reproducible with a certain degree of certainty through the practice of the invention. From this perspective, the term "utility of the law of nature" is interpreted as meaning that the functions of each of the invention's defining features (invention elements), which constitute the invention and enable it to achieve its effects, are realized by utilizing the laws of nature. Furthermore, the effect of an invention is merely the possibility of providing a specific utility to users of the invention; that utility should not be viewed in terms of how users perceive or think about it. Therefore, even if the effect obtained by users of the diffuser device (A) that generates aroma using an aroma generation data string packet structure, users of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), users of the storage device (D), managers and operators of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), managers and operators of the NFT verification server device (C), managers and operators that transmit the aroma generation data string packet structures, creators of the data, and outputters of evaluations through this aroma management system is a psychological effect (such as a sense of security), the effect itself is not a factor that is subject to determining whether or not the required natural law can be utilized.

[0034] <Hardware Configuration> Figure 40 shows an outline of the overall configuration of the aroma management system (4050) of the present invention. The diffuser device (A) (4010), aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (4020), NFT verification server device (C) (4030), storage device (D) (not shown), and aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) (4060) of the present system are connected via a wired or wireless connection (such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a mobile phone network) via an internet line (which may be another commercial line or a dedicated line). Aroma generation data string packet structures are transmitted, received, and processed via the internet line (which may be another commercial line or a dedicated line). The above-mentioned devices used by users and administrators of the aroma management system (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as the present system) of the present invention are described herein as having a configuration similar to a PC, but are not limited to a PC configuration. The devices other than the diffuser device (A) may be composed of information devices such as laptop PCs, desktop PCs, smartphones, tablets, etc. (which have internet connection capabilities and sufficient performance to use this system) and software (apps) that run on those devices.

[0035] The diffuser device (A) (4010), aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (4020), NFT verification server device (C) (4030), storage device (D) (not shown), and aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) (4060) that constitute the aroma management system of the present invention will be described herein primarily as an example of a configuration similar to a PC, unless otherwise specified. Figure 41 is a diagram showing an example of a PC-like hardware configuration for each device in an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) may have a configuration similar to a smartphone, but is basically similar to a PC, so its description will be omitted.

[0036] As shown in this diagram, the computer comprises a motherboard containing a chipset, CPU, non-volatile memory, main memory, various buses, BIOS (or UEFI), various peripheral devices and communication line connection interfaces such as USB and LAN, a real-time clock, and expansion cards such as a graphics card. These components operate in conjunction with an operating system, device drivers (for various interfaces such as USB, cameras, microphones, speakers or headphones, displays, and other built-in devices), and various programs. The various programs and data constituting the present invention are configured to efficiently utilize these hardware resources to execute various processes, including input signals from a keyboard or mouse connected via a USB terminal (or PS / 2 port). The computer is connected to the Internet via a LAN terminal or other means. The Internet connection may also be established using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or via a mobile phone network.

[0037] The following describes examples of the main components that make up a computer as hardware. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples. <Chipset>

[0038] A "chipset" is a set of large-scale integrated circuits (LSIs) mounted on a computer motherboard that integrates a bridge function, i.e., a communication function between the CPU's external bus and a standard bus connecting the motherboard's nonvolatile memory and peripheral devices. Traditionally, this configuration consisted of two chips: a northbridge connected to the CPU and performing high-speed processing, such as between the main memory and a graphics card equipped with a graphics processing chip (GPU), and a southbridge connected to the northbridge and performing processing between relatively slower interfaces. In recent years, the northbridge function has been integrated into the CPU, leaving only the former southbridge, but the term "chipset" continues to be used. This specification describes a single-chip configuration consisting of only the southbridge, with the northbridge function built into the CPU. The benefits of the present invention remain the same whether the two-chip configuration (northbridge and southbridge) described above is used or if there is no chipset with the southbridge function integrated into the CPU.

[0039] (Southbridge) When the chipset is a single chip, the southbridge handles I / O functions such as PCI Express interface (slot), SATA (Serial ATA) or eSATA interface, USB interface, LAN (Ethernet) interface, and real-time clock, as well as sound functions. When the chipset is a single chip, it is responsible for controlling external connections such as displays and USB / LAN terminals, SATA for connecting to HDDs and SSDs, and interfaces such as PCI Express. It is connected to the CPU via a point-to-point hardware interface (such as DMI: Direct Media Interface). Some chips support RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks), a technology that allows multiple HDDs to be recognized and displayed as a single drive, for non-volatile memory (such as HDDs). In addition, to support devices that are less commonly used in recent years and do not require or are unable to operate at high speed, such as PS / 2 ports, floppy disk drives, serial ports such as RS-232C, parallel ports such as IEEE 1284 for printers, and ISA buses, a separate LSI called a super I / O chip is used, which connects to the south bridge via a Low Pin Count bus.

[0040] <<Bus>> There are parallel buses and serial buses. Parallel buses provide signal lines for the number of bits and transmit data synchronized with a clock. A dedicated line for the clock signal is set up parallel to the data line, and data demodulation is synchronized on the receiving side. Serial buses transfer data one bit at a time. Buses are used to connect peripheral devices and various control units on the motherboard to the CPU (MPU). While internal buses connect the CPU core to cache memory and other devices within the CPU, buses that connect the CPU to external memory and other devices are called external buses. An external bus that connects the memory controller built into the CPU to main memory is a 64-bit parallel bus in the case of a DDR4-compliant device that uses DDR4-SDRAM (Double-Data-Rate4 Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), for example. For example, if a DDR4-3200 memory standard is supported, the bandwidth is 25.6 GB / s (maximum memory operating frequency 3200 MHz x bus width 64 (bits) ÷ 8 (bit → byte conversion)). Point-to-point connections such as DMI (Direct Media Interface) are used between the CPU and south bridge. External expansion buses such as PCI Express and SATA are connected via chipsets. Parallel buses include GPIB, IDE / (Parallel) ATA, SCSI, and PCI. Serial buses transfer data one bit at a time. Due to limitations in speed, PCI Express, an improved version of PCI, uses point-to-point wiring and a serial transfer method. USB and SATA also transfer data serially.

[0041] <CPU>

[0042] A CPU sequentially reads, interprets, and executes a sequence of instructions called a program stored in main memory, outputting signal information to the main memory. The CPU functions as the center of computation within a computer. A CPU is composed of a CPU core, which is the center of computation, and its peripheral components, including registers, cache memory (primary, secondary, and tertiary), an internal bus connecting the cache memory to the CPU core, a memory controller, a timer, and an interface with the bus connecting to the south bridge. If a graphics function (GPU) is integrated into the CPU, the CPU also includes a graphics interface and an internal bus connecting to the CPU core. If a CPU with a built-in GPU uses an external graphics board, it is connected to a graphics interface (e.g., PCI Express) built into the CPU. Note that multiple CPU cores may be included in a single CPU (chip). While the embodiments are described as a dual-core type, this is not limiting. A configuration with multiple CPU chips is also possible. A program may also be embedded within the CPU.

[0043] <Non-volatile memory>

[0044] (HDD)

[0045] The basic structure of a hard disk drive consists of a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, and an arm on which the magnetic head is mounted. External interfaces include SATA (formerly ATA) and SAS (Serial Attached SCSI, formerly SCSI). HDD interfaces are broadly divided into the aforementioned ATA and SCSI types. ATA systems transmit data unilaterally to the physically connected device and, because they rely on the BIOS (or UEFI) on the motherboard, constantly require CPU processing time. SCSI systems transmit data accurately while checking the status of the connected device and, because the HDD has an internal control system, reduce CPU load. While ATA systems are inexpensive and offer large capacity, SCSI systems, developed from server systems, excel in speed and scalability. Their ability to process SCSI commands in a multi-threaded manner ensures high reliability even under high-load environments. HDDs have an excellent cost per unit of capacity, but as mentioned above, they contain moving parts, which means that access takes time and there is a concern of mechanical failure. Therefore, for server devices that require high reliability, RAID can be used to distribute reading and writing to multiple HDDs simultaneously, or the same file can be written to multiple HDDs.

[0046] (Flash Memory) Currently, two types of flash memory are commonly used: NAND flash memory and NOR flash memory. While there are pros and cons regarding read / write speed, NAND flash memory is advantageous for high integration and is used for data storage applications. Compared to hard disk drives, NOR flash memory has no moving parts, making it smaller and less susceptible to vibrations and noise during operation. However, the cost per unit capacity has not yet fallen to a level that would allow it to replace hard disk drives. While more expensive than hard disk drives, it offers the advantage of being smaller and more resistant to shocks. Smartphones and mobile information terminals typically have a built-in memory capacity of around 64GB to 256GB for data storage purposes, so flash memory is used for its compactness and lighter weight. In PCs and other devices, solid-state drives (SSDs) made of flash memory are increasingly being used for frequently accessed drives that store the operating system and application software.

[0047] <<Diffuser Device>> The device contains aroma-generating raw materials and generates aroma by vaporizing or releasing the aroma substance as fine particles from the aroma-generating raw material (which may be liquid, powder, solid, gel, etc.) through heating or vibration impact (including, but not limited to, ultrasonic generation elements). The aroma is then carried by a carrier gas and sprayed into the atmosphere, reaching the user's nostrils and being perceived as an aroma. The aroma-generating raw materials may be a cartridge containing multiple raw materials suitable for common aromas that can be used a predetermined number of times, or may be in a form in which each raw material is stored in a separate container. The aroma can be generated using a known inkjet method.

[0048] The most typical structure is to prepare wells for aroma-generating raw materials that generate aromas that are detected by the same number of human olfactory receptors, and to release the aroma-generating raw materials as vapor or as fine particles from the wells corresponding to the human olfactory receptors that correspond to specific aromas. Although it is said that there are approximately 400 types of human olfactory receptors, it is not necessary to prepare 400 wells; it is sufficient to prepare wells that correspond to the major olfactory receptors that constitute the main aromas that humans sense. For example, the number of wells corresponding to the major aromas is approximately 50 to 100. Furthermore, since there are wells that are commonly used across multiple aromas, it is preferable to design these wells to have a higher aroma-generating raw material capacity than the other wells.

[0049] The transport gas may be configured so that ambient air is taken in by an intake fan or compressed by a compressor and then blown out as the transport gas, or a high-pressure nitrogen cylinder or the like may be built into or connected to the diffuser device and used as the transport gas. When ambient air is used, the supply of transport gas is virtually inexhaustible, but the intake fan or compressor generates operating noise and requires energy (electricity) to operate. When high-pressure gas such as a nitrogen cylinder is used, no energy is required to operate the fan or the like and there is almost no operating noise, but the amount of transport gas is finite and the cylinder must be replaced periodically. It is desirable for the transport gas to be odorless, but it may also be configured to contain a base fragrance that is mixed with the aroma generated from the aroma-generating raw material to produce the desired aroma.

[0050] <Diffuser Device: Control Information> A diffuser device is equipped with a cartridge having multiple wells for aroma-generating raw materials, or individual containers for each well, and controls the release of aroma-generating raw materials from each well by vaporization or as fine particles. To achieve this control, the external spray control unit of the diffuser device outputs control information to the external spray units for each aroma-generating raw material. This control information is explained using the example of Figure 42. In Figure 42, the horizontal axis represents time (0 at the left end), the vertical axis represents external spray intensity, and the depth represents the type of aroma-generating raw material (1 to 5 from front to back). In this specification, external spray intensity refers to the amount of aroma-generating raw material sprayed externally per unit time. The external spray intensity can be adjusted by increasing the amount of aroma-generating raw material vaporized or released as fine particles per unit volume of transport gas, or by increasing the amount of transport gas while maintaining a constant amount of aroma-generating raw material vaporized or released as fine particles per unit volume of transport gas.

[0051] Figure 42 shows profiles of the external spray intensity over time for each aroma-generating raw material. Aroma-generating raw material 1, shown as the solid line in the foreground, reaches its peak external spray intensity the earliest among the five raw materials, after which the external spray intensity decreases. Aroma-generating raw material 2 (dotted line) begins spraying slightly later than aroma-generating raw material 1, rather than starting at time 0, and reaches a lower external spray intensity peak later than aroma-generating raw material 1. However, even after passing the peak, the spray intensity does not return to zero but gradually decreases. A single specific aroma is generated by superimposing the external spray intensity profiles of the five aroma-generating raw materials shown in Figure 42. Information consisting of the external spray intensity profiles over time for each aroma-generating raw material required to generate a single aroma, as shown in Figure 42, is the control information. In this way, the control information controls the external spray section of the diffuser device for each generating raw material.

[0052] <Main memory>

[0053] The CPU directly accesses and executes various programs in main memory. Main memory is volatile memory and uses DRAM. Programs in main memory are loaded from non-volatile memory onto main memory upon receiving a program startup command. The CPU then executes the program according to various execution commands and execution procedures within the program.

[0054] <<Operating System (OS)>>

[0055] An operating system is used to manage computer resources for use by applications, to manage various device drivers, and to manage the computer itself (the hardware). In small computers, firmware is sometimes used as the operating system.

[0056] ≪UEFI≫

[0057] In recent years, the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), which serves a similar purpose as an evolved successor to the previously used BIOS, has come into use. Like BIOS, UEFI is stored in flash ROM and installed on the motherboard. The flash ROM chip containing UEFI instructs the CPU to execute procedures for booting up the computer's hardware and running the operating system. It is typically the first piece of hardware the CPU reads upon receiving a boot command. The flash ROM contains the address of the operating system stored on disk (non-volatile memory). The UEFI loaded by the CPU sequentially loads the operating system into main memory, putting it into operation. UEFI also has a check function that checks the presence or absence of various devices connected to the bus. The check results are stored in main memory and made available to the operating system as appropriate. UEFI may also be configured to check external devices, etc.

[0058] As shown in the figure, the present invention can basically be configured with a general-purpose computer program and various devices. The computer basically operates by loading a program recorded in non-volatile memory into main memory, and then executing processing using the main memory, CPU, and various devices. Communication with devices is performed via an interface connected to a bus line. Possible interfaces include a display interface, USB, LAN terminal, PCI Express interface, and communication buffer.

[0059] <Terminology used in the present invention>

[0060] "Identification information" refers to symbols, letters, codes, etc. used to identify something. However, the identification information itself may also be the information being identified. For example, identification information that identifies character string record A may be character string record A itself. Therefore, the aroma type identification information may be simply a symbol, letter, or code, or may simultaneously be the name of the aroma identified by that symbol, letter, code, etc., or the name of the creator of the aroma generation data string packet structure. However, from the perspective of protecting personal information, it is not desirable to include personal information such as a name in identification information that may be made public.

[0061] The term "association" is used herein to mean not only a case where two or more pieces of information are directly associated, but also a case where two or more pieces of information are indirectly associated via one or more other pieces of information. Indirect association is not necessarily limited to association within one device (a device with a single housing), but also includes association across multiple devices.

[0062] "Based on" includes both cases where it is based on the object itself and cases where it is based on the object after some processing has been performed. For example, "B based on information A" includes cases where "B" is based on "A" itself, and cases where "B" is based on information after processing such as multiplying "A" by a predetermined ratio (e.g., 1.1 times).

[0063] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with illustrative examples. In this specification, the term "aroma" is used as a general term for scents, fragrances, fragrances, and odors. In the two-letter code accompanying the components, steps, and programs in the description, the letter to the left indicates which device the component, step, or program pertains to. For example, the external spray unit (AB) for each generated raw material pertains to the diffuser device (A), the external spray step (ab) for each generated raw material pertains to the operating method of the diffuser device (A), and the external spray program (ab) for each generated raw material pertains to a program that can be read and operated by the diffuser device (A). Furthermore, the four-digit numbers in the functional block diagrams in the figures are a combination of the first two digits indicating the drawing number and the last two digits, which are unique numbers assigned to each component in this specification.

[0064] <Outline of Embodiment 1> Mainly Claim 1 The aroma generation data string packet structure of embodiment 1 is characterized by having an aroma type identification information holding area that holds aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma to be generated by the diffuser device (A), as well as an aroma attribute information holding area that holds aroma attribute information, which is information indicating the attributes of this aroma.

[0065] <Functional Configuration of First Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the aroma generation data string packet structure (0100) of this embodiment is composed of an aroma type identification information holding area (0101) and an aroma attribute information holding area (0102).

[0066] The above configuration is merely an example for carrying out the present invention, and functions may be omitted or new functions may be added as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the problems to be overcome by the present invention and its effects. The same applies to the explanations of the second and third embodiments described below.

[0067] <Configuration of Embodiment 1> <Aroma type identification information storage area (0101) of embodiment 1> The "aroma type identification information storage area" (0101) is configured in the aroma generation data string packet structure as a predetermined size for storing aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma to be generated by the diffuser device (A).

[0068] The "aroma type identification information" is information for identifying the type of aroma to be reproduced and generated by the diffuser device (A). For example, for a cherry blossom aroma, the information may be a variety name such as "Somei-Yoshino," "Kanhizakura," "Kawazuzakura," "Keiozakura," or "Azuma-nishiki," a variety and time of year such as "Somei-Yoshino - full bloom" or "Somei-Yoshino - beginning to fall," a variety and location combination such as "Somei-Yoshino - Yoshinoyama" or "Somei-Yoshino - Shiraishigawa Riverbank," a simple string of letters and numbers, or information for identifying control information corresponding to the aroma type and / or aroma attribute information (described below). The aroma identification information may be the control information itself for generating the corresponding aroma.

[0069] The following describes a case where the aroma identification information is control information for spraying an aroma to the outside from an aroma-generating raw material-specific external spray unit (AB) described below using an aroma-generating raw material. The control information includes information such as the type of aroma-generating raw material used and the profile of the spray from each aroma-generating raw material during the aroma-generation period. For example, if two types of aroma-generating raw materials, A and B, are used, aroma A sprayed from aroma-generating raw material A from the start of aroma generation maintains a constant intensity after reaching a predetermined intensity, and stops spraying at the end of the aroma-generation period. Aroma B sprayed from aroma-generating raw material B starts spraying a predetermined time after aroma A, and after reaching a predetermined intensity, the spray amount is reduced at a predetermined decay rate and stopped at a predetermined time before the end of the aroma-generation period.

[0070] An example of the predetermined size of the aroma type identification information storage area when aroma type identification information is combined with control information will be described below. It is generally believed that humans have approximately 400 types of olfactory receptors that detect odors (humans are said to have 396 functional olfactory receptor genes). If aroma-generating ingredients were prepared to generate the elemental odors of aromas that stimulate one type of olfactory receptor, approximately 400 types would be required, the same number as the number of olfactory receptors. Considering a case where the intensity (amount) of aroma generated using one type of aroma-generating ingredient is controlled in 16 stages, with 15 at the maximum capacity of the diffuser device (A) and 0 when no aroma is generated, the amount of information indicating intensity at a given point in time would be 4 bits per type.

[0071] If the time required to generate one aroma is assumed to be 5 seconds and the control is performed every 1 ms, the amount of information for one type of aroma-generating raw material will be 4 bits x 5000 = 20000 bits = 2500 bytes. Note that if aroma generation continues for more than 5 seconds, the aroma may be repeatedly generated to address the issue. In the above example, the amount of information required to control all aroma-generating raw materials will be 2500 bytes x 400 = 1 Mbyte. The specified size can be reduced if there are fewer than 400 types of aroma-generating raw materials or if control is performed every 10 ms instead of 1 ms.

[0072] It is also possible to define multiple aroma generation modes based on the type of aroma-generating raw material set, the division unit of the time axis, etc., and include these in the aroma type identification information or the aroma attribute information described below. The diffuser device (A), which has acquired aroma generation mode identification information, which is information for identifying the aroma generation mode, generates an aroma based on the aroma type identification information in the aroma generation mode corresponding to the identification information. Modes using multiple types of aroma-generating raw materials and with a large number of divisions on the time axis can reproduce aromas with high accuracy, but require a large amount of data and consume multiple types of aroma-generating raw materials, resulting in high costs. On the other hand, modes using a limited number of aroma-generating raw materials and with a small number of divisions on the time axis result in aromas with low reproducibility, but require less data and consume fewer types of aroma-generating raw materials, resulting in economical use at low costs.

[0073] Although the aroma type identification information has been described above as the control information itself for generating aroma in the diffuser device (A), the information for identifying the control information may simply be a name for identifying the aroma type, a code combining alphanumeric characters, etc., as described above. Alternatively, the aroma type identification information may be information indicating the location (such as an address in non-volatile memory) where the corresponding aroma generation data string packet structure is stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which will be described later.

[0074] <Embodiment 1: Aroma Attribute Information Storage Area (0102)> The "aroma attribute information storage area" (0102) is configured within the aroma generation data string packet structure as a predetermined size for storing aroma attribute information, which is information indicating the attributes of this aroma.

[0075] "Aroma attribute information" may include the aroma name, coordinates in the aroma space (n dimensions, n≧2), the name of the creator of the aroma type identification information in the aroma generation data string packet structure of the present invention (or the name of the company if created by a company), the name of the aroma creator or aroma data creator if the aroma creator who created the original aroma itself is different from the creator of the aroma type identification information that digitized the aroma, aroma rights holder identification information or aroma data rights holder identification information (which may be the name of the rights holder itself) that identifies the owner if the owner of the aroma or aroma type identification information is different from the creator, the creation date or registration date of the aroma type identification information, the corresponding diffuser device (A) type or diffuser device OS, information indicating whether it is for a sample or a real product, the initial price, the current price, etc. A predetermined size of approximately 100 kbytes is considered appropriate for storing this attribute information.

[0076] <Embodiment 1: Aroma Attribute Information Storage Area: Aroma Attribute Information: Usage Authorization> Furthermore, when using an aroma generation data string packet structure, the data string packet structure may be configured to store aroma usage authorization information, which is information regarding the authorization to use the aroma generation data string packet structure. The information regarding the authorization to use may be included in the aroma attribute information. Examples of information included in the aroma usage authorization information include legal restrictions on aroma generation (e.g., target audience restrictions, such as target age), restrictions on the inclusion of allergens, location restrictions on aroma generation, such as restrictions on public places, and usage authorization conditions for aroma type identification information (remaining amount available, number of times available, expiration date, number of times available for resale, conditions for copying and transferring within a private home, etc.). A configuration may be used in which a user's use of the corresponding aroma generation data string packet structure is controlled based on user identification information identifying the user (described below) and the aroma usage authorization information. The configuration may also be used in which the use of the aroma generation data string packet structure is controlled based on user attribute information indicating the attributes of the user identified by the user identification information, rather than the user identification information, and the aroma usage authorization information.

[0077] The aroma attribute information can be configured to include information regarding usage authorization for samples and for the actual product. The difference between the aroma generation data string packet structure for a promotional sample and that for a sales product is the amount of aroma generated or the duration of the aroma generation, with a single diffuser device (A) only being able to generate the aroma a predetermined number of times. To distinguish between samples and actual products, a data string (flag, bit, etc.) identifying whether the data string is for a sample or an actual product can be provided in the header of the aroma generation data string packet structure. The aroma generation data string packet structure for samples should preferably be NFT-free.

[0078] <Embodiment 1: Aroma Attribute Information Storage Area: Aroma Attribute Information: Ownership Authority> Aroma ownership authority information indicating the ownership authority of an aroma generation data string packet structure can be stored within the aroma generation data string packet structure. Instead of storing the aroma ownership authority information itself within the aroma generation data string packet structure, aroma ownership authority identification information, which is information identifying the type of aroma ownership authority, may be stored instead. The authority acquired by a typical user when using an aroma generation data string packet structure is the authority to use the structure. This usage authority can also be resold. A person who owns the aroma generation data string packet structure can be configured to receive a share of the usage fees paid by the user (whether lump sum, one-time payment, or periodic payment), just like a copyright holder. One or more owners can be set, and the distribution rate is not limited to an equal distribution. Ownership authority can be bought and sold independently of usage authority. When the owner is changed, it is preferable to prevent the usage rights of users who already have usage rights from being changed. The owner is, for example, the creator of the aroma generating data string packet structure or the person (corporation or individual, etc.) who employs the creator.

[0079] <Embodiment 1: Data String Packet Structure for Aroma Generation (0100)> The "data string packet structure for aroma generation" (0100) is a data string packet structure for aroma generation of a predetermined size that is written so as to be readable and executable by the diffuser device (A), which is a computer. The header or payload storage section of this packet structure is configured to have an aroma type identification information holding area (0101) and an aroma attribute information holding area (0102). In the above sense, the data string packet structure can be said to be a type of program. As described above, the data string packet structure for aroma generation has an aroma type identification information holding area and an aroma attribute information holding area, but it has at least these two types of areas and is not limited to these two types. For example, it may further have an area for holding aroma usage authority information.

[0080] When transmitting an aroma generation data string packet structure via an internet line, the aroma generation data string packet structure can be stored in the payload of an IP packet and transmitted. Alternatively, the aroma generation data string packet structure can be stored in the header of the data to be transmitted for aroma generation, and other data, such as information about blockchain, can be stored and transmitted in the payload portion. Furthermore, each data area can include a checksum to check whether the data transmission was performed properly.

[0081] An example of the size of the payload when transmitting an aroma generation data string packet structure over an Internet line is that the payload size of one IP packet is approximately 1,480 bytes, and that of one TCP packet is approximately 1,460 bytes. Using the example described above for the predetermined size of the aroma generation data string packet structure, the aroma type identification information holding area and the aroma attribute information holding area combined would be approximately 1,100 kbytes, so the structure would be divided into just under 800 packets when transmitted over the Internet. By placing information indicating the start of the information in the aroma generation data string packet structure at the beginning of the header, and information indicating the end of the structure at the end of the structure, it is possible to detect whether the structure has been fully restored at the receiving end.

[0082] The header of the aroma-generating data string packet structure may include editing authority type identification information that indicates the type of editing authority for the structure. While structures sold for a fee are likely to be improved by the seller or creator, structures distributed free of charge can be improved by volunteers to generate higher quality aromas. Alternatively, derivative products that generate approximately the same level of aroma at a lower cost can be created.

[0083] Therefore, it is desirable to set editing authority type identification information so that the free structure can be edited. There are at least two types of editing authority: non-editable and editable. However, editing authority types can also be set so that authority is granted based on age, qualifications, or qualification type. Editing software that edits information in aroma generation data string packet structures or control information obtained based on aroma generation data string packet structures can be made public or sold (without limitation, such as a one-time sale or monthly fee). Attending a training course on how to use this editing software, a training course on aroma generation data string packet structures, or a training course on how to use the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) described below can also be considered as qualifications.

[0084] The header of the aroma generation data string packet structure can include repeat playback permission information, which is information on whether the aroma generation data string packet structure allows repeated playback of the corresponding aroma. Because the aroma type identification information is of a predetermined size, the aroma generation time (playback time) is a predetermined length of time, such as a short time of 5 seconds per playback. Therefore, if you want to smell the aroma at your leisure, you can play it repeatedly. Allowing repeated playback can also be said to treat consecutive repeated playbacks as a single playback.

[0085] The header of the aroma-generating data string packet structure may include cartridge type identification information, which is identification information indicating the type of cartridge holding multiple aroma-generating raw materials. The cartridge arranges the aroma-generating raw materials in an array and is equipped with a heating coil, heating element, or ultrasonic generating element for vaporizing or atomizing the aroma from each aroma-generating raw material. The cartridge type identification information may be configured to be included in the aroma attribute information.

[0086] Possible types of cartridges include high-cost, high-performance cartridges that contain a variety of aroma-generating ingredients and allow for precise control of vaporization and particle emission using a heating coil, heating element, or ultrasonic generator in multiple stages, and low-cost, low-performance cartridges that limit the number of aroma-generating ingredients and do not allow for precise control of vaporization and particle emission using a heating coil, heating element, or ultrasonic generator (e.g., only a binary option: on / off). It would be desirable to standardize the types and grades of such cartridges and also to standardize methods for identifying them. This is because proper aromas cannot be generated unless the type of cartridge is identified and control information appropriate for the cartridge is applied. One example of a cartridge type is a high-performance cartridge that is an upgraded version of a low-performance cartridge, capable of generating all aromas that the low-performance cartridge can generate, as well as aromas that the low-performance cartridge cannot.

[0087] In the example of the two types of cartridges mentioned above, a high-cost, high-performance type and a low-cost, low-performance type, it is natural that when the high-cost, high-performance cartridge is used, it will be possible to detect the difference in aroma between Bordeaux red wine and Burgundy red wine, or the difference in the aroma of Kilimanjaro coffee and mocha, etc., but when the low-cost, low-performance cartridge is used, it is thought that there will be a difference in performance, such as only being able to detect the aroma of wine or coffee.

[0088] The diffuser device (A) acquires the same control information based on the same aroma generation data string packet structure for both high-performance cartridges and low-performance cartridges, but the device driver that mediates between the diffuser device (A) and the aroma generation data string packet structure can be configured to absorb the differences between cartridges (and also the differences between diffuser devices (A)). The device driver can accommodate the type of cartridge, absorb the differences between cartridges, and translate and process the control information for each cartridge type, so that even if a low-performance cartridge is installed in a diffuser device (A) that has acquired control information for a high-performance cartridge, the diffuser device (A) will not fail to operate, and in the example above, it will not produce an aroma completely different from that of wine or coffee.

[0089] This embodiment makes it possible to operate a data string packet structure for aroma generation that has aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma and aroma attribute information, which is information indicating the attributes of the aroma.By including information about the creator or copyright holder, for example, in the aroma attribute information, the creator can transmit and use the packet structure while taking the copyright holder into consideration.

[0090] <Outline of Second Embodiment> Mainly Claim 2 The second embodiment is characterized in that the aroma generating data string packet structure of the first embodiment further includes an NFT information storage area for storing NFT information.

[0091] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 2> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure of this embodiment, which is based on Embodiment 1. As shown in the figure, the aroma generation data string packet structure (0200) of Embodiment 2 is configured to further include an NFT information holding area (0203) compared to Embodiment 1. Therefore, only the NFT information holding area (0203) will be described.

[0092] <Description of the Configuration of Second Embodiment> <Second Embodiment: NFT Information Storage Area (0203)> The "NFT information storage area" (0203) is configured in the aroma generation data string packet structure so as to store NFT information.

[0093] "NFT information" refers to information for creating an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) and is information that uses blockchain technology to prove that the aroma-generating data string packet structure is original. It can also include information indicating the owner or copyright holder (or, in the case of data for aroma generation, the creator of the data), as well as information including the number of pieces of data that can be distributed (such as an edition number indicating which piece of data is which among a limited number). By using blockchain technology, it is possible to prevent tampering with information indicating the owner or copyright holder, information including the number of pieces of data that can be distributed, and information indicating that the data itself is true (including when multiple pieces of true data exist), and to improve reliability.

[0094] In this embodiment, by adding NFT information to the aroma generating data string packet structure, the originality of the NFT aroma generating data string packet structure can be easily determined.

[0095] <Outline of Embodiment 3> Mainly Claim 3 The data string packet structure for aroma generation of embodiment 3 is configured such that the data string packet structure for aroma generation of either embodiment 1 or embodiment 2 further has a diffuser device (A) control information holding area used for control information of the control information output section (AF) of the diffuser device (A) described below.

[0096] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 3> Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure of this embodiment, which is based on Embodiment 1. As shown in the figure, the aroma generation data string packet structure (0300) of Embodiment 3 is configured to further include a diffuser device (A) control information holding area (0304) compared to Embodiment 1. Therefore, only the diffuser device (A) control information holding area (0304) will be described. Note that similar effects can be obtained even when Embodiment 2 is used as a base.

[0097] <Configuration of Embodiment 3> <Diffuser device (A) control information storage area (0304) of embodiment 3> The "diffuser device (A) control information storage area" (0304) is configured within the aroma generation data string packet structure so as to be used for control information of the control information output unit (AF) of the diffuser device (A) described below.

[0098] "Control information" refers to information output by the control information output unit (AF) to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A), which will be described later. This information is used by the external spray control unit (AC) to control the aroma-generating raw material-specific external spray units (AB) for externally spraying the aroma-generating raw materials stored therein. More specifically, if the diffuser device (A) is equipped with a cartridge containing several aroma-generating raw materials, this information is configured to contain control information for each aroma-generating raw material, such as which aroma-generating raw material to spray, how strongly, and for how long to spray each aroma-generating raw material to generate a single aroma (see FIG. 42). One aroma-generating data string packet structure may contain one piece of control information or multiple pieces of control information (including the case where there is no control information).

[0099] The aroma generation control information included in the aroma generation data string packet structure can be configured to include two types: control information for generating a standard aroma, which is a basic aroma, and control information for generating an extended aroma that satisfies the specifications of an individual diffuser device. Each type of control information is identified by aroma type identification information (or control information identification information that identifies the control information may be stored in association with the aroma type identification information). The control information for generating a standard aroma is information that allows all diffuser devices (A) to generate the corresponding aroma. The control information for generating an extended aroma is control information that allows an aroma to be generated only when using a diffuser device corresponding to the control information and a cartridge containing an aroma-generating material corresponding to the control information, thereby generating a unique aroma. The control information for generating an extended aroma may have multiple standards depending on the required specifications of the diffuser device and cartridge. If the multiple types of standards are distinguished by the suffixes A, B, and C, it is preferable that the order of upward compatibility be standard aroma generation control information, extended aroma generation control information A, extended aroma generation control information B, and extended aroma generation control information C. Extended aroma generation control information C corresponds to standard aroma generation control information, extended aroma generation control information A, extended aroma generation control information B, and its own standard, extended aroma generation control information C.

[0100] In this embodiment, by adding control information to the data string packet structure for aroma generation, the data string packet structure can have control information for aroma generation.

[0101] <Outline of Embodiment 4> Mainly Claims 4, 16, and 28 The diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 is configured to be able to read and execute the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0102] Each functional block constituting the aroma management system described below can be realized by either hardware, software, or both. Specifically, if a computer is used, the hardware components include a CPU, main memory, GPU, image memory, graphics board, bus, or secondary storage device (such as a hard disk, non-volatile memory, storage media such as CDs and DVDs, and reading drives for those media), input devices such as operation buttons used for information input, a mouse, a touch panel, an electronic pen used exclusively for touching the touch panel, a joystick or joystick-like pointer position input device, and other external peripheral devices, as well as interfaces for those external peripheral devices, GPS receiving interfaces, GPS arithmetic units, gyro sensors, acceleration sensors, rotation detection sensors, signal processing devices for these sensors, cameras, image file processing circuits, speakers, microphones, audio file processing circuits, communication interfaces, barcode readers, electronic card readers, POS terminals, facial authentication devices, encryption devices, fingerprint authentication devices, palm print authentication devices, biometric authentication devices such as retinal authentication devices, diffuser units, and driver programs and other application programs for controlling those hardware. In particular, it uses smartphones, tablet devices, mobile phones, smartwatches, personal computers, data center server equipment, wired and wireless networks and interfaces, etc.

[0103] The CPU performs arithmetic processing in accordance with the program deployed in main memory, processing and storing data input from input devices and other interfaces and held in memory or hardware, and generating commands to control the hardware and software. The program may be realized as multiple modularized programs, or may be realized as a single program by combining two or more programs.

[0104] The present invention can also be partially configured as software, and storage media on which such software is recorded are naturally included within the technical scope of the present invention (this applies not only to this embodiment but also throughout the entire specification).

[0105] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 4> Figure 4 shows a functional block diagram of a diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 that can read the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3. The diffuser device (A) (0400) of embodiment 4 has an aroma-generating raw material holding unit (AA) (0411), an aroma-generating raw material-specific external spray unit (AB) (0412), an external spray control unit (AC) (0413), an aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition unit (AD) (0414), an aroma type identification information acquisition unit (AE) (0415), a control information output unit (AF) (0416), and a communication unit (AG) (0417).

[0106] The above functional blocks are merely an example for implementing the present invention, and functions may be omitted or new functions may be added as appropriate within the scope of the problems to be overcome by the present invention and the effects thereof. The same applies to the following description of the fifth embodiment and subsequent embodiments.

[0107] <Configuration of Fourth Embodiment> <Fourth Embodiment Aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) (0411)> The "aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA)" (0411) is configured to hold aroma-generating raw materials, which are raw materials for mixing and generating multiple types of aromas.

[0108] "Aroma-generating raw materials" refer to raw materials for generating a specific aroma, and multiple types are stored in order to combine them to generate various aromas. Alternatively, at least one aroma-generating raw material may be stored for each of the various aromas desired to be generated. For example, a rose scent may be generated by using a standard set containing multiple aroma-generating raw materials and combining different materials from the standard set. To generate a cherry blossom scent that is different from the rose scent, the same type of standard set as the set that generated the rose scent may be used, but with a different combination of materials from the rose scent to generate the cherry blossom scent. Alternatively, an aroma-generating raw material for generating only the rose scent and an aroma-generating raw material for generating only the cherry blossom scent may be stored separately. A dedicated raw material for generating a single aroma may be composed of a single type of raw material, or it may be a set of multiple aroma-generating raw materials.

[0109] <Embodiment 4: External spraying section (AB) (0412) for each aroma-generating material> The "external spraying section (AB) for each aroma-generating material" (0412) is configured to spray the aroma-generating material held therein to the outside.

[0110] External spraying is achieved by heating the aroma-generating raw material, or by vaporizing it with ultrasonic vibration or impact if it is a liquid. If the aroma-generating raw material is a liquid, it can be atomized using known inkjet printer technology or ultrasonic vaporization technology. A separate transport gas can be supplied at an appropriate flow rate to transport the fine particles generated from the aroma-generating raw material to the outside, thereby achieving spraying. The transport gas can be obtained by drawing in the air around the diffuser device (A) using an intake fan or compressor. Alternatively, a high-pressure gas cylinder filled with a gas such as nitrogen that is harmless to humans and the environment can be built into the diffuser device (A) or connected to an external pipe. It is desirable for the transport gas to be odorless.

[0111] The aroma-generating raw material held in the aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) (0411) is sent through a flow pipe to the aroma-generating raw material-specific external spray section (AB) (0412) for external spraying, as shown in Figure 4. The aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) is tubular and holds the aroma raw material therein, and the aroma is generated by applying heat or ultrasonic vibration (or impact) to the flow pipe connected to the tubular aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA), which then sprays the aroma to the outside. The aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) and the flow pipe may be integrally configured, and / or the flow pipe and the aroma-generating raw material-specific external spray section (AB) may be integrally configured.

[0112] <Embodiment 4: External spray control unit (AC) (0413)> The "external spray control unit (AC)" (0413) is configured to control the external spray units (AB) (0412) for each generated raw material.

[0113] The external spray intensity (amount) for each of the multiple aroma-generating raw materials is controlled over time according to a predetermined profile. Not only is the generation intensity (amount) of the single aroma from each aroma-generating raw material controlled, but the flow rate of the transport gas can also be controlled to control the external spray. If the diffuser device (A) is a freestanding or wall-mounted type, it may also be configured to control the spray direction from the external spray nozzle. The amount of aroma received by the user can be varied by spraying directly toward the user or shifting the spray direction to the side of the user depending on the situation.

[0114] The control information for controlling the external spray unit for each generated raw material (AB) is not emitted from the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A), but can be configured so that the external spray control unit (AC) acquires an aroma generation data string packet structure containing control information emitted from a device external to the diffuser device (A) (e.g., the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) described below) via the communication unit (AG) and controls the external spray unit for each generated raw material (AB). If the external device can output the control information required to directly control the external spray unit for each generated raw material (AB), the control information can be acquired from the communication unit (AG) and the external spray unit for each generated raw material (AB) can directly spray to the outside.

[0115] When video content such as a movie or television program is played, for example, in a scene of cooking in the kitchen or a meal, an aroma-generating data string packet structure containing control information is output from the video content, which is acquired by the communication unit (AG) of the diffuser device (A), and the aroma of brandy flambé or the aroma of steak served on a hot iron plate corresponding to the scene in the video content is generated. By perceiving the aroma related to the scene while watching the video content, the sense of realism can be increased.

[0116] It is not limited to video content, but can also generate aromas that evoke images when playing audio content such as music software or environmental sounds, and when reading e-books, aromas related to the scene can be generated in the same way as video software to enhance the sense of realism.Also, when practicing mindfulness meditation, aromas suitable for meditation and audio content can be generated together with audio content.

[0117] Alternatively, instead of the aroma generation data string packet structure containing the control information, aroma type identification information may be output from an external device to the diffuser device (A). For example, while video content is being played, the diffuser device (A) attached to a television receives the aroma type identification information from a user's smartphone or smart remote control and generates an aroma corresponding to the video scene.

[0118] <Embodiment 4: Aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition unit (AD) (0414)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition unit (AD)" (0414) is configured to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0119] The aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 may be acquired from an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) external to the diffuser device (A) via an internet line or the like. Alternatively, the diffuser device (A) may be configured to store the data in a non-volatile memory (such as a hard disk drive or SSD) connected to or provided therein. When the data is stored in the diffuser device (A), it is preferable to associate the data with diffuser device identification information that individually identifies the diffuser device (A) so that the data can be used only by the diffuser device (A) that stored the data.

[0120] Alternatively, the aroma generation data string packet structure can be read and acquired from a USB memory or memory card, or an image of a printed matter on which a URL (or a two-dimensional code including a URL) of a website where the aroma generation data string packet structure can be acquired can be captured and the aroma generation data string packet structure can be acquired from the website via an internet line, or a user of the diffuser device (A) can access the website from the printed matter using their own smartphone or the like to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure and send it to the diffuser device (A).If the aroma generation data string packet structure can be contained in the printed matter, such as a two-dimensional code, the aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition unit (AD) of the diffuser device (A) can directly acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure from the printed matter using a barcode reader or camera.

[0121] The aroma generation data string packet structure can also be acquired by Bluetooth (registered trademark), near-field wireless communication using infrared communication, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), wireless communication via mobile phone communication, or by NFC if the external medium holding the aroma generation data string packet structure is an IC card with NFC functionality.The diffuser device (A) can also be configured so that, without providing a direct connection function to an Internet line, the information acquired by the user's mobile information terminal over the Internet line (such as the aroma generation data string packet structure, NFT information, and aroma type identification information) is transmitted using near-field wireless communication between the diffuser device (A) and the user's mobile information terminal.

[0122] <Embodiment 4: Aroma type identification information acquisition unit (AE) (0415)> The "aroma type identification information acquisition unit (AE)" (0415) is configured to acquire aroma type identification information contained in the acquired aroma generation data string packet structure.

[0123] The aroma type identification information included in the aroma generation data string packet structure is obtained, and if it is information for identifying the control information rather than the control information for aroma generation itself, the control information for aroma generation is obtained based on the aroma type identification information. The diffuser device (A) may be configured to store aroma type identification information within the diffuser device (A) once it has generated an aroma. The diffuser device (A) may be configured to store basic aroma type identification information for multiple types in an aroma type identification information storage unit provided within the diffuser device (A) when the device is purchased.

[0124] The system may also be configured to acquire aroma attribute information before acquiring aroma type identification information, and if the acquired aroma generation data string packet structure is determined to be original based on the aroma attribute information, proceed to processing after acquiring the aroma type identification information. By first verifying the originality of the data, it is possible to determine whether the data has been tampered with by a third party or whether the data has been illegally copied. If the data has been tampered with, it is possible to prevent the user from experiencing an unexpected aroma (e.g., an unpleasant odor has been generated instead of a pleasant scent). Verifying whether the data has been illegally copied also protects the rights of the rights holder. Alternatively, if information regarding aroma authorization is included in the aroma generation data string packet structure, it may be referenced to confirm whether the user and the diffuser device (A) have authorization to generate the aroma, and only if authorization is granted, the aroma is generated. If the aroma generation data string packet structure has an NFT information storage area, the NFT information, instead of the aroma attribute information, may be used to determine whether the acquired aroma generation data string packet structure is original, and the above processing may be performed.

[0125] <Embodiment 4: Control information output unit (AF) (0416)> The "control information output unit (AF)" (0416) is configured to output control information to the external spray control unit (AC) (0413) based on the acquired aroma type identification information.

[0126] The "control information" controls the process of spraying aroma-generating raw materials to the outside from the external spray section (AB) for each aroma-generating raw material to generate aroma. The control information includes information such as the type of aroma-generating raw material used and the external spray intensity profile for each time period during the aroma-generating period. Figure 42 shows an example of using five aroma-generating raw materials (numbers 1 to 5). In Figure 42, the horizontal axis represents time (the left end is 0: aroma generation start point), the vertical axis represents external spray intensity, and the depth represents the type of aroma-generating raw material (numbers 1 to 5). Figure 42 shows profiles showing the change in external spray intensity over time for each aroma-generating raw material. Aroma-generating raw material 1, represented by the solid line graph at the forefront, begins spraying at the start of aroma generation, reaches its peak external spray intensity the earliest among the five raw materials, and then rapidly drops off. Aroma-generating material 2 (dotted line) begins spraying slightly later than aroma-generating material 1, reaching a lower peak later than aroma-generating material 1, but the spray intensity does not reach zero after the peak and gradually decreases, and some spray remains even at the end of aroma generation, forming a so-called lingering aroma. By performing this control and superimposing the external spray intensity profiles of the five aroma-generating materials shown in Figure 42, a single predetermined aroma is generated.

[0127] An example of the predetermined size of the aroma type identification information storage area will be described. It is generally believed that humans have approximately 400 types of olfactory receptors that detect odors (humans are said to have 396 functional olfactory receptor genes). If aroma-generating ingredients were prepared to generate the elemental odors of aromas that stimulate one type of olfactory receptor, approximately 400 types would be required, the same number as the number of olfactory receptors. Considering a case where the intensity (amount) of aroma generated using one type of aroma-generating ingredient is controlled in 16 stages, with 15 at the maximum capacity of the diffuser device (A) and 0 when no aroma is generated, the amount of information indicating intensity at a given point in time would be 4 bits per type.

[0128] If the time required to generate one aroma is assumed to be 5 seconds and the control is performed every 1 ms, the amount of information for one type of aroma-generating raw material will be 4 bits x 5000 = 20000 bits = 2500 bytes. Note that if aroma generation continues for more than 5 seconds, the aroma may be repeatedly generated to address the issue. In the above example, the amount of information required to control all aroma-generating raw materials will be 2500 bytes x 400 = 1 Mbyte. The specified size can be reduced if there are fewer than 400 types of aroma-generating raw materials or if control is performed every 10 ms instead of 1 ms.

[0129] It is also possible to define multiple aroma generation modes based on the type of aroma-generating raw material set, the division unit of the time axis, etc., and include these in the aroma type identification information or the aroma attribute information described below. The diffuser device (A), which has acquired aroma generation mode identification information, which is information for identifying the aroma generation mode, generates an aroma based on the aroma type identification information in the aroma generation mode corresponding to the identification information. Modes using multiple types of aroma-generating raw materials and with a large number of divisions on the time axis can reproduce aromas with high accuracy, but require a large amount of data and consume multiple types of aroma-generating raw materials, resulting in high costs. On the other hand, modes using a limited number of aroma-generating raw materials and with a small number of divisions on the time axis result in aromas with low reproducibility, but require less data and consume fewer types of aroma-generating raw materials, resulting in economical use at low costs.

[0130] Based on the aroma generation data string packet structure, the control information required for aroma generation from a plurality of aroma-generating raw materials is output. For example, if an aroma-generating raw material storage unit holds 10 aroma-generating raw materials and five of the ten aroma-generating raw materials are used to generate the desired aroma, the control information controls when and with what intensity (amount) the five aroma-generating raw materials are sprayed, and when spraying from each raw material is stopped.

[0131] <Embodiment 4: Communication Unit (AG) (0417)> The "communication unit (AG)" (0417) is configured to perform network communication. Network communication may be internet communication, communication using TCP / IP, or communication using wireless technology such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or mobile phone communication. Network communication may also be wired communication. Even if the communication unit (AG) communicates with a USB memory via a USB terminal, a memory card, or a storage medium using a SATA or other connection terminal instead of a network, the same effect can be obtained as long as the aroma generation data string packet structure is stored in the storage medium.

[0132] The communication unit (AG) performs communication to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure, output NFT information and acquire the verification results.

[0133] <Embodiment 4 Diffuser device (A) (0400)> The "diffuser device (A)" (0400) has an aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) (0411), an external spray section for each generating raw material (AB) (0412), an external spray control section (AC) (0413), an aroma-generation data string packet structure acquisition section (AD) (0414), an aroma type identification information acquisition section (AE) (0415), a control information output section (AF) (0416), and a communication section (AG) (0417), and is configured to generate aroma based on the aroma-generation data string packet structure.

[0134] The diffuser device (A) communicates to acquire an aroma-generating data string packet structure. If the aroma-generating data string packet structure contains NFT information using blockchain technology, it can distinguish whether the data string is original or copied. Based on the aroma type identification information, a specific aroma-generating ingredient from among the multiple aroma-generating ingredients stored in the diffuser device (A) is sprayed to the outside under specified conditions (intensity, amount, time, generation timing, order, etc.) to generate an aroma.

[0135] The diffuser device (A) may take various forms, such as a tabletop or wall-mounted type for spraying into the indoor atmosphere of a living room, bathroom, sauna, toilet, bedroom, etc.; a type built into air conditioners or other air conditioning equipment; a type built into air conditioning equipment in automobiles or other means of transportation; a type built into video equipment such as televisions or monitors for entertainment purposes (for watching television programs, playing video software, playing games, etc.); a type built into VR goggles, AR glasses, or helmets; a type built into massage chairs or sofas; an external expansion device built into or attached to a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone; a small portable diffuser device (including wearable types); a diffuser device used by connecting via a USB terminal to devices with a USB terminal for connecting to a PC, TV, etc.; or a type built into a dressing table or full-length mirror for use in online perfume sales.

[0136] The communication unit of the diffuser device (A) can be configured to acquire a new aroma generation data string packet structure from an external server device via the Internet, or it can be configured to operate as a standalone device without connecting to the Internet and exchange data via a memory card, to read necessary data from a barcode on a printed material using a built-in camera or barcode reader, to exchange data directly from an NFC card, or to exchange data via one-to-one short-range communication with another device, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access from outside.

[0137] The diffuser device (A) can be configured so that when it reads an aroma generation data string packet structure to generate an aroma, the diffuser device (A) queries an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (described below) before execution to determine whether or not regeneration (aroma generation) can be performed using the aroma generation data string packet structure or the aroma type identification information contained in said structure. The possibility of regeneration (aroma generation) refers to whether or not the aroma generation data string packet structure or the aroma type identification information contained in said structure is authentic, whether or not the information qualifies for regeneration (such as right of use, number of uses, and qualifications for use), and whether or not the information is suitable for the diffuser device (A) to be regenerated (which may also include cartridge identification information). After receiving a response indicating that regeneration is possible, the regeneration is performed.

[0138] Furthermore, the diffuser device (A) may be configured to send diffuser identification information (information identifying both the model and the individual diffuser device (A) by combining information identifying the model of the diffuser device (A) with individual identification information such as a serial number) to the server device (B) to inquire whether regeneration (aroma generation) is possible. It is possible to determine whether the diffuser device (A) is a legitimate device registered in the system and whether it corresponds to the aroma type identification information before regeneration (aroma generation), and regeneration (aroma generation) can be performed using the corresponding information on a legitimate device. Note that instead of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), a server device for verifying the aroma generation data string packet structure or aroma type identification information, or a server device for authenticating the diffuser device (A), may be provided. These server devices may be integrated with other servers as appropriate.

[0139] 45 to 51 , an example will be described in which a user generates an aroma in a diffuser device (A) using an aroma management system app running on the user's smartphone (in the following description of the app, aroma generation may be referred to as "regeneration"). An app that is client software for the aroma management system runs on the user's smartphone, and the smartphone communicates with the diffuser device (A), causing the app to output an aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) and instruct the diffuser device (A) to regenerate the aroma. The following description will be given with similar results when accessing a website using a browser rather than an app on a smartphone.

[0140] In the explanation using Figures 45 to 51, personal authentication of the user is performed using the user's smartphone (the smartphone is configured so that the user can use the smartphone after personal authentication), and an app on the smartphone accesses an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) described in a later embodiment via a network. The aroma generation data string packet structure that the user has permission to use and wishes to reproduce is obtained from the server device (B) via the network. An example of a configuration will be described in which the smartphone then outputs the data to the diffuser device (A) via a network or near-field wireless communication, etc. (This example is not limiting). It is also possible for the diffuser device (A) to directly obtain and store the aroma generation data string structure via the network and accept instructions for aroma generation.

[0141] <Embodiment 4: Aroma Management System: App: Top Screen> Figure 45 shows the top screen of the aroma management system smartphone app. As shown at the bottom of the screen, the user is Takuya Sato, and his membership number is S12345678. When using this app, initial registration (not shown) involves entering Takuya Sato's name, email address, and payment method (credit card, in-app purchase, prepaid card, electronic money ID, etc.) for purchasing the aroma generation data string packet structure. If the user does not wish to disclose his or her personal name, a nickname is also registered. Upon registration, user identification information (membership number S12345678 in this example) for identifying the user is associated with the user (Takuya Sato in this example). In the descriptions of Figures 45 to 50, the user identification information is an alphanumeric string assigned by the system. However, any other user identification information or user attribute information indicating the user's attributes, such as an email address or other user identification information entered by the user, may also be used, as long as it uniquely identifies the user.

[0142] Furthermore, the serial number and other information of the diffuser device (A) used by the user are also registered. When registering the serial number, it is convenient to configure the device so that the number can be read by taking a picture of the serial number sticker (which may also have a two-dimensional code including the serial number) with a smartphone camera. Once the serial number is acquired, it can be configured to associate it with diffuser device identification information that identifies the diffuser device (A) and user identification information and store it in the user identification information storage unit described below.

[0143] The TOP screen has buttons for transitioning to screens for aroma playback, aroma library (acquired aroma generation data string packet structures), aroma recipe purchase (purchase of aroma generation data string packet structures), aroma recipe creation (corresponding to the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) described in the embodiment below), evaluation (corresponding to evaluation of aroma generation data string packet structures described in the embodiment below), and my page (editing registered personal information (user attribute information), canceling membership, etc.).

[0144] <Embodiment 4: Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Playback Screen> <Embodiment 4: Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Playback Screen: Configuration> Pressing the aroma play button on the top screen of the app transitions to the aroma playback screen shown in Figure 46. The aroma playback screen displays a list of aroma type identification information (recipe number) and aroma attribute information (recipe name, remaining quantity) contained in aroma generation data string packet structures that have already been acquired. The user's smartphone or the diffuser device (A) may be configured to have an aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit, but it is preferable to have an aroma type identification information storage unit that does not store the aroma generation data string packet structure itself, but instead stores only the included aroma type identification information and aroma attribute information in association with each other. In the latter configuration, the control information used to actually generate the aroma does not remain on the user's device (smartphone or diffuser unit (A)), and the system administrator can centrally manage the control information (the control information is acquired each time the aroma is played as an aroma generation data string packet structure, output to the diffuser device (A), and erased after the aroma is generated).

[0145] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Playback Screen: Screen Description> In the example of Fig. 46, Mr. Sato has already acquired nine aroma recipes (aroma generation data string packet structures) (both paid and free), which are displayed as a list. If the number of acquired aroma recipes exceeds the number that can be displayed on one screen, the user can scroll or advance the screen to display the rest. In the example of Fig. 46, the third one from the top, "Coffee Kilimanjaro," has been selected. To play back the selected aroma, the user presses the "Play" button at the bottom right of the screen.

[0146] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Playback Screen: Evaluation> If a user smells the played aroma and has a positive or favorable impression of the aroma, a "Like" button to indicate that they think the aroma is good, or a "Dislike" button to indicate that they have a negative impression of the aroma, can be placed on the screen where playback is instructed and configured so that the user can press them (not shown, but a configuration with only a "Like" button may also be used). It is preferable that either the "Like" button or the "Dislike" button can be configured to be pressed once per aroma playback. It is preferable that the number of times the "Like" or "Dislike" button has been pressed, including by other users, be displayed so that the user can refer to it when selecting an aroma to play. This can be achieved by configuring the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) to further have an aroma generation data string packet structure evaluation holding unit that holds an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure in association with aroma identification information, and by configuring the diffuser device (A), aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), or a mobile information terminal used by the user to acquire the evaluation held in the aroma generation data string packet structure evaluation holding unit when attempting to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure.

[0147] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Playback Screen: Information Flow> After pressing the play button, a playback request is transmitted from the app on the smartphone via the network to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) described below, associated with the aroma type identification information of the aroma recipe (aroma generation data string packet structure) desired to be played back and user identification information. Upon receiving the playback request, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) outputs an aroma generation data string packet structure corresponding to the aroma identified by the aroma type identification information associated with the playback request to the user's smartphone or the diffuser device (A) used by the user.

[0148] The aroma generation data string packet structure output from the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) may be configured so that the user's smartphone acquires it via a network and transmits it to the diffuser device (A), or the diffuser device (A) acquires it directly via the network. In the former configuration, the diffuser device (A) does not need to be equipped with a function for connecting to a network; it only needs to have the function for communicating with the user's smartphone. Upon acquiring the transmitted aroma generation data string packet structure, the diffuser device (A) outputs control information from the external spray control unit (AC) to the external spray unit (AB) for each generating material. The external spray unit (AB) for each generating material sprays the stored aroma-generating material externally, regenerating the aroma.

[0149] If the aroma generation data string packet structure to be played back has an NFT information storage area containing NFT information, it is selected as the object for playback and playback is instructed. Then, the NFT information acquisition unit (CA) of the NFT verification server device (C) described below acquires the NFT information stored in the NFT information storage area of ​​the aroma generation data string packet structure. The NFT information verification unit (CB) acquires the verification results of the NFT information, and the verification result output unit (CC) outputs the verification results. The aroma generation data string packet structure target server device (B), which acquires the verification results via the network, outputs the target aroma generation data string packet structure to the aroma management system app on the smartphone of the user attempting to play the aroma. After the app acquires the aroma generation data string packet structure, the aroma is played back in accordance with the description of the example in which NFT information is not used.

[0150] Furthermore, the verification results from the NFT verification server device (C) may also be obtained by an aroma management system app on the user's smartphone, and if the verification results are appropriate, the aroma generation data string packet structure may be output to the diffuser device (A). An appropriate verification result is one that verifies that the information was obtained in an appropriate manner, that the data is authentic and not an illegal copy, and that the user attempting to play the data has authorization to use the data (including whether there are any remaining usage times).

[0151] <Embodiment 4: Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Playback Screen: Correction (Reduction) of Number of Uses> When the external spray control unit of the diffuser device (A) outputs control information to the external spray unit (AB) for each source of aroma, it notifies the app on the user's smartphone that the control information has been output, and the app reduces the remaining number of times the aroma recipe can be used by one. It is also preferable to configure the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) to output a playback report in association with aroma type identification information and user identification information. The server device (B) can then determine whether the aroma has actually been played.

[0152] 46 shows that the remaining number of times for "Kilimanjaro Coffee" is 1 / 10, indicating that the aroma recipe acquired with a usable number of times of 10 has already been played 9 times, the remaining number of times at the time of selection was only 1, and that when it is played this time, the remaining number of times will be 0. For aroma recipes that have run out of usable times, the aroma type identification information may be deleted so that they will not be displayed in the future, or the screen may be configured to remain displayed as 0 times, and when selected for playback, transition to a purchase screen for the target aroma recipe.

[0153] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Library> <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Library Search> Figure 47 shows the library search screen to which the user is redirected when "Library Search" for the aroma library is pressed on the top screen. This screen is used to search for the desired aroma recipe when the number of aroma recipes acquired by the user exceeds the number that can be displayed on one screen. In Figure 47, Mr. Sato selects "Drinks" as the major category and "Coffee / Tea" as the medium category to narrow down the search. The search results are the three results at the bottom of the screen. In Figure 47, "Black Tea Earl Grey" has been selected. To play the content, the "Play" button at the bottom right is pressed. After the play button is pressed, information is sent and received in the same manner as described above for aroma playback.

[0154] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: Application: Library Organization> Figure 48 shows a screen for organizing (deleting) acquired aroma recipes. Aroma recipes (aroma generation data string packet structures) that are no longer needed are selected and deleted. For example, aroma recipes that have not been played for a long time since they were last played, or aroma recipes that are not intended to be played in the future, are selected and deleted.

[0155] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Recipe Purchase: Selection> Figure 49 shows an example of a screen displayed when searching for aroma recipes in a field of interest when purchasing an aroma recipe. The aroma recipe is an aroma generation data string packet structure stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). For the aroma recipe purchase, aroma type identification information (recipe number) and related aroma attribute information (recipe name, etc.) are acquired and viewed by the user, Mr. Sato, using the app on his smartphone. In the example of Figure 49, the "Nature" and "Forest" categories are selected, and seven search results are displayed. Because Mr. Sato has already purchased the top-ranked "Meiji Shrine Grounds" option, the check box on the left is crossed out and cannot be selected (although it may be possible to purchase multiple aroma recipes already acquired to increase the remaining number available). Mr. Sato selects the bottom-ranked "Kiryu River Source Forest." He presses the "Next" button to proceed to the purchase confirmation screen.

[0156] When purchasing an aroma recipe (aroma generation data string packet structure), the number of times the "Like" or "Dislike" button was pressed can be displayed for the candidate aroma recipe (aroma generation data string packet structure) displayed on the selection screen shown in Figure 49. For example, two additional columns for displaying the number of times "Like" or "Dislike" was pressed can be displayed to the right of the search result list on the aroma recipe purchase screen shown in Figure 49. The number of times "Like" or "Dislike" was pressed can be used as a reference by users considering a purchase.

[0157] <Embodiment 4: Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Recipe Purchase: Purchase Confirmation> Figure 50 shows the purchase confirmation screen for a selected aroma recipe. A detailed description of the selected aroma recipe is displayed, along with a purchase price of 1,000 yen. Pressing the "Sample" button generates a test aroma to smell before purchasing. The aroma generation data string packet structure can be used only once, and the playback time can be configured to be short. It is recommended that the "Sample" be configured to be limited to one time per user or one diffuser device (A), or to one time within a specified period. This is because, if there is no limit, there is a possibility that some users will only use the "Sample" without paying for it. It is not necessary to include a sample scent in every aroma recipe; a sample scent may be omitted. However, omitting a sample scent may discourage some users from purchasing. To purchase, press the "Purchase" button. If a payment method has been registered in the app, payment will be made using the registered payment method. If not, the user will be redirected to a payment method input screen (not shown).

[0158] <Embodiment 4 Aroma Management System: App: Aroma Recipe Purchase: When Not Supported> Figure 51 shows an example of a warning message that is displayed when an aroma recipe is purchased and the diffuser device (A) used by the user or the aroma cartridge containing the aroma-generating ingredients installed at the time of purchase cannot generate the aroma. In this system, if the administrator knows the type of diffuser device (A) used by the user and the type of aroma cartridge installed, a warning message like that shown in Figure 51 can be displayed, preventing the user from purchasing an aroma recipe that cannot be used. Aroma cartridges are not limited to one type, and multiple types may be provided, such as basic cartridges that generate basic aromas and advanced cartridges that generate aromas with more complex configurations or basic aromas with enhanced reproduction. For example, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) can be configured to have a user information storage unit that stores user identification information, which is information that identifies a user, user diffuser device identification information, which is information that identifies the diffuser device (A) used by the user, and aroma generating raw material storage unit identification information, which is information that identifies the aroma generating raw material storage unit (AA) (aroma cartridge) possessed by the diffuser device (A) used by the user, in association with each other, thereby making it possible to display the above-mentioned warning.

[0159] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 4> Figure 5 is a flowchart of the operational processing of a diffuser device (A) which is a computer of embodiment 4 capable of reading and executing the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3. As shown in this figure, the operational method of the diffuser device (A) which is a computer of embodiment 4 includes an aroma-generating raw material holding step (aa) (SA0501), a communication step (ag) (SA0502), an aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ad) (SA0503), an aroma type identification information acquisition step (ae) (SA0504), a control information output step (af) (SA0505), an external spray control step (ac) (SA0506), and an external spray step (ab) (SA0507) of each generated raw material.

[0160] The method of operating the diffuser device (A) which is a computer includes: an aroma-generating raw material holding step (aa) (SA0501) which holds aroma-generating raw materials which are raw materials for mixing and generating multiple types of aromas; a communication step (ag) (SA0502) which performs processing for network communication; an aroma-generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ad) (SA0503) which acquires an aroma-generation data string packet structure according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3; an aroma-type identification information acquisition step (ae) (SA0504) which acquires aroma-type identification information included in the acquired aroma-generation data string packet structure; a control information output step (af) (SA0505) which outputs control information to an external spray control step (ac) (SA0506) based on the acquired aroma-type identification information; The external spray control step (ac) (SA0506) performs processing to control the external spray step (ab) (SA0507) for each generated raw material, and the external spray step (ab) (SA0507) performs processing to externally spray the stored aroma-generating raw material. This is an operating method in which a computerized diffuser device (A) executes such a series of processing.

[0161] <Explanation of Hardware in Embodiment 4> The hardware configuration of a diffuser device (A) in embodiment 4 that can read and execute the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0162] 6 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the diffuser device (A) in this embodiment 4. As shown in this diagram, the diffuser device (A) in this embodiment 4 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0163] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the diffuser device (A) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0164] When the diffuser device (A) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the "non-volatile memory" are read, expanded, and stored in the "main memory," which also provides a work area for those programs. By accepting execution commands, the "CPU" sequentially executes the programs using the data to perform calculations. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory," and programs executed by the "CPU" can exchange data between them and perform processing by identifying and accessing those addresses.

[0165] In this embodiment 4, the programs stored in the "main memory" are an aroma-generating raw material holding program (aa), an aroma-generating raw material-specific external program spray program (ab), an external spray control program (ac), an aroma-generating data string packet structure acquisition program (ad), an aroma-type identification information acquisition program (ae), a control information output program (af), and a communication program (ag). The "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" also store the aroma-generating data string packet structure, aroma-type identification information, control information, and the like.

[0166] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes an aroma-generating raw material storage program (aa) stored in the "main memory" to store aroma-generating raw materials, which are raw materials for mixing and generating multiple types of aromas; Executes an aroma-generating raw material-specific external program spray program (ab) stored in the "main memory" to externally spray the stored aroma-generating raw materials; Executes an external spray control program (ac) stored in the "main memory" to control the aroma-generating raw material-specific external spray unit (AB); Executes an aroma-generation data string packet structure acquisition program (ad) stored in the "main memory" to acquire an aroma-generation data string packet structure according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3; Executes an aroma type identification information acquisition program (ae) in the "main memory" to acquire aroma type identification information included in the acquired aroma-generation data string packet structure; Executes a control information output program (af) stored in the "main memory" to output control information to the external spray control unit (AC) based on the acquired aroma type identification information. The communication program (ag) stored in the "main memory" is executed to perform network communication via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0167] According to this embodiment, the diffuser device (A) can generate aroma based on the aroma generating data string packet structure.

[0168] <Outline of Embodiment 5> Mainly claims 5, 17, and 29 The aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of embodiment 5 is configured to hold the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, and output it to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4.

[0169] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 5> Figure 7 shows a functional block diagram of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of embodiment 5. The aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (0720) of embodiment 5 has an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA) (0721) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) (0722).

[0170] <Configuration of Embodiment 5> <Embodiment 5: Aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA) (0721)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA)" (0721) is configured to hold the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0171] One possible business model is to manufacture and sell individual diffuser devices (A) at the lowest possible cost, with the system administrator making profits by selling aroma-generating materials and aroma-generation data string packet structures and collecting usage fees. If the diffuser device (A) does not have an aroma-generation data string packet structure storage unit and the user does not possess an aroma-generation data string packet structure, the user of the diffuser device (A) can generate aroma by connecting to an aroma-generation data string packet structure server device (B) installed outside the diffuser device (A) via an internet line or the like and requesting that the aroma-generation data string packet structure stored in the aroma-generation data string packet structure server device (B) be output to the diffuser device (A). Upon receiving the request, the aroma-generation data string packet structure server device (B) outputs the structure from an aroma-generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) described below. The output structure is transmitted directly or indirectly to the diffuser device (A). "Indirectly" refers to transmission via the user's mobile information terminal (which may be the aroma generating data string packet structure generation device (E) described below). The following explanation is based on an example of direct communication with the diffuser device (A), but similar effects can be obtained even with indirect communication via the user's mobile information terminal.

[0172] <Embodiment 5: Aroma Generation Data String Packet Structure Output Unit (BB) (0722)> The aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) (0722) is configured to output the stored aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 via a network.

[0173] The aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) outputs an aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A), but it can be configured to output the data string packet structure upon request from the diffuser device (A) as described above, or it can be configured to automatically output (distribute) one or more aroma generation data string packet structures periodically in exchange for a specified amount of money, such as in a monthly distribution system.

[0174] <Embodiment 5: Aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (0720)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B)" (0720) has an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA) (0721) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) (0722), and is configured to hold the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and output it to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4.

[0175] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 5> Figure 8 is a flowchart of the operational processing of aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer of embodiment 5 that stores an aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and outputs it to diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4. As shown in this figure, the operational method of aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer of embodiment 5, comprises an aroma generation data string packet structure storage step (ba) (SB0801) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (bb) (SB0802).

[0176] Here, the method of operating the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, comprises: an aroma generation data string packet structure retaining step (ba) (SB0801) that retains the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3; and an aroma generation data string packet structure outputting step (bb) (SB0802) that outputs the retained aroma generation data string packet structure via a network to the diffuser device (A) of Embodiment 4. This is an operating method in which the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, executes such a series of processes.

[0177] <Hardware Description of Embodiment 5> The hardware configuration of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in embodiment 5, which holds the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 and outputs it to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4, will be described using Figure 9.

[0178] 9 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in this embodiment 5. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in this embodiment 5 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0179] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0180] When the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the "non-volatile memory" are read, expanded, and stored in the "main memory," which also provides a work area for those programs. By accepting execution commands, the "CPU" sequentially executes programs using the data to perform calculations. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory," and programs executed by the "CPU" can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing those addresses.

[0181] In this embodiment 5, the programs stored in the "main memory" are an aroma generation data string packet structure holding program (ba) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (bb). The "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" also store aroma generation data string packet structures and the like.

[0182] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure retention program (ba) stored in the "main memory" to retain the aroma generation data string packet structure described in any one of embodiments 1 to 3; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (bb) stored in the "main memory" to output the retained aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0183] According to this embodiment, the aroma generating data string packet structure can be held outside the diffuser device (A).

[0184] <Outline of Embodiment 6> The aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of Embodiment 6, which is based mainly on Claims 6, 18, and 30 of Embodiment 5, is configured to further include an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) that registers aroma generation data strings.

[0185] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 6> Figure 10 shows a functional block diagram of an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of Embodiment 6, which is based on Embodiment 5. The aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (1020) of Embodiment 6 has an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (1023) in addition to the configuration of Embodiment 5. Therefore, only the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (1023) will be described.

[0186] <Configuration of Sixth Embodiment> <Sixth Embodiment: Aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (1023)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC)" (1023) is configured to register an aroma generation data string packet structure in the aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA) (1021).

[0187] For example, it is used when additionally registering a newly created aroma generation data string packet structure in the aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). At the time of registration, in addition to aroma type identification information, which is information for identifying the aroma type, the creator and owner of the aroma generation data string packet structure, the creation date and time of the aroma generation data string packet structure, the usable period of the aroma generation data string packet structure, the usable region of the aroma generation data string packet structure, the target age for usability of the aroma generation data string packet structure, the fee for using the aroma generation data string packet structure, and the total number of times the aroma generation data string packet structure can be used can also be configured to be registered together using blockchain technology.

[0188] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 6> Figure 11 is a flowchart of the operational processing of aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer of embodiment 6 based on embodiment 5. As shown in this figure, the operational method of aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer of embodiment 6, comprises an aroma generation data string packet structure registration step (bc) (SB1101), an aroma generation data string packet structure retention step (ba) (SB1102), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (bb) (SB1103).

[0189] Here, the method of operation of aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, is as follows: aroma generation data string packet structure registration step (bc) (SB1101) performs processing to register the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 in aroma generation data string packet structure retention step (ba) (SB1102) described below; aroma generation data string packet structure retention step (ba) (SB1102) performs processing to retain the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3; aroma generation data string packet structure output step (bb) (SB1103) performs processing to output the retained aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 via a network. This is an operating method in which the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, executes a series of such processing steps.

[0190] <Hardware Description of Sixth Embodiment> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure server device (B) in the sixth embodiment based on the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0191] 12 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in this embodiment 6. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in this embodiment includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0192] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0193] When the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the "non-volatile memory" are read, expanded, and stored in the "main memory," which also provides a work area for those programs. By accepting execution commands, the "CPU" sequentially executes programs using the data to perform calculations. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory," and programs executed by the "CPU" can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing those addresses.

[0194] In this embodiment 6, the programs stored in the "main memory" are an aroma generation data string packet structure holding program (ba), an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (bb), and an aroma generation data string packet structure registration program (bc). In addition, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store aroma generation data string packet structures and the like.

[0195] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure retention program (ba) stored in the "main memory" to retain the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure registration program (bc) stored in the "main memory" to register the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3 in the aroma generation data string packet structure retention program (ba); Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (bb) stored in the "main memory" to output the retained aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of Embodiment 4 via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0196] According to this embodiment, the aroma generating data string packet structure can be registered in the aroma generating data string packet structure server device (B).

[0197] <Outline of Embodiment 7> Mainly claims 7, 19, and 31 The NFT verification server device (C) of embodiment 7 is configured to acquire NFT information of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3 based on embodiment 2, and output a verification result that is the result of the verification.

[0198] <Functional Configuration of Seventh Embodiment> Fig. 13 shows a functional block diagram of the NFT validation server device (C) of embodiment 7. The NFT validation server device (C) (1330) of embodiment 7 has an NFT information acquisition unit (CA) (1331), an NFT information verification unit (CB) (1332), and a verification result output unit (CC) (1333).

[0199] <Configuration Description of Embodiment 7> <Embodiment 7 NFT Information Acquisition Unit (CA) (1331)> The "NFT Information Acquisition Unit (CA)" (1331) is configured to acquire NFT information of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3 based on embodiment 2.

[0200] The NFT information contained in the aroma generating data string packet structure of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3 based on embodiment 2 is acquired. After acquiring the aroma generating data string packet structure, if the data contains NFT information, the diffuser device (A) can be configured to output the NFT information to the NFT verification server device (C) and request verification. By requesting verification from the NFT verification server device (C) for verifying the NFT information, the load on the diffuser device (A) can be reduced, thereby lowering costs.

[0201] Seventh Embodiment NFT Information Verification Unit (CB) (1332) The "NFT Information Verification Unit (CB)" (1332) is configured to verify the acquired NFT information and obtain the verification result.

[0202] The NFT information requested for verification by the diffuser device (A) is verified and the verification results are obtained. The requested NFT information can be used to verify whether the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired by the diffuser device (A) is original and has not been tampered with. When verifying originality, the edition number indicating that the data is within a specified limit can also be verified. If the NFT information contains information about usage authorization conditions, the user's attribute information may be referenced and verified using the user identification information of the diffuser device (A). In this case, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), the NFT verification server device (C), or a separate user management server device that manages users of this aroma management system may be configured to include a user identification information storage unit, a user attribute information storage unit, and a user attribute information verification unit, and the verification results of the user's usage authorization conditions may be output to the NFT verification server device (C) and / or the diffuser device (A).

[0203] Seventh Embodiment Verification Result Output Unit (CC) (1333) The verification result output unit (CC) (1333) is configured to output the acquired verification results.

[0204] The verification result is output to the diffuser device (A). If the verification result indicates copying or tampering, it is preferable to display an error message to the user and control the device so that the aroma is not emitted.

[0205] <Embodiment 7 NFT verification server device (C) (1330)> The "NFT verification server device (C)" (1330) has an NFT information acquisition unit (CA) (1331), an NFT information verification unit (CB) (1332), and a verification result output unit (CC) (1333), and is configured to acquire NFT information in the aroma generation data string packet structure and output the verification results.

[0206] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 7> Figure 14 is a flowchart of the operational processing of the NFT validation server device (C), which is a computer of embodiment 7. As shown in this figure, the operational method of the NFT validation server device (C), which is a computer of embodiment 7, includes an NFT information acquisition step (ca) (SC1401), an NFT information verification step (cb) (SC1402), and a verification result output step (cc) (SC1403).

[0207] Here, the operating method of the NFT verification server device (C), which is a computer, is as follows: an NFT information acquisition step (ca) (SC1401) performs processing to acquire NFT information in the aroma generation data string packet structure of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3 based on embodiment 2; an NFT information verification step (cb) (SC1402) performs processing to verify the acquired NFT information and acquire the verification result; and a verification result output step (cc) (SC1403) performs processing to output the acquired verification result. This is an operating method in which the NFT verification server device (C), which is a computer, executes a series of such processing.

[0208] <Hardware Description of Seventh Embodiment> The hardware configuration of the NFT validation server device (C) in the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0209] 15 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the NFT validation server device (C) in this embodiment 7. As shown in this diagram, the NFT validation server device (C) in this embodiment 7 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.", a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by data communication paths such as a "system bus" to transmit and receive information and perform processing.

[0210] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the NFT verification server device (C) is started, and by accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data.

[0211] When the NFT verification server device (C) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the "non-volatile memory" are read, expanded, and stored in the "main memory," which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the "CPU" sequentially performs calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory," and programs executed by the "CPU" can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0212] In this embodiment, the programs stored in the "main memory" are an NFT information acquisition program (ca), an NFT information verification program (cb), and a verification result output program (cc). In addition, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store NFT information, verification results, etc.

[0213] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes an NFT information acquisition program (ca) stored in the "main memory" to acquire NFT information of embodiment 2 or embodiment 3 based on embodiment 2; Executes an NFT information verification program (cb) stored in the "main memory" to verify the acquired NFT information and acquire the verification results; Executes a verification result output program (cc) stored in the "main memory" to output the acquired verification results to the network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0214] This embodiment can verify the NFT information in the aroma generating data string packet structure, determine its authenticity, and obtain the results. Based on the results, the aroma generation can be controlled to be performed or not.

[0215] <Outline of Embodiment 8> Mainly claims 8, 20, and 32 The storage device (D) of embodiment 8 is configured to store the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, and to output the aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4.

[0216] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 8> Fig. 16 shows a functional block diagram of a storage device (D) of embodiment 8. The storage device (D) (1640) of embodiment 8 has an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (DA) (1641) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) (1642).

[0217] <Configuration of Embodiment 8> <Embodiment 8: Aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (DA) (1641)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (DA)" (1641) is configured to hold the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3.

[0218] The aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3 can be stored on a memory card, USB memory, or an IC card with built-in NFC. Such a highly portable medium is read by the diffuser device (A) of Embodiment 4, and the diffuser device (A) acquires the aroma generation data string packet structure. The device necessary for reading the medium is installed in the diffuser device (A) as appropriate. Alternatively, a QR Code (registered trademark) printed on the surface of a card such as a trading card may store information on where to obtain the aroma generation data string packet structure (such as a URL or information on the storage location on the storage medium). A single QR Code (registered trademark) Model 2 can contain up to 2,953 bytes of information, but for stable reading, a size of 0.28 mm or more is required for each cell forming the code. With the above-mentioned single-cell size, the size of each code is 51.8 mm or more on each side. If a QR Code (registered trademark) were to be used to store information about a data string packet structure for aroma generation (e.g., 1100 kbytes), more than 370 codes with a side length of 51.8 mm or more would be required, making it unrealistic as a physical object.

[0219] <Embodiment 8: Aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) (1642)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB)" (1642) is configured to output the stored aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4.

[0220] In the description of the process flow and hardware of this eighth embodiment, which will be described later, the hardware of the storage device (D) will be described using an example of a configuration similar to that of a PC, but it may also be a memory card or hard disk equipped with non-volatile memory, an optical disk, a printed matter with a QR code (registered trademark), etc. In these cases, the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) can be considered to be "outputting" the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 (making it readable) so that it can be acquired by the aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition unit (AD) of the diffuser device (A).

[0221] The aroma generating data string packet structure is output from the storage medium to a diffuser device (A) equipped with a corresponding reading device. A camera or barcode reader is used to read QR codes (registered trademark) printed on paper or the like. In the case of a QR code (registered trademark) as described above, information on the source from which the aroma generating data string packet structure is obtained (such as a URL or information on the storage location on the storage medium) may be output, and the diffuser device (A) that has obtained the information may then obtain the aroma generating data string packet structure from the source.

[0222] <Embodiment 8 Memory device (D) (1640)> The "memory device (D)" (1640) has an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (DA) (1641) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) (1642), and is configured to hold the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, and output the held aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4.

[0223] The entity holding the aroma generating data string packet structure may be in the form of a storage medium such as a memory card, USB memory, NFC-compatible IC card, magnetic card, or optical disk (a card-shaped device instead of a disk is also acceptable). When purchasing such an entity, the card owner is assured of their true ownership through the NFT information, and the purchase price of the card is paid to the copyright holder of the aroma data. If there are multiple parties equivalent to the copyright holders of the data, the system can be configured to distribute the copyright royalties at a predetermined rate or amount based on a prior agreement between the aforementioned copyright holders.

[0224] The physical object may be a product (e.g., a paper card, poster, folding fan, hand fan, etc.) that does not have a storage medium such as a semiconductor element, magnetic material, or optical disk, and has printed on its surface a two-dimensional code recording the URL of a source from which the aroma generating data string packet structure can be obtained or the address of the storage location on a storage device (e.g., a server device). In this case, to identify the purchaser, purchaser information and a password may be separately registered in a seller's management server device, etc., and the two-dimensional code printed on the surface of the product may be used to access the storage device from which the purchaser information and password are obtained and then downloaded after authentication.

[0225] While the storage device (D) has been described above as a physical object, the same effect can be achieved even if it is an intangible information object, such as NFT art using NFTs. It may be sold and distributed as NFT art that combines photo or video data with an aroma generation data string packet structure, or the aroma generation data string packet structure alone may be sold and distributed as NFT art.

[0226] As examples of storage devices (D), we will explain the case of a trading card in the form of an IC card that stores an aroma generation data string packet structure, and the case where the trading card does not store the aroma generation data string packet structure itself (a two-dimensional code containing information on the source is printed on it). After being loaded into the diffuser device (A), the example aroma generation data string packet structure is monitored for tampering using blockchain technology, and the usage rights and number of uses of the aroma generation data string packet structure purchased by a user are managed. While a trading card is used as an example, other product forms or storage media may be used. The aroma generation data string packet structure itself may be purchased online, stored on a user's mobile information terminal (such as a smartphone), and configured to communicate with and process the diffuser device (A) and other devices. It may also be configured as NFT art containing the aroma generation data string packet structure and NFT information.

[0227] <Example 1: When the trading card is an IC card and holds the aroma generation data string packet structure itself> This will be explained using FIG.

[0228] (1) A user of the diffuser device (A) purchases a trading card in the form of an IC card that holds a data string packet structure for aroma generation. As described above, this is a physical card that is sold in limited quantities and is assigned an edition number as NFT information.

[0229] (2) The user reads the purchased trading card with the IC card reader (or NFC communication device) of the diffuser device (A). It is recommended to provide a reading section like the slit on the front of the diffuser device (A) in the figure.

[0230] (3) The diffuser device (A) reads the aroma generation data string packet structure using an IC card reader, acquires the NFT information contained in the packet structure, and outputs a verification request for the aroma generation data string packet structure to the NFT verification server device (C) via an internet line. The diffuser device (A) may be provided with an NFT information acquisition unit, an NFT information verification request output unit, and an NFT information verification result acquisition unit.

[0231] (4) The NFT verification server device (C) acquires the NFT information received from the diffuser device (A) and performs verification. The NFT verification server device (C) outputs the verification results to the diffuser device (A).

[0232] (5) The diffuser device (A) obtains the verification result from the NFT verification server device (C). If the obtained verification result indicates that the data is original (or is limited in quantity and the edition number is authentic), is not subject to usage restrictions, and there are no problems with the current number of uses and the upper limit of the number of uses (if a playback limit is specified, the limit has not been reached), the diffuser device (A) generates an aroma based on the aroma type identification information included in the aroma generation data string packet structure.

[0233] <Example 2: Trading card does not hold an aroma generation data string packet structure, but has a two-dimensional code printed on it that holds information for acquisition> A trading card is a card made of paper or thin plastic with a QR code (registered trademark) printed on its surface. The surface of the QR code (registered trademark) is covered with an opaque film that prevents the code from being read before purchase. When the film is peeled off, a label such as "peeled" or "USED" remains on the surface of the card that was previously covered by the film except for the code-printed area, preventing unauthorized removal of the film in a store and reading the code, or unauthorized resale of a code that has already been read.

[0234] This will be explained using Figure 44. The QR code (registered trademark) printed on the trading card does not include the aroma generation data string packet structure itself, which contains information for generating aroma, but instead includes aroma generation data string packet structure identification information, which is information for identifying the aroma generation data string packet structure, and NFT information, which certifies that the identification information is original. The aroma generation data string packet structure identification information is output to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which obtains the aroma generation data string packet structure in return.

[0235] (1') A user of the diffuser device (A) purchases a trading card printed with a QR code (registered trademark) (not shown) that contains aroma generating data string packet structure identification information and NFT information. This is sold as a physical trading card, and is a limited edition item with an edition number assigned as NFT information.

[0236] (2') The user reads the QR code (registered trademark) on the purchased trading card with the barcode reader of the diffuser device (A). It is recommended to provide a reading section like the slit on the front of the diffuser device (A) in the figure.

[0237] (3') The diffuser device (A) reads the information contained in the QR code (registered trademark) using a barcode reader and sends the read aroma generation data string packet structure identification information and NFT information to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) as an NFT information verification request and aroma generation data string packet structure identification information. This is output to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) as an "aroma generation data string packet structure output request."

[0238] (4') The aroma generating data string packet structure server device (B) sends the acquired NFT information to the NFT verification server device (C) and requests verification of the NFT information.

[0239] (5') The NFT verification server device (C) acquires the NFT information received from the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) and verifies it. The NFT verification server device (C) outputs the verification results to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0240] (6') The aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) obtains the verification results from the NFT verification server device (C). If the verification results indicate that there are no problems with aroma generation, such as that the data is original, that it is not subject to usage restrictions, and that there are no problems with the current number of uses and the upper limit of the number of uses (if a maximum number of replays is specified, the limit has not been reached), the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) sends the aroma generation data string packet structure identified by the aroma generation data string packet structure identification information to the diffuser device (A).

[0241] (7') The diffuser device (A) generates an aroma based on the aroma type identification information contained in the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired from the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0242] Instead of the process in (3') above, the diffuser device (A) may acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure as follows: The diffuser device (A) outputs an NFT information verification request to the NFT verification server device (C). The NFT verification server device (C) verifies the NFT information and outputs the verification result to the diffuser device (A). If the acquired verification result is satisfactory, the diffuser device (A) outputs aroma generation data string packet structure identification information to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) and acquires the aroma generation data string packet structure. This is the process.

[0243] An aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit may be provided in the diffuser device (A) or the user's mobile information terminal to store approximately 10 to 20 types of aroma generation data string packet structures once read by the diffuser device (A). Data that has been read once and verified by the NFT verification server device (C) may be configured to generate an aroma without sending a verification request to the NFT verification server device (C) each time an aroma is generated. In addition to the purchase price of the trading card, a fee may be charged each time an aroma is generated using the aroma generation data string packet structure stored on the card. The NFT verification server device (C) may also function as a billing management server, or a separate, dedicated billing management server may be provided.

[0244] The NFT information can include the payment recipient for the sales price of the trading card collected from the user and the fee for each use of the aroma-generating data string packet structure. Possible payment recipients include the system administrator, the card seller, and the copyright holder of the aroma-generating data string packet structure. The copyright holder is not limited to one person, and if there are multiple copyright holders, payment is not limited to equal distribution. For example, in the examples of Figures 43 and 44, the trading card is "Shrine Forest," an aroma that evokes the atmosphere of a shrine forest in a certain city. The copyright holder of the card can be a local government that oversees the city or a religious corporation that operates the shrine, and the fee profits earned from the sale of the card and the use of the aroma-generating data string packet structure can be distributed. This can be useful for revitalizing local towns and boosting tourism.

[0245] The storage device (D) may not be a physical card, but may be NFT art stored in non-volatile memory on a server device on an internet connection or on a user's information terminal, such as a smartphone or PC. The NFT art, which is information, also includes an aroma-generating data string packet structure. In this case, the storage device (D) may also correspond to the server device or user's information terminal that stores the NFT art.

[0246] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 8> Figure 17 is a flowchart of the operational processing of the storage device (D), which is a computer of embodiment 8. As shown in this figure, the operational method of the storage device (D), which is a computer of embodiment 8, comprises an aroma generation data string packet structure retaining step (da) (SD1701) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (db) (SD1702).

[0247] Here, the operating method of the storage device (D) which is a computer comprises: an aroma generation data string packet structure retaining step (da) (SD1701) which performs processing to retain the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (db) (SD1702) which performs processing to output the retained aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of Embodiment 4. This is an operating method in which the storage device (D) which is a computer executes such a series of processing steps.

[0248] The storage device (D) may not be a computer, but may be a printed material on which information about the target aroma generation data string packet structure, or address information for accessing and obtaining the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) that stores the aroma generation data string packet structure, is stored in a two-dimensional barcode. It may also be a USB memory, a memory card, or an IC chip card that employs NFC (Near Field Communication). Alternatively, instead of a tangible storage device (D) that stores only the target data, the aroma generation data string packet structure, including the NFT information, may be stored on an internet-based storage device used by the owner.

[0249] <Eighth Embodiment: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the storage device (D) in the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0250] The following description of the hardware of the storage device (D) in this embodiment 8 will be given using an example of a configuration similar to that of a PC, but it may also be a memory card or hard disk equipped with non-volatile memory, or a card-shaped device with a QR code (registered trademark) printed on it. In these cases, the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) can be considered to be "outputting" the aroma generation data string packet structure by preparing the aroma generation data string packet structure (making it readable) so that it can be acquired by the aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition unit (AD) of the diffuser device (A).

[0251] 18 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a storage device (D) in this embodiment 8. As shown in this diagram, the storage device (D) in this embodiment 8 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by data communication paths such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0252] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the storage device (D) is started, and by receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0253] When the storage device (D) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the "non-volatile memory" are read, expanded, and stored in the "main memory," which also provides a work area for those programs. By accepting execution commands, the "CPU" sequentially executes the programs using the data to perform calculations. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to both the "main memory" and the "non-volatile memory," and programs executed by the "CPU" can exchange data between them and perform processing by identifying and accessing those addresses.

[0254] In this embodiment, the programs stored in the "main memory" are an aroma generation data string packet structure holding program (da) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (db). The "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" also store aroma generation data string packet structures and the like.

[0255] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure retention program (da) stored in the "main memory" to retain the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of embodiments 1 to 3; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (db) stored in the "main memory" to output the retained aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 via the network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0256] According to this embodiment, the storage device (D) can be distributed, bought and sold, etc. In particular, by configuring it to have NFT information, it is possible to identify the original and ensure its uniqueness, thereby guaranteeing its value when bought and sold.

[0257] <Outline of Embodiment 9> Mainly claims 9, 21, and 33 The aroma management system of embodiment 9 is composed of the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 and the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of embodiment 5 or 6.

[0258] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 9> Figure 19 shows a functional block diagram of an aroma management system of embodiment 9. The aroma management system (1950) of embodiment 9 has a diffuser device (A) (1910) of embodiment 4 and an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (1920) of embodiment 5 or 6. Note that the configuration may also include one or more of the NFT verification server device (C) of embodiment 7, the storage device (D) of embodiment 8, and the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of any one of embodiments 10 to 15 described below.

[0259] <Explanation of the Configuration of Embodiment 9> <Embodiment 9 Diffuser Device (A) (1910)> The "diffuser device (A)" (1910) has an aroma-generating raw material holding section (AA) (1911), an external spray section for each generating raw material (AB) (1912), an external spray control section (AC) (1913), an aroma-generating data string packet structure acquisition section (AD) (1914), an aroma type identification information acquisition section (AE) (1915), a control information output section (AF), and a communication section (AG), and is configured to generate an aroma based on the aroma-generating data string packet structure.

[0260] <Embodiment 9: Aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (1920)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B)" (1920) has an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA) and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB), and is configured to hold an aroma generation data string packet structure and output it to the diffuser device (A).

[0261] <Embodiment 9: Aroma Management System (1950)> The "aroma management system" (1950) is configured to have a diffuser device (A) (1910) of embodiment 4 and an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (1920) of either embodiment 5 or 6.

[0262] A user of this system uses a diffuser device (A) (1910) that acquires an aroma generation data string packet structure from an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) (1920) and generates an aroma. If the packet structure includes NFT information, the system can be configured to further include an NFT verification server device (C). The system can also be configured to further include an aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E), described below, for generating an aroma generation data string packet structure. It can also be configured to include a memory device (D).

[0263] Ninth Embodiment Aroma Management System: Other Aspect 1: E-Commerce Site The aroma management system may also include an aroma generation data string packet structure EC server device that operates an EC site for buying and selling aroma generation data string packet structures. This EC site is configured to allow not only those who create (manufacture) and sell aroma generation data string packet structures, but also general consumers who have purchased aroma generation data string packet structures to sell the data string structures that they no longer need. Alternatively, the site may be configured to allow amateurs to distribute aroma generation data string packet structures created in accordance with standards, either free of charge or for a fee.

[0264] <Embodiment 9: Aroma Management System: Other Aspect 2: Aroma Usage History Management Server Device> The aroma management system can be configured to include an aroma usage history management server device that stores usage history (e.g., number of times, date and time of use) of an aroma generation data string packet structure by associating diffuser device identification information, which is information that individually identifies a diffuser device (A), aroma type identification information, which is information that identifies an aroma generation data string packet structure, and user identification information that identifies a user. The aroma usage history management server device may be configured integrally with the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). An example of the diffuser device identification information is a code that combines the product model name of the diffuser device (A) and the serial number of each product. The system may also be configured to further include a diffuser device management server device having a diffuser device identification information storage unit that stores diffuser device identification information in association with user identification information. The diffuser device management server device may be configured integrally with one or more of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), the user management server device, and the aroma use history management server device.

[0265] <Embodiment 9: Aroma Management System: Other Aspect 3: Aroma Detection Sensor> The diffuser device (A) used by the user, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) described below, or the mobile information terminal (e.g., smartphone) used by the user may be equipped with an aroma detection sensor, and configured to include an aroma detection data acquisition unit, an aroma detection data analysis unit, and a control information generation unit. Control information can be generated based on the aroma detection data detected by the aroma detection sensor, and the diffuser device (A) can generate an aroma. For example, when enjoying a delicious meal at a restaurant while traveling, the user can record not only the food's aroma but also its aroma. Alternatively, the system can be configured to search based on the aroma detection data of the aroma detected by the aroma detection sensor, and obtain information on similar aromas and an aroma generation data string packet structure. This is effective when the user is using a mobile information terminal that does not have the processing power to detect aromas or generate control information for aroma generation on its own. The search destination may be on the Internet, or may be within the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) within this aroma management system. The sensed and generated control information may also be edited by the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) described below.

[0266] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 9> Figure 20 is a flowchart of the operation processing of the aroma management system, which is a computer of embodiment 9. As shown in this figure, the aroma management system of embodiment 9 operates in cooperation with the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 and the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of embodiment 5 or 6. The left side of Figure 20 shows a flowchart of the operation method of the diffuser device (A), and the right side shows a flowchart of the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0267] <Embodiment 9: Processing Flow of Diffuser Device (A)> The left column of Figure 20 shows a flowchart of the operational processing of the diffuser device (A), which is the computer of embodiment 4, in the aroma management system, which is the computer of embodiment 9. As shown in this figure, the operational method of the diffuser device (A), which is the computer, includes an aroma-generating raw material holding step (aa) (SA2001), a communication step (ag) (SA2002), an aroma-generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ad) (SA2003), an aroma type identification information acquisition step (ae) (SA2004), a control information output step (af) (SA2005), an external spray control step (ac) (SA2006), and an external spray step (ab) (SA2007) for each generated raw material.

[0268] The method of operating the diffuser device (A) which is a computer includes: an aroma-generating raw material holding step (aa) (SA2001) which holds aroma-generating raw materials that are used to mix and generate multiple types of aromas; a communication step (ag) (SA2002) which performs processing for network communication; an aroma-generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ad) (SA2003) which acquires the aroma-generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3 from an aroma-generation data string packet structure output step (bb) (SB2002) of the aroma-generation data string packet structure server device (B) of any one of Embodiments 5 or 6; an aroma-type identification information acquisition step (ae) (SA2004) which acquires aroma-type identification information included in the acquired aroma-generation data string packet structure; The control information output step (af) (SA2005) performs processing to output control information to the external spray control step (ac) (SA2006) based on the acquired aroma type identification information, the external spray control step (ac) (SA2006) performs processing to control the external spray step (ab) (SA2007) for each generated raw material, and the external spray step (ab) (SA2007) performs processing to externally spray the stored aroma-generating raw material. This is an operating method in which a diffuser device (A) which is a computer executes such a series of processing.

[0269] <Embodiment 9: Processing Flow of Aroma Generation Data String Packet Structure Server Device (B)> The right column of Figure 20 shows a flowchart of the operational processing of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is the computer of either embodiment 5 or 6 of the aroma management system, which is the computer of embodiment 9. As shown in this figure, the operational method of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, comprises an aroma generation data string packet structure retaining step (ba) (SB2001) and an aroma generation data string packet structure outputting step (bb) (SB2002).

[0270] Here, the method of operating the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, comprises: an aroma generation data string packet structure retaining step (ba) (SB2001) that retains the aroma generation data string packet structure of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3; and an aroma generation data string packet structure outputting step (bb) (SB2002) that outputs the retained aroma generation data string packet structure via a network to an aroma generation data string packet structure acquiring step (ad) (SA2003) of the diffuser device (A) of Embodiment 4. This is an operating method that causes the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer, to execute this series of processes.

[0271] <Hardware Description of Embodiment 9> The aroma management system, which is a computer of Embodiment 9, is composed of a diffuser device (A), which is the computer of Embodiment 4, and an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is the computer of either Embodiment 5 or Embodiment 6. The hardware configuration of each device has already been described in Embodiment 4 (e.g., FIG. 6), Embodiment 5 (e.g., FIG. 9), or Embodiment 6 (FIG. 12), and therefore will not be described here. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an aroma management system composed of a diffuser device (A) and an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which are connected via an internet line. At least one diffuser device (A) is connected to the internet line, and one or more aroma generation data string packet structure server devices (B) are connected to the internet line, constituting the aroma management system. A mobile information terminal (a user's smartphone is shown in FIG. 21) or a PC (not shown), used by a user of the diffuser device (A), is also connected to the internet line. This aroma management system may be connected to one or more NFT verification server devices (C) or aroma generation data string packet structure generation devices (E) described below, or the memory device (D) may be connected to the Internet line directly or indirectly via a reading device for reading the aroma generation data string packet structure held by the memory device (D) to become part of the aroma management system.

[0272] According to this embodiment, an aroma management system can be obtained.

[0273] <Outline of Embodiment 10> Mainly claims 10, 22, and 34 The aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of embodiment 10 inputs control information to be input to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4, retains the input control information, edits the retained control information, generates an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information, and outputs the generated aroma generation data string packet structure.

[0274] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 10> Figure 22 shows a functional block diagram of the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) of embodiment 10. The aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) (2260) of embodiment 10 is configured to have a control information input unit (EA) (2261), a control information storage unit (EB) (2262), a control information editing unit (EC) (2263), an aroma generation data string packet structure generator (ED) (2264), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) (2265).

[0275] <Configuration of embodiment 10> <Control information input unit (EA) (2261) of embodiment 10> The "control information input unit (EA)" (2261) is configured to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC).

[0276] <Embodiment 10: Control Information Input Unit (EA): Control Information> "Control information" is information input to the external spray control unit (AC) to control the external spray unit for specific aroma-generating raw materials (AB) for externally spraying the stored aroma-generating raw materials. This information describes which of the multiple types of aroma-generating raw materials stored in the aroma-generating raw material storage unit (AA) should be sprayed externally, at what intensity, and at what timing to produce the desired aroma. For example, if the aroma-generating raw material storage unit (AA) stores 10 aroma-generating raw materials, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and three aroma-generating raw materials, 1, 3, and 8, are used to generate the desired aroma, the following set of control information can be considered as an example:

[0277] Examples of control information include a set of aroma-generating raw material identification information identifying the aroma-generating raw materials identified by the numbers 1, 3, and 8 of the 10 raw materials; a set of aroma cartridge identification information identifying the cartridge if the 10 aroma-generating raw materials (1 through 10) are held in a set of cartridge-shaped containers, and a set of aroma-generating raw material identification information for the aroma-generating raw material to be used; and further information such as a set of the external spray intensity, generation timing, change in generation intensity over time, and stop timing and change in stop intensity over time for each aroma-generating raw material when the aroma-generating raw material is used to generate a desired aroma (i.e., information indicating an external spray profile for each aroma-generating raw material, with the horizontal axis as the time axis and the vertical axis as the external spray intensity). In particular, because element aromas generated from one or more elemental aroma-generating raw materials are mixed and generated, it is most preferable that the control information also include information indicating the external spray profile.

[0278] <Embodiment 10: Control Information Input Unit (EA): Input of Control Information> A user inputs control information into the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) used by the user to input control information into the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A) used by the user. The control information edited and created by the user in the control information editing unit (EC) described below is input to the diffuser device (A) used by the user from the control information input unit (EA) of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E). The user can then smell the aroma generated based on the control information edited or created by the user to confirm its quality. Based on the confirmed quality of the control information, an aroma generation data string packet structure is generated as described below and output for registration in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0279] Instead of the control information itself, a data string packet structure for aroma generation in which the control information is stored in the control information holding area of ​​the diffuser device (A) may be output, acquired by the aroma type identification information acquisition unit (AE) of the diffuser device (A), and the control information may be output from the control information output unit (AF) to the external spray control unit (AC) based on the acquired aroma type identification information.

[0280] Tenth Embodiment Control Information Storage Unit (EB) (2262) The "control information storage unit (EB)" (2262) is configured to store control information.

[0281] The control information stored includes control information created by the user, control information edited by the user, control information obtained from the diffuser device (A) used by the user, control information obtained from an aroma generation data string packet structure including control information obtained from the diffuser device (A) used by the user, and control information obtained from an aroma generation data string packet structure including control information obtained from the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0282] Tenth Embodiment Control Information Editing Unit (EC) (2263) The 'control information editing unit (EC)' (2263) is configured to edit the held control information.

[0283] "Editing" refers to the addition, deletion, or modification of the control information stored in the control information storage unit (EB) by the control information editing unit (EC). Addition and deletion refer to the content of the control information. For example, when three aroma-generating raw materials (1, 3, and 8) are used as described above, "addition" would mean adding aroma-generating raw material No. 4. "Deletion" would mean eliminating aroma-generating raw material No. 3 from among aroma-generating raw materials No. 1, 3, and 8 and using only aroma-generating raw materials No. 1 and 8. "Modification" would mean using No. 4 instead of No. 3, or changing the intensity or time conditions in the external spray profile (the external spray intensity for each aroma-generating raw material per hour) for each aroma-generating raw material. Editing is not limited to control information created or edited by the user himself / herself; it can also be used to edit control information contained in aroma-generating data stream packet structures provided by other users or administrators via a network (including information provided by a company that creates aroma-generating data stream packet structures). This can also be edited if the user has permission to edit the control information.

[0284] "Editing" may include "adding" new control information for generating aroma from aroma-generating raw materials Nos. 1, 3, and 8 to the control information storage unit (EB) of the aroma-generating data string packet structure generator (E) used by the user, or conversely, "deleting" control information already stored in the control information storage unit (EB). "Modifying" may also be configured to change the control information identification information, which is information that identifies the control information stored in the control information storage unit (EB).

[0285] <Embodiment 10: Aroma generation data string packet structure generation unit (ED) (2264)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure generation unit (ED)" (2264) is configured to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information.

[0286] An aroma type identification information holding area of ​​a predetermined size for holding aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma to be generated by the diffuser device (A), and an aroma attribute information holding area of ​​a predetermined size for holding aroma attribute information, which is information indicating the attributes of the aroma, are added to the control information held in the control information holding unit (EB), and a data string packet structure for aroma generation is generated by preferably further adding an NFT information holding area and / or a diffuser device (A) control information holding area.

[0287] <Embodiment 10: Aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) (2265)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE)" (2265) is configured to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (2263).

[0288] It is preferable that the aroma generation data string packet structure is output in association with user identification information when output to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), or that the aroma generation data string packet structure generation unit (ED) generates the aroma generation data string packet structure so that the user identification information is included as aroma attribute information, thereby making it clear who the user who created or edited the control information is.

[0289] An aroma generation data string packet structure based on control information edited or created by a user is output to an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) via a network and stored in an aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA) of the server device (B). The aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) registers the aroma generation data string packet structure in the aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA), thereby enabling a user other than the registered user to acquire the registered aroma generation data string packet structure and generate aroma. When registering an aroma generation data string packet structure or acquiring the registered packet structure, it is preferable to refer to usage authority information, which is information regarding the user's usage authority associated with user identification information, which identifies the user, as described below, so that only authorized users can acquire the packet structure.

[0290] When an aroma generation data string packet structure based on control information edited or created by a user is output to an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) via a network, the aroma generation data string packet structure is not registered directly in the aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA), but can be configured to further include an aroma generation data string packet structure confirmation unit that confirms the contents of the aroma generation data string packet structure before registering it.

[0291] When a user creates or edits an aroma generation data string packet structure due to intentional or careless mistake or mistake due to lack of experience or knowledge, it is possible to check whether the aroma generated using the aroma generation data string packet structure will have the potential to cause unpleasant odors, such as foul or irritating smells. In particular, when aroma attribute information (e.g., citrus scent, forest scent, etc.) is entered, it is possible to check whether the aroma actually generated differs significantly. The check is performed, for example, by the administrator or someone under their instructions, and registration is performed only after determining that there are no problems. Alternatively, the information may be provisionally registered, clearly indicating that it is in trial use, and users are asked to evaluate it widely. If no problems are found, the information may be officially registered.

[0292] Alternatively, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) or a separate server device may be configured to include an inappropriate aroma information storage unit that stores inappropriate aroma information indicating examples of inappropriate aroma-generating raw material combinations and control information that may result in unpleasant or irritating odors, and an aroma generation data string packet structure verification unit that verifies whether an aroma generation data string packet structure is inappropriate based on the stored inappropriate aroma information. When a user or a company that creates aroma generation data string packet structures applies for registration of an aroma generation data string packet structure, the aroma generation data string structure can be verified for inappropriate content, and inappropriate data strings can be rejected and prevented from being registered. The inappropriate aroma information storage unit is configured to accept reports of inappropriate aroma information from users and others as appropriate, and if the content is verified and it is determined to be inappropriate aroma information, it can be stored. Inappropriate aroma information can be expanded as needed.

[0293] <Embodiment 10: Aroma Management System: Application: Aroma Recipe Creation> <Application: Aroma Recipe Creation> Using Figures 52 and 53, an example of a user creating or editing control information using an aroma-generating data string packet structure generation device (E) will be described. Figure 52 shows an example of a screen on which control information is created or edited using an aroma management system application on a smartphone used by a user. The smartphone used by the user and the aroma management system application running on it correspond to the aroma-generating data string packet structure generation device (E). In the example of Figure 52, control information for generating a desired aroma is created using three aroma-generating raw materials, Nos. 1, 3, and 8, in the cartridge (aroma-generating raw material storage unit (AA)) of the diffuser device (A) used by the user. In each column, the horizontal axis represents time (the left end represents the start time of aroma generation, and the right end represents the end time), and the vertical axis represents external spray intensity. In Figure 52, the profile for generating aroma is being modified for aroma-generating raw material No. 3, the second from the top. The small black circles in the figure indicate modifiable points in each profile (modifiable points can be added or deleted), and the profile shape is modified by moving the small black circles indicated by the arrows. Figure 52 shows the state during modification, but existing control information can also be modified, or new control information can be created from scratch. If there are too many aroma-generating raw materials to display all the profiles on one screen, the profile display can be scrolled or the screen can be switched to accommodate this.

[0294] Once the control information has been finalized to a certain extent, the user can press the "Sample" button in the bottom center of the screen in Figure 52 to temporarily generate an aroma generation data string packet structure and output it to the diffuser device (A), generate the aroma, and check the results. If the diffuser device (A) is used by the user himself, the control information may be output from the user's aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) and input to the diffuser device (A).

[0295] When creating or editing control information, it is preferable to specify usage rights (described below) so that control information included in an aroma generation data string packet structure obtained via a network or provided by another user or administrator cannot be edited. If the creator of the control information and the aroma generation data string packet structure containing it allows other users to edit it, the system can be configured to specify usage rights in accordance with the creator's wishes. This configuration allows editing only to users who meet certain conditions. For example, this could include users who have paid a large amount of money, or other creators who have already created a certain number of control information pieces and aroma generation data string packet structures containing them (it can also be configured to grant editing rights to the general public).

[0296] <Embodiment 10 Aroma Management System: Application: Aroma Recipe Creation> <Application: Aroma Recipe Registration> Figure 53 is an example of a screen for registering created or edited control information in this system. Set a category to help other users when searching, and enter the aroma recipe name. Set the desired price and number of times limit. In Figure 53, as with category selection, the desired price and number of times limit are selected from a pull-down menu, but they can also be entered directly, or set using a drum-type dial. You can also choose to provide it free of charge or with an unlimited number of times. Once you have finished setting up and wish to register, press the "Register" button at the bottom right of the screen. To cancel, press the "Cancel" button to return to the previous screen, or press the "TOP" button to discard the editing results and return to the TOP screen.

[0297] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 10> Figure 23 is a flowchart of the operation processing of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 10. As shown in this figure, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 10, comprises a control information input step (ea) (SE2301), a control information holding step (eb) (SE2302), a control information editing step (ec) (SE2303), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2304), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2305).

[0298] Here, the method of operation of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, is as follows: a control information input step (ea) (SE2301) performs processing to input control information to an external spray control unit (AC) (not shown) of the diffuser device (A); a control information holding step (eb) (SE2302) performs processing to hold the control information; a control information editing step (ec) (SE2303) performs processing to edit the held control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2304) performs processing to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the held control information; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2305) performs processing to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (not shown) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). This is an operating method in which a series of such processes is executed by an aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer.

[0299] <Tenth Embodiment: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) in the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0300] 24 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) in this embodiment 10. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) in this embodiment 10 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0301] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0302] When the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are read, expanded, and stored in the main memory, which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the main memory and non-volatile memory, and programs executed by the CPU can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0303] In this embodiment 10, the programs stored in the "main memory" are a control information input program (ea), a control information holding program (eb), a control information editing program (ec), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee). In addition, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store control information, aroma generation data string packet structures, etc.

[0304] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes a control information input program (ea) stored in the "main memory" to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A); Executes a control information retention program (eb) stored in the "main memory" to retain the control information; Executes a control information editing program (ec) stored in the "main memory" to edit the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed) stored in the "main memory" to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee) stored in the "main memory" to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." in order to register it in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0305] With the configuration of this embodiment 10, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) can generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on control information that controls the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A), and output it for registration in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0306] <Outline of Embodiment 11> Mainly based on claims 11, 23, and 35 of embodiment 10, the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) of embodiment 11 is configured to hold user identification information, which is information for identifying a user.

[0307] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 11> Figure 25 shows a functional block diagram of an aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) of embodiment 11 based on embodiment 10. The aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) (2560) of embodiment 11 is configured to further include a user identification information storage unit (EF) (2566) in addition to the configuration of embodiment 10. Since everything except the user identification information storage unit (EF) (2566) is the same as embodiment 10, only the user identification information storage unit (EF) (2566) will be explained.

[0308] <Configuration Description of Embodiment 11> <User Identification Information Storage Unit (EF) (2566) of Embodiment 11> The "User Identification Information Storage Unit (EF)" (2566) is configured to store user identification information, which is information that identifies a user.

[0309] A "user" refers to a person who uses the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) and has the authority to use it. Alternatively, the "user" may also refer to a user who also uses a diffuser device (A). The diffuser device (A) used by a single user may be configured for use by only that single user, or may be configured for use by multiple users (e.g., a family member or a group of friends). Furthermore, the "user" may refer to a user who uses an aroma management system consisting of the diffuser device (A) of embodiment 4 and one aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) of either embodiment 5 or 6 (which may further include one or more of an NFT verification server device (C), a storage device (D), and an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E)). The same user identification information may be used for the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), the diffuser device (A), and the aroma management system, or different user identification information may be used.

[0310] "User identification information" is information that identifies a user. User identification information may be a string of characters, such as symbols, letters, or codes, such as a membership number, used to identify a user, or the user's name, telephone number, address, or email address. Alternatively, the identification information may be the information itself that is being identified. For example, the identification information that identifies a user may be the user's name. Therefore, user identification information may be simply symbols, letters, or codes, or it may simultaneously be the user's name, address, telephone number, email address, etc., as identified by those symbols, letters, or codes. However, from the perspective of personal information protection, it is not desirable to include personal information such as name or contact details in identification information that may be made public.

[0311] The user identification information may be information that identifies the mobile information terminal or aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) used by the user, or information that identifies an application for this aroma management system that runs on the mobile information terminal. Alternatively, the user identification information may be configured to include information that identifies the mobile information terminal or information that identifies the application.

[0312] For example, if the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) used by the user is equipped with a camera, microphone, fingerprint authentication sensor, etc., the user identification information may be data used to perform biometric authentication using face, retinal pattern, voice, fingerprint, etc.

[0313] The user identification information may be associated with the attributes of the user identified by the user identification information. User attribute information includes the user's age, occupation, address, type of residence (apartment, detached house, room size, etc.), type of diffuser device (A) used (manufacturer name, model name, applicable aroma-generating raw material cartridge type, etc.), type and tendency of favorite aromas, etc. Since some of this information changes over time, it is preferable that it be updated periodically in chronological order and accumulated as a history.

[0314] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 11> Figure 26 is a flowchart of the operation processing of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 11 based on embodiment 10. As shown in this figure, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 11, comprises a user identification information holding step (ef) (SE2601), a control information input step (ea) (SE2602), a control information holding step (eb) (SE2603), a control information editing step (ec) (SE2604), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2605), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2606).

[0315] Here, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, is as follows: a user identification information holding step (ef) (SE2601) performs processing to hold user identification information that identifies a user; a control information input step (ea) (SE2602) performs processing to input control information to an external spray control unit (AC) (not shown) of the diffuser device (A); a control information holding step (eb) (SE2603) performs processing to hold the control information; a control information editing step (ec) (SE2604) performs processing to edit the held control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2605) performs processing to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the held control information; The aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2606) performs processing to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (not shown) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). This is an operating method for causing the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, to execute this series of processing.

[0316] <Embodiment 11: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) in this embodiment 11, which is based on embodiment 10, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0317] 27 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 11, which is based on Embodiment 10. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 11 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic operations, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0318] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0319] When the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are read, expanded, and stored in the main memory, which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the main memory and non-volatile memory, and programs executed by the CPU can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0320] In this embodiment 11, the programs stored in the "main memory" are a control information input program (ea), a control information storage program (eb), a control information editing program (ec), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee), and a user identification information storage program (ef). In addition, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store control information, aroma generation data string packet structures, user identification information, etc.

[0321] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes a user identification information retention program (ef) stored in the "main memory" to retain user identification information, which is information that identifies a user; Executes a control information input program (ea) stored in the "main memory" to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A); Executes a control information retention program (eb) stored in the "main memory" to retain control information; Executes a control information editing program (ec) stored in the "main memory" to edit the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed) stored in the "main memory" to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee) stored in the "main memory" to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." in order to register it in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0322] The configuration of this embodiment 11, which is based on embodiment 10, allows the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) to hold user identification information that identifies the user.

[0323] <Outline of Embodiment 12> Mainly Claims 12, 24, and 36 The aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) of embodiment 12, which is based on embodiment 11, is configured to acquire usage authority information in association with user identification information, and control the usage of one or more of the control information editing unit (EC), the aroma generation data string packet structure generating unit (ED), and the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) based on the usage authority information.

[0324] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 12> Figure 28 shows a functional block diagram of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of embodiment 12 based on embodiment 11. The aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) (2860) of embodiment 12 is configured to further include a usage authority information acquisition unit (EG) (2867) and a usage control unit (EH) (2868) in addition to the configuration of embodiment 11. Since everything other than the usage authority information acquisition unit (EG) (2867) and the usage control unit (EH) (2868) is the same as embodiment 11, only the usage authority information acquisition unit (EG) (2867) and the usage control unit (EH) (2868) will be explained.

[0325] <Configuration of Twelfth Embodiment> <Twelfth Embodiment Usage authority information acquisition unit (EG) (2867)> "The usage authority information acquisition unit (EG) (2867) is configured to acquire usage authority information, which is information regarding the usage authority of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of the user identified by the user identification information, in association with the user identification information.

[0326] <Embodiment 12: Usage authority information acquisition unit (EG): usage authority information> "Usage authority information" is information indicating the authority of a user to use the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E). As will be described later, the usage control unit (EH) of the device (E) in particular controls the use of one or more of the control information editing unit (EC), aroma generation data string packet structure generation unit (ED), and aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) based on the usage authority information.

[0327] <Embodiment 12: Usage authority information acquisition unit (EG): usage authority information: information usage control> Control of usage based on the usage authority information can be configured so that, for example, when a user acquires the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) (for a fee or free of charge), they are granted usage authority to generate aroma generation data string packet structures a predetermined number of times (controlling so that they cannot be used more than the predetermined number of times), or after the predetermined number of times, they can purchase usage authority for a limited number of times based on a fee (controlling so that they cannot be used unless purchased), or they can pay a certain amount of money periodically to the manager and operator of the aroma management system to obtain usage authority to generate aroma generation data string packet structures a predetermined number of times within a certain period of time (time-limited usage authority), or they can pay a certain amount (e.g., a membership fee) to the manager and operator of the aroma management system to obtain usage authority with no limit on the number of times for generating aroma generation data string packet structures. In addition, it can be configured so that, for example, by paying a certain amount per month (the period can be set as appropriate, such as per week, half a year, or quarter), you can obtain usage rights for an unlimited number of times, or by paying a certain amount for the next period within the period in which the usage rights are valid, you can obtain continuous usage rights.

[0328] An example of control based on usage authority information is control in which the control information editing unit (EC) can be used but the aroma generation data string packet structure generating unit (ED) and aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) cannot be used, so that control information can be edited or created and output only to the diffuser device (A) used by the user, but generation and output of aroma generation data string packet structures for output via a network cannot be performed. Another example is control to enable or disable use of one or more of the control information editing unit (EC), the aroma generation data string packet structure generating unit (ED), and the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE).

[0329] The usage authority information can also be configured to control editing authority for a specific aroma generation data string packet structure. The usage authority information associated with the user identification information can be used as key information so that if it matches the information specifying editing authority included in the aroma attribute information of the aroma generation data string packet structure, editing is possible, but if it does not match, editing is not possible and the data can only be used.

[0330] <Embodiment 12: Usage Authorization Information Acquisition Unit (EG): Usage Authorization Information: Device / System Usage Control> The "usage authority information" can be configured to be used not only to control the use of the functions constituting the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), but also to control access to the diffuser device (A) and the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) and the use of the functions constituting them. For example, it controls the use of the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) for outputting the aroma generation data string packet structure stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) to the diffuser device (A) used by the user via a network. If the aroma type identification information or aroma attribute information contained in the aroma generation data string packet structure includes information regarding usage authority for the use of the data string structure (or control information), then only users with matching usage authority are permitted to acquire and use the aroma generation data string packet structure.

[0331] The control of the use of the aroma generation data string packet structure based on the usage authority can be achieved by using, for example, usage authority information associated with user identification information that identifies the user as key information so that control information, aroma type identification information, etc. can be extracted from the aroma generation data string packet structure. The usage authority information may be used as a password for opening, or may be used as one side of a tally.

[0332] <Embodiment 12 Usage control unit (EH) (2868)> The "usage control unit (EH)" (2868) is configured to control the use of one or more of the control information editing unit (EC), aroma generation data string packet structure generation unit (ED), and aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) based on the acquired usage authority information.

[0333] The "control of use" mentioned above refers to the execution of a process, such as allowing a user of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) to create or edit control information for the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A), generating an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the created or edited control information, and outputting the generated data string packet structure for registration in the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), by either allowing the user to perform the process or not performing the process, based on the user's usage authority information. In particular, if the user is not allowed to use the device and the process is not performed, it is preferable to notify the user of this. The notification may be a simple error sound or an error lamp (which may flash), or, if the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) has a display, an error message may be displayed.

[0334] Even when a user is permitted to use the device, if the authorization imposes a limit on the number of uses, it is preferable to display the remaining number of uses, which is reduced by each use. The number of uses permitted by the authorization is preferably reduced by one when one aroma generation data string packet structure is output to the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). For example, if two aroma generation data string packet structures are output together, the number of uses is reduced by two. The number of uses may be reduced not only when the aroma generation data string packet structure is output, but also when the aroma generation data string packet structure is generated. For example, this may be the case when the user who created or edited the control information is using an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) that is configured to be able to output data not only to the server device (B) but also to an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) or diffuser device (A) used by another user.

[0335] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 12> Figure 29 is a flowchart of the operation processing of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 12. As shown in this figure, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a calculation of embodiment 12, comprises a user identification information holding step (ef) (SE2901), a usage authority information acquisition step (eg) (SE2902), a usage control step (eh) (SE2903), a control information input step (ea) (SE2904), a control information holding step (eb) (SE2905), a control information editing step (ec) (SE2906), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2907), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2908).

[0336] Here, the method of operating the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, includes: a user identification information holding step (ef) (SE2901) performing processing to hold user identification information that identifies a user; a usage authority information acquisition step (eg) (SE2902) performing processing to acquire usage authority information, which is information regarding the usage authority of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of a user identified by the user identification information, in association with the user identification information; a usage control step (eh) (SE2903) performing processing to control the use of one or more of a control information editing step (ec) (SE2906), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2907), and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2908), which will be described later, based on the acquired usage authority information; a control information input step (ea) (SE2904) performing processing to input control information to an external spray control unit (AC) (not shown) of the diffuser device (A); A control information holding step (eb) (SE2905) performs processing to hold the control information; a control information editing step (ec) (SE2906) performs processing to edit the held control information if use is permitted based on the usage authority information, and skips processing if use is not permitted; an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE2907) performs processing to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the held control information if use is permitted based on the usage authority information, and skips processing if use is not permitted; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE2908) performs processing to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (not shown) of an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) if use is permitted based on the usage authority information, and skips processing if use is not permitted. This is an operating method in which a series of such processes is executed by an aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer.

[0337] <Embodiment 12: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) in this embodiment 12, which is based on embodiment 11, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0338] 30 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a data string packet structure generation device (E) for aroma generation in Embodiment 12, which is based on Embodiment 11. As shown in this diagram, the data string packet structure generation device (E) for aroma generation in Embodiment 12 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0339] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0340] When the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are read, expanded, and stored in the main memory, which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the main memory and non-volatile memory, and programs executed by the CPU can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0341] In this embodiment 12, the programs stored in the "main memory" are a control information input program (ea), a control information holding program (eb), a control information editing program (ec), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee), a user identification information holding program (ef), a usage authority information acquisition program (eg), and a usage control program (eh). In addition, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store control information, aroma generation data string packet structures, user identification information, usage authority information, etc.

[0342] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes a user identification information retention program (ef) stored in the "main memory" to retain user identification information, which is information identifying a user; Executes a usage authority information acquisition program (eg) stored in the "main memory" to acquire usage authority information, which is information regarding the usage authority of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of the user identified by the user identification information, in association with the user identification information; Executes a usage control program (eh) stored in the "main memory" to control the use of one or more of the control information editing program (ec), aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), and aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee), described below, based on the acquired usage authority information; Executes a control information input program (ea) stored in the "main memory" to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A); Executes a control information retention program (eb) stored in the "main memory" to retain control information; Executes the control information editing program (ec) stored in the "main memory" to edit the retained control information if usage is permitted based on the usage authority information. If use is permitted based on the usage authority information, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed) stored in the "main memory" is executed to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information. If use is permitted based on the usage authority information, the aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee) stored in the "main memory" is executed to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." in order to register it in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B).

[0343] With the configuration of the twelfth embodiment based on the eleventh embodiment, the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) can be used only by those who have the authorization to use it.

[0344] <Outline of Embodiment 13> The aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of embodiment 13, which is based mainly on any one of embodiments 10 to 12 (claims 13, 25, and 37), is configured to acquire an aroma generation data string packet structure via a network, transfer it to a diffuser device (A), accept an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure related to the aroma generated by the diffuser device (A), and output the evaluation via the network.

[0345] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 13> Figure 31 shows a functional block diagram of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of embodiment 13 based on embodiment 10. The aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) (3160) of embodiment 13 is configured to further include an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ) (3169), a transfer unit (EK) (3170), an evaluation input reception unit (EL) (3171), and an evaluation output unit (EM) (3172) in addition to the configuration of embodiment 10. Since the components other than the aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ) (3169), transfer unit (EK) (3170), evaluation input reception unit (EL) (3171), and evaluation output unit (EM) (3172) are the same as those in embodiment 10, only the aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ) (3169), transfer unit (EK) (3170), evaluation input reception unit (EL) (3171), and evaluation output unit (EM) (3172) will be described. Note that similar effects can be obtained even if either embodiment 11 or 12 is used as a base.

[0346] <Configuration of Embodiment 13> <Embodiment 13: Aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ) (3169)> The "aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ)" (3169) is configured to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure via a network.

[0347] An aroma generation data string packet structure stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) or an aroma generation data string packet structure output from an aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) used by another user is acquired via a network. An aroma generation data string packet structure prepared by another user or the administrator of this system (created or edited by the administrator or another person commissioned by the administrator) is acquired, rather than an aroma generation data string packet structure based on control information created or edited by a single user.

[0348] Since there are limitations in terms of quantity, quality, and field for a single user to create or edit control information, it is beneficial for the user to obtain a data string packet structure for aroma generation based on control information created or edited by others who may have different sensibilities from the user.

[0349] <Embodiment 13 Transfer Unit (EK) (3170)> The "transfer unit (EK)" (3170) is configured to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A).

[0350] The aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network is transferred to the diffuser device (A), which actually generates the aroma and allows the user to experience the aroma. The user who has experienced the aroma has some kind of impression or opinion about the aroma they smelled. For example, they may have impressions or opinions such as, "I really liked this aroma and would like to experience it again and again," "This aroma was not outstanding but just average," "I never want to experience this aroma again," or "I wish this aroma was a little more refreshing." By having such impressions and opinions, the user evaluates the aroma they have acquired and generated.

[0351] <Embodiment 13: Evaluation Input Receiving Unit (EL) (3171)> The "evaluation input receiving unit (EL)" (3171) is configured to receive an input of an evaluation regarding the aroma generation data string packet structure transferred to the diffuser device (A).

[0352] The system accepts evaluations of aromas generated by the diffuser device (A) after the user has acquired the information via a network and transferred it to the diffuser device (A). When receiving the evaluations, it is preferable to associate the evaluations with the aroma type identification information stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure or the aroma type identification information storage area of ​​the aroma generation data string packet structure.

[0353] The evaluation may be free-form text such as impressions or opinions, as described above, or may be evaluation using ABCDE, star ratings, or a score, or a combination of free-form text and evaluation using ABCDE, star ratings, or a score. By viewing the evaluations of users who have experienced an aroma, other users who have not yet experienced the aroma can use the information as a reference when deciding whether to acquire and experience the aroma or not.

[0354] <Embodiment 13: Evaluation Output Unit (EM) (3172)> The evaluation output unit (EM) (3172) is configured to output the received evaluation via a network.

[0355] The received evaluation is output via a network. The output evaluation can be configured to be stored, for example, in the aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in association with the aroma type identification information stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure or the aroma type identification information storage area of ​​the aroma generation data string packet structure. To achieve this, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) is preferably configured to have an evaluation acquisition unit that acquires the evaluation via the network, and an evaluation registration unit that associates the evaluation acquired via the network with the aroma type identification information stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure or the aroma type identification information storage area of ​​the aroma generation data string packet structure, and registers it in the aroma generation data string packet structure storage unit (BA). Alternatively, it may be configured to have an evaluation storage unit that stores the evaluation.

[0356] For example, it is possible to hold a competition in which users submit their own control information as aroma generation data string packet structures for other users to evaluate and vote on, or an event in which users vote for one or more aroma generation data string packet structures prepared by the administrator. In such cases, instead of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) that is normally used, a separate aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) for the competition or event may be installed and used to store the relevant aroma generation data string packet structures and their evaluations.

[0357] The "rating" may be stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) in association with the aroma type identification information stored in the aroma type identification information storage area of ​​the aroma generation data string packet structure or the aroma generation data string packet structure, but may be configured to have a dedicated server device that stores only the rating. In that case, the rating is stored in association with the corresponding aroma type identification information.

[0358] <Embodiment 10 Aroma Management System: App: Evaluation> Figure 54 shows an example of a screen on which a user attempts to register an evaluation for an aroma generation data string packet structure using an aroma management system app running on a smartphone used by the user. In Figure 54, user Takuya Sato is evaluating an aroma with a recipe name of Pop-Up Mint. The upper half of the screen is a description of the target aroma, and the lower half is Sato's evaluation. When evaluating, the evaluation can be written in free-form text and a score can be assigned. It is also possible to enter only a score without entering text. However, it is preferable to require a score. This is because text alone leaves the good and bad ambiguous, and the degree of good or bad will vary depending on the reader, making the evaluation unclear and not objective.

[0359] <Embodiment 10 Aroma Management System: App: Rating: Name Registration> In the rating registration example of Figure 54, Mr. Takuya Sato's membership number (user identification information) and nickname are displayed as the evaluator. When a rating is registered, the nickname or the nickname and membership number can be configured to be made public to other users as the evaluator. Although it is possible to configure the user who registers the rating to be anonymous, it is preferable to configure the user who registers the rating to be non-anonymous, as in the embodiment described below. This is because it is believed that the credibility of the registered rating can be maintained without the user intentionally raising or lowering the rating.

[0360] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 13> Figure 32 is a flowchart of the operation processing of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 13 based on embodiment 10. As shown in this figure, the operation method of the data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 13, comprises a control information input step (ea) (SE3201), a control information holding step (eb) (SE3202), a control information editing step (ec) (SE3203), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE3204), an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE3205), an aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ej) (SE3206), a transfer step (ek) (SE3207), an evaluation input reception step (el) (SE3208), and an evaluation output step (em) (SE3209). The same effect can be obtained based on either embodiment 11 or 12.

[0361] Here, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, is as follows: a control information input step (ea) (SE3201) performs processing to input control information to an external spray control unit (AC) (not shown) of the diffuser device (A); a control information holding step (eb) (SE3202) performs processing to hold the control information; a control information editing step (ec) (SE3203) performs processing to edit the held control information; a aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE3204) performs processing to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the held control information; a aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE3205) performs processing to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (not shown) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B); The aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) (SE3206) performs processing to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure via the network, the aroma transmission step (ek) (SE3207) performs processing to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A) (not shown), the value input reception step (el) (SE3208) performs processing to receive input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure, and the value output step (em) (SE3209) performs processing to output the received evaluation via the network. This is an operating method for causing an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, to execute a series of processing such as the above.

[0362] <Embodiment 13: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure generator (E) in this embodiment 13, which is based on embodiment 10, will be described using Fig. 33. Note that the same effects can be obtained by using either embodiment 11 or 12 as the base.

[0363] 33 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 13, which is based on Embodiment 10. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 13 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic operations, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.", a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0364] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0365] When the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are read, expanded, and stored in the main memory, which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the main memory and non-volatile memory, and programs executed by the CPU can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0366] In this embodiment 13, the programs stored in the "main memory" are a control information input program (ea), a control information holding program (eb), a control information editing program (ec), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee), an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition program (ej), a transfer program (ek), an evaluation input acceptance program (el), and an evaluation output program (em). Also, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store control information, aroma generation data string packet structures, evaluations, etc.

[0367] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes a control information input program (ea) stored in the "main memory" to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A); Executes a control information retention program (eb) stored in the "main memory" to retain the control information; Executes a control information editing program (ec) stored in the "main memory" to edit the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed) stored in the "main memory" to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee) stored in the "main memory" to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." in order to register it in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). The aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition program (ej) stored in the "main memory" is executed to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure via the network from "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." The transfer program (ek) stored in the "main memory" is executed to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A). The evaluation input acceptance program (el) stored in the "main memory" is executed to accept input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure. The evaluation output program (em) stored in the "main memory" is executed to output the accepted evaluation via the network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0368] With the configuration of this embodiment 13 based on any one of embodiments 10 to 12, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) can output an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure obtained via the network.

[0369] <Outline of Embodiment 14> The aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) of embodiment 14, which is based mainly on embodiment 13 (claims 14, 26, and 38), is configured to have a non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) in the evaluation output unit (EM) that outputs the evaluation in association with user identification information.

[0370] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 14> Figure 34 shows a functional block diagram of a data string packet structure generation device (E) for aroma generation of embodiment 14 based on embodiment 13. The data string packet structure generation device (E) (3460) for aroma generation of embodiment 14 is configured to further include a non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) (3473) in the evaluation output unit (EM) (3472) in addition to the configuration of embodiment 13. Since everything except the non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) (3473) is the same as embodiment 10, only the non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) (3473) will be explained.

[0371] <Configuration of embodiment 14> <Non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) (3473) of embodiment 14> The "non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN)" (3473) is configured within the evaluation output unit (EM) (3472) so as to output the evaluation in association with the user identification information.

[0372] When a user attempts to output via a network a rating of an aroma generation data string packet structure created or edited by a different user, the rating is not made anonymous but is output in association with the user's identification information (see Figure 54). This configuration allows users to post ratings in a manner similar to anonymous posting, which can be expected to encourage users to take responsibility for their own ratings. Furthermore, if the rating output were anonymous, there is a risk that someone might use the cover of anonymity to intentionally give an extremely low rating to an aroma generation data string packet structure created or edited by a different user, or conversely, intentionally give an extremely high rating. These actions are often intended to denigrate the user who created or edited the structure by giving a low rating, or to induce profits by giving a high rating. This prevents such situations.

[0373] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 14> FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the operation and processing of the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 14 based on embodiment 13. As shown in this figure, the operating method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E), which is the computer of embodiment 14, includes a control information input step (ea) (SE3501), a control information holding step (eb) (SE3502), a control information editing step (ec) (SE3503), an aroma generation data string packet structure generating step (ed) (SE3504), an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE3505), an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) (SE3506), a transfer step (ek) (SE3507), an evaluation input receiving step (el) (SE3508), a non-anonymous evaluation output sub-step (en) (SE3509) within the evaluation output step (em), and an evaluation output step (em) (SE3510).

[0374] Here, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, is as follows: a control information input step (ea) (SE3501) performs processing to input control information to an external spray control unit (AC) (not shown) of the diffuser device (A); a control information holding step (eb) (SE3502) performs processing to hold the control information; a control information editing step (ec) (SE3503) performs processing to edit the held control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE3504) performs processing to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the held control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE3505) performs processing to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (not shown) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B); The aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) (SE3506) performs processing to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure via a network, the transfer step (ek) (SE3507) performs processing to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A), the evaluation input acceptance step (el) (SE3508) performs processing to accept input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure, and the non-anonymous evaluation output substep (en) (SE3510) in the evaluation output step (em) (SE3509) performs processing to output the evaluation in association with user identification information. The evaluation output step (em) (SE3509) performs processing to output the evaluation via the network. This is an operating method for causing an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, to execute such a series of processing.

[0375] <Embodiment 14: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) in this embodiment 14, which is based on embodiment 14, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0376] 36 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 14, which is based on Embodiment 13. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 14 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic operations, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0377] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0378] When the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are read, expanded, and stored in the main memory, which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the main memory and non-volatile memory, and programs executed by the CPU can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0379] In this embodiment 14, the programs stored in the "main memory" are a control information input program (ea), a control information holding program (eb), a control information editing program (ec), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee), an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition program (ej), a transfer program (ek), an evaluation input acceptance program (el), an evaluation output program (em), and a non-anonymous evaluation output subprogram (en). Also, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store control information, aroma generation data string packet structures, evaluations, etc.

[0380] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes a control information input program (ea) stored in the "main memory" to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A); Executes a control information retention program (eb) stored in the "main memory" to retain the control information; Executes a control information editing program (ec) stored in the "main memory" to edit the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed) stored in the "main memory" to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee) stored in the "main memory" to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." in order to register it in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). The aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition program (ej) stored in the "main memory" is executed to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure via the network from "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." The transfer program (ek) stored in the "main memory" is executed to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A). The evaluation input acceptance program (el) stored in the "main memory" is executed to accept input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure. The non-anonymous evaluation output subprogram (en) in the evaluation output program (em) stored in the "main memory" is executed to output the evaluation in association with user identification information. The evaluation output program (em) stored in the "main memory" is executed to output the evaluation via the network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0381] With the configuration of the present embodiment 14 based on embodiment 13, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) can associate the evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure obtained via the network with user identification information and output it via the network as a non-anonymous evaluation.

[0382] <Outline of Embodiment 15> The aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) of embodiment 15, which is based mainly on either embodiment 13 or 14 of claims 15, 27, 39, is further configured to have an evaluation acquisition unit (EO) that acquires an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via a network.

[0383] <Functional Configuration of Embodiment 15> Figure 37 shows a functional block diagram of a data string packet structure generator (E) for aroma generation of embodiment 15 based on embodiment 13. The data string packet structure generator (E) (3760) for aroma generation of embodiment 15 is configured to further include an evaluation acquisition unit (EO) (3774) in addition to the configuration of embodiment 13. Since everything except the evaluation acquisition unit (EO) (3774) is the same as embodiment 10, only the evaluation acquisition unit (EO) (3774) will be explained. Note that similar effects can be obtained even when embodiment 14 is used as a base.

[0384] <Configuration of Embodiment 15> <Embodiment 15 Evaluation Acquisition Unit (EO) (3774)> The "Evaluation Acquisition Unit (EO)" (3774) is configured to acquire an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network.

[0385] By obtaining and viewing the evaluations stored in the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) or another server device via a network, a user can use the evaluations as a basis for deciding whether or not to acquire the aroma generation data string packet structure that is the subject of evaluation. This is because, for users who are considering purchasing an aroma generation data string packet structure through an e-commerce site or the like, other people's evaluations of the aroma before acquiring it are very helpful.

[0386] <Embodiment 15 Evaluation: Information Verification> In this embodiment, the evaluations obtained via the network are not limited to evaluations made by other users, but may also be evaluations made by the administrator of the system on the target aroma generation data string packet structure. Alternatively, the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) may further include an aroma generation data string packet structure evaluation rule storage unit that stores aroma generation data string packet structure evaluation rules, which are rules for evaluating aroma generation data string packet structures; an aroma generation data string packet structure verification unit that obtains the results of verifying whether various information included in the aroma generation data string packet structure is appropriate based on the rules; and an aroma generation data string packet structure evaluation result output unit that outputs the verification results as an evaluation of the verified aroma generation data string packet structure in association with aroma type identification information, thereby verifying the appropriateness of the aroma generation data string packet structure to be registered in the system. "Appropriate" here means, for example, that the aroma generated using the included control information does not harm the user (not just directly harmful, but also not unpleasant), does not harm the devices that make up the system (does not induce malfunctions or contain harmful computer viruses), is not a copy of information contained in an existing aroma generation data string packet structure, etc. The system may be configured to further include an inappropriate aroma information storage unit to verify that it is not inappropriate.

[0387] If the verification result indicates that the information is not appropriate, the corresponding aroma generation data string packet structure is isolated or deleted from the system, and the registered user is notified of this.

[0388] <Processing Flow of Embodiment 15> FIG. 38 is a flowchart of the operation processing of the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer of embodiment 15 based on embodiment 13. As shown in this figure, the operating method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E), which is the computer of embodiment 15, comprises a control information input step (ea) (SE3801), a control information storage step (eb) (SE3802), a control information editing step (ec) (SE3803), an aroma generation data string packet structure generating step (ed) (SE3804), an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE3805), an evaluation acquisition step (eo) (SE3806), an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) (SE3807), a transfer step (ek) (SE3808), an evaluation input reception step (el) (SE3809), and an evaluation output step (em) (SE3810). Similar effects can be obtained even when embodiment 14 is used as a base.

[0389] Here, the operation method of the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer, is as follows: a control information input step (ea) (SE3801) performs processing to input control information to an external spray control unit (AC) (not shown) of the diffuser device (A); a control information holding step (eb) (SE3802) performs processing to hold the control information; a control information editing step (ec) (SE3803) performs processing to edit the held control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure generation step (ed) (SE3804) performs processing to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the held control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) (SE3805) performs processing to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) (not shown) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B); The evaluation acquisition step (eo) (SE3806) performs processing to acquire an evaluation of an aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via a network, the aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) (SE3807) performs processing to acquire an aroma generation data string packet structure via a network, the transfer step (ek) (SE3808) performs processing to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A), the evaluation input acceptance step (el) (SE3809) performs processing to accept input of an evaluation of the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure, and the evaluation output step (em) (SE3810) performs processing to output the evaluation via the network. This is an operating method in which such a series of processing steps is executed by an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E), which is a computer.

[0390] In the above explanation, the evaluation acquisition step (eo) (SE3806) is executed before the aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) (SE3807), but it may also be configured to be executed at the end after the evaluation output step (em) (SE3810). In the above example of the processing flow, after an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure is acquired, the aroma generation data string packet structure is acquired, and the user performs their own evaluation and outputs their own evaluation. If the evaluation acquisition step (eo) is executed at the end of the processing flow, an evaluation is not acquired, but an aroma generation data string packet structure is acquired, the user's own evaluation is output, and then evaluations from other users are obtained.

[0391] <Embodiment 15: Description of Hardware> The hardware configuration of the aroma generating data string packet structure generator (E) in this embodiment 15, which is based on embodiment 13, will be described using Fig. 39. Note that the same effect can be obtained even if embodiment 14 is used as a base.

[0392] 39 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 15, which is based on Embodiment 13. As shown in this diagram, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) according to Embodiment 15 includes a "CPU (Central Processing Unit)" that performs various arithmetic processing, a "chipset," a "main memory," a "non-volatile memory" that stores various programs and data (information), an "I / O controller," a "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc.," a "BIOS (UEFI)," a "PCI Express slot," a "real-time clock," and a "graphics card" as an expansion board. These components are interconnected by a data communication path such as a "system bus" to transmit, receive, and process information.

[0393] The various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are expanded into the main memory when the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) is started, and upon receiving an execution command, the CPU sequentially executes the programs and performs calculations using the data.

[0394] When the aroma generation data string packet structure generator (E) is started, the various programs and data (information) stored in the non-volatile memory are read, expanded, and stored in the main memory, which also provides a work area for the programs. By accepting execution commands, the CPU sequentially executes calculations using the data in the programs. Note that multiple addresses are assigned to the main memory and non-volatile memory, and programs executed by the CPU can exchange data and perform processing by identifying and accessing these addresses.

[0395] In this embodiment 15, the programs stored in the "main memory" are a control information input program (ea), a control information holding program (eb), a control information editing program (ec), an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed), an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee), an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition program (ej), a transfer program (ek), an evaluation input acceptance program (el), an evaluation output program (em), and an evaluation acquisition program (eo). In addition, the "main memory" and "non-volatile memory" store control information, aroma generation data string packet structures, evaluations, etc.

[0396] The "CPU" performs the following processes: Executes a control information input program (ea) stored in the "main memory" to input control information to the external spray control unit (AC) of the diffuser device (A); Executes a control information retention program (eb) stored in the "main memory" to retain the control information; Executes a control information editing program (ec) stored in the "main memory" to edit the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure generation program (ed) stored in the "main memory" to generate an aroma generation data string packet structure based on the retained control information; Executes an aroma generation data string packet structure output program (ee) stored in the "main memory" to output the generated aroma generation data string packet structure via a network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." in order to register it in the aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) of the aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B). The evaluation acquisition program (eo) stored in the "main memory" is executed to acquire evaluations of aroma generation data string packet structures acquired via the network from "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." The aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition program (ej) stored in the "main memory" is executed to acquire aroma generation data string packet structures via the network from "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc." The transfer program (ek) stored in the "main memory" is executed to transfer the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A). The evaluation input acceptance program (el) stored in the "main memory" is executed to accept input of evaluations regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure. The non-anonymous evaluation output subprogram (en) in the evaluation output program (em) stored in the "main memory" is executed to output the evaluations in association with user identification information. The evaluation output program (em) stored in the "main memory" is executed, and the evaluation is output via the network via "USB, SATA, LAN terminal, etc."

[0397] With the configuration of this embodiment 15 based on embodiment 13, the aroma generation data string packet structure generation device (E) can obtain evaluations of the aroma generation data string packet structure by other users via the network.

[0398] 5. Effects By using an aroma management system having the above configuration to create an aroma generation data string packet structure that contains information about the attributes of the data in addition to the aroma generation data, it is possible to determine the authenticity of the aroma generation data. By further including NFT information in the data string, it is also possible to determine the number of times the aroma generation data string packet structure has been used and to perform billing, etc.

[0399] Aroma generation data string packet structure...0100 Aroma type identification information storage area...0101 Aroma attribute information storage area...0102

Claims

1. A data string packet structure for aroma generation of a predetermined size written in a manner readable and executable by a diffuser device (A) which is a computer, wherein the header or payload storage section of this packet structure has: an aroma type identification information holding area of ​​a predetermined size for holding aroma type identification information for identifying the type of aroma to be generated by the diffuser device (A), and an aroma attribute information holding area of ​​a predetermined size for holding aroma attribute information which is information indicating the attributes of the aroma. A data string packet structure for aroma generation transmitted via the Internet.

2. The aroma generating data string packet structure according to claim 1, further comprising an NFT information holding area for holding NFT information.

3. A data string packet structure for aroma generation as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a diffuser device (A) control information holding area used for control information of the control information output section (AF) of the diffuser device (A) described below.

4. A diffuser device (A) having: an aroma generating raw material holding unit (AA) for holding aroma generating raw materials which are raw materials for mixing and generating multiple types of aromas; an external spraying unit for each generating raw material (AB) for externally spraying the held aroma generating raw materials; an external spray control unit (AC) for controlling the external spraying unit for each generating raw material (AB); an aroma generation data sequence packet structure acquisition unit (AD) for acquiring an aroma generation data sequence packet structure as set forth in claim 1 or 2; an aroma type identification information acquisition unit (AE) for acquiring aroma type identification information contained in the acquired aroma generation data sequence packet structure; a control information output unit (AF) for outputting control information to the external spray control unit (AC) based on the acquired aroma type identification information; and a communication unit (AG) for network communication.

5. An aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) having: an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (BB) for outputting the aroma generation data string packet structure held therein to the diffuser device (A) according to claim 4 via a network when the aroma generation data string packet structure is held therein as described in claim 1 or 2.

6. An aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) as described in claim 5, further comprising an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit (BC) for registering an aroma generation data string packet structure in an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (BA).

7. An NFT verification server device (C) having an NFT information acquisition unit (CA) that acquires the NFT information described in claim 2, an NFT information verification unit (CB) that verifies the acquired NFT information and acquires a verification result, and a verification result output unit (CC) that outputs the acquired verification result.

8. A memory device (D) having: an aroma generation data string packet structure holding unit (DA) for holding the aroma generation data string packet structure as recited in claim 1; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (DB) for outputting the held aroma generation data string packet structure to the diffuser device (A) as recited in claim 4.

9. An aroma management system comprising the diffuser device (A) according to claim 4 and the aroma generating data string packet structure server device (B) according to claim 5.

10. A data string packet structure generating device for aroma generation (E) having: a control information input unit (EA) which inputs control information to an external spray control unit (AC); a control information holding unit (EB) which holds control information; a control information editing unit (EC) which edits the held control information; a data string packet structure generating unit for aroma generation (ED) which generates a data string packet structure for aroma generation based on the held control information; and a data string packet structure output unit for aroma generation (EE) which outputs the generated data string packet structure for aroma generation to be registered in a data string packet structure registration unit for aroma generation (BC).

11. The aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) according to claim 10, further comprising a user identification information holding section (EF) for holding user identification information for identifying a user.

12. The aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) as described in claim 11, further comprising: an authority information acquisition unit (EG) for acquiring authority information relating to the authority of a user identified by user identification information to use the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) in association with user identification information; and a usage control unit (EH) for controlling the usage of one or more of the control information editing unit (EC), the aroma generation data string packet structure generating unit (ED), and the aroma generation data string packet structure output unit (EE) based on the acquired authority information.

13. The aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) as described in claim 10, further comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition unit (EJ) that acquires the aroma generation data string packet structure via a network; a transfer unit (EK) that transfers the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to the diffuser device (A); an evaluation input receiving unit (EL) that receives input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure; and an evaluation output unit (EM) that outputs the received evaluation via the network.

14. The aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) according to claim 13, wherein said evaluation output unit (EM) has a non-anonymous evaluation output means (EN) for outputting said evaluation in association with user identification information.

15. An aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) as described in any one of claims 13 and 14, further comprising an evaluation acquisition unit (EO) for acquiring an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via a network.

16. A method for operating a diffuser device (A) which is a computer comprising: an aroma generating raw material holding step (aa) for holding aroma generating raw materials which are raw materials for mixing and generating a plurality of types of aromas; an aroma generating raw material-specific external spraying step (ab) for externally spraying the held aroma generating raw materials; an external spray control step (ac) for controlling the external spraying step (ab) for externally spraying the aroma generating raw materials; an aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ad) for acquiring an aroma generation data string packet structure as set forth in claim 1 or 2; an aroma type identification information acquisition step (ae) for acquiring aroma type identification information contained in the acquired aroma generation data string packet structure; a control information output step (af) for outputting control information to the external spray control step (ac) based on the acquired aroma type identification information; and a communication step (ag) for performing network communication.

17. A method for operating an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) which is a computer, comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure holding step (ba) for holding the aroma generation data string packet structure as recited in claim 1 or 2; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (bb) for outputting the held aroma generation data string packet structure to a diffuser device (A) which is a computer as recited in claim 4 via a network.

18. A method for operating an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) which is a computer as set forth in claim 17, further comprising an aroma generation data string packet structure registration step (bc) of registering an aroma generation data string packet structure in an aroma generation data string packet structure retention step (ba).

19. A method for operating an NFT verification server device (C) which is a computer, comprising: an NFT information acquisition step (ca) of acquiring the NFT information described in claim 2; an NFT information verification step (cb) of verifying the acquired NFT information and acquiring a verification result; and a verification result output step (cc) of outputting the acquired verification result.

20. A method for operating a storage device (D) which is a computer, comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure holding step (da) for holding the aroma generation data string packet structure as recited in claim 1; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (db) for outputting the held aroma generation data string packet structure to a diffuser device (A) which is a computer as recited in claim 4.

21. A method for operating an aroma management system which is a computer, comprising: a method for operating a diffuser device (A) which is a computer as recited in claim 16; and a method for operating an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) which is a computer as recited in claim 17.

22. A method for operating a data string packet structure generating device for aroma generation (E) which is a computer having a control information input step (ea) of inputting control information to an external spray control step (ac), a control information retaining step (eb) of retaining control information, a control information editing step (ec) of editing the retained control information, a data string packet structure generating step (ed) for generating a data string packet for aroma generation based on the retained control information, and a data string packet structure output step (ee) for aroma generation which outputs the generated data string packet structure for aroma generation for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit.

23. A method for operating an aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer as set forth in claim 22, further comprising a user identification information holding step (ef) of holding user identification information for identifying a user.

24. A method for operating a data string packet structure generating device for aroma generation (E), which is a computer as described in claim 23, further comprising: an authority information acquisition step (eg) for acquiring authority information, which is information regarding the authority of a user identified by user identification information to use the data string packet structure generating device for aroma generation (E), in association with the user identification information; and an authority control step (eh) for controlling the use of one or more of the control information editing step (ec), the data string packet structure generating step (ed) for aroma generation, and the data string packet structure output step (ee) based on the authority information acquired.

25. A method for operating an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer as defined in claim 22, further comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) for acquiring an aroma generation data string packet structure via a network; a transfer step (ek) for transferring the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to said diffuser device (A); an evaluation input receiving step (el) for receiving an input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure; and an evaluation output step (em) for outputting the received evaluation via the network.

26. A method for operating an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer as described in claim 25, wherein the evaluation output step (em) has a non-anonymous evaluation output sub-step (en) of outputting the evaluation in association with user identification information.

27. A method for operating an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer according to claim 25 or claim 26, further comprising an evaluation acquisition step (eo) of acquiring an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via a network.

28. A program capable of being read and operated in a diffuser device (A) which is a computer, comprising: an aroma generating raw material holding step (aa) for holding aroma generating raw materials which are raw materials for mixing and generating a plurality of types of aromas; an aroma generating raw material-specific external spraying step (ab) for externally spraying the held aroma generating raw materials; an external spray control step (ac) for controlling the external spraying step (ab) for controlling the aroma generating raw material-specific external spraying step (ab); an aroma generation data string packet structure acquisition step (ad) for acquiring an aroma generation data string packet structure as set forth in claim 1 or 2; an aroma type identification information acquisition step (ae) for acquiring aroma type identification information contained in the acquired aroma generation data string packet structure; a control information output step (af) for outputting control information to the external spray control step (ac) based on the acquired aroma type identification information; and a communication step (ag) for performing network communication.

29. A program capable of reading and operating in an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) which is a computer, the program comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure holding step (ba) for holding the aroma generation data string packet structure as recited in either one of claims 1 or 2; an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (bb) for outputting the held aroma generation data string packet structure via a network to a diffuser device (A) which is a computer as recited in claim 4.

30. A program capable of being read and operated by an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B), which is a computer as described in claim 29, further comprising an aroma generation data string packet structure registration step (bc) for registering an aroma generation data string packet structure in an aroma generation data string packet structure retention step (ba).

31. A program capable of being read and operated on an NFT verification server device (C) which is a computer, comprising: an NFT information acquisition step (ca) of acquiring the NFT information described in claim 2; an NFT information verification step (cb) of verifying the acquired NFT information and acquiring a verification result; and a verification result output step (cc) of outputting the acquired verification result.

32. A program readable and operable in a storage device (D) which is a computer, comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure holding step (da) for holding the aroma generation data string packet structure as claimed in claim 1; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (db) for outputting the held aroma generation data string packet structure to a diffuser device (A) which is a computer as claimed in claim 4.

33. A program readable and operable in an aroma management system which is a computer comprising: a program readable and operable in a diffuser device (A) which is a computer as described in claim 28; and a program readable and operable in an aroma generation data string packet structure server device (B) which is a computer as described in claim 29.

34. A program capable of being read and operated by an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer, the program comprising: a control information input step (ea) of inputting control information to an external spray control step (ac); a control information retaining step (eb) of retaining control information; a control information editing step (ec) of editing the retained control information; an aroma generation data string packet structure generating step (ed) of generating an aroma generation data string packet based on the retained control information; and an aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) of outputting the generated aroma generation data string packet structure for registration in an aroma generation data string packet structure registration unit.

35. A program readable and operable by the aroma generating data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer as set forth in claim 34, further comprising a user identification information holding step (ef) for holding user identification information for identifying a user.

36. A program readable and operable by the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer as described in claim 35, further comprising: an authority information acquisition step (eg) for acquiring authority information, which is information regarding the authority of a user identified by user identification information to use the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E), in association with the user identification information; and an authority control step (eh) for controlling the use of one or more of the control information editing step (ec), the aroma generation data string packet structure generating step (ed), and the aroma generation data string packet structure output step (ee) based on the authority information acquired.

37. A program capable of being read and operated by an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer as defined in claim 34, comprising: an aroma generation data string packet structure via network acquisition step (ej) for acquiring an aroma generation data string packet structure via a network; a transfer step (ek) for transferring the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via the network to said diffuser device (A); an evaluation input receiving step (el) for receiving an input of an evaluation regarding the transferred aroma generation data string packet structure; and an evaluation output step (em) for outputting the received evaluation via the network.

38. The evaluation output step (em) is a program that can be read and operated by an aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E), which is a computer according to claim 37, and that outputs a non-anonymous evaluation output substep (en) that associates the evaluation with user identification information.

39. A program readable and operable by the aroma generation data string packet structure generating device (E) which is a computer according to claim 37 or 38, further comprising an evaluation acquisition step (eo) for acquiring an evaluation of the aroma generation data string packet structure acquired via a network.

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