Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method and a program that make it possible to provide a user experience with a better odour. The present invention comprises: a discharge control unit which sets a discharge adjustment parameter on the basis of history information relating to the use of a fragrance such that the intensity of an odour is kept constant and which controls the discharge of air containing an odour component according to the discharge adjustment parameter; a calculation unit which calculates a stop determination parameter corresponding to the period since the production or opening of the fragrance; and a determination unit which, when the stop determination parameter exceeds an upper limit, determines that the use of the fragrance is to be stopped. The present technology can be applied to a control unit of an aroma diffuser, for example.

Description

Control device, control method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a program, and more particularly to a control device, a control method, and a program that can provide a better user experience with scents.

[0002] Generally, aroma diffusers present a scent (e.g., aroma) to the user by emitting air containing volatile fragrance components from the fragrance. As the fragrance approaches its expiration date, the intensity of the scent decreases. As a result, users may feel that the scent has weakened even though the fragrance remains in the aroma diffuser (hereinafter referred to as quality deterioration).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fragrance generating device that can measure physical quantities (e.g., temperature, humidity, UV (Ultra Violet) irradiation amount, time spent spraying air onto the fragrance, number of days elapsed since the date of manufacture of the fragrance, etc.) to determine the degree of deterioration of fragrance stored in a fragrance storage means.

[0004] International Publication No. 2010 / 038291

[0005] However, in applications where a constant scent intensity must be maintained, deterioration in the quality of the fragrance will impair the user experience.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in light of such circumstances, and aims to provide a better user experience of smells.

[0007] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an emission control unit that sets emission adjustment parameters based on historical information regarding the use of fragrances so that the intensity of the odor is maintained constant, and controls the emission of air containing the odor components in accordance with the emission adjustment parameters.

[0008] A control method or program according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes setting an emission adjustment parameter based on historical information regarding the use of a fragrance so that the intensity of the odor is maintained constant, and controlling the emission of air containing the odor component in accordance with the emission adjustment parameter.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, based on historical information regarding the use of fragrances, an emission adjustment parameter is set so that the intensity of the odor is maintained constant, and the emission of air containing the odor components is controlled according to the emission adjustment parameter.

[0010] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of an embodiment of an aroma diffuser to which the present technology is applied; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating changes in odor when the emission time per use is constant; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating changes in odor when the emission time per use is increased; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating changes in odor when the number of emissions per use is increased; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating changes in odor when the emission air volume per use is increased; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating increases in emission time, number of emissions, and emission air volume; FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a first example configuration of a control unit; FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a first control process; FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a second example configuration of a control unit; FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second control process; FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a third example configuration of a control unit; FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third control process; FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a fourth example configuration of a control unit; FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth control process; FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example use in an alert presentation means; FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example use in a hotel, a commercial facility, etc.; FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example use in content; FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a computer to which the present technology is applied;

[0011] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present technology is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration Example of Aroma Diffuser> FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an embodiment of an aroma diffuser to which the present technology is applied.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, an aroma diffuser 11 has a cartridge 13 that is detachable from a diffuser body 12, and the diffuser body 12 is provided with a valve 14, a restrictor 15, an exhaust blower 16, and a control unit 17.

[0014] The diffuser body 12 is made of a light-blocking material to prevent the fragrance 18 from being altered by exposure to light or mixing with other substances, and is structured to be sealed unless the valve 14 and the aperture 15 are opened with the cartridge 13 attached.

[0015] Each cartridge 13 is supplied filled with one type of fragrance 18. For example, a user can remove a used cartridge 13 from the diffuser body 12 and attach a new cartridge 13 to the diffuser body 12 at any time. When the cartridge 13 is attached, the space inside the diffuser body 12 that is free of fragrance 18 is generally called the headspace 19, and the air in the headspace 19 contains odor components (fragrance components) that have volatilized from the fragrance 18.

[0016] Valve 14 is a mechanism that opens and closes a valve in a flow path through which air blown by discharge blower 16 is sent from the outside to the inside of diffuser body 12. Orifice 15 is a mechanism that opens and closes a valve in a flow path that sends air containing odor components from the inside of diffuser body 12 to the outside, and can be opened to any area. Discharge blower 16 is a mechanism that sends air from the outside to the inside of diffuser body 12.

[0017] When aroma diffuser 11 presents a scent to the user, valve 14 and throttle 15 are opened and exhaust fan 16 blows air, pushing the air in head space 19 out of diffuser body 12 as shown by the dashed arrow. This is called exhaust, and the air containing the scent component reaches the user, presenting the scent to the user.

[0018] The control unit 17 sets an emission adjustment parameter based on historical information regarding the use of the fragrance 18 inside the cartridge 13 so that the intensity of the scent presented to the user (the concentration of the scent components in the exhaled air) is maintained constant, and controls the emission of air containing the scent components according to the emission adjustment parameter.

[0019] Examples of historical information about the fragrance 18 inside the cartridge 13 include elapsed time information indicating the elapsed time t over which the fragrance 18 has elapsed, and number of uses information indicating the number of times the fragrance 18 has been used n.

[0020] The elapsed time t may be, for example, the elapsed production time T_P [s], which is the time elapsed since the fragrance 18 was produced, or the elapsed unsealing time T_S [s], which is the time elapsed since the fragrance 18 was opened. In other words, the elapsed time information is time information including the elapsed production time T_P [s] and the elapsed unsealing time T_S [s]. The "one use" used to count the number of uses n refers to a single use when the aroma diffuser 11 emits a scent in response to a user's discharge command, or refers to a single use per each period when the aroma diffuser 11 is automated to periodically emit a scent.

[0021] The discharge adjustment parameters may be the time for discharging air containing odor components per use (hereinafter referred to as discharge time), the number of times for discharging air containing odor components (hereinafter referred to as discharge number of times), or the volume of air discharging air containing odor components (hereinafter referred to as discharge volume). The discharge volume is determined by the cross-sectional area [m ２ ] and the wind speed [m / s] of the air blown by the discharge blower 16. The discharge adjustment parameters also include parameters for discharging air containing odor components multiple times during one use.

[0022] For example, by adjusting the discharge adjustment parameters, i.e., the discharge time per use, the number of discharges per use, or the discharge air volume per use, it is possible to adjust the concentration of the odor components in a desired space to which the odor component-containing air discharged from the aroma diffuser 11 reaches. For example, this desired space is the space near the user's nose. Therefore, the discharge adjustment parameters can be referred to as reach component amount adjustment parameters, which are parameters for adjusting the concentration of the odor components in the desired space. In other words, the reach component amount adjustment parameters are parameters included in the discharge adjustment parameters.

[0023] In addition, the control unit 17 calculates a stop judgment parameter to determine whether or not to stop the use of the fragrance 18, and if the stop judgment parameter exceeds an upper limit, it can determine that the use of the fragrance 18 should be stopped.

[0024] The stop determination parameters are a production elapsed time T_P [s], which is the time elapsed since the fragrance 18 was produced, an unsealed elapsed time T_S [s], which is the time elapsed since the fragrance 18 was unsealed, and a cumulative discharged air volume w [m 3 / min] can be used. 3 / min] is calculated by multiplying the discharged air volume per use by the number of uses n. In addition, the control unit 17 stores, in accordance with the expiration date of the fragrance 18, a production elapsed time upper limit T_P_MAX [s] which is the upper limit of the time that has elapsed since the fragrance 18 was produced, an opening elapsed time upper limit T_S_MAX [s] which is the upper limit of the time that has elapsed since the fragrance 18 was opened, and a cumulative discharged air volume upper limit W_MAX [m 3 / min] are registered in advance. Then, the control unit 17 can determine to stop use of the fragrance 18 if any of the comparison results, such as the comparison result between the upper limit of elapsed time for production T_P_MAX and the elapsed time for production T_P, the comparison result between the upper limit of elapsed time for unsealing T_S_MAX and the elapsed time for unsealing T_S, or the comparison result between the upper limit of total discharged air volume W_MAX and the total discharged air volume w, exceeds the upper limit.

[0025] The discharge adjustment parameters set in the control unit 17 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0026] First, Figure 2 shows an example in which, when the ejection time per use is constant, the odor component concentration in the headspace, the ejection time, the concentration of the odor component in the ejected air, and the odor intensity change depending on the history information of the fragrance 18 (elapsed time t and number of uses n).

[0027] 2, the concentration of the odor components in the headspace decreases as the elapsed time t and the number of uses n increase. For example, even when the aroma diffuser 11 is not in use, the quality of the fragrance 18 deteriorates as the odor components volatilize from the fragrance 18 and dissipate outside the aroma diffuser 11 over time. In this case, if the discharge time per use is constant, the concentration of the odor components in the headspace decreases, and the intensity of the odor decreases.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an example in which, when the ejection time per use is set to increase based on the elapsed time t and the number of uses n, the headspace odor component concentration, ejection time, odor component concentration in the ejected air, and odor intensity change depending on the history information of the fragrance 18 (elapsed time t and number of uses n).

[0029] In the example shown in Figure 3, the ejection time per use is calculated according to T + n x A + B x t, using the basic ejection time T determined by the manufacturer for each fragrance 18, a coefficient A relating to the increase in ejection time relative to the number of uses n, and a coefficient B relating to the increase in ejection time relative to the elapsed time t.

[0030] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, by setting the control unit 17 to increase the ejection time per use, the concentration of odor components in the ejected air and the intensity of the odor can be maintained constant even if the concentration of odor components in the headspace decreases.

[0031] Figure 4 shows an example in which, when the number of ejections per use is set to increase based on the elapsed time t and the number of uses n, the concentration of odor components in the headspace, the number of ejections, the concentration of odor components in the ejected air, and the intensity of the odor change depending on the history information of the fragrance 18 (elapsed time t and number of uses n).

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 4, the number of ejections per use is calculated according to N + n x A + B x t, using the basic number of ejections N determined by the manufacturer for each fragrance 18, a coefficient A relating to the increase in the number of ejections relative to the number of uses n, and a coefficient B relating to the increase in the number of ejections relative to the elapsed time t.

[0033] Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, by setting the control unit 17 to increase the number of ejections per use, the concentration of odor components in the exhaled air and the intensity of the odor can be maintained constant even if the concentration of odor components in the headspace decreases.

[0034] Figure 5 shows an example in which, when the discharged air volume per use is set to increase based on the elapsed time t and the number of uses n, the headspace odor component concentration, discharged air volume, concentration of odor components in the discharged air, and odor intensity change depending on the history information of the fragrance 18 (elapsed time t and number of uses n).

[0035] 5, the cross-sectional area for determining the discharge air volume per use is calculated according to S+n×A+B×t, using a basic discharge cross-sectional area S determined by the manufacturer for each fragrance 18, a coefficient A relating to the increase in discharge air volume for the number of uses n, and a coefficient B relating to the increase in discharge air volume for the elapsed time t. The air speed for determining the discharge air volume per use is calculated according to V+n×A'+B'×t, using a basic discharge air speed V determined by the manufacturer for each fragrance 18, a coefficient A' relating to the increase in discharge air volume for the number of uses n, and a coefficient B' relating to the increase in discharge air volume for the elapsed time t.

[0036] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, by having the control unit 17 set the cross-sectional area and wind speed so that the amount of air discharged per use increases, the concentration of odor components in the discharged air and the intensity of the odor can be maintained constant even if the concentration of odor components in the headspace decreases.

[0037] With reference to Figure 6, we will explain the increase in discharge time, number of discharges, and discharge air volume when air containing aroma components is discharged at intervals according to a fixed unit time for each use. Figure 6 shows, for example, four uses per cycle when the aroma diffuser 11 is automated to periodically present an aroma. In other words, in this case, one use is use per unit time (automated cycle), and one periodic discharge (discharge pattern) per unit time is one use.

[0038] For example, under normal circumstances, air containing odor components is discharged for a predetermined discharge time, number of discharges per discharge, and a predetermined discharge air volume for each use.

[0039] When the discharge time is doubled, air containing odor components is discharged for twice the default discharge time, the number of discharges per discharge, and the default discharge air volume for each use.

[0040] When the number of ejections is doubled, air containing odor components is ejected for a predetermined ejection time, two ejections, and a predetermined ejection air volume for each use.

[0041] When doubling the discharged air volume, air containing odor components is discharged for a predetermined discharge time, for a single discharge, and at a volume twice the predetermined discharged air volume for each use.

[0042] In this way, in the aroma diffuser 11, the control unit 17 sets the discharge adjustment parameters based on the historical information (elapsed time t and number of uses n) of the fragrance 18 inside the cartridge 13, thereby maintaining the concentration of odor components in the discharged air and the intensity of the odor at a constant level.

[0043] The scent components contained in the periodically discharged air may be the same or different each time. If the timing of discharging the scent component-containing air from the aroma diffuser 11 is cyclical, the discharge pattern (e.g., increase or decrease in discharge time, number of discharges, or discharge air volume) at each timing may be different.

[0044] <First Configuration Example of Control Unit> FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a first configuration example of the control unit 17. As shown in FIG.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 17 includes a communication unit 31, a time management unit 32, a storage unit 33, a parameter calculation unit , a determination unit 35, and a drive control unit .

[0046] The communication unit 31 communicates with a user I / F (Interface) unit 21 connected to the control unit 17. For example, the user I / F unit 21 can be an information processing terminal equipped with a touch panel or the like. The user can operate the user I / F unit 21 to input initial setting information, such as the name of the fragrance 18, the manufacturing date (year / month / day) of the fragrance 18, and the opening date (year / month / day) of the fragrance 18, into the control unit 17, and can input a start-of-use command along with the opening date of the fragrance 18 into the control unit 17. The communication unit 31 then acquires the initial setting information, such as the name of the fragrance 18, the manufacturing date of the fragrance 18, and the opening date of the fragrance 18, transmitted from the user I / F unit 21 and stores it in the memory unit 33 via the parameter calculation unit 34. The control unit 17 also manages the start of use of the fragrance 18 in accordance with the start-of-use command input using the user I / F unit 21.

[0047] The time management unit 32 is used to manage the elapsed time that serves as a criterion for determining whether to stop using the fragrance 18, and supplies the current time (year / month / day) to the parameter calculation unit 34, for example.

[0048] The memory unit 33 stores initial setting information (such as the name of the fragrance 18, the manufacturing date of the fragrance 18, and the date of opening of the fragrance 18) acquired by the communication unit 31. The memory unit 33 also stores, for each fragrance 18, the upper limit of the elapsed time since manufacturing T_P_MAX, the upper limit of the elapsed time since opening T_S_MAX, and the upper limit of the cumulative discharged air volume W_MAX, which are registered in advance as described above and associated with the name of the fragrance 18. The memory unit 33 also stores the number of uses n and the cumulative discharged air volume w, which are updated each time the aroma diffuser 11 emits an aroma. The number of uses n and the cumulative discharged air volume w are reset when the cartridge 13 is replaced.

[0049] When it is time to use the aroma diffuser 11, the parameter calculation unit 34 calculates the elapsed time since production T_P and the elapsed time since opening T_S, which serve as stop judgment parameters, based on the current time supplied from the time management unit 32 and the production date and opening date of the fragrance 18 stored in the memory unit 33, and supplies them to the judgment unit 35.

[0050] When the determination unit 35 receives the elapsed manufacturing time T_P and the elapsed unsealing time T_S from the parameter calculation unit 34, the determination unit 35 determines whether to stop use of the aromatic 18. For example, the determination unit 35 determines to stop use of the aromatic 18 when the elapsed manufacturing time T_P supplied from the parameter calculation unit 34 exceeds the upper limit of the elapsed manufacturing time T_P_MAX stored in the memory unit 33. Alternatively, the determination unit 35 determines to stop use of the aromatic 18 when the elapsed unsealing time T_S supplied from the parameter calculation unit 34 exceeds the upper limit of the elapsed unsealing time T_S_MAX stored in the memory unit 33. Alternatively, the determination unit 35 determines to stop use of the aromatic 18 when the cumulative discharge air volume w stored in the memory unit 33 exceeds the upper limit of the cumulative discharge air volume W_MAX stored in the memory unit 33.

[0051] When the determination unit 35 determines that the use of the fragrance 18 should be stopped, it stops the use of the aroma diffuser 11 and sends a notification to the user I / F unit 21 via the communication unit 31 that the use of the aroma diffuser 11 has been stopped. At this time, for example, a message urging the user to replace the cartridge 13 can be displayed on the user I / F unit 21.

[0052] On the other hand, if the determination unit 35 determines that the use of the fragrance 18 should not be stopped, it instructs the drive control unit 36 ​​to eject air containing the odor component.

[0053] When the determination unit 35 instructs the drive control unit 36 ​​to emit air containing odor components, the drive control unit 36 ​​calculates the emission adjustment parameters as described above with reference to Figures 3 to 5 based on the history information (elapsed time t and number of uses n) of the fragrance 18 inside the cartridge 13. Note that it is sufficient to adjust any one of the emission time per use, the number of uses per use, and the emission air volume per use as the emission adjustment parameters, and the other two may be fixed values.

[0054] Then, the drive control unit 36 ​​controls the opening and closing of the valve 14, the cross-sectional area of ​​the orifice 15 when it is open, and the wind speed of the air blown by the discharge blower 16 in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters, thereby discharging air containing the aroma components from the aroma diffuser 11. That is, the drive control unit 36 ​​opens the valve 14, opens the orifice 15 to the desired cross-sectional area, and starts the operation of the discharge blower 16. The drive control unit 36 ​​then stops the operation of the discharge blower 16 and closes the orifice 15 and the valve 14.

[0055] After discharging the air containing the aroma components from the aroma diffuser 11 in this manner, the control unit 17 performs a standby process to wait until the next time the aroma diffuser 11 is to be used. For example, the control unit 17 performs the standby process until the user inputs an emission command using the user I / F unit 21. Alternatively, if the aroma diffuser 11 is automated to periodically present an aroma, the control unit 17 performs the standby process until the occurrence of that period. During the standby process, the drive control unit 36 ​​adds the current emission air volume, which is calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional area of ​​the iris 15 when it is open by the wind speed of the air blown by the emission blower 16, to the cumulative emission air volume w stored in the memory unit 33 to update it.

[0056] The aroma diffuser 11 configured in this manner can maintain a constant intensity of the scent presented to the user (the concentration of scent components in the exhaled air) even if the quality of the scent 18 deteriorates, depending on the elapsed time t of the scent 18 and the number of uses n of the scent 18. Furthermore, by determining whether to stop using the scent 18 based on the stop determination parameter, the aroma diffuser 11 can avoid a situation in which the user perceives the scent as weaker even though the scent remains in the aroma diffuser. Therefore, the aroma diffuser 11 can prevent a decrease in the intensity of the scent presented to the user until the expiration date of the scent 18 is reached, thereby providing the user with a better scent experience.

[0057] The first control process executed by the control unit 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0058] For example, processing begins when a new cartridge 13 is attached to the diffuser body 12 and a command to start use is input using the user I / F unit 21. In step S11, the communication unit 31 acquires initial setting information such as the name of the fragrance 18, the manufacturing date of the fragrance 18, and the opening date of the fragrance 18 sent from the user I / F unit 21, and stores the initial setting information in the memory unit 33 via the parameter calculation unit 34.

[0059] In step S12, the parameter calculation unit 34 calculates the elapsed time since production T_P and the elapsed time since opening T_S, which are stop judgment parameters, based on the current time supplied from the time management unit 32, the manufacturing date of the fragrance 18, and the opening date of the fragrance 18, and supplies them to the judgment unit 35.

[0060] In step S13, the determination unit 35 determines whether the elapsed manufacturing time T_P exceeds the upper limit of the elapsed manufacturing time T_P_MAX, whether the elapsed unsealing time T_S exceeds the upper limit of the elapsed unsealing time T_S_MAX, and whether the cumulative discharge air volume w exceeds the upper limit of the cumulative discharge air volume W_MAX.

[0061] In step S13, if the determination unit 35 determines that none of the elapsed manufacturing time T_P, the elapsed unsealing time T_S, and the cumulative discharged air volume w exceeds their respective upper limits, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0062] In step S14, the determination unit 35 instructs the drive control unit 36 ​​to emit air containing the aroma components. The drive control unit 36 ​​calculates emission adjustment parameters (emission time per use, number of emissions per use, or emission air volume per use) based on the history information (elapsed time t and number of uses n) of the fragrance 18 inside the cartridge 13, and controls the operation of the valve 14, the restrictor 15, and the emission blower 16. As a result, air containing the aroma components is emitted from the aroma diffuser 11.

[0063] In step S15, the control unit 17 executes a standby process, and the drive control unit 36 ​​updates the cumulative discharge air volume w with the current discharge air volume. For example, when the user inputs a discharge command using the user I / F unit 21, or when the time comes to periodically present an odor, the process returns to step S12, and the same process is repeated thereafter.

[0064] On the other hand, if the determination unit 35 determines in step S13 that any one of the elapsed manufacturing time T_P, the elapsed unsealing time T_S, and the cumulative discharged air volume w exceeds its respective upper limit, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0065] In step S16, the determination unit 35 stops the use of the aroma diffuser 11 and transmits a notification that the use of the aroma diffuser 11 has been stopped to the user I / F unit 21 via the communication unit 31. Thereafter, the first control process is terminated.

[0066] By executing the first control process described above, the aroma diffuser 11 can maintain a constant intensity of the scent presented to the user even if the quality of the fragrance 18 deteriorates, thereby providing the user with a better scent experience.

[0067] <Second Configuration Example of Control Unit> Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the control unit 17. Note that in the control unit 17A shown in Fig. 9, components common to the control unit 17 in Fig. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 17A has a common configuration with the control unit 17 in FIG. 7 in that it includes a communication unit 31, a time management unit 32, a storage unit 33, a parameter calculation unit 34, and a determination unit 35.

[0069] The control unit 17A differs from the control unit 17 in FIG. 1 in that it includes a sensor 37 and a drive control unit 36A.

[0070] For example, the fragrance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11 is altered depending on the environment in which the aroma diffuser 11 is used (for example, temperature, humidity (moisture), vibration, etc.).

[0071] Therefore, the control unit 17A is configured to periodically detect the usage environment in which the aroma diffuser 11 is used using sensors 37 (e.g., temperature sensor, humidity sensor, vibration sensor), and store the environmental data obtained as the detection result in the memory unit 33. The memory unit 33 accumulates environmental data indicating the usage environment in which the aroma diffuser 11 is used. The environmental data includes at least one of temperature data, humidity data, and vibration data.

[0072] The drive control unit 36A then estimates the degree of change in the fragrance 18 using the environmental data stored in the memory unit 33 and adjusts the calculation of the discharge adjustment parameters (discharge time per use, number of discharges per use, or discharge air volume per use) based on the estimated results. The environmental data used by the drive control unit 36A to calculate the discharge adjustment parameters may be current (latest) environmental data or past environmental data. For example, if the drive control unit 36A estimates that the fragrance 18 is deteriorating due to temperature, humidity (moisture), vibration, or the like, it can adjust the discharge adjustment parameters to increase the increase amount. The drive control unit 36A then controls the opening and closing of the valve 14, the cross-sectional area of ​​the iris 15 when opened, and the wind speed of the air blown by the discharge fan 16 in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters adjusted using the environmental data, thereby discharging air containing the aroma components from the aroma diffuser 11.

[0073] The control unit 17A configured in this manner can accurately maintain the intensity of the scent by calculating the discharge adjustment parameters based on the usage environment of the aroma diffuser 11, thereby providing the user with a better scent experience.

[0074] In the control unit 17A, the parameter calculation unit 34 may adjust the calculation of the elapsed production time T_P and the elapsed unsealing time T_S, which are stop determination parameters, based on the environmental data stored in the storage unit 33. For example, when it is estimated that the deterioration of the fragrance 18 is progressing, the parameter calculation unit 34 may adjust the elapsed production time T_P and the elapsed unsealing time T_S so that they elapse faster than they actually do.

[0075] The second control process executed by the control unit 17A will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0076] In step S21, similarly to step S11 in FIG. 8, the communication unit 31 acquires the initial setting information and stores the initial setting information in the storage unit 33 via the parameter calculation unit .

[0077] In step S22, the drive control unit 36A acquires the environmental data stored in the storage unit 33.

[0078] Thereafter, in steps S23 to S27, the same processes as in steps S12 to S16 in Fig. 8 are performed. At this time, in step S25, the drive control unit 36A can adjust the calculation of the discharge adjustment parameters based on the environmental data acquired in step S22.

[0079] By executing the second control process as described above, the aroma diffuser 11 can accurately maintain the scent intensity and provide a better scent experience to the user.

[0080] <Third Configuration Example of Control Unit> Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a third configuration example of the control unit 17. Note that in the control unit 17B shown in Fig. 11, components common to the control unit 17 in Fig. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 17B has a common configuration with the control unit 17 in FIG. 7 in that it includes a communication unit 31, a time management unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a drive control unit .

[0082] The control unit 17B has a different configuration from the control unit 17 in FIG. 1 in that it includes a quality degradation estimation unit 38, a parameter calculation unit 34B, and a determination unit 35B.

[0083] The quality deterioration estimation unit 38 can estimate the quality deterioration of the fragrance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11, for example, using a pre-trained model generated by prior training, the elapsed time since production T_P, the elapsed time since opening T_S, and the number of uses n. The quality deterioration estimation unit 38 then supplies the estimated result of quality deterioration of the fragrance 18 at the current time supplied from the time management unit 32 to the parameter calculation unit 34B as quality deterioration information indicating the estimated degree of deterioration of the fragrance 18. The pre-trained model is a model obtained by training the elapsed time since production T_P, the elapsed time since opening T_S, the number of uses n, and the degree of quality deterioration of the fragrance 18.

[0084] The parameter calculation unit 34B calculates a corrected elapsed time T_P' by correcting the elapsed time T_P from the manufacturing process and a corrected elapsed time T_S' by correcting the elapsed time T_S from unsealing, using the quality deterioration information on the fragrance 18 supplied from the quality deterioration estimation unit 38, and supplies these to the determination unit 35B. For example, if the parameter calculation unit 34B estimates that the fragrance 18 has deteriorated, the corrected elapsed time T_P' from manufacturing process will be longer than the elapsed time T_P from the actual manufacturing process, and the corrected elapsed time T_S' from unsealing process will be longer than the elapsed time T_S from the actual unsealing process.

[0085] The parameter calculation unit 34B may change the content of the signal supplied to the determination unit 35B based on the quality deterioration information. For example, when the quality deterioration is determined to be lower than a predetermined level based on the quality deterioration information, the parameter calculation unit 34B supplies the corrected elapsed time since production T_P' and the corrected elapsed time since unsealing T_S' to the determination unit 35B. On the other hand, when the quality deterioration is determined to be lower than the predetermined level based on the quality deterioration information, the parameter calculation unit 34B supplies the corrected elapsed time since production T_P and the corrected elapsed time since unsealing T_S to the determination unit 35B.

[0086] The determination unit 35B can determine whether to stop use of the fragrance 18 based on whether the corrected elapsed manufacturing time T_P' or the elapsed manufacturing time T_P exceeds the upper limit of elapsed manufacturing time T_P_MAX, or whether the corrected elapsed unsealing time T_S' or the elapsed unsealing time T_S exceeds the upper limit of elapsed unsealing time T_S_MAX. For example, if it is estimated that the fragrance 18 has deteriorated, the determination unit 35B is more likely to determine that the upper limit of elapsed manufacturing time T_P_MAX and the upper limit of elapsed unsealing time T_S_MAX have been exceeded.

[0087] Furthermore, the quality degradation estimation unit 38B can store the estimation result (quality degradation information) of the quality degradation of the aromatic 18 in the storage unit 33, and the drive control unit 36 ​​can calculate the discharge adjustment parameter based on the estimation result (quality degradation information) of the quality degradation of the aromatic 18. For example, if it is estimated that the deterioration of the aromatic 18 is progressing, the drive control unit 36 ​​can adjust the discharge adjustment parameter to increase the increase amount.

[0088] The control unit 17B configured in this manner can more accurately maintain the intensity of the scent by estimating the deterioration in quality of the fragrance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11, thereby providing the user with a better scent experience.

[0089] The third control process executed by the control unit 17B will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0090] In step S31, similarly to step S11 in FIG. 8, the communication unit 31 acquires the initial setting information and stores the initial setting information in the storage unit 33 via the quality deterioration estimation unit .

[0091] In step S32, the quality deterioration estimation unit 38 estimates the quality deterioration of the fragrance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11 and supplies the parameter calculation unit 34B with quality deterioration information obtained as a result of the estimation of the quality deterioration of the fragrance 18. The quality deterioration estimation unit 38 also supplies the elapsed time since production T_P and the elapsed time since opening T_S to the parameter calculation unit 34B.

[0092] In step S33, the parameter calculation unit 34B calculates a corrected elapsed time T_P' by correcting the elapsed time T_P for production and a corrected elapsed time T_S' by correcting the elapsed time T_S for unsealing, using the quality deterioration information supplied from the quality deterioration estimation unit 38 in step S32, and supplies these to the determination unit 35B. The parameter calculation unit 34B also supplies the elapsed time T_P for production and the elapsed time T_S for unsealing, supplied from the quality deterioration estimation unit 38 in step S32, to the determination unit 35B.

[0093] In step S34, the judgment unit 35B determines whether the corrected elapsed manufacturing time T_P' and corrected elapsed opening time T_S', or the elapsed manufacturing time T_P and elapsed opening time T_S, obtained based on the estimated quality deterioration result (quality deterioration information) of the fragrance 18, exceed their respective upper limits.

[0094] If the determining unit 35B determines in step S34 that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S35, and if it determines that the upper limit has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0095] Thereafter, in steps S35 to S37, the same processes as in steps S14 to S16 in FIG. 8 are performed.

[0096] By executing the third control process as described above, the aroma diffuser 11 can estimate the deterioration in the quality of the fragrance 18, thereby maintaining the intensity of the scent and providing the user with a better scent experience.

[0097] <Fourth Configuration Example of Control Unit> Fig. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a fourth configuration example of the control unit 17. Note that in the control unit 17C shown in Fig. 13, components common to the control unit 17 in Fig. 7, the control unit 17A in Fig. 9, or the control unit 17B in Fig. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 17C has a configuration in common with the control unit 17 in Fig. 7 in that it includes a communication unit 31, a time management unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The control unit 17C also has a configuration in common with the control unit 17A in Fig. 9 in that it includes a sensor 37.

[0099] The control unit 17C differs from the control unit 17 in FIG. 1 in that it includes a parameter calculation unit 34C, a determination unit 35C, a drive control unit 36C, and a quality deterioration estimation unit 38C.

[0100] The quality deterioration estimation unit 38C estimates the quality deterioration of the fragrant substance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11 using a pre-trained model generated in advance by training, the elapsed time T_P since production, the elapsed time T_S since opening, the number of uses n, and the environmental data, and supplies quality deterioration information indicating the estimation result to the parameter calculation unit 34C. That is, the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C can also use the environmental data stored in the memory unit 33 from the sensor 37 to estimate the quality deterioration of the fragrant substance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11. The quality deterioration estimation unit 38C then supplies the quality deterioration information indicating the estimation result of the quality deterioration of the fragrant substance 18 at the current time, which is supplied from the time management unit 32, to the parameter calculation unit 34C. The pre-trained model is a model obtained by training the elapsed time T_P since production, the elapsed time T_S since opening, the number of uses n, the environmental data, and the degree of quality deterioration of the fragrant substance 18.

[0101] 11 , the parameter calculation unit 34C calculates a corrected elapsed time T_P' by correcting the elapsed time T_P for production and a corrected elapsed time T_S' by correcting the elapsed time T_S since opening, using the quality deterioration information of the fragrance 18 supplied from the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C, and supplies these to the determination unit 35C. Note that the parameter calculation unit 34C may adjust the calculation of the elapsed time T_P for production and the elapsed time T_S since opening, which are stop determination parameters, based on the environmental data stored in the memory unit 33. For example, if it is estimated that the fragrance 18 has deteriorated, the parameter calculation unit 34C can adjust the elapsed time T_P for production and the elapsed time T_S since opening so that they elapse faster than they actually do.

[0102] Similar to the judgment unit 35B in FIG. 11, the judgment unit 35C can determine whether or not to stop the use of the fragrance 18 based on whether the corrected elapsed manufacturing time T_P' or the elapsed manufacturing time T_P exceeds the upper limit of the elapsed manufacturing time T_P_MAX, or whether the corrected elapsed opening time T_S' or the elapsed opening time T_S exceeds the upper limit of the elapsed opening time T_S_MAX.

[0103] 9 , the drive control unit 36C can estimate the degree of change in the fragrance 18 using the environmental data stored in the memory unit 33 and adjust the calculation of the discharge adjustment parameters based on the estimation results. The environmental data used by the drive control unit 36C to calculate the discharge adjustment parameters may be the current (latest) environmental data or past environmental data. The drive control unit 36C then controls the opening and closing of the valve 14, the cross-sectional area of ​​the orifice 15 when opened, and the wind speed of the air blown by the discharge blower 16 in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters adjusted using the environmental data, thereby discharging air containing the aroma components from the aroma diffuser 11.

[0104] The control unit 17C configured in this manner is configured to have the functions of both the control unit 17A in Figure 9 and the control unit 17B in Figure 11, and can provide a better user experience of scents, similar to the control unit 17A in Figure 9 and the control unit 17B in Figure 11.

[0105] The fourth control process executed by the control unit 17C will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0106] In step S41, similarly to step S11 in FIG. 8, the communication unit 31 acquires the initial setting information and stores the initial setting information in the storage unit 33 via the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C.

[0107] In step S42, the drive control unit 36C and the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C acquire the environmental data stored in the storage unit 33.

[0108] In step S43, the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C estimates the quality deterioration of the fragrance 18 inside the aroma diffuser 11 using the environmental data acquired in step S42 as well, and supplies the parameter calculation unit 34C with quality deterioration information obtained as a result of the estimation of the quality deterioration of the fragrance 18. The quality deterioration estimation unit 38C also supplies the manufacturing elapsed time T_P and the unsealing elapsed time T_S to the parameter calculation unit 34C.

[0109] In step S44, the parameter calculation unit 34C calculates a corrected elapsed time T_P' by correcting the elapsed time T_P for production and a corrected elapsed time T_S' by correcting the elapsed time T_S for unsealing, using the quality deterioration information supplied from the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C in step S43, and supplies these to the determination unit 35C. The parameter calculation unit 34C also supplies the elapsed time T_P for production and the elapsed time T_S for unsealing, supplied from the quality deterioration estimation unit 38C in step S43, to the determination unit 35C.

[0110] In step S45, the judgment unit 35C determines whether the corrected manufacturing elapsed time T_P' and corrected unsealing elapsed time T_S', or the manufacturing elapsed time T_P and unsealing elapsed time T_S, obtained based on the estimated quality deterioration result (quality deterioration information) of the fragrance 18, exceed their respective upper limits.

[0111] If the determination unit 35C determines in step S45 that the upper limit has not been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S46, and if the determination unit 35C determines that the upper limit has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S48.

[0112] 9, the drive control unit 36C estimates the degree of change in the fragrance 18 using the environmental data stored in the memory unit 33, and adjusts the calculation of the discharge adjustment parameters based on the estimation results. Then, in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters adjusted using the environmental data, the drive control unit 36C controls the opening and closing of the valve 14, the cross-sectional area of ​​the orifice 15 when opened, and the wind speed of the air blown by the discharge blower 16, thereby discharging air containing the odor components from the aroma diffuser 11.

[0113] Thereafter, in steps S47 and S48, the same processes as in steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 8 are performed.

[0114] By executing the fourth control process as described above, the aroma diffuser 11 can provide the user with a better scent experience.

[0115] <Examples of Use of Aroma Diffuser> Examples of use of the aroma diffuser 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0116] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of using the aroma diffuser 11 as an alert presentation means.

[0117] In the usage example shown in FIG. 15 , the aroma diffuser 11 is mounted on a vehicle, and the control unit 17 of the aroma diffuser 11 is connected to a user I / F unit 21, a driver monitoring system (DMS) 22, an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) 23, and a presentation control unit 24, and is connected to a presentation unit 25 via the presentation control unit 24.

[0118] The driver monitoring system 22 monitors the driver who is driving the vehicle and detects the driver's physical condition (for example, fatigue, drowsiness, etc.). If the driver's physical condition is likely to interfere with driving, for example, if the driver's fatigue level is high, the driver monitoring system 22 supplies an alert signal to the control unit 17 and the presentation control unit 24.

[0119] The advanced driver assistance system 23 detects the driving conditions of the vehicle being driven by the driver. If the driving conditions of the vehicle may require safe driving assistance, for example, if the distance to the vehicle ahead is short, the advanced driver assistance system 23 supplies an alert signal to the control unit 17 and the presentation control unit 24.

[0120] The presentation control unit 24 controls the presentation unit 25 to present a warning to the driver in accordance with the alert signals output from the driver monitoring system 22 and the advanced driving assistance system 23 .

[0121] The presentation unit 25 is, for example, an audio device or a vibration device attached to a chair, a steering wheel, a seat belt, etc., and presents a warning to the driver using sound or vibration under the control of the presentation control unit 24.

[0122] The control unit 17 warns the driver by presenting an odor in accordance with the alert signals output from the driver monitoring system 22 and the advanced driving assistance system 23.

[0123] Even when the aroma diffuser 11 is used as an alert presentation means, the control unit 17 can perform control to maintain the intensity of the scent as described above. The aroma diffuser 11 is particularly effective in situations where the scent effect is for safety purposes, such as driver awareness, and where a constant scent intensity must be maintained at all times.

[0124] Then, when the control unit 17 determines to stop using the fragrance 18 or when the fragrance 18 is no longer able to maintain its odor intensity due to quality deterioration, the control unit 17 notifies the presentation control unit 24 to increase the level of notification in the method of issuing a warning to the driver. For example, when the control unit 17 determines that the stop determination parameter exceeds the upper limit in step S13 of the flowchart in FIG. 8 described above, or when the control unit 17 estimates that the fragrance 18 has deteriorated in quality in step S32 of the flowchart in FIG. 12 described above, the control unit 17 notifies the presentation control unit 24 to increase the level of notification in the method of issuing a warning to the driver. Here, increasing the level of notification in the method of issuing a warning means, for example, increasing the volume of the sound when issuing a notification by sound, or increasing the amplitude or frequency of the vibration when issuing a notification by vibration.

[0125] This allows the degree of warning notification by sound or vibration to be increased when it is expected that the aroma diffuser 11 will not be able to warn the driver by presenting a scent (or the warning will be weaker due to a decrease in the intensity of the scent).

[0126] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of using the aroma diffuser 11 in a hotel, commercial facility, or the like.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 17 of the aroma diffuser 11 is connected to the user I / F unit 21 as well as an environment recognition unit 27 to which an environment sensor 26 is connected.

[0128] The environmental sensor 26 is configured by, for example, a camera, acquires environmental information (for example, an image) indicating the surrounding environment where the aroma diffuser 11 is installed, and supplies it to the environment recognition unit 27 .

[0129] The environment recognition unit 27 recognizes the surrounding environment where the aroma diffuser 11 is installed based on the environmental information supplied from the environment sensor 26, and supplies a discharge instruction to the control unit 17 according to the recognition result.

[0130] The control unit 17 controls the emission of air containing odor components in accordance with an emission instruction from the environment recognition unit 27 .

[0131] For example, the aroma diffuser 11 is expected to be installed and used in a corridor, lobby, entrance, or elevator of a hotel, commercial facility, etc. When the environment recognition unit 27 recognizes that a person is approaching the aroma diffuser 11, it can issue an emission command to the control unit 17. Therefore, when a person approaches the aroma diffuser 11 (for example, when a person gets into an elevator) in a hotel or commercial facility, the aroma diffuser 11 can emit air containing an odor component to present the aroma.

[0132] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of using the aroma diffuser 11 in a playback system that plays back content such as games and movies.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 17 of the aroma diffuser 11 is connected to a content reproducing device 28 in addition to the user I / F unit 21, and the content reproducing device 28 is connected to a content presenting device 29.

[0134] The content playback device 28 plays content such as games and movies, and supplies the content data to the content playback device 28. In addition, the content played by the content playback device 28 has metadata indicating odor information attached to scenes containing odors, such as scenes in games and movies, where food or drinks are served. The content playback device 28 then supplies the odor information acquired during the playback of the content to the control unit 17.

[0135] The content presentation device 29 is, for example, a display device that displays video and an audio device that outputs sound, and presents the content data supplied from the content reproduction device 28 .

[0136] The control unit 17 controls the emission of air containing odor components in accordance with the odor information supplied from the content reproduction device 28 .

[0137] For example, it is assumed that aroma diffuser 11 is installed near the headrest of a chair or sofa of a user who is viewing content. Then, in conjunction with the playback of a scene in which a meal or drink is being served in the content presented by content presentation device 29, aroma diffuser 11 can present the user with an aroma associated with the meal or drink.

[0138] The aroma diffuser 11 is also effective in applications where a constant scent intensity must be maintained, such as when the scent effect is for peace of mind, such as when deodorizing unpleasant odors (pet, food, tobacco, etc.), or when the scent effect is for commercial purposes, such as when improving the brand image of buses, taxis, etc. The aroma diffuser 11 can also be effectively used for event shuttle bus services, event venue production, and service applications in spa facilities and rental spaces.

[0139] The aroma diffuser 11 can use citrus or floral scents as a pleasant scent (i.e., fragrance), and can use strong mint, vinegar, sulfur, or other pungent scents as an unpleasant warning scent.

[0140] In this embodiment, the history information regarding the use of the fragrance 18 includes environmental history information that follows the changes in the usage environment of the aroma diffuser 11, and usage history information that follows the changes in the usage of the aroma diffuser 11. The environmental history information is environmental data acquired by the sensor 37, and includes, for example, at least one of temperature data, humidity data, and vibration data. The usage history information includes at least one of elapsed time information including the elapsed manufacturing time T_P [s] and the elapsed opening time T_S [s], the cumulative discharge air volume w (past discharge air volume), information on the number of uses, and information on past discharge adjustment parameters.

[0141] <Example of Computer Configuration> Next, the above-described series of processes (control method) can be performed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is performed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in a general-purpose computer or the like.

[0142] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an embodiment of a computer in which a program for executing the above-described series of processes is installed.

[0143] In the computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 104 are interconnected by a bus 105. An input / output interface 106 is further connected to the bus 105, and the input / output interface 106 is connected to the outside.

[0144] In a computer configured as described above, the CPU 101 performs the above-described series of processes by loading programs stored in, for example, the ROM 102 and EEPROM 104 into the RAM 103 via the bus 105 and executing the programs. In addition, the programs executed by the computer (CPU 101) can be written in advance in the ROM 102, or can be installed or updated in the EEPROM 104 from outside via the input / output interface 106.

[0145] In this specification, the processing performed by a computer according to a program does not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart. In other words, the processing performed by a computer according to a program also includes processing that is executed in parallel or individually (for example, parallel processing or object-based processing).

[0146] The program may be processed by a single computer (processor), or may be distributed among multiple computers. Furthermore, the program may be transferred to a remote computer for execution.

[0147] Furthermore, in this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are contained in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0148] Also, for example, a configuration described as one device (or processing unit) may be divided and configured as multiple devices (or processing units). Conversely, configurations described above as multiple devices (or processing units) may be combined and configured as one device (or processing unit). Of course, configurations other than those described above may be added to the configuration of each device (or each processing unit). Furthermore, as long as the configuration and operation of the entire system are substantially the same, part of the configuration of one device (or processing unit) may be included in the configuration of another device (or other processing unit).

[0149] Furthermore, for example, the present technology can be configured as a cloud computing system in which a single function is shared and processed collaboratively by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0150] Furthermore, for example, the above-described program can be executed in any device, as long as the device has the necessary functions (functional blocks, etc.) and can obtain the necessary information.

[0151] Also, for example, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices. Furthermore, if one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices. In other words, multiple processes included in one step can be executed as multiple step processes. Conversely, processes described as multiple steps can be executed collectively as a single step.

[0152] In addition, the processing of the steps of a program executed by a computer may be executed in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, or may be executed in parallel or individually at the required timing, such as when a call is made. In other words, as long as no contradiction occurs, the processing of each step may be executed in an order different from the order described above. Furthermore, the processing of the steps of this program may be executed in parallel with the processing of another program, or may be executed in combination with the processing of another program.

[0153] It should be noted that the present technologies described in this specification can be implemented independently and singly, unless a contradiction arises. Of course, any two or more of the present technologies can also be implemented in combination. For example, part or all of the present technologies described in any embodiment can be implemented in combination with part or all of the present technologies described in other embodiments. Furthermore, part or all of any of the present technologies described above can also be implemented in combination with other technologies not described above.

[0154] <Examples of Combinations of Configurations> The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) A control device comprising: an emission control unit that sets emission adjustment parameters based on historical information regarding the use of a fragrance so as to maintain a constant odor intensity, and controls the emission of air containing odor components in accordance with the emission adjustment parameters. (2) The control device described in (1) above, further comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a stop determination parameter according to the time elapsed since the fragrance was manufactured or opened; and a determination unit that determines to stop use of the fragrance if the stop determination parameter exceeds an upper limit. (3) The control device described in (2) above, wherein the historical information regarding the use of the fragrance is the time elapsed since the fragrance was opened and the number of uses used to present the odor, and the emission adjustment parameter is the emission time, which is the time for which air containing odor components is emitted, the number of emissions, which is the number of times air containing odor components is emitted, or the emission air volume, which is the volume of air at which air containing odor components is emitted per use. (4) The control device described in (2) above, wherein the emission adjustment parameters include a parameter for emitting air containing odor components multiple times per use. (5) The control device according to (3) or (4), wherein the discharge control unit is configured to increase the discharge time per use, the number of discharges per use, or the discharge air volume per use as the elapsed time passes and the number of uses increases. (6) The control device according to any of (2) to (5), wherein the calculation unit calculates, as the stop determination parameter, an elapsed production time that is the time elapsed since the fragrance was manufactured, and the determination unit determines to stop use of the fragrance if the elapsed production time exceeds an upper limit of the elapsed production time that is registered in advance for each fragrance. (7) The control device according to any of (2) to (6), wherein the calculation unit calculates, as the stop determination parameter, an elapsed time after opening that is the time elapsed since the fragrance was opened, and the determination unit determines to stop use of the fragrance if the elapsed time after opening exceeds an upper limit of the elapsed time after opening that is registered in advance for each fragrance.(8) The control device according to any one of (2) to (7), wherein the determination unit determines to stop use of the fragrance when a cumulative total of the discharged air volumes after start of use of the fragrance exceeds a cumulative discharged air volume upper limit registered in advance for each fragrance. (9) The control device according to any one of (2) to (8), wherein the discharge control unit controls opening and closing of a valve, a cross-sectional area when the orifice is opened, and a wind speed of air blown by the discharge blower in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters. (10) The control device according to any one of (2) to (9), further comprising a sensor that periodically detects a usage environment, wherein the discharge control unit adjusts the discharge adjustment parameters based on a degree of change in the fragrance estimated by referring to accumulated environmental data indicating the usage environment. (11) The control device according to any one of (2) to (10), further comprising a quality deterioration estimation unit that estimates quality deterioration of the fragrance using a pre-trained model, wherein the calculation unit calculates the stop judgment parameter by referring to an estimated result of quality deterioration of the fragrance. (12) The control device according to any of (1) to (11) above, wherein the history information includes environmental progress information showing the progress of the usage environment of the aroma diffuser controlled by the control device, and usage history information showing the progress of use of the aroma diffuser. (13) The control device according to (12) above, wherein the environmental progress information includes at least one of temperature data, humidity data, and vibration data detected by a sensor that periodically detects the usage environment of the aroma diffuser. (14) The control device according to (12) above, wherein the usage history information includes elapsed time information including a manufacturing elapsed time that is the time elapsed since the fragrance was manufactured and a time elapsed since the fragrance was opened, cumulative discharge air volume information showing the cumulative discharge air volume obtained by accumulating the discharge air volume since use of the fragrance began, use count information showing the number of times the fragrance has been used, and at least one of the past discharge adjustment parameters.(15) A control method including: a control device setting a discharge adjustment parameter based on historical information regarding the use of a fragrance so that the intensity of the odor is maintained constant, and controlling the discharge of air containing odor components in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameter. (16) A program for causing a computer of a control device to execute processing including: setting a discharge adjustment parameter based on historical information regarding the use of a fragrance so that the intensity of the odor is maintained constant, and controlling the discharge of air containing odor components in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameter.

[0155] It should be noted that the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0156] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Aroma diffuser, 12 Diffuser body, 13 Cartridge, 14 Valve, 15 Restrictor, 16 Discharge blower, 17 Control unit, 21 User I / F unit, 22 Driver monitoring system, 23 Advanced driving assistance system, 24 Presentation control unit, 25 Presentation unit, 26 Environmental sensor, 27 Environmental recognition unit, 28 Content playback device, 29 Content presentation device, 31 Communication unit, 32 Time management unit, 33 Storage unit, 34 Parameter calculation unit, 35 Determination unit, 36 Drive control unit, 37 Sensor, 38 Quality degradation estimation unit

Claims

1. A control device that includes an emission control unit that sets emission adjustment parameters based on historical information regarding the use of fragrances so that the intensity of the scent is maintained constant, and controls the emission of air containing scent components in accordance with the emission adjustment parameters.

2. The control device described in claim 1 further comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a stop judgment parameter according to the time elapsed since the manufacture or opening of the fragrance; and a judgment unit that judges to stop use of the fragrance if the stop judgment parameter exceeds an upper limit.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the historical information regarding the use of the fragrance is elapsed time information indicating the elapsed time of the fragrance over time, and number of uses information indicating the number of times the fragrance has been used, and the discharge adjustment parameters are discharge time, which is the time for which air containing the odor components is discharged per use, number of discharges, which is the number of times air containing the odor components is discharged, or discharge air volume, which is the volume of air at which air containing the odor components is discharged.

4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the discharge adjustment parameters include parameters for discharging air containing odor components multiple times during one use.

5. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the discharge control unit is set to increase the discharge time per use, the number of discharges per use, or the discharge air volume per use as the elapsed time passes and the number of uses increases.

6. The control device described in claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the elapsed production time, which is the time elapsed since the fragrance was manufactured, as the stop judgment parameter, and the judgment unit judges to stop use of the fragrance if the elapsed production time exceeds an upper limit of the elapsed production time registered in advance for each fragrance.

7. The control device described in claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the elapsed time since opening, which is the time elapsed since opening the fragrance, as the stop judgment parameter, and the judgment unit judges to stop use of the fragrance if the elapsed time since opening exceeds an upper limit of the elapsed time since opening that is registered in advance for each fragrance.

8. The control device described in claim 2, wherein the judgment unit judges to stop use of the fragrance if the cumulative total airflow volume after the start of use of the fragrance exceeds the cumulative airflow volume upper limit registered in advance for each fragrance.

9. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the discharge control section controls the opening and closing of the valve, the cross-sectional area when the orifice is opened, and the wind speed of the air blown by the discharge blower in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters.

10. The control device described in claim 2, further comprising a sensor that periodically detects the usage environment, and wherein the discharge control unit adjusts the discharge adjustment parameters based on the degree of change in the fragrance estimated using accumulated environmental data indicating the usage environment.

11. The control device described in claim 2, further comprising a quality deterioration estimation unit that estimates quality deterioration of the fragrance using a pre-trained model, and the calculation unit calculates the stop judgment parameter using the estimated quality deterioration of the fragrance.

12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the history information includes environmental history information that follows the progress of the usage environment of the aroma diffuser that is the target of control by the control device, and usage history information that follows the progress of use of the aroma diffuser.

13. The control device according to claim 12, wherein the environmental history information includes at least one of temperature data, humidity data, and vibration data detected by a sensor that periodically detects the usage environment of the aroma diffuser.

14. The control device described in claim 12, wherein the usage history information includes elapsed time information including a manufacturing elapsed time, which is the time elapsed since the fragrance was manufactured, and an opening elapsed time, which is the time elapsed since the fragrance was opened; cumulative air volume information indicating the cumulative air volume emitted since the fragrance began to be used; number of uses information indicating the number of times the fragrance has been used; and at least one of the past discharge adjustment parameters.

15. A control method including a control device that sets discharge adjustment parameters based on historical information regarding the use of fragrances so that the intensity of the odor is maintained constant, and controls the discharge of air containing odor components in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters.

16. A program for causing a control device's computer to execute a process including setting discharge adjustment parameters based on historical information regarding the use of fragrances so that the intensity of the scent is maintained constant, and controlling the discharge of air containing scent components in accordance with the discharge adjustment parameters.

Images